Author: Mariam Draper

3 Home Improvement Projects Under $30

Posted on by Mariam Draper

Got a weekend and $30 to spend on possible home improvement projects? Have I got a treat for you!

Here are 3 projects that are fairly easy to do.

                                                     Rope Laundry Basket

Dollar store laundry baskets need not look cheap. All you need is a dollar store laundry basket, a roll of rope and hot glue gun. Turn the basket upside down and tightly attach the rope around the basket using hot glue gun to firmly hold it in place.

You can also use twine for a more rustic look. Your basket is now ready for use as a storage bin for those lovely towels or blankets.

 

Plant Terrarium

Liven up a room with a plant terrarium. You will need a clear glass vase, small pebbles or white gravel, and a small potted succulent plant. Check your nearest dollar store for the glass vase and pebbles/gravel. The small potted succulent plant would be available at your local garden center.

Loosen the plant from the pot and transfer both the soil and the plant to the glass vase. Evenly distribute the pebbles/gravel around the plant. Wipe any dirt that may have clung to the sides of the vase. Only water as needed.

 

                                                     Chic Enamel Vase

Put together a dollar store clear glass vase, an oil-based enamel paint (your color choice), and a small paint brush. What do you have? A unique chic enamel vase!

Make sure the inside of the vase is clean and dry. Pour a moderate amount of enamel paint inside the vase. Continuously swirl the vase until the inside is completely coated with paint. Use the paint brush for touch ups.

If you want a marbled look, try combining 2-3 colors. Pour them in equal amounts inside the vase before you start swirling to your heart’s content.

Invert the vase onto a paper towel to allow the excess to drip off until you achieve the thickness that you want. Change the paper towel as needed. Once you get the look that you want, turn the vase upright and allow to dry overnight.…

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How to Quickly Create A Kitchen Backsplash

Posted on by Mariam Draper

Another weekend is coming up soon! Are you itching to work on another DIY project but are not looking forward to spending the entire weekend doing so? I have just the right project in mind for you!

 

How about considering sprucing up your kitchen with a little tile accent along the kitchen sink? Impossible? I promise you that with my proposed project, it is definitely possible.

You will need:

Measuring tape or ruler

Self-adhesive tile stickers

Liquid soap and water

Sponge

Clean dry cloth – 2 pieces

Sharp pair of scissors or exacto knife

Let’s get started:

First, you need to properly measure the total area where you would want to place the tile stickers using the measuring tape.

Purchase the sticker tiles online. There are a number of sizes, designs, and styles to choose from.  Prices range from $25 to $85 per pack. The price varies depending on the size and number of tile stickers in the pack.

Clean the wall area where the stickers will be applied using a little bit of liquid soap to remove any grease and dirt.

Rinse well with water and dry using the clean cloth.

Let the area air dry for 30 minutes. If you chose different designs for the sticker tiles, this would be the best time to plan out how the designs will go together.

Apply the tiles from the bottom most layer while going in one direction (go right to left or vice versa) per layer.

Use the scissor to cut off any excess. The exacto knife is also great if your last tile is applied at a corner and there is an excess.

Make sure the tiles are sticking well to the wall by gently wiping them with a clean dry cloth.

Stand back and enjoy the fruits of your labor with a well-deserved glass of wine.

Easy, wasn’t it? And you did it in a fraction of a time under a fraction of a budget.…

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D-I-Y Shabby Chic Side Table

Posted on by Mariam Draper

I’ve always been fond of furniture that has a painted antique-look, which is also referred to as “shabby chic”. The downside is that shabby chic furniture is a bit pricey. Good for you if you get to find one among  garage sale items…but this rarely happens.

I got tired of trying to find the perfect shabby chic furniture that I decided to create my own. I had the perfect sized side table to work on anyway. So, off to the paint shop I went to purchase a can of chalk paint (had to ask for assistance from the sales staff though since I was in a rush when I made the purchase).

Materials:

1 old wood side table

Paint brush

Chalk paint

Rubber gloves

Drop cloth or newspapers

Sandpaper – 180-grit

Clean damp cloth

Procedure:

Prepare your work space by placing the drop cloth or spreading the newspapers on the floor to prevent you from accidentally damaging your flooring. I recommend doing this in your garage for better ventilation.

Make sure the side table is clean by wiping it with the damp cloth. Let it air dry.

If your side table has a drawer, tape off the handles so you don’t need to remove it while painting.

Mix the paint according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Apply the first coat of paint using the paint brush beginning at the top. Paint the legs last.

You can apply 2-3 more coats of paint depending on your desired look. Allow enough time for the paint to dry before applying the next coat.

Once completely dry, lightly sand the areas of the table using sand paper to give it a distressed look.

Remember that you are giving the table a distressed look, so you just need to sand the table in areas where it would get naturally distressed.

Needless to say, I was very happy with the results of my little project. I am already looking forward to a long weekend where I can shabby chic my kitchen cabinet!

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