Jiggywinks!

So, I got married. And moved. Into an apartment that did not come furnished with a piano. Fortunately, we're on the first floor right next to the front door, so it wasn't too difficult to move the piano I found from the giver's house (two blocks away) to my living room. Just one thing--the piano is a 1956 Everett, used to belong to the School District of Beloit, and came to me third- or forth-hand. There was animal dander, hair, pencil graffitti, and just a few decades of finger grease on it. First I washed it twice with rags and dish soap. Then, I took an old toothbrush and vinegar water and scrubbed the keys--they felt so much better afterwards! No more sticky! Two weeks later, my sister came over to help me paint. The day before, I had the piano tuner over, and he fixed it up and told me what parts can come off. So, I took out the panels and vacuumed inside (lotsa dust bunnies) and taped off whatever I didn't want painted. All together, I took off the front a...

A friend of my mother gave me this dresser. She picked up at a garage sale, and had refinished it, so that was really lovely. The mirror isn't perfect, but I actually like it that way. If I want sparkling definition I'll use the magnifying mirror in the bathroom. (For the record, I don't. It's like weighing yourself).  I lined the drawers with the same paper I used in my desk, which was actually necessary because the drawers would have snagged my delicates. I also rubbed soap over the contact points, which made it immeasurably easier to open and close the drawers. If I get a little bit of a sticking point, I just rub a bar of soap there. I have one of those little souvenir bars that I keep just for that purpose. Haven't had a problem since. :) I didn't really like the handles. While perfectly functional, they didn't match the style at all. Also, I wanted a little more cohesive look in my bedroom. My nightstand has porcelain knobs, so I looked for...