My husband surprised me with an espresso machine for Christmas! I have wanted to learn about homemade lattes for years, so I was pretty excited! I've mentioned before (a few times?) that my kitchen is small. After a week of making espresso drinks on our kitchen countertop I was desperate for a solution to free up some space. We decided to try to find a cart to restyle (similar to our cocktail cart) and here's what we found...
Before: At a flea market I came across this wooden kitchen cart. It was most likely from the 1990s and not exactly a "knock out", but I knew a quick restyle would work wonders. First we removed the knife block from the side of the cart and then we removed the wheels. Next, we painted the cart with Kilz Oil Base Primer
and painted it with Krylon Celery Spray Paint
. Then we added a coat of polyurethane just to add a little extra protection to the paint. We let the paint cure for 24 hours. Last, we added new casters that we bought from Lowe's. We used a little caulk to secure the casters in the holes at the bottom of the cart.
Our restyle only took a few days and I am so happy with the resulting cart! We decided to keep it in our studio, because it's fun to use during work and we had a good amount of extra space in there.
To keep things organized, I sketched everything that I wanted the cart to hold before we even started shopping for one. Once it was ready to use, I invested in some good airtight containers for espresso beans, some lucite trays to hold coffee cups and of course, some really good beans! 
I ordered these beans from Intelligentsia Coffee. We used Martha Stewart labels and small letter stamps for our beans and syrups.
Since we like to entertain, and we have our team working at my home most weekdays, I wanted to have a good variety of sweeteners. I made a few simple syrups (psst- get the syrup recipes here!) and stocked up on truvia and sugar as well.
I have to admit, restyles are some of my favorite projects! I love giving flea market items makeovers. This cart is something that will be useful and practical in our home for a long time. xo. Elsie
Source List: Cart/Flea Market, Casters/Lowe's, Spray Paint/Krylon in Celery, White Tray/West Elm, Espresso Machine/Breville Cafe Roma
White Mason Jar "vase"/Fishs Eddy, Airtight Containers/Bed, Bath & Beyond, Feather Teapot/not sure- it was a gift, Thermos'/vintage, Coffee Bean Grinder/KitchenAid, Wire Basket/Amazon
. ♥ PS- If you are curious about our new "wallpaper" I will be posting about that soon!
It looks fabulous! amazing what a lick of paint can do
Posted by: Kerry @ Kerry Cooks | January 16, 2013 at 03:08 PM
This is perfect for small kitchen owners (me!) and coffee lovers (me!)
Posted by: Marie Schott | January 16, 2013 at 03:14 PM
What a small world, I just took a break from working on the same "wallpaper" in my hallway. Great minds, they really do think alike! Love the cart too!
Posted by: Carla | January 16, 2013 at 03:15 PM
This is great!!! :)
Just noticing you have your beans in glass jars. Although it looks pretty this way, the beans will store better and keep their flavour profile in dark places. So I guess it comes down to better flavour or aesthetics of coffee display.
Posted by: Danielle | January 16, 2013 at 03:17 PM
oh my goodness your wall looks incredible! :)
http://run2thewild.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Courtney Howard | January 16, 2013 at 03:19 PM
The cart looks great and the photo wall looks AMAAAAAAZING!!!! So many Instax photos!!
♥ Talia Christine
http://taliachristine.blogspot.com
Posted by: Talia Christine | January 16, 2013 at 03:19 PM
Elsie- we bought that exact cart a month after we got married from JC Penny in 1994! We use ours (formerly a microwave cart) in JD's wood shop. Love how yours looks!
Posted by: Kelli Crowe | January 16, 2013 at 03:29 PM
love that wall!! is it all instax photos? i can't imagine making that many- that would be so amazing!
-kellie
Posted by: Kellie | January 16, 2013 at 03:32 PM
that looks fantastic! Simple update that makes an impact!
xoxo
Juliette Laura
http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Juliette Laura | January 16, 2013 at 03:32 PM
This looks amazing, but I can't take my eyes off of your wallpaper- that is awesome! I can't wait to hear about it!!
Posted by: Kate | January 16, 2013 at 03:34 PM
So cute! Where are all of these wire baskets from?
http://sarahthearchitect.com/
Posted by: Sarah | January 16, 2013 at 03:35 PM
By boyfriend and I just got some intelligensia coffee beans for Christmas from his sister. It's our 'fancy' coffee for the weekends and special occasions. So good!!! :)
Posted by: Mandi | January 16, 2013 at 03:35 PM
the wallpaper is.....Super!!
Posted by: stylencritics | January 16, 2013 at 03:38 PM
This looks so good [and your 'wallpaper']! I wish I like coffee! Maybe I could learn?
Maybe I could have a tea/hot chocolate version?
Anyway, love it!
~ Alex @ Forrest Mush
xo
Posted by: Alex | January 16, 2013 at 03:38 PM
It's so funny I posted today about my beverage station that created for my pantry. If you want to check it out you can find it here.
Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com
Posted by: Rachel | January 16, 2013 at 03:39 PM
super cute girls! i need to make a quick thrift store run after this! :)
-deana, @ birdsandoxfords
Posted by: Deana | January 16, 2013 at 03:39 PM
I love your restyle! You are so good at seeing beautiful things out of normal everyday things.
I need to get myself an espresso machine! I am spoiled right now working at a coffee shop. Once I am done working there I am going to be so sad.
Leah Faye
e-plus-l.blogspot.com
Posted by: Leah Clark | January 16, 2013 at 03:45 PM
Wow, it looks really great - like your own little café :)
just a question though - I've noticed that ABM often uses polyurethane on the things you paint for protection, but how good is it for you and the environment? I don't know too much about it, that's why I'm asking.. Hope to hear from you, or anyone that can answer... thanks xo.
Posted by: Stella | January 16, 2013 at 03:46 PM
So.Cute!
Posted by: tara | January 16, 2013 at 03:46 PM
I want to try this in my kitchen for my baking items! We have zero counterspace and a really deep, narrow pantry. I hate having to reach over a million things to get to my canister of sugar, but yet there is no counterspace to leave it on so it is easily accessible! A cart like this would be perfect (leaving the top clear for mixing room)!
And yes - do tell about the "walloper." So good!
Posted by: Kat | January 16, 2013 at 03:48 PM