Monster Eyeballs
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.
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I don’t think I will ever see knobs like these again and not think “eyeballs.” Good job. ;) lol
boobs!
Sometimes the comments on your post are just as much fun to read as your original post. :)
Haha I think the same thing about you guys. You’re all hilarious in the comments lately.
xo,
s
This is totally left field, but if you ever come to Maine do NOT leave without visiting Mardens. Some are better than others but it’s a must. These remind of something you could find there. Plus with you love of fabric, often awesome home decor fabric for cheap (heck, everything else too). As their slogan says – you shoulda bought it, when you saw it, at mardens. I’m not kidding that I wouldn’t be surprised to walk in someday and see parsons chairs.
YouTube the commercials. Hilariously disturbing with the mardens lady.
Haha, we’ll have to check it out when we’re in Maine someday! Sounds like our cup of tea for sure.
xo,
s
Don’t know if you were interested, but those bedside tables I sent you are now on sale…plus I have a coupon for an additional $10.00 off. Just let me know :)
http://www.mykirklands.com/email/?email=March-24-Email&order=1&category=rectangularsidetable&utm_source=cheetah&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Coupon&utm_content=rectang
Thanks so much! Off to check them out again…
xo,
s
“The first step is to put on your safety goggles and protective gloves.” Ha ha!!! Oh my, that made me laugh. I knew you were joking, but it reminded me of a time I was at a client’s house trying to put a screw into the wall to hang a wall hanging. I was having to reach up high over a large hutch, and because of the angle, I just could NOT get that screw to go into the wall! So after I struggled with it for what seemed like forever, my client asked her (ahem…lazy) husband if he would help me. His irritation was obvious, and he said, “Fine. Let me go put on my work boots.” LOL!!! And no, he wasn’t joking.
Hilarious. I totally wish I was there to see that.
xo,
s
I have to say these knobs don’t do it for me. I saw these knobs at World Market today and I really liked them. I love the look of crystal glass knobs, and these have a punch of color in them:
http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4393525&CAWELAID=565282068
I do LOVE the dark blue color in the built ins though. And you guys have done a great job so far!
They actually had some of those at Hobby Lobby too, and we thought the vintage glass was super charming but not as exciting as monster eyeballs! Haha. We know, we’re weird. I think we liked the more saturated color and the oil-rubbed bronze accents since we’ll be hanging oil-rubbed bronze curtain rods someday.
xo,
s
Looking at the progress photos you have achieved soo much since you moved in. I love the googly eye door knobs, they are fun just like you both :-).
I have a question about your living room sectional. How are they holding up since you bought them? We are in the process of looking for new sofa/ sectional so am interested to know your thoughts so far on the ikea one you have.
Couldn’t love our sectional more. I’m writing this comment from the chaise lounge side of the sofa and I’m comfy and cozy. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
I’m curious…what are you doing with the old knobs?
We have plans to spray them and reuse them somewhere else. Details when we get there!
xo,
s
me want a cookie!
Did Lady GaGa perform at your Casa? B/c It’s a Monster’s eyeBALL up in there!
Haha, totally. She actually comes for Sunday dinners with us. Sometimes via egg or meat costume.
xo,
s
All I see is the Geico commercial with the eyeballs on the cash!
Haha, check out the post we linked to (that video makes an appearance).
xo,
s
Yes! This is a one of my favorite things to do! I’ve never owned, only rented, but it’s usually one of the first things I do…take off ugly knobs and fixtures and replace them with new ones. If there is enough (say, a kitchen) they can totally transform a room and make it your own in an other wise not yours space.
Love! (even if they are eyeball like, the color is killer)
Oh, I am so glad you guys are on the on the eyeballs-are-cool-in-colors train!! Ever since your eyeball kitchen post, I’ve been a little self conscience about my powder room knobs (teal version) which I love, but totally look like they are staring at me now. Seriously, this blog has kinda become my sue-the-napkin.
Its feeling a bit… um… “Colonel Mustard in the Dining Room with the Wrench” …which he found in your kitchen drawer of course! ;)
Hey guys I just want to leave a bit of constructive criticism. Never mind that PERHAPS they look like eyeballs, or PERHAPS they look like boobies, but are they PERHAPS a wee bit too big? there appears to be very little “breathing space” between them and they PERHAPS look a bit disproportionate. Love you, love your show. Thanx.
