New handles on a dime
New handles, new look.
You can find handles anywhere. At a garage sale, at your local hardware ormY favorite, on eBay. Remember what you see doesn’t have to be what you finih with. Want black handles and found the perfect shape? Buy some spray paint, put some newspaper on the found outside and go for gold, or well, black in this example.
We got our new handles from bunnings. For about $8 a pair our new stainless steel-look-handles were set to add some contemper-ism to our now only partially outdated kitchen.
I personally couldn’t see the point in Paying top dollar for real stainless steel when I could get all of the stainless-steel-look-a-like handles I needed (13 in total) for the same price as what 1 pair pair would have cost me. The only telling difference between the plastic and the stainless steel is the lacking of that coldness you get when you touch steel. So unless you are a total stickler for the real thing then why not save yourself a dollar or two.
New holes in your cupboard or drawer are needed so it is important to measure your holes, preferably with a spirit level (see post on spirit levels) and a measuring tape. Once you have your two holes for each handle marked you will also need to drill a pilot hole.
This is much easier than it sounds. You are simply drilling a hole first before you drill in with your screws.
Now that’s done; Method:
1.Open your drawer
2.press the handle up against the outside of the drawer, lined up with the pilot hole
3. Place your screw on the end of your drill (that part is called a drill bit) the magnetic pull of your drill bit should lightly hold onto your screw.
4. Line your drill with the screw on it up with the inside of the drawer
5. Slowly start to drill the screw through the pilot hole into your handle
-You should now have one half of your handle attached to the cupboard!-
6. Repeat the same for the other screw hole and viola! You should now have one handle attached.
Inside of a cupboard after drilling both ends of handle in:
Finished product
good table gone bad, the hand me down gets painted.
You know when your at that age when you get all those hand-me-downs from your older siblings? They are great. They fill your new bach-pad at no cost while your adapting to real life.
You know when your at that stage of life when your moving out of said bach-pad into your first place with boyfriend or girlfriend? Both bringing your combined collection of hand me downs and ikea purchases.
You know when your at that stage of life where the beloved hand-me-downs can be replaced with brand new items and its time to regift these hand-me-downs onto the next generation?
Well what happens when that next generation, true to form, haven’t moved out of home and you end up marrying a crazy lady who is convinced that paint can fix everything? Well your hand-me-down, dining room pine table, gets painted of course.
To-ing and fro-ing between a new dining table or a new couch we decided to put the money towards the couch. So one Sunday morning I decided the dining room table and its four faithful chairs should be black glossed.
Off I went to my friendly Home Hardware to pick their brains about the best paint to achieve this gloss. Since I had ZERO interest in sanding back the table and chairs first, I would have to prime it.
So primer was chosen for $23.95
For the black gloss I would definitely have preferred water based. Water based paint as it name would suggest, can be washed out of brushes and off skin with water. Oil based (shudder) needs turps or petrol to remove it.
My choice at the hardware was either: A. A water based paint with black mixed into it at a price of $45.99 or B. A black oil based high gloss at a price of $21.99. I shelved my laziness and bought the cheaper paint that would look better. duh.
So for this project you will need:-
1. Paintbrush $3.99-$12.00 2. Paint tray $4.00+
3. Master Prep Primer $23.95 4. Black Gloss paint. I used oil based (Cheaper with a beautiful finish). $21.99
5. Turps or something disgustingly similar to remove paint from anything.
6. Old towels to be placed EVERYWHERE.
Steps:
1. Ultimately you should get hot soapy water and wash your table first then allow it to dry fully.
2. Open your tin of your primer, stir and pour a small amount into your tray. Paint.
It will take you quite some time to paint your table and chairs, be patient, its worth it. Always follow the back of the tin for directions, but your primer should take 4-6 hours to dry fully. Wash your water based paint out of your brush and tray.
3. Ensure EVERYTHING is covered in towels and/or newspapers. Open your tin of Black liquid, 
carefully pour the inky black paint into your tray, dip in your brush and away you go.
This part of the process will definitely take you some time so make sure you have access to an inspiring show to be playing in the background. Any form of home improvement show or a money saving show 🙂 This will keep you motivated. I love: Channel 10’s Renovators, Nines The Block, Top Design or Andrew Winters Selling Houses Australia
4. Clean everything with your horrid smelling remover. Stand back and look at your black glossy success. Side note: Don’t let husband sweep near your now drying table. It needs to be left completely alone for the next 24 hours.
In this time take yourself off to Kmart, Big W or Target and purchase some great new table decorations!!
Total cost: $45.94 (I already had the paint brush, tray and horrid smelling turps)
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