DIY Life

5 Unusual Uses For Place Mats

DIY Life Staff — 2011-08-25T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Crafts, Living Rooms, Bedrooms, Living Spaces, Crafts & Celebrations

Give your place mats a second life with these creative ideas.

Who knew? You can use place mats as a wall divider. Photo: Jonathon Fong Style

When I'm shopping for decor, I'm consistently drawn to the misfit aisle. You know, those $3.99 clearance bins overflowing with mismatched items like place mats and hand towels. And since I tend to buy stuff like this all the time, one of my favorite pastimes is figuring out what to do with a set of mismatched items.

Place mats are particularly fun to pull for these types of projects, since you can do so much with them. Next time you come across an odd number of clearance place mats, or maybe just a pair made with a lovely fabric, here are some crafty things you can do with them.

Unusual Use #1: Wall Decor and Dividers
With a few packages of clasps and an eye for arrangement, you can transform square or circular place mats into eye-catching wall dividers and displays. Just drill or punch a hole into the top and bottom of each place mat and link them by hanging hooks or clamps to binder rings or fishing swivels.

Bonus idea: Placed over a clear shower curtain lining, they can double as bathroom decor. Or try waterproof plastic place mats as an outdoor patio or garden wall. Check out your local hardware store or Ball Chain for the supplies you'll need to secure them at top and bottom.

Courtesy of: mmmcrafts

Unusual Use #2: Pillows and Tote Bags
Fabric place mats offer endless possibilities for decorative textiles. Shop the place mat section of home design stores (online too!) and build your own throw pillow at a fraction of the price by stitching the sides together. If the place mat has a complicated design that would be challenging to line up, consider covering a pillow with a bold, solid case and centering the place mat design for a crisp, eye-catching effect. One crafty blogger used Anthropologie place mats to make the stylish throw pillows to the left.

Bonus Idea: Cute cotton or polyester fabric place mats can make great tote bags too!

Unusual Use #3: Pops of Color

When it comes to place mat shapes, who says one size fits all? With a good pair of scissors, plastic or polypropylene place mats can be cut down to all shapes and sizes to make a counter top space more colorful and chic.

A couple of ideas:
- Cut out individual pieces of place mat to line the surface around your kitchen sink. Place everyday items like sponges or scrub brushes on top -- the fabric will absorb excess water and you can easily toss it in the washing machine as needed.
- Skip the boring contact paper and line your cabinets with modern prints.

Unusual Use #4: Decorative Odds and Ends
- Transform one sturdy plastic or cork backed-place mat into a whole stack of decorative drink coasters.
- Size down a plastic place mat into a custom-designer mouse pad.
- Play with place mats of different shapes, colors and textures to infuse a garden space with different designs beneath standard planter pots.
- Pick a simple place mat print and frame it with brightly-colored frames for instant wall art -- great for the kitchen!

Unusual Use #5: Quick Tips for Mastering Place Mat Chic
- If ordering online, always check the fabric and dimensions of the place mat before purchasing and make sure the fabric matches the project. Cotton fabric place mats are better for bags and pillow covers while plastic, lacquered and polypropylene place mats are better suited for cutting, crafting and cleaning.

Now, ever wonder what you could do with Velcro? Check out our story on unusual uses for the hook-and-loop tape.

And check out some of our favorite stories from around the web!
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Inside Country Living's Plantation Home Makeover

Brie Dyas — 2011-08-13T11:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Bedrooms, Living Spaces

We're taking a room-by-room look at the unbelievable home transformation featured in the September issue of Country Living-out on newsstands now!

Today: The guest bedroom.

Country Living

This room sits at the top of the house, which gives it the interesting architectural feature of a sloped ceiling. It's a feature that adds to the hideaway feel of this room, meant for the homeowner's grandchildren. The soft white walls are Benjamin Moore's classic Navajo White (which can do no wrong in our book), while the furnishings all came from mass-market stores like Target and Dillard's.

But our favorite detail has to be the unframed children's book art on the wall. It's hung with clothespins for a super-casual feel.

Missed the room-by-room look at this amazing home transformation in September's Country Living? Check out...
Inside Country Living's Plantation Home Makeover: The Living Room
Inside Country Living's Plantation Home Makeover: The Exterior and Entryway

And don't miss these great stories from Country Living...
DIY in a Day
Inside Sarah Richardson's Cottage Makeover
Get Your Garden On

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CustomMade Curator: Frog Beds

Brie Dyas — 2011-06-23T11:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Bedrooms, Living Spaces

CustomMade is a new site filled with fabulous furnishings, accessories and more that you can get, well, custom made. Here, we spotlight our favorite item of the week.

These adorable kids' beds have a frog motif that's a welcome departure from princesses and sports. Admittedly, we did get a little distracted by the unbelievable children's room they were set in for this photo (seriously, is that an indoor treehouse?). But if a custom made kids' bed is in your budget, this completely handmade option is a fabulous choice. You can see more at Third Street Studios.

