DIY Decor & Crafts

Colorful Cactus & Candles

Published on November 22, 2013November 22, 2013 by Our Humble Abode2 Comments

Last year, our Thanksgiving table was neutral; white, gray, copper, wood, and a dash of gold. This year I went completely opposite. Bright colors, including red, orange, yellow, pink, and gold.

I found orange and white stripe napkins at Pier 1 for 98 cents each and that set the color scheme and tone. Fun, festive fall colors, with a twist.

In place of flowers, I bought three 3 buck cactus from Home Depot and potted them in cheap glasses. Bonus, I get to enjoy them for more than a week.

To get a little more color, I painted the inside of each glass a different color. Plain acrylic paint so I can wash these out.

But it’s such a fun, happy, cheap way to add a pop. Same story for these confetti candle holders I whipped up. I had the glasses from last year (from Dollar Tree) and used the same acrylic paint to make dots.

Again, these are not permanent. Hot water and soap will clean these off.

A few mini pumpkins add more color and a fall touch.

The centerpieces are simple, because we need plenty of space to eat our feast.

I covered the table with kraft paper, then set out a DIY runner. More details on that next week.

Have you settled on a Thanksgiving color scheme?

Oh, and the winner of the Spruce book giveaway is Jackie! Congrats!!

Eames Inspired

Published on November 20, 2013November 20, 2013 by Our Humble Abode4 Comments

In addition to the new shelf, our entry is getting a little much-needed organization. For my next mini project, I took inspiration from the Eames Hang-It-All Coat Rack.

No, I didn’t make a coat rack, though hooks are on my to do list. Instead, I made a cute, colorful round ball sculpture.

We had the live edge wood in the garage, and I found 1 1/2 inch wooden balls and a thin wooden dowel at Hobby Lobby, both 50% off.

A few coats of acrylic craft paint on each ball, using the Eames color scheme as a reference. A little wood glue in the ball hole to hold the random length sticks in place. Then, I drilled holes in the wood base and glued the stick in. The bit I used was slightly bigger, but toothpicks to the rescue. After the glue dried, I sprayed it all with a few coats of clear gloss.

Oh, I bought a new bulb for the lamp, too. Now you don’t see the ugly, too long CFL sticking out.

It’s a fun little piece with happy colors. And the grain of the live edge is amazing.

But it has a purpose. Oh no, this space is too small for a bunch of decorative only nick knacks.

The real purpose is a hat and mitten drying rack.

Now, when V comes home from school, I have a place to put mittens out to dry. Because this is out in the open, we don’t have to look for missing gloves in the mornings. In addition to coat hooks, I want a bin for mail, we need an outlet for the lamp, and I want to recover the ottoman seat in something more colorful.

Console-ation Prize

Published on November 14, 2013November 14, 2013 by Our Humble Abode8 Comments

Our entry is rocking a new look and organization (potential). Just in time for winter.

Though it’s very, very far from done. Our split level entry is cramped, so slim storage is key. The little accent table wasn’t offering much in that department.

After seeing a stack of old siding in the pool house, I knew what I wanted.

Using coarse sandpaper, I took off the super rough texture and most of the blue paint. I asked Ben to cut the tongue and groove off the old boards. He did, then built a 36 inch wide by 6 1/2 inch deep by 7 1/2 inch tall rectangle.

Wanting the imperfections, I left the nail and old staple holes, and blue paint in the knots. Using my new friend, Teak Oil, I coated the shelf and let it cure.

It darkened the cedar a little, adding warmth and bringing out the character. And these knots, I’m smitten.

We used screws directly in studs to hold this bad boy up. Now for the fun part, accessorizing.

Because this shelf is only 6.5 inches deep, I bought a small desk lamp at Target. Right now, it’s purely decorative, as there are no outlets in the entry. Hopefully soon. The cute hexagon paper mâchê tray is too deep. Looks like I’ll have to make another.

A light, but sturdy ottoman (Target clearance!) is the perfect perch for putting on or taking off shoes.

I’m working on a mitten drying system to sit on top of the shelf. The ottoman would look nice with a fun fabric. And we’ll need hooks for coats and purses. I really wish I wasn’t afraid to stand on a ladder over stairs because the peach paint and textured wall drives me friggin’ bonkers! I’ve planted a cover up idea seed with Ben, so we’ll see if it grows or dies.

Chewed Paper

Published on November 11, 2013November 11, 2013 by Our Humble Abode3 Comments

I remember making paper mâché in elementary school. It’s still just as fun. Recently, while checking out Target’s dollar spot, I spied a cute hexagon tray. For a buck, I had to have it. I think I’ll use this one in the kitchen, to hold our oil bottle, salt, and pepper. But I got a two for one special by using this tray as a paper mâché form. I dug out a few sheets of newspaper, mod podge, an old brush, and got to work.

To protect my tray, I wrapped it in aluminum foil and 1/2 inch-ish strips of paper.

Laying all strips in the same direction, I mod podged one piece on, then covered it with another layer.

For each following layer, I rotated my strips to cross the last.

After about 10 or 12 layers, I called it quits and let it dry.

After letting it dry for 24 hours, I used a utility knife to cut the edge. I slipped in a few places and some corners don’t quite line up. But it’s a fun little project. I painted the inside gold and the outside navy.

I’ve got plans to jazz up the entry, so this dude will come in handy.

And I can make more. I might try one with prettier paper and skip painting… Have you made any paper mâché recently?

Oh, and the Spruce book giveaway will end this Wednesday, so go enter to get your hands on an awesomely useful book!

Paint, Tassels, Plaid & Zippers

Published on November 8, 2013November 8, 2013 by Our Humble Abode3 Comments

This all started with Nate Berkus and his pretty pillows. Specifically, this one:

For some strange and irritating reason, our Target doesn’t carry most of Nate’s line. This pillow included, so I’ve never seen it in person. Or his amazing task lamp. Anyway, I loved the look of this pillow and set out to make something similar. I started with white cotton fabric, Martha Stewart gold craft paint (the label says it’s good on fabric), a small paint brush, and a yard stick. Using my yardstick, I eyeballed the spacing and painted X marks.

They’re super rough and not exact.

Then I cut pieces for the envelope back closure and sewed, right sides together as usual. Except I stopped about 1/4 short of each corner. Tassel time! I placed the tassel inside the pillow (remember, what’s on the inside will become the outside) and hand stitched the tassel in place. Voila, a somewhat Nate-esque pillow cover.

While looking for upholstery fabric for the bench, I saw a row of wool plaid. All 50% off. This was my favorite:

But I also really liked the softer, fuzzier pattern on the inside. So I made a reversible pillow to get both looks.

Because this is reversible, I didn’t want an envelope back. I found this magenta zipper in my bin and loved the bit of color it would add.

Paired with a Target clearance yellow striped throw, this bench is a pretty cozy nook.

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