Back in the autumn I shared about how we store away
a lot of our stuff for seasonal entertaining, etc.
You can find that post here.
The people that built our cottage obviously did not
like to cook….our kitchen has very little storage,
a microscopic pantry, and hardly any counter space.
Hard to believe…because our home is an authentic
Acadian cottage…built to historic specifications.
Hard to believe the kitchens were not larger…
Acadians loved to cook! They were French, after all.
So, even though we love our little French cottage
there was no where to store kitchen equipment, etc.
We came up with the idea to extend our dining room storage
solution and turn it into a built-in that spans the entire side
wall of our dining room…..which is right off the kitchen
and very convenient.
Handsome surprised me and built it for my birthday!
Get ready…there’s lots of pics.
I knew that we would have to completely empty the current
sideboard/storage….so I went ahead and pre-medicated:
4 Advil and a big glass of sweet tea. Whew!
All empty….we moved the current ‘table’ all the way down
to make room for the new addition.
We stained the top in Special Walnut.
And then began organizing all the stuff…and adding
the new items that needed a home.
Handsome hid a copper pipe for a curtain rod under the front
lip of the top and I made five linen panels to cover
everything up. By having five panels there are several
slits that can slide open to access whatever we
need to get.
Here’s the finished product…
{the table….I haven’t finished with what will go on top.}
I’m loving it! Both of us are organization freaks…..so not
being able to get to our food processor, Belgian waffle maker,
slow cooker, etc. was driving us crazy.
Now they are easily accessible.
OK…one big project down, 572 more to go. 
The entire cost of this project was under $100.
It will also be fabulous for parties…..
16 feet of tabletop for food, drinks…whatever!
Thanks, Handsome….I love my birthday present!
Sharing with: Skip to My Lou, Tip Junkie, Today’s Creative Blog, Not JUST a Housewife, Blue Cricket Design, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Whipperberry, The Idea Room, Between Naps on the Porch, French Country Cottage, The Lettered Cottage, Thrifty Decor Chick, Funky Junk Interiors, At the Picket Fence, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Common Ground, DIY Showoff, Home Stories A to Z, a.k.a. Design, Someday Crafts, Organize and Decorate Everything, 2805, Making the World Cuter, The Girl Creative, Craftomaniac, Carolyns Homework, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Tatertots & Jello, Serenity Now, No Minimalist Here, Savvy Southern Style, Coastal Charm, My Romantic Home, Redoux, Just A Girl, 504 Main, 733 Blog, We Are That Family, Creating Really Awesome Free Things, The Charm of Home, Delightsome Life, Freckled Laundry, Miss Mustard Seed
That is seriously awesome Daune!! I was just working on our post for tomorrow
and had to pop over to see what you’ve been up to over here and my mouth dropped open. LOL! What an incredible way to create tons of storage and have it all look so beautiful. Well done!
Vanessa
Thanks, Vanessa! We are loving it.
I love this!!! My family is Acadian, originally from PEI
Oh how neat! We are actually studying in history the Acadians…and it’s neat that we live in an Acadian cottage.
So glad to have you!
Hi! I just found you. very interesting history of the Acadians and Cajun French!
Your cottage is charming. I like your long buffet table/sideboard, it’s great display area for all your antique and attractive things and wonderful for setting out a spread when entertaining! The huge storage area underneath is very practical! It’s great that you’re married to one so handy!
I’m following you! Have a Happy Spring!
Blessings! Linda
So glad to have you, Linda!
This is a fantastic idea! I love the functionality of it, and it looks great, too!
-Revi
Thanks, Revi! We are enjoying it immensely!
What a good looking way to solve your storage problem! And I’m sure you’ll love the space for entertaining. Nice work!
It has been a huge blessing!
How beautiful! That was an awesome project with fantastic results. I know you must be thrilled!
We are really enjoying it.
Hi, Daune
I just love your new side table. I found your lovely blog on Making the world cuter link party. I just enjoyed looking around your lovely blog. I am a new follower. I would love for you to stop by http://www.homesweetbutterfly.com. Thanks and have a great weekend.
