DIY Projects

Make This Room

Mar 08

One of the biggest struggles when redecorating is budget, and while I’d love to say DIYing your way through a room saves you money, that’s not always the case. Here are some amazing tutorials I found while browsing online that look so close or better than their source of inspiration!

1. Dodecahedron Pendant Light $440 vs. $10

View Along the Way is a great blog with wonderful, well designed DIY projects! I am obsessed with the dodecahedron pendant light. I think that Kelly’s DIYed version is much cuter than the original.

2. United States Chalkboard Map $168 vs. $8

Stephanie Lynn has a wonderful tutorial of this chalk board map for a much more affordable price. Her method is so easy, it looks professional.

3. Reclaimed Octagon Mirror $348 vs. $50

Kelly from View Along the Way made the mirror for free using a wood pallet and a used mirror. The only thing that cost money was a digital protractor used to measure angles. I am determined to do this one!

4. Kilim Floor Pouf $249 vs. $24

Erica from Retropolitan figured out how to makes these gorgeous floor poufs from West Elm for 1/10th of the price! Not to mention it’s a very doable tutorial.

5.Veneer Spheres $29 vs. $5

I love these spheres and love the price even more! I don’t like to spend too much on decorative pieces because I change my mind so often, but this tutorial from Hill Country Homebody is easy and inexpensive, so it’s a must try!

6. Chain Rib Throw $79 vs. $22

I love knitting my own blankets, but sometimes the cost actually surpasses the store brand item. This is a very simple tutorial, and can be cost effective if you have the right yarn. I suggest getting a less expensive yarn like this one and washing it first in a lingerie bag to soften it. For a throw as large as this, I’d also suggest doubling the width of the pattern and knitting for 10 skeins.

7. Factory Cart Table $995 vs. $150

Tom and I have had our eye on this coffee table from Restoration Hardware for quite some time, but the price tag so so off-putting! I was super excited to find this tutorial from The Blissful Bee!

DIY: Rope Basket

Feb 25

For the past few weeks I’ve been trying to figure out better storage solutions for my house. One of the things on my list was something to store toilet paper in. I came across this rope basket from Terrain, but there was no way in hell I was going to pay $100 (there is no toilet paper fancy enough for that). After researching different basket tutorials and different types of rope, I decided on a super simple project.

I love the added texture it gives, I actually used a crappy 11′ dollar store basket as a template, so it was super easy. It took a little under 2 hours to make, I put a movie on and went to town, but the best part was that I made it for under $5.

You’ll need: 100 ft of cotton clothesline/ Hot glue gun/ Plastic basket (optional)

Step One: Coil your rope into a flat base, hot gluing as you go.

Step Two: When your base is as wide as you like start stacking your rope on the outer edge. This is easier if your are working with plastic basket or bucket as a template.

Keep wrapping until you run out of rope. To make handles leave two sections of the basket loose. I made my handles three layers thick, and then then continued to wrap regularly for the last two layers. Then, pull out the handles and cut. Re-glue and secure as needed.

DIY: Bottom Sheet Skirt

Feb 13

This project started as an accident. For the past few months, I have been collecting vintage sheets for projects. I have a few bottom sheets, and when chopping one up, the lazy part of my brain figured, this would make an awesome skirt, because I wouldn’t have to deal with the gathering at the waist. Thus this project.

What you’ll need: A bottom sheet/ sewing machine/ pins

Step One: Find the corner you’d like to use and cut the length you’ll need. I made mine longer so that I could layer the bottom a bit. Then wrap the piece around your waist to measure how wide you need it to be and cut accordingly, leaving at least a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

Step Two: Sew together the two ends, creating your skirt shape.

Step Three: Turn the skirt inside out and fold the bottom edge up. Pin and sew the hemline. You could choose to stop here, but I added a little pleat in mine.

Step Four: Flip skirt inside-out. Fold you bottom hem up toward the waist. I folded about 9 inches. Using a ruler, measure out the bottom 2.5 inches and draw a straight line using a fabric marker. Pin and sew along this line, making sure to not sew the two sides of the skirt together.

Flip the bottom of the skirt down and you have a nice pleat. If you wanted to go a step further, you could create a waist band. I chose not to, because I always wear belts or tie my shirt at my waist.

DIY: Handwritten Tea Towel

Feb 07

As I mentioned on in my last post, sometimes, in order to hit the reset button I deep clean a room of my house. It not only makes me feels like I’ve accomplished something, but it’s one less mess I have to worry about. This last week, I’ve been focusing on the kitchen. When I was cleaning, I noticed I was missing some crucial items, for example, hand towels. I have a drawer with one ripped up Halloween towel and some pretty in tact Christmas ones. Then I went about trying to buy new ones, ended up with a packet of wash cloths. Not to mention I was being incredibly picky and saw nothing that I liked enough to buy. So I went about making my own.

I liked this project a lot because it was easy, quick and I didn’t have to make a mess. The end result turned out awesome, considering how quickly it was made. I’ve seen some tutorials online where they make insanely beautiful designs with sharpies, but I am not that talented. So I stuck with simple.

I started with a three pack of Aunt Martha’s Flour Sack Tea Towels. Then printed out what I wanted it to say in a bold black font (I used Franchise). You can also use the one I created here. Slide the piece of paper underneath your towel, center it and use a water soluble fabric marker to outline your letters.

It should look like this when finished.

Then take your Sharpie and fill in your outlines.

Almost seems too simple.

DIY: Emerald Bow Bracelet

Jan 28

So, I’m a copy cat. I’m one of those people that will walk around a store and refuse to buy something if I think I can make it. 99% of the time, I don’t, but this is one of the few times I have attempted to make something I wanted. I saw this amazing emerald suede bow bracelet via Pantone and I wanted it. Although, suede really isn’t my thing, so I opted for an emerald velvet ribbon.

What you’ll need: Ribbon/ Hook and eye/ Glue Gun

Step One: Cut your ribbon into four pieces. Cut one length the size of your wrist. Then a 4″ strip, a 3″ strip and a 1.5″ strip.

Step Two: Glue the ends of the 4″ strip together. making sure they are centered and press down in the middle. Do the same for the 3″ strip.

Step Three: Glue the 3″ strip on top of the 4″ and press together.

Step Four: Wrap the smallest piece around the center and glue down. Now you have your bow.

Step Five: Secure the hook between the center of the bow and the wrist piece. Glue down.

Step Six: Glue the hook to the other end of the wrist piece. You might have to remeasure to give allowance for the hook, depending on how tight you want the bracelet.

When you hook them together, you have a neat little velvet bow bracelet. I love it. Although, I am a little biased, because I made it. And it falls perfectly on my Snow White tattoo, so it looks like a cute little frame. Love!

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