Three cheers for a $12 fifteen minute project that makes us giggle. Because sometimes you just gotta laugh. We switched out the old knobs on our dining room built-ins.
The first step is to put on your safety goggles and protective gloves. Kidding. The first step is to unscrew the old ones and the second step is to screw in the new ones. So easy. Here’s a little in-progress action shot for ya:
And here are the new ones all “installed”:
But back to the whole monster eyeballs thing. When I fell in love with these greeny-yellow knobs at Hobby Lobby (for $1.50 a pop thanks to a 50% off sale), it never crossed my mind that they’re a bit similar to the eyeball-esque hardware that we inherited with our kitchen. Remember this weird (and wonderful?) post about that?
Anyway, somehow we missed that they might look like monster eyeballs (you know, because some monsters have yellow ones instead of white ones) until we got them home and screwed them in and John started laughing about the obvious (but not to us until that moment) similarity. Although somehow in yellow and oil-rubbed bronze they feel a bit less eyeball-y and more playful and eclectic than the more cartoon-ish black & white ones in the kitchen. At least that’s what we’re telling ourselves.
We love them anyway. Monster eyeballs be darned.
Especially with the teal backing of the built-ins above them – such a fun color combo.
Thankfully from most vantage points they look more like fun yellow knobs than body parts of any kind (but from Clara’s line of sight they might continue to look like monster eyeballs for a while, which she might get a kick out of). Either way, once the walls go soft gray and we add curtains and art and chairs and a big opening to the kitchen we’re sure the knobs will hardly be the focal point. We could probably get little alien butt knobs and no one would notice.
So that’s a little $12 makeover that makes us smile (and makes our built-ins feel fun and kinda funky). Sidenote: I hate the word funky. It always makes me think of smelly feet or old cheese.
New theory: every house needs at least a few monster eyeballs. We have nine thanks to the one on the closet door in the guest room.
Methinks that’s just enough.
Katie says
So this is totally unrelated to monster eyeballs (not a phrase I say too often!) but I thought of you two as I was flipping through the Williams-Sonoma catalogue today. They have a new line of bud vases, glass tumblers, linens, and serveware all in a “bee” motif. I know you have a thing for bees :) You should check it out on their website. I’d attach a link if I knew how to do that! Just search “bees” or “honeybee”. Such adorable stuff and some of it is not too pricey. I personally think you’ll like the bee pressed-glass bud vases ($29 for three) or the adorable sugar/honey pot & creamer set ($20). Happy browsing!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the heads up! We’ll have to buzz over there to check them out. Haha.
xo,
s
Abugarcia says
OH NO!!!!!!! Go back to the old knobs….the new ones are hideous.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh I better switch them back right now! Just kidding. We love them and they stay. To each his own, even when it comes to booby-monster eyeballs.
xo,
s
Erica says
Sherry – you make me giggle! Y’all have a great sense of humor!
Jessica says
I never would’ve thought monster eyeballs or the other mentions without hearing it from you first. I think they are a great find. They actually look a lot like the much more expensive ones at Anthropologie. We bought aqua colored ones for our baby boy’s nursery-will post on our blog Monday-for $6 and $8 depending on size.
Cherri T. says
I have to say I’m not lovin’ the new knobs. Which pains me because I always love, love, love everything you do. But no worries. I’m still a huge fan!
beth says
I love the fun color choice (very much in line with your napkin LOL!), but I have to say I prefer the old, beautiful knobs.
I’m sure in the end they’ll look great in your room though. I just really love the old ones. Charming.
Rhiannon says
I love the monster eyeballs! I think the pop of yellow looks fabulous with the cabinet colors! Yay for unique knobs! I like to change them out when I change the color of accessories in the room for a little update too!
Barb says
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE THAT GET YOU BY!!!
Love the googly-eyed knobs. Do they come in other colors, per chance?
Something so simple, can just make a brilliant change. BRAVO once again.
B.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes I think they had some other colors too! Maybe try calling? Or does anyone else remember? Maybe orange and sky blue?
xo,
s
Alycia says
Owl eyeballs, me thinks.
Whoooo Whoooo What monsters? Whoooo Whoooo
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha. I love it.
xo,
s
beth says
that’s what I thought too. Add a little triangular beak under those eyeballs and it would be a good start to an owl face :)
I’m sure they’ll look great as your room evolves J&S. You guys always pull it all together in the end :)
Jennifer says
Your built-ins look amazing! I love all your adorable vases and accessories, especially the light blue ones. Where did you find them?
YoungHouseLove says
Most of those were from Target or HomeGoods. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Emy says
It’s really great to see some rooms we rarely see, like the kitchen or the sunroom for example… I enjoyed the tour, thanks !
Gretchen says
I gotta say, your blog is the first thing I check when arriving at work and again after lunch. Only 2 posts have me scratching my head from a design perspective, as I usually LOVE all your choices — the dead animal head over Ed the Bed (sooo unromantic) and the booby knobs. But, I guess 2 out of 100s of posts is a pretty decent record!
