DIY Life http://www.diylife.com DIY Life http://www.diylife.com/media/feedlogo.gif DIY Life http://www.diylife.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Clever Ways to Hide Your Air Conditioning Unithttp://www.diylife.com/2009/06/22/clever-ways-to-hide-your-air-conditioning-unit/http://www.diylife.com/2009/06/22/clever-ways-to-hide-your-air-conditioning-unit/http://www.diylife.com/2009/06/22/clever-ways-to-hide-your-air-conditioning-unit/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Box air conditioning unit in a window, as viewed from inside. From randyr.net, Flickr.

By Diane Rixon

The box air-conditioning unit is a necessary evil for many apartment dwellers. (Those of you about to head off to college, take note!) These things come with a few big cons: they are noisy, they are unsightly, they block the view out of your window, and they are a pain in the neck to install and uninstall.

At least the unsightliness factor is something you can fix! Here are a few suggestions for hiding your air conditioning unit from New York Magazine:

  • Decorate it with something pretty like wallpaper scraps.
  • Build a decorative cabinet around it, but be careful not to block air flow.
  • Disguise it from view with a sheer curtain.
  • Hide it with a screen.
  • Cover it with artwork and frame it.
[via Apartment Therapy]

 

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]]>air-conditionerair-conditioning-unitventilationDIY Life Staff2009-06-22T15:00:00+00:00Paint Your Own Stair Runnerhttp://www.diylife.com/2009/06/16/paint-your-own-stair-runner/http://www.diylife.com/2009/06/16/paint-your-own-stair-runner/http://www.diylife.com/2009/06/16/paint-your-own-stair-runner/#commentsFiled under: ,

before and after painted stair runner

By Anna Sattler

Summer is here, and about this time, you should be sending the kids off to summer camp. That means free time to get the house spruced up without little tykes underfoot. That doesn't mean lazing around on a hammock all summer, though; it really means getting out the paint brush.

If your stairs are looking beat up from constant foot thrashings, you can give them a makeover by painting a stair runner in vibrant colors that will be sure to have the kids tiptoeing around for a time. Domino says this is a project that will take you a few days, so it would be great to get started on the project this weekend, so you have extra time to let the paint dry between coats.

Over on AOL Decorating, the readers thought this was a huge waste of time, but I disagree. I think that the stairs look much more modern and cheerful with the red and white paint, instead of the drab, dreary wood. I also think that the paint is much safer than a carpet runner. My favorite color is green, so of course I would pick Hunter Green instead of red. What colors would you pick for your painted stair runner?

 

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]]>painted-stair-runnerDIY Life Staff2009-06-16T15:00:00+00:00The DIY Reel - Create Summer Spaces from the Inside Outhttp://www.diylife.com/2009/06/16/the-diy-reel-create-summer-spaces-from-the-inside-out/http://www.diylife.com/2009/06/16/the-diy-reel-create-summer-spaces-from-the-inside-out/http://www.diylife.com/2009/06/16/the-diy-reel-create-summer-spaces-from-the-inside-out/#commentsFiled under: , ,

With the official start of summer quickly approaching, chances are we're all spending a lot more time outside and putting our outdoor living spaces to good use. If your deck or patio isn't set up for high summer traffic -- or for lounging on lazy Sundays -- it doesn't take much effort or money to give it a quick, fun and functional update. (Read: It's finally time to ditch that white plastic lawn chair with the broken leg. You know who you are!)

Transforming an outdoor space is all about adding a few key touches that bring the interior style of your home to the outside, with a touch of whimsy. Seating? Check. Tables? Check. But don't forget the paper lanterns, string lights and candles.

And, if you're working with a small budget, you can literally bring the indoors out to create an inviting summer space. AOL's home decor expert Kelly Edwards shares her Trade Secrets:


Speaking of bringing the indoors out, you can start by pulling those jam or discarded food jars out of your pantry to create these pretty DIY hanging jar lanterns, courtesy of our friends at Craftynest.com.

 

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]]>decorate-deckoutdoor-spaceKristi Anderson2009-06-16T13:00:00+00:00Water-repellent preservative: make your own!http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/31/water-repellent-preservative-make-your-own/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/31/water-repellent-preservative-make-your-own/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/31/water-repellent-preservative-make-your-own/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A wooden pail planter
There's a lot of wooden objects that you just don't want to bring back indoors: patio furniture, picnic tables, planters, etc. One thing they have in common is the ability to stand up to wind, heat, and rain. You don't have to buy the expensive stuff, just make your own!

