Tag: lowes

Master Bathroom Renovation: Plan + Mood Board

Written by Jenna on November 16, 2016. Posted in Bathroom, Bathroom Makeover, DIY, Uncategorized.

It’s been quite some time – about a year – since we tackled a full-on big room renovation. To put it plain + simple, the kitchen remodel last Fall just wiped me out… and we didn’t even do too much on our own. When it was done, I was desperate for a break. Then life got busy. Sports. Work. School. Appointments. You know the drill… But when this past Summer turned into Fall and the kids were back to school and a everyday routine was once again established, I was finally feeling the itch to get my hands dirty… again.

If you remember back about 4-1/2 years ago, one of the last spaces in our home to get attention after moving in was the master bathroom. The walls were a horrendous purple/pink hue with dated + dusty brass accents. It all had to go…

…but it didn’t all go.

With a few cans of paint, I transformed the walls, the trim, and the cabinet with a whole new color palette. Then to finish it, I laid a new floor using luxury vinyl tile, hung a new mirror, and changed the light. A few hundred dollars later, and the space was completely transformed… for the most part.

DIY Projects:
How to Paint + Glaze a Cabinet
How to Make a Curtain into a Shower Curtain
How to Install Luxury Vinyl Tile (to look like ceramic tile)

And if you can believe it, the renovated space even ended up in a national publication, Kitchen + Bath makeovers, Fall/Winter 2014

But after 4 years of using the bathroom day in + day out, it needed a makeover. A real makeover. The pre-fab tub was drear and the builder-grade cabinet had seen it’s life span.

I envisioned Carrara. White. Clean. Fresh. Fun…

…And created a vision board.

eek! It’s all so pretty and fabulous.

Sophisticated, but casual.

Elegant, but inviting.

I am really excited about this new bathroom. You know me, I adore a striking + bold color, but for this space, I need it to feel tranquil and serene. With being pulled in 92 directions each day, I want to start off and end each precious day in a calming way.

Thanks to my friends at Lowe’s, who I have worked with for years, for choosing to partner with me on this project to create an inviting and peaceful place.

Here is what I have planned…

> The tub will be changing from a pre-fab bathtub to a shower with a frameless rolling glass door

> New Tile will be added from floor to ceiling in the tub space and will continue on the entire wall of the vanity

> The main tile will be 4 x 12 white subway with an accent glass/natural mosaic tile

> The walls will be painted a light mint green hue

> The 36″ vanity will be replaced with a 48″ vanity in a dark gray finish to give contrast and a white cararra countertop will be added to give a finished luxury look

> To finish the space, artwork and a fabric window valance in hues of blue will add pattern and color

These are the specific items I plan to use (and are shown in the mood board above):

Vanity
Toilet
Shower Door
Main Subway Tile
Glass Mosaic Tile
Sconce
Mirror
Artwork
Fabric Valance

This is the overall layout plan + elevations that I created:

DIY + Calling in the PROS!

This bathroom renovation, like the last one I tackled, isn’t going to be a devoted do-it-yourself project. For 2 reasons. One, I don’t want to be without a bathroom for months AND I want to stay somewhat sane. Two, other than the basics, the Mister & I don’t know much about plumbing and leave those things to the experts.

As with the previous bathroom renovation, we worked with a contractor to demo the bathroom and install the major components. What is on our list to tackle for this renovation is: tile installation (there’s A LOT of tile!), paint, baseboard, installing the light, installing the accessories, hanging artwork, etc.

By splitting up a project with tackling some of it on our own and calling in the pros where needed, we’ll save money AND our sanity (i hope)!

There you have it… for now.

Demo has begun. Wish me luck. I’ll need it 😉

DISCLAIMER: THIS BATHROOM RENOVATION IS A COLLABORATION WITH LOWEâ€™S. ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN.

DIY Rolling Door Hardware using Plumbing Pipe

Written by Jenna on March 30, 2016. Posted in DIY. 7 Comments on DIY Rolling Door Hardware using Plumbing Pipe

There are some do-it-yourself projects that are wham-bam-done and then there are those DIY creations that seem to take as long as building a house…

Well I just wrapped up a fantastic, in my eyes, DIY project but it didn’t come without a hundred hurdles along the way. BUT we – yes, the Mister lent a hand for this one – kept chugging along and made it to the end.

My latest + greatest project? A rolling door with DIY hardware using plumbing pipe. The popularity of rolling doors continues and even though I’m not in favor of following every trend, adding a door of this style was the only solution for our master closet.

The door to the closet was removed a few years back when revamping the space to maximize on shelf area. Since then there’s been no door… Solution? A rolling door to give privacy + a splash of color.

