If your jewellery is cluttering up your room and getting tangled, make this cute arrow jewellery holder! It’s made out of a wooden dowel rod, thin wood strips, and screw hooks. Paint it to match your room or bathroom and you’ve got a trendy little organizer that can be made to match anyone’s budget!

Step #1:

Grab yourself a thin strip of wood (1/32 x 3×24″) from JoAnns or Michael’s and cut it with scissors to make a front and back piece for your arrow. If you’re unsure how to cut it, you can find lots of arrow clip art on Google Images. It doesn’t have to be too complicated, so keep it simple!

Step #2:

Take a small saw and cut a groove into each end of your dowel rod. You can find dowel rods at any craft store for about $2.49. The thin wood you cut earlier should fit easily into the grooves without a need for glue. If the wood is slipping a bit, add a dab of hot glue to hold it in place.

Step #3:

Place small screw hooks into your dowel rod about 3″ apart. The dowel rod should be soft enough for you to push in the hooks without too much trouble.

Step #4:

If you like, you can paint your arrow. In this project, Inka Gold Metallic Rub was used to match the gold screw hooks.

Step #5:

And you’re finished! Hang up your new jewellery holder anywhere you like!

Photos: Lemonade Makin’ Mama.

If you’re looking for a cheap way to make your ordinary lamps more glam, this tutorial is for you! This lamp is from Target, and the ‘glass’ base is made from Coke bottles! The lamp looks stunning, and you can’t tell that the base is plastic and not glass. Keep reading for the tutorial!

Supplies:

1) Target lamp

2) 14 Coke bottles

3) Duct tape

4) Nail polish remover

5) Valspar Brilliant Metallic Silver spray paint

6) Fabric of your choice

7) Cardstock

8) Scissors

9) Glue or tape

Step 1:

Cover the lampshade with the fabric of your choice and glue in place.

Step 2:

Give the lamp at least 2 coats of spray paint and allow it to dry between coats. After the last coat, allow it to dry completely overnight.

Step 3:

Cut the Coke bottles according to the photo. Cut one lower than the other. This helps the 2 pieces fit together easier.

Step 4:

Remove off the stamp dates with nail polish remover.

Step 5:

Make rings out of 8 inch strips of duct tape folded in half lengthwise.

Step 6:

Now you can begin stacking. Spray paint a smaller piece of bottle for the bottom of the lamp. Add a ring, then a bauble and work your way up. Add small dabs of glue or tape to hold things in place if you need to.

Step 7:

Add a little piece of cardstock (covered in duct tape) at the top to finish it off.

All finished! This is a great project for those who love to recycle, and the lamp looks ultra glam with the clear base! No one will ever know you used plastic bottles!

Photos and idea: Matsutake Blog.

We love going to the thrift store, and who doesn’t? There are so many cool items that can be found there, and all they need is a little paint and TLC! Scour your local thrift store for a chandelier and transform it into an expensive-looking antique!

The first thing you need is the chandelier of course! Check your local thrift store, or find one on Craigslist!

Begin by sanding down the chandelier, removing all traces of paint. Take a can of spray paint and give the chandelier 2-3 coats of paint. Allow it to dry between coats.

If you want the chandelier to look like it has real candles, you can add silicone dipped light bulbs for a realistic effect.

To soften the nutmeg brown paint, whitewash over the wood and metal areas. You can do this by watering down white paint, brushing it on, then wiping it off. To complete the look, add a coat of brown glaze to give it an old world look.

To finish the look, you can add these cute wooden danglers to hang from the chandelier. These were found at a rummage sale, cut in half, and painted the same way as the chandelier. They were attached by inserting a screw with an eye at the top.

The final step is to rewire the chandelier if needed and hang it up! Hang it in your living room, or above your dining room table! It’s the perfect finishing touch to any shabby home!

Photos and idea: Reloved Rubbish.

We love the look of milk glass, but what we don’t love is the price! Luckily, all you need to recreate the look is spray paint and a bunch of thrift store vases!

The first thing you need to do is raid the closest thrift store. Don’t worry about color, we’ll be spraypainting everything! Look for pieces that have an interesting shape or pattern. Next, wash everything in warm soapy water to get rid of grime and dust. Allow the pieces to dry completely.

Give each piece a few coats of matte white spray paint and you’re done! Arrange your new milk glass vases wherever you like. Try your fireplace mantle, or above your kitchen cupboards!

Photos: Oopsey Daisy Blog, United With Love, Eco Brides, Rosy Glasses.

If you’re want a new look for your kitchen, try updating your kitchen cabinets! Save money by using paint and new hardware to update your existing cabinets. We’ve rounded up 7 ideas to get you started!

1. Bright Colors

Add a pop of color by painting the inside of your cabinets and removing the doors. Open cabinets and glass-front cabinets can give your kitchen an open and airy look.

2. Open Shelving

Remove some of your existing cabinets and add shelves. This gives your kitchen more of an open look, and make sure to use shelf brackets that match your kitchen’s style.

