Handmade Coffee Table

"Handmade coffee table" from Darling Dexter.

My husband and I have tried our hand at making furniture before. But most looked fit only for the dorm room in which it originally sat. This table from Darling Dexter is quite an inspiration. Doesn't take extremely skilled labor, but still looks lovely. Definitely need hardwood floors though!!

Backyard Scrabble

"Backyard Scrabble" from Sunset.

My family loves a good word game. And, big tile Scrabble would rank high on that list. This actually doesn't seem too difficult to implement. Perhaps when we finally attempt our backyard remodel.

The game is made with stained concrete and tiles cut from baseboard. But it would also be cute with colored tiles.

Weekend Warriors

"Weekend Warriors" from the[artful]abode.

Love love love this bike mural in the nursery. Lately we've been on a bike kick. I think my husband would love love love it too. Certainly something to keep in mind.

Might even look awesome in the garage, if all else fails!

Decorate a Staircase

"Decorate a Staircase" from the haystack needle.
This photo (my favorite) is found at idahostudio's flickr page.

My stairs right now are carpeted, but someday, someday, I'll have wooden stairs.

How to... Family Wall

"How to... Family Wall" from My Sweet Savannah.

Bing, bing, bing, I think I figure out what will go in our bar area!!

"1) Paint your wall chocolate brown, let dry a day or so. I used canoe brown by Eddie Bauer at Lowes, but any dark brown would do

2) type up what you want your wall to say. If you like the family one I did, go to www.wonderfulgraffiti.com and copy there saying. I used the definition out of the dictionary but tweaked it a bit. Type it up so it all fits on one sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" paper

3) Measure your wall it is going on

4) figure out how much you need to enlarge it at kinkos to fit your wall. They can help you with this, or you can use your calculator. if you need it twice as big, enlarge it 200% and so on. I believe mine was something like 800% bigger.

5) Use the oversized copier at kinkos (they can help you) to enlarge it to your size. it's about $10.00 per sheet

6) Tape transfer paper to your wall. You can get this at craft stores. it's about $4.00 a package and you will need several. I cut out this step by literally "scribbling" with pencil all over the back side of my enlarged copy. It does the same thing and saves you the money on the carbon transfer paper. Kids like to help with this part!

7) Tape your enlarged copy on your wall. make sure it is straight by using a level

8) Once you have it where you want it, use a ballpoint pen to "trace" around each letter, until done. This is the hard part, your hand will hurt! Put enough pressure on so that the pencil will come off on the wall under it.

9) Then just use craft paint to fill in the letters. It doesn't have to be perfect, mine isn't. I used a light brown and a creamy color I think. You can use any color you like that matches your house.

10) and that's it! Good luck!"

Letters

"Weekend Project Challenge #1, Letters" from SpragueLab
Which doorway will our last name fit best on? What an easy breezy decorating scheme! Modern and cool, too

"For my letters, I chose big press-board letters - this was the first time I’d seen big letters that weren’t in some crappy font like Comic Sans or Curlz, but a nice classic, graphic serif. I picked them up from A.C. Moore, for a couple bucks each, plus a can of white spray-paint.

Two coats later, plus some removable adhesive (pause while I grovel in the general direction of 3M) they look SO cool against the white trim of the door that leads from the front room to the kitchen."

Double Desk Bookcase

"DIY: Double Desk Bookcase" from Apartment Therapy: Los Angeles
Not sure if I could get Rob to agree to this, but it sure is an inspiring idea. Maybe even to save for kids' work areas later.

You can download a pdf with instructions from the site.

DIY: Ottoman

"Make Yourself an Ottoman" found at Blueprint's blog via CasaSugar.

If only I could find those exact pillows... they would totally match our new bedroom!

1. Choose two cushions. You could use regular sofa cushions, but for a more streamlined look, purchase box-edged floor cushions.
2. Measure the cushions.
3. Have a piece of wood cut to the size of your cushion at your local lumber store.
4. Choose a paint color for the ottoman's wood base.Then paint the wood and let dry.
5. Choose your casters. You'll need four.
6. Drill four holes in the wood — all approximately 2 inches in from each corner — and screw the casters into the holes.
7. Flip over so the casters are on the floor, and stack both cushions on top of the wood platform.
8. For best results, use a nonslippery fabric on the cushions, such as canvas. Silkier fabrics tend to slip, which isn't conducive to ottoman relaxation!

Entryway Organizers

Entryway Organizers found via Martha Stewart
I'm searching for the perfect mailroom solution. Could this be it?

"Wooden shutters come in a variety of shapes and sizes. If using multiples, you'll want them to match in size and style. You'll also need a hammer and brads, medium-grit sandpaper, primer, latex paint, a paintbrush, a level, a pencil, a drill, and mounting hardware appropriate for your wall. If shutters have adjustable louvers, lock them in the "up" position by driving a brad through the tilt bar and into the frame (left). Sand, prime, and paint shutters; let dry. Use level to mark position for middle shutter. Drill pilot holes in shutter and the wall; mount with hardware (we used screws and stainless-steel finish washers for a clean look). Repeat with side panels, butting them snugly against middle shutter."

