The only thing cooler than a DIY project is a DIY project that exploits materials intended for an entirely different use.
Rory on Apartment Therapy Boston takes such an approach with pipes and fittings from the plumbing department. Going way beyond simply using straight lengths and end flanges for legs, this desk incorporates a fine design inspired by the limitations of the medium.
To create your own version, simply check out the… Continue Reading
It's the time of year you turn a critical eye to the interior to see what needs to be spruced up. Preparing for a packed house on Thanksgiving is a sure fire motivator to plow through a To Do list in record time.
This year you may want to rethink the outlay of money to get the house looking top notch. You can save loads of dough by doing most jobs yourself. If, for some unknown… Continue Reading
The problem at hand was those annoying, yet luxurious, down-filled back cushions. Everytime anyone would get up from the loveseat, the back cushions were smashed down, seams all askew. My compulsive self had to walk over, re-fluff, straighten and then I could move on.
Don't the best solutions just come to you in the simplest of ideas??
My first thought was to make some covered buttons and pull… Continue Reading
Nothing makes a second hand mattress and box spring on a basic mattress frame sit within its own dreamy location like a proper headboard. A bed is an expensive investment, sometimes out of the reach of many. So tuck your bed into its locale with these 13 budget friendly headboard ideas.
I wanted to share a project that didn't work out as well as I hoped, but that I still think has potential.
So. I saw one of these chairs in a furniture store window and instantly fell in love. In real life they are even prettier, they're translucent, so it looks like the lace is just hanging there in the air. Beautiful.
So beautiful, in fact that I was prompted to drag myself and the kid's buggy up a great big… Continue Reading
There have been gobs of juicy good finds at Goodwill in the past couple of weeks. Maybe it's hot August doldrums and people feel like purging, but I've been hitting the jackpot on every visit. Since my garage is overflowing with all kinds of recyclable furniture, I decided to focus on accessory items for crafting and design for my weekly DIY newspaper column. A few photos and some ideas are… Continue Reading
1Apparently, cats have this thing where they like to install themselves in cozy spaces: spots like drawers, behind furniture, and if its available, an appropriately-sized empty cardboard box. So, take advantage of their penchant for nookery, and make them do what they do in style.
Materials
Begin by… Continue Reading
A new blog's a-brewing...Modern Furniture Plans. So states their "About" page: "This blog is devoted to finding modern furniture plans. The key is to find designs that appeal, that are easy to build, that don’t break the bank, and that are more unique than anything you can find in any store." So far, there's just a few entries, but its one to throw in ye ole feed reader for when the time is right.
You thought the DIY: Ten Minute Grommet Workshop was easy, this makes that look like Rocket Science. Oftentimes you'll come across something that needs a snap added or replaced. Snaps are...well, a snap. A snap tool and components are available at fabric stores and they are work fine.
The only trick here is to remember which parts go where. For simplicity sake, I will call the top of the snap Top A and its… Continue Reading
If this modern chrome upholstered combo was mine, I know just where I'd put it. Well, it isn't. I did do a makeover on it for a friend and a mid century aficionado. She used to own the most unbelieveable little store called ModPod. Now she makes handmade, modern, clay pet urns for the cremains of beloved pets.
This makeover has a few components which I'll cover in three parts. First will be the snap… Continue Reading
Folks, this project is not for the squeamish. It's real life. A few spots, tears, chunks out of furniture you just aren't ready to chuck. My friend pleaded with me to do a repair job on this tired ottoman that has a giant tear, nay, RIP, right down the middle of the top. It's a long story about the owner, her 6'9" football playing son, the reason they need a quick fix and so on. But the long and… Continue Reading
DWR’s Tablo Table ($200) is basically a metal serving tray/bowl perched on teak legs. To go the DIY route, I’d find an appropriate shallow bowl–metal or otherwise–and then construct the legs around it. For outdoor applications, I’d even consider using a large terra cotta saucer for the bowl.
What do you do with an old coffee table with a dinged up or stained top? Turn it into a soft, lovely, upholstered bench for your hallway, end of your bed or as an upholstered ottoman in front of the sofa. This pine bench was $13.99 at Goodwill (a little overpriced in my opinion). With some fresh new fabric, supplies and these simple instructions, it morphed into a different creature.
… Continue Reading
This fun project sponsored by ApartmentTherapy was just what I needed to jolt me out of the winter blahs. For step by step instructions on how to turn a plain Salvation Army (I know, disloyal to my Goodwill) nightstand into an upholstered, colorful nightstand, check out www.apartmenttherapy.com January Jumpstart Midwest Project #14. The award post is under the East winners. For a few more before and after projects, check… Continue Reading
Ikea hacking goes commercial with the Moddi: a DIYable murphy bed made from 12 Ikea Lack side tables and a bit of hardware. According to it's website:
The Only Floating Murphy Bed Available
The Moddi murphy bed is attached to the wall with the a french cleat. A french cleat is a technique cabinet makers prefer when installing cabinets because it’s an easy way to mount something big and bulky. But the coolest thing about a… Continue Reading
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