I have been excited about transforming this fireplace since I moved into this house. I even did an in the meantime makeover to give the fireplace in the meantime, but its finally time to tackle the real fireplace makeover.
Tools Used
I always love looking back at where we came from to really show the progress that has been made and let's just say, we've come a long way.
Check out this video to see the Brick Fireplace Demolition in action!
I was actually surprised by how easy this demolition went, my friend and I were able to knock it out in about two hours. This is how it looked once we were finished.
]]>Some people may not be a fan of slat walls because it is a little trendy; but Im always a girl that encourages people to just go with what they love and I absolutely love them. today Im diving into several projects where I was able to utilize slat walls in my home.
One of my favorite rooms in my home is my movie room; and a big reason for that is the wood paneling that I installed. These Luxe panels were the perfect match for this space and I really loved that these particular panels were a little wider in size. Typically they come a little smaller, but this company made a great on adding a wider sized option.
I really love the versatility of the panels as well. I was able to use this as a backsplash for my movie room bar.
Now these pre-finished wood oak slats are hands down my favorite because there is even more flexibility with these slats. They come in a smaller size so you can manipulate and maneuver them to use them however you'd like.
Now these do require a little more work; but if you have taller walls or a furniture piece, these pre-finished oak boards are perfect for those types of projects.
Click Here to see the full tutorial on this slat wall!
Now, Ive never seen wood paneling look this good and there is a slight reason for that! Here I used a wood looking tile called Japandi. It gives the look of wood paneling but it's made for bathrooms! She is a Stunner.
I figured I'd leave you guys with the last room in my home that I will be utilizing paneling; but I haven't actually brought it to life yet. So I'm sharing, for the first time, my design rendering of my guest room. I will be using a light colored wall paneling to bring this design to life. Hope you love it as much as I do!
As always, thanks for reading guys!
]]>Room transformations are definitely becoming my favorite DIY project these days. There's so many things you can do with a room makeover and with this project I got the joy of using some fun decor from Home Depot to help bring this transformation to life.
"This post is sponsored by the Home Depot."
There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure.
I always love looking back at the before photos to see just how much has changed, so I have to give you guys a look at where we came from first.
To get the room started, I decided to first lime wash the walls. I knew the lime wash would give the room texture and really create a fun effect. I first painted the walls with Behr's Fortune and then went in after to lime wash the walls with Color Atelier's Plume. I decided to not lime wash the ceiling and the plume went so well with the Behr color Fortune!
I also decided to switch out the old fan that was in the room for a more modern look. I knew this grey ceiling fan would be the perfect change for this guest bedroom.
I also decided to switch up the flooring and have some plush carpet installed for a more comfortable stay and it was such a good choice! Once the carpet was in and I started assembling my furniture I knew I had made some great choices. I just loved this palm tree plant. Check out my post here for more details on the carpet install.
Being that I decided to lime wash the walls, I thought it would be the perfect match for a boho/tribal vibe. So I searched up and down the HomeDepot.com website to find some amazing decor finds and it did not disappoint.
My absolute favorite is the Moroccan Printed Area rug I found; it went so well with the walls and really tied things together. It coupled perfectly with this amazing golden tufted headboard.
The final bedroom turned out so well; and I am so glad I decided to go with the plume lime wash. It coupled so well with all of the home decor finds. I really loved how the Abstract Art coupled with the Circulation Metal Work Art. These two pieces were the perfect match with this 2-Drawer Cane Nightstand.
With a brand new guest bedroom, I had to make sure to get some great bedding options so that my guests would enjoy their stay. I started off with some nice sateen sheets from the Company Store, and coupled them together with the light weight comforter and Luxury Velvet Cream Quilt.
I love to have plenty of blankets on my bed; and I wanted no different for my guests, so I also threw on this Pink Plush Blanket and a Fur Throw.
I also couldn't forget a place for my guests to put their things, so I found this amazing Mid-Century Dresser with ample storage and decided to add this decorative tray on top to add a little flavor as well. But the showstopper here hands down is this arched mirror; talk about a statement piece.
One of my favorite pieces was this adjustable floor lamp; the uniqueness of the lamp handle caught my eye and I am a lover of all things brass. It's sturdy frame and uniqueness really was a no brainer for this bedroom and illuminates against the lime wash so well.
This Tufted Upholstered Arm Chair was just an extra added bonus of comfort and don't tell anyone but it's also hiding that tv cord plug; so that's a win win.
The funnest part however, was finding some unique pieces to go with my boho and tribal vibe and this Brass Metal Bedside Lamp and African Mask Sculpture really brought those styles to life.
and that is it for my guest bedroom makeover. I hope you enjoyed all of the amazing decor and furniture finds and if you have an upcoming room project; be sure to check out The Home Depot for your decorating needs.
As always, thanks for reading guys! XOXO, Ashley
]]>Building your own custom closet is something that I know all to well. Last year, I took on a huge DIY project and tackled my huge master closet build in my last custom home. So it was only right to build a DIY closet in my new home; except this time; there was a twist. This closet would be strictly for my shoes!
Materiels
Decor
Tool
As you can see, this closet really needed some love and since my bathroom has three closets, I decided to dedicate one especially for my shoes. A girl has gotta have a spot for her shoes.
This closet was originally used as a regular closet, so I decided to modernize it a bit and create an amazing storage solution for my shoes.
I knew I didn't have a ton of space to work with; so I really wanted to utilize the vertical space and create built-ins that would extend all the way up the wall.
In order to start the shoe closet I first started building the bases for them to sit on. I personally like casing my closet builds out with trim and building these bases beforehand allows me to do that.
With some 2x4s, I measured the length of the space and assembled this base with construction screws and then used my stud finder to find the studs and secured it to the wall.
I also went ahead and installed the shiplap boards because I knew I wanted them to sit behind the wall units. Once the frames were in place, I started assembling the closet units. I decided to assemble this outside of the space to make things easier. I was low on space; so I assembled the units together using plywood sheets cut down and pocket hole screws. My Kreg jig came in handy on this project.
Once the closet units were built, I brought them into the space to make sure they fit properly. Once I had them in the space; I used my level and some scrap wood to make sure they were perfectly level and then secured the closet units to the studs using my construction screws.
Being that these units are the main frame of the closet build, you want to make sure that these are properly secured to the wall studs. Once the two closet units were secured to the wall, I used my brad nailer to nail the two units together for extra hold and support.
With the units secured, it was time to add in the shelving and face frames. The face framing always makes the build look more custom. I cut down the shelving to size and then attached them to the closet unit with pocket hole screws. I based my shelving size on the sizing of my personal shoe collection to best fit my needs.
Once the face frames were all in; it was time to move on to the flooring! If you are interested in seeing other closet builds that I've built, be sure to check out Phase 1 and Phase 2 of my master closet build.
I decided to go with the same flooring that I installed in my studio because I absolutely loved the color. If you want more info on the exact flooring; check out my flooring install post here. I had to utilize my jigsaw for one vent cut; but the rest of the install went fairly quickly.
I really love this flooring because it's easy to install and super durable. It took me about an hour to get the floor down and on to the next step.I also opted to use a fancy vent cover to make it feel a little more modernized. I used this aria vent and I absolutely love the look if it. Bye Bye old vent covers.
Once the floor was in, I couldn't help but to pull my arched mirror in to see how it would look in there and this got me so excited to get this project done; I mean look at it!
With everything all built, it was time to paint the cabinets. I opted to use my Graco paint sprayer because it always leaves a clean finish. Any time I am using a pint sprayer I always use Behr's Premium Plus paint because it's a good line for sprayers.
Of course I decided to go for a fun and bold color, and yes this was decided before the barbie movie came out! I knew I wanted a blush color and finally landed on Retro Pink by Behr.
I was able to fully paint the cabinets with two coats and got a nice finish. Once everything was all painted, I installed the drawers I built and created these reeded drawer fronts for a special little touch.
I made sure to remove the drawers before painting to make sure I could get all around the drawers and then left the actual drawers natural. Now this color is pink, pink and my friend Steve happened to be wearing the same color pink when he came to check the closet out; so I had to snag a photo of him.
Great minds must think alike.
With the drawer fronts installed, the DIY shoe closet was complete and I must say, it was a huge step up from the previous closet. Now I have a special place for all of my shoes. I don't see me running out of shoe closet space anytime soon.
The pink really was the perfect choice and my shoes fit in the custom cabinets perfectly. Im so glad I decided to base the sizing off my current collection. If you are debating whether to build your own custom closet, I must say that it is well worth the work because I absolutely love my new closet.
I hope you guys enjoyed this post and as always, thanks for reading guys! XOXO Ashley
]]>I am so excited to share this project with you guys because I love tackling projects where I introduce bold colors and fun patterns. Who's ready for a dining room makeover!?
"This post is sponsored by the Home Depot."
Looking at this blank dining space really was making me sad because I am a girl who loves color and the thought of this space being so dull and boring made me that more excited to make it over.
It's a really good space with lots of room, but it just wasn't giving; it was in desperate need of an upgrade.
There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure.
After searching for furniture and decor online on the Home Depot website; I had a really hard time narrowing down my selections because there were so many great finds! Most of you know I'm a rattan girl; and Home Depot had so many decor choices for rattan.
My personal favorite was the Arched Rattan Mirror and the 3 Piece Rattan Baskets. Items like these are so cool to me because you can find so many uses for them! But I think we can all agree that the highlight of this room are those amazing dining chairs. I always pick one item to base my design off of, and when I saw these chairs; I knew they would serve as my main design inspo.
Once I narrowed down some decor selections; I started creating a 3D mockup of how I wanted the space to look and this got me ready to get going.
I have recently been on this rattan kick and home depot had so many decor items with rattan; I may have gone overboard but it turned out great, so I'm a happy girl.
I really wanted to create a fun and bold room; so I knew I had to find a really fun wallpaper to bring this room to life. I am a huge fan of mixing colors and textures together and I knew this would be the best fit for the dining space.
Check out the full wallpaper and wood slat wall installation tutorial for details:
Wallpaper Installation Tutorial
Wood Slat Wall Installation Tutorial
Now let's talk about the fun part; styling the room. Check out all of the fun items that I was able to find to dress up my dining space. Not only were they quality items but they were very affordable as well.
Now for the moment you've all been waiting for; the final reveal. Here it is:
I can't believe just how amazing this makeover turned out; I was blown away with how all of the colors and decor came together.
Going bold can sometimes be a risk but man was it a worthwhile risk because I am in love with my new dining space.
The quality of The Home Depot decor items really elevated the space in a major way and I am ready to get to shopping for the next makeover!
All in all, I'm so glad I decided to go bold and I cant wait to host my next party. Thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.
As always, thanks for reading guys.
]]>Before I ever saw the lake house, I always dreamed of having a dedicated space to do my business duties, so naturally when I saw the house, I fell in love when I saw the shop.
The only downfall is, it needs a lot of work to get it to where it needs to be, but the fun part is, I get to turn it into the exact space I want. Let's take a look at the shop as I found it!
Check out the timeline below to see how I am bringing this shop transformation to life!
The first thing I did before I could even move in good was epoxy the floors. I had it done in my last garage and absolutely loved it. The floors are super durable and in my opinion a great investment.
See the full tutorial here for all of the details!
Now, with making a dream shop, HVAC is a must. I knew I wanted heating and air in the shop, so I decided to use Integrity Heat and Air to install mini splits. I decided to go with a ductless unit because it required a lot less work.
Here is what I had installed:
(2) MWMB030S4-1P (indoor unit), MPB030S4S-1P(outdoor unit), remote control, copper line set, communication wiring, condensate drain, outdoor unit pad all for a whopping $11,850.00.
Lennox MPB/MLA mini-split heat pumps offer an easy, secure installation—especially compared to window units that can leave your home vulnerable to insects, weather elements and theft. Therefore, whether you’re utilizing
ductwork or not, Lennox provides solutions for any room, any time of year.
Now I do want to mention that did not include my electrician providing (2) 208/230v 30 AMP disconnects at the outdoor unit locations, that was an additional $650.
"This post is sponsored by Discover Personal Loans."
I am so excited to share this project with you guys because I have been over the moon about my bedroom being finished. This Lake House renovation has already been a wild ride and I'm happy to finally have a space complete.
Today, I'm sharing all of the details on how I was able to bring this mirror wall to life and how Discover Personal Loans helped me get the job done!
There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure.
With a renovation, costs can add up quick, but luckily, I was able to find an option that I think would be great for anyone wanting to update their homes. Discover Personal Loans customizes your loan to fit your project and budget, with loans available between $2,500 and $35,000 and flexible repayment terms.
You can borrow money without using your home as collateral and Discover Personal Loans can send funds directly to you in as little as one business day after acceptance.
