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Showing posts with label tutorial. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tutorial. Show all posts
Thursday, March 31, 2011
March Madness Recap.
March was a busy one for sure. With so many fun reveals, the month flew by. I'd love to take a second to look back at a few of my favorite projects and remember all the fun of March Madness.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
DIY Padded Headboard Tutorial and One of my Favorite People.
I knew I wanted a padded headboard for my bedroom, and I knew DIY was the only way I could get one with prices (for even a twin!) way out of my league. I also had been lusting over curvy headboards and decided that's what I had to have.
So when I realized I unfortunately didn't have the necessary tools for this project, I called my Uncle Jay- not only the funniest person I know but also a very talented carpenter and skilled woodworker. He picked up the wood (SurePly- something I never would have thought about using but now would highly recommend) and I came over ready to learn.
He taught me tons of tips and tricks regarding the Jigsaw:
*Take it slow to ensure a perfect cut around tricky curves.
*Don't start the saw directly along the line you intend to cut, but rather cut into another edge of the wood and move into your line to prevent splintering.
*Also, hold the wood down to prevent it from rocking and splintering.
I only wish I had chosen a more intricate curve after I realized how manageable working with the jigsaw was.
TUTORIAL
Materials:
Sureply or a thin piece of wood the width of your bed, Jigsaw, staple gun, staples, twin size "egg carton" mattress pad, fabric, craft paper
(***Note*** Big box home improvement stores offer tools for rent. Smaller hardware stores don't always offer this option, but they should be able to recommend a tool rental shop incase you don't have an Uncle Jay.)Directions:
2. Cut out the curve and trace in onto your wood. I determined the height I wanted and measured from the bottom of the wood. One less edge to cut.
3. Cut out the design using a jigsaw. Getting the saw started on the wood is the most challenging part. Once you have the blade in, it's smooth sailing!
4. Sand around the edges to smooth rough areas.
5. Lay your mattress pad with the carton side up. You want the smooth side to face out so your padded headboard doesn't have a funky bumpy texture.
6. Lay your wood down on top of the pad. Start on one side and wrap the pad around the wood. Staple somewhere in the middle of that side and move over to the opposite side.
7. Stretch the pad so it's pulled taut and staple somewhere in the middle of that side.
8. Now work your way around until you have the pad stapled to the wood all the way around. Depending on the curve you choose, you'll have to play around with the pad and make sure you have it stapled smoothly all around each curve. The curvy side takes longer, but take your time and make sure you smooth it out all around. It will be worth it in the end.
9. Now lay out your fabric, good side facing down on the ground. Place your wood/ pad board face down on top of the fabric.
10. Repeat the process you did for stapling the pad. Start on the middle of one side and place a staple. Then move over to the opposite side, pull the fabric taut (I did this solo, but two sets of hands and muscles would be useful) and staple. Again, the sides aren't too challenging, but it gets tricky once you get to the dips in the curve.
11. To install, I used a drill and screwed one screw on each side at the bottom (so it's below the level of the bed). That combined with the bed pushed up against the headboard stabilizes it. You may want to install yours more securely, but I was trying to create as few holes as possible as I'm renting.
Sorry guys. I wasn't very good about photographing the steps of this project. It's really an easy project, just takes a bit of time. I would encourage you to take a risk and get creative with your shape. There are such lovely examples out there for inspiration. The sky is really the limit.
Check back tomorrow for pictures of the headboard in my bedroom. I looooveee the way it turned out and get so many compliments on the headboard when I have guests over. Hope this tutorial helps and gives you the courage to take on the power tools ladies! I'd love to see pictures of your work if you try your hands at this project! Send them to me at heidi.atlsdesign@gmail.com!
And one last thing, don't forget to enter the Giveaway..... Holy Long Post!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
DIY Skirted Sink Tutorial.
Making this skirt was very simple and I would recommend the project to even beginner DIYers. It simply takes careful measuring and a few hours, and in no time your ugly plumbing is concealed. Well worth it in my mind.
