Alternate punny post title: Some Midcentury Microdermabrasion. Ok, so yesterday John explained how we hunted down an old thrift store table and repaired its rickety legs. And since we’re nothing if not honest when it comes to keeping things real-time in this little DIY diary of ours (if something takes two days, it earns two posts – and if a kitchen takes four months, it earns about a hundred) here’s the second chapter for our little dresser-turned-media-cabinet. The title of which could be: How I Showed A Dingy Old Wood Dresser Some Sweet Sweet Love. Or Dr $herdog And Her Scrub-tastic Tricks. You know, depending on your mood.
So let’s dive right into how I brought this 50+ year old piece back from scratched and bedraggled territory. Here are my tools. It’s a pretty simple equation.
Yup, you read that right. Ladies and gentlemen, my first weapon of choice was a Magic Eraser. I’ve found that for old beat up pieces like this, it’s great for scrubbing off years of grime. It essentially does the same thing as very fine steel wool or sandpaper does (but seems to be more gentle on the hands). The cool thing is that sometimes what you think are paint streaks and scratches actually can be buffed off with the eraser so the wood is back to looking downright sexy again. For example, see this detail shot that I took of the bottom right side of the cabinet before I did any scrubbing?
Here it is after about five minutes of buffing that area with a damp Magic Eraser:
I did the same buffing thing all over the top, the sides, and even the legs (tip: you might want to test it on an out of the way spot to make sure it doesn’t mess with your piece’s finish, but if it’s dry old wood like this guy it should work just like high grit sandpaper and just buff things down a bit).
Then it was time to clean out the inside of the drawers. Those were musty and dusty, so it was less about buffing them down to their original glory like it was for the exterior, so my approach changed. I just used an old rag moistened with white vinegar to wipe down the insides of each drawer. That removed all the dust, and since vinegar is also great for absorbing/removing musty smells in old wood, it was amazing how that tangy vinegar went on smelling strongly but then dried to have no smell at all (so those formerly musty drawers smelled like nothing at all as well). Huzzah.
Here’s how she looked after about a few hours of working the outside with the Magic Eraser and the inside of each drawer with a vinegar-moistened rag.
It’s a far cry from the muddled old finish that we saw at the thrift store, right? Now you get the post title, right? It’s like I hooked her up with some nice microdermabrasion, right? Dr. $herdog doesn’t mess around.
The next step was letting her sit out in the sunroom with her drawers all open so everything could evaporate and fully dry out (all the vinegar-wiped drawers need to full air out so the bitter smell dissipates). Then about eight hours later we finally (finally!!) brought her into the living room. Nothing like waiting over two years to find the right media cabinet.
We eventually plan to use a drawer or two for the TV components instead of sitting them on the floor (we can either hinge the front of that drawer for easy remote-access to them or use one of those cool RF remotes that work through wood) but this works for now.
And speaking of planning, we also originally planned to paint the top, sides, and bottom of the piece white (while leaving the rest of it in the same wood tone that you see now – sort of like this but wood where the white is and white where the wood is) but now that we’ve scrubbed it down and brought it into the living room we actually like it just the way it is.
We already have a white desk, a white table, and a white ottoman in the room, so the wooden media cabinet balances nicely with the wooden console that we built for behind our sofa along with the wood-framed chalkboard that we made. We even like the original hardware (although you never know if we’ll see something awesome and be completely seduced). Now that I’m sitting here staring at it, I actually think the existing hardware could look great in an oil-rubbed bronze finish since the curtain rods on both sides of this piece (as well as the dark TV on top of it) are that tone. So that’s always a possibility down the line. Either way you know I’ll keep you posted.
I’d also love to use some sort of wood restoring seal/topcoat to coat the cabinet (since it’s pretty dry and not really very glossy at all) – just to bring back even more luster. I hit up Home Depot and grabbed something that I’m dying to try, so I’ll be back with pics and details for ya about that – maybe along with a tutorial for hinging a drawer for those media components or giving an RF remote a try? Might not get around to it for a few weeks with all of our book tour travel coming up, but I can’t wait to get ‘er done.