Check back next week for a new edition of CustomMade Curator.

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Curbspotting: Sewing Machine Table

Brie Dyas — 2011-05-23T13:20:00+00:00

Filed under: Bedrooms, Know-How, Living Spaces

Learn how to turn any trash day (or flea market) find into treasure with our weekly project spotlight. This week's makeover candidate: A sewing machine table.

Shelly Leer, ModHomeEc

When Shelly Leer of ModHomeEc found a sewing machine table, the furniture piece left much to desire. (Read: Lots of scratches.) But as they say in the decor trade, the table had "good bones." Gorgeous mid-century lines, graceful legs and solid construction. Here's how she found the sewing machine table...

Shelly Leer, ModHomeEc

And while Shelly teaches sewing and upholstery classes in her studio, she didn't have a need for a table dedicated to stowing a sewing machine. She did, however, have a need for a nice end table. Inspired by high-end mirrored tables, Shelly decided to use metallic paint and cut mirrored tiles to achieve the impressive "after."

Shelly Leer, ModHomeEc

In a nutshell: First, she primed and painted the sewing machine table. Then, she glued the top cabinet doors shut using Loctite Power Grab adhesive. Next, it was time to cut the mirror squares to fit the table using a glass cutting tool. (She says that this is definitely a time to brush up on your glass cutting skills by reading as much as possible on the topic!) A little more adhesive later, she had a glittering mirrored side table. Read more on how Shelly transformed the sewing machine table.

Thinking about tackling your sewing machine table makeover? (Or just want your own mirrored table?) Check out...
Secret Source: Where to Buy Mirrored Furniture
mirrored furniture - Decorating Ideas & Tips from Shelterpop
Mirrored Furniture from Horchow (Photos) - Luxist

Want to see other makeover ideas from our Curbspotting series? Check out...
Curbspotting - Dresser Makeover - DIY Life

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Magnetic Paint Gallery Wall

Brie Dyas — 2011-05-09T10:00:00+00:00

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

Bye-bye tacks and nails...a new magnetic paint allows you to stick up art without damaging your walls. Our friends at ReadyMade show us how it's done.

Sherry Griffin, ReadyMade

Magnetic paint has been around for a little while, but I'm only now seeing it being used in really sophisticated ways. Like this installation at the gallery r20thCentury, which features posters and pamphlets displayed on the wall using rare-earth magnets. (Why rare earth? Because it's world away stronger than any alphabet magnet you can find.)

Sherry Griffin, ReadyMade

For the strongest effect, use three coats of the magnetic paint. While you can paint over it and still get the magnetic benefit, I've heard that two coats are the max for the second color coat. (And even then, it gets a little weak.)

champagnechic, Flickr

Magnetic paint is ideal for a childs' room. (Just think, no unsightly holes made by tacks!) Here, it's used to repurpose a mirror into a message board. What's even more remarkable is that the designer finished the project with a topcoat of pink chalkboard paint. Love this idea.

Want more ideas for how to use magnetic elements in your decor? Check out...
10 Creative Uses for Magnets - DIY Life
Making magnets from flat glass marbles - DIY Life
New Gorillapod uses rare earth magnets, sticks to your car

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Restore Your Dyson's Suction

Jen Jafarzadeh L'Italien — 2011-04-13T10:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Living Rooms, Bedrooms, Essential Skills, Know-How, Living Spaces

There are few things that can make you crazier than vacuuming with a machine that's lost its suction. Here's how one writer dealt.

Unstoppable suction? Photo: Dyson.

I've been a huge Dyson fan ever since I adopted my Dyson DC14 vacuum a few years back. It was everything I'd heard it would be -- the powerhouse bagless vacuum that never loses suction. And for a long time, everything was smooth and strong until one day the suction seemed to give out. How could this be? After all, the company prides itself on saying that their vacuums never lose suction.

So we reached out directly to the man himself, Sir James Dyson, to see what he could do. But before we were connected to him, we were asked to go directly through customer service to see if they could fix the problem. Here's what happened:

The First Try: I couldn't figure out how to open the part of my Dyson that the Dyson rep was directing me to do. By the end of the conversation, he'd told me my only other recourse was to bring the vacuum to a local Dyson repair shop where it would cost me $50 to fix. I felt defeated.

Next Time Around: The next Dyson representative I spoke with stayed on the phone with me for close to an hour. When I couldn't follow her steps, she'd offer up an alternative route as I worked around my vacuum, looking to locate the source of the blockage. With her help, I found the culprit! It was a mash of shredded paper and dirt stuck in a tube on the lower end of my vacuum. As soon as I pulled it out, the suction went back to full steam. Success!

If you're having a similar problem with your Dyson's suction, try these tips before calling customer service:

Tip #1: Clean the Filters: One big lesson I learned through this, you have to upkeep your filters. I had (ahem) never cleaned the filters in my Dyson vacuum (we're talking years, here.) Regularly cleaning your vacuum's filters does help ensure that blockages don't build up inside. If you've got a new machine, learn from my mistake and start showing that vacuum TLC sooner than later.