Materials
Directions
1. I started with a cloth shower curtain I found in the clearance section at Target. At $9.99, you can't beat that. I laid it out flat on the ground and quickly ironed out any obvious kinks.
2. Measure the height of your sink. Add about two inches to that number and cut the large shower curtain down to that size. I measured from the bottom of the curtain up, so I already had a finished edge which resulted in one less edge I would have to turn under. Also, the shower curtain I used had metal grommets along the top that I did not want to use for my skirt. If all your edges are raw, you'll want to add two inches to each edge that will need to be finished.
3. My sink had three sides, and therefore required three panels. Measure the length of one side. Add 4 inches to that number and cut your fabric to size. Next, I used Stitch Witchery to turn the edges under. It's so simple. Cut a piece of Stitch Witchery the same length as your edge, fold the fabric over, place a damp cloth on top of the edge, and iron for 10 seconds. You want the iron to rest for ten seconds on one section before moving down your edge.
Here is what one finished panel will look like.
4. I ran a line of sticky back velcro along the top edge of the panel, removed the paper, and stuck the panel to the sink, making sure the top ran evenly flush across the top of the sink.
5. Repeat these steps for all sides of your sink. Once I was done with the large panels and had placed them on the sink, I realized there were small areas where the panels did not meet up. So to finish the skirt, I took strips of left over fabric (about five inches wide) and placed one small panel under the corner where the front and side panels come together on each side. This really finished the look and only took a few seconds. The edges on these panels don't need to be finished because they are under the other panels. I adhered them to the sink with the same sticky back velcro is used for the main panels.
6. Admire your work!
Pieces of Advice:
I used a shower curtain because it was cost effective. Also it is made to be around water so I figured it would work perfectly for the area below a sink and ward off drips of water.
You can use the same technique to skirt a table, desk, etc. Sky's the limit here!
1. I started with a cloth shower curtain I found in the clearance section at Target. At $9.99, you can't beat that. I laid it out flat on the ground and quickly ironed out any obvious kinks.
2. Measure the height of your sink. Add about two inches to that number and cut the large shower curtain down to that size. I measured from the bottom of the curtain up, so I already had a finished edge which resulted in one less edge I would have to turn under. Also, the shower curtain I used had metal grommets along the top that I did not want to use for my skirt. If all your edges are raw, you'll want to add two inches to each edge that will need to be finished.
3. My sink had three sides, and therefore required three panels. Measure the length of one side. Add 4 inches to that number and cut your fabric to size. Next, I used Stitch Witchery to turn the edges under. It's so simple. Cut a piece of Stitch Witchery the same length as your edge, fold the fabric over, place a damp cloth on top of the edge, and iron for 10 seconds. You want the iron to rest for ten seconds on one section before moving down your edge.
4. I ran a line of sticky back velcro along the top edge of the panel, removed the paper, and stuck the panel to the sink, making sure the top ran evenly flush across the top of the sink.
5. Repeat these steps for all sides of your sink. Once I was done with the large panels and had placed them on the sink, I realized there were small areas where the panels did not meet up. So to finish the skirt, I took strips of left over fabric (about five inches wide) and placed one small panel under the corner where the front and side panels come together on each side. This really finished the look and only took a few seconds. The edges on these panels don't need to be finished because they are under the other panels. I adhered them to the sink with the same sticky back velcro is used for the main panels.
6. Admire your work!
Pieces of Advice:
I used a shower curtain because it was cost effective. Also it is made to be around water so I figured it would work perfectly for the area below a sink and ward off drips of water.
You can use the same technique to skirt a table, desk, etc. Sky's the limit here!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
How To: Remove Wallpaper.
Sorry readers, this post really isn't that fun. On the Scale of Interesting (1 being the least, 10 being the most) it's about a -73. But what is fun and interesting is the after. And to get to the after, you have to remove the wallpaper if your before looked like this.
I'm sure a lot of readers have wallpaper that is plaguing their domestic existence. In a few hours, it can be removed and your walls can be painted a fresh coat of any shade under the sun. And how's that for fun?!
