Category Archives: DIY FURNITURE

Makeover end table DIY

How to make Chalk Paint and use on a Picture Frame

I was looking forward to work with chalk paint since I’ve been wanting to put an antique feel to some of my picture frames. However, when I started looking for prices for chalk paint it was way out of my budget. I could not believe how much it actually cost to even own a small amount. So the search for an alternative way to make chalk paint began. I found a lot of tutorial on how to make chalk paint for the fraction of the price and look how my frame looks!

I picked the easiest and here is what I got!

You first start with plaster of paris which you can find at your local hardware store. I added one table spoon of water at a time to make the plaster smooth and with out becoming grainy. It took about five tablespoons in total. I use a container that was about 2 inches deep and I used placed 1 inch or plaster in it.

Next I added an entire sample of paint which happens to the be equal part of the amount of plaster of paris I used.

You want to make sure you mix it very well and having a clear container is best because it helps you make sure you get all the plaster and paint mixed well.

I purchased this frame last Christmas and I wanted to change the color because it does not go with anything in my home and I still love the style of it. So here I go!I also got a couple of white picture frames from Ikea and did the same technique.

Now for the Ikea frame transformation.

Are you ready for it!

After the chalk paint has dried I went over it with sand paper on the edges to add that antique look.

Super easy and fast to do! Have you chalk paint something lately?

Happy crafting!

Test Tubes Holder turned Sand Keepsake

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test tube, sand keepsakes, test tube holder, test tube rack

When I arrived in California I decided I wanted to start keeping sand from all the beaches that I traveled to see while in San Diego. However, I started to find that I had three large mason jars with sand from three different beaches and I had no place to display them in a way I wanted. They mason jars seem to be too large and I had way too much sand. So I started looking around my apartment wondering what I could use to store my beautiful sand.

When I noticed my test tubes and holder being displayed with my little curiosities on top of my bookshelf. I thought to myself why not! I have had my test tubes for two year and found no use for them. The test tubes are from Martha Stewart Halloween line and I go the test tube holder from ebay.

The great thing is I can keep all my sand displayed together and labeled with the beach name. I can also keep small little shells in the inside of each test tube. I love looking at the different coloration of the sand of each beach I have currently visited while in San Diego. I hope to expand my collection!

I love my little collection of curiosities.

I love finding cute little antiques and adding them to my collection.

I also have a test tube holder that I am currently using as a flower vase. How do you keep you sand keepsake?Stay Crafty!

Making Contact Paper Stencil DIY

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Today I have Jeanie from Create and Babble

she had a wonderful idea of using contact paper with her silhouette cameo to make a stencil. She decided to use her homemade stencil on a free side table she got for free at an auction. Jeanie also made chalk paint to be used on the table. She is very crafty!

Jeanie also has a home solution to clean old wood. Have you heard of vinegar and water solution? I have not, I usually just use a dampt towel to clean it. I might try it sometime. She swears that it does not smell like vinegar the next day.

If you want to see the finished product you should stop by Create and Babble to see the fantastic tutorial and after pictures!

I need to try the contact paper, are you?

Stay Crafty!

Loren

Cabinet Doors made into a Bench

Vintage Serving Cart Makeover

How to stencil your wall top five tutorials!

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I’ve been doing some research on the best way to stencil a wall. I just moved into my apartment and we hope to stay here for at least 3 year and I thought it would be the perfect time to try to do a stencil on one of my walls. However, I know nothing about stenciling and it always looks easier than it actually is, right?So I have complied my top five blogs that have the best tutorial on stenciling wall. One of the blogs actually has how to make your very own stencil! Lets do roll call…

First up is one of my favorite bloggers from All Thing Thrifty. She has an amazing way to make stencils and step by step on how to stencil your wall. I love the design she uses.

We also have Vintage Revivals who has a bold pattern on her stencil. I believe that took her forever to do!

If your style is more fancy, then you can try your hand at this feathery stencil Sawdust and Embryos did on their wall.

Lets say you are a little like me and need more visual help then you are in luck. Royal Design Studio actually has videos on how to stencil most surfaces. They did a great job with a the chevron wall.

