Why have I always been afraid to sew with piping!? Who's with me on that? Piping (or welting) gives pillows that extra professional umph and is worth the few extra steps, and really, it's not scary at all! I recovered some green lumbar pillows and I'm loving them. This tutorial isn't just for a lumbar pillow, you can adjust the supply numbers below for your specific pillow form size. The before and after: Supply list: 12x20 pillow insert yardish of fabric 84" of … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2013
IKEA Inspired Euro-sized Envelope Pillow 3-step Tutorial
The brown bear project continues. Hold your right hand up and swear that the next time you're at the fabric store and the lady tells you "your fabric is a remnant, would you like the rest of the bolt for 75% off" you shout YES! I scored this awesome fabric by happenstance, no plan for it at all, 1.4 yards of heavy upholstery fabric for 8 buckaroos! What!? At home it worked everywhere. I liked the fabric so much that I broke a decorating rule to use a textile in one room only... what a rebel, I … [Read more...]
Parsons Chair Slipcover Tutorial
Sometimes when I finish a project I'm doing yahoos all over the town. This parsons chair slipcover project is one of those. As part of the brown bear project I desperately needed color in my kitchen. I considered buying some end chairs to liven up the space... but buying means actually spending money and I don't like to do that. I have six simple parsons chairs that I really like around my table and I thought covering two of the parsons chairs with slipcovers oughta do it! The total cost was … [Read more...]
Hoard Sale Score
The garage sale stars aligned for me this weekend. I am ecstatic about my hoard sale score on Saturday! I arrived a little early and as I was walking up to the sale it was like tunnel vision to this beauty: It took me about half a second to know the mirror was destined to be mine. Ohhhhh if I could only be as resolute with all decisions in life as I am at yard sales! This baby is almost four feet in diameter and I have about a bajillion ideas of how to paint it , where to hang it, … [Read more...]
Adding a little color to America’s brownest living space. Ever.
Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see? Brown. So, you know how Picasso went through his purple phase? Well for the last three years I have been going through a brown (particularly dark brown leather) phase. My whole house is brown, the outside, the inside, the furniture, carpet, stone, art… everything is brown. I need a little color! When we bought the house the entire thing, I’m talking baseboards, doors, ceiling, stucco, stone, walls, was pukey pink. In all fairness the beautiful brown … [Read more...]
Spray paint your hardware, don’t replace it
Fitting this blog would include my namesake element: Hardware. When I first walked through my house among all the eye sores, the hardware literally killed me. Every room was different, silver, bronze, plastic and even wicker. There were not only two different styles of hardware in the kitchen, but two different finishes. Honestly. I'm all for variety, but hardware should at least match. Although the hodgepodge of hardware was ridiculous, the cost to replace everything was a cool $478 and since I … [Read more...]
How to fix chips in your sink
My sister just bought her first home. Among other requests I will soon blog about she wondered how to fix the chips in her porcelain sink. Okay girls, this is easy peasy and the smallest fixes really brighten up your home and keep it from looking worn-down. First, clean your sink really well and let it air dry (or use a lint-free cloth.) Second, use porcelain glaze you can buy from any hardware store. I used "Porc-a-fix Porcelain Touch Up Glaze", it was about 6 bucks. Match your sink color … [Read more...]
Happy Mother’s Day! Moving Mountains *of laundry* Every Day!
10 hours, 6 people, 5 loads, 4 beds, 3 dirty boys, 2 machines, 1 mom. Dedicated to my mom, Naomi and mothers everywhere. Thank you for all the mountains you have moved for me! Happy Mother's Day! Enjoy this Mother's Day video: … [Read more...]
DIY Tools You Can’t Live Without
AKA My Mother's Day wish list. My hubby gave me Mothers’ Day presents even before I was a mother and I confess, my husband gives spectacular presents. Some of my favorites are: a pink adult-sized razor scooter so I could ride with my boys, detailing my van (worth every penny), and last year an awesome pink tool belt. Perhaps this year you could request something different than flowers. In honor of the day I made a list of tools no beginning DIYer can live without. Let’s be honest, I borrow or … [Read more...]