Take a look at 8 wildly original ways to display flowers that also solve common decorating dilemmas.
Blog Posts by Fresh Home
Think Outside the Vase: 8 Clever Ideas for Cut Flowers
By Fresh Home | Work + Money – Tue, Jul 12, 2011 9:58 PM EDTBEFORE THE MAKEOVER
A kitchen makeover needn't require hordes of contractors traipsing through your home-unless, of course, you just enjoy dirt, debris, commotion, and making slightly scruffy new friends.
But if you already have enough good pals and disdain drywall dust, take a look at this renovated kitchen, formerly suffering from a 1970s-style hangover: dark-brown veneered cabinets, exposed brick and a once-groovy-but-now-dated linoleum floor.
Could we inject new life into this aging hipster with minimal muss and fuss-and on a $1,200 budget? You betcha. It helped that we had well-maintained tiles and grout to work with, decent cabinet hardware and a classic (and still functional) U-shaped layout that offered plenty of natural light above the sink and easy access to cabinets.
MAKEOVER STRATEGY: Update Surfaces to Brighten the Space
A small budget required us to come up with cost-effective solutions:- Repair damaged door and cabinet veneers and reuse existing hardware (a money
These quick, pretty ideas turn surplus summer produce from the farmer's market (or your own garden!) into one-of-a-kind surprises.
This Father's Day, get outside and make Dad a gift he'll love.
1. How to Make an Outdoor Fountain
Make a bland spot bubble with beauty with this DIY outdoor fountain.
What You Need:- Fountain kit
- Pond pump
- Pebbles, gravel or larger stones
- Shovel
Get the full how-to >>
2. How to Make a Birdbath
Your brother-in-law isn't the only one who needs a regular bath and frequent drinks: Birds do, too. Give them their own little oasis with this homemade leaf-shaped birdbath.
What You Need:
- Large leaf
- 1/2 - 1 bag play sand
- 3 - 4 cups fine sand
- 1 - 2 cups Portland cement
- Concrete fortifier
3. How to Make a Mosaic Flower Pot
There's a reason you've been reluctant to throw out those random pieces of assorted chinaware: You knew you were going to need them to create this flower pot for Dad!
What You Need:
- Tile, broken china, smooth stones, glass beads and the like
7 Decorating Projects from Around the World
By Fresh Home | Work + Money – Tue, Jun 7, 2011 8:43 PM EDTWe scoured this grand and beautiful place called Earth to bring you these 7 celebrations of color and style.
Rain, rain, go away! But if you must stick around, make this boot box: It's a great way to keep mud outside where it belongs, and it's cute, to boot!
This simple solution takes an hour or less to build and smartly showcases your favorite pair of galoshes. Simply snag an old fruit box from your local grocer, or make a box yourself from scrap lumber. Give it a couple of coats of oil-based paint and fill it with pretty polished pebbles. Done!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE THESE RECYCLED PROJECTS:
- How to make a recycled planter box >>
- How to restore a cast-iron bench >>
- How to make a headboard out of vintage doors >>
How to Make a Headboard from Recycled Laminate Samples
By Fresh Home | Work + Money – Tue, May 17, 2011 9:14 PM EDTRise to shine: Laminate countertop samples give the under-appreciated headboard its moment in the sun.
WHAT YOU NEED- Laminate countertop samples
- High-gloss latex enamel
- Laminate knife
- Glue gun
WHAT YOU DO
Step 1: Prime the MDF Front Panel
Then apply two coats of high-gloss latex enamel.
TIP: We used laminate samples to create this unique look, but you could also use wood paneling, wallpaper, linoleum, cork tiles or blackboard paint. (Imagine the love notes you could leave!)
Step 2: Arrange the Top Row of Squares
Do this With the headboard lying flat, and make sure they're evenly spaced. Then, mark the positions. If you need to cut the end pieces, score them with a laminate knife, then snap off the scrap.
Step 3: Secure the Rows
Secure the top row and subsequent rows of tiles to the MDF panel using a glue gun.
MORE FROM FRESH HOME: LEARN HOW TO MAKE:
Read More »from How to Make a Headboard from Recycled Laminate SamplesMother's Day has come and gone, but Father's Day is waiting in the wings. Show off your expert photographs with these 6 clever ideas -- great gift ideas for Dad ... or Mom!
MORE PERSONALIZED CRAFT IDEAS:
Read More »from 6 Fun Photo Projects for Mom & DadGet Lit This Weekend! 7 Do-It-Yourself Lampshades
By Fresh Home | Work + Money – Fri, May 13, 2011 9:07 PM EDTGet inspired. Find illumination. Become one with nature. All with DIY lamps made from down-to-earth materials.
Read More »from Get Lit This Weekend! 7 Do-It-Yourself Lampshades
1. Organic Inspiration
Refresh an existing lamp by simply covering the shade. Cut leaf shapes from sheer fabric and attach them using spray adhesive. Cut organza or other transparent fabric to fit around the shade, attaching with double-sided tape at the edges. Iron the joining seam, and tape velvet ribbon or any other trim of your choice around the edges.
TIP: When decorating a lamp shade, make sure all materials you use are noncombustible. If in doubt, ask at your local hardware or craft store.
2. Tree of Light
A turned wood base gives this lamp a handsome finish. Cut colored burlap to go around the shade, leaving a 3/4-inch overlap, with about half an inch at both the top and bottom for fringing the edges.
Cut a tree shape from felt and attach it to the shade using adhesive applied with an old paintbrush. Cut circles from felt and glue together. When the adhesive is dry,
