Posts with the label DIY project
Showing posts with label DIY project. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY project. Show all posts
Friday, June 12, 2015
How to Make your Living Room look like You Paid a Decorator
I started with my inspiration picture...
TIP: Be sure when duplicating a room setting that your room is similar to the one you're lusting over. For example, compared to the picture above the similarities in my living room are:
- the fireplace
- TV over the fireplace
- window to the left side of the room
- open space to the right
- similar room shape; square to rectangle-ish
- wood flooring
- a multi-light chandelier
Let's get started with
How to Make your Living Room Look Like You Paid a Decorator!
I'll explain each of the numbered elements in the room that I recreated. (Please refer to the numbered picture above.) These are the things that attracted me to this room setting:
- Black Fireplace Mantel. The black accent in the inspiration room is a powerful statement color which according to HGTV, never goes out of style. I painted my mantle black leaving some white to resemble the fireplace in this picture.
- Wall Color. I selected Valspar Aspire paint from my local Ace Hardware store. The color name is "Fog Rolls In".
- Black Bookcases. I positioned mine on the outside wall due to lack of space on my fireplace wall. Feel free to make some modifications when needed confidently knowing you'll get the same end result. I bought tall, skinny bookcases from sears.com. You can find them here.
- Bright White Ceiling. I've always used an off-white ceiling paint but this time I chose a brilliant bright white to mimic the ceiling in my inspiration room.
- Black Light Fixture. My existing chandelier is simply gorgeous after two coats of black glossy spray paint. I'm excited about upcycled chandeliers. Check out another one of my projects here.
- Striped Accent Fabric. Two wing back chairs boldly add a striped statement to my room. Again, take some liberties and don't think you have to be so exact. I didn't have a place for benches beside the fireplace so I embraced the stripe with accent chairs instead.
- Gray Sofa. My search for a gray sofa left me exhausted and unsuccessful. I went with a natural earthy beige fabric sofa. I found mine locally (and the rest of my furniture) from Cochran's in Ringgold, Georgia. Their selling point was Laura Bush has five in her home. The selling point for me was comfort!
- Orange Throw Pillows. Love, love this accent color. Got my orange pillows!
- Artwork. Everything I found similar to the inspiration room was too pricey for my budget. I decided on a homey, modern feel with wooden signs.
- Warm Vibe. The ambiance of the inspiration room invites me to come in and sit down. My goal was to recreate a warm, welcome room using all the elements that inspired me.
You tell me...how did I do?
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| Taken at Christmas |
 |
| Love how the fixture turned out! |
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| My "Laura Bush" sofa and new wall pieces |
I'd love to know what you think. Leave me a comment. Please share with a link or photo a room makeover you are proud of!
Feeling like a decorator,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
DIY - Vintage Crib Makeover
My sentimental side came out just lately...wwaaayyy out! The vintage love started oozing about 11 months ago when my daughter showed me a blue plus sign on a dip stick. Fast forward to November 20, 2013 and my first grandchild skyrocketed my sentiments to explosive levels. Have you ever visited Disney World and watched the fireworks over Cinderella's castle, felt for yourself and saw the wonder in children's eyes? YAY? Well...You don't even know!Having a grandbaby is better than fireworks at Disney! Try to imagineer that.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Review of Pinterest Dawn & Vinegar Shower Cleaner
Have you seen this pinned 1000 times?
you pinned it vowing to make it!
Did you?
I did!
How did I like it? Let me count the ways....
 |
| my ultra clean shower! |
1. Very, very easy to make
2. Any Dawn will work
(not just the blue, I used green with Oil of Olay)
3. Easy to apply
(although my hand did get tired of pumping)
4. Inexpensive to make
(I'm figuring about .25 or less per clean shower job)
5. Superior to my normal cleaner Scrubbing Bubbles
6. Chemicals are not as harsh as Scrubbing Bubbles
7. Stores well
The only adjustment I would suggest
is reducing the amount of Dawn to
1/2 to 2/3 cup per 1 cup vinegar.
The solution was too sudsy and soapy for my liking
especially for my age group lol
How many of you clean the shower
when you take a shower?
I've got my hand raised high in the air
doing the selfie wave!
and, I see you blushing!
I will reduce the amount of Dawn because it was
so SLIPPERY when trying to clean.
I can see the doctors face now
when 50-year-old ladies show
up naked to the ER.
He asked what happened and
the answer is...
"I fell and couldn't get up!"
"I fell and couldn't get up!"
and he's like "Why are you naked and soaking wet?"
.JPG)
My "rain" type shower head made
it difficult to get all the suds and bubbles
out of the shower also.
Next time I'll hook a water hose
to my sink vanity so I
can use a spray nozzle!
