2012

DIY-Zen Stone Spa Bath Mat

Good To Know:

The mat is durable enough for indoor and outdoor use. You could make an additional project as a welcome mat for your home’s entryway.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Measure and cut a 32-inch-long piece of shelf liner. Fold it in half, and cut down the center to make two 16- x 24-inch rectangles. Stack the pieces on top of each other. (When gluing the stones, the adhesive will seep through the top piece of shelf liner.)

2. Using your computer, create a large letter for a template, and print it out. I used a 700-point type size to create the “B” shown here. Use utility scissors to trim out the letter, and center it on the piece of shelf liner. Trace the letter onto the liner using a permanent marker, and then remove the template.

3. Arrange black stones to fill the traced letter. Experiment with various sizes to avoid large gaps. Use a caulk gun and a generous amount of clear silicone sealant to secure the stones to the shelf liner.

4. Fill the remaining portions of the mat with the white stones and small pea gravel. Work with small sections at a time because the sealant sets in about 10 minutes. Let the sealant cure overnight. Turn over the mat, and trim away any exposed edges of shelf liner.

DIY-Wall Art - Switchboard

The savvy style of this project comes from screwless wall plates in black, white, and silver finishes. The clean and contemporary design coordinates well with a sleek home office.

Painted the same color as the wall, the plywood piece blends in and allows the wall plates to stand out.



Step 1:  Cut the plywood sheet to 20 x 24 inches.


Step 2: Sand the plywood piece, and wipe clean. Apply spray primer and paint to the piece, allowing each coat to dry.


Step 3: Place the wall plates at right angles on the plywood piece, alternating colors as shown here. Glue the plates to the plywood piece. Allow glue to dry completely.


Step 4: Hang the project using picture hangers and appropriate hardware for your wall type.

DIY-Curtain Call

Grand Entrance

 Create an inviting nook along a blank wall in a foyer, a bedroom, or a hallway. Add a bench to stage the area for functional and fashionable seating. We used two moulding pieces to construct a cornice and attached lightweight curtains for flowing flair.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Use wood glue to attach two corner moulding pieces together, creating a square dome that is hollow in the center. Clamp the pieces together; allow to dry.

2. Use wood filler to fill in any gaps on the sides, and allow to dry.

3. Using a 3∕16-inch bit, drill four holes into one side of the assembled piece (as shown in the detail photo).

 

4. Paint the piece (both inside and outside) in your desired color. When dry, lightly coat the piece with glaze.

5. Cut a 3-inch piece of 18-gauge wire, and string it through one curtain’s rod pocket. Scrunch the curtain on the wire, and staple over the wire and through the fabric to attach the curtain to the inside left of the cornice. Repeat the process for the right side.

6. Locate a stud on your wall, and attach the piece to the wall with wood screws through the holes drilled in.

7. If you have drywall, be sure to hang with anchoring screws.

Tip: Lightweight fabrics work best to avoid putting too much weight on the cornice.

7 festive holiday interiors - Style At Home

7 festive holiday interiors - Style At Home

DIY-Kids Room goes Fishing

Super cute art decor for the kids room!

INSTRUCTIONS:

Step 1: Starting with a 2'x2' piece of ¼" birch plywood, cut a 15"x15" square.  This will be used as the backer for the frame. Sand, prime, and paint the backer; then set it aside to dry. (We chose Valspar Exotic Sea (#331652), Pistachio Satin (#287422), and Mediterranean Gloss (#287419) paint colors for the three backers pictured.)

Step 2: Apply the fish template to a piece of 1"x4" poplar or pine, and cut out the shape with a jigsaw. Sand, prime, and paint the fish. (We used Valspar Satin La Fonda Copper (#331655) paint.)

Step 3: To frame the painted plywood backer using 1"x4" poplar or pine boards, cut top and bottom frame parts 16" long, and cut the sides 9" long. Glue and clamp the frame parts so the ends of the short pieces butt up against the inside edges of the long pieces; allow the glue to dry.

GOOD TO KNOW: Because this frame will be painted, you can patch minor gaps using homemade wood putty. Squirt a small amount of glue into a disposable container such as a paper cup. Mix in sawdust left over from cutting your frame boards until it forms a paste. Using your finger, work the paste into the gaps until the surface feels smooth. Then sand your patch flush with the wood.

Step 4: Sand the surface and edges of the frame. Then paint the outside face and all edges (but not the back) and let the frame dry. (We painted the frame with Valspar Satin White (#28277).)

Step 5: Center the fish in the frame and glue in place. (Consider placing a large book or other heavy object on the fish after gluing to ensure it adheres to the backer.)

Step 6: Attach a picture-hanger centered along the top edge of the backer, then hang on the wall.

Buliding Blocks Wall Art

Make multidimensional art with moulding pieces painted in cool colors and arranged in a checkerboard pattern. The repetition of circles and squares keeps the look simple and perfect for any casual space.

The artwork’s square shape perfectly fits this blank wall. If needed, cut the size of the plywood sheet to accommodate your space.




Step 1: Lightly sand the plywood piece, and wipe clean. Apply spray primer and spray paint to the piece, allowing each coat to dry.



Step 2: Divide 18 wooden rosettes into four groups. (You’ll have five rosettes in two groups and four rosettes in two other groups.) Spray-paint each group a different color, and allow to dry. TIP: Apply two or three light coats rather than one heavy coat.



Step 3: Arrange the rosettes in rows on the plywood piece, alternating colors as shown here. Align the edges of the outer rosettes with the plywood edges. Use wood glue to attach the rosettes to the plywood piece. Allow glue to dry completely.



Step 4: Hang the project using picture hangers and appropriate hardware for your wall type.