DIY Life

So. Halloween is inching closer and closer and I'm dreaming of throwing a sophisticated dinner party for the occasion... or at least dressing my home in festivities. Yet I'll admit -- I hate the traditional black and orange "ghoulish" decor. I can't handle skeletons in my home, absolutely despise scarecrows and wouldn't be caught dead (no pun intended) courting the thought of a Frankenstein head as a centerpiece.

So what's a gal like me to do to ring in Halloween? Shall we just skip the occasion and go straight to turkey decorating? Never! I've rounded up a few great ideas that are as easy on the eyes as they are on the budget. And don't worry -- you won't find any dead fingers amidst these looks.

Gothic Black/White Graphics:
I love the Thomas Paul collection of Gothic melamine plates, and luckily, with a few pumpkins and black candlesticks strategically placed, the look can be quite Halloween-esque, but still perfect year-round. Good deal, right?

Gilding Pumpkins:
Turns out that a can of spray paint takes an orange staple in the Halloween decor industry up one notch to chic, understated glamor. That's right; the pumpkin gets a facelift with gold and silver gilding. This entryway is definitely my kind of autumn decorating, and I can't imagine trick-or-treating with anything else.

Raven Silhouettes:
I know, I know --- I said no tradition Halloween decorations. But the raven, although spooky and understandably ghoulish (you saw Birds, right?!), isn't altogether Halloweeny, right? Because a raven silhouette in a glass casing is a trend I could really get behind...

Autumn Centerpiece:
Although I'm not usually a supporter of the silk flower movement, seasonal decorations sometimes call for faux arrangements. In this case, the bright marigold and daisy palette is both inviting and classic, creating a gorgeous centerpiece worthy of Halloweens across the globe. The orange screams "fall" without screaming bloody murder. My kind of Halloween!

Overall, there are so many ways to infuse your home with seasonal decor --- with or without the witch's broom. Get creative using items around your own home to complete an eclectic, fall-inspired aesthetic that won't break the bank -- or your superstitions.

Fall: my favorite season! Admittedly, autumn here in Florida lacks the spectacular foliage and delightfully chilly air enjoyed by those in northern states. This makes me rely all the more on décor to evoke that Fall atmosphere in September. Okay, so Fall does not officially arrive until September 22, but I'm so ready now!

Now, don't spend big bucks decorating for fall. It's really not necessary, and I also think it goes against the spirit of the season a little bit. Isn't autumn a time for celebrating the simple abundance of nature, above all else? With that in mind, let's take a look at budget-friendly ways to gussy up your house and yard for Fall.

First up: do buy at least one largish pumpkin. For a $10 or $15 investment you'll get weeks of big-time Fall attitude for your front porch.

Embroidery hoops become inexpensive wall frames. Yes, really. But instead of holding family snaps, they look super-stylish holding fabric swatches. Use them just for decoration or as message boards. Clever idea, yes? – Shelter Pop

Love your cat? Hate to scoop? Toilet training your kitty can be done. It does take patience and just the right technique, though. Are you up for it? Check out this step-by-step kitty potty training guide. -- karawynn

Say "sayonora" to that ugly view. Learn how to sew Japanese tissue paper into "noren" or paper curtains. The tissues have a fabric-like durability, yet possess a delicate beauty. Finished curtains may be used to cover windows or doorways. – The Paper Place

So, you're currently paying $1,200 for a 400 square foot apartment, and all of this talk of a recession still hasn't convinced your landlord to lower your rent. I'd tell you to make homemade lemonade out of lemons, but I suppose your kitchen's countertop isn't even big enough for a cutting board... right?

No worries. Follow our DIY decorating tips that will make even the tiniest of spaces feel like a million bucks... and square feet.