I personally love Discover Personal Loans because projects can widely range in cost, but Discover has specialists to help tailor your loan to your project and your budget, so you only have to commit to the loan amount you need. As someone who just recently paid off all of my debt, being able to customize my loan to only take out what I need really is helpful when trying to keep my new debt under control.
Also, if you're concerned about origination fees, you're in luck because Discover personal loans don’t have any. Origination fees are pesky charges that some lenders require their borrowers to pay to get the loan. Since the one-time fee is commonly calculated as a percentage of the loan, no origination fees can equal huge savings! Now that we’ve covered funding, let’s move on to executing the DIY mirror wall of your dreams.
To kick the wall off, I started by installing 1x3 trim. I cut it down to size on my miter saw and then fastened it to the wall with a bead of liquid nails on the back and then secured it in place using my brad nailer and 2" brad nails.
I decided to only do half of the wall because I wanted to bring a luxury feel to the room without overwhelming the space. A full wall in the bedroom would have been a little too much, but halfway down gives the space just the right amount of “wow” factor.
Once the 1x3 trim was installed, I started fitting in the mirrors. This was probably the most tedious part of the project, but also the most fun because I love learning new techniques.
Using glass cutters, I first would score the mirrors where they needed to be cut and then popped them on the line that I scored.
Each of my mirrors were approximately 19" x 21", so they were a pretty good size.
Once I cut the mirrored glass down to size, I installed them by added 9 beads of mirror adhesive to the back of the mirror and placed the mirrors in the appropriate slots.
I fit the mirrors in the dedicated holes first to make sure they fit and then installed them on the wall.
I was able to get all of my mirrored glass from a local hardware store; I had to go to a few places to get 24 of them but eventually was able to get them all. They typically don't carry that many in stock at one store, so it took a few road trips to get enough (especially after breaking a few) but it was well worth it.
The good news is if you don't feel comfortable cutting the glass yourself; they will cut it for you for free; if you purchase their mirrors. However, if you go this route, be prepared for it to take a while.
I had them cut the first couple of mirrors but quickly learned that it would be way faster to just cut them on my own, so I decided to learn how to cut the mirrors myself. Either way, you have options.
They have two sizes available; both 24" x 30" and 30" x 36". I had to get both in order to have enough for this particular project but I will say that it was easier to cut from the bigger sheet.
Both mirrored glass sizes are priced well compared to what I've seen out there, I was quoted over $2k by two different sources to have them custom cut but I only spent around $700 to use these mirrors.
Once I started fitting in mirrors, it was time to add the top trim. I decided to do double trim to add dimension to the wall and I knew the color combo of black and white would look so good against the brown.
I painted the trim black first and then installed it directly over the white trim. I installed it using 2" brad nails and my brad nailer.
Once the mirror wall trim was up, I started working on the bottom half of the wall. Because the mirror portion of the wall protruded out a bit, I wanted to also bring out the bottom portion of the wall to make things proportionate.
Originally, I wanted the wall to come out a little more but my original plan didn't work out, so I opted to add a 3/4" board to the wall, to make sure the wall was proportionate.
I attached the board to the wall with 3" construction screws and liquid nails to make sure the wall was securely in place and then painted it with Behr paint in the color Caffeine to match the rest of the room.
Materials
Paint Colors Used
Tools Used
Now for the fun part, styling the room. Here are all the sources for the furniture I used to really make this room come alive!
Now that we've gone over all of the details, it's now time for the final reveal, so here it is.
Excited is an understatement; I am over the moon with how this mirror wall turned out. It came out exactly as I envisioned it.
Most of you who followed along, saw the 3D rendering I did before I started the room and I must say, I hit it out of the park, because it looks almost identical to how I planned it (with a few minor changes).
If you're curious how I bring my 3D renderings to life, I share all of the details in my "Software to Success" Ebook here.
But to also remember where this room came from is amazing to me. Total night and day difference from where we started.
I'm probably most excited about that wallpaper trim being gone, because it was so outdated and this room was giving 80s vibes.
I must say, as much as I had confidence in myself, I was excited to see how the mirror wall was going to come to life and it far exceeded my expectations.
The inspiration for this mirror wall was the wall in my previous house; I loved it so much that I knew I had to bring it to the Lake House.
I didn't want to do the exact same thing, so I decided to put it in the bedroom and really add some depth with the double paneling and I'm not disappointed. The mirror wall really is a statement piece.
All in all, I am so excited about this mirror wall and even more excited that my room is that much closer to being complete and a big huge shout out to Discover Personal Loans for helping me bring this project to life.
As always, Thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.
]]>I always love getting to use paint to transform a room because it's one of the most inexpensive ways to make a lasting impact on a room. I wanted to really bring this studio bonus room space to life and I knew a little bit of love and Behr paint would do the job.
"This post is Sponsored by Behr Paint."
"There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure."
Colors Used
Materiels/Tools Used
I always love transforming rooms with paint, because there are so many creative ways to make a room come to life with different colors. The even better part is that it's one of the most inexpensive ways to bring forth a transformation. Let's take a look at how the room looked before the transformation.
I really wanted this bonus room have a fun but sophisticated feel. I had planned on using this room as a space where I could conduct business meetings and just a place to kind of unwind, so I wanted it to feel like a creative space where I could come up with ideas but also have a chill vibe.
As you can see, this room was as simple as they come. It definitely needed some pizazz, so with a little help from Behr paint, I took on the challenge to bring this space to life.
I first started off by adding paneling to the walls; I really wanted to add some depth to the room and I knew painting half the room a bold color would do the trick.
I cut the wood down to size using my miter saw and then attached the trim to the walls using Liquid Nails and 2" brad nails. Here I am using 1x3 select pine boards.
Once I added the wood trim, I went ahead and painted the walls with Behr Deep Veridian S400-7. I knew I would need two coats, so I found it easier to go ahead and paint the wall before applying the trim in the middle.
This Deep Veridian S400-7 was the perfect pop of green for this room and I knew it would be the perfect match for my green sectional. Usually with walls, I like to go with matte for the sheen, but being that I am painting trim, I used Semi-gloss to provide a little more protection to the wood.
Now on to the striped wall! If you've been following me for a while you know that I love doing funky designs with paint. Even though this was a more simpler way to do a funky design, I knew the striped wall would bring an element to the room that would change the whole feel of it.
I used my laser level to accurately apply my painters tape so that I would be able to create these striped lines. I used two lines of tape for each line to create a thick line all of the way down the wall.
Being that I decided to go bold below with the Deep Veridian S400-7, I opted to go more neutral on the top with Studio Clay MQ2-27 in Matte.
Styling a room is always huge part of making the room come together and always one of my favorite things to do once I finish painting a room. I am so in love with my green sectional that I recently purchased, it is definitely the highlight of the room, along with some other amazing items. Check out everything in the room below.
I couldn't be happier with how this makeover turned out. The painted stripes really elevated the room and made this a space I can really have fun in.
If you've been following along with me on Instagram, you know that I am in the process of selling my home, so I decided to remove the wallpaper soon after putting it up, but I couldn't just leave the wall blank, so I decided to paint the wall with Studio Clay MQ2-27. If you aren't a super bold person, and don't want to go with wallpaper, paint is always a great way to bring a little character to the home.
The sad part about this room is that I will soon be leaving it, so I won't get to enjoy it, but I have many plans for many more paint projects at my new place!
If you're wondering how you can transform your room on a budget, be sure to check out Behr paint at Behr.com or at your local Home Depot and all of their many color options.
and as always, Thanks for reading guys! XOXO Ashley!
]]>After five years of building, I finally got to tackle the project I've been wanting to do the most; a bathroom renovation. My parents have been talking for years about how they wanted to update their older upstairs bathroom, so I'm making it happen!
"This post is sponsored by The Home Depot."
Luckily, with the help from Home Depot and Kohler, I had the opportunity to completely transform my parents bathroom and give them a renovation of their dreams.
There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure.
Featured Products Used
Time to Complete Project: 5 weeks
For a detailed list and cost breakdown, see below!
As always, I like to give you guys a look at the before photos, so here it goes. This is one of three bathrooms that my parents have in their house and it was the oldest one. So naturally, it was the first bathroom they volunteered when I asked them if they would like a bathroom remodel.
As you can see, the bathroom was pretty outdated and my mom really wanted different floors in here. Im happy to report that my mom is very satisfied with her new floors.
If you have a bathroom that looks similar, hopefully this tutorial will give you an idea on how you too can change your bathroom.
The demo is always my favorite part of a renovation because it always feels good to just rip things out; in some ways its a little therapeutic for me! We were able to get everything ripped out in a day and a half.
Luckily, I had a lot of help on this project, and most of you saw Papa Fred and I tackle this Reno together! This is the first project where I was able to work with my dad and I must say we make a great team!
One of the many questions I received was, "What in the world did you use to cut that tub in half." I used my handy dandy reciprocating saw. Head over to instagram to see it in action!
Since this was a full bathroom renovation, we had to remove everything except the exiting drywall. We did leave the light up until the very end however, to make sure we had some light.
I was most excited about this part of the bathroom reno because I was just as tired as those floors as my mom was. I decided to spend a little more on the floor and opted to go with these mosaic tiles.
First, we laid down backerboard and secured it down to the floor with adhesive and screws. Once that was down we were ready for tile. While my dad laid down the tiles, I cut the tiles; this really made the tiling go a lot faster vs. me doing it all on my own.
I've raved about my tile saw many times before and I still love that thing. Its accuracy with cuts is spot on and it makes tiling projects so much easier.
We were able to get all of the tile laid over two days. Once the thin set was dry, I grouted the tile with pre-mixed grout. I opted to go with white because I wanted to mute the floor a bit. As you can see below, the grout definitely toned it down a bit and gave me the look I was searching for.
To complete the floor I sealed it to make sure the floor stays nice and clean.
In order to get the shower space ready for the tub, we had to add in a few 2x4s so that the tub would fit, once we got the area ready, we called one of our friendly plumbers to come set the tub. He came in one afternoon and got it all set up for us.
Once it was set in place, we were able to screw the tub to the 2x4s and start adding the backer board.
Once the backer board was all secured down with screws, we started waterproofing the board using Redgard; it's also recommended that you cover the seams with tape and thin set to make sure the seams are completely secured.
The porcelain tile I used looked amazing but was extremely affordable. I splurged on the floor, so I used something more affordable on the shower but you'd never know it because it still looks great.
We let the RedGard dry for 24 hours and then we were ready to tile. This tiling process was similar to the last except it was on the wall. I wanted to lay the tiles vertical straight to make the shower feel like it was all one piece.
This was my first time using these spacers and I absolutely loved them; definitely will be using these spacers again.
I used the same grout that I used on the tile floor. I didn't want the lines to be visible so I opted for white and man does it look good.
With all of this hard work, I couldn't just slap a shower curtain up here, so I decided to add this sliding shower door and I'm so glad I did! It definitely elevated the look of the shower. It was the perfect match to the Kohler 3-Spray Wall-Mount Tub and Shower Faucet.
With replacing everything, we couldn't forget about the doors and man did these doors really change up the feel of the room. I went with these 5 paneled doors and I just love the look of them.
We were able to hang these pretty easily. They are pre-hung doors, so we just placed it in the door frame, set it with shims and secured it back to the frame.
We found these door trim kits at The Home. Depot and decided to trim out all the doors with these kits.
With all of the heavy lifting out of the way, it was time to add some character to the space. I decided to add wainscoting to the walls to give it a little flair.
I used 1x3 select pine for the bottom wainscoting and attached it to the wall using a brad nailer. Once it was attached, I used caulk and wood filler to fill all of the cracks and holes.
Once the wallpaper was installed, I added a 1x2 trim piece to the top to finish it off. My mom mentioned that she likes blue, so I decided to paint the wainscoting with this dark navy. I usually use a higher sheen when I'm painting in bathrooms because of the moisture.
Now most people wouldn't get excited over a toilet but I did with this bathroom renovation because I was so excited to try this toilet out. Additionally, I absolutely fell in love with the color when I first saw it and I knew it would be the perfect color to bring some good contrast to my design.
Aside from the color, the one thing that really impressed me about this toilet was the system in which it's installed. The system underneath is independent from the toilet, so it made it really easy to take off the toilet without having to remove the wax ring.
I also like that its a little wider and taller; as my parents get older they will appreciate it for sure!
I knew this would be the perfect addition to my design and I couldn't be more happier with this addition.
My mom previously had a big linen cabinet in her bathroom and wanted to keep it, so I opted to give her a more modern sleek cabinet. I decided to lower it to make the room feel a bit larger.
