Just in case you happen upon a rascal in your travels, as I recently did, and you want to adopt him but aren't sure about opening up your home to a wayward street dweller, here is a recipe for rehabbing the little guy so he can become useful and responsible, and an asset rather than a liability.
Step One: Pull one rascal, who has been cavorting with the trash on the other side of town, out of the dirt and gently carry him home in the back seat of your car, and clean him up a bit.
Step Two: Find that wine box you haven't decided what to do with yet.
Step Three: Mix a little paint and water, equal parts.
Step Four: Wash the diluted paint over the wine box wood with any old brush you have on hand.
Step Five: Let is sit a sec and then lightly wipe it off, more so where you want certain characteristics to show through.
Step Six: Paint the rascal how ever you dare - I mean what do you have to lose? You weren't all that sure about him anyway... I don't "dare" much, so I went with white for starters to see how that went over (and I was not careful in the least because I knew where he was headed.)
Step Seven: Then go ahead and play at "daring" just for fun by trying out the aqua colors that you already have on hand, painting them on the drawer fronts. When the first one is too bright, try a different color on the other drawer...in the end, leave them both as they are, brightness, variation in color and all, just to give it a try.
Step Eight: Select a couple of old faucets or faucet knobs from the drawer where you stash all that junk you just know you're gonna need for a project one day, and which you've been collecting for just such an occasion, constantly assuring the family you really will absolutely need them some time. (Then smirk that "I told you so" grin when you actually do need and use them.) (I love that part!)
...careful to select just the right ones...
Step Nine: To rig up a way to make a faucet work as a drawer knob, you might use the 1970-something powdered putty mix you borrowed a while back from your neighbor and haven't returned. (I promise, I'm gonna give it back - sometime - But isn't the can just so retro cool?)
Don't follow the package directions because that doesn't produce a thick consistency as stated, just do what works. Fill the opening of the faucet with putty and let it harden...
Step Ten: Turn the screws into the putty and pray it holds. It'll kinda have to be just for decoration,I assume, because I don't think the putty will hold with much use, and I'll forget and yank on them, I'm sure. We'll see how my rig job does. If it fails, I'll try some other rig, no doubt.
So yeah, well, that's sorta quirky cute and all, and the knobs go with the watery aqua feel, which matches the old door leaning up against the wall, but it's way too crisp and clean looking. Kinda flat and odd for the great outdoors where I intend for the little guy to earn his keep.
So yesterday I added some plants in those drawers...hey, it looks like the faucet could water the plants for me...and no, I hadn't planted them at this point. Today things have already changed. I'll show you that further down.
Now, grab the the wine box you did a paint wash on and set it on top as a tray...
Mmmm...I could use some lemonade about now.
Or you can take the tray off and use the top as a place to set your garden tools.
The colorful blooms are like garden candy!
So I've dressed the wayward little rascal in shades of aqua and I'm making him hold flowers and serve lemonade and tea and take care of the garden tools. You see, I'm just making sure he is truly rehabilitated. I let him wear the faucets as knobs just so he didn't get resentful, feeling like he was having to do all "girl work". Faucets are plenty manly, that and holding the tools, right?
So far, he's been on very good behavior and he hasn't complained a bit.
This tablecloth or dresser scarf, was made by either my mom, Aunt Vernie or Aunt Marie, most likely in the 50's or 60's. I've had it for many, many years.
I know this is a lot of pictures of my little rascal, but I'm just loving these faucets.
So I had a before and after shot yesterday.
Today, However, I went to Home Depot for more plants.
These delicate little yellow flowers took the place of the colorful variety. These sort of spilled over and out, and having all the same color in the drawers offered consistency that seemed more calming. The yellow, I thought, looked nice with the aqua, and just wait until they fill out!
I bought plastic containers and PLANTED the flowers in them...I told ya I would. So do you see anything very special about the little rascal in the new shots from today?
I was so proud of the little guy that when I found some casters today (50 cents for all four- SCORE), I came home and put them right on him (E.B. - my drill - came out to help and he was on his best behavior. We are getting along so much better now. I'm thrilled, because... well don't tell him, but I really NEED him.) So anyway, I didn't want the little rascal to have to sit in any puddles if it rains, then there these casters were on a table at storage unit sale. Sweet! Now, I'm thinking I will put a little bar or something on the bright white empty side to hang a towel. Then I think this little guy will be a new man!
Enough with the faucets already!
So that's the recipe for rehabbing a rascal found face down in the dirt where he had been carousing with his trashy friends on the other side of town.
I suggest you give it a try some time. It's quite rewarding to help out an unfortunate little bedside table and give it an opportunity in a new home where he will have boundaries and a fresh outlook as he learns to make something of his life.
I have not figured out how the little guy will hold up under the weather, but one reason I didn't distress him was because I figure he'll weather enough out here. From his past, I'm guessing he can take it.
Besides, now that he has wheels, at least I can roll him under the awning if the weather gets bad for an extended time and I can take the flowers out if needed too.
If he doesn't take off on his own, I'll know he's happy here.
So it looks like a happy ending.
Or rather, it's a new beginning.
Here's a little Sandlot Rascal much like my own that offers a certain sort of inspiration for Rascal's Rehab - in a number of ways... it also happens to be my favorite movie scene of all time.
"Did you plan that?"
"Course I did, been plannin' it for years."
I'll be sharing my rehabilitated Rascal at:
