Shaving cabinet

Thought I'd share a couple photos of the shaving cabinet my wife restored/refinished for me this past summer. She and my son found the piece at an estate sale. Its door-glass was missing, the back was warped and cracked, and its original stained-wood finish had faded to an orange-yellowish hue. My wife prepped, painted, and distressed the cabinet after replacing the back. She also replaced the hardware. I wish I'd taken "before" photos.

We still plan to find some glass with an aged (wavy) appearance. But I think it looks great as it is.

The vintage bottles include a Pinaud Clubman, a Lucky Tiger (Kansas City), one etched "Bay Rum" (containing Dominica Original), and one with what appears to be a bay leaf pattern (containing Dominica Lime).

My mom found the blue and white scuttle for me. Its underside is stamped "Union Shaving Mug Company * Patented September 20, 1870".

looks great! love the glass bottles. you got me thinking bout xfering my plastic clubman to a glass bottle. what are the green and blue pumps on top of the bottles on the top shelf? never seen that before.

Looks really nice, everything is neat and organized inside as well. Your wife did a fine job! It looks great as is and I'm sure it would look great with different glass too, no worries, either way it looks wonderful.

Well done!

Looks good man!

Looks good. I especially like the decanted aftershaves in the old bottles.

DEshave said:

looks great! love the glass bottles. you got me thinking bout xfering my plastic clubman to a glass bottle. what are the green and blue pumps on top of the bottles on the top shelf? never seen that before.

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Thanks. The "atomisers" came from italianbarber.com. They fit the big bottles. Kinda over-the-top, but a kick to use. I just about alway use Musgo Real AS first (wish there was a barber-sized bottle of it available somewhere) and follow-up with Proraso Green with the atomiser. But I do use the others from time to time, especially the bay rums (Dominica Lime is my favorite). BTW, the pinched bottle contains Tabac.

http://www.italianbarber.com/floid-atomiser-blue

http://www.italianbarber.com/floid-atomiser-orange

http://www.italianbarber.com/proraso-atomiser-green

Extremely nice. Sounds like you've got a really supportive family. Lucky guy!

That looks great!




You need more brushes, though.

Beautiful! Great collection there and your wife really did a great job.

ChiefBroom said:

Thanks. The "atomisers" came from italianbarber.com. They fit the big bottles. Kinda over-the-top, but a kick to use. I just about alway use Musgo Real AS first (wish there was a barber-sized bottle of it available somewhere) and follow-up with Proraso Green with the atomiser. But I do use the others from time to time, especially the bay rums (Dominica Lime is my favorite). BTW, the pinched bottle contains Tabac.

http://www.italianbarber.com/floid-atomiser-blue

http://www.italianbarber.com/floid-atomiser-orange

http://www.italianbarber.com/proraso-atomiser-green

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thanks for the links! the phrase "ya learn something new everyday" has never been more true to me until i've been browsing B&B.

so i take it you just spray the AS directly on your face?

That's sweet.... I need to find something like that.

DEshave said:

thanks for the links! the phrase "ya learn something new everyday" has never been more true to me until i've been browsing B&B.

so i take it you just spray the AS directly on your face?

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That's right. I bought one and tried it before going for the other two. It's a different experience. Not necessarily better, but definitely different. It's all good. You'll notice a regular bottle of Proraso in the cabinet as well, which I use when I feel like a splash rather than a spray.

To me, nothing feels like Musgo Real, but nothing smells as good as Proraso. That said, I also also really enjoy Dominica and Captain's Choice bay rum ***. And Floid Blue. The more powdery *** (e.g., Pinaud Clubman, Tabac, Floid Vigoroso) don't suit my taste so much, but I still appreciate them and use them occasionally out of nostalgia.

Opening up the cabinet doors every morning is a favorite part of my day. Takes me straight back to boyhood visits to the barber shop in the late 50s and early 60s.

chiefum said:

That's sweet.... I need to find something like that.

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It's not exactly what I'd design from scratch. But it works extremely well for what's in it. I'd thinks I'd like to have something with apothecary-type drawers for razors. On the other hand, hanging them would probably be more convenient/functional, beside the fact it would be nice to see them, or at least a selection of them.

Great looking cabinet, congrats on a job well done.

Chief:
You wife is a excellent woodsmith / restorer and a 'keeper'.

"The things I make [in woodshop] may be for others, but how I make them is for me". Tony Konovaloff

Indeed. And she is enjoying the replies.

The Count of Merkur Cristo said:

Chief:
You wife is a excellent woodsmith / restorer and a 'keeper'.

"The things I make [in woodshop] may be for others, but how I make them is for me". Tony Konovaloff

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nicely done!!!! love the overall traditional styling. reminds me of an apothecary cabinet. great job!!

Thanks for sharing. It's great!

very nice!
I have a cabinet about that size in my bathroom full of just other random stuff. you've inspired me sir, think I'll find another spot for all that random stuff and move my shaving gear to the more appropriate cabinet.