Tag: Do-It-Yourself

Bring the Outdoors In: How To Create Fern Art

Written by Jenna on October 16, 2013. Posted in DIY. 13 Comments on Bring the Outdoors In: How To Create Fern Art

This post brought to you by Apartments.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

While tackling my foyer revamp, I gave a lot of thought as to what type of artwork / wall decor to put above the new gold ~~dresser~~ gorgeousness, as I like to call “her”. The focal wall that got “dressed up” with new wide horizontal stripes is only about 5′ wide, but whatever was chosen to display needed to make an impact. I didn’t want it to be personal pictures since we have so many around our house already, but I wanted it to be meaningful and reflect us. I even reached out to you, my followers, on Facebook asking for suggestions on your favorite Etsy shops. Even though I didn’t go that route, I now have a few go-to places for the future.

In the end, after much thought, my artwork was right under my nose in my backyard – literally. After cutting a few wild flowers and ferns for a bouquet I was putting together for our outdoor dining table a few weeks ago, I thought using the ferns as art would be the perfect solution.

Our backyard is filled with ferns and wild flowers, so I cut + collected a few different kinds choosing those that appeared to have all their leaves in tact. No matter if you live in a house, like me, or in an apartment, bringing the outdoors in allows your home to feel more organic and to be ONE WITH NATURE. A little corny sounding, but true.

No wild flowers in your back yard? Check out the wooded / more dense areas of a nearby park. With Fall in full peak, it’s a great time of year for a walk or hike.

Once I had the ferns collected – about 10 good ones – I individually laid each out on a white piece of paper (wax paper is an alternative option).

Once all were laid out, I took the stack of ferns + paper and pressed them between 3-4 hardcover, heavy books. Be sure the entire fern is covered on the paper and be sure that it all gets pressed between the book. If it doesn’t, the part of the fern / flower sticking out will wilt.

About 3 days later, I took the dried out ferns and started creating the “art”. I snagged these simple picture frames from AC Moore for about $2 and thought the minimal frame was perfect to let the ferns “speak”.

At first, I simply used the white paper to mount the ferns, but after a few days, the paper started to wilt because the ferns were still exuding moisture. I decided to use a heavier paper and cut out pieces of poster board that fit to size. This did the trick!

And then they were ready to hang…

Along with the ferns, I also pressed a few wild flowers. I love the yellow coloring. They add a bit of color to the art collection.

And this is the overall new Foyer space…

It’s so wonderful how the outdoors can be brought in, to enjoy throughout the entire year. The simplicity and ease of using ferns as art is a pretty + no-cost way to create a beautiful focal point.

As an Apartments.com Brand Influencer, I strive to share ideas + do it yourself projects not only for those who live in homes, but also easy & affordable ideas + creations for apartment dwellers. Next time you’re looking for something unique + meaningful + free for your walls, turn to the outdoors.

For more great ideas on creating a meaningful home, especially for those who rent, turn to the Renter Resources section on Apartments.com. It is filled with interesting + useful information to make your dwelling reflect you.

DIY: Drop Cloth Curtain Panels with Leading Edge Detail

Written by Jenna on September 5, 2013. Posted in DIY. 16 Comments on DIY: Drop Cloth Curtain Panels with Leading Edge Detail

I’ll be honest, none of the window curtain panels in my home cost more than $50. Yet all are custom made. Not by an uber-expensive fabricator, but by me.

Store-bought and/or custom-made curtain panels can be very pricey, but the same look (or better) can be achieved by making your own. And guess what, it’s not difficult…

As the calendar turns and another Fall approaches, Lowe’s put The Team to the test this month to create a new window treatment for the home. I was in need (well more like a want) of new window panels for the dining room, so I knew it was the perfect spot to get my craft on.

I desired something simple, so instead of stopping at the curtain aisle for a typical drape, I headed towards the paint aisle and landed in the drop cloth section. confession: I can close my eyes and always find the drop cloth section… I’ve confessed my love for drop cloth before, but honestly it is The. Best. Material. hands down. You can do so much with drop cloth material. It’s not just for painters!!

Anyway, onto the new panels…

1. At Lowes, I chose a 6 ft. x 9 ft. size panel (about $10), then cut it in half to make (2) 3 ft. x 9 ft. pieces.

2. The panels are heavy enough, so I didn’t feel that a lining was needed, so I simply squared off the edges (drop cloth isn’t always perfectly straight), folded over the edges, and sewed all around.

3. Once the panels were complete, it was time to add the decorative leading edge. I chose a navy blue light cotton fabric which was the perfect contrasting complement to the lighter color of the drop cloth material.

And yes, that says $3 for the yard. In all these panels cost about $13!

The color of the fabric is showing royal blue in this pic, but it is more navy in actuality.

4. I layed out the fabric length-wise and cut as many 4″ strips as I could.

again showing royal blue… but it’s not.