Tip #2: Blow Air Into the Vacuum: I learned a cool upkeep tip that I'm going to follow to keep my Dyson going strong. On occasion, blowing cool air from your hair dryer into the cyclone helps clear it of debris. Here's what to do: Simply remove the cyclone from the clear bin by opening the base as if you were emptying the debris into the trash. Press the release button where the cyclone meets the bin to separate the cyclone from the clear bin. Blow cool air into the circular opening at the bottom of the cyclone using the cool-shot on a hair dryer or a can of compressed air. Some of the debris will blow out of the shroud. Tap on the side of the cyclone and the remainder of dust will fall out the bottom.

Now -- want to see what happened when I spoke to James Dyson himself? Check out the interview!

By Jen Jafarzadeh L'Italien

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How to Affordably Frame Large Prints

DIY Life Staff — 2011-04-12T10:00:00+00:00

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

Don't limit your art options to what can fit inside a standard frame -- you can go beyond the 8"x10" without going broke.

Mercie Ghimire Photography

Sometimes when you stumble upon art that comes in a big package, you shrink from the purchase, for fear that the framing will cost more than the art. But no fear -- there are other, more affordable options.

How to Frame a Large Picture: Supersize and Put Behind Plexiglass Blogger Mercie Ghimire of A Lovely Evening turned a 2"x4" inch mini Instax photo print into a giant 3'x5' print in her living room. She worked with a local framer and had them create a high-res scan of the photograph and then asked them to glue the enlarged photo on 1/4" thick gator board and glue 1/8" plexiglass on top of that. So the photo is free-floating -- there is no actual frame. The framer add a piece of beveled block on the back to make it easy to hang this 40 pound piece of art on the wall.

Photo: ReFrame

How to Frame a Large Picture: ReFrame It
Check out ReFrame's alternative framing solutions for hanging up poster-size prints. The frames are glassless but they're an affordable way to hang up a poster or large print for that cool gallery look. And the frames come in multiple sizes and three finishes -- natural, white, or black -- to suit your style.

How to Frame a Large Picture: Use a Ledge: Foam-core backing is another affordable solution for prints of non-standard sizes. Use spray adhesive to mount your print on foam core, which will make them sturdy enough to stand up on their own (and not bend.) Then you can place your print on a picture ledge, which gives you the flexibility of swapping out prints easily when you want a new look.

Plywerk

How to Frame a Large Picture: Attach It to Wood: Plywerk makes blank panels from sustainably harvested wood, with a special pH neutral adhesive, for hanging prints of all sizes. You can also use their digital reproduction service to reproduce a one-of-a-kind print and have the copy attached to a Plywerk panel.

Design Sponge

How to Frame a Large Picture: DIY It!
We spotted this great DIY project on Design Sponge. Blogger Kimba of A Soft Place to Land created a DIY frame for an oversized map using door frame molding, corner blocks, and paint. How clever!

Depending on the print, another alternative is cutting up a large print to display in multiple smaller frames. That's something I'm considering for a gigantic blueprint I've been trying to tackle -- creating a grid of frames each displaying a piece of the blueprint.

Tip: Found a vintage frame that's the perfect size, but it's empty? Here's how to makeover an empty frame.

By Jen Jafarzadeh L'Italien

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Quick Furniture Makeover: Switch Out the Knobs

Jen Jafarzadeh L'Italien — 2011-04-11T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Bedrooms, Living Spaces

Sick of your old dresser? Replacing it with a major investment isn't your only option: You can switch our the knobs for a totally new look.

Aubrey + Lindsay's Little House

Like a fresh coat of paint, switching out the hardware on furniture is one of the cheapest, easiest ways to create an instant makeover. It's a design trick that never gets old -- especially with an ever-expanding list of sources for fantastic hardware. Would you ever guess that the dresser above is from IKEA? Blogger and DIYer Aubrey transformed a plain jane wood drawers using a little paint, stain, and these brass ring pulls.

Lee Valley

We scouted the market for a roundup of knobs to inspire your inner decorator. Check out the range of looks, from global to classic to disco. Dressers: Get ready to wake up!

Global Bold

World Market

The vibrant hand-painted colors on these ceramic scroll knobs from India bring a global chic vibe to dresser drawers. $20 for set of four.

Antique Chic

House of Antique Hardware

This amethyst glass gem is one rare find among the extensive collection of classic Victorian knobs available through the House of Antique Hardware. $10 each.

Classic Shimmer

Anthropologie

Anthropologie carries a huge collection of hardware across styles, including knobs made with the timeless charm of shimmering mercury glass. $8 each.

Disco Drama

Out of the Blue Design Studio

Check out this studio's collection of unique, out-of-box art glass knobs that will certainly make a statement.

