Shabby Carport Turned Breezy Patio
I'm not sure why no one I know tried to stop me from buying this house. Why was there no intervention, no nice men in white coats to, ah, "detain" me until I recovered from whatever it was that possessed me? Was there a name for what ailed me? Because, this pathetic little view of the carport on the house is pretty much representative of what the rest of the house looked like when I brainlessly fell in love with it.
I walked past this scene, I am mortified to say, for more than a year, while working on the inside of the house. It was just down right disgusting, I know.
The old door was rescued and donated by a friend to cover the
ginormous utility box and those lovely, protruding wires.
The little table, I love. It was built by the previous owner and used as the telephone table.
I think a good cleaning was in order.
I painted the old door with the trim color and hinged it to the outside corner so it swings free
for easy access to the utility box. I think the baskets on hooks fill in an otherwise
awkward area.The chairs and plants pretty well disguise the wires that run everywhere.
awkward area.The chairs and plants pretty well disguise the wires that run everywhere.
Am I really showing this before picture?
If you notice in the before picture there were poured concrete steps leading into the back door. They were sturdy, I must say, and ugly and were not going anywhere. My solution?
Build over them. One of my favorite changes so far!
The simple curtains I made from 6'x9' painters drop clothes purchased 2 in a pack from
Home Depot for only $9.99. They were the perfect size. I held the panel up to determine where
Home Depot for only $9.99. They were the perfect size. I held the panel up to determine where
to put my cup hooks on either side of the carport opening. I loosely pleated the top edge
of the curtain then poked a hole through the layers with an exacto knife.
Then, I just threaded the holes onto the hooks.
I think the panels are what make the carport
into the patio of my dreams.
*To see the parties I link to and to join in the fun, CLICK HERE!
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Thursday, August 12, 2010
Elegant (plywood) Headboard
What can you make with a sheet of plywood, a can of black spray paint, a few scraps of pine, and a jigsaw? Just about anything ...But, I've made a headboard for my master. I've lugged this one around with me for years and I've loved it almost to death. I may be changing it soon so I thought I'd post some pictures before I do something different. I love it, really, what's not to love, just ready for a change...
- Draw the pattern out on a large piece of paper by folding it in half and cutting a little away at the time until you get the shape you want. I used a good piece of 3/4'' plywood that was finished on one side and turned long ways.
- Spray paint it black.
- Hand paint your design.
Can't paint? No problem. Why not use a framed print you like, cut it out in a similar shape as mine, and decoupage it onto the headboard?
4. Cut the scrolls out of pine with a jigsaw, paint them red, and apply gold leaf.
5. Antique the entire headboard with a brown glaze.
6. Hang the headboard on the wall using a cleat made out of a 2x4.
Easier than you thought -- yes?
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Thursday, July 29, 2010
Making An Entry Where There Isn't One...
What do you call it? entrance? entry hall? foyer? for-your? I call it "necessary". I like having some kind of defined entry area into a house, but sadly, not every house has one. That would be true in my house and, dang it, it was really bothering me.
You know how sometimes you can just "make one up" using, let's say, a rug, a clever furniture arrangement or something like that? Didn't happen. I couldn't come up with anything.
Then, I had a light bulb moment...
My mother's going to kill me for showing this picture but I have to show the "before". This kinda cruddy (sorry, Mom) all wood bookcase was in my mothers garage. Clearly she needed it, but she was very generous and gave it to me anyway. She always saves the day!
You know how sometimes you can just "make one up" using, let's say, a rug, a clever furniture arrangement or something like that? Didn't happen. I couldn't come up with anything.
Then, I had a light bulb moment...
My mother's going to kill me for showing this picture but I have to show the "before". This kinda cruddy (sorry, Mom) all wood bookcase was in my mothers garage. Clearly she needed it, but she was very generous and gave it to me anyway. She always saves the day!
I secured it to the wall and floor and wrapped it with leftover hardwood flooring. Then I added trim to the front, top, and bottom, and also added doors with glass. I got the column when I laid down in front of my neighbor as he was taking it out to the trash. The bottom of the column was rotten so I cut it off.
(I hope it didn't hurt much)
(I hope it didn't hurt much)
If you've ever tried to cut off a super thick, made out of hard old wood, ROUND column with a circular saw in need of a blade change, then you know what I'm talking about when I say...WOW. Never tried it? Don't.
I stacked a wooden plate and plaque from the craft store to make the new base and a little fabric trim to cover where it all (almost) came together. I just painted the trim the same as everything else. It looks kinda cool and completely covers the ragged edge left by the dull.....uh.....blade.
I stacked a wooden plate and plaque from the craft store to make the new base and a little fabric trim to cover where it all (almost) came together. I just painted the trim the same as everything else. It looks kinda cool and completely covers the ragged edge left by the dull.....uh.....blade.
These little jewels came from Home Interiors a million
years ago and I will never stop loving them.
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