Category Archives: DIY

DIY

DIY Marble Shamrock Print

March 14, 2015

Need a little last minute St. Patrick’s day cheer for your home?  I whipped up this simple faux marble shamrock print this morning.  It’s a nice clean, modern take on a iconic St. Patrick’s Day symbol. And actually, I’ll enjoy having this up for quite a while. If it brings my a little good luck, even better. 
Here’s what you’ll need:
a piece of green scrapbook card stock.
scissors or I used my Cricut Explore Machine
12×12″ square picture frame
I used my cricut and cut out a simple four leaf clover shape, using the vinyl setting on my machine. But, this could easily be done with a simple pair of scissors.  Once your shape is cut out, stick in in the center of your green card stock. Place the card stock in your frame and you are done!!!
Need a little more St. Patty’s day fun inspiration, here’s some of my favorite Irish inspired posts from previous years:

DIY / etc.

DIY Gold Grid Wall

March 4, 2015

This is probably my favorite feature in this Global Eclectic Bedroom, the hand drawn Gold Grid Wall.  I knew from the beginning that this room needed some white paint to brighten up the small space that is was.  But, I also wanted to added some sort of graphic element that wasn’t super heavy.
This simple gold grid was just what the room needed.

I’ve always love Mandi’s (of Vintage Revivals) gold sharpie wall in her living room. So, I decided to attempt my own version. Using just 2 waterbased gold sharpie paint pens I was able to cover the whole wall.  I didn’t want super straight lines, I wanted the grid to look hand drawn (but not like a 5 year old did it). So, I measured and taped off every line, but ran the sharpie pen just above the tape line so that the line would not be perfectly straight.  I spaced my grid 6″ apart. Using a level and tape measure, I taped one line at a time, drew my sharpie line and then moved the tape ( I used the same piece of tape for almost the entire wall). I’m not going to say that this was quick job, but it was easy. I think I completed the whole wall in about 5 or 6 hours. Not bad for a $7 wall.

It’s subtle and a little shimmery.  I love how object look hanging on it.  It’s a fun layer to this space.
I’m tempted to draw a gold grid wall on my bedroom wall.  I think the gold would look really great on my grey walls. 

Design / DIY

Global Eclectic Bedroom Reveal

March 3, 2015

I’m really excited for you to see my latest room makeover.  I’m calling it the Global Eclectic Bedroom.  This is one of those dream projects you guys.  I was asked to create a “lived in”, traveled, collected feeling, somewhat weird space for a creative fun college kid.  And then, the rest was up to me.  I was really given total creative freedom.  The only thing that stayed from the original space was the mattress and one eggplant colored wall.  I would say that about 90% of this space is thrifted finds and DIYs, which made for a unique look on a budget (my favorite kind of room).
Over the next couple of days, I’ll share more in detail about the sources and DIYs in this space.  But, for today, I’m just going to mostly let the pictures do the talking (because there are plenty of them).  
I loved being able to play with so much color in this room.  With the walls being white, the splashes of color have nothing to compete with.  I didn’t have a color palette for this space.  I just knew that my client loved lavender.  So, I played with saturated colors and repeated shades of purple throughout the space.  I kind of made it my mission not to match colors.  And pattern, I mixed and hardly every matched, and somehow I think it all works.  
I started with a fun graphic duvet cover from West Elm.  I knew the pillows would be very colorful and ornate, so I wanted something angular to compliment them.  I had already created the hand drawn gold grid wall, so when I found this grey grid duvet, I loved the idea of repeating the pattern.  And then pillows, pillows and more pillows.  I few of the pillows are actually ones I bought while living in Yemen, and the others are fun Crate and Barrel Outlet, Urban Outfitters, and Target.  Oh and the cute plus sign sheets are also from Target. 
The bed is the simplest pine bed frame from Ikea.  I didn’t want it to be a focal point, I wanted the gold grid wall to be the highlight.  And the table, I’ve already shared, is an easy DIY.
I’ll share more about the shelves soon, but almost every item on the shelves and dresser are thrifted treasures I’ve been collecting over the last couple of months.  When I find something interesting, I stick in in a box and save for a future project.  
And the gorgeous credenza, you may recognize.  It’s a craigslist find I gave a little makeover to.  I have a piece of glass cut for the top so that it would be protected from drinks and make-up that could be spilled on it.  At one end of the dresser, I created a little “desk” area.  It’s simply a place to keep her laptop, a calendar and some desk essentials.  And yes, that is a neon cactus light, weird was a must for this young space. 
I love how this starburst mirror picks up all the colorful splashes throughout the room.
At the end of the bed, I added a little sitting area with a fun craigslist chair and a pouf from World Market. Above the chair I hung two tree people carvings that I found at an estate sale.  
The room before was painted dark red and this eggplant purple color.  The space felt small and dark.  I convinced my client to paint the walls white, but she really wanted to keep one purple. We left the back wall the dark color and I think it totally works.  The closet didn’t have doors, so I hid the mess and clutter of the closet with simple curtain panels and a tension shower rod.
And with pillows, you must have throws.  This inexpensive grey throw got a little makeover with some pom pom trim.  That’s a post that is coming soon.
And athough the ceiling are not high in this room, I wanted to bring your eye and not neglect this space.  I found the macrame plant hanger and pot at thrift stores and the gorgeous brass hanging lights at World Market. 
And because my client insisted on having some weird elements in the space, the sad clown paint-by-number was a must.

