Brighten Up Your Bedroom –

By DeDee Birdsall

Once just a place for sleeping, our bedrooms have long since become a safe haven, a favorite at-home retreat where we can get away from the world. Since we often spend more time in there than just our typical eight hour REM cycle, it’s always fun to redecorate and add some flair to what can easily become a neglected space. That can end up costing big bucks, so we’ve come up with several projects you can complete in a weekend that won’t break the bank, don’t require a sewing machine and will help create a professional look worthy of Better Homes & Gardens.

Tufted Love

A great looking headboard is the focal point of any bedroom, but buying a new one can set you back hundreds of dollars, if not more. Instead, kick your décor up a notch with a little effort and imagination by designing your own custom upholstered headboard. Whether you scour flea markets for an inexpensive discarded headboard, dig one out of the attic or build your own, this project is a snap. We used an existing headboard and a few other supplies to put things together.

Materials and Supplies

• Headboard
• Electric staple gun and staples
• Upholstery batting
• Fabric and trim

Putting It Together

Measure the length and width of the headboard (front and back) to find out how much fabric you’ll need. Consider purchasing decorator fabric, as it’s stronger and comes in widths that range from forty-five to sixty inches wide. Pick up some upholstery batting from your local fabric store in an amount large enough to cover the front side of the headboard, plus an additional four inches to help cover the frame. Cut the batting to cover the front and sides of the headboard, then lay the headboard face down on the batting and staple the batting in place, pulling taut as you go along.

Next, cut fabric for the front part of the headboard and repeat the stapling process once more. Continue to pull taut as you staple your way from the top center, out to the sides, then switch to the bottom and repeat. If adding trim, position in place using straight pins and staple. Cover raw edges on the back with additional fabric and repeat the stapling process. Remember not to pull too tightly as you staple the batting and fabric so as not to cause unwanted puckering on the front side. Once you’re finished, you’ll have a gorgeous new headboard that adds instant flair! 

Having a Ball
Embellishing a blanket or throw is a great way to add warmth and comfort to a bedroom. Take a cue from the style of Morocco, where blankets trimmed with oversize pom poms are a distinctive luxury. It’s another easy no-sew option that can help you jazz up your bedroom in no time flat.

Materials and Supplies

• Blanket or throw
• Pom pom maker/templates
• Yarn
• Upholstery needle

A simple pom pom maker such as the Easy Knitter retails for $2.97 and includes the templates for three sizes of pom poms.  These can be purchased online at www.consumercrafts.com or at your local craft store in the yarn section. Thread it up and you’ll be making pom poms in a flash.

Putting It Together

There are plenty of online resources to help you create your own pom pom template, but the purchased templates are a snap to master and make great looking pom poms every time; for this project, we used the medium sized template. Thick wool yarn works best for making the larger, palm-sized pom poms used on our blanket and can be purchased for as little as $6.00 a skein. Mix and match a couple of yarn colors on the same template for a vibrant two-toned pom pom.

When winding the yarn onto the template, keep in mind that the more times you wind the yarn, the denser your finished pom pom will be. Once you begin threading the template, leave a tail of yarn about eight inches in length. When finished, thread both ends through an upholstery needle and stitch through the trim of your blanket. For our project, we used a knit blanket and pushed both ends of the tail through the fabric and tied it on the back side. Voila – pom pom blanket!

Bright Idea

Love the lamp but hate the shade? Breathe new life into an old light source by covering the shade with a fabric that matches your room’s décor. A simple search online or a trip to your local lamp headquarters will convince you that making your own version easily beats the cost of buying a new one. With the variety of fabrics available, the sky’s the limit! Here’s what you will need:

Materials and Supplies

• Lamp shade
• Paper for a pattern
• Fabric
• Scissors
• Spray adhesive

Putting It Together

On top of a large sheet of paper, lay the lampshade on its side with a seam on one edge of the paper. Starting at the seam, trace the shape of the top and bottom edges of the shade onto the paper. Roll the shade, marking the top and bottom edges on the paper until you come back to where you started. Remove the shade and add one inch at the top, bottom, and at the seam line. Next, cut a paper pattern, which you will use as a template to cut the fabric. Remember to add one inch at the top and bottom. Test fit the fabric on the shade and carefully trim as necessary.