DIY Tip: If you're having trouble tightening a knob, the screw is likely too long. Simply add a washer between the screw and the face.

Looking for more ways to revamp old furniture?
Refinish Old Furniture
Cheap Trick: Fix Up Old Patio Furniture
DIY Warrior: Reupholster a Bench

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Make a Jewelry Holder

Nikki Pepper — 2011-03-30T08:00:00+00:00

Filed under: home decor, Crafts, Bedrooms, Small Spaces, Know-How

Who knew that humble peg board and an old picture frame could make for a perfect jewelry holder?

Three Men and a Lady

We were looking through the DIY projects on the blog Three Men and A Lady and fell in love with this creative jewelry holder. All it takes is a frame and a peg board. Add some spray paint and various hooks for a I-can't-believe-you-made-that look. You don't have to worry about your necklaces and bracelets tangling and you'll always be able to find what you're looking for.

Visit Three Men and A Lady for more project pictures and the step-by-step instructions so you can get started!

Three Men and a Lady

Get more great DIY projects:
Recycle Your Old Light Bulbs into Vases
N ew Ways to Recycle Phone Books

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DIY Bedroom: A Church Pew Turned Headboard

Jaime Derringer — 2011-03-29T10:00:00+00:00

Filed under: home decor, weekend projects, Bedrooms, Living Spaces

In this unique DIY bedroom idea, one woman's decorating prayers are answered.

When Faith Buss, a self described "sucker for cool old stuff," saw three old church pews that had been rescued from a little country church near her home, she knew she had to have them. She loved that the seating had history, so she decided to purchase one for $25. But after a few days, she couldn't get the other two out of her mind, so she went back for the other two.

Faith Buss

At first, she struggled because, well, what does one do with not one but three old church pews? She wasn't planning on holding any sermons in the backyard of her little yellow farmhouse in Oklahoma. (But they sure did come in handy when she hosted a youth group movie night at her house.)

Originally, she had imagined maybe putting one on the front porch as a bench, or perhaps placing another one against a plain wall inside the house, "which I don't have, but that wasn't going to stop me from buying it!" she says.

Faith, a stay-at-home mom of two and her husband, Britton, who recently lost his job, have been family-focused for the last few years, spending their time parenting, gardening and making their farmhouse a home. When one of her friends mentioned that she's seen a wooden bench made into a headboard, Faith had an idea: Why not turn one of the pews into a headboard?

Faith and Britton immediately began brainstorming how they could accomplish this. First, they'd need to cut out a spot at the center so they could position their mattress in the pew; they wanted to use the ends of the bench as nightstands. Since the pew was a bit too low, Faith says, "we considered different ways to raise it up so that the bed frame could just slide into the cut we'd make in the seat of the pew. The idea for casters (large wheels) was inspired by a coffee table I had seen in Pottery Barn with giant antique wheels on the bottom."

A church pew becomes a headboard. Photos: Faith Buss

They discovered some large, old casters in a junkyard while on vacation in Louisiana -- a steal at 4 for $20. The casters raised the heavy, solid oak pew to the perfect height. The whole project cost only $45. It just took a bit of clever DIY-ing.

She says she's endured quite a bit of joking related to the fact she's sleeping on a church pew -- even her pastor cracked a joke, but it doesn't bother Faith one bit. She just laughs it off. The headboard "speaks to the things we're trying to develop in our home. Imagination and creativity, faith and love. It's just perfect," she says.

So what about the two that are left? They're being used for a friend's outdoor wedding ceremony in September. Who knows where they might end up next!

For more clever DIY ideas, check out how to make a home bar.

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Prince Charles' Eco-Friendly House (Hint: It's Not the Palace)

Laura Fenton — 2011-03-24T12:02:00+00:00

Filed under: Bedrooms, Dining Rooms, Living Spaces

The heir to the British throne is a champion of environmental conservation. And HRH's latest venture has taught us a thing or two about eco-living.

The whole world is waiting with bated breath for the nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton. However, the groom's own father is at least one member of the royal family who hasn't been completely consumed by wedding preparations.

Photo: Ideal Home Show 2011

A long-time environmental activist, who has been dedicated to causes like renewable energy and organic farming long before they were chic, the Prince of Wales has become even more active in promoting these eco-causes. In fact, he recently told Vanity Fair,"I am absolutely determined to be the defender of nature. Full stop. That's what the rest of my life is going to be concerned with." Strong words for the heir to the British throne. Prince Charles latest green project is a earth-friendly model home designed by his foundation, The Prince's Foundation For The Built Environment.

Photo: Ideal Home Show 2011

The "Prince's House",a model eco-conscious house, is one of the main attractions at this year's Ideal Home Show (March 11-27) in Earls Court in West London. While the royal model house is a far-cry from Buckingham Palace, the low-carbon domicile is a treasure trove of eco-friendly ideas. Here's what we learned from the Prince's House.