1. Be a wallflower. That is, use your wall space for more than just the latest artwork. Walls have just as much function as the floor beneath them, so get crafty and make the most of your space. Need a place to sort your bills or catch up on correspondences? Why not install a wall-mounted desk like Maggi Pattillo's oak workspace? No room for a bed in your studio? Try a recessed bed using a sturdy wall and a few handy tools. Perhaps you don't have a proper dining room table, and your parent's hand-me-down won't quite fit through your tiny apartment door. Try a folding wall table using folding shelf brackets from your local hardware store.

2. Divide and conquer. Room dividers are a must when you live in a small space, as compartmentalizing is everything. I love how Alex created a DIY room divider with just a few supplies and a lovely lofted space. No need for extra storage? Try a sleek, modern aquarium to divide your space. Your guests will be [almost!] as bug-eyed as the fish inside! And of course, for the greenie in you, turn a few hanging planters into a privacy fence of sorts... indoors! The look is both fun and funky -- perfect for apartment dwellers across the board.

3. Declutter. The easiest of DIY's? Trash it. Get rid of your un-used items, because when your space is smaller than Thumbelina's elbow, there's no room for extras.

Need more small-space decorating tips? You don't need a DIY guide; just follow some basic tips for decorating with limited square footage. A few ground rules: Avoid bulky furniture, purchase items that serve double duty (i.e. ottoman and coffee table!), and be sure to light the room properly.

After all, the best things in life come in small (and sometimes cramped!) packages!

Every kitchen has a few eyesores, but what do you do when your appliances (read: focal points!) are embarrassingly outdated? Take a cue from our ShelterPop friends and cover those blemished babies with Easy DIY: Updates to Old Appliances.

One of my favorite ideas is Danny Seo's refrigerator makeover with a handy can of chalkboard paint. What was once a retro embarrassment is now both fun, functional and incredibly easy on the eyes (and the wallet!). His tips for re-creating the look?:

1. Lightly sandpaper the refrigerator for a few minutes.

2. Paint a light coat of chalkboard paint directly onto the fridge. (Hint: Danny warns that this coat is going to look UG-LY, but not to worry. Every good project takes patience.)

3. When the first coat has completely dried, tackle a second coat. Let dry, and repeat. Third time is the charm, as your refrigerator will be miraculously transformed into a message center by coat three.

4. Prep for scribbles by rubbing chalk over the entire paint surface after dried. Wipe down with a damp washcloth and you're ready to play!

An instant, family-friendly makeover that you can do in a weekend. Fantastic!

Curtains can change the entire feel of a room. Much less expensive than furniture, you can have fun with them and use bold patterns and colors that you might regret if it were on a $4,000 couch instead.

Aside from the decor aspect, curtains serve a purpose. They can block out the sunlight, important in a child's room unless you enjoy getting up at the first hint of daybreak. They can insulate the window, saving you money on your heating costs in the winter and your cooling costs in the summer. They can provide privacy, sparing your neighbors the view of you in your pajamas.

Depending on your particular needs and decor, you can choose between long draperies, valances, sheer curtains, either alone or behind drapes, cafe curtains -- a personal favorite of mine for little girl rooms -- or any combination of these. Whichever you choose, you'll need to hang curtain rods.

Hanging curtain rods really is no more difficult that hanging picture frames.

Dive right in and decorate your new rental. The sooner you start, the sooner it will feel like home. If you're beginning college this fall, now's a great time to hunt for dorm room decor. Whatever your space, remember you're not alone: Most home buyers are choosing pre-owned, and face the exact same make-it-mine challenges as you do!

1. Curtains are key for making a place feel like home. Sheer window panels are affordable and come in many gorgeous designs. Budget tip: Chunky curtain rings make window treatments really pop. Skimp with budget-priced curtain rods then splurge a little with eye-catching curtain rings such as bamboo hoops.

2. Rugs really anchor a room. It's OK if you're on a tight budget: Small rugs work surprisingly well, too. Opt for a small living room rug and position a coffee table on top of it. Similarly, a small throw rug next to the bed is a heck of a lot cheaper than a full-size area rug, but still makes the room feel cozy.

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?

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?

