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Tag Archives: diy

Follow Up: Eames Chairs DIY Finally Gone Right

01 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by AMM in D.I.Y., Furniture, Inspiration

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

chair, diy, Eames, vintage Eames chairs

Eames DIY gone wrongRemember these?  My DIY gone wrong?  Well I finally had them re-finished and here is the end result…

Herman Miller Eames chairs painted Tangerine DreamHerman Miller

While I am happy with these as is, I am starting to obsess over the legs.  I would love to replace them with the updated Eames chair look.

Eames ChairsEames RockerAnd I think this Rocker would be pretty cute in the kids room.

As I was waiting for the happy return of my chairs, I got word that my grand mother has more!  This DIY just got even better!  Who knows, maybe I’ll put rocker legs on all 4 and paint them pastel or matte grey or red lacquer or matte white or cerulean blue or….

If you like this post, then you might like these:
Society Social Offers Entertaining Must-Haves
Colorful Plantation Chairs Perfect for Lounging
Vitra: Collectable Iconic Designs

Etsy Pick of the Week: Pelle Bubble Chandelier Revisited

28 Wednesday Mar 2012

Posted by PEY in D.I.Y., Dining Room, Etsy Pick of the Week, Kitchen, lighting, Shops We Love

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Bubble Chandelier, diy, Etsy, Jean Pelle, lighting, Oliver Pelle, Pelle

Sometimes something is so good that it keeps popping up and needs to be blogged about again.  The Pelle Bubble Chandelier is one such objet (x-large above!).  Back in 2010 when Sarah found this chandelier on Etsy there were only two size options to choose from, but now there are more sizes, finishes and cording options which must been seen!  The original bubble chandelier was the medium size, but now there is a small, large, x-large and jumbo.

small bubble chandelier

jumbo bubble chandelier

In addition to the original bubble chandler, there is the elongated tall version as well as multiple gold leafed versions.  Each configuration of bubbles creates an amazing sculptural piece for any space.

tall bubble chandelier

12k white gold large bubble chandelier 

24k gold large bubble chandelier

If you love these chandeliers, then be sure to visit either the Pelle website or their brick-and-mortar shop in Brooklyn, NY to see more of their collections.  Jean and Oliver Pelle are a talented design duo that create unique lighting, furniture, jewelry and more for beautiful interiors.  And, my favorite part about the history of this chandelier is that it’s origins are a do-it-yourself project that Jean contributed to Readymade Magazine in 2008 . . .  great design is possible with DIY!

Image Source:  Pelle

If you like this post, you might like these:
Etsy Pick of the Week:  Shabulous Creations
Mason Jar Pendants for All
Papier Mache Graduates from School Projects to Fab Decor

DIY: Crate on Wheels

13 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by AMM in D.I.Y., Eco-friendly, Furniture, Kids

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

crate, diy, flooring, FLOR, storage, Sugar Scout

Image Source: Sugar Scout

I have always loved crates and have acquired a small collection over the years, (more like swiped them from my mother, thanks mom).  I have used them for end tables, coffee tables and storage for all sorts of stuff.  Now that my house is ruled by two toddlers, the contents have shifted from blankets and quilts to toys and children’s books.  I have always wanted to turn one of these toy boxes into a crate on wheels!  A quick stop to the local hardware store and my D.I.Y. project was underway.

This was the easiest D.I.Y. project I have attempted.  Four casters, 16 screws and a crate.  Down the road I may put a tufted lid on this bad boy but I don’t want to get too wild just yet.

A side note: I bought casters that have locks on the wheels.  From the moment the crate on wheels hit the playroom, the kids were in it and pushing each other around the house.  Hey, I think that’s called a two-fer.  Functional and fun.

If you like this post, then you might like these:
Stripes, Stripes and More Stripes!  DIY Stripe Walls
Sneak Peek:  Nautical Stripe Staircase Makeover
Custom Draperies for a Fraction of the Cost

Green Gift-Giving

12 Monday Mar 2012

Posted by AMM in Accessories, Celebrations, D.I.Y., Inspiration, Parties, Tabletop, Weddings

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

apothecary jar, bridal registry, bridal shower gift, diy, green M&Ms, Monogrammed, Williams-Sonoma

What do you get when you take a beautiful apothecary jar like this one from Williams-Sonoma and mix it with yummy mint m&ms?

A great looking bridal shower gift!  My friend Jennie came up with this idea recently for a friend’s bridal shower that happened to be green themed.  I just love how she took a regular registry gift and put a creative and personal stamp on it.  Surely the bride-to-be will remember this gift forever.