Water-repellent preservative recipe

As with any other time you mix various potentially hazardous or flammable materials, take precautions and ventilate the area properly. Mix together:
  • 2 gal. Mineral spirits, Turpentine, or #1 or #2 fuel oil
  • 5/8 qts. Boiled Linseed Oil
  • 3/16 lb. Paraffin Wax
  • 1 qt. Penta concentrate 10:1
  • 1 to 3 fluid oz Color Pigment / gallon of the above mix
The paraffin must be melted in a double boiler; if you try to use a regular pan, fire is a very real possibility (keep an extinguisher close.) Let your concoction age overnight before applying it and stir it well; the pigments will settle.

 

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]]>chemical-hazardchemical-safetyflammable-materialsoutdoorpaintingpatio-furnitureweather-proofingwood-preservativewood-stainKelly Smith2008-07-31T15:00:00+00:00Pasta tree makes a unique centerpiecehttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/23/pasta-tree-makes-a-unique-centerpiece/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/23/pasta-tree-makes-a-unique-centerpiece/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/23/pasta-tree-makes-a-unique-centerpiece/#commentsFiled under: , ,

colorful pasta tree centerpieceOK, I usually don't go for the "household item" craft projects... oftentimes, they look just like what they are. The pasta necklaces? They're nothing but macaroni on a string.

Better Homes and Gardens has changed my mind, though, with their pasta tree centerpiece project. This fancy little number is hip and funky, and doesn't look like old pasta at all.

All you need are a few simple materials; BHG promises that the project will cost less than ten dollars.

What makes it so stylish is that once you glue your pasta tree together, you spray-paint the entire thing black, then paint the separate colors, allowing the black paint to show through in the crevices.

Another thing you could do is make a few of these and customize them:
  • one for Fall, using burnt orange, olive green, sienna, and other complimentary colors
  • a Christmas tree, with all shades of greens and reds and silvers and golds for a modern look
  • match your dining room color scheme
  • give one to a friend as a housewarming surprise!
There's no limit to the stylish trees you can create, so let your imagination take you to new heights of home decor... by way of the pasta aisle in your supermarket.

 

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]]>autumnbetter-homes-and-gardensbhgcenterpiececenterpiecesChristmascrafteconomizerfallgiftholidayholidayspaintpastapasta-treeprojectseasonalseasonsspray-paintDebra McDuffee2008-07-23T16:00:00+00:00Five-minute flower arrangementshttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/23/five-minute-flower-arrangements/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/23/five-minute-flower-arrangements/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/23/five-minute-flower-arrangements/#commentsFiled under: , ,

colorful flower arrangement with lilies

Leave it to Better Homes and Gardens. Somehow, they're able to inspire me without making me feel like a second-rate Martha Stewart wanna-be.

Since we joined our CSA farm last year, it's been a pleasure to have new fresh flowers in the house every week. BHG has created a gallery of flower arrangements that can be done in five minutes, and that look positively stunning. Some of their winning combinations:
  • poppies surrounded by hosta leaves
  • geranium leaves, roses, and trailing vines
  • lavender stems and geranium leaves
  • hydrangeas with bachelor buttons
  • mounded zinneas with bleeding heart foliage
What I really love about BHG's arrangements is that most of the blooms could be found in your own garden, or even in a wild flower field. That makes these arrangements economical, too.

I've been combining wild yarrow with daylilies and daisies for a pretty display on my kitchen's center island. What's you favorite quick and easy flower arrangement?

 

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]]>arrangementarrangementsbetter-homes-and-gardensBHGbloomsblossomscenterpiecesdayliliesdecoratingdecorationdecorativefloral-arrangementsflowerflower-arrangementsflowersfoliagefresh-flowersgardengardeninggeranium-leaveslavenderliliespoppiesDebra McDuffee2008-07-23T11:00:00+00:00Fabric-covered kitchen cabinetshttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/22/fabric-covered-kitchen-cabinets/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/22/fabric-covered-kitchen-cabinets/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/22/fabric-covered-kitchen-cabinets/#commentsFiled under: , ,

fabric covered kitchen cabinetsHaving previously used wallpaper to cover my kitchen cabinets, I'm ready to change them for a new look. Since I get bored fairly easily with my decor, I like to spruce things up about every six months, and I am so itching for newly decorated cabinets.