3. Distressed Look

For an aged look, try distressing your cabinets. We love these Victorian-style distressed cabinets!

4. Details

These gingerbread appliques are too cute! They come in many different styles and sizes to match your kitchen’s look, and you can find them at home centers. Glue them on with wood glue and give your cabinets a coat of burnt umber glaze (wipe off with cloth while still wet) for a vintage look.

5. Hardware

Change up the hardware on your cabinets for an instant makeover. We’re in love with these vintage fork handles!

6. Add Feet

Add feet to your kitchen cabinets buy purchasing them at hardware stores, or make your own using scrap wood. We love how these cabinets look like they’re built-in, and it was all made on the cheap! Tutorial here.

7. Wallpaper

Add wallpaper to the inside of your cabinets to brighten them up. Try a geometric pattern in a color that subtly contrasts with the rest of your kitchen.

Photos: BHG, Flickr, Ate My Tauntaun, Hometalk, Interior Design Blog.

For a cheap way to jazz up your bathroom faucets, try coating them with spray paint for a new look. It’s easy to do any only requires a few simple steps. Keep reading for the tutorial!

Step 1:

Take out the faucets and sand them down well using a 3M sanding block.

Step 2:

Wash and dry the faucets. Then, tape the areas you don’t want painted. Put the knobs in the ‘off’ position so the paint doesn’t interfere with the opening and closing function.

Step 3:

Spray each piece in a few light coats using Rustoleum’s primer in ‘rust’. Allow each coat to dry for at least 8 hours.

Step 4:

Follow the same steps for the oil-rubbed bronze spray paint.

Step 5:

Spray the faucets using a high-gloss lacquer using the same steps. Allow the paint to fully cure for at least 2 weeks before putting the faucets back.

That’s it! Check out these amazing before and after photos!

Before:

After:

Photos and idea: DIY Show Off.

This tiered hanging planter can be made in a day, and with basic woodworking tools. What’s great about this planter is when you water the top plant, the runoff from the previous pot drips into the plants below. All you need to do is place a little dish or bucket underneath to catch any excess water, and it makes watering all 4 plants a breeze!

What you will need:

– scrap wood

– jigsaw

– terracotta pots

– rope

– 3/8″ boring bit

– paintbrush and paint

– drill

– plants

– metal ring

Step 1:

Measure the plank of wood and mark it to create a square with 3/4″ to 1″ of space around your pot.

Step 2:

Trace the lip of the pot onto the wood. Trace a circle within the circumference of the one you drew but spaced 1/4″ from the outer circle. You can also use a circular template that’s 1/4″ inches smaller that the radius of the pot to do the same thing. You’ll end up with 2 concentric circles. One has a radius of 1/4″ smaller than the first. Repeat with all 4 squares.

Step 3:

Clamp the first piece of wood to a stable surface. Drill a hole into the center of the circles with the 3/8″ boring bit. This will provide space for the jigsaw blade to enter the wood so you can begin cutting. Work slowly and in sections. Use the jigsaw to cut out the shape of the inner circle. Repeat with all 4 squares.

Step 4:

When you’ve cut out the inner circles, clamp a single square down to a piece of scrap wood. Using a ruler, make a dot in the 4 corners of the squares, 1/2″ in from each side. Use the 3/8″ boring bit to drill holes through the wood at the 4 corner marks. Repeat with all 4 squares.

Step 5:

If you like, you can paint the sides of your squares. You can also paint your rope if you want a different color. Only paint the 2 cut edges on each square, and position the squares on the ropes so that the unpainted and painted edges alternate when it’s hanging.

Step 6:

It’s now time to hang your squares! Space your plants 12″ apart (choose more or less depending on the size of your plants). Cut 4 lengths of rope and tie them together in a knot 6″ from the top. Use the 6″ rope strands to secure the ropes to the metal ring.

Step 7:

Hang the ring and slide the first wood square onto all 4 strands, about 12″ from the top knot. Tie a knot directly underneath the wood square on all 4 ropes. Place the plant into the opening, making sure it’s level.

Step 8:

Repeat step 7 with the remaining 3 squares. After the last square is on and the knots are tied underneath, cut off any extra rope.

Finished! Find a sunny spot for your new planter and fill the squares with your plants.

Photos and idea: Design Sponge.

Nothing says summer like sipping cold lemonade on your front or back porch. Now that the weather is warming up, it’s time to get your porch ready and summer festive! Take a look at these colorful 7 ideas you can use for your porch this summer.

1. Reuse

Use your imagination and think outside the box. Scour flea markets and thrift shops for unusual items you can use on your porch. We love this vintage chicken cage that was turned into a rolling coffee table. Remember, almost anything can be refinished and painted!

2. Add Light

Candles and lanterns can give your porch a cosy and enchanting feel. They’re perfect for late-night summer talks on the porch. Arrange them on a coffee table in front of your porch benches or wicker chairs in various heights and sizes to add interest. Lanterns can be hung around the porch to add light and charm.