5. Then I folded over the two side edges 1/2″ each and ironed the seam flat.

That’s the true color. I swear!

Sidenote: Because of the panel length (a typical panel can be from 84-96″ long), you may need to attach fabric strips to achieve one long strip. I did and before folding over and ironing the seam, I attached two strips and then I had enough length. Once sewn, iron the seam flat.

6. Once the seams were ironed, it was time to attach the decorative edge to the drop cloth panel. I decided to have 1″ of drop cloth exposed, then add the navy blue accent. I first pinned the navy fabric in place and sewed all along the edges using the same color thread.

And that’s it. A high-end look for $13!

The result…

The panels are hung by clip rings and have slight puddle at the bottom. They are the perfect addition for my dining space.

Other ideas + ways to achieve a high-end look for less…

You don’t have to use drop cloth to create a similar window curtain panel. A similar detailed edge can be added to a store-bought curtain, similar to what I did in my daughter’s room. In her space, I actually added the decorative fabric to the outside edge of the curtain panel instead of on top of the fabric. The typical store-bought panel wasn’t long enough, but the added fabric made it the ideal length.

If you are using a thinner fabric to create a window panel and want to have a heavier panel that will allow less light to shine through, check out what I did in my bedroom. Using drop cloth material (AGAIN), I took a regular weight cotton fabric and lined them. Depending on the fabric pattern, a decorative edge could be added to these style panels as well.

Ideas are limitless for what you can create for your windows!

Thanks to Lowe’s, I was able to create my most recent creation for less than $15. So next time your combing the paint aisle to grab some spray paint, don’t forget to check out the drop cloth section. Your mind will go bonkers with all that can be created!

Excited for the Fall and ready to tackle some home improvement and DIY projects? Lowe’s has it all.

Sign up for their free Lowe’s Creative Ideas Magazine, which is filled with ideas + inspiration! Plus you can always follow them on Pinterest and Instagram for even more great ideas!

Disclosure: I am so grateful to be apart of the Loweâ€™s Creative Team and was provided with a Loweâ€™s gift card to purchase items for my project. I was also compensated for my time to use the products. No one told me what to create, what to buy, how to use the product, or what to write. All opinions are 100% mine!

What have you made using drop cloth? Have you ever thought of jazzing up your window curtain panels to create a custom look?

DIY: Pallet Gardening Table

Written by Jenna on August 9, 2013. Posted in DIY, Pallets. 37 Comments on DIY: Pallet Gardening Table

Why yes, another pallet project coming your way.

I’ve only created 328 pallet projects thus far. well maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration…

Anyway, I’ve been busy with creating something new and different using pallets.

What did I make? A Pallet Gardening Table…

I’ve never seen something like this before (maybe it’s on pinterest, but lately it’s been crushing my creative juices so I try to stay clear)

Why did I create it? Because I needed a spot of my own to do my gardening and potting. As I’ve said before, gardening isn’t my strong-suit, but when I do enjoy it and with time, I hope to get better. Spending hours on the driveaway hunched over, is just not cutting it anymore.

And why did I use pallets? BECAUSE THEY’RE FREE. how much better does FREE get… Plus I really like the size & look of pallets. Don’t you?

In all, this project cost less than $10 to make and basically the money was spent on hardware.

So here is what I gathered to create this Pallet Gardening Table:

(6) C-Shaped Screws (they need to be heavy-duty)
(4) 4″ Strap Hinges
Wood Screws (for outdoor use) to install hinges
Small C-Hooks
Chain (about 6′ – 7′ in length) – I got a cute yellow chain from Lowe’s
(2) Pallets that are the same size

Lowe’s put me to the test this month to create something interesting + for the outdoors, so let me show you the process…

1. I started by adding the C-Screws to the pallet that would sit on the house (if you create something similar, it could also be attached to your deck or in your garage. It’s not a must for just the side of a house).

(1) C-Screw on each side was added to the top of the pallet about 2-3″ in from the end.

(1) C-Screws on each side was added to the face of the pallet about 6″ from the top & in the center of the end planks.

Once complete, that pallet was set aside.

On the other pallet, add (1) C-Shaped Screw on each side to the face of the pallet (which will be your work surface) about 12″ from the edge & in the center of the end planks.

2. Once the (6) C-Shaped Screws are in place, then it’s time to connect the (2) pallets. Using heavy-duty 4″ strap hinges, place (2) at the end planks and the other (2) somewhat evenly spaced in the center.

3. Link the chain onto the C-Screws, so it fits just right for the bench to be open at 90 degrees. The Strap Hinges won’t let the pallet open more than 90 degrees, so essentially the chain isn’t needed, but I liked the extra security + the yellow adds a cute pop of color.

So this bad boy is mega heavy. You will absolutely need 2-3 people to move this… unless your The Hulk.