1. Green can -- and should -- be beautiful. The Prince believes that energy-efficient can also be attractive and this model home proves his point.

2. The suburbs are greener than the country. The Prince's Foundation believes that the most earth-friendly choice is to build homes near shops, schools and other amenities so that people can easily bike or walk to their destinations.

Photo: Ideal Home Show 2011

Recycled art is chic. In the master bedroom, a pair of framed baby dresses stands in for artwork: A lovely and earth-friendly way to preserve memories.

Upcycled furnishings can be stylish. Several pieces of furniture and accessories were made using materials that would have ended up in a landfill.

Photo: Ideal Home Show 2011

You don't need high technology to go green. The Prince's house relies on decidedly low-fi technology, like an insulated roof for the majority of its energy efficiency.

Nature makes the best insulation. The house uses nature's best for insulation: Lime-hemp and sheep's wool (really!) in the roof and floors and plain old air is trapped in a space between the interior and exterior walls.

Photo: Ideal Home Show 2011

Old-fashioned can be earth-friendly. The house is built using traditional design and building methods that have been proven to work over time.

The "buy local" edict isn't just for food. The Prince's House was made using materials from British companies in order to cut down on its carbon footprint.

A beautiful home is ultimately greener. The Prince's Foundation believes, "If a building cannot be loved, it is more likely to be demolished within a relatively short span." We couldn't agree more.

Looking for more articles on eco-living?
Eco-Lingo: Ecological Footprint
Yes, Please: An Eco-Spin on A Classic Design
Green Cleaning -- Spring Cleaning Guide

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Make a House-Shaped Book Stand

Curbly — 2011-03-24T10:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Bedrooms, Living Spaces

You keep your books in your house...but why not keep them on a house. A small, wooden one, that is. Here's how.

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

There are a few things that simply seem to belong on a bedside table: a lamp, alarm clock, perhaps a pair of glasses, and a few magazines or books. Then, once you add a few personal items (mine usually include a crossword puzzle or two and a glass of water), and there's not a lot of extra space for any accessories or "decor" items.

An adorable book stand. Photo: Curbly.

So, I wanted to make something to add a little bit of fun and style, but that doesn't take up too much prime nightstand real estate or interfere with the other items.And so, you see the results above: an alternative take on the bookmark (which I never seem to use anyway), in the form of a clean, Scandinavian-style wooden home. If using it to support your books isn't your thing, no worries. Who wouldn't want a tiny little wooden house to accessorize any space?

True, I do have a bunch of fancy woodworking tools, and I used them here, but everything here can be done with simple hand tools, like a $20 pull saw or coping saw.

Head over to Curbly to get the full step-by-step!

And check out other great DIY projects:
A Dramatic Hollow-Core Door Makeover
This Weekend: Projects to Keep You Outside!

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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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Home Style Upgrades on a Budget - DIY Links

Cheryl Thompson — 2011-03-04T10:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Crafts, Kitchen & Bath, Big Projects, Makeovers & Inspiration, Living Rooms, Bedrooms, Small Spaces, Living Spaces, Crafts & Celebrations

Hack your way to sophisticated home style with these innovative, budget-friendly projects from around the web.

Marcus Design

Dorothy Draper Hollywood Regency furniture pieces can easily set you back thousands of dollars. But a trip to IKEA can garner you the materials to create a fabulous knockoff -- one that costs just a little more than $30. Nancy from Marcus Design has step-by-step instructions to transform an affordable, bland dresser into a gorgeous DIY showpiece.[Marcus Design via Ikea Hacker]

Apartment Therapy

MacGyver may have met his match in Ohdeedoh's Katie Steuernagle. With a few pieces of wood, vinyl strips and a concrete form, she whipped up an amazing DIY nightstand. The nailhead trim gives this DIY creation a high-end look -- for only $30! [Apartment Therapy]

DIY Network

Want a beautiful kitchen remodel without spending major cash? The key is to get the most out of inexpensive materials. Take for example this sleek kitchen island, which is crafted out of two-sandwiched IKEA cabinets topped off with butcher-block. The soda-fountain stools were online finds that were anchored into the floor. [DIY Network]

Better Homes & Gardens

Bookcases and storage cubes are simple pieces that can be converted into custom furniture creations. Turn stackable storage cubes into an entertainment center by screwing the cubes together and adding metal legs (pictured left). For a floating store-and-serve buffet, use wall anchors and mount bookcases horizontally (center). Also, you can transform a bookshelf into a bench by adding a cozy cushion and wooden furniture feet (right). [Better Homes & Gardens]

Nesting Place

Accent pieces don't have to be expensive to be beautiful. Add instant style to a room with this dramatic DIY sunburst mirror. Folded poster board, mirror and glue are the main materials used to create the pretty display. [Nesting Place]

Charles & Hudson

Think you can't paint bathroom tile? Think again. Using Glidden's Gripper Primer, the folks at Charles & Hudson easily upgraded dated dandelion tiles with a modern, high-gloss finish. [Charles & Hudson]

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Everyday Items Reimagined - DIY Links

Cheryl Thompson — 2011-02-25T12:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Crafts, Living Rooms, Bedrooms, Home Offices, Living Spaces, Crafts & Celebrations

DIY projects don't need to be elaborate, back-breaking endeavors. Check out simple projects from around the web that repurpose everyday items into something fabulous.