Oh and as for securing the TV so it’s kid safe, we use this anchor system to keep it in place (here’s a picture of it with our last media cabinet from this post, but it’s the same system, we just unattached it and reattached it higher on the wall to work with the new cabinet). We’ve also had luck using similar systems for tethering desks and dressers and leaning mirrors to keep them from tipping (more on that here).
Now we’re just basking in the glory of a not-too-low TV that actually doesn’t make the whole room feel sofa-heavy (that side of the room always felt more substantial thanks to the teeny old TV table). Ooh yeah, I’m going to stuff those abundant drawers with all of Clara’s games and toys that runneth over. Momma’s excited about that. Oh and as for the old TV cabinet, we just craigslisted it for $30 yesterday! So in the end this new $59 TV cabinet was more like $29 after you put that $30 craigslist payment back in our pockets.
Is anyone else trying to bring an old piece of furniture back to its former glory? Have you ever used a vinegar wipe-down to de-must drawers? Have you tried the Magic Eraser approach on old grungy wood? I’m not sure it would be a good idea on something super shiny (sealed/lacquered) since it might make tiny scratches in the finish, but for old dry wood that looks beat up and battered already, it certainly removed a lot of things that I thought were deeply rooted into the stain (they must have been sitting right on top). Word up to less-beat-up-than-you-thought furniture.
Michelle says
You mentioned that you didn’t want to paint the top and sides of the cabinet (leaving the drawers / front natural), but what about staining the top and sides (or whatever) for some additional interest? Just a thought.
YoungHouseLove says
Always another fun possibility!
xo,
s
Bee at Love Bake Renovate says
Thanks for the Magic Eraser Tip! Some of our furniture got scuffed in the move and I can’t wait to see if this works.
Misty says
Hey Guys!
I just wanted to shout out a quick THANK YOU for you blog! Since discovering it a few weeks ago its the first site I click to when I turn on my computer in the morning. I can’t get enough of you guys! I am constantly inspired by your posts and after purchasing my first home in the spring of ’12 I looove thinking and planning great decor ideas thanks to all your help!
Your book was on my wish list for Xmas, but when my Mom went to get it all copies were sold out! So I just ordered it today online and Can’t wait to have it! I tell all my friends about you! Keep it coming!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Misty!
xo,
s
Erica says
Oh wow, I can’t believe what a difference that magic eraser made! What an awesome, and affordable, tool. The finished look is gorgeous.
Anna Sebok says
This piece looks so fantastic and is totally you guys!! What a great find and addition to the space!
Colleen says
Ooh, great tip for the Magic Eraser!
My personal favorite is Howard Feed-n-Wax wood conditioner. It s results vary somewhat, but it’s brought new life to a lot of our old, dry wood furniture. It really helps lessen the visibility of little scuffs and make items appear to be in much better condition than they really are. It has definitely saved us from a refinishing project or two!
Sally says
Looks great! I have a MCM dresser we’re using as a buffet that I want to use as our TV stand, but my partner’s a doubter.
Could you share the size of your TV? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s 42″ – hope it helps!
xo,
s
Sally says
Thanks. We have a 36…close enough that I can say “it looks good in John and Sherry’s house!”
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, sweet!
xo
s
Ann says
Vinegar and steel wool is the ‘old school’ go to for cleaning old wood. Got to love those Magic Erasers. They always work.
Devon says
Totally unrelated to your post today, but have you heard that West Elm is now selling a ceramic inch worm? I thought of you instantly:
http://www.westelm.com/products/ceramic-inch-worm-d492/?pkey=call-new&cm_src=all-new||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_–_-
Love your blog!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes I LOVE it!
xo,
s
Angela Kintner says
I. WANT. ONE!
Great find – way to go!
Lisa says
There was Dr. Strangelove reference in that first paragraph, right? Or am I just seeing Peter Sellers everywhere? Anyway, “he’ll see the big board!”
