DIY Entertainment Center

Have you recently started looking for tv/entertainment units but find that either what you like is more than you want to spend, or the price is good but the aesthetics are lacking? I hear you on this one, I have been going through the same dilemma lately.

I'll tell you something that a noticed recently though, and I'm a little embarrassed that I never thought of this before; entertainment units are either 1 of 2 basic options - a console table/hutch unit with possible some drawers or doors, or a console table with 2 book shelves on either side (maybe an open shelf in the center above the tv).

http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/05/alma-update-media-storage/

With that being said, why spend $800 or more at IKEA for a media unit that are basically these components but technically sold as a single unit, when you can source your own individual pieces and create your own media unit?!

Just for fun, I looked around at Canadian Tire, and even Walmart online and found an open shelf base cabinet and 2 tall bookshelves (all in the same finish) that I could piece together myself and would in the long run cost me between  $150 - $520 plus taxes. What a huge difference in price from basically the same idea from IKEA which could run you past $5000 just for a media unit.

Not only can putting together your own tv/media unit be less expensive, it also can give you the opportunity to put together something unique that others most likely won't have in the same configuration as you in their own homes.

Take Care,

Leanne.

Upgrade Your Coffee Table {DIY Wallpapered Table}

If you're like me, you have what used to be a decent table from a store like IKEA where you put it together yourself and it serves its purpose, that has now unfortunately now seen its better days. My coffee table now has a few surface scratches that I cannot stand; even if I was to fill in the scratches with a furniture pen it would still bother me to no end.

So, my solution to this issue (which I found many other people have shared the same thought) - using wallpaper to cover the table top!

http://modpodgerocksblog.com/2012/05/ikea-table-gets-upgrade.html

The table pictured above was from IKEA and what the person did was apply their favourite wallpaper to the surface, and they also added some extra detail and charm by hammering silver metal thumb tacks along the perimeter.

What my plan of attack is for my table is to wallpaper the top with a subtle geometric print, then place a piece of plate glass over the top to keep the new surface safe from scratches and water damage.

This is such a simple and easy way to upgrade your table tops and make something old look brand new!

Take Care,

Leanne.

Maximize Space {Closet Office}

By any chance do you want a home office space, but aren't quite sure where to put it in your home?

Okay, now do you have a random closet that you barely use in a spare room, or other area of your home?

If you answered "yes" to these questions, or are even just a little bit curious as to where I'm going with this, then read on.

http://diyshowoff.com/2011/02/16/closet-office-more-than-rubies/

As you can see in the image above, using a closet for another purpose, other than storing clothes, can be both beautiful and functional.

You can make it as simple or elaborate as you wish; just add a small desk inside with some shelving and desk organizers and you are well on your way to creating your very own office nook in a closet.

I would also like to point out the clever use of a mirror on the interior of the closet; this gives the illusion of a bigger space and can also brighten the closet up by reflecting any light within this small space.

Take Care,

Leanne.

Painting With A Popcorn Ceiling

Recently I painted my apartment and found it very frustrating due to my popcorn ceilings; I couldn't get a straight line across the top of the walls due to the textured ceiling.

Go figure that I would come across some useful advice after the fact that I have finished painting, but I thought I would share it to keep anyone who is painting their home that has textured ceilings from experiencing the same frustration as I did.

http://www.familyhandyman.com/painting/tips/pro-paint-and-wallpapering-tips

Here's the simple trick: 

Before you paint, drag a narrow flat-head screwdriver lightly along the ceiling. You'll get a clean paint line and no one will ever notice that the bumps are missing.

That's it! Simple as that. No go ahead and paint without the annoyance that I experienced and learn from my mistakes. I can guarantee you that I will be using this trick from now on.

Take Care,

Leanne.

Easy Makeup Organization

In one of my weekly pinning sprees on Pinterest I came across this amazingly ingenious ideas for makeup organization that I just had to share with you. It uses the IKEA Alex storage unit, and bristol board (or card stock), and anti-slip mats that you can buy at your local business supply store (or for cheaper choices you can go to Walmart or the Dollar Store).

http://fabuloushomeblog.com/2012/12/29/the-ikea-alex-storage-great-for-when-you-have-a-ton-of-makeup/

I'm not going to lie, this projuect is a bit time consuming and will require patience. You will need to measure the interior of the drawers (width, length, and height), as well as the size of the makeup containers that you are trying to store.