Curbly

A beautiful headboard can make a big impact to any room. While there are plenty of store-bought options at your disposal, you can easily make your own headboard out of everyday materials. Wood, paint, upholstered panels, and doors are some of the many items you can use to craft grand headboards. [Curbly]

Apartment Therapy

Wooden pallets -- those flat, portable platforms used to transport goods -- are one of the most readily available, inexpensive DIY materials. Simply visit a local pallet company, and you can pick up hundreds of these platforms free. They can then be used to craft a unique, rustic wall. The process is simple, consisting of separating the wood planks from the pallets and using nails or glue to attach each plank onto the wall. [Mom and Her Drill via Apartment Therapy]

Apartment Therapy

For some it's hard to wrap their head around this concept: you don't need to spend a lot of money for statement furniture pieces. These plain, affordable IKEA cabinets are given a new look with an easy wallpaper application. [Apartment Therapy]

ShelterPop

For most homes, a desk is an essential piece of furniture. Before you buy one, check out creative ways you can craft a custom-make desk. ShelterPop features three DIY desks created from floating shelves, bookcases and cinderblocks (yes, the same cinderblocks you used in college). [ShelterPop]

Martha Stewart

Brighten up a room with mirrored furniture that won't break the bank. Upgrade a coffee table or end table by topping them with custom-cut mirror glass. [Martha Stewart]

Better Homes & Gardens

Take your bowls out of the kitchen and into the bedroom with these charming pendant lamps. Drill a hole in the bottom of the bowls and insert a halogen accent light. Use grosgrain ribbon and bows to dress up the cord. [Better Homes & Gardens]

Young House Love

Save money on artwork by painting large canvases with interior latex paint. This is an inexpensive way to add a splash of color to bland to walls. [Real Simple]

Young House Love may take top prize for best 15-minute DIY project. The adorable couple, Sherry and John, crafted a chic side table from a luggage rack and faux leather tray. Using a stroke of genius they attached the tray to the luggage rack with simple Command removable adhesive strips. [Young House Love]

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Radiant Floor Heating - Should You or Shouldn't You?

DIY Life Staff — 2011-02-17T11:00:00+00:00

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

Is there a better way to heat your home? Radiant floor heating is a very viable option: it's clean, evenly distributed and energy-efficient.

It's the heart of winter and by now we're all familiar with it: the flaky, cracked skin that comes from being cooped up all day surrounded by dry air. The kinds of heating systems that most of us have -- forced-air systems (think furnaces and radiators) -- breed this kind of environment.

But radiant floor heating offers a very attractive alternative to the dusty vents and radiators we're used to. By installing plastic tubes underneath your actual flooring, your house gets warm from the ground up, and the heat is distributed throughout the house evenly and without the dryness and dust of forced air systems. Plus, they actually save energy by allowing you to turn down your thermostat a few degrees and still feel the same amount of coziness.

Would you make the switch?

SEE ALSO:
Cheap Ways to Heat Your Home
How to Heat Your Home Eco-Consciously (ShelterPop)

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Painting Techniques: Painting Behind a Radiator

Mark Clement — 2011-02-17T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Living Rooms, Bedrooms, Dining Rooms, Home Offices, Small Spaces, Essential Skills, Know-How, Living Spaces

Painting the walls? Don't let a cumbersome radiator get you hot under the collar. Here are some foolproof tips and techniques for painting behind a radiator.

artnoose, Flickr

So you're painting your living room. You're excited, too. This is going to turn out great.

You've bought everything you'll need. A bountiful heap of plastic shopping bags full of drop cloths, roller frames, paint pans, a 5-in-1 tool, and, of course, paint brushes -- and not just any old brushes; you need good paint brushes: watch this video to learn how to choose!

You've also got just the right color picked out. And because it's an older place, you've tested for lead paint.

As you paint your way around the room, you first realize the radiator in your charming old place is at first in the way. Then, as you get right up to it with the brush you realize, "Wait a minute. I can't really get the brush back there. What the heck?"

And all your good karma turns sour because you now dread an ugly, slathered paint outline around the radiator.

That's usually how the scenario plays out. So whether you've found yourself there already or you had the foresight to research the problem before it actually became a problem, here's the best approach to painting behind a radiator.

Should You Remove the Radiator?
Let's get this out of the way early. Our advice: Don't even think about it. This is a professional plumber's job (the Washington Post agrees). Still want to attempt it yourself? We suggest at least consulting a professional plumber first.