Thanks to help from Tipnut, I found the perfect kitchen cabinet makeover project over on Tres Chic Veronique. Using pretty fabric covered in bees and honeycombs, Veronique cut the fabric an extra inch on each side, then hammered in thumbtacks to secure the fabric to the cabinet door.

I read in the comment section of Veronique's post that Scotchgaurd was used to help eliminate grease and stains when the fabric is wiped down. If you, like me, are unsure of whether or not you want to use regular fabric on your cabinets, then maybe the best alternative would be to use oilcloth, since that can be wiped down easily.

 

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]]>cabinetsdecoratefabrichow-tokitchenmakeoveroil-cloththumbtacktutorialwallpaperAnna Sattler2008-07-22T18:00:00+00:00Salvaged wood + doorknobs = shelfhttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/salvaged-wood-doorknobs-shelf/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/salvaged-wood-doorknobs-shelf/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/salvaged-wood-doorknobs-shelf/#commentsFiled under: , ,

wooden coathook railYearning for more closet space, but you have no space for a closet? A row of hooks can work just as well, and this one, from Apartment Therapy, is not only stylish and efficient, but also eco-friendly.

The rails are salvaged wood, the hooks are old doorknobs, and the shelf above is a metal stud, folded in at either end. The entire project cost its designer US $17, and a little time.

If you don't have a box of old doorknobs rattling around your basement -- though we can't imagine why not -- you can try thrift stores or garage sales, or, as the article suggests, use garden faucets from your local hardware store instead.

For more instructions on creating your own salvaged wood shelf, follow the link!

 

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]]>coat-hookcoat-raildoor-knobsexpire-images2008-8-18recycled-woodrepurposesalvaged-woodshelfshelvesIlona Peltz2008-07-21T20:00:00+00:00Hide your air conditioning unithttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/hide-your-air-conditioning-unit/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/hide-your-air-conditioning-unit/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/hide-your-air-conditioning-unit/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Box air conditioning unit in a window, as viewed from inside. From randyr.net, Flickr.
The box air-conditioning unit is a necessary evil for many apartment dwellers. (Those of you about to head off to college, take note!) These things come with a few big cons: they are noisy, they are unsightly, they block the view out of your window, and they are a pain in the neck to install and uninstall.

At least the unsightliness factor is something you can fix! Here are a few suggestions for hiding your air conditioning unit from New York Magazine:

  • Decorate it with something pretty like wallpaper scraps.
  • Build a decorative cabinet around it, but be careful not to block air flow.
  • Disguise it from view with a sheer curtain.
  • Hide it with a screen.
  • Cover it with artwork and frame it.
[via Apartment Therapy]

 

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]]>acairair-conditionerair-conditiong-unitair-conditioningapartmentapartment-therapyb2sback-to-schoolbacktoschoolcollegecondocoolcoolingdecordecorateNew-York-MagazinerentersrentingstudentssummerventventilationwindowDiane Rixon2008-07-21T18:00:00+00:00De-'80s your home with creative decorhttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/de-80s-your-home-with-creative-decor/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/de-80s-your-home-with-creative-decor/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/de-80s-your-home-with-creative-decor/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Image by Stock Exchange user konr4d of dishes on kitchen counter in black and white, with red striped glass in foreground.
1980s music and '80s-style skinny jeans have popped back into fashion of late. '80s-style home decor trends have most definitely not. So if you've recently purchased a home that retains an '80s interior, or if your old house needs a style makeover before going on the market, check out these tips from MSN Real Estate on how to de-'80s your home.

The fastest and most budget-friendly way to de-'80s a space, say MSN's style gurus, is to completely rid yourself of the dreaded "Miami Vice" color palette. The hues now considered waaay outdated are hunter green, salmon pink, gray, and teal. Next, upgrade your light fixtures, particularly anything with a shiny gold (fake brass) finish or anything involving etched glass.

Next, replace outdated bathroom medicine cabinets and faucets. If you don't have the time or budget to replace the entire medicine cabinet, at least pull the old one out and hang an attractive mirror over that spot. Next, upgrade the faucets at your kitchen sink. There. The whole house looks better already, doesn't it?