3. Paint the Floor

Give your floor a new look with a pop of color! Choose a shade that matches your home and your porch furniture. We love the cool blue of this porch, it makes the floor look like water!

4. Add Curtains

Curtains are a great way to provide shade on hot days and for privacy. These drop cloth curtains give the porch a rustic feel, and they’re really cheap at the hardware store!

5. Hang a Mirror

Adding a mirror to your porch makes it look more like an actual room. At night, the mirror will reflect the candlelight, adding more light to your porch. This large antique mirror adds drama to the porch, and the light creamy walls make the mirror pop.

6. Add Color

Add a pop of color to your porch! Paint your wicker furniture a bright color, or add colorful pillows. These blue wicker chairs pop against the grey walls and floors of this porch. This can be replicated by simply spraying the furniture with a few coats of an outdoor spray paint. Vintage wicker furniture can be found on the cheap at yard sales or thrift stores.

7. Choose Durable Fabric

To help save your cushions and pillows, choose a durable fabric that can withstand spills, and is easy to clean.

Photos: Home Decor Wall, Dying of Cute, The Lettered Cottage, House Beautiful, Dofaso, Between Naps on the Porch, Melinda Jennings, Bombay Outdoors.

Stylish bulletin boards are in, and plain ones are definitely out! These fabric covered bulletin boards reflect your personal style and taste, so make them unique and your own! Follow along with our simple tutorial to create one for your space!

What you will need:

– a bulletin board

– fabric of your choice

– craft paint of your choice

– small paint brush

– an iron

– spray adhesive

– glue gun and glue sticks

– twine for edging (optional)

Step 1:

First, paint the frame of the bulletin board in the color of your choice.

Step 2:

Measure and cut the fabric to the exact size of your bulletin board. Iron the fabric to remove wrinkles. Use spray adhesive on the back of the fabric and the bulletin board and attach them together.

Step 3:

If you like, add the sisal twine between the frame and the fabric using the glue gun.

That’s it! Really easy and quick! A great addition to any space where you’d like to be a little more organized! These bulletin boards are great if you are working from home or doing schoolwork at home. To make your life a little easier when it comes to schoolwork and writing essays, consider checking out write my essay reviews and academized legit to help you write like a pro!

Photos and idea: The Happy Housie.

]]> https://betterhousekeeper.com/2014/06/06/diy-fabric-covered-bulletin-board-great-for-the-office/feed/ 0 https://betterhousekeeper.com/2014/06/04/create-an-antique-mirror-effect-for-a-charming-and-romantic-look/ https://betterhousekeeper.com/2014/06/04/create-an-antique-mirror-effect-for-a-charming-and-romantic-look/#respond Wed, 04 Jun 2014 13:30:48 +0000 http://betterhousekeeper.com/?p=999 We love antiques, but what we don’t love is the price! If you’ve ever seen any antique mirrors at flea markets or antique shops, and wanted one for your home, here is an easy way to recreate the same look for cheap!

Giving a mirror an antique look is an easy way to spruce up a flea market find, or add a layer of interest to an ordinary mirror. Any type of mirror can be aged using this method, and that includes mirrored plexiglass.

You’ll This is what you’ll need: 

– A mirror or plexiglass.

– Latex gloves to protect your hands.

– Paint stripper.

– Putty knife.

– Modern Masters Metal Effects Black Patina or regular bleach. This solution is an acid that eats at the surface of the mirror. Modern Masters works well and can be found online or in most art supply stores.  If you’re cheap (like us!) you can use regular household bleach. The effect is the same.

– 1″ chip brush.

– Silver paint of your choice.

Step 1:

Put on the gloves and place the mirror face down on a protected surface. Make sure you’re in a well-ventilated area. Apply the paint stripper to the back of the mirror and allow it to sit for a few hours, or until the paint can be easily removed. When you’ve stripped the paint, wash the mirror with soap and water and allow it to dry.

Step 2:

Place the mirror again on a protected surface and dip your brush into the patina (or bleach) solution and apply it to the raw reflective surface of the mirror. Mirrors age from the edges inward, so it’s best to apply the patina in heavier amounts around the edges. In a few minutes the patina will begin to eat away at the reflective surface. Continue applying the patina until the level of ageing is achieved. Rinse the mirror with water to stop the ageing process. Allow to dry.

Step 3:

Now you need to reapply paint to the back of the mirror. The color of the paint will be visible through the spots that were eaten away by the patina. Antique aged mirrors tend to have silver-grey spots. Apply paint until the reflective surface is covered completely and allow it to dry.

That’s it! Now you’re finished!

If you are looking to give your mirror a special, unique look, you can always consider cutting a plain mirror into your desired shape at ADS laser cutting. Instead of settling on a circular or rectangular mirror, think of all the possibilities like Moroccan shaped mirrors, diamonds, e.t.c.

Photos and idea: Apartment Therapy, Decor Adventures.