{idea notebook} How to Paint a Plywood Chair

It has been awhile since I have posted a d-i-y project. So when I was looking for a way to upcycle some plain, plywood chairs I picked up at a local garage sale I found this great how-to from Fresh Home and had to share it. I am envisioning six of them lining my farm-house, kitchen table. I am loving the idea of their modern forms perfectly accenting something old and wooden. Also loving the idea of grassy-green legs, a cheerful, pink or cherry red seat and shiny white dots... so super cute!

Step 1: Clean the Veneer Seat

Do this using a cloth and TSP detergent solution. Sand with 80-grit sandpaper to roughen the surface so that the primer will adhere; then, wipe clean.

Step 2: Clean the Legs

Do this using mineral spirits, scouring any rust spots using a wire brush. Wash with a mild detergent then smooth with 150-grit sandpaper and leave to dry completely.

Step 3: Paint the Legs

Use a two-in-one rust converter product that primes and topcoats new or lightly rusted ferrous metals, leaving it to dry for at least 16 hours between coats.

Step 4: Paint the Seat

Prime the seat and apply a coat of white gloss acrylic, leaving it to dry them lightly smoothing with 180-grit sandpaper and applying a second coat.

Step 5: Create the Design

Measuring the chair back and seat to divide it vertically into five sections; then, mark spot centers every 3-in. along the lines, staggering them slightly. Apply masking tape over the marks to make circles on the tape by marking around a coin. Cut around the circles using a utility knife, peeling away the tape circle to paint. Apply colored gloss acrylics or artist paint over the circle with a small brush and leave to dry. (I would like to recommend that you seal the chair with 1-2 coats of polyurethane once paint has dred and prior to using for extra protection!)

{idea notebook+doors} the center of attention

I am so loving the idea of transforming the mood of a room by addressing the doors that mark your entrance and exit into the space. These are simply amazing...

* Brass upholstery tacks and a high gloss, rich hued paint (that looks like leather) and instant luxury.

* Wallpaper panels transform bifold doors into gorgeous "folding screens"- or add extra knobs and you have the pretty illusion of double doors.

* Like the perfect lipstick a swipe of bright paint on the edge of a door can add just a touch of polish that is wonderfully graphic and totally chic. This is just so perfect that I wish I would have thought of it!

* A repurposed ceiling medallion, deep color paint and a large center doorknob add pure opulence. To die!

Have a wonderful week everyone!



*Photography via Marthe Stewart Living (directions in September 2011 issue)

{idea notebook+headboard} Perfectly Patchwork

A few weeks ago I was gifted with a gorgeous batch of fabric samples from Waverly's new fabric launch. A festive mix of Mod & Tribal prints in yummy corals, hot pinks, brilliant reds, rich yellows, deep browns and frothy creams... they are all so fantastically beautiful I have been lugging them around to every project in a serious effort to decide what piece of furniture, pillow or design needed upholstered. Then I found this... it is a perfect way to showcase an array of fabric you love without looking cluttered. (Tip: Choose patterns and prints that work together in a harmonious colour palette and use a solid color in the grouping for a moment of visual pause) I can't wait to start. For details see text below!

"Use scraps of coordinating fabrics to create a modern patchwork-effect headboard. To make the headboard, cut 8-inch squares from stiff florist's foam and 1/4-inch plywood. Cut 8-inch squares from quilt batting and place over foam squares. Glue all layers with Styroglue. Cut fabric into squares large enough to wrap the foam squares with at least a 1/2 -inch overlap on the back. Staple fabric to the back with a staple gun. Cut a piece of 1/4-inch plywood a few inches wider than your mattress on both sides. Line up the squares facedown in your desired pattern and attach them to each other with heavy-duty tape. Top them with the plywood, and drill wood screws at 8-inch intervals to secure all the layers. Attach ring hooks to the back of the plywood to hang the headboard on the wall." BHG

*Photography & quoted text via BHG and Waverly

{idea notebook} Secret Storage Cabinet

Pair a flea-market painting with an old metal medicine cabinet and what will you have? A seriously clever secret storage cabinet! I think this is such a cute idea that I can't stop thinking about just where to put mine!