YoungHouseLove says
We’re weird and we know it. Haha. Three cheers for weirdness!
xo,
s
Ashley says
I bought those same ones for a chest that needed some sprucing up. But when I got them on, I had trouble grabbing them, they seemed too small or didn’t come out far enough or something weird like that. Did you all have this problem at all?
YoungHouseLove says
Outs didn’t have that issue but you can usually get longer screws at a hardware store. Just bring them in and ask for help finding longer matching screws. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Joy says
I like turquoise and the yellow knobs too. Every addition (no matter how small) builds toward the bigger picture.
– Joy
Robin says
I’ve been meaning to update some old hardware on some drawers. Must go shopping soon!
Jo @ Jo In the Kitchen says
Oh man, I’m gonna be looking for monster eyeballs everywhere now :)
Jules says
Too funny! I just bought those same knobs at hobby lobby! Which not I can’t stop calling Knobby Lobby…….
YoungHouseLove says
Bwahahaha. How did I not think of that? Life changing.
xo,
s
maribel says
Once again loving the pop of color…BTW whatcha keep in those binders on the shelf counter
YoungHouseLove says
Those are wedding albums that we made (one of photostrips and one of normal wedding pics).
xo,
s
Jeri says
“little alien butt knobs” made me giggle.
Melissa @ A Place to Nest says
You all must have body parts on the mind. First came the “man parts” possibility for the top of the bed and now the “woman parts” on the built ins… ha
Lynnski says
Is Clara still nursing? Or stillb hoping to nurse? Cuz I really doubt that ‘monster eyeballs’ is the body part she’ll be dreaming of!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yup still nursing. But she hasn’t tried to drink from the knobs once. It’s a miracle! Haha.
xo,
s
Lindsay says
Just wanted to say that I’ve been reading your blog for close to a year now – and this is my first time commenting. I look forward to your posts everyday!
On an unrelated note – I’m at work right now and am not in the mood to be here or to do an actual work today. Do you ever have days like that?? Like, sitting at the computer is the last thing you feel like doing that day?? Maybe it’s just the difference that I don’t love my job, and I’m assuming you and John love yours!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes we love our job, but there are definitely days we don’t want to look at laptops and paint brushes and just want to “unplug” for sure!!
xo,
s
Ellen says
I don’t think I’ve ever disliked something you two have done (and top of the list is the guestroom… I was ogling it again yesterday, wanting to recreate it!), but I think these are kind of gross. I like the yellow idea, but the rest of the knob is kind of yucky. Sorry. :-(
YoungHouseLove says
No worries! We definitely don’t expect everyone to love every weird knob that we grab. How boring would that be anyway? Haha.
xo,
s
georgia says
I can’t read any of these comments seriously when they have the word knob in it ……. Pahahahahaa
YoungHouseLove says
That’s what she said.
xo,
s
maribel says
Are you into scrapbooking? I’m the worst wanna be. I would say I put on my own pressure when I walked thru the paper aisle. My son is going to be three and still working his baby album.
YoungHouseLove says
I like getting big fabric or leather scrapbooks and just using pretty paper and placing photos inside. Nothing too ornate, but the pretty paper and handome heavy book feels nice to flip through, you know?
xo,
s
Amy says
I actually really loved the old ones. Sorry to say the new one’s just don’t have the same patina or character.
Lisa says
Wow! You have definitely created a conversation starter for your future dinner guests with your “monster-eyeball-boobie” knobs! LOVE IT!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, they’re ice breakers, what can we say?
xo,
s
georgia says
I’m sure I have seen these somewhere else, I’m sure ur friend katu bower posted something about knobs…. Door knobs.
I love them, very vibrant :)
X
D says
boobies! only in the picture that’s side by side, haha.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yes they’re sporting a little cleavage there…
xo,
s
Meredith says
I have a serious, SERIOUS eyeball phobia, so I debated whether or not to even open this post…but the knobs actually don’t remind me of eyeballs (of monster or human variety) at all!
YoungHouseLove says
Whew. So glad we didn’t traumatize you! Haha.
xo,
s
Renee S says
I love how your poor ceramic dog is now sitting in your playroom with what looks to be a tube of super glue in his “mouth”. :)
So sad, but the picture made me chuckle!
YoungHouseLove says
I know right? Poor guy is just begging to be fixed.
xo,
s
Lisa says
No way! I was just looking at those earlier this week and decided to think about it for a little while before making the change. Now that I see them as eyeballs…I’ll need a little more time to consider. ;)
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Super cute eyeballs. I love the pop of color it gives :)
Heather says
Dying. Laughing. I feel like the monsters from Monsters Inc. are about to jump out of the cabinets. Those are 100% monster eyeballs.
Erin @ Where Beauty Meets Function says
LOL!! I didn’t notice it until you put the old picture back up of the white eyeballs (and smiley faces)….now all I can see when I look at the yellow ones is monster eyes!
Janet says
What a titillating design! haha Actually, I didn’t even notice until I read the comments.