To create the cabinet, I used two shaker style wall cabinets to create one full cabinet. This saved loads of time, as I was on a tight timeline.
In order to make it look like one cabinet, I added a bottom wood piece and a middle wood piece, so that when I attached them together it would look like a solid piece when painted.
Then I added trim on the two sides to bring it all together. I used caulk and spackle to fill in all of the cracks and holes.
With the wainscoting being blue and the vanity white, I wanted to break it up a bit and choose a color similar to the toilet to ground everything. I decided on this color Behr Grey Mist and I really like how it played off the existing colors.
I always enjoy seeing a room coming together and I was anxious to get to this part of the bathroom reno. I bought this wallpaper a few months back for my pantry, but couldn't use it.
When this bathroom reno came up I knew immediately that I wanted to use it here. It elevated this bathroom for sure and was such a good match to my other design choices.
I also have to rave about this Semi-Flush Mount Light because this has to be the brightest light I've ever installed. It brought in so much light which is a great choice for a smaller space.
Being that the light, mirror and bathroom fixtures were gold, I didn't want the vanity area to be overwhelmed with more gold, so I found these Acrylic pulls that were the perfect addition to the vanity and the area as a whole.
With everything in place, we added in the Kohler 4-Light 47 in. Sconce and Kohler 28" Round Decorative Mirrors; it was a perfect match to the Kohler Devonshire Bathroom Faucets.
The great thing about this vanity countertop was that it had a hint of purple which really contrasted well with the blue wainscoting and the wallpaper.
Now you may be wondering, "what would something like this cost?" Well here is a breakdown of everything. Some of my items were on the high end, so if you're on a tighter budget you can swap out items for something more affordable, but here is my specific breakdown.
Bathroom Reno Products | Cost |
Mosaic Floor Tile | $1418 |
Tile Accesories | $284 |
Porcelain Wall Tile | $241 |
Kohler Harken Double Vanity | $2298 |
Kohler Single Flush Toilet | $1566 |
Kohler Elmbrook Alcove Bathtub | $332 |
Kohler Tub and Shower Faucet | $175 |
Kohler Toilet Paper Holder | $29 |
Kohler 28" Round Mirror | $195 |
Kohler LED Semi-Flush Mount | $1249 |
Kohler 4-Light 47 in. Sconce | $869 |
Kohler 24 in. Towel Bar | $33 |
Kohler Bathroom Faucet | $854 |
Kohler Sliding Tub Door | $445 |
Double Sink Vanity Countertop | $498 |
Shaker Style Cabinets | $340 |
Wainscotting/Door Trim | $560 |
Wallpaper | $170 |
Plumber Services | $550 |
3 Five Paneled Doors | $890 |
Acrylic Pulls | $62 |
Paint and Brushes/Rollers | $175 |
Outlets/Switches and Covers | $35 |
Miscellaneous Items | $500 |
Total Cost | $13768 |
Now for the moment you all have been waiting for; the final reveal.
This bathroom came out exactly how I envisioned it and in some cases even better than I imagined. My parents are super happy with how it turned out and very grateful for their new bathroom.
Overall, I was extremely impressed with the Kohler products that I used in this bathroom renovation. They have some solid pieces and the pictures tell it all.
But the toilet just does it for me. It's such a statement piece and I love that its something different. I was able to tie it all in and it really makes the room pop.
If you have been on the fence about wallpaper, I'm hoping this design gets you closer to adding it into your spaces because it is a game changer.
As always, thanks for reading guys! XOXO Ashley
]]>I have been wanting to tackle my craft room for quite some time and I'm excited that I finally get the chance to do so. Since my craft room is half my assistant's office, I really wanted to make it a fun and colorful space. So I went and picked out several vibrant Behr paint colors to transform my space.
"There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure."
Colors Used
Materiels
As always, I like to take a good look at the before before diving into the project. Like most of my rooms in the house, they are plain white; this room was no different.
I hope you're ready for a total transformation, because it's about to get a lot more colorful in this room.
Painting the Walls
First, I started off with painting the walls with sunwashed brick, the lighter pink color. I knew this would be the perfect pink for the surrounding room. Then I went back over the sunwashed brick and created an arch using the color shiny kettle.
I utilized painter's tape to make sure the arch was nice and straight. I also utilized a laser level to make sure the tape was straight on the lines.
I also utilized painter's tape to create shapes on the wall. This particular painters tape is for delicate surfaces and I like to use this kind when Im taping on walls that are already painted.
The ceiling is probably the most coolest but most tedious part of this project. I knew this would totally elevate the project, but man did my neck and arms hurt after this one.
First, I used a pencil to sketch out the lines and then went back with a paint brush and the color breezeway to create this groovy ceiling.
I purchased this ladder specifically for this project and I was so glad I did; the project bucket that's attached to the ladder was great for holding my different paints and eliminated me having to take additional trips up and down the ladder. I would definitely recommend for your future paint projects.
Painting the Murals
I knew I wanted to incorporate some type of mural, so I decided to incorporate two drawings on my wall.
The first drawing I saw on amazon on a canvas print, and I knew I wanted to draw this on my wall, it was the perfect addition to my craft room.
The mural I added on the corner wall was created in Canva first to make sure I knew exactly what was going on the wall. Here is my mockup of the drawing.Its a lot easier to draw something when you have a reference photo versus trying to draw from memory, or at least it is for me.
I used my craft paint pen to draw the murals on the wall and I was highly impressed with how good the black paint pen was. It made the drawings look great.
Switching out the Ceiling Fan
When I picked these original ceiling fans out for my house, I knew I would be changing them out down the line. I was super excited to get this fan switched out. I originally bought this new gold fan because I thought it would be great for a mural wall and I was right.
This ceiling fan was the perfect addition to my craft room. If you are interested in the ceiling fan, check it out here.
Most people I talk to are always surprised when I tell them that I get a lot of my home decor from Home Depot but don't sleep on them because they have tons of furniture options online.
The final look came out better than I ever could have imagined. I was able to pull off the look I was going for and the room looks super unique.
All of these paint colors were a part of Behr Dynasty's 2022 lineup and they go so well together!
I was able to throw in a few murals to give the room a little flavor and it was the perfect addition to the room!
One of my other favorite features is the pink arch! I wanted to make the desk area stand out so I added this arch detail to give it the right touch.
and I can't let you go without a few before and afters. I am so happy with how this room turned out!
all of the colors worked so well together and I really enjoyed using Behr paint for this project.
The best part is that paint is always an affordable way to update a space, so it didn't break the bank to bring this room to life!
Thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.
]]>Accent walls are such a simple project that can completely transform your wall. I have done many DIY projects to add character to my walls, and you can do it too!
Here are 6 different accent wall tutorials that you'll absolutely love. Let's get into it!
This thin brick wall project is a wall installation that will immediately add character to any room. Even if you've never worked with brick before, I promise you that you can still accomplish this project! If you want to add this brick accent wall into your home using thin bricks, check out the tutorial for this fun project here.
Wall Paneling is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to update a space. This simplistic approach to paneling will spice up any wall. Check out the plans for this project, and do it yourself here!
Who knew mirrors could look so good? This mirror wall is the perfect statement piece for any room. Check out the blog post and some tips here to do this project yourself!
This bedroom makeover has been one of my favorites, and the accent wall makes it even better! This wall is done with pine boards installed vertically. This simplistic idea is budget friendly and will make a huge difference in your room. Check out the plan here.
This shiplap paneling is a beautiful addition to an empty space that will provide a modern, clean look to any wall. It's a fun project that will add character and design to any plain space in your home. Check out the plan here, and try it yourself!
This DIY Paneled Wall added the perfect amount of character to my living room. The diamond design does a really good job at making sure that happened. Check out the plan here, and add some character to your own wall!
]]>Sometimes your house can start to feel plain and boring, and that's when an update is needed! If you're looking to improve your home, then you came to the right spot. You can refresh your home with these DIY building plans!
The pantry is one of the most important parts of the kitchen, but it is also one of the hardest to keep up with. Thankfully, there's an easy fix to get your pantry to look more organized and provide more storage! Check out this tutorial for some pantry organization tips here.
This Guest Bedroom Makeover is one that will make your visitors never want to leave their room! This super fun project only took a weekend, and it makes a huge difference. See how an accent wall and some paint transforms a room. Check out the plans here.
Are you needing a refresh for your guest bathroom? This the perfect plan. It was a super quick and easy DIY project that your guests will love. Check out the tutorial here to do it yourself!
This Arch Nook Makeover is perfect to add some shiplap paneling design and character to an empty space. This fun transformation project will easily make a small space stand out. Check out the plans here.
Wall Paneling is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to update a space with wall paneling. This simplistic approach to paneling will spice up any wall. Check out the plans for this project, and do it yourself here!
This Master Closet plan is perfect for organizing and provides tons of storage. The closet includes a full built-in wardrobe and shoe built-in. Check out the plans here, and build your own dream closet!
Working from home has become the new norm, and its important to work in a space you love! You can transform your boring nook space into a beautiful, stylish home office space with shiplap paneling and butcher block. Check out the plans here.
If you are in need of renovating your kitchen, you've come to the perfect spot. This renovation will completely change your kitchen, and it can be done on a budget! Check out the plans here and how it was done with just $3200!
This thin brick wall project is another wall installation that will immediately add character to any room. See how to install thin brick and apply grout. If you want to add this into your home, check out the tutorial for this fun project here.
Who knew mirrors could look so good? This mirror wall is the perfect statement piece for any room. Check out the plan and some tips here to do this project yourself!
]]>Tools Used
As always, I like to give you guys a good look at the before. As you can see, my pantry organization was a definite no go. I knew I needed some better pantry organization and storage ideas.
As you can see, these shelving units just weren't cutting it for me. I knew I needed to split up the shelves a bit and have varying sizes for it to be a better fit for me and my items. The plan is to remove the bottom two existing shelves and build a cabinet that will be more functional for me.
You would be amazed just how changing up a small portion of a space can make such an impact! Let's get into it.
I first started out with removing the two existing shelves. They were installed with nails, so with a little push and tug with a hammer and my foot, I was able to knock them right out.
With the existing shelves out, I was able to start building the bottom cabinet. Unfortunately, because of the size of the pantry, I had to build the cabinet in the space vs. building it outside and putting it in there afterwards.
I used 3/4" Sanded Plywood to build the bulk of the cabinet and then framed it out with 1x2 boards.
When building the cabinet, I really tried to pay attention to how I had been using the pantry previously and the items I have to store, ultimately that led to me creating the cabinet the way I did.
There was a lot of unused space, so I knew I wanted to create an additional space to store more items. If you can tell instead of three spaces at the bottom, the cabinet added four.
Before I started the pantry, I knew I wanted to go with some sort of blue color. I browsed the Behr Dynasty paint colors on HomeDepot.com and found the perfect shade of blue Rush Hour. Luckily, there are many colors to choose from.
With the bottom cabinetry color all picked out, I had to determine which color to paint the top. I picked three different colors to choose from and tested them out on the pantry.
If you aren't that great at picking out colors, luckily the Home Depot app gives you a little help. I typed in the bottom cabinet color within The Home Depot app and it showed me similar colors to choose from.
I ended up going with one of the suggestions from the app, Cloudy Day, for the top pantry cabinets and it turned out perfectly. The paint calculator also helped me determine just how much paint I needed, so that I didn't overbuy.
Now on to the tile. I wanted to make my pantry feel more like a butler's pantry and I knew tiling the middle would help make it feel more like one. Instead of the two shelves that were there before, I created four shelves by adding three spaces to the cabinet and having a space in the middle.
Having varying sizes and adding an additional slot will allow me to organize items a lot more effectively. There was a lot of unused space within the pantry as it was, so I am making it a lot more functional by designing it this way.
I used my Ridgid tile saw to cut down the tile to size. This is my second time using this tile saw and I really love it. It makes tile laying a lot easier and cutting a lot more accurate.
I adhered the tiles to the wall with a Pre-Mixed Thin Set. This comes ready out of the container and I love using this brand. You can opt to get a mortar that isn't pre-mixed for cheaper, but I am a fan of the easy road, so pre-mixed it is!
Once the mortar was dry and sat for about a day, I went back in the next day and started grouting. I used a Pre-Mixed Grout that was ready right out of the container, same brand as the thin set.
I applied a little bit of grout and then used a sponge and water to wipe the additional grout off of the tile.
Once the grout was dry, I installed a project panel underneath to serve as a countertop and sealed it with polyurethane.
Now for the fun part; organizing! By the time I had finished the grout, I was super excited to start organizing the pantry with all of the containers and items I found.
I really took advantage of The Home Depot's Home Delivery Service for this project. I was able to order all of my containers and tile right online and it was delivered right to my front door. At one point I had so many packages at the door, I had to leave them outside until I had time to bring them all in.