Ladies, we've gotta have the right tools!
Overall, I will use Dawn & Vinegar Shower Cleaner, slightly modified.
I definitely RECOMMEND this recipe.
Have you tried it?
Leave me a comment with your results!
I'd love to hear your review of Pinterest Dawn & Vinegar Shower Cleaner.
Slipping and Sliding,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Last Minute Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas
My favorite homemade Halloween costume ever...
and yes, this is me!
as Genie Simmons
picked up all this stuff at a local charity and made this get-up
My 2nd best favorite
again, made from items picked up from a local charity
When I arrived at our yearly family Halloween party
my nephew was surprisingly dressed as
Yukon Cornelius from Rudolph!
One year I was Bo-Peep
my Mom made the outfit with fabric from Walmart
My son-in-law and my daughter were
Beetlejuice and his wife
His outfit is bought but her dress is from a local charity
She made her bangs from the ends of her long hair
by sweeping it over her head (genius)
The next year I was Bo-Peep's sheep! lol
my husband was a farmer...
the couple again
as a sexy devil and the
Phantom of the Opera
My younger daughter as a cop
I made both of these outfits by
simply sewing together 1 yard of
knit material and
cinching the bust
Can you tell we really get into Halloween?
The time of year where we can really be ourselves! lol
I made this Puss-in-Boots from a piece of printed fabric
that I made minimal seams in and
added a cat pouch or belly in the front!
as a playboy bunny
again homemade
Do you recognize the other character?
A few from this year 2013
not homemade!
Ever seen a pregnant fairy?
Now you have!!!
You've also found Waldo!
Just a little fun for Halloween
Hope these pics gave you some ideas
for a few costumes that can be
made last minute
with a few charity items
and some ingenuity!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Leave me a comment and tell me what your favorite costume ever is, homemade or bought?
Monday, August 12, 2013
DIY: Oversized Chaise becomes a Bench
This is my oversized chaise and my Mom's Pomeranian Peachie. She's an ornery dog and hates me! Don't get me started on my sister (tell me all about your sister with a comment) and now, let's resize a chaise. This piece of furniture is awkward. It just didn't fit into my room the way it should. So, I had an idea. Why not cut it down to make a bench? And...we did! Here's how we did it.
We removed the top cushion held in place with Velcro. Pretty simple...but we will remove this from it's cover and downsize it later. Please notice the zipper in the cover which makes it difficult to cut down and re-sew but we managed and you'll see how.
Then, my dear Mom cut the lining covering the stuffing inside the chaise.
We turned the chaise on it's side and removed the bottom two feet.
A ratchet tool makes removing the feet so much easier!
We carefully cut back the upholstery fabric leaving it attached whenever we could. We also removed the stuffing uncovering the horizontal boards we will cut to shorten the chaise.
We moved the chaise to the porch to saw. I wanted it to be 23" from the back of the chaise to the end. We measured and drew "guide lines" for an even cut.
My sweet husband did his thang!
After the sawing was done, Steve beat it like a bad wife gently removed the end cover to screw back to the raw end he had made. All the while, we were very careful with the attached upholstery fabric. I used this fabric to recover the bench.
We cleaned the bench removing the sawdust and moved it back into the house. I carefully stapled the bottom lining back onto the underside of the bench. I was amazed at how accurate our measurements were when the black lining fit perfectly.
I stapled all the upholstery fabric back around the outside corners. Then, I cut the inside stuffing to 23" to fit the new bench and stuffed it in!
Then, I cut the beige topside lining down to fit and stapled it into place.
If you can believe it, cutting the top cushion to fit the bench was the worst part.
We did it with teamwork, me and Mom. After it was cut, we placed it back into it's original covering and folded the extra material under.
We covered the back cushions that were brown in a nice green & purple matisse fabric to match the existing floral chair in the pic above. Here it is... Oversized Chaise turned Bench!!!
Whatta ya think? How'd we do?
Have you done any furniture remodels? Please leave me comment and tell me about them. You can give me some tips for next time!
Loving my new bench,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Monday, July 29, 2013
Upcycled Chandelier
from Old and Classy
to Modern & Sassy
This is my old and classy chandelier I bought in 1981 for my dining room. She's still hangin' round! Can we say "golden"? She's a bit naked here with her bulbs and candle covers removed. Do you know what candle covers are? I had to research it to get the name of those long white things that covers the bulb holders. I won't tell if you don't!
.JPG "chandlier")
Spring project turned into Summer and maybe Fall
Remodeling my kitchen & dining room into the 21st century!
Her step-by-step makeover...
I dressed her up with new bulbs and her usual white candle covers. She be hangin' around again so colorful, sassy and modern!
I saved time and money. Upcycling is cool and fun!