Phew, that was a lot of pictures for one post.  I’d love to know what you think?  And if you have any questions about the details from this space, please ask.

DIY

DIY Wooden Sphere Picture Holders

March 2, 2015

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and timeshel, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #timeshelprints http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV
I’m all about getting pics off my phone and in my home for saved for safe keeping and enjoyment.  If you follow me on instagram, you’ll know that Olivia has bunny in tough all the time. This little 3 year old has so much energy and is always on the move.  One of the best times for me to capture her at this age, is when she is napping.  The light is perfect streaming through her window and it’s the only time of day this wiggle worm is still.  I’ve been taking pictures of her and bunny sleeping together since she was a tiny baby.
timeshel is a great new app that helps you preserve all those precious images.  timeshel is a subscription service that makes printing photos easy. Starting at $5.95 per month, you can receive a shel of your favorite images from the month.  Simply add images to the timeshel app throughout the month and when it is full, your high quality prints will be will automatically be mailed to you. 
There are two levels of subscription.  You can opt to have 10 prints a month received in a nifty envelope for $5.95/month or 30 prints a month received in the shel (see below) for $14.95/month. 

Now that I have all these sweet prints, I want to display them.  These little wooden sphere picture holders are a simple, attractive way to share your favorite images in your home.  I made these little picture holders with a couple simple supplies and about 30 mins of my time.

I found a package of 4 wooden knobs at Hobby Lobby for less then $3.  They are flat on the bottom, so they sit nicely on a table top. Using a hack saw, very carefully saw a 1/2″ deep slit just off to the side of the center on a slight angle.

Tape off sections of the wooden knobs.  I taped mine all in different directions and angles.  Then using 3 fun colors of craft paint, paint each of them.

When they are dry, remove the tape and insert your pictures.

timeshel is only available for iOs in the Apple Store. For more about timeshel, be sure to check them out on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter


DIY

DIY Wire Basket Side Table

February 27, 2015

I’ve been working on a fun makeover for a college kid this last week.  It’s a really playful, quirky space – my favorite kind.  The reveal is coming soon, but I’m giving you a little sneak peek today and sharing one of my favorite DIY’s from the room – this little DIY Wire Basket Side Table. It adds pattern to the space without being heavy and weighing it down.

I used this same wire basket in Dylan’s closet makeover.  I love the shape and design of this Target basket, I like to think it’s an inexpensive version of this Ferm Living basket that I’ve been eyeing for over a year now.  So, for about $30, I DIYed this little side table, and it took me just a few minutes to put together.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Wire Basket
Solid Pine 18″ Round
Wood Stain (I used Old Master’s Wiping stain in Walnut)
8 3/4″ wood screws
8 1/4″ nylon cable clamp (1/4″ not available online, but this is what they look like)
Power drill or just a screw driver

Start by staining the 18″ pine piece.  I love a wiping stain, it’s totally fool proof.  Simply wipe on the stain with a rag and then wipe off the excess and let it dry.  A little dark walnut stain can make even the palest pine look rich.  Stain is your friend, I find myself using it more and more these days.

The next step is even easier.  Simply flip the basket over and center it in the middle of the wood top. Using a power drill or screw driver, attach the clamps spacing them evenly around the table top. Now how easy was that?  DONE!  You have a unique table, that is modern and clean. Now accessorize that bad boy.

Stay tuned to see more of the DIYs and thrifted treasures from this room makeover.