Now thats what I call a good service, items arriving right at your door!
Having dedicated containers really helped bring some great storage to the pantry but also made it look more appealing.
If you notice a common theme, you probably can tell that I went heavy on the rose gold! I knew it would couple well with the blue and I was absolutely right. The rose gold accents on the glass jars and the bread logo just tied everything together.
Now I know why most of you are here, you're wanting to see the final reveal. Well, here it is. Meet my new organized pantry!
These colors were the perfect match for this pantry makeover. Shout out to Behr for the amazing blues.
The real heroes of this pantry makeover are the storage solutions! I was able to find some great finds to help organize my pantry and I absolutely love how they contrast with the colors I chose! The rose gold accents on the storage containers and the bread container, really made this pantry pop.
My favorite organization item is hands down the cereal dispenser. It's such a fun and cool way to display cereal and as a cereal lover, it makes me that more excited about it.
As always, I have to leave you guys with a before and after. As you can see, I was in need of some serious pantry organization. With a little tweaking I was able to make my pantry more functional and it looks ten times better than it ever would have.
Thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley
If you were around for my guest bedroom makeover, you know how excited I was to add some color to my guest bedroom. Well, I felt it was only right to carry that into the guest bedroom. I decided to take a weekend and update my guest bathroom and give it a little refresh.
"There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure."
Here is a look at the before. I know, I know, it doesn't look bad, which luckily for me was a great thing. I just wanted to make a few minor tweaks to really make this bathroom makeover come to life. No real big bathroom renovation here unfortunately, but you won't be disappointed!
I really loved the tile choices I made when I built this house, but I wanted to make this room bold. So I decided to add a bold paint color and change out the hardware!
Now I know what most of you are here for; the sources. Here are all the items I used to makeover this guest bathroom! I may have gone overboard with the gold finishes, but I think it came out well!
I think one last look at the before and after is a great way to finish out this post. I hope you enjoyed this mini bathroom refresh just as much as I did.
As always, thanks for reading Guys!
]]>I have been eyeing this little nook area since I moved in the house. I knew from he very beginning that I wanted to add some color to this spot but went back and forth on how exactly I wanted to carry it out. Well now its time to show you guys what I came up with!
"There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure."
Materiels
As always, I have to show you a shot of the before, so you can see the full transformation of the project. I love this little reading nook because its small but gives the house a lot of character and now it's really about to stand out with this fun transformation.
A lot of folks always ask me about this little reading light and if you missed it I break down all of my home lighting choices in another post. Be sure to check that out as well.
First, I started off by adding the shiplap boards to the wall. I have always loved how clean shiplap looks. I didn't want a farmhouse look, which is what I normally see when I hear shiplap, but I'm using it in hopes for a more modern feel.
I secured the shiplap to the wall with my brad nailer and 2" brad nails. Some people like to use paneling adhesive along with this, which is entirely your choice.In order to make the shiplap fit around the existing hardware, I used my jigsaw to make the appropriate cuts for a nice fit.
Once all of the shiplap was installed, it was time to prep the area for paint. First, I went through and filled all of the nail holes and crevice with wood filler. Then I went back through and caulked any areas where there were opening seams. This makes it look seamless.
I used Scotch Painter's Tape to tape off all of the edges and hardware, so I could have a nice clean line around the painted area. Once that was done, I was ready for paint!
Now its time for paint and I was most excited about this part because I found the absolute best color! I was so excited to try this color out and now I am hooked.
It was the perfect color to really bring this nook to life and I think it goes perfectly with my wooden floors. I used Sherwin Williams - Nomadic Desert and now I want to paint all of my walls this color. It's just so pretty and so me!
Once the paint was dry, I added in some decor and the arched nook transformation was finished! Even though this was a small project, this paint really made this nook stand out and the pictures honestly don't do it justice.
When you see the before and after side by side, you can really see the difference between the two. I's amazing what a little paint can do to a small space.
if you are curious about any of the sources in this nook, here ya go!
and that's a wrap. As always, thanks for reading guys! XOXO Ashley
]]>To get my cushions ready, I had minimal prep work. I took a damp rag and wiped down the outside of the cushions to prep it for paint. The can suggests cleaning with soap and water for dirty cushions, so if you have some older cushions a good soap and water wash down should be good enough for prep.
Then I started spraying the cushion with the Outdoor Fabric Spray Paint in khaki. I used my spray paint attachment which I absolutely love. I don't spray paint without it. It is a totally lifesaver against hand cramps and such an effective inexpensive tool.
I could immediately tell that the color was going to turn out beautiful. I definitely picked the right color. Once I sprayed both sides of the cushion, I let it dry for two hours and then it was ready to set them back in the chair! The can suggest waiting a total of 24 hours to be 100% dry.
Once everything was dry, I set up the cushions in the chair and decorated the chair in the back patio, and man did I love the results!
The Khaki color was definitely the best choice, it elevated the look of my patio chair and it only costs me $12. That sounds much better than buying some new cushions; things are getting pricey these days.
If you want to see the video process of me spray painting the chair, head on over to my Instagram and check out my "Fabric Paint" Highlight! I had a ton of questions about the outdoor fabric paint so I figured I'd answer some of the frequent questions here!
How do the cushions feel once dry Does it feel stiff or crunchy?Does it have a smell?
Can you wash it?
How many cushions can you paint with one can?
and that wraps up my furniture chair makeover, but I can't let you leave without another before and after, so here it is.
And as always, thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.
]]>
Today is a very exciting day because I finally get to share the final reveal of my DIY Master closet and man am I happy to say that all of the hard work was worth it. It came out better than I had imagined.
"This post is sponsored by The Home Depot."
But before we get into the final reveal, let's do a little recap of how the closet was built! If you've been following along since day one, you know that the closet includes a full on wardrobe built in and a shoe built it in.
Be sure to check out Part 1 and 2 of the closet build for more detailed information and step-by-step instructions!
Part 1: Shoe Built-In Install
Part 2: Wardrobe Built-In Install
Materials Used |
3/4" Plywood |
1 1/4" Pocket Hole Screws |
Fluted Casing |
1" and 2" Brad Nails |
Wood Glue |
12" Drawer Slides |
3" Wood Screws |
Select Pine Boards - 1x2, 1x6, 1x8, 1x12 |
Wood Filler, Caulk, Spackle |
Painters Tape |
Tools Used |
Brad Nailer |
Miter Saw |
Drill |
Kreg Jig |
Right Angle Clamps |
Track Saw |
Staple Gun |
Hammer / Crowbar/ Utility Knife |
Stud Finder |
I first started off with the shoe built in. Honestly, because this was the side I was most excited about. I decided to designate a whole area for my shoes; I mean a girl can never have too many shoes right.
Watching the shoe built in come together was so fun, and the more I began to build it the more excited I became about it. If you want more details on how I built this shoe built in out, make sure you go check out Part 1 - Shoe Built In.
Now even though I always had a plan to paint the built-ins, man did they look good naturally. I was almost swayed to leave it like it was, but ultimately I knew I would be happier with it painted.
Now, the wardrobe portion of the walk-in closet system was a beast. This took a lot of work to get done, and being that I work alone, I was definitely feeling the burn after this one.
One of the things that helped the most was mapping out the design first with the tape! Even though I changed the design up along the way, being able to visualize everything was a game changer during this build.
Although it was a ton of work, seeing this closet come together was so exciting and fulfilling. To know that I built this with my one two hands just makes it that more special!
Many people asked why not use the IKEA Pax closet system, but I wanted to build my closet custom, it was a lot cheaper and I knew the wood I was using was better then the pre-fabbed cabinets.
The most fulfilling thing was finishing all of the building of the closet. I'm not going to lie, I was so out of gas at this point but I knew I was so close to finishing. Now with everything built out it was time to paint my DIY master walk in closet; closet organizer of my dreams.
But before I started painting, I had to prep everything. I went through and filled all of the nail holes and pocket holes with wood filler and caulked all of the corners and crevices for a clean look, drawers included. Once that was all dry I went back and sanded everything down, first with 80-grit sandpaper and then again with 120 and 220 grit. Sanding is tedious and it sucks but the better you prep, the better your finish will be in the end.
Once everything was sanded down, I used my Graco X7 to spray paint the built ins.Theres no way I wouldn't use a pint sprayer on a project like this. Even though the prep takes a while, the clean finish is so worth it.
Anytime I'm using a paint sprayer, I use Behr Premium Plus because I don't need to thin it. I just dip the tube in the bucket and I'm good to go. For this particular project, I decided to go with Behr-Spanish Sand because I wanted to stay in the white family but I wanted a warmer tone.
The overspray wasn't too bad after adjusting the pressure of the sprayer. I just made sure to cover the floors and the surrounding areas to prevent anything from getting sprayed. Make sure you have a good respirator mask and goggles when spraying for safety.
Right after I painted and the paint dried, I immediately started putting my clothes in the closet because I just couldn't contain my excitement. I used these socket set rods to hang up my clothes. They were really simple to install.
I hadn't even finished yet! HA! Has anyone else been there? Next up was adding some fancy hardware.
When I first saw these gold drawer pulls, I was absolutely in love and they definitely elevated the closet.
Well the time has come; the moment you all are waiting for the final reveal. Well here it is folks!
There are no words to describe how happy I was to finally finish this beast of a project. It took a lot of work, but I must say it was absolutely worth it! The drawer pulls really gave it a luxurious look.
During the build process, I had a few folks say that they couldn't envision how I was going to make the corners work, but I think I knocked it out of the park. This closet organizer is the perfect place to hang all of my favorite clothes. I wanted to make sure I used every single space and it turned out better than I could have imagined, now I have two designated corner areas for my longer clothes. Let's talk about this shoe built in though; this thing is a work of art and I am so glad to finally get my shoes out of the guest room and in a designated area and of course I couldn't forget my hat collection. I figured, why not use that empty space up top and make a place for them as well.
Even better, I have a spot for all of the socks and other miscellaneous items underneath and all hidden and tucked away.
I knew I wanted the middle portion to be a focal point, so I added in some fun items to make the middle really draw your eye. The first thing I added was this decorative wallpaper in the back. I saw this online and immediately knew that was the one. It was peel and stick, so it was really easy to install.
I also added this round mirror to one side for my personal preference and a fun piece of wall art on the other side.
but I must say, the ironing board drawer takes the cake. I absolutely love this feature in my newly built closet.
I am so in love with my new closet, I don't think I ever want to leave.
and that's a wrap folks, I hope you love my closet just as much as I do and I can't wait for you guys to follow me along on the next project!! Thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.
]]>With all of the building I have done within my building career, I think it is safe to say that console tables are something that I have built the most. They are both, easy to build and fun to style.
So today, I am providing you guys the plans for this fun little entryway project that I built. The even more exciting part is that this build was the first project that I built for my home! Even better, it was caught all on film.
Once the two sides were built, I started building out the frame. I first attached the top two stretchers and then the bottom two.
Again, clamps can be helpful with this step, especially if you're working alone but luckily I had a few extra hands this time from my helper, Ashley.
Once the frame was built, we started putting in the bottom slats. This part of the project really brought the console to life.
My parents were able be in town while Ashley and the crew came out, so even Poppa Fred got to join in on the building fun. Once the slats were all in, the console table was all built!
Once the console was built, we filled all of the nail holes and cracks with wood filler and then used a pre-wood conditioner on the console. I always use this to get a nice clean finish when I'm staining.
My dad helped me out here on the staining and I must say, it was pretty awesome to have some help in the shop. We used a gel stain on this build and I really loved how I turned out.
Once the stain was dry, we painted the top white and place it on top of the console and attached it using brad nails.
If you want to re-create this farmhouse console table, I surely won't leave you hanging. Check out the printable plans above.
And that's a wrap for the Farmhouse Console! I hope you guys enjoyed this post!
and as always, thanks for reading! XOXO Ashley
The closet is well underway and we are moving on to the next part in the DIY Closet series; the wardrobe built in. Hopefully, you caught the first part of the series; the Shoe Built in, but if you haven't, go check out that post here first to see how I got my DIY closet started.
"This post is sponsored by The Home Depot"
I always love looking at the before before starting a project and this time is no different. You saw the other side of the closet in my Part 1 closet post, so here are the other sides of the closet. Check out the final reveal here!
As you saw on Part 1 with the Shoe Built In, I used the same technique here with the painters tape. This technique is really helpful to me when building out the closet, because I can just reference where the tape is and figure out my measurements on the fly.
While I'm building, I just remove the tape piece by piece and replace it with the real thing; so satisfying.
