How To Mount a Knob To The Wall

Have you ever wondered how to mount a cabinet knob to the wall? It's really easy, you just need the right tool or the right screw.

I bought two rope mirrors from HomeGoods and wanted to hang them using a cabinet knob, similar to this style used at Restoration Hardware.

 

I found a 2" unfinished cabinet knob and what is called a "hanger" bolt. The hanger bolt has two different sets of coarse threads with a pointy (for digging into wood) and no head so it can be turned onto a piece of wood (in this case, a knob). The knobs were about $1.27 each, and the hanger bolts were $1.18 for 4 (I only needed 2).

I tested out different bolt sizes on the knob until I found the size that worked. The #10-24 size bolt fit best and 1-1/2" length would work to reach the stud in the wall. If you own a set of bolt cutters, you can just snip the head off the top of a screw and it should serve the same purpose.  

 

 

I first prepped the wooden knobs by staining them (using Special Walnut) and poly coating them, then letting them dry for 24 hours. Then I was able to start the heavily threaded end of the hanger bolt into the knob.

 

I used pliers to tighten so about half of the bolt (the heavily threaded side) was holding onto the knob, and the lighter threaded side was sticking out about 3/4".

Next, I prepped the wall to mount the knobs. I had two mirrors that I wanted to hang side by side, so I used the stud finder to mark two different studs (they were 16" apart). The studs just so happened to be centered on the wall between the built in and the doorway. If there was no stud where I wanted to drive the screw, an anchor would have to be driven into the drywall to stabilize the knob.

Once I located the stud and marked the spot with the pencil I drilled a pilot hole.

And then turned the knob into the pilot. These tightened up nicely and felt stable when I pulled on them.

And that's it. They were ready to be used.

The mirrors hang pretty flat against the wall just hanging on the knob.  The smaller mirror has a little kickback off the wall so I may stick some command tape under the right mirror so it'll lay flat.

Wall-mounted knobs can come in really handy around the house.  You can use knobs as light duty hooks in bedrooms and bathrooms for something a little different (to hang jewelry, scarves, or hats). You can use these knobs to hang a planter in a gallery wall or even hang a picture frame from a rope, chain or string.  Using the same principle, you can even take an old crystal door knob and turn it into a hook as well.  So many ideas!

 

 

 

Have a great weekend, everyone! 



Advent Calendar (a PB knock-off)

It's the eve of Christmas; the time we enjoy with family and loved ones. Which means that it's almost time to take down the Christmas decorations once again.  It's such a shame that the magic and lights only last 30 days.  This is exactly why I decorate in November (as soon as Justin will allow).  I love the twinkle of the lights, the fresh greenery, and wrapped paper packages.

It's just been a particularly busy month for us, and the days seem to have flown by.  Our house is decked out in holiday cheer, and I'm sad to take it all down next week.  But before I do, I wanted to share a very quick project that I created from the scrap wood pieces leftover from our coffee table. 

The base came together very quickly since I had everything I needed (wood, glue, screws, sandpaper, stain...).  It took a trip to Michael's to come up with the mini clothespins, linen bags, and wooden star (which I spray painted).  It cost <$10 for it all. 

This year, justin and I each picked a small candy to place in each bag.  We looked forward to emptying the bags each day, but the candy got to be a little much each night. We ended up dropping most of the treats in the candy dish.

I have to credit Potteybarn (http://www.potterybarnkids.com/m/products/wooden-tree-advent-calendar/) for this advent idea.  I pinned this advent calendar from PB a few years ago, and it turned out to be an easy one to replicate.  

I love that we can reuse this year after year and even customize the contents.  In the future, we might include little notes to each other (along with an occasional treat) to open each day.  And little treats or sweet messages for the kiddos as our family expands.  It's such a great way to count our blessings as we count down to Christmas.  

One of my most favorite things about Christmas is the cards we receive from friends.  I practically run to the mailbox each day!  Sure, many of us are on facebook and we see each other regularly, but I love seeing our friend's families and relationships grow over the years.  I really hope this tradition never ends!

And of course we sent one out, too!

I hope you all have a happy holiday full of love and joy (and warm weather)! Merry Christmas, friends!

Coffee Table - RH Balustrade Knock-Off

I have expensive taste.  And I'm stubborn.  I know both of these things.

