A Pretty Pillow Tutorial~ It's finally here!
This tutorial took me (much) longer than I thought it would. But I finally finished it, and I hope you'll all love this pretty cushion as much as I do. Here she is in all her ruffled glory. How We Created Our Mirrored Console~ So yesterday, I promised that I would tell you how we turned an ugly 1970's era dresser into this fabulous glam TV console.
I had been wanting a mirrored console for our TV....but I didn't want to spend the beaucoup $$$ that those things run, so I decided I was going to have to take matters into my own hands. First things first, I want to give credit to my friend Mandi for being the inspiration for this project with her fabulous DIY mirrored dresser. Showing it to my hubby was the way I convinced him that the ugly dresser would be a beauty when we were done. Annnnnnd, I picked Mandi's brain for a few of the details on how to make the whole project come together. That said, this is how we created the console... Meg made designs: Ikea meets Vintage Printer's Cabinet...what what! Ideas + Solutions for the Wall Behind the TV.
Another Monday here again!
I hope you had a great weekend. It was fairly low key on my end, but as a family we enjoyed the beginning signs of Fall, with the brisk chill in the air, by taking a family bike ride + watching football. I also got the opportunity to shop for some colorful mums to transition the front porch, as well as the mantel. Both are still in progress, but are coming along. Personal Project. This is not at all client-based.
It doesn’t have anything to do with my photography business. However, I get asked pretty frequently which design blogs I follow. One of my absolute favorites is Tatertots and Jello. My sister-in-law, Leslie, introduced me to this blog and I’m an avid reader ever since. Jen comes up with great themes and ideas, and then finds tons of resources and DIY projects for ways to make those ideas come alive. Upcycling With Pallets Infographic. Upholstered Headboard with Nailhead Trim, Revisited. Greetings!
I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! I can’t tell you how nice it was to take a few days off to just enjoy this beautiful season with the family. I did things I don’t often do, like sitting still. Ha! Some of you may be taking some well deserved time off this week, and truth be told, it’s going to be a slower week around here too. While reading some emails yesterday, I came across this question from Andrea: “I have recently been working on my master bedroom and the last piece of the puzzle is a fabric headboard. Besta, Billy, & Brass Bookcases. Greetings all, thanks for the sweet words on the office upgrades from yesterday!
As promised, here’s more information on the library bookcase unit we put together with IKEA pieces – we added trim, hardware, and lights to customize it for my office. How To Stencil A Wall - AKA Design. I am a huge fan of high impact feature walls in decorating.
Wallpaper is one way to get that impressive effect – but stenciling can be just as effective for much less money, not to mention that stenciling is less of a long-term commitment (because it can just be painted over)! Our last house saw us stenciling subtle feature walls in both our dining room and our bedroom. At this house, we’ve reused one of the same stencils in our current master bedroom – but this time with more of a high contrast geometric look.
After we posted our Rustic Chic Master Bedroom Reveal a week or so ago, we had several requests for a tutorial on how to stencil a wall. We aim to please (and we love ya!) Supplies: stencilpaint*plate or cup for paintsmall stiff brush or foam brush or small roller brushpainters tapestencil adhesivelevelpencilpaper towels and/or baby wipesdrop cloth or plasticladder or step stool for reaching the top of the wall Step by Step: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Bold Make-Over: Striped Teal Chest of Drawers. The daughter of a good friend was moving this week and asked if I would like a free dresser.
Umm...heck yeah! If it looks familiar, it because I finished it's sister here, for the same daughter's wedding this past summer. And here it is all gussied up. Using my new favorite paint gun (which I'll share later), I sprayed 2 coats of a rich teal, almost emerald paint over the drawer faces and dresser body. 3 Easy Steps to a Chalkboard Wall. 3.1K Flares3.1K Flares × If you follow us on Facebook, you may have noticed that we painted a chalkboard wall in our dining room.
I originally thought I wanted to put the chalkboard wall in the kitchen. But after living with it in the dining room for several weeks it is SO PERFECT here. I have to say it was a fabulous decision and the kids are LOVING it! I use it to write school assignments on (page numbers, etc) and to show examples (like parallel and perpendicular and why the fish is the sign of being a Christian) and the kids draw ALL OVER IT with their friends. It was a bit of a time consuming project (not really in actual work, just in the waiting), with multiple coats and dry time, but it was really simple and totally worth the wait.
Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint, Door-Turned-Entry Table, Fall Homeshow & Ultimate Upcycle Challenge - AKA Design. By this post title you may think I’m confused.
Or scatter-brained. Or completely lacking in marbles. How To Antique-Glaze Furniture - AKA Design. I recently downloaded and read the Altar’d How To Paint Furniture Guide and was all set to glaze my coffee table (part of our Living Room Mini Makover)…only I couldn’t find the highly-recommended Ralph Lauren Glaze up here in Canada. Not anywhere. Apparently Home Depot replaced RL with Martha – who doesn’t have any glaze type products. Anyway, after spending an entire morning emailing and calling RL and every Home Depot/Rona/Lowes and every other paint store in the area, I finally realized I was going to have to make this up myself.
Trash to Treasure - AKA Design. Oh you guys! I’m so excited to bring you a new monthly feature at AKA Design! It’s fun, frugal and I get to partner with some INCREDIBLE bloggers… Do you see that? Those three other talented girls up there? KariAnne, Jamie and Jenna! House Tour - Our Last House - AKA Design. In the fall of 2009, we decided to move from our first house back to the city to be closer to Dean’s work. He was exhausted and we’d spent a tonne of money on cars and car repairs while he commuted from Barrie to Scarborough everyday for work for five years. Having lived for years on one income, this little place in the suburbs was all we could afford. DIY Chevron Trim Dresser. Trim turned this plain dresser into a glamorous piece of furniture. Add stock wood trim to a dresser with flat-front panels for a new take on the classic chevron pattern. Poplar casement moulding works well because it has crisp precut edges and few knots in the grain, making it easy to paint.
Tarnished brass ring pulls give a new piece of furniture an elevated old world feel. Card Catalog...Jewelry Box? - AKA Design. 1.3K Flares1.3K Flares × I’m usually a pretty good “doer”. I mean, I don’t sit around idly dreaming of how nice our house could be “if only”. Before & after: adam’s ikea dresser. Project: Grönö Lamp Hack. Ikea- the very name can either make someone grimace or groan with pleasure. Me? Tutorial. Maps love. Clever ideas and hacks for your IKEA. Materials: Lack side table, leatherette, silver paint, furniture molding; hammer, brush, jigsaw. Clever ideas and hacks for your IKEA. Materials: Hemnes Square Grey Brown Coffee Table. Lady Croissant: How to turn a white table into a rainbow. IKEA Office Drawer Makeover. Seashell Lamps. We covered three Ikea lamps with a little crochet love—in stitch patterns inspired by the sea.
Try them in kids’ rooms, too! Best damn ikea hack ever - Nailhead side table. DIY: Campaign Chest.