Tools
Directions
1. Fill pressure sprayer with hot water. Spray all areas of wallpaper you want to remove. You can use a water bottle, but it will take longer. I would recommend a pressure sprayer for any job larger than a small powder room.
2. Spray the stripper on all areas of wallpaper you want to remove. After I sprayed the walls, I spread it with my hands for a minute to make sure all areas were sufficiently covered. The walls should look wet.
3. Wait. Be patient and allow the stripper to do its job. Go watch a show, make yourself a cocktail, anything! This is the easy part. Enjoy.
4. Start at a seam at the top of your wall. If you're lucky (and patient) you may be able to remove an entire panel at once. This was not the case for me- just remove as much as possible. Then, with the putty knife, loosen an edge and continue pulling the paper off.
5. Sometimes the top decorative layer of paper comes off, but you are left with a white layer of paper underneath. This happened often for me.
With a warm, wet rag, rub the paper. I also began spraying Windex on this layer and letting it soak in for about a minute. With a putty knife, loosen an edge and the paper should peel right off.
6. After all of your wallpaper seems to be removed, remove all remaining pieces of white paper. Again, I took Windex and sprayed all areas of remaining paper. Then with the putty knife, I removed it all.
7. There will be a layer of wallpaper glue residue once all the paper is removed. With your stripper and the more abrasive side of your sponge, scrub the walls to get this off. I used windex for this step because I was out of stripper and it worked very well. For areas that were extra thick, I used the putty knife to scrape off the glue. Make sure you remove all glue in this step, as it will ensure a clean, smooth wall when you go to paint.
Pieces of advice:
The wetter the better! When the paper was thoroughly wet, it came off in larger pieces and much more easily.
Windex was my hero. The dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding was onto something. Windex not only wet the paper, it also seemed to cut through the wallpaper glue really well. This might not be technical advice, but it worked wonders for me!
And now there are clean walls to start the fun part of this bathroom makeover.
I'm sure a lot of readers have wallpaper that is plaguing their domestic existence. In a few hours, it can be removed and your walls can be painted a fresh coat of any shade under the sun. And how's that for fun?!
1. Fill pressure sprayer with hot water. Spray all areas of wallpaper you want to remove. You can use a water bottle, but it will take longer. I would recommend a pressure sprayer for any job larger than a small powder room.
2. Spray the stripper on all areas of wallpaper you want to remove. After I sprayed the walls, I spread it with my hands for a minute to make sure all areas were sufficiently covered. The walls should look wet.
3. Wait. Be patient and allow the stripper to do its job. Go watch a show, make yourself a cocktail, anything! This is the easy part. Enjoy.
4. Start at a seam at the top of your wall. If you're lucky (and patient) you may be able to remove an entire panel at once. This was not the case for me- just remove as much as possible. Then, with the putty knife, loosen an edge and continue pulling the paper off.
5. Sometimes the top decorative layer of paper comes off, but you are left with a white layer of paper underneath. This happened often for me.
With a warm, wet rag, rub the paper. I also began spraying Windex on this layer and letting it soak in for about a minute. With a putty knife, loosen an edge and the paper should peel right off.
6. After all of your wallpaper seems to be removed, remove all remaining pieces of white paper. Again, I took Windex and sprayed all areas of remaining paper. Then with the putty knife, I removed it all.
7. There will be a layer of wallpaper glue residue once all the paper is removed. With your stripper and the more abrasive side of your sponge, scrub the walls to get this off. I used windex for this step because I was out of stripper and it worked very well. For areas that were extra thick, I used the putty knife to scrape off the glue. Make sure you remove all glue in this step, as it will ensure a clean, smooth wall when you go to paint.
The wetter the better! When the paper was thoroughly wet, it came off in larger pieces and much more easily.
Windex was my hero. The dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding was onto something. Windex not only wet the paper, it also seemed to cut through the wallpaper glue really well. This might not be technical advice, but it worked wonders for me!
And now there are clean walls to start the fun part of this bathroom makeover.
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