The result of this challenging, but rewarding result…

Let me explain where the hurdles + difficulties arose with this project…

I had anticipated using a reclaimed door, so the hunt was on. After scouring local thrift stores + ‘junk’ spots, I found the perfect door with the 29″ width that I needed. Brought the door home. Went to sand it but it was an old door, and we assumed it was lead paint. So we stripped the door using a liquid stripper. It didn’t work. Hours spent + poor results = a very frustrated DIYer. We painted over the door to seal it. Went to hang it and the door was 6″ TOO SHORT. The salvaged door I spent hours prepping couldn’t be used – UGH. In the end we used the hinged door that was originally used for this opening. The width is not ideal, but it works.

Let’s move forward with the tutorial. There are a lot of parts, so let’s dive in…

MATERIALS NEEDED

1 – Flange (qty 2)

2 – 3/4″ x 1″ Black Steel Nipple Fitting (qty 2)

3 – 3/4″ Elbow (qty 2)

4 – 3/4″ Black Iron Pipe – can be cut to size (qty 1)

5 – 3/4″ Black Iron Tee (qty 2)

6 – 3/4″ x 1/2″ Black Steel Nipple Fitting (qty2)

7 – Casters (qty 2)

8 – Black Iron Reducing Coupling (qty 2)

> Screws + anchors (if there are no studs)

> Drill

> Door to your liking

> Handle – plumbing pipe handle is made with (2) flanges + (2) elbows + (1) 12″ L x 1/2″ W pipe

These *should* be all the hardware that is needed, but of course, every project / condition is different. In my initial trip to Lowe’s for the supplies, I got all of the above with the exception of the Reducing Coupling part. That was needed because the pipe needed to be reduced from 3/4″ to 1/2″ to fit in the door…

I shopped for all the plumbing parts at my local Lowe’s. Using their cutting machine, they were able to cut the long pipe to fit my exact length. For large plumbing pipe projects like a bookcase, this is a great source.

DIY ROLLING DOOR HARDWARE TUTORIAL

1 To start off, I laid out all of the parts for the rolling door track.

2 Then I connected the pipes together. Before threading pipe to pipe, it’s best to use a pipe lubricant to make the connection easier + smoother.

Note, connecting the pipes can be slightly challenging. I anticipated screwing each connection the entire way so no threading would be exposed. That is impossible. A section of the pipe showing the threading will be exposed. Account for that when taking measurements.

3 The plumbing pipes didn’t match in color, so to give them a unified look, I spray painted the track using a flat black color.

4 As I mentioned above, I ended up using the door that was previously hinged. I added two caster wheels to the bottom of the door.

WHY? Plumbing pipe will bend under tension. If the door was hung from the pipe with no wheels support, the pipe would bend in time. The wheels support the door and the track keeps the door in place.

5 (2) Holes were drilled at the top of the door for which the nipple fittings will fit into.

6 With the casters installed on the bottom + the holes drilled on the top, I got the door in position and measured out where the plumbing pipe track should be installed.

7 Upon measuring and marking the wall (sorry, no pictures, all hands on deck), we were set to install the plumbing pipe. Using 1.5″ long screws (no anchors needed because we drilled into a stud) we installed the (2) flanges to the wall.

The nipple fittings held on by the tee fittings slide into the holes in the top of the door. The drilled holes are just slightly larger than the nipples so they fit snug, BUT the door can easily come out any time.

The reducing coupling fitting wasn’t originally planned for. That was a part we added later because the 3/4″ nipple fitting (that comes out of the tee fitting) was too large to fit into a hole in the top of the door. This reducing coupling fitting allows the transition from a 3/4″ nipple fitting to a 1/2″ nipple fitting.

8 Once the track + door were place, I painted it a fun + vibrant green hue – it ties with the same color used for the DIY chalk paint desk transformation. The color is Benjamin Moore Martini Olive CSP-890, which I had color matched at Lowe’s using Valspar Signature Paint.

9 I also painted the screws that hold the track using black paint.

10 Once the I painted the door face with 2 coats of paint, I added a door handle using plumbing pipe parts.

And finally, finally, finally, it was COMPLETE! Phew, it took a village to get this project done…

With any DIY project there is a learning curve and hopefully if you tackle this project, it’ll be smoother sailing with the kinks ironed out from my experience.

THE RESULT

Something to note, this is a DIY track with parts that are metal on metal. The door will go back and forth, but not with ease as a typical rolling door track. When I first installed the track, it was very difficult to “slide” the door – another hurdle – but I added a lot of lubricant (actually I used petroleum jelly) to the long pole. Adding the lubricant has made moving the door a lot easier.

