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If like me, you've caught the steampunk bug, you've likely been looking around the house for things to "steampunk-ify," without annoying the significant other... Since we've redecorated our living room in an "antiquish" retro, oak decor, I've been trying to find creative ways to get the electronic components to match with the furniture, and this is where the steampunk motif has come in handy.
Most of our living room furniture is oak, including our entertainment console unit, so the shiny black cable box just stood out like a sore thumb. I thought about trying to build a cigar box case for it, but couldn't find one large enough, (and was concerned about how hot it might get, and also covering the infrared component). Quite by accident, I came across an open wooden box, and realized it was the perfect dimensions to cover my cable box. I also had a similar style box which was just the right size for our remote controls.
A few strokes of stain and a few brass trimmings later, we now having a matching steampunk cable box cover and remote caddy!
(And in case you are wondering; No! I don't plan on steampunking the remotes!;-)
This project took less than an hour (not counting the time for the stain to dry), and cost around $5 bucks.
Here's how I did it:
Materials:
• two wooden boxes
• wood stain
• wood glue
• corner brace plates (brass corners)
• brass thumb tacks
Tools:
• foam brush
• screw driver
• box cutter
Most of our living room furniture is oak, including our entertainment console unit, so the shiny black cable box just stood out like a sore thumb. I thought about trying to build a cigar box case for it, but couldn't find one large enough, (and was concerned about how hot it might get, and also covering the infrared component). Quite by accident, I came across an open wooden box, and realized it was the perfect dimensions to cover my cable box. I also had a similar style box which was just the right size for our remote controls.
A few strokes of stain and a few brass trimmings later, we now having a matching steampunk cable box cover and remote caddy!
(And in case you are wondering; No! I don't plan on steampunking the remotes!;-)
This project took less than an hour (not counting the time for the stain to dry), and cost around $5 bucks.
Here's how I did it:
Materials:
• two wooden boxes
• wood stain
• wood glue
• corner brace plates (brass corners)
• brass thumb tacks
Tools:
• foam brush
• screw driver
• box cutter
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I've had these two boxes kicking around for years, and don't really remember where I got them. But they were originally part of "gift baskets" of some sort, and likely came with assorted cheeses, sausages and other tasty treats. One of them is clearly marked "Hickory Farms" on the side. But if you don't have this type of box on hand, you can very easily build them from a repurposed fruit or vegetable crate, which you can likely get for free from your local grocer. You can also build something similar from the scrap wood from a wooden shipping pallet, or any scrap wood.
What's key about this type of box for the cable box cover is that it will not retain heat, as cable boxes tend to run very hot, and require ample ventilation. Another thing that's ideal about this design is that what will become the front of the cable box cover will not interfere with the infrared signal from the remote. Test your box before you go any further to make sure it doesn't interfere with the signal from your remote. Also make sure you have enough space in the back for the cables. (My cable box cover extends over the back of my console unit, to accommodate the cables running out the back of the cable box).
Note: These boxes don't need to be tremendously sturdy, as they're not (or shouldn't be) really bearing any weight or heavy use.
What's key about this type of box for the cable box cover is that it will not retain heat, as cable boxes tend to run very hot, and require ample ventilation. Another thing that's ideal about this design is that what will become the front of the cable box cover will not interfere with the infrared signal from the remote. Test your box before you go any further to make sure it doesn't interfere with the signal from your remote. Also make sure you have enough space in the back for the cables. (My cable box cover extends over the back of my console unit, to accommodate the cables running out the back of the cable box).
Note: These boxes don't need to be tremendously sturdy, as they're not (or shouldn't be) really bearing any weight or heavy use.
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For the photos, I pulled the cable box forward so it would be visible. But for everyday use, the box is far back enough under the cover that only the "blue eye" of the infrared shows through, and not the "plastic ugliness." The remote caddy was so easy and inexpensive to make, I would recommend it for anyone who has spent hours looking for the remote that was hiding under a couch pillow!;-)