 

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]]>1980s80sbrassbudgetcolorde-80sdecordecoratingetchedfashionfaucetsglassgoldgrayhomehunter-greenmedicine-cabinetsMiami-ViceMSNMSN-Real-Estatemusicpaintingpalettesalmon-pinkskinny-jeansstyletealtrendsDiane Rixon2008-07-21T13:00:00+00:00Make a glow-stick lamphttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/18/make-a-glow-stick-lamp/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/18/make-a-glow-stick-lamp/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/18/make-a-glow-stick-lamp/#commentsFiled under: , ,



You're bound to collect a handful of glow-sticks this summer. They get passed out at firework shows, holiday barbecues, and just about any other outdoor summer evening event. So what do you do after the festivities are over? Well, at our house, we typically find them hiding in the sandbox, lost behind the toy-box, or tossed away in the trash.

Kish, over at Instructables, re-purposed his into this funky glow-stick lamp. You'll need 15 glow-sticks and a plastic bottle; one commenter suggests using a glass bottle instead. If you chose one with an interesting pattern you could get a really cool effect.

This would make a fun accessory for any dorm room, kids room, basement or kitchen (sure, why not!). Check out the video for full instructions.

[via: Daily DIY]

 

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]]>bottlebottlesglass-bottleglow-stickglow-sticksglowinginstructableslamplampslightluminescentluminousplastic-bottlere-userecyclerecyclingsummerFrancesca Clarke2008-07-18T20:00:00+00:00Wood-burn a beautiful clockhttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/18/woodburn-a-beautiful-clock/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/18/woodburn-a-beautiful-clock/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/18/woodburn-a-beautiful-clock/#commentsFiled under: , ,

woodburned clockEvery week, I eagerly look forward to Wednesdays and head over to Design*Sponge to see what has been created that day. Derek and Lauren never cease to amaze me, and this week is certainly no exception. Once again they have come up with an excellent DIY project.

A simple piece of wood, a clock mechanism kit, and a wood-burning tool are materials necessary in making this gorgeous little clock. Derek and Lauren provide complete and detailed instructions and pictures describing the process of putting the clock together.


If you read my wood-burned tray post, and tried your hand at using a wood-burning tool, you should have no problem making this easy gift.

I am surprised to see I have almost the same piece of wood hanging on my wall. I think it would look even more beautiful if I turned it into a clock!

wood deer plaque

 

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]]>clockdo-it-yourselfkitmechanismnumbersprojectwood-burnwood-diskAnna Sattler2008-07-18T18:00:00+00:00Chair skirt alterationhttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/17/chair-skirt-alteration/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/17/chair-skirt-alteration/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/17/chair-skirt-alteration/#commentsFiled under: , ,

vintage chair transformationIn my humble opinion, upholstered furniture looks better without the anchoring wall of fabric known as the skirt. More often than not, skirts are cut and hemmed too short anyway. Unless the legs are downright hideous, their presence adds an element which becomes a part of the overall design, rather than something attached to it.

Complete removal of a skirt can get tricky, but ReadyMade happened across a chair update project on The Brick House blog that opens up all sorts of vintage chair possibilities.

The blogger transformed this unimpressive gold 1970s chair into a retro gem by altering the skirt in order to show off those modern legs. Find out more after the break.

The Brick House writer photographed and explained her skirt alteration technique wonderfully. Her idea to cut off part of the skirt, pull the remaining length underneath, and attach it to the chair frame makes this look like a professional upholstery project.

Also, she did quite a nifty job of removing the chair legs, cutting out a section of fabric, and then screwing the the legs back on. Legs don't always screw off and on so easily, but this one did.

I'm going to add this technique to my repertoire of tricks of the trade. Skirt removal won't work so well on every style of chair and upholstery, but it was a valuable restyling solution for this vintage chair.

(via ReadyMade)

 

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]]>chairchairsfurnituremodmodernre-vamprestylerestylingretrosofasthrift-storeupdateupholsteringupholsteryvintageShelly Leer2008-07-17T20:00:00+00:00Fix annoying chair wobbleshttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/17/fix-annoying-chair-wobbles/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/17/fix-annoying-chair-wobbles/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/17/fix-annoying-chair-wobbles/#commentsFiled under: , ,

wood chair legsNothing perturbs me more than sitting in a chair and wobbling back and forth because the chair legs need fixing. I get perturbed because once again I spent my money on something cheap, or someone else did, and they just like to be annoying by rocking back and forth.

Over at the Indianapolis Star, our own extremely talented Shelly Leer learned how to fix annoying chair wobbles when a furniture builder showed her how to apply wood glue to the chair using a turkey basting syringe. Genius!

There's a little more to it: please join me after the break to learn how it's done.