Spray the wrong side of the fabric with the adhesive. Beginning at the shade’s seam, lay the shade on one edge of the fabric and carefully roll it onto the fabric a few inches. Pick up the shade and continue smoothing the fabric, stretching and smoothing it until you’ve covered the entire shade. Clip the edges of the fabric every half inch so that it curls over the top and bottom of the shade. Gently smooth out the fabric and allow the adhesive to dry. To achieve a finished look, decorate the top and bottom edges with a band of braid, ribbon, lace, beads or fringe.

Decorating Resources

For more inspired decorating ideas to brighten up your bedroom, visit www.hgtv.com, where you can search by room, style, color and designer to help you put together the perfect look. Also, be sure to check out www.theinspiredroom.net, where you can find great ideas for the budget conscious designer. Both sites showcase home design and DIY projects to get you thinking. You can also add new paint, wallpaper, throw pillows or various other accessories you create yourself. Before you begin, play around with fabric swatches and see what suits your room best.

Giving your bedroom a fashionable makeover doesn’t require weeks worth of work or an interior design degree. All you need is a bit of imagination, a small batch of materials and a little bit of free time on your weekend. Before you know it, you’ll be redesigning with big style on a small budget, and you’ll have a brand new personal retreat that’s perfect for a quiet, in-home getaway.

Grow Up! Planting Your Vertical Garden

By  DeDee Birdsall

If you don’t have much of a green thumb or you’re looking for a new and unique outdoor project, vertical gardening can be a fun alternative to traditional plant work. A simple blank wall or small vertical space on the patio can make the most novice gardener feel like a pro by following easy guidelines for simple planting. From living wreaths to DIY planters, a little time and effort will have you “growing up” and adding a savvy garden look to your outdoor spaces.

Planning Ahead

Before you dive into the soil and start decorating with your creative garden masterpieces, there are a few basic considerations to bear in mind when tackling any type of vertical gardening.

Form Up

Ready-to-plant forms can help give you a basic framework to start with. These forms cover everything from regular gardening to wreaths and topiary animals and will lay the groundwork for a couple of our projects. You can find them on line at sites such as www.verticalgardeningsystems.com or www.topiaryartworks.com, both excellent resources for the vertical gardener that offer a variety of forms, ideas, instructions, tools and attachments.

Proper Care

The first two weeks after planting will be a crucial time when roots will take hold, which can be helped along by keeping plants on a flat surface during that period. This will ensure optimal growth, as will maintaining proper exposure to sunlight. Don’t forget to take your local climate into consideration as well since most purchased plants come with moisture, heat and temperature specs. What grows well in the desert may not thrive at cooler temperatures and vice versa.

Water Works

Water is the most important gift you can give your plants. Choose a watering system that’s conducive to your garden; slow and steady release usually works best to tame soil erosion and runoff. A garden hose is ideal for watering trays, and you can use a wand attachment for higher plantings. For those that are out of reach, install an automatic gravity irrigation system, which can be obtained for as low as $28 and runs drip lines through back channels of pockets or trays.

Up, Up, and Away – Vertical Garden Forms

For a simple project involving succulents, a hardy and low maintenance plant for a variety of climates, we purchased a 20×20 vertical garden form at Vertical Gardening Systems. For a reasonable cost of $59, you can get a tray with 45 planting slots that includes a frame for hanging your finished garden. Watering is a snap! Succulents hold water in their leaves, making them easier to grow. When poured into the top watering chamber, gravity aids in the flow as it travels in a side to side journey to the bottom of the module, watering the roots of every plant. Simply lay your form flat, plant and water. Once the roots have taken hold, hang and water as needed.

Small and Elegant – Living Wreaths and Topiary Art Forms

Living wreaths and topiary art forms make great additions to outside walls or patios. Pre-made forms filled with sphagnum moss are available in different sizes and styles and usually work best when planted with succulents. Once you design your arrangement, poke holes in the damp form with a pencil and plant your succulents. Two weeks later, it should be ready to hang. When dry, the wreath can be taken down and watered, laid flat for a few days, then hung back up.