YoungHouseLove says
Haha it was a total accident! So funny.
xo,
s
Carolyn says
You should get the RF remote for sure. All of our electronic equipment stays safely stashed in a media closet away from curious dog noses and little fingers that like to push buttons and pull out wires. My RF remote has changed my life!
Karen says
Oooh! Just read your response saying there is a Sher-bangs post upcoming! So excited!
(At what point, as you “cobble together” a post about achange to your hair because of so much demand from fans, while on the road to Austin for yet another signing, does it hit you that you guys are pretty hot stuff these days? Definitely B celeb status ;) I could definitely see you on DWTS next. Heehee! So happy for you guys! I sorta feel proud in some weird, nonsensical way. You deserve it! You guys have worked so hard, and are so excellent in all you do. And you do rock those bangs, girl.)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahaha! We are just over-sharers. And people seem to be into bangs! Haha. Who knew?
xo,
s
Jenny F. says
My husband and I can’t wait to meet you and John tonight!!! Hope you’ll get a little bit of time to explore Austin. We relocated here a couple of years ago and haven’t looked back since. Amazing city with AMAZING food – try Hut’s Hamburgers (just around the corner from Book People) if you’re hungry :)
See you SOON!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo!!!
xo,
s
Cari says
Love ur new piece!!!
I was actually wondering if u still remember where u bought Clara’s cloth magnetic alphabet…I have been looking all over ur site and cannot find it anywhere!! My husband and I r in the process of adoption and would LUV to have a set for our little one!!! Thank u soo much! Cari
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry it was someone on Etsy!
xo,
s
Alison says
http://blogs.babycenter.com/life_and_home/not-your-mothers-magnetic-letters
They talk about it In this post
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Alison! You have the best memory ever!
xo
s
Alison says
I know because I got some for my little girl for Christmas! It took about three months to get them but they are very cute!
Shirley says
Omg who knew that magic eraser could be that fabulous? I’m also jealous that you are in Austin. I’m sure you have had tons of leads on food there but I will chime in with hula huts burgers and magnolia cafe (gingerbread pancakes). I could spend a whole month in Austin just eating!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Mmm, thanks for the tips!
xo,
s
Sarah @SarahsBigIdea says
Good to know about the Magic Eraser and vinegar trick. I would have broken out the sandpaper and spent hours refinishing the whole thing–what a waste of time! Next time I restore an old piece of furniture, Mr. Clean will get first crack at it.
-Sarah
Janelle says
She is looking fiiiiine. Great job with the elbow grease Sherry!
Sarah says
Have had good results with Doozy Furniture Polish and pre cleaner products. Buy locally at hardware or at Amazon.
LARY@ Inspiration Nook says
It looks GREAT!!!!
Vica says
I can’t tell what kind of cable box you have but our direct tv box/remote has a setting for rf so you don’t have to buy a separate remote. It’s awesome we can now keep our cabinet doors shut always.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesome!
xo
s
Morgan says
Looks Fantastic! Love, love natural wood and it ties in perfectly with your leaning mirror. Love the original hardware too and excited to see what you guys come up with for the media system.
Bridget says
Boy, if you guys didn’t snag a deal! Look at west elm’s new dresser that looks strikingly similar…but for $799! Good work! Looks great! http://www.westelm.com/products/mid-century-6-drawer-dresser-g815/?pkey=call-new&cm_src=all-new||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_–_-
YoungHouseLove says
Wahooo! Love that one too!
xo
s
Deborah says
Great find! I love that piece and the tip about the magic eraser. Can’t remember where I saw this but someone cut out the center of the media cabinet door and replaced it with window screen. It allowed the remote controls to work even with the door shut and hid the components pretty well.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds cool!
xo
s
Katrina says
What an awesome piece!! I found my dream credenza for $17.50. It was the score of a lifetime. I think it looks great natural but would also look great with a bright paint colour :)
YoungHouseLove says
That’s such a crazy great price!
xo
s
dana828 says
PERFECT! What a difference all that scrubbing makes!