Fabric: 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]

Nothing says 'fresh' and 'modern' like graphic artwork. It's a perfect pick-me-up to a drab decor, or it can add a funky flair to a traditional decorating scheme. However you choose to use it, graphic is "in."

You could spend a fortune and buy some canvases from a trendy artist, or you can do it yourself. I vote for me!

Plaid has a very easy tutorial showing how to create your own graphic artwork: a set of three coordinating canvases that you can make, using stencils and four colors of paint.

After painting the base color on each of the canvases, just use stencils to paint on the designs. They will have your own personal touch, you can make them to match your own decor, and they will give your room an instant face lift. They'd also make a cherished housewarming gift for a special friend.

If you fear art, as some do, and this project is more than you can handle without an accompanying Margarita, you can try framing some handmade paper instead. A block print design will give you a similar look, and you can still say that you did it.

These days, it's easier than ever to accumulate great art prints, but where to hang them all? And do you really want to pay to have them framed? If they're an odd size or shape, it could become expensive.

Yesterday, an easy solution was posted at Apartment Therapy Chicago. Salvage, thrift, or purchase a plain board at least a few inches bigger all around than your artwork, and stain it, if necessary. Then nail two Boston Bulldog Clips to the board -- they're sometimes just called Bulldog Clips, and are available at most art supply stores. Put your print in the clips, hang it on the wall, and you're all set!

If this isn't your style, you can always try using a nicer board, cut to your specified dimensions and painted a neutral color like black, or a color that coordinates with the art, matte or glossy. You could even consider spray-painting the Bulldog clips with some kind of finish, like metallic black model enamel.

When you're done, you'll have a funky custom display solution, like a giant clipboard that allows you to change your art out on a rotating basis. Pretty cool, huh?

Nothing says Happy Father's Day like a new tie, right? You can surprise the special dad in your life by presenting him with an artistically created necktie cake. A skinny necktie cake is a lot more fun to bake, frost, and embellish than shopping for the perfect tie. Everyone will enjoy this necktie -- with a little dip of ice cream -- and there will be no sense of disappointment from Dad.

MailJust4me provides simple Father's Day projects, including directions for making a necktie cake. I took liberties with their pan recommendations and used two 9 x4 bread pans. When thinking of a design, I checked out some Armani ties to see what's new.

What you need:

• 2 9x4 baked cakes or 1 large rectangular cake cut lengthwise in half
• white frosting
• food coloring
• ziplock bag
• scissors
• M & M's or other candy
• Large tray or platter to hold finished cake

Check out the gallery to see how my cake turned out, then follow me through the break for the decorating instructions.

Shabby chic is an interesting home decorating style. It's almost as if you are trying to give your home a haphazard look, slightly worn out, a little bit mis-matched, traditional with a twist. Originally seen in European country homes that were expensive to keep up, shabby chic was borne out of the necessity to keep home decor costs to a minimum.

Certain design elements are associated with shabby chic: fringe and tassels, different types and patterns of fabric used in the same room, distressed surfaces, and flea market finds.

After the break, we'll reveal a few tips and tricks to help you get this look on your own.

This paint swatch weaving project is attractive, simple, and best of all, super thrifty. Head down to your local paint store and pick up a bunch of paint swatches. If you're like me, and have a hard time envisioning how things will look when they come together, take a tip from the pros, and follow their suggested color themes. Choose something that complements or contrasts with the current color palette in your room.

Basically, all you have to do is cut the swatches into strips, lay your base, weave it, and glue the back with rubber cement. Add some bold focal points, maybe with a color drawn from the accessories in your room or your focal wall. Framing the woven swatches can take on a variety of forms, depending on the look you're going for. A bold wooden frame would add dramatic impact, where a thin basic frame gives an understated impression.

This would also make a great project for children. You might want to ask the paint store if they have leftover swatches from discontinued colors.

The cool thing about creating paint swatch art projects is that you get the exact colors you're looking for, instead of settling for something that doesn't quite match your current decor. Have you created any other projects with paint swatches?