Once you have all of this information, you can cut your non slip mats and place them in the bottom of each drawer. Now you can start cutting your dividers; place strips running from the front to back of the drawer, cutting slits  3/4 of the way through in the sections where you plan to divide.

Now place your dividers through the slits of the vertically running dividers, running horizontally in the drawers.

That's it; now place your makeup in the divider sections and marvel at your hard work and enjoy organizational bliss!

Take Care,

Leanne.

DIY Copper Penny Art

During one of my usual pinning sprees on Pinterest, I came across this awesome DIY project for wall art made out of old pennies! This is a perfect way to use up any old pennies that you have lying around that you haven't deposited in  the bank (I don't know what your country has done with pennies, but Canada recently got rid of our penny in the summer).

So this post is thanks to blogger Rebecca of The Crafted Sparrow. Have fun and start making your very own copper penny wall art!

http://www.thecraftedsparrow.com/2012/01/loose-change.html

What you'll need:

 Paper mache letters

 Pennies

Weldbond glue (or your choice of glue)

Copper acrylic paint

Paint brush

Clear spray sealer

How To:

Start by painting your paper mache letters copper! I did two layers and that was enough to cover the paper mache. After I painted it copper I used a gunmetal silver color with a dry brush technique to give it a bit of a patina.

Then get your glue ready. You'll also want to start picking out your "good" pennies. I picked mostly shiny, but threw a few duller ones into the mix. That creates character.

Then I laid out the pennies on each letter ahead of time. That way I new exactly what pattern, and placement they were going to be in. I put most face up, but did some face down too. Then you just glue until your hearts content. When you've got them all glued on and they are all dry (let it sit for at least 24 hrs) you can spray them with a clear satin or glossy spray paint. I did it to protect the penny's and the copper paint on the paper mache.

That's it! Now enjoy your very own copper wall art.


Take Care,

Leanne.

Valentine's Day Candy Candle Votives

Happy Valentines Day everyone! Whether you are in a relationship or not, Valentines Day is a day that you can shamelessly express how much you love the people in your life (whether that be friends, family or a boyfriend/girlfriend). It's also an excuse to decorate your home in a cute way (even if it is just for a day).

With that being said, I have to say that one of the simplest and inexpensive ways to decorate your home for Valentines Day (and without making it look like Cupid threw up all over the place) is this; candle votives filled with Valentines Day candy!

http://thatscountryliving.com/2012/02/frugal-candy-candle-holder-valentines-centerpiece-ideas/

All you need is candle votives (however many you would like), some candles (red, white or pink are best for the occasion), and some Valentines Day candy.

Fill the votive with the candy 1/2 or 3/4 way full, then place the candle securely in the votive, and that's it!

Quick, simple and easy.

Take Care,

Leanne.

Encouraging Creativity {DIY Stage/Runway}

If you have kids, or young children in your life, you will know how creative kids can be and how large their imaginations are. With that being said, I like to encourage creativity in children and adults alike which is why I think the following DIY project is perfect for your home if you have children!

 

 

DIY Stage (or Runway):

 

 

http://refreshingthehome.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/stage-for-kids-room.jpg

 

This idea is great for children who like to perform little plays, sing and/or dance, or even practice their fierce walk down the runway as a model. Keep in mid for your little future models out there, you will need a slightly longer runway than the stage you see pictured above.

 

All you really need is some 3/4" plywood, wood stain or paint in a colour of your choosing, and some nails to hold it all together. If you want to get fancy and add some curtains go right ahead. Be creative and have fun!

 

 

Take Care,

 

Leanne.



DIY Patio Bench

Have you been trying to think of new ways to dress up your patio and give it a touch of your own personality? Or maybe you're in need of a new DIY project to keep you busy this week.

If this sounds like you, then look no further! Make your patio fun and unique with a custom patio bench.

http://lenasekine.blogspot.ca/2013/08/diy-outdoor-seating.html

What you will need:

6 Cinder Blocks

4 Planks of wood (4x4)

Latex Paint of your colour choice

Wood Sealant (this makes the wood boards water resistant and will prevent rotting)

Your choice of Upholstered Cushion 

Note: I recommend getting and "outdoor" fabric or using scotch-guard to waterproof (although scotch-guard won't prevent sun-fading)

How To:

Take your planks of wood to a well ventilated area and coat them thoroughly in sealant. Once they are dry repeat 1-2 more times. 