Here you can see my layout design for my plans for the closet. It's always so helpful to me to be able to see the design beforehand. Even if I change the design on the fly, seeing it beforehand makes the building process that much easier.
First, you will build out the bottom frame, like we did with Part 1 of the shoe built in. We will use the same technique here; build the frame out by joining 2x4s together with construction screws.
Again, be sure to screw the screws into studs to make sure the frame is secure. Utilize a stud finder to help if needed.
Once the frame is secure, use a brad nailer to secure your top 3/4" piece to the frame. Being that this wall was on the back of the closet, I knew I could get away with a much wider section, so I decided to make the frame here 24".
I knew I wanted to build a huge dresser, to have plenty of room to store the clothes that I don't want to hang up, so I made this 23"+ deep.
I built this dresser the same way I built the shoe built ins; I used pocket holes to join the plywood pieces together to form the dresser with the help from my Dewalt Drill combo kit and then I used my Kreg jig to create the pocket holes. I put my jig on a 3/4" setting and used 1 1/4" pocket hole screws to attach the plywood together.
Once the dresser was built, I added back supports to both the top and bottom and used those pieces to secure the dresser to the wall with wood screws.
In order to make sure my process of securing these built-ins to the wall went smoothly, I am utilizing my impact drill! It always increases my productivity when driving screws!
If you aren't quite as tool savvy, luckily The Home Depot has tons of how-to guides to assist you on which tools are best for your project, like this guide on How to Use an Impact Driver.
If you ever need assistance on how to work a tool or want to see other fun guides on getting household projects done; be sure to check out The Home Depot's how-to library here.
Th best part is that these how-to guides are easily accessible from the mobile app, so you can view them while completing your specific project.
Once the main drawer was in place, I started to add the adjoining sides. I knew I would have to make the width of these pieces a little smaller to make room for the corner pieces and 15" was the perfect width for this.
First, I started off with the bottom pieces. I first adjoined two 15" boards to the drawers by first glueing the long sides to the dresser and then secured it to the bottom with pocket hole screws Once the two long side were secure on the bottom, I used a long horizontal board to connect the two boards at the top.
Once that was secured down, I built the top shelf box and then placed it on top of the bottom wardrobe and secured it both to the wall and the bottom piece with screws.
Now on to the side wardrobe! This was probably the most medius part for me being that it was in the corner. I really loved the idea of these corner shelves, but it took me a while to figure out the best way to implement it.
Originally, I thought it would be a good idea to assemble the whole shelf at once and put it in all together, but I quickly learned that this was not the way to go.
You can see here my thought process on how I assembled them together.
Once, I quickly realized that putting it in all at once wasn't a great idea, I started installing it in shelf by shelf, and this was a much better approach.
First, I installed the outer shelf, to create the main frame and then moved on to the additional shelves.
I would install one shelf and secure it to both the wardrobe and the wall, and then add in the L shelf to make it look like one whole shelf. I joined the shelfs together with pocket hole screws.
I also made sure to put support boards underneath the shelves. This helps when installing and also takes the pressure off of the shelves, in regards to weight. It makes the shelves feel more sturdy and just increases the integrity of the built ins all around.
Once the left side wardrobe was finished, it was time to move on to the right side. This side was designated for all of my short clothes. This side was the easiest because it just consisted of three big boxes.
I did have a little difficulty figuring out the size for this side though. I wanted it to be wide enough to where it hid the clothes well but also short enough so that there was a good enough clearance in between the dresser when walking through the door, so ultimately, I decided on 19.5 inches wide minus the trim.
Once the right side was all installed, I started building out the corner. I wanted the corners to be identical for symmetry and also wanted to use that corner space for extra storage for my longer clothes.
Even though I ll be enjoying this closet on my own, I still tried to keep in mind that one day there may be two people using the closet, so I tried to design it in a way that was good for two people.
I felt such a sense of relief after getting everything built out! Now for the trim. The trimming portion always makes the built-ins look clean! I went back through to add 1x2 trim to all of the sections of the wardrobe.
Next up, was adding drawers! When posting this DIY walk in closet on instagram, it seemed like most people were nervous to tackle a project like this because of drawers! But after posting a quick tutorial in my "Closet Pt. 3" highlight, some people seemed to feel a little better about the process. Check it out here.
First, I installed the drawer slides to each drawer opening and then built the drawer box using select pine, based on the sizing of each opening. Once all of the drawers were installed; I started adding the drawer faces.
If you've been following along on Instagram, you've probably seen my little card trick. I use a deck of cards to try and get an even spacing when I'm installing my drawer fronts.
You can play with the spacing by adding or taking away cards until you achieve the spacing that you like. The best part about these drawers is the secret drawer that I revealed recently; an ironing board!
Thats right; I decided to add this fun ironing board drawer to my closet to make it that much more fun and it was pretty simple to install after figuring out the instructions.
Now, with the Shoe Built In and the Wardrobe all built out, it's time to sand this baby down and paint! The next time you see this closet, she will be all finished and ready to organize. I don't want to give too much away, so here is one last look before the final reveal! Can't wait for you guys to see!!
and as always, thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.
]]>Materials Used |
3/4" Plywood |
1 1/4" Pocket Hole Screws |
Fluted Casing |
1" and 2" Brad Nails |
Wood Glue |
12" Drawer Slides |
3" Wood Screws |
Select Pine Boards - 1x2, 1x6, 1x8, 1x12 |
Wood Filler, Caulk, Spackle |
Painters Tape |
Tools Used |
Brad Nailer |
Miter Saw |
Drill |
Kreg Jig |
Right Angle Clamps |
Track Saw |
Staple Gun |
Hammer / Crowbar/ Utility Knife |
Stud Finder |
For all of you visual learners, I tried my best to video the process so you can see it in action! See the full video below!
This particular project feels a little extra special because this is the first project I'm tackling in my new home! When I was having my home built, I knew I wanted to tackle my closet on my own and bring a cool custom design to it, so I asked my builder if he would leave my closet empty so that I could create my own dream closet and I'm so glad I did.
I had my builder install wood flooring and leave the walls blank, so I had a blank canvas to start with. Let's take a look.
Before I started building out the closet, I decided to use some painters tape to lay out the design. I didn't really have a design mapped out, so I wanted to visualize it beforehand before actually committing to build it. This is a great way to visualize a design before starting.
Many people asked why not use the IKEA Pax closet system, but I wanted to build my closet custom, it was a lot cheaper and I knew the wood I was using was better then the pre-fabbed cabinets.
I used frog tape to first map out the shoe built in and then mapped out the other side of the closet.
The great thing about this technique is that you can always change your design on the fly. I am more of a "design as you go" person so I love using this technique and its so fun to compare the two pictures once I'm done building.
Once, I had everything mapped out, I started figuring out what kind of materials I wanted to use for the closet. With this being a custom master closet, I knew I wanted to use a materiel that would last, so I used my Home Depot mobile app to search for plywood options.
After searching, I eventually landed on this maple plywood that I knew would be great for this project. The great thing about The Home Depot's mobile app is that it will show you how many items are in stock at your local store.
I was able to also utilize the mobile app to pick out some special items and have them delivered to the house while I was working on the closet. They arrived just in time!
The first step of the actual building process is to simply remove the baseboards. Now, this can seem like an intimidating process but it is fairly easy. The main thing you want to do before removing the baseboards is to score the caulk.
Next, I started building out the bottom frame. I decided to put my built ins on a frame so that I could trim out the bottom to make it match the trim throughout the rest of my house. This step isn't necessary if you don't want to trim out your closet piece as I did.
Pro Tip: If you decide to trim your built in as I did, make sure your bottom frame is 3/4" wider than the actual built ins.
First, I built the frame by joining 2x4s together with construction screws. I found it much easier to the screw the screws through the wood after first drilling pilot holes into the desired location.
Once the frame was built, I placed it in its desired location and attached it to the wall. When attaching the frame to the wall, you want to make sure you drill the screws into the studs to ensure it's secure. If you drill the screws into the drywall it will likely just pull itself out.
If you need help finding the studs, use a stud finder. This particular stud finder, finds the edges of the studs for you so you know exactly where to screw.
Once the frame was secured to the wall, I added a 3/4' piece of plywood to cover the top of the frame. I secured the frame top to the frame with 2" brad nails, wood glue and a brad nailer.
Now with the frame all in place, it's time to start building the actual built ins. I decided to go with different sizes on each wall to allow for spacing within my closet.
For my shoe built in, I opted to go for a 15" depth. I made it smaller since it would be only holding shoes and I wanted to allow enough space for the door to be able to open fully.
When you're building your built in, feel free to decide which depths work best for you and your space
I had my plywood cut down in half at my local Home Depot and then used my track saw to make additional cuts.
I used pocket holes to join the plywood pieces together to form the cabinets for my shoe built in using my Dewalt Drill combo. I used one of my favorite tools, the handy dandy Kreg jig to create the pocket holes. I put my jig on a 3/4" setting and used 1 1/4" pocket hole screws to attach the plywood together.
I also utilized right angle clamps to help me put the cabinets together. I love these clamps because they help a ton when building by myself. One of the ends of the clamp fits right in the pocket hole.
When building the built ins, I made sure to add braces to the back of the built ins, so I would have something to drill the screws through to attach the built in to the wall. again, you want to make sure you secure the built ins to the wall by screwing those wood screws into the studs.
I used my Ridgid Drill to screw in the construction screws into the Stus to secure the built ins. I also utilized clamps to clamp the pieces together once they were in place to ensure everything was lined up.
Once everything was clamped together and all square I used brad nails to secure everything together. The built ins were tightly fit, so it didn't take much to secure everything together.
Once you screw a few screws into the studs, the built ins will stabilize and become nice and secure.
Once the built ins were all secure, I started adding additional shelving. Now, a lot of people asked why I didn't just build the whole cabinet and then put it into place. If that's the avenue you want to take, by all means, its your choice to do so.
Personally, I like to build once I'm actually in the space, so I can make design choices on the fly; also, being that I build alone, its always easier for me to build within the space as well, but again this is your project so do what you feel is best.
The first thing I needed to decide with the shelving was whether I was going to make the shelves adjustable or stationary. I personally don't like adjustable shelves, so I just decided to make my shelving permanent.
I attached the shelving to the built in with a Kreg Jig on a 3/4" setting and used 1 1/4" pocket hole screws to attach.
In order to hide the pocket holes, I made sure to place the shelving in a way that would hide them. If the shelve was taller than me, I placed the pocket holes on the upside of the shelf and if the shelf was shorter than me, I placed the pocket holes on the bottom of the shelf.
With all of the shelving in place, it was time to start adding the trim. The trim is what really makes the shoe built in look fresh and clean . I used 1x2 select pine boards to trim out the shoes built in.
To attach the trim I used wood glue and used my brad nailer to secure it with 2" brad nails.
Once the main trim was underway, I thought it would be cool to add a cool design to the side, so I found this cool fluted casing to add to the shoe built in.
The cool part about this fluted casing is that it's double sided. So you can choose which design you want to go with.
I attached the fluted casing to the shoe built in using wood glue and a brad nailer. If you have a finish nailer, this would work better for this type of casing, but unfortunately, mine was in storage during this project, so I had to make the brad nailer work for the time being.
Once the fluted casing was in place, I used spackling, caulk and wood filler to fill all of the nail holes and cracks within the shoe built in.
Now on to the fun part; drawers! I saw a lot of excitement around this part because a lot of you guys want to build drawers but don't necessarily know how, so here is a little insight into how I installed them.
First, I installed the 12" drawer slides. With the built in only being 15" wide. 12" was more than enough for my shoe built in.
Because my shoe built in had a lip with the added trim, I first had to add in a scrap board to make sure the drawer slide was flush with the side of the drawer opening.
Then I added the drawer slide to the bottom of the drawer opening. I made sure to place the drawer slide 1" away from the drawer opening to make room for my drawer front. When you make your drawers, make sure that you account for the size of your drawer front.
I also find it a lot easier to screw in the drawer slide screws after first drilling in small pilot holes.
To ensure your drawer slides are level, use a little level to ensue everything is nice and straight.
I used 1x6 select pine to build my drawers for this shoe built in. I screwed pocket holes into the front and back piece, so the pocket holes would be hidden, and then attached the four pieces together.
Then I attached a 1/4" sheet of plywood underneath and attached it to the drawer with wood glue and a staple gun and 1" staples.
Once I had the drawers built, I added the drawer slides to the drawers. I placed the pull out slide pieces to the bottom of the drawers and then screwed them into place. Once both slides were on, I slid the drawer into the opening.
Build Drawer Fronts
With the drawer in place, I then measured the opening in order to get the accurate measurements for the drawer front. I built the drawer front with select pine. I used a pine board underneath and 1x2s to trim it out.