I’m a sucker for Mid-Century furniture, (we have a set in our bedroom, and an old expandable slat bench for the dog to sit on & look out the window) and after months of searching, finally found the perfect dresser for our guest room at a vintage store. I have bought several pieces from this guy, and stalk him on CL & Facebook to see what’s new. This last dresser just required a little cleaning, like yours. I used Murphy’s Oil Soap to scrub it down, then put on a coat of Howard’s Feed-n-Wax, which brings back the luster the piece had lost. I still need to line the drawers, but otherwise, it’s perfect!
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesome!
xo
s
Annette says
Hey! quick question about the book signing tonight, we have to purchase a book there to get it signed? which i totally dont mind but I already purchased one…help?
YoungHouseLove says
When we talked to them they said the event/talk was free to anyone (no need to buy a book to attend) but in order to get into the signing line you have to purchase a book from them (every tour stop has a different policy). So maybe just come for the free event/talk if you don’t want to buy a book? Or you can buy one and have us sign it and then ebay or amazon the other copy (we hear they sell for around their purchase price, even if they’re used but in good condition)? Hope it helps!
xo
s
Alicia @ The Creative Vault says
I agree with keeping it natural. Very pretty. Once you mentioned white though all I could think of was how fun it would be if you dipped the bottoms of those baskets in white paint.
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh that would be fun!
xo
s
Joy says
I love the new media console! You did a great job cleaning her up too. For what it is worth, I have had good luck with Tung oil. It is not really an oil, more like a vanish. But you rub it in and leaves a nice satin sheen. It is used on boats, so it also protects against water stains or marking.
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh that sounds lovely!
xo
s
Heather May says
It looks awesome! I love using vinegar all over my house and have tossed all the *toxic* chemicals that used to live under the sink. I’m so glad you choose to leave the wood, it really add some warm and lovely feelings to the room. Thanks for the tip about the magic eraser too!
Mary H. says
Do you have any info on the cable or hooks that you used to anchor the TV? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, they’re from amazon.com and we got them in bulk. They had good reviews and could hold up heavy things like TVs and large leaning mirrors. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Roxine says
Thank you, thank you, thank you — for posting information on how to tether your TV (and other large items) to the wall for safety. Unfortunately, a friend had the terrible experience of not tethering a TV and his toddler was killed when she tried to climb the cabinet it was sitting on. Not a pleasant story, but it shows how vital this information is to everyone.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry to hear that. Such a sad story.
xo
s
angel says
Looks fantastic! She’s so pretty.
Three days ago I de-gunked and de-skunked our new to us (found on craigslist) dresser turned TV console too. I used Meyer’s soap and vinegar. Magic Eraser- awesome idea! Definitely trying that next time. Thanks for the tip.
Wishing you fun and more great adventures on the book tour!
Tara says
My husband and I scored a great low and wide mid century dresser on Craigslist a few months ago that was painted with aqua chalk paint, it works great in our bedroom! We’ve been in the process of making a “big boy room” for our 4 year old son and actually found our dressers taller brother that was not painted. It’s currently in his room because we don’t have a garage or sun room to do a good vinegar cleaning but that is definitely the approach I was planning on taking with it before we decide if we’re going to paint it. Which reminds me, I wish you guys had more bigger kids mood boards. I was pretty sure the design I wanted in my son’s room but you’re always my first stop for inspiration! Can’t wait to see what you guys do in Clara’s room!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Tara! I can’t wait to tackle that room!
xo,
s
ashley o says
Loooove this look! The TV consul is the one piece of furniture that my husband cares about (I guess bc it has to do with the TV?) but we can’t seem to find one that’s just right. We’ve had years of “keeping our eyes out” and this post gives me hope that one day we will find our match! Thanks for sharing, and what a steal for less than $50!!
Megan says
We actually inherited a mid-century credenza for free that is our media stand. I was so gung-ho on painting and changing all these things about it, but after I lived with it in the space for a little while, I didn’t feel the need to switch all up.
Maz says
It looks amazing guys, It’s amazing what some elbow grease can achieve!! Such a lovely find! x
Angie says
Love it! I use the Magic Eraser everywhere! I love them! I thought I would have to repaint our basement for an inspection for a refi, but the eraser took off every stain. I also like how you didn’t have to buy new hardware for your TV table.