4. Once the bench was done (on the ground), it was time to put it in place on the vertical surface. The work bench should be around 36″ high (typical height of a kitchen countertop), but you can determine if you want it higher or lower. I chose 36″ above the ground. We held it in place and determined where the C-Screws in the house should be placed.

* This is the process I took, but you will have to evaluate your space for the best way to hang the pallets. Don’t hold me accountable for your situation because every vertical surface is different.

Using (2) C-Shaped Screws, we installed them into a stud on the side of the house.

5. Once the C-hooks were in place, we added about 6″ of chain to each side which hooked from the C-Shaped Screws on the house to the C-Shaped Screw on the top of the pallet.

6. At this point, it’s done. The overall project didn’t take long at all – maybe about 30 minutes. The last added detail were hooks along the sides and back of the vertical pallet to hold shovels, a small rake, etc.

And then it was complete!

When it’s not in use, simply push up the horizontal pallet and hook it into place.

So what do you think… Would you be up to creating something like this? I was always in need of a better place to do potting + gardening. Thankfully this gardening table has been a great solution (and has saved many of sore backs…)!

If you’re interested in more of my pallet creations, check these out:

Monogrammed Chevron Pallet Tray

Vertical Pallet Garden

Outdoor Pallet Sofa

Pallet Bookshelf

Told ya’ I’ve built alot of creations using pallets!

What DIY creations have you made using pallets? What do you love using pallets for? Do you keep them as one or do you like to dismantle them to create something new + different?

Powder Room Remodel Reveal

Written by Jenna on July 24, 2013. Posted in Bathroom, DIY. 27 Comments on Powder Room Remodel Reveal

The powder room remodel is finally complete!

I hope you weren’t holding your breathe because it’s been 2 + months since my last progress post. Boy, did I surely leave you hangin’…

BUT (and it’s a big but), it’s all worth it because this is the result >

Big Time Awesome!

And just to remind you where we started, here is the before >

And before that (when we moved in to the house), this is what the space looked like >

A bit scary, don’t ya think?!

Back to the progress…

Since the last post when I shared the steps of fixing the wall from the previous tile and hanging the wallpaper, we were busy with >

Hanging crown moulding (1st time ever, wow it was tough)
Hanging the new light (twice because the 1st one that I thought I loved, I really didn’t)
Painting the crown moulding
Putting together and installing the vanity
Installing the toilet
Hanging the mirror
Choosing and changing the pictures
Designing and installing the custom roman shade
Touch ups!

O, well now I know why it took me 2 months to show you the reveal. That was alot. Here are some progress pictures along the way…

Alot happened to this small space. The most challenging was absolutely the installation of the crown moulding. It was the first time that the Mister and I ever tackled installing moulding and it was tough. We made lots of mistakes day after day, and in the end called in a friend who has major talent for woodworking. He’s not a professional woodworker, but someone who does it as a hobby and is quite knowledgeable and maticulous. Anyway, he really made the bathroom what it is because without, the space wouldn’t have the same depth and pizazz.

If you’re familiar with installing moulding, our crafty guy used the coping method, which results in really tight corner joints. Once the moulding was installed, there was very little need for wood filler. With the time it took to do this simple bathroom (about 3-4 hours), I couldn’t imagine doing a large room or an overall house. I’ve been drawing mouldings for client homes for years, but now I have the appreciation of how difficult it is to actually install. Not sure I’ll be doing that again any time soon…

Want to learn more on the coping technique for crown moulding? Check out this post I found.

Anyway, it’s complete and I’m in love with the overall space. Want to see more of the reveal? I bet you do. Go…

The vibrant and eye-popping Amy Butler wallpaper sets the tone for the room. It’s surely the statement of the space and the one element that started the design. From the mirror to the vanity to the framed pictures on the wall, everything is very simple so the wallpaper can ‘speak’.

Pretty white accessories fill the space, along with black and white framed images from my travels. Both are beautifully set against the deep blue walls.

The new roman shade is another amazing element in the room. I designed it and the creative folks at Tonic Living fabricated it. They are amazing. They offer an array of services for creating window treatments, pillows, futon covers, and more. Their offering of fabrics is huge and very much in-trend.

This was the sketch I sent them and you see the result…

The top of the shade sits right under the bottom of the crown moulding and when fully lowered, you see the full border design. The fabric is a heavy white linen and the border detail is a 2″ thick navy ribbon.

The mirror was definitely the most difficult selection to choose. I wanted something that was interesting, but minimal so the wallpaper behind would still shine through. I finally decided on this mirror from Lowe’s and am thrilled with the overall look. I like it’s round shape that emulates the flowers in the wallpaper, as well as it’s frameless design.

The vanity and faucet are another element of the room that I adore. The Moen faucet is the same style and finish that I used in my master bathroom. It has great lines and works beautifully in the space. Plus the major awesome part is the finish doesn’t leave spots. Read more about it here!