Last but not least is East Coast Creative who did a stenciling on their fireplace. I know this is not a wall stencil but they give a great tutorial on how to use chalk paint and the best way to stencil. They are always very inspiring bloggers.

Now to figure out what stencil I want to use on my wall. Wish me luck! Are you going to try your hand at it?Stay Crafty!

Refurbished Vintage Chairs DIY

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We have Nicole back with some wonderful chair painting. Today she is working with the popular color for the season. What do you think about gray and yellow?

I am having so much fun refurbishing these two chairs for a client. The designitgirl team is taking these chairs from drab to fab, with some primer and paint for a new lasting look for years to come..

The photos you will see below are before & during the after reveal will get posted soon, so stay tuned, follow me here and don’t forget to come back for the REVEAL.

Before

Sanding and ready for primer with the help of my daughter and her friend

Teen help! 🙂 I was able to work on another project for a client.

My clients inspiration, I love it!

Teen sanding, a big help.

Primed and getting ready for painting, but first sanding in between coats provides

a smooth final finish after applying the final coat.

A collage to see the chair in action from different angles.

Chair #2 is waiting to get her prime on.

Here they are primed and ready for paint, I love the way they are turning out.

Painted two coats of Warm grey Flannel after priming.

What do you think of this shade of gray?

What do you think of the dramatic change?

another coat and they are ready for a little distressing and wax.

what do you think of the Yellow? I am loving this shade of Yellow its chic.

Pretty yellow.

How about the inspiration, I love the chair on the left and my client is loving my

chair on the right. The color is the right shade of Yellow, chic, traditional, with a hint of modern.

YELLOW WITH A GREY UNDERCOAT, THIS TWO PRETTIES WERE IN NEED OF SOME TLC…Painted Buttered Sweet Corn Yellow, with a Warm Flannel Grey, undercoat this chair will warm anyone’s heart and room in your home!.

A quick look at the before…

The two yellow chairs are in great condition, but I think the fabric seen better days.

What do you think? and the color a tad out dated, so freshening them up with some paint and new fabric made a huge difference.

Happy Designer happy client!!!

Drum roll plzzzzz…

The Reveal

Two Yellow Chairs

Slightly distressed, Grey undercoat

I am loving the way the turned out.

The fabric by Waverly; “Set In Spring”

Pretty!

I love this pattern, large flower print mimics the detail on the back of the chair.

Thanks for stopping by

So what do you guys think about her redo? I love the color and the fabric she used for her client. Make sure to stop by her blog and show some love!

Restoration for a Dresser into a green beauty

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I have guest post from Restoration Redoux! She has found this old worn out dresser and given it new life with just a fantastic paint job. I just fell in love with the color she chose! Take a look and then stop by Shanna blog for more fun DIY! I really fell in love with this one. I got it off craigslist for $25! It’s from around 1910-1920.
Now it looked pretty horrible when we picked it up. It was also very heavy. But it has great lines. The top two drawers stick out further than the bottom two (intentionally). It had fantastic hardware on the bottom two drawers, but the knobs on top were missing. I found 4 different, really cool, vintage knobs that give it character.
I used Sherwin Williams paint in Paradise as the base for my chalk paint, distressed it, glazed it with brown glaze and waxed it.
It has been sitting in my dining room for a few weeks, I’m having a hard time parting with it. If I had a speck of green anywhere in my house this baby would be mine.

Turn into this!

www.restorationredoux.com - Green Dresser

To see the rest of the DIY tutorial stop by Restoration Redoux! Stay Crafty!

Pandora's Craft Box

Pandora's Craft Box

Category Archives: DIY FURNITURE

Makeover end table DIY

Top 10 most viewed post round up!

How to make Chalk Paint and use on a Picture Frame

Test Tubes Holder turned Sand Keepsake

Making Contact Paper Stencil DIY

Cabinet Doors made into a Bench

Vintage Serving Cart Makeover

How to stencil your wall top five tutorials!

Refurbished Vintage Chairs DIY

Restoration for a Dresser into a green beauty