When we last left off with our little media cabinet we had cleaned all of the grime off (with a Magic Eraser of all things) as well as removing the musty smell from the drawers with vinegar, but we mentioned that we still wanted to hide the cable box in one of the drawers somehow, and also had to seal the wood with something to lock in the color and shine. Well, we finally got ‘er done thanks to some technology and some good old fashioned elbow grease. So here’s how we went about getting that cable box off the ground.
We drilled a bunch of large holes in the back of the top middle drawer (and the back of the unit) with a large drill bit (it was a 1 3/4″ bit). Sorry about the bad lighting here, we needed a flashlight shining into the drawer to illuminate things, and it photographed really oddly.
Here’s an idea of how it looked when we had finished one side of Project Ventilation. Not to be confused with Project Runway, which is a lot more exciting, and usually involves at least seven kids from my Alma Mater (FIT – represent!). Anyway, so we did the same thing on the left side of the back of the piece (made four more holes) and then made the same type of holes in the back of the drawer itself (which was also open on the top, so any heat could easily escape).
Then we just hooked up the box, slid it into the drawer, and shut it. It’s nice that we can pull it out (if we ever want to access it) but we don’t have to keep the drawer open whenever it’s in use in order for the cable box to get a signal. Why don’t we? Why, because we got an IR extender. And it’s dreamy.
Wait, you can’t see it? Allow me to point it out. See this little black dome that’s about an inch wide?
Well, that’s an IR extender. We got it from Amazon (here’s the one we bought) and for $15.99, with tons of great reviews, it’s a deal that saved us from having to ditch/hack up/attempt to hinge a drawer front. The way it works is that you place the small round receiver (the black dome-looking thing) somewhere discreet on the front of your TV, and that picks up the signal whenever you use your remote from the couch. Then you just plug it into your cable box (there’s a wire that snakes around back).
In a word: it’s genius. It has been just as reliable as pointing the remote at the cable box itself, and thanks to ventilating that drawer we haven’t had any overheating issues (even if we leave the drawer closed for a week and then open it, it’s not steamy in there).
But now onto what we did to restore some color and shine to the media cabinet itself. Because it looks pretty good in the two photos above – but those were taken after we put a little effort into it. So let’s go back in time for a second. Since it had already been scrubbed down and de-grimed we needed to work on restoring some luster and sealing it all in for long-lasting protection. Step 1: pull out the drawers and roll back the rug.
Step 2: Bring those drawers into the sunroom (where I had more space to tackle them) and grab some Restor A Finish and Howard Feed-N-Wax (we found it at Home Depot) since I’ve pretty much heard only the most amazing things about both products, especially when they’re used in cahoots.
Here’s how the drawers were looking before any luster-restoration or sealing. See how the wood looked a little dry and had small dings and scratches in the finish?
Step 3: Rub Restore-A-Finish onto each drawer as well as the frame of the cabinet with a rag according to the directions on the back (which are pretty much “rub it on and wait 30 minutes”). Look at the difference! In person, it was like seeing a crusty old foot in one of those lotion ads that gets some much-needed cream and transforms into a gorgeous and smooth beach-ready model-foot. Seriously, our drawers went from crusty to modelesque.
After the Restore-A-Finish application, there were still a few more heavy duty chips that weren’t quite solved (it was great for the small dings and scratches as well as moisturizing all of the wood though).
So that brings us to step 4: raid Clara’s art drawer. Ah yes, a brown magic marker will do.
Step 5: rub the brown magic marker into those bigger chips and immediately blend with your finger. Might as well rename it Chip-Be-Gone. Or at least Chip-Be-Way-Less-Obvious.
Then after the wait time on the can of Restore-A-Finish (30 mins) it was time to move on to our little bottle of Howard Feed-N-Wax to seal everything in. I was fresh out of clean rags, so I used an old white sock. Worked like a charm.
Step 6: Apply the wax to the wood drawers and frame of the cabinet, let it sit and soak in for 30 minutes, and then buff away any remaining wax with another clean rag (or sock in my case).
“Bling bling. Everytime I come into the sunroom bling bling.” That’s what I was singing with these flossy & glossy babies in front of me. Just call me Lil Wayne.
