Updated Oak Armoire

I don't like the way TVs look.  I have shows that I like to watch, but overall, I hate TV.  I really have to be in the mood.  There are times when TV watching is acceptable and appropriate but I also like visiting with friends and actually connecting with other humans. (And I really like to play outside!)  So... Bad TV! Go to your room! If I want your opinion I'll ask for it!

In my living room, my HUB for socializing, I want that TV hidden away, only to come out when it's appropriate...like when Breaking Bad Season 6 or anything else I like ever hits NETFLIX streaming. :) Did I mention we don't have cable? Thanks Netflix!

This is why an armoire in the living room was a perfect solution (since I can't afford a recessed 50 inch flat-screen in a custom frame pretending to be wall art).

I wasn't seriously looking for a new piece of furniture but did keep my eyes open while thrifting and browsing Craigslist.  But...something magical happened, I found one and didn't even have to go far!  My dad was recovering from surgery and I was visiting with him in his room.  I was looking around and said "OMG, that is what I've been looking for.  To find an armoire just like that to re-do!"  His flat screen TV was on TOP (not inside of it). And there was nothing inside! GASP!!! Unused furniture!? I studied it for a second, imagining all of the things I would do to it (this is starting to get steamy)... then I said, "Dad, can I have that?" The rest is history.  Turns out, Dad has 32 pieces of furniture in his room so we moved the dresser over to replace the armoire as the new TV stand. :)  THANKS DAD! I love hand-me-downs!  My parents got this solid oak furniture set probably 15 years ago when this look was "all the rage".  Insert grumpy cat face here.

Time for an update.  That's the beauty of solid wood, it can be refinished.  None of this cheap particle-board junk that doesn't last and ends up in landfills.

I don't have photos of my step-by-step process but it was rather simple and only took a few hours. I removed all the hardware and took the doors and drawers off.  I laid the doors out on paint cans.  Because it was only stained and I didn't have to strip it, I just gave it a quick sand with my electric hand sander using 220 grit paper.

After sanding I used a tack cloth to remove all dust.  Now time for paint.  I used Behr's paint and primer in one in the color "Espresso Beans".  This will be the same color I re-finish the kitchen cabinets in the new house with.  (Test run on the armoire, woooo!)  I used a brush to cut in on all the panels and detail work and rolled the rest with a small foam roller.  I used 2 coats of paint and am really happy with the result.

I did rough up the hardware a little with sandpaper and spray them with a brushed nickel-colored spray paint.  I'd like to eventually replace the knobs with something a little prettier but for now this will do. :)

DIY Entry Table

Since getting some cheap-o particle board table was not an option, I have been scouring thrift stores, yard sales, and Craigslist for an entry/sofa table to re-do.  I wasn't picky. I wasn't asking for too much: just a simple, waist-high table to furnish the space in my narrow entry way.  It could have been llama-poop green (is llama poop green?) for all I cared, I was ready to refinish it anyway (and if it was a cool piece, possibly even paint it turquoise...ok, now I'm just getting wild.)

After tiring from all of this searching, and from being inspired by every piece of furniture at World Market, I decided I would try to just BUILD one.  I'm not a carpenter, I'm just a girl with access to power tools.  How hard can it be, right? I just want a simple design. LET'S DO THIS.  I'll just head on down to the 'ol Home Depot (AKA FantasyLand for grown-ups).  I did get inspiration from a piece at a consignment store in Chico but knew I wanted to make mine smaller by using 2 boards across the top instead of 3.  I also wanted to use smooth wood instead of the rough fencing on this table. No dimensions, just a general idea of how I wanted it to look: RUSTIC.  (See below for my inspiration.)

After standing in the lumber aisle just staring at planks of wood and using my teeny tiny tape measure, I finally loaded onto my cart:

1- 1"x8' board (which I cut in half to have 2, 4' boards side by side for table top)
2- 4x4 posts (legs)
2- 1x4 boards (for frame under the table top)
1- 1/2 pint can of Minwax Polyshades (wood stain and polyurethane in one. YAY! Less work!) in "Espresso", Satin finish.

Total spent on lumber + stain: $46.38

*Note that I loaded this into my little Honda Accord. I was pretty confident it would fit (do you know many IKEA furniture boxes I have crammed in there in the past? It's incredible really.  After a bit of maneuvering I got the lumber home and was ready to build.

*Oh, I hope you weren't looking for dimensions because there aren't any.  The dimensions in my head go a little something like this: "3.5' and a couple 'little thingies' extra", etc.

Step one: EYEBALL IT! I am notorious for "eyeballing" everything. I have a "that'll do" attitude about many things. This is one of them.  How tall do I want my table? Ummmm, "here's good".  Then measure that "here" height and we're good to go. I know, this is not helpful at all.  Just keep reading. :)

Set up the sawhorses and used a hand saw on those 4x4s to start cutting the table legs. That was by far the hardest part of the entire project.  Talk about a forearm workout. Geez.

Make a rectangle frame to put your table top on. Just go ahead and eyeball that too.  Once you're forearms stop bulging, use a cordless skill saw to make cuts on the other pieces.  Eh, just piece those together in a rectangular-like shape and put screws in them with a handy-dandy cordless drill. Flip that bad boy over and put screws in the top to secure the frame. Once secure, turn it back over like the below photo and you're ready to put the legs on.

Oh! It's starting to resemble a real table!? I mean...of COURSE it is.









Much to my surprise, after the legs were attached, it DID NOT WOBBLE.  Insert shocked face, follow with celebratory dancing. After the celebration, I cut those little pieces that go across the legs...

HOLY HEAVEN! That looks like a table, doesn't it?!

Ok, get to sanding. Luckily I have a sweet little Ryobi electric sander. This thing is SWEET. I have completed projects in the past with just a piece of sandpaper and my hand alone and this little do-dad is pure luxury in comparison.  

The can of stain said to do 2 coats. DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO.

I actually really liked the look after 1 coat so I didn't do more.  I liked the brushstrokes, the variation of dark to light color and that you could still see the pine through it.  And I'm glad I didn't fill the screw holes. It all matches the look I was going for: RUSTIC.

Ooooooh, it's almost done!  What's that? Time for dinner? I DON'T EAT UNTIL I FINISH. 

I've also been searching for an entry way lamp.  GOODWILL (possibly 2nd favorite store) has some pretty sweet finds.  I found this black distressed lamp base for $6 and this cool cork shade on clearance at World Market. I think it's cozy and can't wait to set it all up together in the house.

I was pleasantly surprised with how this project came out.  Now that I know the design works and was fairly easy to execute, I can see a large rustic dining table in my future. What else can we build? :)