Friday, May 3, 2013

All Around The Globe...

I like old globes. I like old books. I like old, wooden orphan drawers. Link them all together and one has a lovely vignette.

I found three orphan wooden desk drawers on a free pile at a yard sale. I took them home with me because I loved the hardware on them. They sat in in our utility shed for several years collecting more dust, waiting for me to be inspired. Some weeks ago I carried them into the house and the transformation began.
- The Before -
In all their ugly but lots of potential condition.
And the hardware? Oh my...caked with years of neglect and dirt!
Even a soak in water didn't budge the dirt.
Struck gold after a hard scrubbing...amazing!
 The drawers were falling apart and one had lost its bottom...
 and very dirty with spider nest in the crevices and key holes.
I took them completely apart, sanded the wood and the rusty track. Mr D made a new bottom for the bottom-less drawer. I sprayed the insides of the drawers with semi-gloss clear wood finish and what an amazing difference! By now, I was really loving this project, even though I had no idea what I was going to do with them.
Isn't this rustic glamour amazing?
I watered down the paint and without using any primer, I gave the outside of the drawers a quick slap-it-on coat because I wanted a weathered look. Doing that made these dates appear on the sides of each one...love the extra bonus!
- The Beautiful After! -
All the while, I had NO idea what I was going to do with them! As I was finishing them, inspiration came. My Christmas putz houses were still up (yes, from Christmas; I liked them so much!) and it was beyond time to store them again. The books were already there which led me to my small globe collection because reading takes one anywhere in the world one wants to go!
I am so pleased with the results! After scrubbing the hardware with a scrubby (the only to take off the grime) and giving them a shine with steel wool, it turned out it looked like this. I loved that surprise - I had no idea this loveliness was under the dirt! I sanded the paint lightly and put the scubby to use again around the cup handles that would naturally show wear. The globes were picked up over the years thrift-ing; the small one is a glass light shade.
Can I say I'm in love? Because I am!
I want to find more dirty, broken treasures like this!

12 comments:

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Oh Esther you have really created treasures - just look at that, wow - looks AMAZING!

Well done, ma'am - hugs- have a great weekend.

Anonymous said...

What a fun thing to do, reclaim something that has been
just waiting for you to tackle it. I liked how you arranged the
books, drawers and globes too.

It just adds character!!!!

Evie Hershey said...

just love it!!

Desires of the Heart said...

Oh Esther, they look so neat and I love the way the hardware turned out. It is so much fun to unearth buried treasures, isn't it. Happy that you were able to do something creative to make your heart sing during these difficult days. You have great vision and your husband did a great job with the repairs too. A precious memory of time spent together. Blessings and prayers for you both, Linda

JP said...

Absolutely adorable! The hardware on the drawers smack of character and I have always loved, loved globes. Well done, Mr. and Mrs. D!

(I wasn't reading your blog when you created the putz houses. That has to be one of the most lovely putz displays I've ever seen.)

Lydia said...

LOVE them! They look great.

Wendy W. said...

Can you tell me exactly what you cleaned the hardware with? A bath scrubby? Water, soap, any chemicals? It's beautiful! I am restoring a door from the farmhouse that I grew up in (circa 1850!) and would love to get the knob looking that good!

Rachel said...

I love it! Great job on the free! drawers. The vignette is very nice too.

Curtains in My Tree said...


I was waiting to see paint LOL

I like them the way you have them

Cindy said...

Esther, Your latest project is beautiful, I love old drawers, too, and you found some real winners when you found those. With your tlc they have turned out to be gorgeous!
I see you haven't posted in a while, I do hope all is well with you and your husband.
Hugs, Cindy

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Hi Esther,
Just getting around here to see this post and those drawers! They look wonderful!
I must say, I also love the paper in the back of your cupboard that really makes everything POP!
Lightens it up so you can see all your neat stuff.

Hope all is well with you and Mr. D-- I see you haven't posted in over a month.

Pat
The grace of the LORD Jesus Christ be with your spirit. ~Phil.4:23

Joyce @ WP said...

wow - this finish is amazing! gonna have to 'pin' this. Bet it felt good to scrub while your heart was/is a mixture of thoughts and feelings. Great find, great project, great display!!! (and it's not an all white display - is somebody branching out?) :)

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