Once the front was built, I used playing cards to get even spacing around it. Once I had the accurate spacing, I nailed in two brad nails to hold it in place while opening the drawer open and then drilled to screws into the back of the drawer to secure it.
Once the drawers were installed, I trimmed out the top and bottom of the shoe built in. I placed a 1x4 piece of trim at the top and mitered the corners and added a 4.5" piece of trim on the bottom.
In order to secure it to the built in at the top, I had to place a few two by twos on top of the built in, so I would be able to nail it into something. Once the trim was in place, I went back through with caulk to seal any cracks.
and that's a wrap! Now that my shoe built in is all built out, it's time to sand them down and make it pretty. Stay tuned for Part 2 and 3 of my Master Closet to see how I finish it out!
I hope I was able to answer all of your closet questions, if there is anything I missed, feel free to comment your questions below!
The first thing I did to build the entryway console was building the sides. This first step was fairly easy. I used my handy dandy Kreg Jig to create pocket holes on the console stretcher pieces to use for the joinery
Once the sides were built, I began building the frame of the console by adding the 2x2 stretchers. I made sure to have the pocket holes facing down on the bottom to hide them and facing up on the top, so the console would look nice and clean.
Once I added the stretchers, I added the back decorative pieces and cut the project panel down to size and attached it using brad nails.
Before we get into the details of this home office nook, it wouldn't be a true transformation without a good look at the before photos.
As you can see, this office nook space was really blah. Super plain and it really didn't look pleasing to the eye because I had taken down some previous wall boards and never did anything with it. But don't fret, it's time to make this space come to life.
When I first started this project, I knew I wanted it to be really simplistic , yet stylish. Surprisingly, I only used a few products on this makeover but the results were amazing. Let's dive into the details.
If you are more of a visual person, don't fret, I was able to catch the whole process on video!
I first started off with painting the adjoining walls. I knew I wanted the space to feel bigger and brighter so I opted to go with white.
To create contrast, I decided to use two different whites; Swiss Coffee on the adjoining wall, which is more of an off-white, and Ultra Pure White on the the back wall; a pure white.
Luckily, there wasn't mush guess work when determining how much paint I would need. I was able to use The Paint Calculator right in Home Depot's mobile app to determine the amount of paint needed for this project.
Once you pull up the paint calculator, on The Home Depot's website, you enter in all the dimensions for the room and then it calculates the amount of paint needed.
I absolutely love this calculator because it prevents me from buying excess paint. The Home Depot's mobile app is full of all sorts of great calculators and tips and tricks to help with your projects.
I also decided to mix it up a bit and throw in a beige color (Behr Sandy Clay) for the built ins to give the home office nook a more warm feel. Paint is always a great way to transform a space on a budget and it really went a long way on this project.
I always love working with shiplap because its the quickest way to cover up a wall quick and easy, while remaining fun and stylish. I also wanted to use the shiplap because I knew the vertical lines would make the space feel a lot bigger.
I started from top to bottom and started placing the shiplap into place. Once I cut the boards down to size, I attached the shiplap to the wall with my brad nailer and 2" brad nails.
Now during the shiplap install, I had a little bit of a mishap and accidentally broke off a piece of my outlet plate, but luckily I was able to recover quickly with The Home Depot's Image Search feature on the mobile app. This is a great feature if you are looking for items quickly or if you can't remember the exact name of the product you're looking for.
When you open up the Home Depot App, you have an option to either snap a picture or search the product by voice and The Home Depot App will find product options for you. Even better, the "Product Locator" feature will show you exactly where you can find the item. It's like having a GPS for your shopping.
Once I got to the end of installing the shiplap, I realized that I would need to cut down the last piece of shiplap down to fit into the remaining hole. So I used my Kreg Adaptive Track Saw Cutting System to cut the shiplap down. This tool made it really easy and simple to cut those smaller pieces down safely.
Once the shiplap was into place, I went back with wood filler and filled all of the nail holes. Once that was dry, I used some sandpaper to gently sand all of the excess wood filler off of the shiplap to prep it for paint.
Now on to my favorite part; the butcher block! I recently used butcher block in a Kitchen Reno project and I fell in love, so I new I had to incorporate into this project somehow.
I love that The Home Depot has a "Buy Online, Pick up in Store" Service, where you can purchase your items online and they are ready to go when you get there.
When you order online, be sure to select the "Store Pickup" option and once you purchase your items, you will get an email notice when your items are ready for pickup.
If you're store is anything like mine, then they offer Curbside Service as well, so you don't even have to leave your car! When I arrived to the store, I text the Curbside Pickup line and my butcher block was brought out right to my car and loaded in the back of my SUV. Sounds like a win to me.
Adding this butcher block to the desk was such a great design element and it gave the home office space a sleek look. Its also really durable and a great addition to the space.
I secured the butcher block down with four screws from underneath and she sits nice and sturdy into place.
Once everything was painted and sealed, I knew this transformation was one I was going to absolutely love.
Now enough talking, let's get into the final reveal. I am so happy with how the nook turned out and I'm even happier that it was an inexpensive project.
Of course, I had to add some goodies. I was able to grab this amazing office chair and a few decor items, like these decorative vases and wire baskets.
Luckily, they qualified for free shipping, so it was delivered right to my doorstep while I was working away on the DIY Home Office Space.
I mean this couldn't have turned out any better than it did. I really love the look of the butcher block with the warm tones. I can definitely get used to this home office space.
The transformation is just WOW! I mean look at these before and afters. Amazing what a little paint can do right?
You can really see all of the differences clearly when you look at the before and after side by side. This transformation really opened up this space and I can't wait to start working in my new office space.
With a little paint, shiplap and elbow grease, this DIY home office nook really feels like a brand new space and I couldn't be more happier with how it turned out.
Welp, that about wraps up the DIY Home Office Nook Makeover. I hope you enjoyed this project and I can't wait to see how you transform your spaces. How about one more look before we go?
As always, thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.
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If there was ever a project I was excited for, this is it! I am so excited to finally be sharing the Kitchen Renovation Reveal. If you missed the news, I have been working on a Kitchen Renovation for M'Kaylah Woods, a nurse here in OKC.
"This post is sponsored by The Home Depot."
With all the craziness going on in the world right now, I figured why not give back to someone who gives themselves to people daily, so here we are and it was all made possible by The Home Depot.
I was super excited to announce that I would be doing this Kitchen Renovation. I met M'Kaylah through one of my really good friends and they were in need of a new kitchen; so I thought it would be a great idea to give them a brand new kitchen space they would love. Let's take a look at the before.
Even with a small budget to work with, I knew I could totally transform this space with a few familiar products from The Home Depot. Luckily, M'Kaylah's kitchen was on the smaller side, so I knew the money could go a little longer. But I was able to totally transform the space with $3200! Crazy right!? If you're wondering how I pulled it off, keep reading on to see just how I tackled M'Kaylahs kitchen.
Being that this was my first Kitchen Reno, I was super excited about the Demolition. I always see home renovation shows and think "How cool would it be to tear down a kitchen." Well my demo dreams have come to life, because I now have my first Kitchen Demo under my belt and it was just as fun as it imagined.
Here is the order in which I tackled the Demo:
After I completed the demo, the Kitchen looked an absolute mess, but I was excited to continue on and turn a drab space into a fabulous one. Now with the demolition out of the way, it was time to get started with the makeover.
For all of you visual folks, luckily I was able to video the process and cram it into a 15-min video. Check it out and then read on for all of the juicy details.
I decided to tackle the bottom cabinets first and work my way up. Being that I was on a budget, I decided to purchase new upper cabinets and just refinish the old existing cabinets. I knew with a little love and elbow grease, I could get the bottom cabinets looking new again. This is how I tackled the cabinet refinish:
It was really easy to pick out the type of paint and sheen. When you go to The Home Depot website and choose a color, they make it easy for you to find the right type and sheen of paint. This really made picking out paint a breeze.
I really love that The Home Depot breaks down each option and what's best for your project on their site. If you are having trouble picking out which paint to use and what sheen you want, The Home Depot has got you covered.
Now with the bottom cabinetry out of the way, it was time to move on to the countertops. I was most excited about this part of the project because I have always loved the butcher block look and have been wanting to try it out.
I was so surprised to find this butcher block just hanging out in The Home Depot aisles, normally you would think this is the type of materiel you can only get online but I was happy to find it right at my local Home Depot. Now let's get into how I tackled the countertop.
After creating the template, I traced the hole line on the countertop and then begin making four plunge cuts in the counter top with my track saw. I did not go all the way around the corners with my track saw, I left just enough space to go back around with my jigsaw to curve the corners. P.S Someone get my brother a mask!
4. Sealing the Countertops - This was one of the most popular questions on my Instagram. How are you sealing the counter tops. First, I went and filled the little small holes in the butcher block with epoxy. This was my first time trying this particular epoxy and it worked fairly well, but I may try another product next time just to see the differences.
After that dried, I sanded the butcher block down. First with 120-grit and then 220-grit sandpaper to get it nice and smooth.
Then to seal it, I applied tung oil to the surface using a bristle brush. I put on three coats to make sure the butcher block was fully saturated, with a light sanding in between each coat. I just love how the tung oil makes the butcher block stand out. With butcher block, there is some follow on maintenance, being that its wood, but a fresh coat of tung oil is always an easy step to tackle when needed.
Even though I had a pretty tight budget, I knew I wanted to splurge on some new cabinets for the upper cabinets because the older cabinets weren't salvageable. So I ordered two sets of frameless unfinished cabinets through The Home Depot Delivery Service. Luckily, they were amongst the many items eligible for free delivery and were delivered right to my door step. I was able to un-package them and get right to work. Now let's get into the details.
Once the 2x4 was secure, I placed the cabinet on top and screwed the cabinets into the wall using wood screws, these were the suggested screws that came listed with the cabinets instructions. The cabinets looked so good on the wall and I knew early on that I wanted to lift the cabinets up to make the room feel larger. What I didn't anticipate was how it would look raised.
When I saw the raised cabinets, I loved the height of them, but I knew that it didn't look proportionate, so I had to do some quick on the job troubleshooting. I quickly decided to add some little fun open storage cubbies and I am so glad I did. They look like they are a part of the existing cabinets and it created more storage for the Woods. Yay for thinking on your feet.
I built them using select pine wood, which is a better grade than regular pine, because I wanted them to look really sleek.
I added the little cubbies by using my right angle attachment to screw them directly into the upper cabinets while clamped into place.
Originally the Woods had a regular double stainless steel sink but I decided to splurge on this huge Blanco Sink. I was able to get it delivered right to my door step and a fun service I learned that The Home Depot has is the "free delivery & haul away on appliance purchases $396 or more", where they will haul away your old appliances for you. Technically a sink doesn't count but if you have a kitchen renovation in mind and you're worried about where those old appliances will go, The Home Depot has got you covered.
This sink really changed the whole look of the kitchen and I absolutely love how it coupled with the butcher block counter tops. Unfortunately, because of the way the counter was shaped, we had a little bit of a hard time getting the sink in, only because it was an uncomfortable position to put it in there, but with the help of my friend Michael, we were able to get it into place.
Once the sink was in place, I begin to add the faucet. Like the sink, I decided to splurge on a nice gold faucet to match the new Blanco sink and I definitely don't regret my decision.
Installing the Faucet
This kitchen faucet was the perfect combo for this kitchen and the pictures definitely don't do it justice. First, I had to drill three holes for the kitchen faucet. The directions for the faucet were pretty straight forward and I just followed them to install the faucet.
Once the faucet was installed, I hooked up the sink and garbage disposal and all of the drainage pipes underneath and turned on the water to test out the new faucet. Turning on the sink was one of those moment were you realize "wow! I really just installed a sink." There were a lot of firsts in this project and I was super proud of myself all throughout this reno.
Now on to the tile and grouting. I was super anxious to try this portion of the project out because I've never actually tiled before. My brick wall is the closest I've come to it, so I was super excited to learn and be able to experience actually doing it for the first time. Now I must rave about this amazing tile.
I really like that it has that subway feel but with a modern twist. I used one and a half cases for this particular project but if you need some help figuring out just how much tile you need, Home Depot has you covered with their tile project calculator.
Luckily, once I had chosen the tile I wanted. The tile calculator was embedded right there in the product page. If you are worried about how much tile you will need, The Home Depot's tile calculator will eliminate all of the guesswork.
Tilling
Instead of spreading the mortar on the wall first like you'd normally see, I decided to just back butter the tile one by one with my trowel. My reasons for this was because it was my first time and I felt it would be easier to manage the tile that way and also, I knew that I would be splitting the tiling into two sessions because I was waiting on the cabinets to arrive. This way worked out for me but I'm excited to try it the other way next time.