"How To" text via Country Living:

Step 1: If the cabinet has a mirrored front, carefully remove the glass (be sure to wear gloves, as you may have to break the glass). Additionally, your painting's wooden frame should measure at least 3/4" think and overlap the cabinet door's surface by at least an inch on all four sides.

Step 2: Lay your painting facedown on a flat surface, then center your cabinet facedown atop the painting. Use a pencil to mark the cabinet's edges on the back of the frame.

Step 3: With the cabinet still resting on the painting, open it up to expose the back side of the door. Use a permanent marker to mark a dot in each corner of the door, making sure the dots align with the thickest part of the frame.

Step 4: Lift the cabinet off the painting and lay the cabinet facedown atop a piece of scrap wood. Drill a hole at each of the marked dots, then place the cabinet on top of the painting again, aligning it with the pencil marks on the back of the frame.

Step 5: Use a drill to drive 3/4" screws through the door holes into the frame.

Step 6: Mount the unit to the wall using the premade holes in the cabinet's back. If holes don't exist, drill on in each corner.

* Project credit from Kate Pruitt, Photography via Country Living

{idea notebook} An Outdoor Kitchen

Call this crazy or just a little bit ingenious? Nina Tolstrup's "Outdoor" kitchen for Ten Plan is maybe a bit of both...I think I love it!

*Click here to download construction plans

*Photography via homelife

{idea notebook} A Fabulous Furniture Footlift

High heels make me feel sexy, Sabrina heels make me feel elegant, Ballet flats make me feel romantic, Gladiator sandals make me feel powerful... A great pair of shoes can transform an outfit or even uplift your mood. (We all remember season 3 of Sex and The City when Carrie had the misfortune of being mugged for her Manolos) So, I love this idea of transforming a chair by painting it's feet (or painting everything but it's feet). It's unexpected, it's dress-up for furniture, it's oh so very chic! (and a lot less than that darling pair of Manolos, or Louboutins or...)

*Photography via BHG|February 2011 & Do It Yourself|Spring 2011

{idea notebook+painted ceramics} Touch of Hand

Okay, I am loving this! Revamp your plain ceramics and glassware with the simplest of D-I-Y techniques. Perfect for a rainy-day project of a personalized gift. What a stroke of genius...Love it!

1. Create a flowering teapot from your own doodled art. How very cool!
"Use a porcelain paint pen to embellish a simple pot with a modern floral bouquet. Keep acetone (nail polish remover works well) and tissues on hand to remove any mistakes. Bake the pieces according to the paint manufacturer's instructions to set the paint." Brianne Sanchez for Do It Yourself
2. Plain servingware serves new duty as chic organization for office supplies.
"Use a porcelain paint pen to repeat a simple circle chain pattern on each dish. A cohesive, modern design and color scheme unifies the eclectic mix of thrift shop pieces into efficient office organizers." Brianne Sanchez for Do It Yourself
3. Add a graphic pop to a plain glass pitcher and matching cups with circle label stickers and white glass paint.
"Use a foam pouncer to apply white paint over the labels and up the sides of the glassware for a faux-frosted look Avoid the rim of the pitcher and glass, so no paint is ingested when they're used. Peel the stickers off while the paint is still wet, scratching off any that seeped underneath." Brianne Sanchez for Do It Yourself
4. Transform a colored lamp with a white Sharpie oil paint marker by sketching your favorite pattern onto it's base. This is great for creating a lovely lace-inspired look.
"Start at the top and work your way down for the best results!" Brianne Sanchez for Do It Yourself


*Images and instructions via Do It Yourself | Spring 2011

{idea notebook} Fancy a Hook From Reusable Finds

Recycle old outdoor faucet handles or vintage hand drills to create a great and one-of-a-kind storage solution. I love, love, love this idea for back entry ways, kitchens and baths.