Get Yourself Some Radiator Rollers and Radiator Brushes

(Left to right) Amazon; Ace Hardware

The easiest way to paint behind a radiator is to head back to the store (turn the heat off before you go; you'll see why later) to get what's called a "mini-long-handled roller." You can find this long, slender type of paint roller at practically any paint store or big box home center. Some manufacturers call them "radiator rollers."

You'll probably find two types at point of sale: one with a sponge roller cover (the part you put the paint on) and one with a microfiber roller cover. For what it's worth, I've had the best luck with the microfiber covers, but both work for this application.

Though I've never tried them, some people use radiator paint brushes too, which are designed to be long and slim enough to fit in tight quarters (same idea as a radiator roller).

Also, grab a box of contractor grade trash bags while you're there (you'll want them later for all the paint cans and debris that'll stretch your kitchen bags past the breaking point.)

When you return home, slide a contractor bag over the radiator -- which should be cool by now -- and snug tight with tape or string (or just have someone hold it taught). This is to protect the roller from all the dust bunnies and debris back there.

Then, load your radiator roller with paint and sneak it down between the bag and the wall. Paint what you can but if it won't go all the way down, let it be. You won't be able to see that far behind the radiator anyway -- nor can you see through most radiators, for that matter.

Unlike standard size roller covers, I clean out mini roller covers in my utility sink. Why not just throw them out? First, they're not all that cheap, so I tend to reuse them. Second, unlike full-size roller covers, they clean up fairly easily so it isn't a hassle at all.

Or You Could Just Build a Radiator Cover
If for some reason you can see through the radiator to the unpainted wall behind but can't paint there's another other option: building a radiator cover. These are a really fun projects. However, we bring it up here only as an option. How to build them is another kettle of fish entirely.

In this video, DIY Network's Marc Bartolomeo demonstrates how to make a radiator cover out of wood and leftover soapstone countertop:

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DIY Home Humidifiers: Humidify Your Home for Less

Jaime Derringer — 2011-02-15T13:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Kitchen & Bath, Bedrooms, Small Spaces, Essential Skills, Know-How, Living Spaces

In the second installment of our Humidifier 101 series, we take a closer look at home humidifiers. Here are some DIY ways to humidify your home on the cheap.

Placing bowls of water around your home is a simple way to add moisture to the air -- without the cost of buying a humidifier. Chimpr, Flickr

The cold winter weather outside, coupled by indoor heating systems, easily sucks all the moisture out of your home. Low humidity levels can also lead to a host of problems including dry skin, sore throats, along with cracks in paint and wood furniture. Adding a humidifier is an easy way to replace this lost moisture in your home, but at times humidifiers can require high maintenance and more space and money than you would like to expend. Luckily, even on the tightest of budgets, there are inexpensive tricks to humidify your home.

Essentially a humidifier boils water and evaporates it into the air. These basics make it easy to achieve the same effect without purchasing another gadget. Keep in mind that there are store-bought humidifiers that can be attained at affordable prices, plus have a greater reach than homemade options. But if you're in a pinch or need relief ASAP, these DIY humidifiers will do the trick:

Getty Images

- Boil a large pot of water on the stove. This releases moisture into the air in the form of steam; the same way as a humidifier. The downside to this method is that the moisture is limited to the area in close proximity to the stove. If you want to circulate the moist air, add a fan next to the stove to blow the air out and away, increasing it's reach.

Getty Images

- Run hot water in the shower to produce steam. Alternatively, if you take baths, leave the water in the tub after you've finished bathing. Both are short-term solutions that can help those suffering through a cold. However, they're not without their drawbacks. First, you're wasting quite a bit of water, which can be expensive. In addition, the steam won't extend a great distance from the bathroom. So a fan is also needed or you'll have to sit in the bathroom to absorb the increased humidity. Like boiling water on the stove, you cannot run your shower all night. Therefore, this is a very short-term option that can be much more expensive and wasteful than purchasing an inexpensive humidifier.

- Place bowls of water around your home. Similar to the way houseplants emit water vapor like living humidifiers, the water from the bowls will evaporate and add moisture to the air. Increase the humidity even more by placing a water bowl on top of a radiator to heat the water. Avoid placing the water bowls near electrical devices.

SEE ALSO:
Humidifiers 101: Say Goodbye to Dry Air
5 Humidifiers to Consider [Apartment Therapy]
How to Humidify Your Home [Lowes]
Controlling Humidity Levels at Home [Re-nest]
The Best Humidifiers [Switch]

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Clean Soot from Marble Fireplaces - Reader Tip

Landra Lynn Jacobs — 2011-02-14T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Living Rooms, Bedrooms, Dining Rooms, Essential Skills, Know-How, Living Spaces

Your fireplace is probably getting a workout this winter, leading to soot buildup on your mantel and surround. Here's one reader's suggestion for bringing back the elegant finish of marble fireplaces.

Alamy

My marble fireplace adds sophistication to my living room. But soot stains on the stone's surface can really put a damper on things. I restore a beautiful finish to the marble with natural ingredients and a series of simple steps.