If you like this, then check these out:
A Sweet and Simple Hostess Gift
Mattie Luxe for Personalized Placemats and Trays 
Etsy Pick of the Week:  Tray Chic
 

Super Simple DIY Envelope Liner

28 Tuesday Feb 2012

Posted by PEY in Celebrations, D.I.Y.

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

diy, Envelope Liners, invitations

While completing invitations for an upcoming birthday party – more on that later! – it became apparent that our white invitation inside a white envelope didn’t pop.  And, with an immediate need to complete this project, we had to get crafty.  So with a quick glance at our available supplies we jumped right in to make our own envelope liners.

Quick step-by-step:  DIY Envelope Liner

1. Supplies:  Construction paper or medium card stock, scissors, and double sided tape.  A sturdy colored paper is much easier to use than typical colored printer paper because it doesn’t flop around when making the template.

2.  Make the liner template:

2a. Place paper on the envelope just a little inset so that the liner will be smaller than the envelope when the liner is completed.  Important so that liner will fit into envelope.

2b.  Cut paper to size of envelope.

2c.  Recut the triangle at top so that it is a 1/4″ smaller and leaves room to activate sealant on envelope.

3.  Insert into envelope and use a piece of double sided tape to secure in the envelope.

Use the template to cut out as many envelope liners as needed.  So easy and looks amazing for a couple extra minutes of effort!

And, doesn’t our invitation look better?!!

Small Projects, Big Impact!

28 Tuesday Feb 2012

Posted by AMM in D.I.Y., Inspiration, Kids

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

diy, How About Orange, orange, stenciling pencils, wrapping paper

I am all about making my own wrapping paper and decorating gifts with stuff I have around the house.  While checking out the cool little DIY wrapping idea from How About Orange, I found all these incredibly colorful DIY pencil decorating ideas!  I think this is just the kind of craft I need to keep my daughter and well, me, busy particularly when there’s school vacation or foul weather weekends.  Head over to How About Orange for links to the tutorials.

If you like this post, then you might like these:
DIY Pennant Invitations
Super Simple DIY Envelope Liner
A Sweet and Simple Hostess Gift

DIY Gone Wrong-Herman Miller

01 Wednesday Feb 2012

Posted by AMM in Before & After, D.I.Y., Furniture

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

chair restoration, diy, Eames, Herman Miller, spray paint

My grandmother moved out of her house a while back and everything had to go.  I always knew she had some unique furniture and described these chairs to my mom.  She saved them from the dumpster and they have become my latest project.  First I attempted to sand and prime them myself…

Then I thought I would spray paint them in a high gloss paint.  Sadly, my spray painting skills are lacking.  I am all about giving old furniture a new life with paint but I think in this case, I had better leave it to the pros.

Stay tuned for the final result.

If you like this post, then you might like these:
Vitra:  Collectable Iconic Designs
Upholsterd Butaca for a More Traditional Look
DIY:  Crate on Wheels

Before and After: From Tiny Hall to Gallery Walls

30 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by SOF in Before & After, D.I.Y., lighting

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Displaying Family Photos, Displaying Kids Art, diy, Gallery Walls

Come May, we will have lived in our house for five years, but somehow there are still loads of projects that have not yet been completed. It is the result of some sort of combination involving having two small children, little money, and me not being able to find exactly what I want, well at least not at a reasonable cost. But in 2012, I (well my hubby has to play along) have committed to finishing our house! There may be a lot of projects, but they aren’t all huge and so we’ll start with the small stuff. First up, the tiny downstairs hallway that connects my kitchen, bathroom, living room, and basement. There wasn’t really anything wrong with this space until we had a leak from the bathtub upstairs, and the ceiling and wall had to be repaired which meant they needed to be painted and we didn’t have any more of the original paint color.

Here’s a peak at what it looked like before. Well technically the light fixture is also brand new and recently replaced the one that came with the house when it was built in 1948. I was shocked and pleased to find this bubble glass hanging pendant at Home Depot and for under $70 no less. While their products are fine for quality I typically find them to be very run of the mill so I couldn’t believe my eyes when there were dozens of interesting pendants to choose from.

We’ve always had photos hanging in this space, but there were only three large ones. We’ve also long discussed creating a gallery wall, but I didn’t want it to take up a huge wall. One of my most favorite things in people’s homes it to look at all of their photos and especially when they span generations. I decided this was the perfect small space to create the gallery walls because everyone passes through this hallway when they come to our home and it would still allow for the house to feel uncluttered (at least on the walls) because it wasn’t covering a huge space.