How To:
Outdoor Faucet Handles
1. Determine your desired fixture length & buy tubular pipe cut to size.
2. Pull together an interesting collection of faucet styles and colors from local salvage yards, flea markets or your own garage.
2. Have a welder attach the faucets & piping to complete the tubular coatrack.

Hand Drill Coat Rack (directions via Junk Beautiful pp.85)
1. Cut recycled floorboard or new wood to fit your space.
2. If using recycled floorboard scribe curve of board onto trim piece & cut following your line. Do one for each end of the board.
3. Sand the trim pieces to smooth the rounded cuts.
4. Attach trim pieces with finishing nails, one to each end of the floorboard.
5. Stain trim to match floorboard or stain the new board and trim a medium tone.
6. Measure and place hand drills an equal distance an equal distance from one another on the board.
7. Attach hand drills to the floorboard or new board with plastic fasteners.

*Photographs via Junk Beautiful by Sue Whitney & Ki Nassauer

{idea notebook+shelving} DIY Pipe & Flange Shelving Unit

This is a great go-to shelving solution we used frequently at Anthropologie to outfit our Home vignettes . It has a great industrial feel and can be custom designed to fit any space you desire. The project itself requires a bit of math and more elbow grease than anything else. Love it!

Supply list:
Plumbing Pipe: Can be custom cut to size by local DIY/hardware store

Fittings: 90º Elbows, 3-Way Tees & Base Flanges (all at 1/2″)

Wood Shelves: Can be custom cut to size by local DIY/hardware store

Wood Stain or Paint

Rustoleum Gloss Spray Paint: to prep the pipes and fittings

Tools:
Drill, 3/4” Hole saw, Medium grit sandpaper (#120), Dish soap (to de-grease the pipes, etc.)

How To:

1. Sketch desired fixture and calculate desired length of shelving, etc.

2. Drill holes in wood planks for the pipe to fit through. (recommended: 3/4″ round drill bit)

3. Clean pipes and fittings. Treat with Rustoleum.

4. Sand and stain/paint wood

5. Assemble by screwing everything together & secure to wall with screws through the flanges for stability.

*For a detailed how-to refer to: The Brick House

*Photography via Apartment Therapy

{idea notebook+ do it yourself} Cozy Up

Cozy up your living space with a few, great, do-it-yourself projects:

* To create the illusion of taller ceilings and wider windows hang curtain panels high and wide. For custom draperies with extra length and weight, cut standard curtain panels and machine stitch black linen to the bottoms.

* Bedeck a plain pillow with fantastic felt flowers. For this specialized look cut flower shapes in different sizes out of felt, layer the petals and tack them together. Sew each flower to the pillow bunching them together to create blooms.

* Create a custom ottoman! Cut MDF to size & attach stacked, wooden spheres (already painted) or pre-fab legs using a center dowel for stability. Wrap MDF with foam and fabric, and carefully secure to the underside with a staple gun. Personalize your creation with silhouettes of your favorite four legged friend!

* Can't find the perfect light fixture, try crafting your own from a large tomato cage, fabric and some embroidery floss. Now that's a great idea! For step by step directions see Do It Yourself {Winter 2010}, page 72 by BHG Special Interest Publications.
"Step 1: Using wire cutters, cut a large tomato cage down to the desired size of your pendant lamp. Turn upside down.
Step 2: Bend the wires meant to push into the ground over the top of the cage as shown. String a pendant light kit through the center of the bent-in-wires.
Step 3: Create a template from newspaper for the pendant cover. Roll the cage over the paper, creating an arc, and trace as you go; add 1 inch to top and bottom.
Step 4: Using the template as a guide, cut the cover from a piece of fabric. Press under the top and bottom edges 1/2 inch for a hem; sew. Embellish with embroidery if desired. Sew ends together to create a cylinder-shaped slipcover.
Step 5: Slide the cover over the cage. Fold the top and bottom ends, and stitch the fabric to the inside of the cage."

*Photography via Do It Yourself {Winter 2010} by BHG Special Interest Publications