I need some creativity love!
by
Jaye L
+7
I picked this monster up at the thrift store for a whopping 40 bucks. My plan is to make it into a media console for our TV. At issue is, I NEED SOME ADVICE! I'm open to whatever you throw at me. Paint? Stain? Designs? My initial though is to paint it because it's just not that nice of wood. Cheap pine I think. Think 80's waterbed wood.
I removed the drawers on the left side, thinking the cable box, etc. will go in the top. I'm wanting some baskets in the bottom two.
Behind these heinous doors are more drawers, which will stay and hold DVD's and such.
These are tiny little apothecary drawers. Initially I thought to remove that entire top piece all together and that's still floating out there.
10 answers
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I love the idea of repurposing this to make into an ET center. Normally I'd suggest refinishing, but with this type of wood even I would sand and paint. As for what you call the apothecary drawers at the top I'd remove that if you can do so without damaging the wood below too much. It looks as though one end is already damaged anyway. If it's not damaged then I think it would make an awesome shelf flipped over with a deeper piece of wood on top. As for the drawers, if you'll only use one shelf for the cable box, then I'd leave the bottom two drawers in place for storage. Though the baskets would look nice it might give it an off balance appearance with the right side overly "heavy".
Z
on Dec 08, 2012
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You might be able to save the old drawer fronts and put them on hinges instead as a way to provide hidden storage. Check out the many Annie Sloan Chalk Paint projects here on Hometalk. This seems like a perfect project for that type of treatment.
Douglas Hunt
on Dec 09, 2012
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Instead of removing all the "apothecary drawers" you might consider removing the ones where the TV will be (Flat Screen?) & leave the others for remote controls, keys, chargers or even just little knick-knacks Running cables is generally the biggest issue & I generally go with drilling from the top down instead of trying to run items behind the piece Paint or stain - biggest issue with paint is if it isn't fully prepped properly I have seen it pull off, bubble where the TV box is, etc... Give it a sanding & see what you think - they also do have solid color stains The only other idea is to possibly build up the top - add shelves to wrap the TV & possible use the two drawer fronts as new doors
SLS Construction & Building Solutions LLC
on Dec 09, 2012
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Even though this is basic pine it seems to be well made. The dado's for the tops apothecary drawer dividers are one sign to quality. You choice to paint or refinish should also take into account what other pieces are in the room...if the bulk of the other furniture is not painted then a painted piece may look out of place.
KMS Woodworks
on Dec 09, 2012
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I think it would be fantastic painted! Love your idea to use the top "shelf" for cable boxes, etc and baskets for the ones below. I agree with your idea to remove the apothecary drawers if possible. Post pictures after the transformation! I think it will be fantastic!
Storywood Designs
on Dec 09, 2012
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Wow! Awesome ideas! I especially loved SLS's idea of removing part of the "apothecary" drawers to slide the TV into it. HOWEVER - we put the monster TV on top and it pretty much covers every one of those apothecary drawers. So we either put the TV up on TOP of the little drawers or remove them. The husband already thinks the TV is sitting too high so I doubt it'll be that route. I do want to try and recycle them somehow like Becky suggested. They can be removed without damaging the top but I'm almost thinking of replacing the entire top and have a nice beveled edge around it. Check out what Tami did to her ugly old dresser: http://tamicurbalert.blogspot.com/2012/10/pottery-barn-wannabe-dresser-reveal.html. Awesome!!! Thanks everyone!! I'll keep you posted!!!
Jaye L
on Dec 09, 2012
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@Jaye L - lovely find. I am a fan of combined paint and stain. Perhaps consider staining the top, may hold up better if you are placing a heavy tv on the top. You could also get a piece of cut glass on the top to protect it. Here is a member who used a coloured stain and it looks fabulous! http://www.hometalk.com/gailsalminen#!/660528/come-check-out-my-latest-roadside-rescue-furniture-makeover Another member @TaniaC has repurposed a dresser in a great way - I thought this might work for your ET unit - check it out here, http://www.hometalk.com/gailsalminen#!/468439/old-blue-dresser-makeover and here is me using her idea! http://www.hometalk.com/gailsalminen#!/600481/repurposed-dresser We made the shelves out of fence boards from a fence we replaced last year - easy to cut and gave it some character too. You can probably find a lot more ideas in the furniture section of this site. I am amazed by the creativity shared on this site. @KMS Woodworks is right, you need to decide how it will fit into the rest of the room before deciding on colours. Please post a pic of your finished product, would love to see it.
Gail Salminen
on Dec 09, 2012
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I love your inspiration @Jaye. I can't wait to see how yours turns out. I too like a combo of paint and stain.
Z
on Dec 09, 2012
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i agree with KMS take account if you have painted pieces. But the chalk paint is a great ideal change the knobs and i agree with taking the top piece off and love the basket ideal also. GREAT FIND GOOD LUCK :)
Trent-Tonya Sharp
on Dec 10, 2012
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id put luan board were you removed the draws.to make a flat surface.and use some pretty sq baskets to hold odd ends.spaced out to were you can add a pretty nick nack.between baskets.i would sand and stain an revarnish the top and chalk paint below that,after painted maybe do a antique in a second color .
Terry
on Sep 14, 2016
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