Shelly drilled small holes, then injected the glue through the holes. She wiped off the excess glue, wrapped pantyhose around the legs to hold the joints together, and called the job done.

Any sanding and painting that needs to happen can be accomplished after the glue is completely dry and you are satisfied with your now wobble-free chair. Just sit back and admire your handiwork.

Shelly reminds us that we won't want to use this technique on antique or valuable furniture, and I am glad she mentioned that little tidbit. I would have drilled some tiny holes in my antique rocking chair, kicking myself to the curb for having done such a dastardly deed.

 

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]]>chairchair-wobblesdrillfix-itfurniturehow-tolegsrepairrepairedrepairingsyringewobblewobblingwood-glueAnna Sattler2008-07-17T18:00:00+00:00Stack a set of shelveshttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/17/stack-a-set-of-shelves/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/17/stack-a-set-of-shelves/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/17/stack-a-set-of-shelves/#commentsFiled under: , ,

shelving unit of boxesA set of ten boxes, nested one within the other. The largest is perhaps two feet square and a foot deep (60 cm x 60 cm x 30 cm), the smallest half those dimensions.

You can purchase the yummy unit shown at right through Seletti, or -- using instructions provided by those generous folk at Seletti -- you could make your own very personal unit, and save yourself a significant bundle of cash!

You'll need a collection of sturdy wooden boxes in various sizes, decorating materials, and two sections of heavy-duty strapping.
Stick with wooden boxes. Because the assemblage will be under a fair amount of pressure when the unit is completed, you will likely find that even the sturdiest of cardboard boxes will not be up to the strain.

Paint and/or paper these boxes, inside and out, in any way that satisfies your creative heart. When the boxes are decorated, play with their placement until you get an arrangement that satisfies you. Our picture shows all boxes being oriented in the same direction, but, depending on where the unit sits, you may choose to have some boxes facing at 90 degrees to others.

Lay your two pieces of strapping on the ground, and place your boxes on top. Wrap the strapping around, pull tight -- I think this would be simplest as a two-person job -- and that's it! (Almost) instant shelving!

[via: Apartment Therapy]

 

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]]>boxboxescratecratespaintshelfshelvesshelvingwallpaperwoodwoodenIlona Peltz2008-07-17T16:00:00+00:00Sew a fabric doorstophttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/16/sew-a-fabric-doorstop/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/16/sew-a-fabric-doorstop/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/16/sew-a-fabric-doorstop/#commentsFiled under: , ,

fabric doorstopLast week I painted the outside of my front door.

I left the inside of the door alone, so that my kitchen would stay light and bright. I am glad I didn't paint it, since last month I had to move some furniture around to make room for my new freezer-on-the-bottom refrigerator, and the front door is constantly being bumped against the microwave stand. I am desperately in need of a doorstop to keep my door from being marred.

Elizabeth Hartman has a downloadable PDF tutorial on how to make a nine-patch bean-filled doorstop. Choose your fabric, have 5 pounds of dried beans on hand, and sew up that little gorgeous number.

What's really nice about the fabric doorstop is that it has a handle so that you can carry it around and use it for different doors in your house. I also think it would be great to knock out a burglar, should you happen to be so unfortunate as to have one visit.

In any case, I love the doorstop. It's perfect for all my door-opening-and-closing needs.

[via: Whip Up]

 

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]]>craftdoor-stopdoor-stopsdried-beansexpire-images2008-8-14fabricfree-patternsmakepatch-worksewsewingtutorialzipperAnna Sattler2008-07-16T20:00:00+00:00Fabric-covered headboardshttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/16/fabric-covered-headboards/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/16/fabric-covered-headboards/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/16/fabric-covered-headboards/#commentsFiled under: , ,

twin beds with fabric headboardsFabric: so very versatile, necessary, and perfect for any crafting need. For me, the hardest part of purchasing fabric is choosing which fabric I want to take home. I usually end up going overboard with my purchases, as I can never decide on just one color.

My girls were to share a room, so they each would have had their own twin bed separated by a night table. Since they carry my genes, I know that they'd get bored very easily with their headboards. The perfect solution? Cover the headboards with coordinating fabric that they picked out themselves.

Fabric, scissors, and a staple gun are all you need to have on hand to create your one-of-a-kind headboard. Just staple the fabric to the headboard, working outwards from the center. Don't pull too tight, as you don't want to stretch and tear the fabric. When you are done, stand back and admire your job-well-done.