First, lightly moisten a soft cloth with warm water. Wipe the surface of the marble down with this cloth to remove any grit or grime on the surface.

If this does not completely remove the soot stain, soak a small washcloth with hydrogen peroxide. Lay the cloth directly onto the surface of the marble where the stain is. Apply a bit of plastic wrap over the washcloth and secure it in place with packing tape around the edges. Leave the washcloth and plastic to set for 24 hours.

Remove the cloth and plastic. Wipe the surface again with a damp cloth to rinse all residual peroxide. Your marble fireplace should be restored to its elegant finish!

Want the secrets to a "never-fail" system for starting a fire? Check out this video!

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Humidifiers 101 - Say Goodbye to Dry Air

Jaime Derringer — 2011-02-10T09:00:00+00:00

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

Increase indoor air moisture and lower your heating bills with a humidifier.

Dry winter air can batter your home and health. Boost moisture with a humidifier. Mek22, Flickr

Suffering from cracked skin and dryness in your nose and throat? Blame your environment.

Winter air holds less moisture than the warm air of spring and summer. Increasing the temperature on your thermostat may feel like the wise move to stay toasty, but it's actually making already dry air worse by sucking out any existing moisture.

Dry, scratchy throats in the winter can be caused low humidity in the air. Photo: Corbis

Dry air causes a lot of things we associate with winter: static electricity, chapped lips, sore throats, dry skin, increased susceptibility to colds and irritation to those who suffer from asthma. Also, wood floors, indoor paint and electronics can sustain damage from low humidity levels. So if you find yourself doubling up on lotion and lip balm, using an inordinate amount of Static Guard and popping throat lozenges like candy, it's time to replace the lost humidity in your home by adding a humidifier.

Humidifiers are devices that use water vapor to increase moisture levels in the air and remove airborne allergens and dust. And because humidity holds heat, using humidifiers in your home can increase the temperature inside by as much as 15 degrees.

There are two major types of humidifiers on the market: warm mist and cool mist. Read on to know which kind is right for you.

Warm Mist Humidifiers
Warm mist humidifiers use electricity to boil water and produce steam. These humidifiers are very effective, but if you use them for too long the air can become stale and feel a bit muggy. Also, these devices can get hot to the touch, so take precautions when using them around small children.

(Left) Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier. Photo: Amazon; (Right) Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer. Photo: Walgreens

There are two main types of warm mist humidifiers: warm mist and steam vaporizers.

- Warm mist: These units use a heating element that heats the water before evaporating it into the air. Before it's released, the humidifier cools the steam slightly so that it doesn't come out extremely hot.

- Steam vaporizers: These devices boil the water, which is sent out into the air as hot steam. The boiling process helps kill any mold or bacteria. You can add medicine or aromatherapy to these humidifiers, and create a warm, humid environment to keep noses and chests clear at night. Steam vaporizers do not cool the air at all before it is released, so they can become extremely hot.

Cool Mist Humidifiers
Vapor from the machine is not heated, so there is no risk for burning, making them ideal for use children's rooms. There are three different types of cool mist humidifiers: evaporation wick/evaporative, impeller and ultrasonic.

(Clockwise from left) Multi-room Cool Mist Evaporative Humidifier. Photo: Humidifiers.com; Sunbeam Health Impeller Humidifier. Photo: Sears; Crane Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier. Photo: Bed Bath & Beyond

- Evaporative wick/evaporative: These humidifiers use a fan to blow out cool evaporated water that gets absorbed through a wick or filter. These humidifiers self-regulate -- when the moisture in the air increases, the rate at which the humidifier releases more mist is slowed. A drawback to cool-mist humidifiers is that the fan can become noisy and make it difficult to sleep when running it through the night. Evaporative humidifiers are fairly affordable.

- Impeller: Impellers use a rotating disk in the water to create mist, which is slightly less noisy than the evaporative fan.

- Ultrasonic: These humidifiers use sound waves or vibrations to create water droplets, so they are the quietest of the three cool mist options. These tend to be the most expensive of the three.

Concerns about Humidifiers
There is such a thing as too much humidity, which can be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Keep indoor humidity levels in the range of 35 to 55 percent or so; anything above 60 percent is to high and anything under 30 percent is too dry. Opt for a humidifier that has a built-in humidistat, which is basically a thermostat for humidity. Alternatively, you can buy one for your home. Also, don't keep your humidifiers running all day and night. Turn them down or off, and use a dehumidifier if levels get too high, especially during the summer.

And finally, it is very important to clean humidifier frequently to prevent dormant water from turning into a pool of bacteria, mold and mildew. Therefore, while a tad inconvenient, to follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning which usually entails washing on a daily basis with soap and water.

SEE ALSO:
Lower Your Home Eating Bills
Controlling Humidity Levels at Home [Re-nest]
The Best Humidifiers [Switch]

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