Once I slid the drawers back into place, our media cabinet was all “Can’t nobody take my pride. Can’t nobody hold me down. Oh no. I got to show those movies” a la Puff & Mace.
It was like a bonafide hip-hop throwback concert at my house. With slightly altered home-related lyrics.
Ok, I’m satisfied with the amount of hip-hop references that I worked into this post. Although I gotta say, it would make my life to someday drop this little ditty: “I’m sorry momma. I never meant to hurt you. I never meant to make you cry, but tonight I’m cleaning out my armoire.”
And now, let’s take a moment to appreciate how far this baby has come. Best $59 we ever spent. And the crazy part to us is that this cabinet sat at the thrift store long enough to get marked down by $20 (which means it was probably there for at least a month). Nobody saw the beauty.
Also, on the subject of hip hop, dude why isn’t the magical pairing of Adam Levine, 50 Cent, and Eminem getting more radio play (warning, this isn’t the clean version, it’s the official video)? I first heard it last fall but it’s still not on the radio. What the heck, DJs of America? Help a sister out.
What are you guys up to when it comes to furniture upgrades. Any wax-on-wax-off-ing going on? Any other RF remote (or IR extender) lovers out there? It’s a pretty sweet piece of machinery, I gotta say.
Bboss says
I love Howard’s. I used that same stuff on a slick walnut finished secretary (desk, that is) I inherited from my mom. It works great if you don’t want to strip & refinish.
LARY@ Inspiration Nook says
It looks great!
Angela Hanson says
We have builder basic oak cabinets in our kitchen and bathrooms that are looking a little dull. Do you think that combo of products would work on those too?
YoungHouseLove says
I think so. Maybe try them on an inconspicuous spot first? I bet they’d be great.
xo
s
Hillary says
With all of the updates you do to your home, I am curious how much value you have added to it. It has to be huge!
YoungHouseLove says
We’d love to have a realtor walk through and tell us what she’d estimate (maybe the listing agent for the house when we bought it, since she remembers what it looked like?).
xo
s
Peggy says
That Restore-A-Finish is amazing stuff. I used it in our previous house to spiff up the kids’ bathroom cabinets before we put the house on the market. It took me about 1/2 hr, and the difference was remarkable!
Jessica Matthews says
I love it! Now I’m gonna be on the look out for a similar dresser because, as I was reading this post, I got a strange desire to paint the little spaces above & below each drawer some super bright neon color… I’m color-phobic, so this is a big step for me. Haha! Thanks for the idea!
Brandi says
I love the IR extender idea…so much cheaper than the RF remotes out there! How did you hide the cable that goes with the IR extender so well? Did you somehow tack the cable up and underneath the TV? Any cable hiding tips would be appreciated!
YoungHouseLove says
It just goes around the back (we put the dome right where the TV tapers into the stand, so it could just trace around the back of the stand so you don’t see it at all). Hope it helps!
xo
s
Dawn R. says
Have you thought about ORBing the drawer handles?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yes! I mentioned it a few times in the comments. Definitely a possibility :)
xo
s
Jenn says
We are a huge RF remote fans here! We have one for our main TV and all of it’s components, which is super handy for keeping the kids from touching everything. We hid all of the components in a closet and they still think I’m magic when I turn on the TV.
We also have one for our skylights (they open and have blinds), which means that I actually open and close them because I don’t have to bust out a ladder or extension pole to do it. Yay for RF remotes!
Nicole @ Liberty Belles says
I’ve been using an IR extender for years with a tivo of mine, but it’s for channel changing from a tivo to a cable box and it’s quite as magical. works 90% of the time, but it’s super crushing when I go to watch The Following and instead get an hour of OnDemand
Angela says
I recently had my TV mounted over the mantle…but my DVR and DVD players are in the closet across the room. Love having them out of sight!
M.C.@ ThousandStoryKitchen says
Love the marker idea! I’ve got a buffet piece of my grandmother’s I’m going to try a lot of these ideas with- starting all the way back with a magic eraser. If I can just get “Can’t nobody take my pride. Can’t nobody hold me down. Oh no. I gotta get that buffet done!” out of my head. So, thanks for the inspiration…but not for the song in my head. :)
Katherine says
Does the IR extender use a wireless signal? I guess I’m wondering if the cable box still has to be wired to the TV when you use the IR extender. If not, this little baby is the perfect solution to my TV/cable box placement issue.