More details…

The light fixture is a $17 steal from Lowe’s (on their website it’s more $$$). I had previously chosen another light, but wasn’t thrilled with the look once home. Actually this fixture is also hung upside down. When I held it in place before install, the junction box was very high on the wall and a fixture hanging down was more appropriate. My genius husband came to the rescue and said, “Why don’t we install it upside down?” And that’s what we did. You would never know and it looks great!

And I think my most favorite part of the new space is how I can enjoy it from so many other parts of my home…

This is my view from the office / family room looking through the foyer and into the new powder room.

Here is a recap of all the elements in the newly created powder room:

Vanity
Faucet
Toilet
Wallpaper
Mirror
Light
Frames: Target
Paint Color: Valspar Blue Mystery
Table: Family Heirloom painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen
Window Treatment: Custom Design by Tonic Living

Thank you for taking the tour of my new powder room. What a refreshing new space to see and enjoy when you enter our home.

DIY: Rope Wrapped Vases + Glass Jars

Written by Jenna on July 11, 2013. Posted in DIY. 6 Comments on DIY: Rope Wrapped Vases + Glass Jars

Earlier this week, I excitedly announced that I recently partnered with Apartments.com to share simple solutions for small space living. Specifically, I will be showcasing tips and strategic ideas for overcoming the obstacles and hurdles of apartment life to create an inviting, stylish, and most of all, functional space. Additionally, each month I will be creating a DIY project that is perfectly fit for an apartment and/or small space. Like this…

Do-It-Yourself + Apartment Life isn’t always an easy combo. In my book a DIY project/craft best suited for an apartment has to be the following:

-> Easy to create using simple supplies (no major power tools here)

-> Easily moveable – something that can be repositioned and/or moved to another room. In a small space, a few accessory moves will make the entire place feel fresh and new.

-> Unique, interesting, one-of-a-kind (of course)

For my first DIY project, Apartments.com put me to the challenge of creating something for the Summer. Not to tricky. To me, Summer brings to mind words like beach, sand, sun, sea, nautical, light, bright, airy…

For the project, I wanted to create something using the word nautical, which then in turn rope material came to mind, thus the creation of rope wrapped vases. Knowing that I already had a plethora of glass vases and glass jars around the house, I started out by shopping my home. How much better does it get not to have to spend a dime?!

TIP: In a small space, storing extra of anything, especially home decor accessories, isn’t easy. My suggestion would be to have one shelf, one box, or one ‘spot’ where you can keep extra accessories or home type elements to rotate with what you currently have throughout your home. When I shop, I usually purchase items because I love them and they have meaning, versus buying something just to buy. But that means when I get it home, I might not use it right away. Having a small place to store items like vases, baskets, extra candles, etc. will allow you to always have the ability to freshen up your space in no time without the need to go out and search/buy for something meaningless. The box or shelf you choice is perfect because it will allow you to stay within the designated area. Small spaces surely don’t allow for excess.

Vases and used glass jars (sauce or salsa jars are my favorites) or mason jars are always keepers for my accessory shelf. At the moment they might not be of use, but I know they will always come in handy in the future. For this project, I went right to the shelf and found a collection of 5 glass jars of varying heights and sizes.

Instead of wrapping all the vases/glass jars in the same rope, I decided to use rope, twine, and jute of different sizes and colors.

These 3 styles I got at Lowes >

Using my hot glue gun, I dabbed a bit of the hot glue at the point where I wanted to start and then attached the end of the twine.

Then I wrapped and wrapped and wrapped around the glass jar. Every so often I added another dab of hot glue to be sure that the twine / jute / rope was secure.

The large rope was my favorite because it gave the glass vase some great texture.

Each jar / vase is a different height and size, so I made each one even more unique with the color and/or application of the rope. Some got fully covered in rope where others only a portion of the ‘body’ got covered. It adds an interesting, one-of-a-kind quality.

For the largest vase of all, I fully covered it in rope and then added a little color (white to be specific – some say it’s not technically a color) with a splash of spray paint. To do this, I decided the area that I wanted to spray paint and covered the rest. I used painters tape along with a piece of paper (a staples bag to be exact, lol – it was the perfect size), flipped over the vase so the top was on the ground, and started to spray. A few coats later, it was done.

The result >

And the entire collection >

On the mantel.

On the dining table.

Outdoors.

Simple vases and glass jars changed into creative decor for little money and little time = a perfect DIY for an apartment dweller. No matter where you live, creative do it yourself projects can be tackled. It might take a little more planning, but a fun and successful result can be accomplished!