If you’d like a wreath without the hassle of planting it, you can purchase a pre-planted wreath from a variety of sources, including www.vivaterra.com, and buy succulents in bulk from sites such as www.ecrater.com. For a more cost effective option, go DIY by purchasing succulent cuttings in bulk from sites such as www.simplysucculents.com. If you’re more the hunter-gatherer type, you can always take cuttings from your own succulents and allow them to dry for several days until they form a crust on the cut ends of each cutting before you replant them.

Pallet Planter – Easy as 1-2-3

Pay a visit to any warehouse retail store and you’ll see boxes full of merchandise resting atop large wooden pallets. What you probably didn’t know is that these flat structures make ideal starting points for small space gardening that includes annuals, herbs, sedums, vegetables and more. Pallets can be easily cut down to fit any space and are usually not that difficult to find; we got ours from a local building supply store. Once you’ve found your pallet, you can begin!

Lay the pallet face down and cut two pieces of landscape fabric big enough to cover the sides, back and bottom. Leave fabric longer on the bottom, for wrapping over the front of the pallet. Double two pieces and align over the pallet’s back. Using a staple gun, attach fabric every two inches along the top, bottom, and sides, leaving the top open and pulling the fabric tight.

Turn the pallet over and pack your plants into the top opening as tight as you can, almost to the point of using a shoe horn to place the last plant. Pour potting soil into the pallet; depending on the size of the pallet, you may need more than one bag. Push soil down to fill the bottom cavity and form a trench for planting. Plant your first row and pack the soil against the plants.  Repeat the process, moving upward. Water, water, water. After two weeks, it should be ready to stand.

Shutters, Gutters, and Other Found Things

Salvaged finds such as gutters and shutters also serve as excellent and unusual bases for vertical gardens. Attach them to a bare fence, building or outside structure and you’re ready to plant. With gutters, you can simply drill holes for drainage, attach it to your structure, fill with soil and start planting. Shutters work well for succulent plants. All you need to do is cover the back of the shutter with landscape fabric, fill with succulent soil mix and tuck your succulents in the slots. Other planter options include buckets, burlap bags or just about anything else you can think of.  Keep in mind, anything that can hold soil and hang can become a vertical garden.

If you’re feeling challenged in the creative area, you can always bring your form to a local greenhouse or nursery and enlist of the help of a horticulture specialist to get you started. Whether pursued on your own or with the help of a mentor, vertical gardening lets you dig into a new hobby and discover fun and unique ways to add some green flair to your home décor.

Trash vs. Treasure..Junking for the Perfect Storage Solution

By DeDee Birdsall

“To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.”

~Thomas Alva Edison

Move over Mike and Frank; just because you’re the stars of TV’s American Pickers doesn’t mean you’re the only treasure hunters in town. No matter what you call it – picking, junking or architectural salvage – it’s a far cry from traditional antiquing. When it comes to junking, you’re not seeking high end items but rather ordinary, discarded things or materials you can repurpose into upscale home décor. If you’re looking to reuse and refresh that dusty artifact or object hidden in the recesses of your grandma’s attic, then junking might just be the hobby for you.

Ready, Set, Go Junking

Whether for profit, pleasure or practical use, junking takes today’s disposable world to an all new level. Anybody with a keen eye and a bit of creativity can pick it up in no time. Some say junking is an intuitive experience that requires the ability to think or “junk” outside the box.    Considering how each item can be repurposed is half the fun, and it’s a cinch if you know how to be crafty. But before you run out to your nearest flea market, a little prep work is in order. When you think about storage projects, we’re not just talking Rubbermaid containers. With a quick attitude adjustment, unusual flea market finds can add a chic touch to any room of the house.

Creative storage solutions are something most of us could use, but a sudden trip to the flea market can sometimes leave us feeling lost. It’s easier and more fun to start your treasure hunt with a practical project in mind. Consider the areas in your home that need storage solutions. Do you have a spot in the entryway where the kids dump their bags, shoes and coats? Is there room at the foot of your bed where a little more storage could contain the clutter of books, CDs or extra linens? How about a place in the family room to store and conceal couch throws or other seasonal items? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, these projects will fit the bill.