Meanwhile, (also in a well ventilated area) take your cinder blocks and coat in 1-3 layers of paint in the colour of your choice. Let the planks of wood and cinder blocks all dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Note: this process should be done  approximately 24 hours in advance to putting together the rest of the bench to ensure that all surfaces are dry and ready.

Place the cinder blocks standing up vertically on an even/level surface. Now place wood planks through the top holes in the cinder blocks, leaving a minimum of 4 inches sticking out at the sides to properly support weight.

Finally place your cushions on top of the cinder blocks. 

Note: If you feel like the cushions are too thin and the planks are digging in to your legs, place a 3/4" thick board of plywood on top of the planks for added support and an even surface to place the cushions on.

That's it folks! Now enjoy your very own patio bench that reflects your personal style.

Take Care,

Leanne.

DIY: Removing Popcorn Ceilings

Do you have popcorn ceilings in your home and wish that you didn't?

I grew up in a home with popcorn ceilings all of ,y life and grew to dislike them quite a bit....mostly because when I was a kid and brought home a balloon from a birthday party and let it go, it would fly up to the ceiling and "POP" my balloon was destroyed. Other than that, as I got older I just grew to dislike the look, and noticed that they drew unnecessary attention to the ceiling.

Anyway, if you're in the same boat as me and dislike your popcorn ceilings, here's how you can get rid of them:

http://akitchentablefortwo.blogspot.ca/2011/06/aaaaaand-were-off-again.html

What you will need:

• Large spray bottle with water (I find warm water works best)
• A drywall or putty knife
• A ladder (tall enough for you to easily reach your ceiling without straining your back
• A painter's hat (or a crummy old hat you don't care about) to keep gunk out of your hair
• 
  

Directions:

• Working in sections, spray the ceiling with warm water until it is soaked, then simply scrape away the popcorn ceiling.
• Once you have done this to you whole ceiling, let the ceiling dry, then use fine grained sandpaper to smooth out any imperfections.
• Now simply prime and paint your ceiling.

That's all folks! Now enjoy your new and improved ceiling in all of it's texture-free glory.

Take Care,

Leanne.

More Room For Play {Nursery Nook}

These days nursery furniture can get pretty big and bulky which can in turn eat up a lot of valuable space; this is especially true if you live in a smaller home or apartment.

With that being said, if space is limited (or if you want to maximize space for play time), why not create a nook for your crib?

http://acreativebeginning.net/2010/12/01/nursery-inspiration/

If you have an alcove big enough, that's great, otherwise you can take the doors off of a closet and paint within it, and dress it up like you see here with some soft lighting and place the crib inside.

Just like that you have a cozy little nook for your child to rest in, with the added bonus of additional space for playtime.

Take Care,

Leanne.

Personalized Monogrammed Pillow {DIY}

I don't know what it is, but ever since I was a little girl, I loved the idea of monogrammed items. I think it was because of the movies I watched where the people in really nice houses had monogrammed towels in their bathrooms and it made me think it was cool (crazy I know - but it stuck).

With that being said, I feel like having monogrammed items like towels, robes, or pillows can make you feel a little more special in the fact that whatever item it may be is personalized for you.

http://mylittlebox2.tumblr.com/

Take this accent pillow for example; this is an easy DIY project that can make your home a little more personalized for you.

All you will need is a pillow in your favourite colour or design (I think a solid colour would be best though so that the monogramming stands out more), a needle & thread, and buttons of various sizes in a colour of your choice (or multi-coloured if you want to make it a little more funky).

I recommend using a fabric pen or pencil to outline the design you wish to use, then simply start sewing your buttons on until you've achieved your desired effect.

Take Care,

Leanne.

Natural Seating {DIY Log Bench}

When you're out at a friend's place in the country sitting around a campfire on either some big rocks with sharp edges, or logs that feel like they'll roll away from under you at any minute, I bet you're wishing there were some more practical seating around.

http://picpedia.com/garden-benches

Why not start up a new DIY project and make yourself and your guests more comfortable with log bench seating?! For log "sofa" you will need a chainsaw, but for more simple designs, you can use a regular saw and some nails (or screws).

That's it; one more way to be stylish and comfy in the great outdoors.

Take Care,

Leanne.

DIY Mail Organizer

Recently I was out looking for a mail organizer, because my boyfriend likes to leave mail pretty much on every surface of the apartment and I was hoping if he had a designated area to place his mail, the problem would either fix itself or diminish.