So, when I set my eyes on the Restoration Hardware Balustrade Coffee table, I knew nothing else could match it.  The table only comes in two square sizes, both of which wouldn't work for our space.  That's right, the size is the reason I didn't purchase it.  Okay, okay... I'm far too thrifty to spend $2,200 on a coffee table. That's when I checked in my best pal, Ana White.  That girl is amaze-balls.  Seriously, talk about one bad ass girl.  I mean, the girl lives in Alaska!  We have so much in common...like our love of building things, and our pet caribous.

Lovely Ana White was way ahead of me on creating this RH Balustrade table on the cheap.  Of course she was.

The measurements weren't what I was looking for...whomp whomp...

But she did provide me with two very valuable pieces of information.

1) A source to purchase those gorgeous, chunky, cankley legs
2) The basic breakdown of the table

I'm not going to break down the build for you.  You can visit Ana-White.com for the Balustrade Coffee Table build plan and adjust it to your needs like I did.

Seriously, it's easy.  Math was never my strong suit and I figured it out... so I have faith that you can too.

The bottom of the table was built using 1x6's adjoined together.  It would be easiest to make the table using a multiplier of a 1x6 - which is actually 5.5" wide.  We laid down masking tape on the rug to help us determine a good size.  We measured at least 18" off from the couch and chairs to provide enough walking space around the table.



49.5" x 49.5" (or 9 - 1x6's joined together) felt comfortable in the space based on our masking tape layout, and the size would provide plenty of space for drinks, magazines, and a centerpiece (because all coffee tables need a centerpiece).

Once we had our measurements figured out we cut the 9-1x6's down to 49.5" and joined them using wood glue and the Kreg (to make pocket holes).



We built the table in the room so we could make adjustments as we go.  As we joined the 8th 1x6 board, I felt that the table was starting to take over the space.  We decided to leave off the 9th board since the table was already quite large.  Besides, I had just ordered a new rug and I didn't want to hide all of it!

We had to make a few adjustments to accommadate for the final size of the table.  Our final measurements gave us a semi-square table (44" x 49.5").

Please just ignore those uber long messy drapes in the background.  I'll get around to shortening those someday.




Side note: We put our Lucy girl down 10 days ago.  It makes me so happy to see her in the background of the above picture because it was exactly where she always was.  Right by my side as I worked.  It didn't matter if I was working with a loud nail gun or painting an entire room.  Lucy was right next to me.  She was my little buddy for the last 12 years; life feels just a little lonely with out her next to me.



It took J and I a total of 5 hours to build this table - and that's including the pizza and beer breaks.  

I've built things in the past, but this is honestly the most perfect table ever. 



I ran an orbital sander over all the wood to even out slight imperfections and to prep it for stain.  I insisted on using 2x10's for the top of the table (rather than 1x6's).  2x10's tend to bow in the middle, so the top required a belt sander to smooth it out.  In hindsight, I should have just used 2x6's... but once I get an idea in my mind I'm too stubborn to consider any other option.  I took the top of the table over to my parents house the following day and smoothed it out with their belt sander.



I sanded until I could run my hand along the surface of the top and not feel a difference between the boards.  By the way, have you ever tried the belt sander workout?? Move over crossfit! The #beltsanderworkout is the new hashtag.  My mom and I had to keep trading off sanding because my muscles were so fatigued from holding the darn thing.



Anyway, that baby is soooo smooth you can slide a beer across it and it won't tip.  But you won't be sliding a beer across this baby with out a coaster, right? RIGHT?

Whoa.. I'm in love.  I can't even believe how easy this was. 

Are you ready for the cost? $195.  Yup, that's right. $195!  The legs alone cost $128.47 (with shipping), and since I chose to go with a whitewood the cost was really reasonable for such a fancy looking table.

What makes this table so easy to build? The right tools.

Here's what I used...

- Kreg pocket hole system (one of my top favorite tools)
- Sliding Mitre Saw (thank you to my contractor who uses our garage like his tool storage)
- Table Saw
- Orbital Sander
- Belt Sander (I need one of these!!)
- Drill
- Wood Glue
- Pocket Hole Screws (1-1/2" & 2-1/2")
- Wood Screws (2-1/2")

We haven't stained it yet because we like living on the edge with raw, unfinished wood.  We've already had one liquid spillage incident (which resulted in me pouting for a good hour), but I think we saved it.  I guess the truth will come out when we stain.

If you're looking for the perfect gift for that special lady in your life, there's still time to order her the perfect gift...a Kreg.  Imagine all the furniture she could build for you! ;)

Lucy Dog

July 4, 2002 - December 8, 2014

This table was built and finished for my Lucy.  It was our last project together.  And what a great last project, right Lu? Rest in peace baby girl, I'll see you again one day when I cross that bridge.

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