Monday, June 17, 2013
How to Use, Refresh and Create an Heirloom
Use an Heirloom
.JPG "heirloom")
Trying to find a place
for that old thing?
I WAS!
Cleaning out a closet, I found a quilt my mother-in-law hand-stitched.
I decided to display it as a wall hanging in our family room as a memorial to her.
It was simple to machine wash and line dry.
I sewed wooden rings to one end and tied on some twine to hang it neatly.
The quilt is a conversation piece. Everyone that visits inquires of it's history.
I enjoy telling it and feel proud that her handiwork and her legacy is alive in our home.
Refresh an Heirloom
I love unique things. I found these antique lemon tree wall hangings in Virginia. I've used them as I
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Operation: Handmade Valentine Gifts for Him & Her
I love Tuesdays! Blogs I Love Day. I stumbled upon (literally) this amazing, talented lady. Her face book page has 14,692, no, make that 14,693 fans! Can't wait for that day! lol She says about herself "I am a thrifty shopper, a fabric lover, a paint brush best friend and a never ending makeover believer. Hmmmm, yep... that sounds like me!" Introducing...
Her blog love:
gift ideas for men
DIY section
printables
tutorials
recipes
WARNING: This List is Incomplete. Everything on her blog is uber-awesome.
Operation: Handmade Valentine Gifts for Him & Her!
Get Started....
Go find yours at The 36th avenue.
Leave me a comment and let me know which idea saved the Valentine Day for you!
Strolling down 36th avenue,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Saturday, February 2, 2013
3 Thoughtful & Inexpensive Gifts for your Mr.
Are you the girl or lady who thinks of creative gifts for your Mr. all the time? Well, sister, that's not me! If it's not you either, this post may help. I've put together three gifts for my husband lately that made an impression. And after all, isn't that why we give gifts? We want them to make our mister smile, remember us when they look at them and just generally make them happy! 'Cause when Daddy smiles everybody's having a good day!
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The Eye Glass Totem I found this adorable eye glass holder at World Market. Our idea for Valentine's Day the past several years has been to buy gifts for less than $10. I had budget to spare with this $5.99 gift. The best thing is he actually uses it! Many costly gifts wind up in the drawer and never used. My husband, Steve is always losing his glasses. I gave him this holder with a cute little note telling him "So you'll always know where they are!" You can make up your own sweet note. If your Mr. doesn't wear glasses, it's also a great key ring holder. Keys are always getting lost at our house too! Whatever he uses it for, every time he looks at it, he'll clearly see you!
52 Things I Love About You Box Got this idea from Pinterest. Loved it so much I made several for my husband, my daughters, my son-in-law and my parents! Begin by writing down 52 things you love about the person getting the gift. You'll think "That's easy". It almost made my brain hurt a couple of times thinking. Your "things" should be thoughtful, unusual, awesome! They pack a bigger punch if they are uber-personal. For example, one of my husband's, "I love you for being a non-smoker." He appreciated it. He quit smoking long ago which was difficult for him and vividly remembered. I'd never told him how much his selflessness, giving up a habit he loved, meant to me. Awww! Use boxes you have lying around to save money. Print a label for each box to personalize more. My husband's box has a comic of his passion, a motorcycle. Use paper and pencil or print 52 items using Word or Notepad. Cut them into strips, fold and place in the box. Your Mr. will read one per week until next Valentine's Day! He'll think of you with each one he reads and be grinning week after week!
Unframed 4x6 Photo Does your husband have a cubicle at work? Mine does. The limited space leaves little room for mementos. Work is always stressful. The idea of creating my mister an edited photo to put on his sticky board inside his cubicle was a success. Edit your photo with a free editor. You can make it anything you want -- cute, sexy, funny, you imagine it! Secretly, I think this fulfilled my dream of being a pin-up girl! (Laughing at myself) A handicap girl has to have her fun! I wanted my man to know I appreciate him bringing home the bacon. I pray for him and his job daily. The pin-up 4x6 unframed photo reminds him of my love and encouragement every time he looks at it. I'm his biggest cheerleader!
Gifting Valentine Values,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
.JPG)
The Eye Glass Totem I found this adorable eye glass holder at World Market. Our idea for Valentine's Day the past several years has been to buy gifts for less than $10. I had budget to spare with this $5.99 gift. The best thing is he actually uses it! Many costly gifts wind up in the drawer and never used. My husband, Steve is always losing his glasses. I gave him this holder with a cute little note telling him "So you'll always know where they are!" You can make up your own sweet note. If your Mr. doesn't wear glasses, it's also a great key ring holder. Keys are always getting lost at our house too! Whatever he uses it for, every time he looks at it, he'll clearly see you!
Gifting Valentine Values,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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