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.
Katie says
We added an IR extender a few months back in our family room, and it was life-changing now that our little guy can’t press all the buttons on the cable box anymore! And, it doesn’t hurt that it makes everything prettier by not having to look at the ugly components :)
mp says
If the musty odor ever comes back, two or three coats of shellac (not polyurethane) will seal it away. I had to do this with a desk that smelled musty even after a three-digit professional restoration.
Kaitlyn says
I never knew those little guys were that cheap or easy! May have to push purchase on that one myself this weekend!
Heather says
Good thing I didn’t find first…would so have paid the full $79! That is EXACTLY what I’m looking for as our new entertainment center. Our mid-century club chairs have those same legs, and I think it would go perfect. Here’s to praying I find a similar steal! And great job gettin’ it all “flossy and glossy” :) When I do find mine, will faithfully follow your instructions to a T…
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Heather! Hope you find one soon!
xo
s
haverwench says
“Can’t nobody take my pride. Can’t nobody hold me down. Oh no. I got to show those movies”
Hey, your “hip-hop throwback” is actually a throwback to an even older song from 1983. So ha. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Break_My_Stride
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, a throwback within a throwback!
xo
s
Jeff says
You guys have really done an amazing job, it is amazing to watch. I with quite a few other here with the remote, so thanks for that! Great blog, you guys do a terrific job, it is honestly a pleasure to read!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Jeff!
xo
s
Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl says
Love the transformation. But, I really wanted to say thanks for the link to the song. I love it, but my guess is that the the radio editors are still working on a censored version (too many curse words) ;-D.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that could be the holdup! Although someone in LA says they hear it on the radio (censored of course) so I hope it’s working its way east!
xo
s
Rosie S says
Howard’s Products are so great, been using them for years! Great job, I sure never saw the beauty of that peice before.
Jodi Blackmon says
I like it! I’ve used that feed n wax before on pallet furniture, but not the other. I’ll have to check that out.
I really need one of those adapters. I always have a knick-knack that’s found its way in front of the eye.
My most recent piece of furniture redo is this gorgeous antique curio. No one saw the diamond it could be, either…
http://www.secondwindoftexas.com/2013/03/how-to-refinish-antique-also-before-and.html
YoungHouseLove says
Such a great find!
xo
s
Melissa says
The media cabinet looks awesome now! I have heard amazing reviews about that restore-a-finish… question though… When would you recommended stripping down something and refinishing it vs. using that stuff?
I recently bought a credenza second hand and I love it but the finish is lacking some lustre and it is in pretty good shape except for some longer discoloured scratches at the top. Im on the fence right now between trying restore-a-finish out or refinishing it.
Ashley W says
Um… that 50 Cent/Adam Levine/Eminem song is the BEST!! Why doesn’t it get more radio play?!
Also, that thing on the cable box is completely awesome! What a great idea.
Kimberj says
You guys just saved our lives, scratch that, furniture! We have all mid cent pieces that need brightening up just like yours. We’ve been doing all kinds of web searches but didn’t find anything we felt comfortable trying or from anyone we trusted. Who’s more reliable than the Petersiks?!? Thanks again :)
P.S. YOU GUYS ROCK!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, so glad!
xo
s
Claire says
That. was. brilliant. I learn so much from you guys! Muchas gracias!!!!
georgia says
oh, thank you so much for sharing your tips and process on this. i just bought a mid-century modern high boy dresser for our bedroom and i thought i was going to have resort to painting the drawer fronts, because they look much like yours did. but now i know i can restore it to a beautiful piece without touching the wood… or altering it too much. so happy to have found this today!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, good luck Georgia!
xo
s
susan says
How come no one is singing the joys of all that extra storage you have in that SIX drawer dresser? You 2 are so clever. Great job!
susan says
I mean Nine drawer dresser. I just recounted:)
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! So glad!
xo
s
Stefanie says
I want to replace each piece of storage furniture in my home with that armoire – it’s gorgeous! I can’t believe what a big difference those small tasks made. Thrift shop score for sure!
Amy says
What a great project! Thanks for showing the IR adapter, I’ve been trying to figure out how not to have the ugly cable box sitting out!
Brittney Everett says
Hey – I just saw this on Pinterest and thought of you:
A Paint Chip WALL!
http://artisticjunkie.com/blog/item/125-paint-chip-wall
YoungHouseLove says
Holy cow that’s amazing!
xo
s
Leslie says
Is there a concern that the box will overheat in such a small space with the door closed? Are the circular openings in back enough to cycle in cool air?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, we have heard of fires with cable boxes so we don’t take that lightly! We can leave this drawer shut a week and then open it and it’s not even remotely hot in there. Thankfully all the holes in the back keep it nice and ventilated). I guess it’s similar to sitting in any media cabinet with an open front and three closed sides (ours is just vented in the back instead of the front).
xo
s
Steve S says
If you look at any of the cable boxes User guides they note at least 2-3 inches on either side and top is enough ventilation. If any concerns look up this cooling fan for cabinets. It sells for $24.99 http://www.coolerguys.com/840556090588.html Not sure how noisy it will be.
Fiona says
“My Life” is all over the radio in Australia. Multiple times a day! Good song!
Love your blog – keep up the great ideas!