As I mentioned the other day, I’ve recently been working with a NYC E-Design client on a bedroom makeover. She shared some great insight with a brief Q & A into Life in an Apartment, and also tackled the same project I did. I thought it would be fun and interesting to see how my rope wrapped vase collection looked in a home, and hers in an apartment. She used differing glass vases with the same rope. Take a look…

DIY: Kids Play + Camping Tent

Written by Jenna on July 2, 2013. Posted in DIY. 12 Comments on DIY: Kids Play + Camping Tent

Happy July!

For me, it officially feels like Summer has begun. The kids are out of school now for just about a week, and the Summer sun is setting in (despite all the rain we’ve been having). The kids and I have been enjoying fun outings each day, while also spending some down-time at home just relaxing. Often on those home-bound days, the hours creep by with boredom, so when Lowe’s put me up to the challenge this month to create something related to DIY camping, I thought of the perfect solution…

…a kids play + camping tent. They can use it as a tent to play in during the day, as well as a spot to sleep in once the sun sets and the stars peak.

The the best part about this tent is that it only took about $10 to make + 10 minutes to create! I made two, so the cost and time were double.

Supplies for (1) Tent:

(4) 1 x 2 piece of wood at 42″ long ($2.16)
- At Lowe’s I had them cut down (1) 1 x 2 x 8 which cost $1.08 into my (2) 42″ long pieces
(1) 3/4″ diameter dowel at 48″ long ($2.85)
2.5 total yards of fabric ($2.25/yard x 2.5 = $5.63)
1.5 total yards of ribbon (leftovers)
Drill with a 3/4″ drill bit

This tent is really easy to create, and what’s even better is that you can put it up and take it down very easily with each use. I made it so it can be easily assembled and just as easy to disassemble for storage. More on that later…

1. (2 minutes)

To start off, I drilled a 3/4″ hole at each end of the 1 x 2 piece of wood. The Mister and I set up a “drilling station” by creating two piles of stacked wood so the 1 x 2 could bridge across the top. As an alternative, you can drill through your piece of lumber with a scrap piece underneath. Either method will work.

One hole of each piece will be for the peak of the tent, while the other hole will be for the ribbon to tie through. Keep reading and it’ll all come together…

2. (1 minute)

Once the holes were drilled, I fed one end of the dowel through two of the 1 x 2’s, then fed the other end of the dowel through the other two 1 x 2’s.

Note: The drill bit size needs to match the dowel size, so it fits snug. I used a 3/4″ dowel and a 3/4″ drill bit. The dowel needs to be snug in the 1 x 2’s so it stays in place, yet is still easily adjustable.

And the frame was done!

Onto the fabric.

3. (2 minutes)

Many fabric comes in a 44/45″ width, so the sides don’t need to be hemmed (if you want to hem them you can, but I didn’t). To start off, I folded over one end of the fabric and sewed.

4. (2 minutes)

I draped the fabric (with one finished edge) over the tent frame. I lined up the finished edge side with the bottom of the legs, so I could determine how much needed to be trimmed off the other side – be sure to leave enough fabric to fold over and sew (about 1″ extra inch).

Using my Jar O’ Ribbons, I picked out 4 fun colors.

5. (2 minutes)

To secure the fabric to the frame, I added ribbon. I cut (4) 12-15″ long pieces of ribbon, and sewed the center of it to the right side of each corner using a fun stitch.

After cutting the loose threads, it was complete!

I draped the fabric over the dowel, attached the 4 ribbons through the 4 bottom holes, and secured. (1 minute)

And the dual play + camping tent was complete.

It’s just as easy to disassemble as it is to assemble! Plus it folds right up to store away. I put all the legs together, wrapped the fabric around them, and secured it at both ends with the attached ribbon.

The details.

My kids are having such a fun time with their new creations.

Day for Play…

And night for camping… (well kinda. it didn’t last the whole night).

Either way, they are fun, easy to make, and are perfect for some Summer Fun!

DIY: Outdoor Pallet Sofa

Written by Jenna on June 20, 2013. Posted in DIY. 10 Comments on DIY: Outdoor Pallet Sofa

Despite the drear weather lately, the deck decor is coming together!

We power washed, we prepped, we stained, we built…

…an outdoor pallet sofa!

It is heaven. Take a look (or just come on over to enjoy…)

And guess what’s the best part? It cost less than $5.

Thankfully pallets are readily available in our neck of the woods (for free). I usually snag mine from the back of my local Lowe’s – thanks Lowe’s, you’re the best!

After staining the deck, I knew I wanted something nice and comfy to fill the space right outside of our dining room slider. It used to look like this before…

But went to this with a little TLC…

Here’s how:

I got 4 pallets that were all about the same size (40″ x 30″) and made 2 “sofas”. If you’re wanting to make something similar, then you can make yours as small or large as you desire. If you’ve got a big patio or deck to fill, think about making a humungo sectional. How cool would that be?!

Using 4″x4″ posts from the fence we took out last year, we cut the legs using a compound miter saw (this is a favorite of mine <= affiliate link).