Shauna says
I have to admit, I took one look at the first picture and thought, ‘what an epic fail! they bought a media cabinet and now their media components are sitting on the floor under the cabinet?!’ …but then i read further and now see that you are planning to put the components IN the cabinet (what a novel idea?!) and try out either a hinged drawer or an RF remote. I hope you go the RF remote route…..I’d love to hear how it works out. I’ve often thought of trying to hide our media components, but the whole remote-control-won’t-work thing keeps tripping me up. And springing for a pricey remote seems rather, well…..let’s just say, I can think of a lot of ways I’d rather spend that money than a new (another!!) remote control!
Shauna says
…oh, and I’d like to mention that I JUST discovered the awesomeness of the magic eraser THIS weekend and I’m HOOKED! I was literally that crazy lady shuffling around her house in her bath robe scrubbing down anything and everything within reach! Nothing was safe, save for the ceiling, but I’ve got my eye on a few scuff marks on the ceiling and their days are numbered!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahah!
xo
s
Sarah says
That’s one happy mid century dresser turned media console! One thing you can do to seal and shine the piece is apply furniture wax. You can go inexpensive and use Johnson’s paste wax or if you want less smell try Annie Sloan clear or dark wax.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Sarah! Such a great tip!
xo
s
Mary | lemongroveblog says
Holy smokes! That looks great. Nice to see what a little elbow grease can do!
Julia @ This Idiot's Guide says
Looks great! I’m currently working on restoring a 1960’s dresser that we pulled off the curb in my parents’ neighborhood. Rather than restore the wood, however, we went crazy and painted her a bright lime green and spray painted the brass hardware a matte chrome color(and added drawer slides to the rickety drawers). Can’t wait to finish that project! As for vinegar, I’ve been shocked to see just how many uses vinegar has!! Good thing since we recently bought a giant jug of it at Costco and initially didn’t quite know what we were going to do with it. :)
Kim says
This has nothing to do with today’s post……
My seven year old son has to read for 20 minutes each night as part of his homework. Last night’s reading choice was your book. I got comments like “Mom, we should get a clam shell bowl for our fruit” and “What’s an ottomon?”
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahahahahaahh! Comment of the day. Tell him that made our night and we’re still giggling.
xo
s
Georgia says
If you didn’t want to hinge the drawer, you could always just take a drawer out (or is the inside of the drawer all different wood?). I actually think this would look good with the top three drawers open for media gadgets (you really only have a cable box? Wait until you have a house full of teens and have game stations and DVD player etc) and then drawers below. And then you wouldn’t be altering any of the drawers if you wanted to sell it on….
Lauren says
I just saw this on West Elm. It’s only a 6 drawer dresser, but seriously looks a lot like your sweet find! I’d say $59 is a steal for that beauty! http://www.westelm.com/products/mid-century-6-drawer-dresser-g815/?cm_mmc=socialmedia-_-pinterest-_-mcm-6-dresser-_-westelm
Angie says
Genius!! I plan to scrub down my thrifted TV console when I get home :)
Delane says
I love the magic eraser!!! it has saved me so much money because I don’t have to trash some of my favorite pieces.
YAY!
homes for sale Frisco TX
Nikole says
I just finished refurbishing a mid-century modern buffet for our dining room. I got it on craigslist for $20, then just sanded the rough spots and water stains, and followed that up with some Formby’s Tung Oil in High Gloss and a protective coat of the Beeswax and Orange oil Feed-n-Wax by Howard. The wood is glossy and rich again, and the protective coat is holding up well!
YoungHouseLove says
That sounds awesome!
xo
s
Erin says
Thanks for always reminding about securing things to a wall. Just read a tragic story of little girl who tipped a dresser that wasn’t even much taller than her- the long and low kind. Seriously, holes in the wall are just nothing compared to what you could be preventing. And yes, love the piece too! Looks awesome!!
Elisabeth@SimplyParkers says
Looks great! Love the magic eraser/vinegar tips, thanks :)