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Countertop Review

This time last year I was packing up our house to prepare for our down-to-the-studs renovation in our kitchen, family room, and master bath as well as the addition of a screened porch. The family room wasn't originally part of the plan, but that's a post for another time. The kitchen was where I really had to plan and scheme, and, yes even fret, to stay in our footprint and budget and to get the function and look I wanted. I love a challenge like this, though, so despite some occasional frustration with my client (aka me! ), I enjoyed the process. A key "want" of mine was honed marble countertops. There are dozens--maybe hundreds--of blog posts, articles, and showroom sites that compare various types of countertop materials and their pros and cons. I read most of them and took notes from a lot of them in the months leading up to our start date. One of the most helpful things was visiting a sweet friend's kitchen, where I was able to ask questions about cleaning, a
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Quick Fix

When one has old things or antiques that are actually used, which is how it should be in my mind, there’s apt to be some wear and tear.  At the T and C House, we store dvds in the bottom drawer of an old cherry cupboard.


The cupboard is from Maine, dated about 1850, and is a typically well-made, solid, country piece.



But, after several years of Big, Middle, and Little hands tugging on the drawer pulls, well, there’s bound to be some loosening.  Thankfully, it’s an easy fix that doesn’t even require a trip to the hardware store.


It does require a trip to the kitchen or butler’s pantry.  For a toothpick.


Simply break the toothpick off in the knob or pull.  In my experience, the toothpick will break evenly with the back of the pull, but if need be, the extra length can be trimmed with a scissors.   Next, simply screw the pull back into the drawer until it fits snugly.  Problem solved without compromising the antique in any way!


If making this repair to another style pull, a bail or ring for example, then place the toothpick into the hole in the drawer rather than in the wooden knob.

Many thanks to Mount Dora, Florida, dealer and friend Ken Parker for showing me this repair years ago.

Do you have any quick fixes to share?

I'm linking up with Savvy Southern Style's Boring to Better Party!
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Comments

  1. Robin@DecoratingTennisGirlJanuary 17, 2011 at 6:41 AM

    Great tip! I have a couple of wobbly knobs on my original kitchen cabinets from 1939. Thanks!!!

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  2. Jessica RyanJanuary 17, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    Oooh... great tip! I am sure I will need to remember this one day.

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  3. sleJanuary 17, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    Wow! Who would have thought! I don't have any ideas to share at the moment but will be putting yours to use this afternoon! Thanks for the information.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJanuary 17, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    Thanks for sharing this. I have an antique bedroom suite with loose pulls. Now I will know how to fix them. Great blog!

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  5. quintessenceJanuary 17, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    What a handy quick tip - love it!! I have several old dressers that we use as well so I will have to remember this!

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  6. bevyJanuary 17, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    Thank you thank you!!! I have an Imperail chest in the living room that had knobs just like yours. And just like yours, they are rather loose. Goring to the pa try right now!

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  7. Kristopher KJanuary 17, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    What a fabulous idea - thanks so much for sharing the tip :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. myletterstoemilyJanuary 18, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    that is brilliant! thank you for the excellent tip.
    i applaud your use of antiques. i tend to want
    to baby them.

    i have been on a trek through my house, though,
    to find beautiful objects i have hidden away to
    hold ordinary things like popcorn or tv remotes.

    ReplyDelete
  9. North of 25AJanuary 19, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    I am impressed with your handy dandy fix it tip! Thanks.
    Best,
    Colleen

    ReplyDelete
  10. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleFebruary 2, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    I've seen my husband do that before. Thanks for sharing this quick fix.

    ReplyDelete

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