YoungHouseLove says
I don’t believe so. It just uses an infrared signal like a remote for any device uses, so I don’t believe it needs to be wired to a modem or router, or even anywhere near your TV. We just attached ours to the TV because that’s where we point our remote.
-John
Steve S says
Make sure to check the product description section on amazon. There is a list of compatible boxes and a list of non compatible boxes.
Elizabeth says
“Although I gotta say, it would make my life to someday drop this little ditty: “I’m sorry momma. I never meant to hurt you. I never meant to make you cry, but tonight I’m cleaning out my armoire.””
…this is quite possibly the greatest part of a blog post that has ever existed. Ever. Just thought you should know.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Elizabeth!
xo,
s
ashlea says
so gorgeous!! and thanks for the thingamagiggie you told us about for the tv signal.
Lauren says
Very helpful! I’ve finally conceded to letting my boyfriend get a tv (I’m not a tv watcher) so that will help make all the extras less conspicuous.
Deanna says
I have some lovely mid-century furniture, courtesy of my great-grandmother, that could definitely use a little sprucing up, so this post is awesome! i am adding those two products to my list immediately! I think I’ll even try it on my mahogany desk – it was a craigslist find and needs some more sprucing too!
Rebecca says
I am getting an IR extender STAT! We had 2 years of our cable box sitting all wonky on the cabinet because there wasn’t enough space for it in front of the tv. Also in our new house I didn’t want to mount the TV in the living room because then the stupid box would still be sitting out on the console. I’m pretty sure you guys will be solving world hunger next!
Jan says
So nice to see that triple dresser get a new life. And I’ll have to check out the Howards products … I’d like to give my 50-year-old maple kitchen cabinets a little rejuvenation. This might be just the thing after I de-grime them with some TSP. I don’t want to change the color, just restore it!
Kathy says
Fantastic job! That was a great find, and I love the mid century piece mixed in with your room. Beautiful!
Tara Figi says
I clicked over to watch that music video and thought…hhmm…that building looks familiar. My husband and I live in metro Detroit and he grew up here. I recently went through some 30 hours of home video footage his dad had taken when my husband and his siblings were growing up. I cut it down and added music and gave it to my mother in law as a Christmas gift! Anyway….part of the footage is of my husband and his sister walking around inside the Michigan Central Station (where they filmed a lot of that music video) on the last day it was in operation in 1988. It is so crazy to see how it was beautiful at the time. Now it is just falling apart…
Well that was super off topic! Love the TV stand updates!
YoungHouseLove says
No way, that’s so cool Tara!
xo
s
Steph says
Hi guys! I never comment with advice (hello, your house is a beaut without my help : )) BUT the creative person in me just has to suggest painting the legs of this lovely console a hi-gloss funky color? or a matte, aged brass? They would “pop” off the wood floor. . .You all are seeing it in person though so you’ve got a better idea of what’ll work. Just having fun ’cause i love it so! Looks so pretty.
YoungHouseLove says
The wood is so pretty and original we hate to paint it, but I have thought about going darker with just the legs and the hardware pulls. We also want to eventually refinish and darken the floor, so hopefully it’ll come together someday!
xo
s
Natalie says
This post is perfectly timed for me. I was thinking of buying a Target dresser at a local closeout store to use as a media console in our basement. I think the dimensions are perfect but was hesitating because I didn’t know what to do with the cable box. Now I know! Thanks! BTW what are the dimensions of your dresser and tv? I want to compare to mine so I know it will look as nice as yours :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Natalie! Our dresser is 60″ long by 18″ deep. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Hannah says
Ha! Now listening to the song, and coincidentally I reread and watched your MTV FANatic post last night! LOVED it as much now as then. Is it ever funny watching Eminem videos thinking ‘He kissed my cheek!!!’ ?!
