Rolling Outdoor Dish Storage and Buffet

12 years ago

Hello Everyone,

I haven't been posting or commenting for a long time, but I have been checking in from time to time.

Saw Luvs last week. We went to a craft fair and then had lunch. It was good to connect again.

I thought I'd share my latest summer project. I saw this done on a blog called Organizing Made Fun.

I have always wanted a decent place to set out food for an outside meal, but never found one that I

thought was big enough (no dinky carts for me) and was also in my price range.

Here is my "new" outdoor, rolling buffet table. It holds most of my outdoor picnic/barbecue dishes AND

is a nice size to put out all the food for people to serve themselves.

Here's how it developed:

I spotted just the right size bedroom dresser at my local Goodwill. It was $117 for the dresser and two nightstands.

Trouble is I didn't want or need the nightstands, so I asked if they'd sell just the dresser.

Nope! In fact, the woman at the Goodwill said it came as a set - dresser, two nightstands, mirror and headboard.

I begged. I pleaded. No use. I had to take the whole thing. It was all or nothing.

So this is what I did. I put extra large revolving wheels on the bottom of the dresser, sanded and painted it and put drawer pulls on either side.

Then I popped the mirror off it's frame,

painted the frame and sprayed chalkboard paint

on the center for a menu board.

Finally, I removed the drawers from one of the nightstands and cut a "slice" off to make it narrower.

The whole nightstand and the altered nightstand were screwed together and a common bottom was added for stability, It also got wheels, and was sanded and painted to match the buffet. I'm going to use it to set up the beverages.

I figure the whole thing cost about $225 (wheels were a big expense). Not bad for storage, portability, and serving.

Now, what can I make with the headboard?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

plainjane425
12 years ago
Hi OA...good to see you back posting...you've been missed -
AND, especially your clever ideas!
Who whould have thunk...to put together such a handy/dandy outdoor Rolling Buffet/Dish Storage - from a Bedroom dresser - and then use the end tables to create a beverage center - WOW !! Love the whole concept and that you put them on wheels. Super idea! Let me ask thou - will they be protected from the outdoor elements - such as rain/rain/rain ? I know wood grain opens up from moisture and also warps. So I was just wondering if they'll be protected.
As far as what to do with the Headboard - I've seen clever benches made using them. I've been looking for the right one myself, for my front porch. If you have the Headboard, that becomes the back of the bench and the Footboard, is sawed in half and attached on each side and creates a nice bench..They look pretty nice too.
Well anyway - it's good to see you here again..and I always love your fun and creative ideas.
Hope we get to see more of you.

jane
oldalgebra
Original Author
12 years ago
Jane,
The question about the elements is a good one. I'm not sure how long they'll last. They do sit under our patio overhang. (You can see just a bit of it in the fourth picture.) They aren't close to sprinklers, so that shouldn't be a problem, although the smaller beverage center could get splashed on by ricocheting raindrops, so it would need to be pulled deeper into the covered area when the rains start up again. We have a pretty long dry season here in Southern California.
We'll just have to see how long they last. I'm thinking they'll have to last about four seasons to justify the money! Although I'm not so sure about that. I may have already gotten my money's worth. The real fun is in the making - perhaps even more than in the using!

