DIY Life

From Books to Wallpaper

Houzz — 2011-03-30T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Crafts, Makeovers & Inspiration, Small Spaces, Living Spaces, Crafts & Celebrations

Bored with paint? Intimidated by wallpaper prices? Make your own wallcovering with book pages.

Check out this creative DIY project from our friends at Houzz!

A quick look through my design portfolio and it's obvious I'm a fan of wallcovering. From grasscloth to fabric, geometric prints to toile, adding texture, color and/or pattern with textiles is always my preference over paint.

Before: A blank slate. After: Beautiful DIY book wallpaper. Photos: Houzz.

Since many high-end wallcoverings come with high-end price tags, we can't all shell out the clams to clad our walls so elegantly -- unless we get creative, that is. Here's a way to cover your walls with words and illustrations from old books. If you've ever (a) read a book (b) held a paint brush (c) cut a piece of paper, you can do this project. Check it out:

First up, you've gotta decide on the proper room for this project. Kitchens and bathrooms? No -- in fact, consider all wet spaces totally off limits. Guest rooms, offices or reading nooks? Yes, please. For my own little typography-fest, I chose a bachelor's attic which is used for quiet escapes.

Want to get the full step-by-step? Head over to Houzz for the full story.

Or check out these great stories for more cures for the common white wall:
Wall Decor Ideas: What to do with a Blank Wall
Decorate Walls Without Paint
Dining Room Decorating Ideas: Ikat Pattern Wall Stencil

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Hollow-Core Door Makeover

Houzz — 2011-03-22T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Living Rooms, Bedrooms, Dining Rooms, Home Offices, Small Spaces, Living Spaces

See this drab hollow-core door transform into a black and white showstopper, complete with fancy knocker!

Check out this creative DIY project from our friends at Houzz!

My photographer friend Christina had me over to her house recently. Naturally, she inquired as to any ideas I could offer to make her home a bit nicer. Upon entry, I wanted to say, "Well, you can start by tossing those nasty hollow-core doors out the window, then setting them on fire." But instead, the nice part of me decided to offer up a do-it-yourself upgrade - the same nice part that got tricked into staying and actually doing it. One protein bar, two pitchers of ice water and about 6 hours of conversation later, here's how we took Christina's 40-year-old, contractor-grade, hollow-core door from eyesore to showstopper:

Houzz

While I recommend this project for hollow-core doors, it works just as well on those made from solid wood. High contrast offers up the most impact. Black and white is classic and goes with everything, but playing up two drastically different shades of your room's wall color works just as well.

Check out Houzz's step-by-step hollow-core door transformation to make this DIY happen in your home!

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Chalkboard Table: Not Just for Kids

Houzz — 2011-03-15T09:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Big Projects, Know-How, Living Spaces

A chalkboard table is perfect for kids and adults, art projects and to-do lists. Get your paint brush ready...

Check out this creative DIY by our friends at Houzz!

No matter how high-end my clients go with their choice of dining table, if they have kids it's pretty much guaranteed it will end up doubling as a scribbling, let's-pull-the-crust-off-the-bread, juicebox-sipping coloring station. What's the point in spending thousands of dollars on a fancy table if it's gonna be covered in crayons, Matchbox cars and kiddie yumyums 80 percent of the time? Well, if that's the case, just embrace it.

Not yet a chalkboard table...Photo: Houzz

If you find yourself in the same situation, this project may be right up your alley. Whether you've got an existing table that earns its keep yet lacks the kid-friendly factor, or if you wanna run out to a flea market and grab the best $30 table you see, here's how to turn one table into both a grownup's place to dine and a kid's place to play. And the best part? There are zero power tools involved.

Tada! Photo: Houzz

Check out Houzz's step-by-step to make this DIY happen in your home!

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Knick Knack Makeover

Houzz — 2011-02-04T11:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Crafts, Crafts & Celebrations

Few things make a room feel as dated and messy as a heap of hideous knick knacks. Here's how to transform these eyesores into chic showpieces with a secret weapon -- white spray paint.

Check out this effortlessly clever makeover project from Decor Demon, courtesy of our friends over at Houzz!

Ever since my Aunt Rita's creepy clown figurine damaged my soul back in 1982, I've despised knick knacks. As somewhat of a modernist, I've often pondered the purpose of these cluttery horrors. It's not like they actually do anything, right? Plus, you've gotta have something to showcase them in; who wants to spend $800 on a display cabinet for dozens of stupid things no one cares about anyway?

A basketful of unsightly knick knacks, before and after. Photo: Houzz

Always up for a challenge, I attempted to make a dozen aesthetically-challenged knick knacks hip, sophisticated and useful. Though doubtful from the start, it turns out that with just a few simple materials, a steady hand and a lazy afternoon, anyone can turn ghastly garbage into glamorous goodies.

Houzz

In addition to an assortment of odd-numbered, uber-ugly, pseudo-accessories, here's what you'll need for this project: sandpaper, newspaper, canned air, spray paint handle, spray primer and high-gloss spray paint.

Houzz

Here's where the newspaper comes in handy. Once you've decided on a well ventilated, exterior workspace, use the periodical to protect your work surface.

Houzz

Ain't buyin' the canned air thing? Well, here's proof that proper prep results in one helluva great finish; the previously tacky, golden cherub is now a snow-white superstar. Although any color spray paint will work, I strongly encourage sticking with ultra-white. It goes with everything and instantly modernizes all things stuffy, traditional or gaudy.

Want to see just how to acheive a flawless finish? Head over to Houzz for the full, step-by-step instructions, and to see more refinished knick knacks!

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DIY Vintage Suitcase Dog Bed

Houzz — 2011-01-11T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Kitchen & Bath, Big Projects, Living Spaces

Perfect for fashion-forward homes, a suitcase fashioned into a dog bed is stylish and functional -- without breaking the bank.

Check out this great DIY project from our friends at Houzz!

Interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn loves his rescue terrier Gidget, but not so much the mounds of shedding hair she leaves behind on his velvet upholstery.

Save money and the planet with a DIY suitcase pet bed. Photo via HOUZZ

Store-bought dog beds can easily reach ludicrous prices, so when it came to finding one that fit his beautifully curated, Mid-Century home -- yet was also budget-friendly -- Brian went the DIY route.

In spectacular fashion, he upcycled a vintage suitcase (pictured, left) to make a stylish and functional piece of canine furniture (pictured, right, as enjoyed by Gidget). Now this pampered pooch is lounging in high style -- and keeping her grubby paws off of the sofa!

Go fetch the step-by-step, fully illustrated instructions to make your own suitcase pet bed over at Houzz!

SEE MORE:
5 No-Mess Ways to Make Your Dog Smell Better (PawNation)
Transform a Suitcase into a Light Box (Lifehacker)

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