Looking for more headboard covering ideas? Check out my previous post on covering a wood headboard with fabric, and Brian's post on more creative headboard ideas.

[via: Craft]

 

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]]>bedbedroombedsdecoratingfabricheadboardshared-roomstaple-guntwin-bedsupholsterAnna Sattler2008-07-16T08:00:00+00:00Make a no-sew pillowhttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/15/make-a-no-sew-pillow/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/15/make-a-no-sew-pillow/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/15/make-a-no-sew-pillow/#commentsFiled under: , ,

handmade no-sew pillowI love to cuddle, so I can usually be found hugging a pillow if my 3-year-old or my husband are unavailable to be squeezed. Pillows are so comforting, and I just can't own enough of them.

Any project that requires time sitting at the sewing machine gets put on the back burner for me, especially in Summer. I found the perfect no-sew pillow project over at Craft Bits. All that is needed to make the pillow is fabric, filling, scissors, and plenty of patience.

You can use down feathers or other loose filling to plump up your pillow. Polar fleece is a soft, super cuddly material that doesn't fray. Lycra and knit fabrics do not fray, either. Young kids who know how to make knots would be helpful for this project; keeping them occupied on a rainy day.

 

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]]>expire-images2008-8-13lycramakeno-sewpillowpillowspolar-fleeceprojectsewsewingsewing-machineAnna Sattler2008-07-15T20:00:00+00:00Vintage television cabinet hides Kitty's litterhttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/15/vintage-television-cabinet-hides-kittys-litter/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/15/vintage-television-cabinet-hides-kittys-litter/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/15/vintage-television-cabinet-hides-kittys-litter/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Vintage 1950s television converted to hold a kitty litter box.

Lately, I've been coming across beautiful vintage TV and stereo cabinetry while making my weekly thrift shop rounds.

Most have beautiful wood finishes, and the designs are unusual and very retro, but I haven't been able to bring myself to buy a heavy cabinet filled with a dead Magnavox just for the cabinet. I continue to rack my brain to come up with a practical purpose for such a behemoth. What could possibly justify the time and trouble to lug this thing home?

Moxie, over on Craftster, came up with a clever and functional use for an old 1950s-style TV cabinet. Read more about it after the break.



She got in there and gutted the TV, and cleverly converted it into a cat port-o-let -- so to speak.

After she carefully removed the innards, she constructed a shelf to hold the litter box, gave the cabinet a refreshing coat of green paint, and added a curtain over the front.

Be aware that she took safety precautions, since old TVs are loaded with lead. It's highly recommended that you take old electronics to a community or private reycling center, so they can dispose of the hazardous components properly.

Check out more photos of Moxies's cat's bathroom makeover at the Craftster page.

 

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]]>cat-littercatsexpire-images2008-8-12kitty-litterlitter-boxpetpetsrecycledrecyclingretrotelevisiontvtvsvintageShelly Leer2008-07-15T12:00:00+00:00Recycle light bulbs into Christmas ornamentshttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/14/recycle-light-bulbs-into-christmas-ornaments/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/14/recycle-light-bulbs-into-christmas-ornaments/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/14/recycle-light-bulbs-into-christmas-ornaments/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

snowman lightbulb ornamentI realize it is only July, but it is never too early to think about Christmas, or at least to get a head start on your decorating this year. If you are into recycling items some people would rather just throw away, then release the artist in you, and paint yourself some one-of-a-kind ornaments.

Since you probably throw away your old burned out light bulbs, I invite you to recycle them into handpainted Christmas ornaments, courtesy of Kraftykristen over on Craftster. Kristen cleans the bulbs with rubbing alcohol, uses acrylic paint to make a snowman, gingerbread man, or a Santa onto the bulb, and finishes up with an acrylic sealer.

In the comments, fencerows tells how she has her kindergarten class paint dots on the light bulbs, using an egg carton as a holder for the bulb. She then ties some wire around the screw-in part of the bulb, then attaches a paper clip for a hanger.

I am not great at painting small detail, but I think the ornaments would be great to give as gifts, especially for the kids.

If you need other ideas for burned out light bulbs, Debra gives you some unusual uses sure to get your creative juices flowing.

 

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]]>bulbChristmascraftgiftgingerbread-manhandpainthandpaintedHolidashlight-bulblightbulbornamentpaintrecyclereuserubbing-alcoholSantasnowmanAnna Sattler2008-07-14T16:00:00+00:00