I wish I could take credit for the original idea, but as I mentioned in the beginning, someone named Becky at Organization Made Fun posted the idea on her blog. She made a buffet from her son's old dresser and painted a very nice looking monogram on the top.
Related Discussions
How to store table linens in buffet with doors
Q
Comments (14)
I ended up using the plastic bins. Since I didnÂt want to spend new money on these, I went around the house and ferreted out the ones I had, and consolidated the contents to free up some bins. I didnÂt have enough for everything, but for the rest IÂll wait until something turns up. I donated about a third of the tablecloths too. Being frugal is work! I checked a few stores before going that route though, and found that not only have plastic storage bins gone way up in price, but most seem to have things like fancy or locking lids, bulky handles, etc. Beats me why a plastic box needs to be redesigned like the latest car model. The basic ones I repurposed are much more functional.
...See More
SPINOFF: China/Dishes - where and do they still 'fit' you
Q
Comments (50)
I love this thread and hearing about everyone's china! I love blue and white and have: several different brands of Asiatic Pheasant (all English) in different blues, Johnson Brothers Indies, and Masons Fruit Basket Blue (This is what I use for everyday -- these blues) I have scads of Spode plates as well (in both Blue Room and Blue Italian) and use some as everyday dishes and some as company dishes -- I do have platers and bowls and covered vegetable bowls to go with the Blue Room/Blue Italian as well as blue and white turkey plates by Wedgwood and Myott. My Christmas dishes are Royal Doulton Tartan and I hand carried them home from England -- 8 plates, cups and saucers for $12 -- what was I thinking -- why I didn't get 16 or 24 at that price I don't know! Over the years I have accumulated 12 plates, cups and saucers. I also bought some Lennox Holiday salad plates which look good with the Tartan and gives me Christmas dessert/salad plates. I have my grandmother's china -- Noritake marcasite and it's a cream with gold trim -- I really like it and feel like it sets an elegant table. I also have some Famille Rose patterns which I mix and match -- Spode Famille Rose, Wedgwood Cuckoo and Aynsley Pembroke -- not the new Pembroke but the old one from the turn of the century. I have enough for 8 in those patterns and also have a tea pot, sugar and creamer (in the new Pembroke) so I can use the set for tea. And then I have Noritake Duluth which is a 1920's pattern which is a really pretty delicate pattern with a blue band and pink roses. (I use that one the least and have moved it down to the basement -- I can access it but it isn't filling up my china cabinets LOL!) My "wedding china" was Wedgwood Runnymeade -- which I still adore but my daughter admired it and wanted it and so it was our gift to her for her wedding -- we had 4 place settings and when the three of us went to England we bought 4 more -- and hand carried it home! I adore china and am always being enticed by a new pattern. I use my dishes a lot for we like to have company and it's fun to use different dishes to set a table. I also have my mother's wedding silver-plate, my husband's grandmother's sterling, a set of sterling that we bought for $25 at an auction (everyone saw "stainless" on the knife blade and thought that was what it was!). My crystal was Waterford Kylemore and I still adore it
...See More
built in "hutch" or "buffet" in dining room
Q
Comments (12)
If you include the sink, then the coffee maker will work well, and you could have a roll-out tray for it, from one of the pantries, similar to amanda's in this thread. Do you have an upper cabinet next to the fridge? You can put the MW on a shelf beside it, or have a MW drawer in the island. How do you use the MW? Mostly for kid's snacks, re-heating left-overs from the fridge, cooking rice or steaming vegetables? That would be the deciding factor for me. ETA, I have an 18" deep buffet in the DR, with storage below (not pantry items) and open shelves above, for china. I made it 3.5" taller than a standard counter, because it has a vent under it, which I didn't want to reroute. That height works fine for us. Although I rarely serve food from it, it's convenient for extra table service and to place lids from the serving dishes on the table. Sometimes I scoop papers and other clutter from the table and quickly deposit them on the buffet before dinner, but then I have to declutter eventually. I really like having it--it adds a lot of personality to the room, and I can see my pretty china from where I sometimes prep at the end of the island. :) The most important item I store there is the fire extinguisher, because it's not in the kitchen, but very close, and in the path from my bedroom to the kitchen.
...See More
What are your make ahead Thanksgiving dishes?
Q
Comments (21)
I actually attempted key lime pie on Friday. I had been wanting to make one for a long time, actually since Mtn had posted a mini key lime pie recipe. Then I put it off, and finally said maybe it's not ideal to try it out for Thanksgiving. That and pecan pie are my son in law's favorites. So I made it Friday, and it was so simple and looked really good. I did not do the topping with the whipped cream and limes because I didn't have them. I was also afraid it might be a bomb and didn't want to throw more on it. I brought it over to them and they said they had it yesterday and it was delicious! yay. I'm now thirilled that I can add something new to my repetoire. It definitely would be a good thing to freeze. I'm going to make my pecan pie tomorrow, and cornbread tomorrow as well. Digging out the table cloths (haven't used them in over 3 years I think) shortly. Wednesday will be stuffing and maybe mashed potatos. Turkey and veggies and salad will be Thursday. I think we're good! (and next year if I host or go anywhere I can offer pecan pie AND Key lime woo hoo)
...See More
nana2010_gw
12 years ago
OA, I'm thrilled to see that you are back posting again!!!
You HAVE been missed.
Wonderful job converting the dresser and night stand to outdoor storage and buffet. I'm sure you will get at least 4 seasons out of them.
I'm looking forward to seeing your next project and tablescape.
NanaK
marylee_2010
12 years ago
Even though you got the idea from a blog, you did a wonderful job in carrying it out. Looks marvelous and so useful, too. Thank you for sharing
Marylee
luvstocraft
12 years ago
Great idea and so wonderful to have extra serving and storage space as well. If you used a primer and exterior paint, they should hold up for several years. And since they are on casters, no problem with the legs absorbing moisture. (Old office chairs are a great source of casters--just in case you ever need more.)