YoungHouseLove says
Ahhhhh! That still gets me every time. He kissed my cheek. We had a moment. Hahah!
xo
s
Christine says
It looks awesome,Im loving the sixties furniture trend.I restored a credenza very similar to your dresser.The hardware was cool looking but very tarnished.I tested it to see if it was solid brass(put a magnet to it if it does not stick it’s brass)and it was which made me very happy.The old brass looks so pretty when its all cleaned up.Use lacquer thinner to remove the old lacquer and then polish and clean with Brasso.I used the Howards Restore a Finish as well and that stuff is fabulous!With brass making a comeback..(not the shiny 80’s stuff)you might want to check it out.Thanks for the heads up on that RF device no more ugly cable box.
EvgEnko says
This is why I LOVE coming to your blog every day! Stop by to check on some home improvement ideas – and walk away with a new favorite song by none other than (my) dreamy Adam Levine!
Did you hear this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5Otla5157c ?
Ever since I heard it in SNL, YOLO has become my tagline for pretty much any place and occasion :)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! Hilarious. Two words about furniture: KILLING MACHINES. Ha!
-John
Celia says
That song is on the radio here! But I get Detroit radio stations, and we play eminem a little more than other parts of the country :)
Elle says
To paraphrase John Lithgow as Dick Solomon: “It’s GORGEOUS!” Way to bring an unassuming piece back to its former glory!
Also: “Might as well rename it Chip-Be-Gone. Or at least Chip-Be-Way-Less-Obvious.” I quite literally LOL’d. You guys get +10 for eliciting the In-a-Quiet-Office Chortle.
Mary | lemongroveblog says
Wow! That looks awesome. Cord management is the best! Usually free and makes such a difference :)
Anna P says
Wow, can’t believe how much better it looks! I know restore-a-finish comes in different colors, but how can you be sure you are picking the right one? Not sure what would my dresser is made from. Also do you know if it would work on wood laminate dining table?
Anna P says
Oops, meant veneer not laminate. We got it on Craig’s list and it’s Danish modern, so not sure if it is Teak or Cherry? I’m bad identifying wood stains!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, it should work on veneer since it’s real wood!
xo
s
YoungHouseLove says
I’m not sure if it works on laminate since that’s not as penetrable as wood. Has anyone tried it?
xo
s
Brandy says
I couldn’t help but notice, is your rug starting to roll on the corners? Is it still a purchase you’re glad you made or would you not get this rug again? Also, I noticed your rug runner is taped….did you do this just now for this project or do you always tape them?
YoungHouseLove says
The tape is for the rug pad (just keeps it in place) and there are 4 corners of the rug and the one where we all walk curls a little but we don’t mind. I’ve seen a trick on pinterest which is to tape the back of it to a piece of laminate floor tile (a $1 fix) so if it bugs us I’d just do that :)
xo
s
Brandy says
Genius idea to stop the rolling! I’m still thinking of buying this rug so was wondering how it was holding up and if it was becoming a problem with the corners, staying put etc. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Sure! Pinterest is full of amazing fixes, haha!
xo
s
Lissa says
Actually I have heard that song on the radio quite a bit. The again I live in the LA area…
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! Maybe it’s inching towards the east coast!
xo
s
Meleah says
Brittany D., I know they have three eye splitters that you plug in to the wireless remote extenders. They will allow you use three remotes with the same extender. I was looking at them before we moved. They allow you to place your devices in a closet or another room, but you can still operate them with the remote. I was looking at one that looked like a flying saucer. The splitter was extra and an add on. HTH. :)
Susan says
Hi! First, TV cab/dresser looks great! Is this the best way to ask a random, off-topic question? A while back, when you stopped doing reader mood boards, you also offered up a few resources who still take on small, virtual projects. I can’t locate that post and I’m in need of some finishing touches for my home office re-do on a budget (incorporating new YHL lighting!) Any suggestions? Love your blog, bought your book – always inspiring. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, who still does them? Anyone have a mood board expert to recommend?! There are lots of fun people out there I’m sure! Maybe try googling “virtual design consultation” or “buy a mood board” and see what comes up (and pick the one that’s most your style?). Hope it helps!
xo
s
rachael says
Dana at House tweaking does!
Juliet says
FYI-
Crayola makes a set of Multicultural Washable markers that represent a broader spectrum of realistic skin tones, or several shades of brown, peach & beige. They also come in colored pencils and crayons.