Before you head out on your salvaging adventure, remember to do some research to gather more ideas, considering what you’d like to store and the room where you’ll use the project. Pick out local hotspots where you might find what you want, such as thrift stores, flea markets, antique stores and local auctions. If you consider yourself an expert haggler, remember to be respectful with your offers. Most vendors figure in a “haggle factor” and if you come across as interested and polite, you can likely negotiate the cost 20-25%. Anything above 25% can be considered offensive. With these thoughts in mind, you’re ready to go junking!

If you’re still trying to find something that fits your home and style, check out some of these quick and easy projects that you can make in a weekend without spending a fortune.

The Stow Away

Lidded baskets and trunks are ideal for storing blankets and throws, and this vintage pure cane sugar trunk is just the ticket. It’s a great conversation piece and oh so functional. Casters or legs can be added to the bottom to make it more portable, while adding glass to the top creates a side table and usable storage unit. Trunks are great finds and can be used to store a multitude of items, from duvets and pillows to sweaters and winter clothes, or even precious keepsakes such as photo albums. For more ideas on transforming vintage trunks, check out DIY project ideas at websites such as Better Homes & Gardens (www.bhg.com) or Pinterest (www.pinterest.com).

Original Cost:  $55.00
Attitude Adjustment:  None
Total Investment:  $55.00

Sit a Spell – End of the Bed or Entry Bench and Storage

An outdated, seemingly useless school or shaker bench gets a much needed facelift and becomes an entryway or foot-of-the-bed bench and storage solution. The makeover here included custom upholstered cushions, paint, vintage locker baskets and a little TLC. Thanks to an attitude adjustment, this old shaker bench now serves two purposes, offering both a place to sit and added vintage locker baskets for handy dandy storage. Search the Internet and you’ll find creative solutions for repurposing outdated, unused coffee tables and a myriad of other ideas for turning old benches into surprising, functional and eye catching elements of your household décor.

Original Cost:  $65.00
Attitude Adjustment:  $165.00
Total Investment:  $230.00

Hold It Right There – Office Caddy

Nothing gets left out or lost in the shuffle with this vintage 7-Up carton turned desk organizer. A well-worn sense of charm gives it the appearance of old leather and it’s a great inexpensive tool to keep office necessities organized and within arm’s reach. In this photo, we used three organizers purchased from a local office supply store, but adding containers to separate your supplies is as easy as digging out the mason jars you’re storing in the pantry, and it helps keep your cost to a minimum as well. Not much work for a one-of-a-kind piece that truly highlights the idea of one man’s junk turned into another’s treasure. For similar ideas, visit Home Made Simple (www.homemadesimple.com) and search for “desk organizers” or check out this video at Better Homes & Gardens: www.bhg.com/videos/m/34254832/desk-and-craft-area.htm.

Original Cost:  $13.00
Attitude Adjustment:  $12.00
Total Investment:  $25.00

Junking Resources

If you’d like to get a better understanding of junking and find new ways to communicate with fellow junkers, obtain ideas and brag about your latest project, there are plenty of books and online resources available. One such website is JUNKMARKET Style (www.junkmarketstyle.com), created by Sue Whitney. The website also offers a subscription to its JunkMail e-letter, which will help keep you abreast of the hottest finds, projects, and tips. It’s a great way to get started in the world of junking and will help open your mind to the endless creative possibilities that await you. Other websites on junking worth checking out include:

• www.junkrevolution.com
• www.robomargo.com
• www.junkologie.com
• www.junkbonanza.com
• www.junkcamp.blogspot.com
• www.fleamarketstylemag.blogspot.com.

The following books help provide the latest ideas in decorating while recycling vintage items.  Learn how to incorporate repurposed junk into room by room makeovers. Whether you consider yourself a flea market junkie or a newbie, there’s something for every level.

• Junk Beautiful by Sue Whitney & Ki Nassauer. The Taunton Press, 2008
• Decorating JunkMarket Style by Sue Whitney & Ki Nassauer. JunkMarket Girls, 2005.
• Recycled Home by Sally Bailey. Ryland Peters & Small, 2009.

You don’t need a thick wallet to create a stylish home. Some say junking is highly contagious, so get started and give into the urge. Before you know it, you’ll be snagging the best deals while enjoying the thrill of the hunt.  Remember, flea market finds can truly become one-of-a-kinds…