You are so creative, I'm going to have to have you come over and spruce up my place too! ;o)

Do you have those bar b que bibs all sewn up yet? Joanne's has a 50 percent off fabric coupon if you need one.

Luvs
oldalgebra
Original Author
12 years ago
Marylee and Nana, thanks for the kind words. I did have fun trying to figure out ways to use the pieces I didn't want to begin with.

Luvs, I bought the material after you told me about the 50% off. But I have to admit, I already know I just don't have the energy to get going on them. They'll have to wait until next year.
jeannespines
12 years ago
Your old 'new' rolling buffet is quite AWESOME, OA! It looks perfect out in your CA outdoors!!! Yes, I can see that you did alot of thinking & hard work on this project & happy that you shared it here!

Love the menu chalkboard & the mini-buffet for drinks...way to recycle the other pcs you didn't really want. As for the headboard, like jane said above, I've seen some really neat 'benches'...so I've attached the Garden Junk link of Purplemoon's Inspiration Album which she keeps up for the forum ...showing some ideas...maybe something will spark!

I am glad you & luvs can get tog sometimes...what fun! Good to hear from you & TFS your project! Jeanne S.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wood Creations in Garden Junk Inspiration Album
Purplemoon
12 years ago
OMGosh, you are living up to your Miss O-so-Amazing nickname once again! WOW. You did a fantastic job of repurposing that bedroom set. Not only did it turn out beautiful, and useful, it looks "pricey". I'm sure glad you got forced into buying the whole thing. LOL.
You could use marine varnish if you are worried about water damage. Tho other poly might also be water-proof.

Yep, soon as you mentioned headboard, I was thinking about those wonderful bed benches folks make on GJ. I've saved quite a few photos of them and love them. But nothing ever in my GW to use, and the price in the antique mall is waaaay beyond me. I need to live in places where folks throw them out for junk. LOL.
Here's two of my favorites, tho was hard to narrow it down to just two. I'm glad Jeanne posted the inspiration album.
A little corner one inside a house

Its so GREAT to have you posting, creating, and sharing with us.
hugs, Karen
phonegirl
12 years ago
OA, so happpy to have you back posting again. You've been away waaaaaaaaaaaaaay to long.

Your new outdoor, rolling buffet table, mirror frame Menu and beverage cart are all wonderful additions for your patio. I've missed seeing all your creations. You are so talented and even tho you got the idea on a blog, it takes alot to follow through with a project like this. You Rock!!!

I can hardly wait to see what you create with the headboard. Love the corner bench Karen posted. As Jeanne said " I can see that you did alot of thinking & hard work on this project & happy that you shared it here"!

Have you been posting on your blog lately? I'll have to try to check it out one of these days! Great to hear that you and Luvs had another fun day together.

Punk
janet1_2007
12 years ago
OA, I really like what you have done, and if I had a patio or even a decent sized back poarch, I would be tempted to steal or borrow your idea. I keep dreaming of a patio or a large enough gazebo for cooking in, but since DH's diagnosis, I guess it will stay just a dream. I have really missed your posting, I am so glad you are back. Don't take such a long leave of absence again, OK? TFS Janet
Marlene Kindred
12 years ago
Well, I've been missing in action too, so I'm just seeing your post here. All I can say is AWESOME!! VERY creative and the results are just gorgeous....and so much storage space!

I was thinking a bench too when you asked about what to do with the headboard....or even a swing!

Rolling Outdoor Dish Storage and Buffet

Comments (11)

plainjane425

oldalgebra
Original Author

Related Discussions

nana2010_gw

marylee_2010

luvstocraft

oldalgebra
Original Author

jeannespines

Purplemoon

phonegirl

janet1_2007

Marlene Kindred

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Rolling Outdoor Dish Storage and Buffet

Comments (11)

oldalgebraOriginal Author

Related Discussions

oldalgebraOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

oldalgebra
Original Author

oldalgebra
Original Author