PERHAPS you’re right! Haha. I seem to have an odd infatuation with oversized items sometimes (like our huge bedroom chandelier and the big vase on the small console table in the hallway of frames) so I guess we’re ok with eyeball slash boob knobs that might be too big. They just make us smile and in the scheme of the room with the giant table and about a million things that we still need to add (curtains, wall paint, a huge 6′ opening to the kitchen, bright green chairs) we hardly think they’ll be the focal point.
xo,
s
“I seem to have an odd infatuation with over-sized items” That’s what she said. hahahaha!
Got me. Haha.
xo,
s
They look my breasts to me too. My daughter used to think the bells on old fashioned telephones (like these http://www.allwebretro.com/nostalgia_08_05.php ) were breast.
Let’s see if Clara tries this…
http://www.allwebretro.com/nostalgia_08_05.php
Hahaha, hilarious.
xo,
s
Hilarious! You guys really make me laugh!
This is so not related to this post, but I’ve just stumbled across this other blog that I instantly loved and I think you’d like it, too.
Maybe you know it already: http://www.the-brick-house.com/
So far, I’ve only grazed the first few post, but I can already tell that there are some amazing thrift-shop finds and DIY-tips there.
The chihuahuas! That flower chandelier! I love it!!! Thanks for the link.
xo,
s
wow those are the kinds of knobs that when you were in the room alone you would think someone was watching you! Would definitely start making me paranoid but then you would say to yourself “don’t be crazy, they are just monster knobs”! Let us know what Clara thinks once she gets older! ha ha…
Meagan
the row house nest
http://www.rowhousenest.com
alien butt knobs? Hilarious.
The cabinets in this room are my favorite. Such a great way to decorate this space.
They are just knobs….if you can’t have fun with the little details, then where can you? I think they look fabulous. And if the day comes that you get tired of them, it’s totally easy and inexpensive to change them out. Love your new shots of whimsy in the home.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the painted back of the built ins, I’m stealing that idea! And yes monster eyes for sure!
I have just discovered your website a few weeks ago and I am addicted!!! Many of your ideas are young and fresh and can be easily incorporated into any home,I am looking forward to visiting this website regulary.
Don’t know if yall already know this but yall are in the Express newspaper also(Not the washington post). It is a local paper that was created by the Washington Post.
Wow- crazy! Thanks for the tip!
xo,
s
Hi YHL! I wanted to let you know that your Washington Post story was also featured in the Washington Post Express (the free paper for Metro riders) today! http://www.expressnightout.com/printedition/ Here is the link!
Thanks so much for the heads up! We had no idea!
xo,
s
I think that as long as your dinner guests aren’t on the floor, on their knees, over by the cabinets they’ll never notice the knocker-like knobs! Also, just tell Clara the monster eyes are protecting the ceramic animals! Hee Hee! Love the changes. I think the first house felt like a “couple house” and this one definately has a “family house” vibe to it. Love them both!
Lauren B.
Was not thinking eyeballs but another body part. the 6th pic down did for me as the two very round….next to each other… and the whole bronze areola part. LOL LOL LOL
Monster boobs
Yup, there’s definitely some monster cleavage going on from that side shot. Haha. The funny thing is that John didn’t even notice (he was the one who took the shots) so I felt like the perverted one when I pointed it out. Haha.
xo,
s
Actually, because they’re close together, they don’t look too much like eyes. I love them!
Ha, how funny, when I first saw the replacements my thought was, hey, more eyeballs! I can’t believe the progress on your home already, at this rate you’ll be done and ready for another move in two years!! Looking good. Janell
Where did you get the 2 guest room chairs? Perfect size!