The next step was to paint. I decided that I really wanted to photos to be the focal point of the space and so I decided to paint it white. Plus, painting it white really brightened up this small space. Before heading to my local paint store to agonize over which white would be the right white I checked the basement to see what white paint I already had. And can you believe I actually had a color that was just called “white.” It wasn’t “snow white” or “super white” or “white lily.” I went with it.

Next up were the frames and what went in them. I decided I wanted to keep things pretty simple and clean, but I also wanted to be easy to add more frames as we have more photos and artwork to add. So I decided to go with a combination of black, white, and silver frames. The contents of the frames would be a mix of photos and artwork from our kids and others. While it was important for me to get this done. It is not finished and never will be as I expect that it will forever evolve as we add more photographs and found objects. I set it up with blank spaces to fill in rather than centering everything that I had right now. One of the most important things I did (although I have to give credit to Pamela who put up with me through it) is to lay each grouping of frames out on the floor before hanging them. That way I could see which frames sat right together and which photos and artwork worked best together. That is the step that should most definitely not be skipped. And I’m quite happy with how it all turned out…so far.

So what else is on the list for projects to get done this year:

1. Paint and reorganize the mudroom.

2. Replace front door and front steps.

3. Dig up most of the front yard and re-landscape.

4. Renovate downstairs bathroom from floor to ceiling.

5. Replace original light fixtures in front hall and upstairs hall.

6. Paint staircase and replace railing.

7. New chandelier for dining room.

8. Refinish and reupholster dining room furniture.

9. Hang curtains, get new rug, and replace lamps in master bedroom.

9. Hang curtains, paint, and reupholster furniture in my daughter’s room

10. Put the finishing touches on my son’s room.

11. Tile and replace surround of fireplace.

Of course there are the other really important things that need to be done like replacing the roof and adding insulation to the house. Those sadly might have to get moved to the top of the list and then we’ll see what’s left over to try to accomplish the other things on it. But hopefully, having a visual list (and exposing it to the world) will help motivate us to get it all done.

If you like this post, then you might like these:
Our Picks for Pottery Barn’s Best of Summer 2012
Family Photo Gallery Wall
OPEN HOUSE:  Amy’s Greenhouse Conversion

DIY Decorations for Your New Year’s Party

29 Thursday Dec 2011

Posted by PEY in Celebrations, D.I.Y., Parties

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

decorations, diy, New Year's Eve, Pinterest

It is time to celebrate another year and ring in the New Year with a little fun.  If you’re hosting the party, or heading to one, here are a couple of our favorite DIY party decorating ideas from . The DIY Zig Zag Accordion Streamers (above) by Oh Happy Days is surely a crowd pleaser!  Colorful and easy.

Have left over Christmas ornaments? This DIY Bubble Chandelier by Twig Decor uses clear ornaments, but you could also add colored ornaments for a little party pop! Just a bit of fishing wire, ornaments and hang near a light fixture for the sparkle.

Before you put away all of your glassware, use them for a quick and colorful buffet. Any clear vessel from vases to votives to martini glasses can be filled with crudite, dips, cocktail sticks and more.  And, it can also be done for the sweeter side of your festivities with fruit and candies!

If you are hosting a dinner party, this look with the clear water/wine bottles and varied sized candles looks amazing.  This DIY Clear Bottle Candle Holder arrangement is an oldie, but goodie from Happy Mundane that would make a stunning New Year’s table.

And the evening wouldn’t be complete without a twist for your cocktails.  Try this DIY Tinsel Drink Stirrer project from our friend Martha.  Just tinsel, skewers, hot glue gun and some scissors, and voila!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year in 2012!

If you like this post, then you might like these:
12 Days of Holiday Decor Ideas:  DIY Gold Tinsel Tree
Double the Fun:  Disco Ball Piñata
12 Days of Holiday Decor Ideas:  Cranberry Tea Lights

12 Days of Holiday Decor Ideas: Holly Filled Hurricanes

12 Monday Dec 2011

Posted by SOF in Accessories, Celebrations, D.I.Y., Dining Room, Holidays, lighting, Lighting, Outdoor

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

candles, diy, Easy DIY Centerpieces, holiday decor, outdoor lighting

Sometimes the best things are the most simple things. Our friend the ever talented photographer Maaike Bernstrom shared this easy yet beautiful holiday hurricane with us. Just fill a glass hurricane with holly clippings and a pillar candle. These would be stunning on a sideboard or mantle, or place two of them on a long table or put them outside on the steps to welcome guests. If you don’t already have hurricanes floating around, you could also do it in glass vases that have a wide enough bottom to fit a pillar candle. Simply stunning.

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