YoungHouseLove says
No way! It better be making its way over here!
xo
s
Sarah S says
Do you think this method would work on a old wood front door? It’s dry and old and has some scratches but is pretty much the color we want it to be. I’m wondering if cleaning it with the Magic ERaser and then giving it the treatments with these two products would work…hmm….
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, I think it would! Maybe some light sanding wouldn’t hurt either!
xo
s
Wendy B says
WOW!!!
KarenH. says
Gorgeous!!! We in the vintage and antique sewing machine world LLLUUURRRRVVVE both of those wood products for restoring woodwork. It’s just amazing the difference, isn’t it?
Alisa says
How good is that Feed and Wax?
I inherited my grandparents’ dining suite recently… March 1971 manufacture date stamped on the chairs. I used microfibre cloths to clean them (it had been a while – Grandma’s cleaning capabilities declined with eyesight then dementia), and then the wood looked really stripped and dried out.
A quick treatment of the feed and wax, and they looked amazing! So nice to be able to bring some life to the setting I ate 30 (or so) Christmas dinners at.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah, it’s amazing! I love that story!
xo
s
Yalanda Ludtke says
LOVE IT! I was so excited when I saw that you were using a credenza for a media stand because we were in the process for hunting for the perfect fit for our home when you posted about it! Ours is finished too, and I’d love to share photos, but I don’t have a blog wamp, wamp!
Anna B. says
Hey guys, just wondering where you got this dresser. We live just south of Richmond and want to find some great thrifting spots. Can you recommend anywhere?
–Anna
YoungHouseLove says
It was from Diversity Thrift. Our two favorites are Love of Jesus and Diversity. Hope it helps :)
xo
s
Alexis says
Where did you buy the restore a finish and finishing wax? We looked at Home Depot, but no luck!
YoungHouseLove says
It was at Home Depot in the aisle with the floor waxes and polishes and stuff. Maybe try Lowe’s? I bet they have it too!
xo
s
andy says
Home Depot. Right where the stains are.
andy says
I just used the Howard products on a table I picked up from the LoJ thrift store. Came out awesome. Thanks for the tip!
Hollie @ I'm Busy Procrastinating says
Our TV hangs above our fireplace, and right now we have our satellite receiver hanging out in a bookshelf next to the fireplace, somewhat camouflaged among the decor items in the bookshelf. But … when I read about IR repeaters several months ago, I wondered if that would allow me to move the receiver to the unfinished basement and not have to look at it amongst my pretty things. I didn’t know of anyone else who used one, so happy to see it here.
Also, thanks for the reminders about Restore-A-Finish and Feed-N-Wax. I have two dressers and a chest in my basement that I had been planning to refinish. They’re mid-century like your piece, and the finish is not too bad, but they needed some sprucing up. I think I’ll try those products before I do an all-out strip and/or sand and restain.
Kimberj says
Sherry, I have a question. After we bought the Restor-A-Finish I was reading the directions and it said to make sure to choose the right color. We bought walnut by accident but then saw that you chose that color. We’re also trying to shine up vintage mid century modern pieces. What made you decide to choose walnut for teak furniture? It looks great, are you happy with the color?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, they just mean the color/tone, so even if it’s teak if it has a walnut color that works. It just matters how much pigment is in the stuff that you rub on (don’t want it to get too dark or look too light). It’s pretty forgiving though – we’re so happy with it!
xo
s
Kimberj says
You were right its very forgiving and our first piece looks amazing. Thanks again! You have saved my renovation rear more times than I can count :)
YoungHouseLove says
So glad!
xo
s
Alex says
I love how you have totally transformed that dresser, and for so little dinero. It looks fantastic.
FYI, the two Howard products you mentioned can be purchased on Amazon (and delivered to your home) for exactly 89 cents more than my local HD charges. YMMV; I have Amazon Prime, and FL does not collect sales tax on Amazon, but has a 7.5% sales tax that I avoided.
For 89 cents, I saved about three hours to get to my local HD store, find the stuff, stand in line to check out, etc. Priceless. The stuff arrives Weds and Friday, and I can’t wait to try it on my gorgeous but beaten-up pedestal table.
Amazing blog, btw. Bought and loved your book.
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- sounds smart Alex!
xo
s
Kristin says
Ooooh! I need this remote! What a wonderful invention!!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much for the tip on the IR extender. We just bought a dresser this summer to use as a TV console and there is a door on the front where the cable box is hidden. Annoying bc every time we want to use the remote we have to open the door and keep it open. This will make life so much better!
Michelle says
loving the cabinet! and… they play the song on Sirius… all the time! But i love it, so it’s all good!
sarah says
What a clever idea!I am loving the magical remote!!!!
Sarah
http://www.etsy.com/shop/owleyevintage
Christina says
Man, you weren’t kidding about this stuff! We just bought a neat rattan coffee table off of Craigslist for cheap, but it needed a little TLC. I remembered this post, so I checked back to verify the products you used and went to the HD to purchase them. The result was AH-Mazing!!!! You would never know that we paid 40 bucks for this awesome table!! Thanks for posting about this! Keep up the great work!!! :)
YoungHouseLove says
So glad!
xo
s
melana says
i just learned something new today. i have wanted to hide the ugly cable box mess. my current solution is not ideal (small glass cabinet next to my credenza). getting amazon stat to buy this gem! thanks!