Vanessa
Thanks, Vanessa! So glad to have you at the cottage.
Wow, That looks amazing!!
Greetings from Australia♥
#131 Open House Party
Oh it’s beautiful. Look at all that storage space too, wow! I would love something like this if I had the space. I would love for you to share your great post at my Anything Goes Linky.
Thanks, Mindie!
I LOVE it! What a great idea and love the ruffled cover!! Thanks for linking up at FNF!
Love this! We have the same storage issues in our small home. I currently have a way too small sideboard in the dining room that looks like your original and I have been thinking of doing a similar DIY version of your new table. Thanks for sharing! What a great hubs you have.
I think you will LOVE it!
What a great table. Love the skirt you made for it. Wonderful gift from your husband.
Thanks, Amy!
Oh my gosh! It is wonderful! How clever and creative and special of your hubby….
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com
I think so, too!
That is awesome! I love the nice full linen skirt. Beautiful! I’m visiting from Funky Junk. Have a lovely weekend. Deborah
You, too, Deborah!
OMG, I AM DROOOOOOOLING! What a fabulous idea and it looks so appealing too! Can Handsome build me one?
I’ll ask him, Toodie!
Wow, It is fab! I love how full the skirt is, so charming!!
Julie
Thanks…I’m loving it!
I love it! I did something similar at school one time, but yours is much neater!
I bet it was wonderful in a school setting…fun idea!
What wonderful storage space and beautiful too!
Oh it’s gorgeous and all that room!!!
Love it!
XO
Kristin
Thanks, Kristin!
This is an amazing storage idea. I love it. Great job.
Ruth
Love it, it looks great!
Debbie
Thanks, Debbie!
I seriously love this! I need a buffet in my dining room, and I hadn’t thought about building one…until now!
You will love it….you can tailor it to just what you need and the look that you’d like.
Now that is some serious storage! I Love it…..handsome did an awesome job
)
~Des
Yes….I’m loving it!
That is wonderful! It also holds so much stuff! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
Sherry
by reading I have discovered that the French do have smaller kitchens than we are accustomed to – but they make the best of what they have and typically shop every day for fresh foods.
Your sideboard is fabulous, much better than a line of cabinetry! I love it! thank you for sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy
Kathy~ Thanks for that reminder about making the best of what you have. I would LOVE to shop daily for fresh food…wouldn’t it be great? That’s hard to do here in the US….I need to be in a village.
This is really fabulous, our old house has limited storage also, and I am always trying to hide things in the craziest places! If only my hubby was as handy as yours! t.xoxo
It’s very easy to build!
I love your new storage. Great ideas. Where did you get the little table on the top of the sideboard?
Marsha~ The little tables are actually cheese servers….but we use them for all kinds of things! There are two of them: a small and a large. I got them at Pottery Barn, and I believe they still have them.
Beautiful! I came over from Common Ground….I’ve never seen a skirted piece look so fantastic. Love it and following you now. xo
So glad to have you, Wendy!
What a clever solution to the space problem! I will probably keep this in mind if I ever have a house that has a dining room
STUNNING STUNNING STUNNING…..oh, you made my day….I have a similar difficult storage situation in my dining room and I am just thrilled beyond words that I found you today! THANK YOU….so lovely and so creative and functional! LOVE!
So glad….we are really enjoying it so much! Let me know how it goes if you build one.
Thank you so much for sharing at my party! I am featuring it this afternoon. I hope you enjoy that gorgeous addition this Easter. -K
Thanks, Karen!
brilliant solution, so much wonderful storage, so accessible! this reminds me of old-style kitchen cupboards with curtains not doors! Thank you for sharing this great project!
Thanks, Jewels!
Hi! I LOVE your sideboard. Can you tell me how deep it is? Is there anything that you would change now that you have been living with it for awhile? I’m asking for one of these for my birthday
. Thanks!!!
That’s great! This one was my birthday present a year ago! =) It is 12″ deep….and I love everything about it. Be sure to leave a little ‘secret’ 3/4″-1″ gap between the top and the wall in case you need to drop a plug behind it to plug in to the outlet in the wall. So glad we did that!