DIY

Thrifting Thursday – Credenza Makeover

February 20, 2015

AFTER
I’m working on a fun bedroom makeover for a college kid.  And this beautiful credenza is going to be one of the gems in the space.  I found this piece on Craigslist months ago, but finally spent sometime this week giving it a little TLC.  I kept it simple and went with my go-to look – wood and white (like this and this).  The top of this dresser had some really bad water damage, so I decided painting it was the only way to go.  Plus I like painting the outside of a wood piece white, it really frames the piece nicely and gives it a clean, crisp look.
BEFORE

This piece had some fun hardware, but it was a bit to brassy and cheap looking. So, I decided to take it all off and give it a quick coat of metallic gold spray paint.  I also replaced all the hinges, they had seen better days and were all bent out of shape.

This is such a great piece for holding so much stuff.  It has 9 drawers to keep everything organized.

Have you found any great finds while thrifting lately?  Does your city’s craigslist have great stuff?  Should I be heading your way?

DIY

DIY Valentine’s Day Felt Pendants

February 13, 2015

So, for my friends that couldn’t make it to the West Elm LA event this last Sunday, I’ve got the full DIY for you here.  With a few simple supplies and the printable patterns I’ve created for you, you can whip one of these Valentine’s Day felt pendants up in no time at all.  And really these would be fun to have up all year long.
I offered my guests 3 sample options, the geometric heart (20 2″ right angle triangles), the XOXO and the YOU + ME, but they created even more designs and styles.
The base of the pendants are a 14″ wide by 18″ tall piece of felt (I used this wool blend felt from Joann Fabric and Craft Stores).  I sewed a simple 1″ pocket for the dowel rod at the top.  The base of the pendants can be cut in a V or inverted V by folding the base in half and the cutting out a triangle.  Then, simply cut out shapes in a contrasting color using the printable patterns or your own design.  Attach the cut shapes to the pendant using Beacon Felt Glue, it works so much better then hot glue or white glue.  It dries clear and doesn’t make the felt really stiff. I cut 3/8″ wooden dowels to 18″ long and used a piece of twine to hang the pendant.  

I big thanks to Joann Fabric and Craft Stores for sponsoring this event.  They provided the black and white felt and fabric glue for all the crafters at the event.  

DIY

West Elm LA Felt Pendant Workshop Recap

February 12, 2015

I’m excited to share with you a few pictures from Sunday’s West Elm LA event.  This store is amazing!  2 gorgeous, light filled floors of beautiful West Elm product.  We took over the top floor dining area.  It was the perfect crozy little spot.  It was really such a fun, relaxed morning.  We ate treats, visited, crafted and then shopped together – what could be better?
I had a lot of fun making snacks for the event.  Here’s what I served:
Pretty bottled sodas
Chocolate chipotle shortbread
All the guests took home a fun bag of goodies.  I’ll share more about the contents of the bags soon, but I need to give a big thanks to my sponsors.  They helped make this lovely morning possible.

Guest were given white or black pendants as a base.  I provided a couple patterns for them and lots of colored felt.  I was so impressed with the creativity and uniqueness of everyone pendants.  Some serious talent showed up Sunday morning.  Oh, and I will also share to how-to with you and the printable patterns very soon.

My daughter, Denali, took a lot of these shots. I’m super impressed with her skills and eye for detail. I’ll be hiring her to take more pics for me again soon.

DIY / etc.

Free Printable Valentine’s Day Chocolate Bar Wraps

February 11, 2015

Need a quick Valentine’s gift idea for your kiddos or sweetheart?  You can print off these chocolate bar wraps and customize a candy bar for someone you love in no time at all.

Last year I made a set of printable Valentine’s Day cards and I liked the designs so much, I decided to use them again. I’ve created free printable PDFs for you, you can download all 4 of these designs HERE!

Simply cut out the wrap with a pair of scissors and then using double sided tape close the wrap around the bar.  I made these wraps to fit a variety of chocolate bars.  Remove the original paper wrapper and leave the bar in it’s pretty gold foil.  These are Ghirardelli dark chocolate bars with salted caramel – I want someone to give me one.  

And on the back, I added a spot to write who the gift is to and from.  This is what I’ll be sending to my kid’s teachers this year for Valentine’s Day.

Have you given Valentine’s Day a thought yet? I need to get my kid’s class valentine’s ready pretty soon here.  But, at least I have the teacher gift covered now. 

DIY

DIY X and O Picture Holders

February 5, 2015

I’m always looking for ways to get pictures off my phone and into my home.  So, I made some little X and O pictures holders.  I love the look of these imperfect X and O’s.  And you know I can’t get enough gold accessories in my home.

This is such an easy DIY. All you need is  Crayola’s Air Dry Clay, a couple large paper clips and some paint.  Simply, shape the clay into the desired shapes, insert a paper clip into both of them and allow them to dry for 3-4 days. Then tape off the paper clips and spray painted both of them metallic gold.