CD Storage Cabinet Doors Above Window Treatment

CD Storage Cabinet Doors 

Above Window Treatment

contributed by Home Sweat Homemade

Earlier this year, the guest room/office really needed some new curtains.  The ones we inherited from the previous owners were a horribly awfully unflattering dark green cotton.  I hope I’m not understating just how completely unappealing they were.

But again, that pesky little budget reminded us to pinch pennies wisely.  So we purchased a simple roman shade in a blue ticking stripe (source) that will be versatile enough for whatever decor happens to land in this room.  Sometime.  In the future.

To set off the shades, we wanted a nice cornice.  But what?  Then I remembered removing the door panels from an old CD storage cabinet and stashing them in a closet.  So why not use them here?  In hindsight, the panels would have looked better had I mounted them spaced slightly from the wall rather than flush.  Oh well.  We’re pleased.

Another piece of unused furniture averted from the landfill.  Too bad about those green curtains though…

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Card Catalog Remake into Buffet

This amazing redo-rework of an old card catalog totally caught my eye!  Now I want one!  Although I might have to ask Adrianne from Dream Book Designn to do all the hard work like they did for this one!  AMAZING!  Here is her explanation of what she did!




I should just start off by saying that in this post I tend to toot my own horn, a lot. However it's not because of me doing anything amazing myself, but for the fact that I am married the most AMAZING man ever! Go me!

A couple of months ago J bought this massive card catalog from Craigslist. It is from a closed down old Phoenix Public Library. It was so incredible, but yet we had no idea what the heck to do with it. It sat in the garage for a good four months until one day my hubby had a "light bulb" moment and decided he would take it apart and transform it into the most beautiful buffet ever...really, ever!

This is what we started with:

Here is the process:

• Removed the 72 drawers, numbering each with tape as we went so we could place it back in the correct spot
• Removed the outside plywood casing of the original cabinet
• Separated the four sections of 18 slots that were stacked 4x1 and reacquainted the with each other in a 2x2 buffet setting. Screwed the sections back together

• Purchased two 4'x8' sections of oak plywood and had Lowe's cut them to size for free. These would be the new top and base, but we used the original casings for the sides to preserve the character of the piece since they have great splits and dents already.

• Secured 8 legs purchased from Lowe's for $8 each to base sheet of plywood in a diamond pattern {the card catalog is probably 350 lobs. so we were really, really, relieved when the base withstood all of the weight.
• Added 3/4" trim purchased from Lowe's and cut at home with our Miter saw, then pathched the nail holes with wood putty.

• Sanded, re-sanded, and sanded some more to really smooth things out
• Painted all {freaking} 72 drawers {with a smile of course}and whole thing with Behr Premium Plus Ultra paint and primer in one from Home Depot {color:Rhino}- random fact: we will ONLY ever use Behr PPU for all projects, it is in our minds thebest
• Rubbed some stain {Minwax Dark Walnut 2716} all over with a small brush and a few rags to give the antique look, followed by a little more sanding and then some Minwax Wipe on Poly to seal it

• Lastly, we placed all the original hardware back on each drawer {minus the 4 that are missing the little circle do-dads, we are very technical over here, do-dads} 

So far we have figured out that we can stick wine bottles, cloth napkins, serving utensils, and other small things..but lets be honest- 72 drawers is a little much! We shall see what junk I can find to fill it up...
Finally, how rad is my J. What hubby thinks of this, and then is even excited to do it over his three-day weekend. I kinda love him.

They had SUCH incredible vision!

That piece is stunning and I am in love with it too!

What are your thoughts?

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Make a Headboard Using A Five Panel Door

Make a Headboard Using A Five Panel Door

contributed by Sandra at My Ramblings  

Yep. This here G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S bed head was once a door.

Charlotte approves too!
Actually she's just waiting for me to leave the room so she can jump on to Mark's pillow.

 I think the door would feel much more glamorous now don't you think?

Click here to see how I made it.

Here's some Before and After shots...

Before

After

I love the headboard and how classy it looks, don't you?  I love the one we built too, here.

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Free Light Fixture Makeovers

Free Light Fixture Makeovers 

Party Highlight from Kindra @ At home with K

Another beautiful day here in Nebraska! I could stand these temps all year...

My hubby was a sweetie and put up my light fixtures so I can show you my quick makeover!

I love my light fixture in our kitchen. We got it a few years ago to replace the hideous, dirty ceiling fan from the previous owners. This fixture was probably around $50-$60 at Menards. It's simple but makes a big difference in the room.

Since I'm more budget friendly these days of my life...I wanted to add a little extra to a couple BORING areas in my house a little cheaper.

I had these 2 light fixtures I found FREE at EcoStores Nebraska (local salvage center). If you missed my post on these finds, I found some great junk finds during free week at this salvage center. But as you can see, the price tag is very affordable...better than $50+!

Don't let the 80's look scare you. :)

I removed the glass in each fixture which was really easy...just some unscrewing here and there.

Cleaned them up.

Primed them with auto spray primer.

Let dry then sprayed with Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint. Done!

I had them hanging in my tree to dry. :)

Here are the 2 ugly spots that needed attention.

Mudroom/basement area...unfinished recess lighting.

Area at the top of the basement steps.

Here they are today! Much better.

Top of Steps.

With lights off/flash on

Mudroom area

We added a ceiling medallion to cover the big hole. I got it on sale for $4.

Lights off/flash on

Not bad for free and some spray paint!

Paint does miracles. :)

Have a wonderful day!

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Blossoming Beauty; Party/Holiday Garland Idea, Guest

Sara from over at Creative Jewish Mom has made some wonderful things.  And this little party/ holiday decorations is one of my favorite.  what do you guys think?  Simple and so beautiful.  Here are her insturctions:

 

Isn't this just dreamy? I don't know why it never occurred to me that the chandelier in my stair well, as well as the banister are perfect places to hang seasonal decorations! In fact, other than painting this space peacock blue, (which I still love even three years later) I have yet to figure out how to decorate the space, so some beautiful garlands certainly give the space some life!

Sure looks like Spring time in this stairwell! And these would be great party decorations for just about any occasion, though I won't try to deceive you and say they were quick to make, because making a large quantity like I did (maybe at least 12 meters worth) requires quite a bit of time, though well worth it!

One of the really interesting things about this garland project is the material that I used. Disposable tablecloth yardage! If you're not familiar with this creation, it's the same fabric used in hospital masks and bibs, only available in every color to suit your party decor.

The great thing about it is that it's not woven, so there is no unraveling, and it is semi translucent, so it looks a bit like tissue paper. And of course it's much cheaper than most fabric. And if you're lucky maybe you can even recycle some non-soiled ones from the next  party where they happen to be using such a thing. (Very common in Israel.)

Here's How:

1. Cut all kinds of shapes like flowers, circles, leaf shapes etc from disposable table cloth material.
2. Shapes needn't be perfect, and you can certainly cut at least 10 layers of fabric at a time, so the shapes add up quickly.
3. And now for the fun part: Sew the shapes together by running them through the sewing machine, quickly placing one after another, and not worrying about lining things up! The randomness is what makes them look like falling blossoms, at least to me!
4. Hang strings of blooms vertically or horizontally and enjoy!

Thanks Sara for letting us show off your lovely project!

What do you all think?

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