Get the look

BUILD A CABINET DOOR Panel doors like these can be easily replicated, so add extra cabinets knowing you can also make the doors to match.

Gather your supplies MDF that is half the thickness of the door Decorative moulding to match existing Handles to match existing

You’ll also need Power saw with fence attachment; PVA glue; nails; damp cloth; wood putty; sandpaper; acrylic undercoat; Dulux Aquanamel topcoat; painting equipment; 35mm Forstner bit; concealed kitchen hinges

Note

When using power tools, wear all safety gear required. For more information, refer to your equipment pack instructions.

Here’s how STEP 1 Cut a panel of MDF to match size of door you need. Tip

Doors are a few mm smaller than cabinets they attach to, to create gap between doors. Measure an existing door to find out how much smaller it is. STEP 2 Use power saw with fence attachment to cut strips of MDF for stiles and rails of door. Stiles go down sides of door and rails go between them at top and bottom. Make them the same width as those on existing doors.

STEP 3 Spread PVA glue over back of stiles and rails, and nail to door panel. Use a damp cloth to wipe off excess glue.

STEP 4 Cut decorative moulding to fit around insides of rails and stiles. Cut a 45° angle on each end to mitre joins in corners. Spread glue over back of moulding and press onto door. Nail in place. Remove excess glue and leave to set.

STEP 5 Fill all nail holes and gaps in door with wood putty. Let dry then sand smooth. Remove dust and apply undercoat. Let dry then apply 2 topcoats, allowing to dry after each coat.

Tip

For a super‑smooth finish, sand lightly between coats to remove brush marks. Use a new brush with fine bristles for final coat. STEP 6 Use a 35mm Forstner bit to drill holes in back of doors for hinges. Fit hinges to hinge blocks on cabinet. Drill hole in door for handle and fit.

CREATE A FENCEPALING BENCHTOP Looking to add unique character to your island? All you need is an old fence!

Gather your supplies 17mm formply Recycled hardwood fence palings (de‑nailed)

You’ll also need Power saw with fence attachment; construction adhesive; drill; 30mm wood screws; nail gun and nails; straightedge; scrapers; powder putty; sponge; power plane; belt sander and fine sandpaper; finishing sander; vacuum; clear polyurethane coating; painting equipment

Here’s how STEP 1 Cut formply to size to suit width and length of kitchen island, allowing for overhang on cabinets and benchtop edging. STEP 2 To join lengths of formply if required, cut a formply backing block to fit over underside of join. Try to make block fit inside a cabinet so you won’t have to cut out parts of cabinet to accommodate the block when installing. Spread construction adhesive over block, place over join and screw together with 30mm wood screws. STEP 3 Starting from 1 edge, glue and nail fence palings to formply. Place palings so they overhang edge of ply slightly. Continue laying palings across formply, staggering joins between palings on each row. Tip

Create a symmetrical look by lining up the joins on every alternate row.

STEP 4 Using a straightedge as a guide, use power saw to cut off palings where they overhang edge of formply.

STEP 5 Using power saw with fence attachment, cut palings along length to use as edging around benchtop. Make width of edging the thickness of paling and formply benchtop plus 10mm. Ensure cabinet doors will still open with extra 10mm and reduce if necessary. Cut to length then glue and nail around edges.

STEP 6 Using a wide scraper, remove any loose timber and dirt from palings. Brush or vacuum away debris.

STEP 7 Mix powder putty with a little more water than pack instructions. This makes it a bit runny so it’s easier to spread and get into cracks. Spread putty over entire surface of palings and edging, using scraper to force it into gaps. Before putty starts to set, wipe away excess with a damp sponge. Leave to dry.

Use power plane to remove any high spots where palings meet and to make benchtop flat.

STEP 9 Use belt sander fitted with fine sandpaper to smooth top of palings. Check surface to see if the putty has gotten into all the cracks and gaps and reapply where required. Switch to a less powerful finishing sander to remove sanding marks and smooth surface further. Vacuum to remove dust.

STEP 10 Apply 2 coats of clear polyurethane coating to benchtop, allowing to dry after each coat.

STEP 11 Place benchtop in position and screw up through cabinets to attach.

Demijohn Bottle, $89, The Lost and Found Department. Folk Pad Printed Serving Bowl in Red, $49 (large), West Elm. Rectangle Wire Basket (above), $25. Elm Round Chopping Board (below), $115 (large), The Lost and Found Department. Resurrection Aromatique...

7. When you rejig your recycled kitchen, you’ll likely need a few more cabinet doors. No probs!

Leave it a bit rough – what a charmer!