I think the kitchen looked especially “eyebally” because there are probably double the knobs than here and they were at different heights and spaces whereas in the living room there are only eight aligned.
Ly says
um. sorry. totally not a fan, but glad you love em.
on another note, bravo for finally embracing bold beautiful color in your home! me likes!:)
Design 4 Less says
We love Young House Love!!! Check out Design 4 Less’ most recent blog about your site & cool projects:
http://design-4-lessblog.com/2011/03/24/young-house-love/
Keep up the good work!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks for the link love! Off to check it out…
xo,
s
Annalea says
Those old knobs on your built-ins have lovely detail . . . I wish I lived down the street so I could give them a new home (after a coat of paint ;o).
Speaking of paint, why don’t you take off the kitchen knobs & give them a quick coat of spray paint, until you can replace them? No more eyes watching . . .
YoungHouseLove says
We’re actually planning to spray and reuse the knobs from the built-ins somewhere else (deets when we tackle that). As for spraying the kitchen eyeballs, we so should. But they kind of amuse us. We’re so weird.
xo,
s
Katherine says
Only that easy if your knobs unscrew easily! :) I just replaced knobs in the office of our new-to-us 1940s house last weekend. I scored 50% off knobs at HobLob too, but got home and realized that four of the eight old knobs were stuck! My husband and I tried everything we could think of to get them unstuck. They had probably been on the doors of the built-ins since the 1940s! So my husband went out and bought a teeny-tiny saw and then ruined my brand-new paint job on the doors when he sawed off the old knobs. Oh, well, nothing a little paint couldn’t fix, and now I have very cute knobs instead of old brass ones!
I love your blog! It’s such a great break during my workday to see what you all are up to. Although my husband and I have been in our house for almost a year and we just finished the re-do of our first room, so I often get jealous of your progress! :) (Our house has wallpaper in almost every room, and our office had two layers of paint sandwiched between two layers of wallpaper, so the progress is slow-going!) But it’s so fun to see the results!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man that stinks! So glad you guys got ‘er done in the end!
xo,
s
Mere says
Where did you get the blue polk-a-dot curtains for the guest bedroom? I love them!!
YoungHouseLove says
Ikea!
xo,
s
Rachael says
I don’t think I’ll ever look at kitchen knobs the same again! :)
Mere says
I am looking for blue and white polk-a-dot curtains. Those are adorable in your guest bedroom! Where did you find those??
YoungHouseLove says
Those are from Ikea. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
janie says
It’s OK, I don’t see monster eyeballs at ALL when I look at them.
(I see perky nipples!)
YoungHouseLove says
There’s some pretty great boob talk a ways back in the comments. Puns galore! Very fun.
xo,
s
Hilary @ My So-Called Home says
You know I love you guys and I love the risks you’re taking with this house vs the first, but I have to say I don’t love the knobs. I feel I can get caught up sometimes with traditional styles and need to insert a little fun, but to me the knobs are clashing big time. More power to you and your decisions though!
Amanda says
Despite looking like various monster (or Simpson haha) body parts, I think they are super cute and look great with the teal!!! Your house is so beautiful, I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Bethany Bryant says
Love it! Maybe when the babe gets mobile you can show us all some super-cool, stylish cabinet locks! The ones we have on our kitchen cabinets and built-ins are not-so-cute ;)
katrina says
wow, you guys have done a lot of work and it is paying off. the house looks great and i love all the color. luvin the progress cant wait to see more.
Katie Truelove says
I love switching out the handles on cupboards or dressers– it makes a huge difference and is such a great and simple way to make something more unique:) I did something similar with a very simple (on clearance!) dresser from crate and barrel + some anthropologie knobs. Love your yellow too!!:)
YoungHouseLove says
Love it! So glamorous!
xo,
s
Monika says
Fun choice, looks nice with the teal!
:)
Plein Jane says
Thanks for letting us know that Hobby Lobby has cabinet knobs! (I thought the one in my neighborhood had only rows of iron crosses and Last Supper jigsaw puzzles. No offense to anyone here; I just couldn’t seem to find stuff to fit my decor.)
Anyway, I ran this afternoon to the HL knob bin and — behold — found just what I was looking for. I run an editorial office out of my home. Luckily, the previous homeowner was a carpenter and built cabinets into the office area. I just switched out some builder-grade white and brass knobs for some lovely typography-inspired monogram letters in black and white. Looks nifty with my glass-fronted full presstype case. Thanks, YHL!
YoungHouseLove says
Sweet. Glad you found new HobLob knobs!
xo,
s
Ray says
It is amazing how something simple can brighten up your day like changing knobs. One thing I would also consider is buying a few extra knobs. Usually they last a while, but if one breaks, cracks, or whatever a few years down the road it can be extremely difficult to find a match later. What happens is you end up replacing them all because you can’t find a match. But, then again maybe at that time you would be ready for a change again.
YoungHouseLove says
Good tip! We have that extra one in the guest room that might come in handy (then we’d just need a new one for in there as opposed to eight new ones in the dining room).
xo,
s