Wicked Awesome Mudroom

"A Wicked Awesome Mudroom" from The Shabby Nest, found via OhDeedoh
"Wendy transformed a simple closet into a rather charming mudroom for her family complete with bench, hooks designated for each child with photographs, and a basket for shoes.
Wendy and her husband started the project by lining the closet with bead board- a favorite classic look. Underneath the bench is a cubby for shoes. We love how Wendy transformed a blah laundry basket into a really cute basket with a chalkboard and some ribbon. It's so easy to go out and buy a new basket or container, but so much more creative to use something you already have.
The bench cushion actually involved an old crib mattress and an electric carving knife! Throw on some fabric and some cute Ikea pillows- and voila. Finally, Wendy laminated photos of her kids and thumb tacked them next to each hook."

nursery chest of drawers

nursery chest of drawers
Originally uploaded by twittering bird

From twittering bird via OhDeeDoh and Flickr.

They painted the Mandal chest of drawers from IKEA. Can also add a changing table on top for a nursery.

Fruit Crate Shelves

How to Build Shelves from Fruit Crates from OhDeeDoh

Directions from OhDeeDoh reader, inkstainedwriter:
"We wanted small bookshelves, but everything we found was pretty expensive. We hit upon a better solution at A.C. Moore where we found fruit crates on sale. We bought six of them and made the shelves out of them. First we cleaned and prepped them.
Then we bought brackets and short screws at Home Depot. We screwed them at the back between each shelf. The wood was thin and there was some cracking, but it turned out pretty solid.
Finally, we bought tiny nails (again, at Home Depot) to nail the front shelves down to the one underneath it."

Great for a kid's room, a sewing room, an exposed pantry, and more!!

Silhouette Mantel Art

Silhouette Mantel Art from Cookie Mag's home tour with Stephanie Nielsen.

"These silhouette prints are gorgeous. Are they of your family? Yes, I do them every year. It's really fun and easy. I hang the old ones in the guest room; my kids love to see how they've grown, how their hair is longer, etc.

How do you make them? I take a photo of each person and carefully cut it out. Then I paint it black and put it on white paper. My grandmother had silhouette prints; and I love how they're reminiscent of antiques and the flea market scene."

Minimalist Oak Desk

Maggi's Minimalist Oak Desk from Design*Sponge.

"Materials:

• two 6-ft. oak boards cut into two 5-ft. long sections and two 5-in. long sections
• three 4-inch metal L brackets
• stud finder
• electric drill with drill bits and screwdriver bit
• twelve 2 in. long wood screws
• (optional) tung oil

Instructions:

1. I bought oak boards from Lowe’s and had them cut them to size and cut smaller pieces for the sides.
2. I drilled pilot holes for the screws in the top and bottom board (see picture below) and then screwed each side to the bottom.
3. I mounted the top to the wall using the L brackets brackets screwed into three studs
4. I then screwed the bottom and sides to the top and it was finished.
5. Afterwards, I rubbed it down with tung oil to protect it, which darkened the wood slightly but retained the matte finish."

Could also see using this as clothing, toy, or cd storage.

Mossy Address

From "Keep your address green" at Daisy Chain. Originally from Cottage Living.
"a weather-worn wooden box filled with sheet moss and Irish moss to announce your street address. It only needs a watering once in a while and a few spritzes with the spray bottle to stay green and healthy."

Stack of benches

"Benches in a stack" from Martha Stewart Home & Decorating

"If all the bookshelves you find in stores are too tall, too wide, or too unwieldy, consider stacking sturdy wooden benches to make a streamlined shelf that's just right for your space. Ours is made from three benches; two would work as well, but don't stack more than four. Paint the benches (we used a latex semigloss paint) to suit your decor. To assemble, stack 2 benches. On the front of each leg of the top bench, drill a 45-degree hole (centered 1 inch up from the bottom of the leg) through the leg and partway through the top of the bench below. Use a long wood screw to attach the pieces (screw size will vary depending on the thickness of your bench legs). Repeat on back legs. Stack another bench on top (if desired), and repeat to attach. Fill and finish the holes."

Chalkboard Decal

From "chalkboard decal: my perfect solution" on SimpleSong.
Wouldn't this be wonderful in a studio, in a classroom, or even in a mudroom? I wouldn't have to commit to painting a whole wall, but it's much lovelier than hanging a bulletin board. Their cheap at Wall Decor Shops, and they have several different colors, too.

Home Sweet Home

Images from Something's Hiding in Here's "home sweet home" set. Love, love, love their style. Here's a couple details that I might able to incorporate one day.

If I'm ever lucky enough to have a really tall wall like this, the birds take the edge off without being extremely loud and obnoxious. Maybe I could find some Blik decals that would work?
Oh, how I love the swing in the bedroom. It's unexpected but yet still cozy. It needs a good view though. Something's Hiding in Here is lucky to have a wall of floor-ceiling windows that her swing looks out over.

Workspace Love

Beautiful workspace featured at kikki.K online magazine.
Using products from kikki.K, they have created a highly inspiring workspace. Add a large worktable and some major storage on the other walls of the room, and you've described my perfect workspace.

Color scheme is: White, natural Kraft, and Chocolate Cloth.
Furniture includes the kikki.K trestle table and a little wooden stool.
Floating shelves in the corner hold boxes, binders, and holders for current projects.

I just love the boldness of the white clock and the white lamp (the Knappa lamp from IKEA would do) against the brown wall.

Corner Bookshelf

Corner Bookshelf from"House Tour: South Street Seaport" at Apartment Therapy. Metropolitan Home: March 2008. Downtown apartment of architect Jeffrey Povero and Jeffrey Schneider.

Another bookshelf idea. Custom bookshelves that take advantage of the ceiling height and the corner of the bedroom. Love it!