Determine the height of the legs: A typical seat height is 18-20″, so we measured the height of the cushion we bought (4″ high) + the pallet thickness (5″ high), so the legs needed to be 10″.

To attach the legs, we used flat brackets (mending plate <= affiliate link) and braced them from the leg to the pallet edge.

To attach the back pallet, we used (3) 90 degree L-brackets (corner brace <= affiliate link) for each “sofa”, so 6 in all.

Then it was complete. That’s how easy these bad-boys are to make, But I will warn you… THEY ARE HEAVY. So you will definitely need some muscles & braun to lift and move the pallet sofas.

Once they were in place, we were in love!

Check out my little guy chilaxin’…

Heaven.

One more step we could have taken, but haven’t (yet or maybe never) is to paint or stain the pallets. They certainly don’t need to be left the raw wood, it just depends on the look you desire.

I’m sure you’re wondering about the cushions. Right? Boy, they were difficult to find. I found lots of cushions, but they were all too $$$. The tricky part was the seat depth of the pallet sofa which is 30″. It’s the perfect spot for lounging and napping (you’ll never want to get up), but finding a cushion to fit was rough. In the end, I ended up finding these oversized seat-with-back-cushions at Lowes. They were a bit pricey at $55/each, but they are mega thick and durable. They’ve been left in the rain a few times and survived, thankfully. With the cushy back, they fit just right for the 30″ depth.

With 3 cushions across, they were just the right size to allow for some extra room on the ends of the pallets to rest a drink & drink tray.

Even though it’s been practically raining every day, I have been totally loving our new deck space. Many a days ahead will be spent ~~snoozing~~ lounging! A more thorough deck tour to come – I promise! Until then, you’ve gotta make this pallet sofa!

An Easy Upgrade for a Small Space

Written by Jenna on June 6, 2013. Posted in DIY. 4 Comments on An Easy Upgrade for a Small Space

Large mudrooms with a plethora of storage and plenty of seating are desired by most, but not a reality for many (myself included). When I was in need of more storage in my small entryway, I decided to take advantage of the 30″ wide wall behind the front door to create more space for coats and our everyday wares.

When we first moved into our home, I had made the front closet a dual pantry / coat closet, which provided more shelf storage but cut the coat space (especially during the winter months) in half. And even with the addition of my updated “vintage” cabinet, which holds most of the kids shoes, it just wasn’t enough.

As a growing family, we needed more space for coats, backpacks, and the every day “stuff”, so using the wall behind the entry door was the ideal spot for adding built-in coat hooks and wooden crates.

Before adding the built-in coat hooks, I had hung a decorative coat hanger for the kids coats. With only two hooks, it just wasn’t enough. There was so much potential for this 30″ wide wall…

This is the wall before (and another peak at the ‘after’)…

The supplies I used for this project were:

MDF (medium density fiberboard) Board(s) cut to fit the alloted space
Drillable Anchors (if you can’t find a stud)
1-1/2″ Wood Screws
Decorative Coat Hooks
Liquid Nails or Wood Glue
Drill and/or Screwdriver
Wood Putty / Filler

Duration of Project: 4 hours (1-2 days because of drying time for paint)
Project Difficulty: Easy to Medium
How Many People Needed: 1

To get started, I cut (2) MDF boards to size to fit the wall. I had a few pieces leftover from a previous project, which I trimmed to fit snug on the wall from the wall edge to the door moulding. If you’re starting the project from scratch and purchasing the boards from a home improvement store, then bring the measurements of your wall to the store and they will custom cut your pieces – this will definitely save you time and a few headaches!

Once I had the MDF boards cut, it was time to attach them to the wall. My plan of action?? Determine the placement of the boards. Add liquid nails to the back of each board to hold it in place, then…

fuzzy pic – not so pretty, sorry. You get the picture though

…making sure they were level and plumb, I was ready to…

…DRILL! Once the placement of the boards was determined, I found the locations of the studs and drilled 4 holes through the board into the wall. If you can’t find a stud, then use anchors so the boards are securely attached.

I didn’t mention this earlier, but I installed 2 boards at different heights – One board was set lower for the kids coats and one board was set higher for the adult coats.

Once both boards were in place, I wanted to achieve a seamless look at the edges where the board meets the wall, so I used wood filled to fill in the gaps and holes.

Then it was time to paint the boards. This step was probably the hardest because as much as I wanted to make this a fun and funky spot, I also didn’t want to draw any more attention than needed. After much thought, I decided to simply paint the boards the same color as the existing wall, so it would blend in, but also provide the function that our family needed.

To add the finishing and most important touches, I completed my built-in coat rack with hooks.

Installing the hooks was real easy!

And my newly created coat hooks were complete!

Since this project was completed, the remainder of the space got a makeover too, including a new floor and freshly painted mouldings.