So your tip would actually work for lighter & darker finishes than the standard 8-pack brown could cover. Here’s the Crayola link, but they’re available on Amazon, Office Depot, school supply stores, etc…
http://www.crayolastore.com/product/11932#back
YoungHouseLove says
Great tip Juliet!
xo
s
April says
This post is about a month too late! We got a new TV and I found a fabulous vintage stereo console on Craigslist, but passed it up because I couldn’t figure out how to access the cable box if it was inside. I so wish I had known about this RF extender! Oh well, I still love the table I eventually found, even though it cost more than I had budgeted.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw man! Sorry April!
xo
s
Patti says
Love the results! Can you use those wood products on a hardwood floor just as effectively?
YoungHouseLove says
I think they’re meant more for furniture and cabinets but we’d love to refinish our hardwoods someday (there are some other products geared more for that at the home improvement store, since you have foot traffic to worry about).
xo
s
Susan says
You may not want brass pulls on this beauty but I bet those are gen-U-wine brass. We took ours off and after a little Brasso, they shined right up.
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh that sounds pretty!
xo
s
Julie says
Yay !!! Yay !!!!!
You did NOT paint it !!!!!
It is a beauty, a classic midcentury piece!
Glad you let it shine in it’s glory and original finish!
Lyndsey says
LOL went to the Em video and the top comment is:
ahealthnut2 6 hours ago
Like if YHL brought you? here.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahah!
xo
s
JanetS. says
I was wondering if you could use the same wood renewing products to get your parquet floors all refreshed. Would that work?
YoungHouseLove says
I’m not sure if they’re good for walkable surfaces (they’re more for furniture and cabinets I think) but we’d definitely love to refinish our parquet (and other beat up hardwoods) eventually!
xo
s
Trude says
Ooo that extender is genius! We have a midcentury style repro for our TV cabinet and I’ve hated having the giant cable box on top. Totally rearranging once this gizmo arrives – thank you! :)
Kelsey says
I just got a similar credenza at a flea market and gave it new life with a concoction of 3 parts veg oil and 1 part vinegar. Rubbed it on lightly, scrubbed it in a little, and let it soak, and it looks brand new! Who needs new furniture?
rachael says
Did you guys ever hook up your tv in your bedroom?
YoungHouseLove says
Nope! Hahah! We’ve been busy bees, but we’d love to get to that eventually…
xo
s
Lindsay says
Hi there, qq where’s the DVD player? I ask because we scored a vintage faux bamboo dresser for $15! Anyways 5 months later and I’ve yet to tackle where to put the DVD player due to needing to have the disc drawer open, am I making sense? It’s still sitting on top
Ha! Looks awesome btw ;)
YoungHouseLove says
You can actually see our Blu-Ray player in the picture with the arrow that points to the IR receiver. It’s the thing black box that sits under the corner of the TV. We ended up leaving it out for the same disc drawer opening issue you mention.
-John
Heather says
Maybe put in drawer as well, drilling holes for ventilation and cords, and then hinge drawer front for access to Disc drawer? I assume there is a way to hinge so the don’t show from outside…
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, that’s another possibility!
xo
s
carmel says
I love it when you talk gangsta! ;)
Chelsea @ two twenty one says
I la-la-love it! Way to be with the brown marker.
We’re totally on the same wavelength with making up raps for our DIY projects. Like with my mossy ampersand– I kept spittin’ some Kelis. “You don’t have love. You you don’t even have to like me. But you will respect me. You know why? Because I work with MOSS… I’m mos-sy.”
Debbie says
I have recently dreamt that when I came to your website like I do everyday ….you are pregnant with a boy ..you do have enough room here right?
love your site for a long long long time!!
Kristin says
I was wondering if either of the products you used left the dresser feeling sticky or oily? I would love to try this on my mid-century dining table but I am worried it will leave a weird film. I guess I am just worried that it would be like using pledge or old english furniture polish, both of which leave an oily film behind. Not a big problem for a low use piece of furniture, but not something you want to touch at every meal…Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
We applied them both according to the recommended method (rubbing the excess wax off after 30 minutes) and there’s no film or waxiness, it just feels sealed if that makes sense :)
xo
s