I opted not to replace the existing drywall because the laminate backsplash didn't mess it up too much and we were on a tight budget, I think each reno is different and you just have to kind of play it by ear, but for this particular project I just decided to go ahead and put the new tile on the existing drywall and it worked out fine.
I used spacers in between the tiles to ensure I had the correct spacing all the way around and utilized my tile saw to cut the tiles on the ends and top. After I laid the tile, I let it sit for 48 hours and then removed the spacers to prep for grouting.
Grouting
For the grouting portion, I decided to go with a pre-mixed grout to make the process easier. I went with a grey color to bring out those white tiles and it matched perfectly.
I first started by using my float to push grout into the tile in small sections. You want to make sure you do small sections because the grout will dry fast and its hard to get the grout off the tile once its dry. After doing a small section, I would take my sponge and clean off the excess grout and then use a damp rag to wipe it completely clean and continue the same steps all along the wall.
This process was fairly easy, just a little time consuming with the cleanup. Two people would definitely come in handy here. To my surprise, this only took one quart of grout to complete.
Now on to the flooring. The old kitchen had a darker tile but I wanted to add some flooring that would brighten up the space a little bit. Knowing the budget, I knew that this Lifeproof flooring would be the perfect addition to the new kitchen.
I put this flooring in my laundry room a few years back and absolutely love it. Its also supposed to be pet friendly, which was perfect for this project being that the Woods have two little dogs.
The thing I love the most about this flooring is that it can go right over your existing tile and doesn't take long to install. With the help of this flooring kit, I was able to install this floor in less than an hour. Crazy right!? I cut the flooring down with my miter saw and just placed it right over the existing floor and man does it look good. Just don't forget to wear those knee pads!
Being that the Woods house was older, the walls really weren't as appealing as I would like, so I decided to add shiplap all across the walls. I knew this would be a little pricey, but worth it in the end.
I opted to go with a ready made shiplap to speed up the process and it was really great to work with. I ended up using nine boxes for the whole kitchen. I secured the boards to the wall using my brad nailer and went back and filled the holes with wood filler. This shiplap also made the kitchen feel much bigger.
Once all the holes were filled, I went back and painted the shiplap with a muted white.
Once everything was all in place, I went back around and adding gold knobs to all of the door handles.
Budget Breakdown
Backsplash Tile | $200 |
Frameless Cabinets | $250 |
Shiplap | $600 |
Kitchen Faucet/ Sink Drain | $200 |
Blanco Sink | $343 |
Paint | $150 |
Sink Undermount Clamps | $21 |
Butcher Block Counter Tops | $330 |
Hardware | $70 |
Cabinet Cubbies/Middle Cabinet/ Trim | $258 |
Lifeproof Flooring/Tools | $350 |
Tiling Tools/Grout/Mortar | $120 |
Miscellaneous (Paint Tools, Varnish, Caulk, Filler, Sandpaper, screws, plastic, adhesive, etc.) | $300 |
Total | $3200 |
Now let's get to the moment you all have been waiting for, The FINAL Reveal. I think I surprised myself with this project, because I couldn't have imagined this project turning out any better.
I'm simply amazed with how I was able to completely transform this kitchen with $3200, and I hope you guys love it just as much as I do.
All of the materials tied in so nicely and it really made it look like a brand new space. I'm so glad with the design choices I made.
I was super happy to get the approval from Chewy and Major, they absolutely love their new sink. If they are happy then I think my job here is complete.
and who doesn't love a few good before and after photos?
Seeing the two pictures side by side really makes you realize just how much the kitchen changed with the small changes.
If you are a little scared to tackle your kitchen Reno, this is proof that it can be done. This was my first kitchen renovation project and I think I knocked it out of the park.
Welp, that wraps up the Kitchen Renovation, I hope you guys enjoyed this project just as much as I did and as always, thanks for stopping by guys, XOXO Ashley.
]]>"There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure."
So, let's dive right in. First I planned out the style for my living room; I wanted it to be a little mix of rustic, industrial and glam. Sounds crazy right? But I knew it would all come together. Here is my room mood board with my initial plan.
Once I got the design on paper, it really started to come together in my head. Let's look at the before. My room was super plain Jane. I hadn't really done much since to my master bedroom since buying my house, so I was excited to tackle it.
Now that we've got that out of the way, let's jump into the creative process.
One of the main things I knew I needed to elevate my bedroom was a grand accent wall; and it doesn't get any grander than laying hundreds of bricks. I knew these bricks would bring the rustic and industrial feel I was looking for.
This is probably one of my favorite accent walls to date and I absolutely love how it came out. It completely changed the look of the room and made it feel grand. Exactly the look I was going for.
Lucky for you, I documented the whole process if you're interested in re-creating it. Check out my full blog post on that wall here for more details.
Once the brick accent wall was up, I painted my existing grey walls white and it really made the brick wall stand out.
Outside of the brick wall, choosing the furniture pieces for the room was probably the most exciting process. The furniture really brings the room together.
I knew that I wanted good contrast between the bed and the nightstand, so I decided to get a nice cream tufted bed and couple it with mirrored nightstands. I couldn't have picked a better match for the brick.
I also decided to add in a fun three drawer dresser that could serve as both a stylish and functional piece. There were so many choices to choose from, Wayfair's dresser options were endless, but I absolutely love how this particular walnut dresser plays off of the tufted cream headboard and brick wall.
Seeing it all come together just made me smile inside.
Once everything was put into place, it was time for the final reveal and man did it blow my expectations.
The warm tones of the bed and the brick wall really made my bedroom feel like a cozy oasis. All of the colors really came together nicely.
I am also absolutely in love with this walnut three drawer dresser. I needed some more storage space for some of my clothes, but it's such a stylish piece it doesn't even feel like a dresser, it feels more like a stylish piece of furniture. The modern legs brings a modern feel to the room as well.
and who doesn't love a good before and after? I am so blown away with how this room makeover came out.
The Brick wall coupled with the the beautiful furniture was a great call and I can't be happier with how it turned out.
Welp, that wraps it up for the bedroom master makeover. I hope you guys enjoyed the results just as much as I did.
As always, thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.
]]>"This review is sponsored by the Home Depot as a part of The Home Depot's Pro-Spective Campaign."
Diablo has always been a brand that I've highly respected, and I don't foresee that changing anytime soon. Diablo's new steel cutting blade is redefining metal cutting with safer and new innovation and I can't wait to share more about it.
There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure.
To test out the Diablo Steel Demon blade, I am coupling it with my DEWALT circular saw and I must say, they make a great team. One of the items I used to take this blade for a run was a metal flat bar. It cut like butter! Normally I use a jigsaw to make my metal cuts, but I am retiring the jigsaw because this blade can truly cut.
This particular saw blade features Cermet teeth that provide a high heat tolerance and increased hardness for great cutting life, which allows the blade to last up to 40X longer than a regular carbide metal cutting blade.
As you can see, the Diablo blade made clean cuts on the metal flat bar. With the advanced laser cut stabilizer vents, it traps noise and vibration for stability, which allows the the blade to remain cool for straight, accurate cuts.
The best part is that they have blades with all sizes and all types of features. So you if you don't have the bigger 7 1/4" circular saw, Diablo has blades to fit your needs.
Shown above is the 6 1/2" Steel Demon Saw blade in the Ryobi Circular saw, and the two 30-Teeth 5 3/8 in saw blade and 5 1/2" saw blade.
The 6 1/2" Saw blade features trim-metal shock resistant brazing that allows the metal cutting carbide tips to withstand extreme impact. It cut through the metal so easily.
I remember doing some barn door projects and cutting through metal with a jigsaw. It was a complete nightmare. This metal cutting blade makes it so easy.
The 30-Teeth saw blades both have the laser cut stabilizer vents that traps noise and vibration as well as keeping the blade cool.
I actually didn't have this metal bar clamp down, I was holding it with my hadn't and the vibration was minimal, which for me was nice because I don't always like spending the time clamping things down (even though it's probably safer).
Tri-Metal Shock Resistant Brazing
Diablo's tri-metal shock resistant brazing is a three metal brazing system that allows cermet teeth to withstand extreme impact for maximum durability making this blade extremely efficient when cutting through metals.
Versatility of Cuts
I love that this blade has the ability to cut through so many things. I feel like I'm getting a bang for my buck. Check out the last below of what this blade can actually do.
- Cuts 1/16 in. to 1/4 in. wall thickness in steel studs, EMT conduit, angle iron, flat bar, and channel
- Cuts 1/4 in. to 1 in. diameter threaded rod
- Cuts 1/16 in. to 1/4 in. wall thickness in plate and bar stock
Triple Chip Tooth Design
The Triple Chip Tooth Design provides burr-free finishes that eliminate rework, and allow for a longer cutting life.
Perma-SHIELD Coating
The Perma-SHIELD non-stick coating protects the blade against gumming and corrosion which resists heat build-up.
This seems to be a great blade but I question how long the blade would actually last after making an excessive amount of cuts. I am anxious to see how the blade operates under wear and tear.
This thin brick wall project has been quite the popular project and I am so glad to finally be sharing all of the details with you. I am so happy to be partnering up with my friends from Old Mill Brick to bring you this tutorial.
Today I will be sharing all of the fun details on how I completed this thin brick wall project; and I promise you won't be disappointed.
The crazy thing about this project is that I have never worked with brick before! Can you believe it? If you are wondering if you can tackle a project like this, you absolutely can, and I am sharing all of the details to get you started. I originally saw this idea on Remington Avenue's Instagram and knew I had to have it, so let's get into it!
Materiels
Tools Used
If you are more of a visual person, check out this how-to video on my installation process.
Before getting started, I first had to take wall measurements to figure out how many materials I would need to tackle this brick wall project. My wall was 13' high and 10' wide, which is pretty big.
I used this sq. ft calculator to calculate my total square footage. You enter in the width and length of your wall and it will tell you exactly how many square footage of materiel you will need. I ended up getting 19 boxes of the thin brick singles, just to have a little extra for mistakes, but only used 18 of the boxes.
Once I figured out the sq ft. , I also calculated I would need around 12 packs of Loctite Adhesive for this wall project and my math was perfect; I used all 12 tubes. Normally, you would see people using mortar for brick, but I am always one who likes to work harder and not smarter, so I decided to use this adhesive for an alternative. It's a lot less messier, cures faster, and holds the brick to the wall very well.
I had to do a little more wall prepping than normal because I had wall paneling on my bedroom wall. I added this paneling to my bedroom wall but I decided to go for something with a little more pizzaz. Let's take a look at the before.
A few people were bummed about me taking down my wall paneling, but I think after they saw the brick, they were just fine with me taking it down. Once I took the wall paneling down, I wiped the whole wall down with a damp rag and then went back and wiped off all of the dust with a dry cloth to make sure the wall was completely free of debris.
Once the wall was all dry, it was time to start applying the bricks; the fun part of the project.
I begin applying the thin bricks on the wall and started at the top of the wall and worked my way down. It really doesn't matter where you start with these thin bricks because they aren't building on top of each other. I personally wanted to start at the top so if there were any imperfections or unevenness, it would fall at the bottom.
I decided to start applying the full singles first and then go back afterwards to cut the angles on the bricks. I decided to go with various designs for the wall, so I started laying the bricks straight across first. The first line is probably the most important because it needs to be 100% straight. My bedroom wall isn't all the way square so it was important to make sure the first line was completely level.
I placed nine rows of bricks on the top of the wall to get me started and used a 3/8" dowel to make sure my spacing was correct. The dowel will definitely be your friend, so have a couple handy. I also used a level to make sure each brick was level. This can seem a little meticulous but I wanted to make sure my bricks looked as flawless as possible. If your first line is straight, the lines below should go on level, but some bricks were still off, so I checked each brick; I know , Im crazy.
I applied a decent amount of adhesive to each brick to make sure it sticks well. I was so impressed with this stuff, it is super strong. As soon as you place the brick on the wall it sticks. You do get around 10 minutes to move it freely before it starts to cure. Make sure you play close attention to your bricks once you place them; I found that after about 30 minutes, there's no budging them. I also found that it was better to apply adhesive to a bunch of bricks and then apply them to the wall rather than doing them one by one.
Even though this was a one man job, if you can find help, use it. Don't be like me, I would have appreciated a helping hand with this portion.
Now take it from me, if you are doing this project alone or if you have help, you will want to get this battery powered caulk gun. I used a regular caulk gun for the first nine rows and man were my arms on fire! The battery powered gun made it go a lot faster and put less strain on my arm.
After I laid out the nine rows of singles, I switched over to the vertical pattern. This was probably the easiest part of the design. I laid these out pretty quickly and then on to the herringbone.