However, as I looked around I either found that mail organizers are hard to find (not many stores carry them anymore), or the ones that I could find were not very pretty (think tacky varnished wood with roosters painted on it). So with that being said, here's how you can turn those not so pretty mail organizers into something a little more to your taste.

http://www.justalittlecreativity.com/2011/09/confession-time-good-bad-and-ugly-diy.html

What you will need:

Mail Organizer
Fine Grain Sand Paper
Medium & Small Paint Brushes (you'll need a small one for nooks and crannies)
Water
Paint in the colour(s) of your choice

Directions:

Take your mail organizer and sand the surface down with fine grain sand paper to remove any existing finish/paint.

Once the surface is free of the previous finish/paint, "paint" the entire surface of the wood with water. This is to prep the wood for painting.

Once the wood feels dry to the touch start painting in the colour(s) of your choice.

Let Dry completely in a well ventilated area.

And just like that, you're done!

Take Care,

Leanne.

DIY Scarf Storage

I find that scarves can be a pain to store sometimes. Whether you have a few, or many, there's always the question of "how do I want to store these?".

Recently I stumbled upon this image on Pinterest and couldn't believe I never thought of this before.

http://xny.co/2013/08/simple-scarf-storage/

Not only is this a cheap way to store scarves, but by having individual rings for the scarves to hang on you prevent them from tangling together.

All you will need is a coat hanger with a bottom bar like you see above (metal, plastic, or wood), and some shower rings.

Genius!

Take Care,

Leanne.

DIY Holiday Wreaths

Do you find more and more that when it comes to shopping for holiday decorations, that some items are either too over the top, or just not right for your liking? If so, I'm right with you on that one.

I've been looking around fo a wreath for my apartment door that I find fits my style but isn't too generic: so far nothing has caught my eye, at least that I'd be willing to spend my hard earned cash on. So now I'm thinking of DIY. That's right, I will be making my own holiday wreath.

http://www.allthingshandmade.org/diy-wreath/

I will be personally using this wreath as inspiration for my own DIY candy cane themed wreath.

You will need the following:

1 x Polystyrene ring

Collection of contrasting ribbons in different sizes

Wired ribbon

Dress making Pins

Buttons (I used sequins and pinned them into place)

Now that you have everything that you need, here's how you make your very own wreath:

1. Start by pinning the end of your chosen background ribbon to the polystyrene ring. Begin to wrap the ring with the ribbon until completely covered. You can use pins as you go to make it more secure.

2. Choose a contrasting coloured ribbon and again wrap around the polystyrene ring, this time leaving a 5cm gap between each wrap.

3. Lastly wrap a thinner ribbon between the gaps of the last ribbon.

4. Using wired ribbon make a bow and pin on to the polystyrene ring (or skip a step and buy a pre-made bow from the dollar store)

5. Add some buttons (or sequins like I did)  to complete the design. I glued mine but you could pin these too.

6. To finish, pin a piece of ribbon to the back of the polystyrene ring.

Congrats, you've now made your very own wreath!

Take Care,

Leanne.

DIY Lamp Makeover

Do you have an old lamp in your room that has seen its better days? Or maybe you're re-decorating your space and the existing lamp that you have just doesn't go with the room anymore?

Better throw that lamp away or give it to a thrift store right? No way!

http://www.livelovediy.com/2012/09/thrift-store-lamp-makeover.html

Save some money by keeping your existing lamp and make it like new by redesigning it.

I am currently working on my own DIY lamp for my bedroom (I will be buying my supplies this weekend and working away), and have an old ceramic brown glazed lamp that I will be painting in a metallic gold finish and replacing the existing taupe shade with a black one.

It can be so simple to redesign your existing fixtures and accessories in your home. Why not give it a try?!

Take Care,

Leanne.

Fall Outdoor Decor

Fall is around the corner, and with that pumpkins will soon start to fill grocery stores and farmers markets near you.

Although most people love to carve pumpkins and place them on their porches, painting pumpkins is becoming more popular. Not only can you do so much, but the pumpkins will last even longer than they do when they`re hollowed out.

http://indulgy.com/search/Fall--decor/page/6

You can take inspiration from anywhere. I love the pumpkins above that resemble candy corn. Aren`t they so cute?!

What will you use for inspiration?

Take Care,

Leanne.