Once those DIY projects were complete, I wanted to make the space even more functional so I added wooden crates. I purchased the already stained wood crates from a local thrift store, but I’ve seen similar unfinished styles at AC Moore and Micheals.

I stacked 2 wood crates in the corner and one to the right to create a stepped effect. The crates are ideal for holding / storing bins, baskets, boots, bookbags, and last minute run-out-the-door essentials.

What I love about the wooden crates is that they can be moved, rearranged, or simply taken away in no time. But right now, they are the perfect addition for our newly well-functioning entry!

Even though it’s essentially a small space at 30″ wide, it’s SO USEFUL!

I also added this cute sign that I found at Hobby Lobby and thought it had such a darling saying, “Do the kindest things in the kindest ways”… something we strive for everyday!

This spot has really been a great addition to our front entry.

Do you have a large mudroom? If not, how have you maximized your front entry space? Do you have any built-ins or do you have built-in coat hangers?

DIY: Vertical Pallet Garden

Written by Jenna on April 22, 2013. Posted in Uncategorized. 24 Comments on DIY: Vertical Pallet Garden

The warmer weather has got me movin’ and groovin’ outdoors. This past weekend I got my DIY mojo on for this months Lowe’s challenge and created (what I think) is something pretty cool. Check out my newly created Vertical Pallet Garden using colorful pots…

Though the flowers are finally starting to peak through around the yard, I was in need of color NOW to start decorating my front porch for Spring. I, of course, hit up my local Lowe’s garden center to get my color fix. It’s still the early days of Spring, so the selection (at my local Lowe’s in NY) was limited, but I was able to find a few perennials for shaded areas that would be ideal for under the front covered porch. I chose a few colorful perennials & vines because they could easily be transplanted to the garden at the end of the season (smart & savvy thinking).

Pallets have been all-the-rage for a while, but I just don’t get tired of them – probably because they’re free. I’ve created so many DIY projects with pallets and I just love their old, worn texture and aesthetic. When thinking about this seasons porch, my major desire was to add height. Height = drama, and that was my goal.

For this project, the materials I used were:

Pallet (which I snagged – with their permission of course – for free in the back on my local Lowe’s)
(4) Eye hooks for 100 lbs+
3′ of metal chain
Plastic pots (I used lime green and turquoise from Lowe’s)
Drill with 1/4″ drill bit
3″ S hooks (found in the outdoor section of Lowe’s)
Vise Grip

Here’s the DL (downlow for short) on how I created the Vertical Pallet Garden

1. At the top of the pallet (slats oriented horizontally), screw in (1) eye hook at about 2-3″ in from each end. It’s best to start out by using a large nail to start the hole. Once the hole is started, screw in the eye hooks with the help of a vise grip to get leverage. Unless you’re the Hulk, it’ll probably be impossible with just your bare hands.

2. With the Misters help, we then unlinked one of the chain links and linked it through the eye hook. (one side only – the other side has to wait until hung)

3. Heading over to the house, we installed the eye hooks (using a drill to start the hole) through the siding and into the house about 2″ below the ceiling plane at the same distance apart as the hooks in the pallet.

4. Once the eye hooks were in, we took the loose end of the chain of the pallet, slipped it through the eye hooks, and secured the chain on the other side.

The pallet base is complete!

Then it was time to create the “garden”.

5. Using varying sized plastic pots in fun colors, drill a 1/4″ hole about 1″ down from the top rim. Using a 3″+/- S hook, slip it through the hole.

6. Plant the pretty flowers…

…And it was complete!

The vertical pallet garden adds so much color to the front porch.

S-hooks make it easy to move the flower pots around or bring them into the sun.

A beautiful focal point for the porch.

If you’re wondering about the pretty white wreath, that was a DIY project that was featured on Jen’s blog. It was created for Valentine’s Day, but I took off the paint chip flowers and just hung the wreath plain and simple. Who knows how I will transform it for another holiday or season to come.

I’m still working on the rest of the porch since it’s still in need of more color and pizazz. By late May, I hope to have that done and ready to share. Right now we’re still getting alot of rain and most nights are still way too chilly to get my gardening-on.

I couldn’t be more thrilled with the outcome of this fun and easy DIY project. It’s brought gorgeous height and beautiful color to my Spring front porch.

To see more creations of mine using pallets, click on the links below:
How-To Make a Pallet Shelf
Monogrammed Pallet Chevron Tray
Pallet Picture Holder
Eclectic Family Gallery Wall

Disclosure: I am part of the Loweâ€™s Creative Team and was provided with a Loweâ€™s gift card to purchase items for my project. I was also compensated for my time to use the products. No one told me what to create, what to buy, how to use the product, or what to write. All opinions are 100% mine!