In order to make sure the herringbone pattern was straight, I used a laser level to make sure the bricks were laid down evenly and on square. This helped the middle portion go a lot faster.
It was interesting to see the pattern once the bricks were all done. I was amazed at how good it looked.
Let's check out the wall pattern once its done.
Now on to the fun part; the grout. This was my first time grouting, so I was both excited and anxious to see how it would turn out, but I wasn't pleasantly surprised how easy it was. so if you are wondering how to grout thin brick, you're in luck.
Originally, I tried the Antique White, but discovered very quickly that the antique white wasn't the color I was looking for. I decided to try to try two other colors and they both weren't right. After trying those two, I decided to just mix them together and BOOM, I had found the right color for my wall. I did a 50/50 mix of the sanded grout in Bright White and Platinum.
I ended up using four bags for my project; it was just enough, like scrapping the bag enough. I used around six cups of grout each mix to make sure I didn't waste any grout.
I used a small bowl and spoon to mix the grout to the consistency that I wanted and then poured it and then let it sit for 10 minutes. After the ten minutes, I poured it into the grout bag and started to grout the brick. I really loved this grout bag because it was re-usable. I washed it out after every use and it was the perfect size to get my sections knocked out.
Grouting the brick was fairly easy, but time consuming. If you have extra hands available, you will definitely want to use them. One thing you want to make sure you do before grouting is laying down plastic. It will get super messy, so you don't want to mess up your floors.
Once I applied the grout, I used a trowel and a bristle brush to flatten and set the grout into place. It's amazing how the grout really brought out the brick.
I knew this project was going to bring my bedroom to life and there's nothing like a good before and after.
Now let's take one more last look at the wall. Let me know what you think in the comments below. I am absolutely in love!
Welp that wraps up the brick project! I hope you guys are inspired to tackle your own brick projects; I can't wait to see.
As always, thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.
]]>Who doesn't like to get crafty? I'm excited to be sharing this fun crafty desk today and even better, I am partnering with my friends at Build Something to provide you the free plans for this sawhorse desk.
"This post is sponsored by Build Something."
Being that this is a craft desk, I knew I had to do something fun with the legs, so I figured why not create a fun sawhorse design to make it interesting. I absolutely love how they came out!
"There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure."
Dimensions
Materiels List
Tools Used
First I started off with the sawhorse desk frame. You may need to plane down your 2x4s to make sure its straight. Once I had my 2x4s ready, I then used my handy dandy Kreg Jig to drill pocket holes into the sawhorse legs.
I made sure to drill the pocket holes on the inside of the legs to make sure the pocket holes were hidden.
I then attached the legs to the sawhorse using my impact drill and pocket hole screws. I made sure to add four legs to each sawhorse.
To make sure the legs sit straight on the floor, I had to make sure to angle the top and bottom of the legs. Once the legs were attached. I used my right Kreg Clamps to help add in the side pieces. I always rave about these clamps. If you build by yourself often, these clamps come in handy if you use pocket holes often.
Once I got the frame all assembled, I added in the middle support. I attached the middle top support to the outer frame using pocket hole screws and used my right angle clamp here again to hold it into place while I drilled in the pocket hole screws.
I made sure to use a lot of wood glue on the places where I joined the wood together to make sure the desk had extra strength. You can never have enough wood glue!
The sawhorses were super simple to make, I knocked this out in about 30 minutes. If you are a beginner woodworker, this would be a great project for you to try.
Once I had the sawhorses complete, I used my Kreg Adaptive Cutting System to cut the desktop down. I absolutely love this system; if you don't have a table saw this is a great alternative to have to cut down sheet goods.
I cut down a 3/4" piece of plywood for the desktop easily with this system. If you are debating whether to get this tool, let me save you some time, you should definitely invest.
I opted to go with all black for the legs because I wanted a more modern feel and Im so glad I did. For this particular project, I wanted to try out this COLORSHOT Spray Paint so I decided to coat the legs with it.
It did give it a good coat, but it took quite a bit of spray paint for the legs to look completely black. Next time, I think I may try painting it with a white primer first, but it still would likely equal the same amount of paint.
Another alternative could be using interior paint and a spray painter, either way there are many options to achieve this look, so are your pick.
For the desk top, I wanted the look of marble but the easy way, so I decided to add contact Paper to the top. I started adding the contact paper to the desktop. One of these rolls covered the desk but I had to cut the last row in half for it to fit.
If you want the second row to be completely seamless, you will likely need to get two of these contact paper rolls. I also decided to add a little 3M Adhesive to the sides for more stick. The adhesive is great on the top of the desk, but the adhesive allowed the contact paper to hold on to the sides a lot better than without.
This contact paper was a super easy way to give a modern marble feel. Once the contact paper was set, I screwed a few screws through the legs to attach the desk and WAA-LAAH, here we have it, a modern DIY Sawhorse Desk.
I can't wait to see you guys tackle this project. If you want to get the free plans for this desk head on over to build something for the free plans.
Even better news, if you don't quite love this design, I've built a similar sawhorse desk to this one! If you like the alternative below, you can check that one out here.
But before you go, let's take one last look at this design!
As always, thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.
]]>I always love a good desk, so I am super excited to share this new desk I recently built. It's giving me so many good vibes. I have always loved the sawhorse desk trend, but never had the chance to build one, so of course I had to put a fun spin on it, and I am so excited with how it turned out.
What I really love about this design are the desk legs; Im so in love with this design I can't contain my excitement. If you're looking for a fun desk to spruce up your craft room, look no more! I think you've found the one.
"There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure."
Dimensions
Materiels List
Cut List
* See Detailed Plans for Cut List
Tools Used
First I started off with the sawhorse desk frame. You may need to plane don your 2x4 to make sure its nice and straight. Then I used my handy dandy Kreg Jig to drill pocket holes into the sawhorse legs.
I then attached the legs to the sawhorse using my impact drill and pocket hole screws. I made sure to add four legs to each sawhorse.
To make sure the legs sit straight on the floor, I had to make sure to angle the top and bottom of the legs. Once the legs were attached. I used my right Kreg Clamps to help add in the side pieces.
Once I got the frame all assembled, I began adding in the middle supports. I attached them to the outer frame using pocket hole screws and used my right angle clamp here again to hold it into place while I drilled in the pocket hole screws.
I added supports to both the top and bottom side supports. I made sure to use a lot of wood glue on the places where I was joined the wood together to make sure the desk has extra strength. You can never have enough wood glue!
Once the middle supports were all in, I began adding the decorative trim. I used brad nails and wood screws to make sure the supports were secured to the middle supports.
I really love how the trim add a decorative feel to the sawhorse legs. I think it gives it a modern, playful feel. I've seen a lot of sawhorse desk designs, but not one quite like this one.
I opted to go with all black for the legs because I wanted a more modern feel and Im so glad I did. For this particular project, I wanted to try out this COLORSHOT Spray Paint so I decided to coat the legs with it.
It did give it a good coat, but it took quite a bit of spray paint for the legs to look completely black. Next time, I think I may try painting it with a white primer first, but it still would likely equal the same amount of paint.
Another alternative could be using interior paint and a spray painter, either way there are many options to achieve this look, so are your pick.
For the desk top, I wanted the look of marble but the easy way, so I decided to add contact Paper to the top. Once I cut out the desk top, I started adding the contact paper to the desktop. One of these rolls covered the desk but I had to cut the last row in half for it to fit.
If you want the second row to be completely seamless, you will likely need to get two of these contact paper rolls. I also decided to add a little 3M Adhesive to the sides for more stick. The adhesive is great on the top of the desk, but the adhesive allowed the contact paper to hold on to the sides a lot better than without.
This contact paper was a super easy way to give a modern marble feel. Once the contact paper was set, I screwed a few screws through the legs to attach the desk and WAA-LAAH, here we have it, a modern DIY Sawhorse Desk.
I can't wait to see you guys tackle this project. Even better news, if you don't quite love this design, I've built a similar craft desk to this one! If you like the alternative below, you can check that one out here.
But before you go, let's take one last look at this design!
As always, thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.
]]>There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure."
Materials
Cut List
See Printable Plans for Detailed Cut List
Tools
I first started off by assembling the bottom storage bench. I used 3/4" plywood to assemble a bulk of the storage bench and used my handy dandy Kreg Jig for most of the assembly.
I was able to cut all of my plywood down to size using my Kreg Adaptive Cutting System. If you don't have a table saw this is a great alternative. It also feels a lot safer than that of a table saw.
I was able to assemble the drawer for the storage bench using my favorite right angle clamps and with the help of my Kreg drawer slides, I was easily able to create the drawer design.
I used 12” Drawer Slides for this particular build. I absolutely love the extra storage that this build provides.
Once the drawer was put it, my storage bench was complete, now on to the wall paneling set.
To begin the wall paneled set, I first had to cut all of my 1x2s down to the correct sizing. Once I had my 1x2s cut I started attaching them together.
First, I placed the 23” 1x2 on top of the first 1x2, and then drilled a pilot hole first using a 5/32” drill bit, and then screwed in a 1 1/2" Wood Screws into both 1x2 boards to attach them together. Then repeated this step all of the way down.
Originally, I was going to have one big panel, but it became to heavy so I decided to have two even panels. No worries though; because once you hang them up, its gives the illusion of one.
I love the look of the 1x2s together because it really brings that modern vibe. I had planned on adding shelves, but I still love how it looks without. I was drooling at this point.
If you want to see the technique of how I created this wall paneled set, check out this video on how I made this paneled coat rack. I used the same technique that I used to create this hall tree.
Once the hall tree bench was all built, it was time to prep for stain. This is always my most least favorite part, but its an important step.
I first used my DAP Wood Filler to fill in all of the nail holes that I created on the panels and the storage bench. You definitely want to fill the nail holes on the wall panels to give them a seamless look.
Next, I used to DAP Spackle to fill the plywood edges. This is a little trick I use to make plywood edges straight. Once I filled in all of the edges, I sanded her down with some sandpaper to make it nice and smooth for stain.
Once my build was all prepped, I begin staining. I decided to go with Rustoleum Kona Gel Stain and man did she look good. To apply the stain to the storage bench, I just used an old rag to wipe it down. I was able to easily apply it to the plywood and it made it look really good!
For the wall paneling, I first wiped it down with a rag at first, but I noticed the color wasn't coming out as rich as the storage bench, so I decided to use a small foam brush to wipe the gel stain on and that definitely did the trick. The little foam brush also helped to get in between the cracks of the the panels.
As you can see, the second time through made the panels look rich. I applied a heavy amount the second time around to get that deep rich color.
Now you may be thinking; how the heck did she get that hung up. Well its a little easier than you may think. I first put my storage bench where I wanted it and then set one of my panels on top.
Once I had one of the panels where I wanted it, I marked where the top 1x2 was on the wall so I would know where it needed to go and then I used this metal cleat hanging system to hang them on the wall.
You screw one side of the metal cleat system to the wall and then the other side to the paneled set, and it allows you to hang the panel right on the other side of the cleat. I did one side and then the other
I made sure to hang the panel set so that it sits right on the storage bench for extra support and that's ends the hall tree journey.
Whether you want to create a fun storage bench or the full hall tree, this project is the perfect addition for your home entryway.
As always, thanks for reading guys! XOXO, Ashley
I am super excited to share today's project with you because it wasn't necessarily planned, but doesn't that make for the best projects? I had a bunch of scrap wood lying around and needed to get rid of it, so I figured, why not use some of that wood to create a fun project.
Let's just say that I made a good call. This DIY Modern Coat Rack was super fun and easy to make and a great addition to my small entryway. If you're like everyone else right now, you're spending a lot of time at home, so we might as well put our time to good use.
"There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure."
Materials/Tools
First, I used my miter saw to cut all of my wood down to size. I cut my smaller 1x2s down to approximately 8" and I cut my longer 1x2s down to approx. 23".
Feel free to make this coat rack as long as you'd like to fit your needs. I personally think the wall rack would have looked a little better longer, but I had to make it small enough to fit my particular space.
Once the wood is all cut down to size, I begin attaching the 1x2s. First, I used a 5/32" bit to drill pilot holes into the two 1x2s.
Once the pilot holes were made, I screwed in the wood screws into the two 1x2s using my impact drill.
To get the accurate spacing between the two, I used a 1/4" dowel and placed them between the boards while screwing in the wood screws.
Once the coat rack was complete, I added three coat hooks to finish the look. I used my Dremel Go screwdriver to drive in the screws since they were so small. This tool allows you to drive in screws by just pressing the tool into the screw.
Now let's take another look at the coat rack! I would say this was a successful Scrap DIY?
Let me know what you think in the comments below and as always thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.
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