Sometimes It's the Memories ...
4 Materials
$30
3 Days
Easy
It was built by an 89 year old man, who was selling it at a garage sale. His hands were gnarled and just one look, told a story of hard work, pats on the back, holding babies and a million other things. It was a little wooden box with 8 drawers, he said he hoped he could get at least $5 for it... I told him I'd give him $10, but he said no, that was just too much. So I gave him the $5, stayed and listened to his many stories for a good 2 hours and when I left we were friends. He'd stop by once a week to say hello, ask me to look something up on my computer and just chat. He was lonely, his wife died many years ago and his kids although visited were busy with their families and work. He passed away 3 months ago, and I miss his visits and stories but I am so happy I had those 2 years with him and even happier I bought his little work box.
This is it 
Some of the drawers stuck and had to be cut down a little and then the drawer fronts put back on, that's what's happening here in this picture.
Some of the drawers stuck and had to be cut down a little and then the drawer fronts put back on, that's what's happening here in this picture. 
I removed the little drawer pulls, they were like wrought iron fasteners and I pulled them all off and will save them for another project down the road.
I purchased four 8" oak legs ($2.30 each) and the Waddell Metal Table Leg Straight Top Plate (set of 4 for $5.99) from Lowe's. The box itself was made of pine but they didn't have the table legs I wanted made of pine anywhere. They're so easy to install, four screws and then you just screw the legs in :)
The weather this winter is not indicative of crafting anything. One day it's 70 the next it's raining for a week and then the temp drops and it's snowing! 
So everything I did I had to do in my dining room. I started staining it and it was so orange-y I wanted to cry, and I just couldn't get the color I wanted no matter what stain I used, so I mixed a bunch of stains together to get the color I wanted.
So everything I did I had to do in my dining room. I started staining it and it was so orange-y I wanted to cry, and I just couldn't get the color I wanted no matter what stain I used, so I mixed a bunch of stains together to get the color I wanted. 
The top drawer is the orange-y one, the bottom is the mixed stains and not orange-y at all! Thank goodness!
I ordered these drawer pulls from Amazon, they were $9.99 for 20! Score!!
After the legs were put on and the piece was all stained and ready to go I put these Floor Savers on. I like these the best because you just hammer them onto the legs and they stay in place, no slipping no sliding off and can be replaced when they need to be by just popping them off and hammering on new ones.
Here he is sitting in my living room. Please disregard the dog treat sitting on the floor! 
The lamp was too big for it so.....
The lamp was too big for it so..... 
I put this one behind it instead.
Here's a close up of the little guy. He's perfectly imperfect! I left the crookedness of the cuts in the drawers, the scraps and digs because they tell a story just like the hands of the 89 year old man who made it. I believe when decorating your home, it should be with pieces that mean something to you, that have a little tale to tell or maybe just something that speaks to your heart and makes you smile just looking at it! But most of all I believe when you're decorating it should be with whatever makes YOU happy, not to impress others. Make it your happy sanctuary!
Just wanted to add that no matter how many Real tools I have for some reason I ALWAYS need a butter knife! LOL!!! True story!
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4 of 6 comments
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And now you can continue the story! It looks gorgeous!
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Wonderful project. Thank you for this beautiful story. : )
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Thank you so much!
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