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain using Drop Cloth

Written by Jenna on April 16, 2013. Posted in DIY. 34 Comments on DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain using Drop Cloth

I hope you’re having a wonderful week so far. Now that I’m coming off my amazing moment high and getting back into my DIY groove, I’m excited to show you the new stenciled shower curtain panel that I recently made for the kids bathroom.

You may have seen a sneak peak of the shower curtain a few weeks ago when I shared some Spring updates. A few of you even commented saying you loved the color choice (I do too).

It’s bright.

It’s bold.

It’s an eye-catcher…

…And I made it myself. It was super easy, inexpensive, and something you can absolutely do too!

The materials I started off with were:

6′ x 9′ Canvas drop cloth (from Lowe’s)
Stencil – I used the same design from Cutting Edge Stencils that I used in the foyer
Paint – Valspar Pantone Emerald – #PN9055
Shower tension rod
Ball style shower curtain hooks
Foam roller
Tape measure
Scissors

Before I begin, here’s my beef with the typical store bought shower curtains…

They’re too short.

Every shower curtain on the market is 72″ x 72″. I like my shower curtains to sit just slightly above the floor, but then there is SO much space left above the curtain area, so it looks strange and you can see the showerhead. You know how I feel about window panels being placed as high as they can go, well I feel the same with shower curtains. When I redid my master bathroom, I ended up using two curtain panels to create a shower curtain. It was an awesome solution! Since the panels were taller than a typical shower curtain, they heightened the space allowing the room to feel much larger.

That being said, this DIY drop cloth shower curtain is 7′ tall; much higher than the norm and there is only about 12″ from the top of the panel to the ceiling plane versus 24″+.

NOW, let’s begin. Here’s how I made this dynamic shower curtain…

1. The canvas drop cloth size I found at Lowe’s was the perfect size (6′ x 9′), so there was essentially no trimming needed. I started off by laying out the large panel on a flat surface – my kitchen /dining area is a large open space and is the ideal spot for big projects.

I placed the stencil in the upper corner of the drop cloth and secured it with painters tape.

2. Using the vibrant Emerald color and a foam roller, I carefully rolled the color over the stencil putting enough pressure on the roller so the paint adhered to the fabric, but not too much so the paint seeped under the stencil. Believe me, up close it’s not perfect.

3. Once the first section was done, I waited about 1-2 minutes and then carefully lifted the stencil and positioned it in the right place next to the previously painted area. The Cutting Edge Stencils designs are awesome because they create each of the stencils so it easily matches up as you move it along your painting surface.

4. I worked my way across and down. And then…

…realized I made a huge boo-boo! At first, I didn’t put anything under the drop cloth and when I went to reposition it, I realized the paint seeped through. UGH! Thankfully it was still damp and the steamer took the paint right off.

Lesson Learned: Put something under your drop cloth before painting!

You live and learn!

5. After the debacle, I was back on track! Once all the stenciling was done, it was time to make the large panel into a shower curtain. With the 6 end, I took the top edge and rolled it over about 4″ (alittle more or less is fine), and ironed a crease. This edge will create the top part of the shower curtain.

6. Once the crease was created, I took it over to the sewing machine and sewed the edge. Take a look at the graphic for the specific spot to sew – this is important!

7. Once the edge was sewn, I layed the large panel out on the floor again. I took the 12 ball style shower hooks and equally positioned them along the newly created hemmed edge.

8. I marked the locations of where the ball style hooks layed. Again, make sure they are equally spaced.

9. Then it was time to create the hole for the ball style hook to fit into. Only trim through the first layer, not through the finished side of the panel.

10. Slip the hook into the hole. If you decide to tackle this project, you could create a true button opening so the fabric doesn’t fray, but I took the easy way out and didn’t, hehe.

It’s almost finished!

11. Once the hooks were in place, I put the curtain on the shower curtain rod. This was the part of the project where I decided the exact length of my newly created shower curtain. If you remember before, I mentioned I purchased a 9′ long piece of canvas drop cloth, so it definitely needed to be trimmed a bit. Once hung, I put a few pins in to mark the finished length that I wanted.

12. Leaving about 4″ extra to create a bottom hem, I trimmed the excess fabric.

13. Lastly, I ironed and sewed the bottom hem so the crease was at the exact spot that I marked with the pins.

And then it was done! Trimmed, sewn, and sitting high on the wall. Perfecto.

The kids bathroom is right at the top of the stairs so this is the first sight you see. (another reason why I wanted something taller than the typical too-low shower curtains).

It surely is dynamic, fun, and unexpected!

What a breathe of fresh air! Don’t ya think?! Canvas drop cloth is a favorite of mine to work with and I’m thrilled with the outcome of the project.

Here are more DIY projects I created using canvas drop cloth:
Placemats with Decorative Top Stitch
Drop Cloth Table Runner
Faux Roman Shade using Drop Cloth
Christmas Stockings
Simple Lined Window Panels with Drop Cloth Lining
Personalized Envelope Pillow