I have been so excited to reveal this find and project with you! The weather finally cooperated this past weekend and we were able to get it finished and in place. The vintage industrial style provides a great rough, farmhouse style for your home or office. I have purchased some new reproduction furniture, but I’ve always hoped to buy one of these authentic vintage industrial carts.
I found this vintage industrial cart in Round Top, Texas, and purchased it from a man who bought it from a furniture manufacturing warehouse in North Carolina!
Industrial Style Decor
This style is being mass produced for all types of tables and desks, often featuring these heavy industrial steel wheels. The character of these carts truly is in the wheels! The shelving unit behind my office desk is in this similar style and I LOVE IT!
The heavy wooden top has four corners where 2×4 or 2×6 wooden boards are often inserted as handles for maneuvering the cart, and they also provide stability for whatever is being hauled. Unfortunately, I took these out to fit this in my SUV and forgot to load them!
Lasting Treasure
This cart was most likely used to move furniture around the warehouse, or lumber used in the manufacture of furniture. Because of its heavy-duty design and materials, it is virtually indestructible! And with as many people as we often have in our home, it is exactly what I need!
Simple Refinish Project
Although the vintage patina looks great, it was a little too dry and gray for my family room style, so I thought I would clean it up just a bit while maintaining the worn and aged look.
I used the following items:
- Minwax stain
- Minwax polyurethane
- cotton rags
- sponge brush
- plastic gloves
- plastic roll sheeting
Simple Steps
- Identify flat area to spread out plastic sheeting.
- Center utility cart on plastic.
- Using dry cloth, wipe dust from the deck and frame, and grease from the wheels.
- Put on gloves!
- Shake stain well and open.
- Apply stain using foam brush.
- Use cloth rags to wipe the stain into the cracks and crevasses.
- Apply additional coats of the stain until desired finish is achieved. (Like paint, stain will ordinarily dry a shade different than when first applied.)
- Let stand for at least several hours until stain is completely dry.
- If you would like to have a rustic finish, sand a few of the edges after staining to lightly remove some of the stain.
- Apply polyurethane finish.
- Let stand to dry completely before moving into the house.
The actual process of refinishing this only took a few minutes, although I gave the stain overnight to dry before applying the polyurethane.
After applying 2 coats of the polyurethane and allowing it to dry, it was time to set this in place. And WOW, it is even better than I hoped! I love the rustic and authentic look!
A little elbow grease and now I have a unique statement piece for my living room! I love how it turned out and I think it will be something we will enjoy for years to come.
Wow, I love this vintage cart turned coffee table! I’ve been upcycling some furniture pieces in this style for my son’s student room and this industrial style cart would fit right in! What a lucky find!
Thank you, Jayne! I am a huge fan of the industrial farmhouse look! This cart could be used for so many things!
Blessings!
Jana
Your industrial cart coffee table looks amazing! I love a furniture piece with history.
Thank you, Paula! I love pieces with a history too! They have a story to tell!
Blessings!
Jana
This definitely is a lasting treasure!!!! You much be so excited to have this in your home as it looks awesome!!! Thanks for sharing how you made it wonderful:)
Thank you, Maria! I have always wanted one and I am so happy with how it turned out!
Blessings!
Jana
I love this so much! This is the real deal and you saved a treasure. Love it!
Thank you, Cindy! I was so excited to finally find one of these.
Blessings!
Jana
love the color you chose! beautiful!
Thank you!