Those are Dolce Lounge Chairs from Target that we got about 3+ years ago. One used to live in our living room and one was in our old den. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
WOW! LOVE! I just changed out the knobs in my office built ins a cpl weeks ago when re-doing my office! Looks like yours might have come from Anthropologie too! Too funny! Here is my knob switch out in my ‘new’ pink office! Love your blog! xoxo Shelli
http://alamodemaven.blogspot.com/2011/03/pretty-in-pink-office-redo.html
So pretty! Love the ones you chose!
xo,
s
I’ve never seen a closeup of what you have over the doorway in the built-ins, but they’ve always looked like a mustache to me. It makes me smile every time I see it! :{)
Haha, John calls that The Mustache too. Haha. It’s actually two ceramic horns (they used to be above our mantel in the den. I love that they look like swirly facial hair how. Haha.
xo,
s
Really preferred it the other way. Before it looked older and classy, the new ones make it look more run of the mill.
Monster eyeballs are run of the mill? Too funny! The new standard: monster eyeballs on every cabinet. Haha. Love it.
xo,
s
Like someone said before, the knobs do seem kinda cookie-monsterish but I think you’re so right S, when the room is all pulled together, these little pops of color won’t be the focus. Nicely done!
“We could probably get little alien butt knobs and no one would notice.”
This made me laugh out loud. Thanks for the chuckle! :)
They also look like boobs. Just saying. Perhaps they’ll function as a future education tool for Clara about the joys of becoming a young woman?
Haha, you can scroll back to the first page for some pretty hilarious boob chatter.
xo,
s
I actually love them! They’re fun and playful :)
at first they looked like Wall-E’s eyes! :)
Aw, I love Wall-E. Maybe that’s why I love them so. I made John take me to that movie the day it opened. For some strange reason Wall-E reminds us of Burger.
xo,
s
Have you thought of moving the knobs to a different spot on the cupboard? Work filling holes, I know, but would alleviate any little faces, etc. Just a thought – you seem quite happy with them as is. :)
Yup, we’re good with their placement but we’re definitely not strangers to moving knobs. We used wood putty and paint to move the knobs in our first house’s original kitchen- it actually wasn’t that bad!
xo,
s
I am in love with your home and your aesthetic. And those drawings cracked me up because I didn’t see the faces until after I read the post.
LOVE teal and yellow! that room is going to look amazing when complete. ps.i love how packed the builts-in are! i would sit there and re-arrange all day.
It’s like the geico cash eyeballs! lol!
Haha, exactly!
xo,
s
That is absolutely hilarious. After I saw the photo of the knobs at that angle I couldn’t look at the knobs in any other photo without laughing! I love the color though & think they look great on the built ins.
Maybe the old knobs would be a good candidate for the oil-rubbed bronze spray paint that you’ve mentioned wanting to try out? Best of luck, Youngsters!
We definitely plan to spray them and reuse them for another project on our list! Details when we get there…
xo,
s
I am a little late to comment but hey, I get busy and have to catch up on YHL on the weekends sometimes!!
Love the eyeballs (boobs, whatever)!! I bought these same ones a couple of months ago for a entryway cabinet shelf thingy that I am trying to paint inky blue (Planeterium is the name)!! I was soooo happy to see yall post with a similar color combo!!
I would upload a pic but the cabinet thingy had a stain on it that bled through a little. Hafta go back and sand some more and then paint again. Alas, nursing school keeps me busy most weekends…it will get finished one day!! :)
Love the house, love the progress!! You guys rock!!
Hi,
I think your choice of knobs is cute. Maybe it wouldn’t be everyone’s choice, but well, it’s your house. I can see you making little faces to go with the knobs (say out of paper) for different holidays, for Clara’s enjoyment when she gets a little older–especially at Halloween!
And if you decide to go with something later that’s more contemporary/elegant/etc., it’s super easy to change out knobs! And the rest of the room is understated–even the colour behind the built-ins, though dramatic, is still very elegant, in my opinion.
They are a bit booby like. Makes me giggle. Kind of like those flush-mount builder lights.
Ditto on the yellow boobs comment – I just didn’t want to be the first one to say it. ;)
I am totally behind and of course, a brand spankin new fan of the site! I noticed the “spool table”,do you guys use that as the dining room table? What type of chairs would go with it?
Oh yes, here’s an update of that that room looks like now (we got the parsons chairs for super cheap from craigslist and added slipcovers that we dyed that came from World Market). Hope it helps!
xo,
s