Sunburst Mirror Project

Remember this sunburst mirror project I blogged about in October?

You can DIY too, check out the step-by-step over at the blog Isabella & Max Rooms.

Well I finished it a while back and I finally have the pics to prove it.

I think it turned out pretty good, but it was much larger than I anticipated, so it actually doesn't really work over the couch as I had planned...it's hanging in the dining room at the moment.  I went for a metallic silver, and one of these days when the dining room is repainted, the frame molding finished and a wine service station set up underneath, I think it'll fit in perfectly.

Sorry for the long pause...

Alot has been going lately, but just in an attempt to start somewhere here's a project that I finished a few weeks ago...

Burlap and Muslin Ruffle Pillows

For the pillow project, I luckily didn't have to buy anything.  I already had the pillow inserts and leftover burlap and muslin from other projects.  I cut four squares of burlap slightly larger than the pillow insert.  Then I cut four long pieces of muslin, hemming all the edges.  I gathered and sewed two muslin strips each to two of the burlap squares creating a ruffle effect.  Then to cover the seam, I just hand-sewed a thin piece of burlap down the middle.  After that it was a breeze.  I took one of the decorated burlap squares and matched it up with a plain square sandwiching the ruffles in the middle.  I sewed around the edges of the two squares leaving a large opening on one of the sides to insert the pillow.  Then I turned the whole thing inside out, inserted the pillow, and hand-sewed the opening being careful to keep the rough edges on the inside.  It was fairly simple, but took a few days to finish just because my sewing machine didn't like the thick burlap fabric and my thread kept breaking, but all-in-all I'm happy with the outcome.

Let's Play Pretend

So all last week, I was working on a special present for the BF's twin nieces 2nd birthday, their very own dress up wardrobe filled with lots of fancy treasures to enjoy.  It was so much fun to create and the girls just loved it. 

For Sale: Custom Dress Up Wardrobes
Everyone loved the dress up wardrobe so much, that I've decided to sell custom/personalized wardrobes through my Etsy site.  For more information click here.

Here's a quick step-by-step of all the work that went into it...

Step 1: We bought the wood, paint, trim, mirror, chalkboard paint, and hooks...then the BF cut everything down to size.

Step 2: We began to put the big pieces together (materials used: wood glue, a nail gun, a level, and the BF"aka: Someone Very Handy").

Step 3: Notched out a space to add the top piece.

Step 4: Wood puttied the nail holes and sanded it all down smooth.

Step 5: Added the wheels to the bottom.

Step 6: Applied two coats of primer, three coats of light pink to the entire outside, and taped off the name plate.

Step 7: Painted the border and names chocolate brown.

Step 8: Painted the inside dark pink and painted on the chalkboard paint on one of the sides.

Step 9: Took apart the hook plate and painted all the hooks chocolate brown.

Step 10: Taped off and painted the chevron pattern.

Step 11: Attached all the hooks and polyurethane.

(No picture...but you get the idea)

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Weekend Projects

The BF and I headed to CT this past weekend to visit with the BF's fam.  While there, we got in some much needed QT: 

swimming with the BF's sweet baby twin nieces 

and watching our furry love child run free and act crazy

But we managed to fit in an impromptu project of recovering the kitchen chairs whose off-white seats had seen a little too much wear and tear.  

And added a fresh new touch with a damask meets ikat inspired tan, black, and white fabric.

Making Something Out of Nothing

Window Table

I love the idea of turning these old windows...

Into this awesome table...

To see the whole transformation and to find out how you can do this too, check out I'm Topsy Turvy.

DIY: Bedside Table Fresh Ideas

The easiest way to totally change a piece of furniture is to paint it and change the hardware, but I love learning new ways to give a piece of furniture new life.  Here are a few of my favorite ideas to change this plain bedside table.

By painting and adding screen molding to the front of the door, you can get this look.

Step 1: Trace the area of the door with craft paper.

Step 2: Draw the design you'd like onto the craft paper.

Step 3: Measure and cut screen molding to match your design.

Step 4: Paint the screen molding your color of choice.

Step 5: Attach the molding with wood glue. (Trim nails can also be used.)

Add a woven ribbon panel to the front of the door, and add oversized modern drawer pulls to the top.

Step 1: Cut a foam board panel to fit the door inset.

Step 2: Cut ribbon to cover the board vertically and then horizontally, leaving an extra inch on each end to wrap around the back of the foam board.

Step 3: Weave the ribbon over the board and secure the ribbon to the back of the foam board.

Step 4: Attach the foam board to the door.

Step 5: Attach drawer pulls to the top of the table.

*Ideas courtesy of diyideas.com

DIY Artwork: Ceiling Medallions

I know ceiling medallions as artwork has been tapped into before, but recently I have been considering a few decor projects using these beauties.  

Here's why: 

1.) They're easily accessible.  They can be bought online or at home improvement stores (Home Depot, Lowes).

2.) They're affordable. You can find them from $10-$100.

3.) They come in various styles, shapes, and sizes.

4.) They're lightweight and can be easily painted and hung.

5.) They look great, especially grouped together.

Image courtesy of Home and Garden

Image courtesy of daveandjoi.blogspot.com

Purchase these medallions from goceilingmedallion.com

Christophe Pourny Recreates with Martha

As awkward as Martha can be, she teaches me a new trick every week.  Today, she brought on master furniture restorer Christophe Pourny.  I learned new tricks to brightening old brass, but mostly I was excited about the side tables he put together.  I love the bases, and I know I could make table tops like this (see below).  My wheels are turning, and I'm keeping my eye out for some forgotten table bases.

Click here to learn how to make linen-wrapped side tables.

Do it Yourself Beverage Bar

In the Spring issue of Better Homes and Gardens Do It Yourself Magazine, I came across the bar I've been looking for.  It's so simple and organized and a great way to display beautiful wine glasses while hiding all the bar necessities I don't want cluttering the dining room decor.  It all starts with an old armoire and a little paint and imagination.  Here's an example of their idea.

 

  

For more armoire Do it Yourself ideas, go to DIYideas.com/armoires.