That being said, this DIY track is a whole lot less expensive than true rolling door hardware, BUT I wouldn’t use it for areas that need privacy with high-traffic use multiple times a day. For us, this is DIY door is perfect for the master closet since most of the time it’s left open. As a main hall closet, maybe not so much.

This DIY rolling door came together in part with the tutorial by Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating+ some sleuthy thinking and planning on my part for how to make it work for this space. Because of the limited wall area, a standard track was too big, so without going custom, this was the only solution.

In the end, I love the result. I’ll be honest though, it didn’t come without a few hiccups and flaws, but it absolutely suits the purpose for the setting.

It’s definitely been nice to get some privacy – on a rare occasion – and see a pop of color when entering into the room.

AND on the random days when I don’t want to clean up the closet, I just close the door…

The view from the side. Thankfully the projection of the door on the track allowed enough room for my mirror to stay in place.

Now you see it… Now you don’t…

Here’s a peek at how the door looks with the rest of the bedroom. There are pops of this citron color all over…

Want to see more of this master bedroom revamp? Check it out here.

While I was working on the closet, I got a bit sidetracked and gave it a mini-makeover. Some new organizational items – hooks + bins – made all the difference to jazz this space up.

Lowe’s has these awesome new bins that are faux leather. I feel in love when I saw them. They are oversized too (13″ x 13″), so they hold alot. They’re perfect for holding scarves, small bags, and summer flip flops.

Here’s a peek at the inside of my closet…

That’s a wrap!

Love this project and want to tackle it now or later? Save or Pin it to your favorite DIY board…

Despite my challenges, the result of this project for the price is a great one. Even though it resulted in my grays than I hoped, it was worth the few tears to achieve the style + function + look I was hoping for, and at the end of the day that’s what I call a success!

DISCLAIMER: THIS DO IT YOURSELF PROJECT WAS IN COLLABORATION WITH LOWEâ€™S. THE PROJECT IDEA + ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Bathroom Makeover: Tiled Niche {Day 19 + 20}

Written by Jenna on December 8, 2014. Posted in Bathroom Makeover, DIY.

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind with decking the halls and preparing for the Christmas season, resulting in the bathroom makeover being put on the backburner. BUT, progress is still being made and it is almost complete – YAY!

I can officially say, the walls are complete. Last I shared, I had finished the install of the wallpaper & the tile accent border. It’s Day 19 & 20 of this Bathroom Makeover in 30 Days Challenge and it’s focused on creating a tiled niche near the vanity. Here is the result…

Before this niche was created, there was a medicine cabinet in this space. This is how it looked when we moved into our home about 5 years ago…

Then about 3 years ago when I gave this bathroom a refresh, I painted the glass of the medicine cabinet with chalkboard paint and added a frame…

While creating the plan of action for this bathroom makeover, I had the idea of removing the medicine cabinet to create a niche – the perfect small storage solution. Since I already had the natural stone herringbone tile planned for the shower, I thought the niche would be another ideal spot for it. Unexpected & a great tie-in.

During the demo phase of the bathroom, I removed the medicine cabinet from the wall by unscrewing a few screws. It was much easier than I thought it’d be. In the end I was left with a sheetrocked cavity.

I wasn’t expecting “the hole” to be sheetrocked and was originally planning on needing to create a box to fit in the hole. Upon removing the cabinet and discovering this, I was pleasantly surprised. I was able to install the tile directly on the sheetrock that was already in place.

To create the tiled storage niche, I used the beautiful 13â€³ x 13â€³ natural stone herringbone mosaic and the 3 x 6 white subway tile that I found at Lowe’s.

1. To start, I created a template of the back surface of the niche using craft paper. Then I layed it on the herringbone tile and traced the outline using a marker.

2. Then using the wet saw, the Mister (gotta give him credit – wink, wink) cut along the line.

3. Then I layed the tile inside the niche to make sure it was the right size (it wasn’t perfect, but I knew the grout would “hide” any imperfections). It fit – yay – so using adhesive (the same method I used to install the wall tile), I added the herringbone accent tile to the back surface of the niche.

4. When the back was finished, I cut and added 3 x 6 subway tiles (same tile as shower) on the sides, top, and bottom.

As I was working from bottom to top on the sides, I cut and added (2) shelves (marble slabs typically used for a door threshold) at varying heights. The Mister cut it to the right length using the wet saw and we made sure it was long enough so it fit between + sits on the subway tiles.

5. Once the tiles were in place, I grouted all the joints using the same method as the wall tile.

6. After the joints were filled and the tile was cleaned off, I added trim around the edges using a 3/4″ decorative moulding. It was basically like creating a picture frame surround. I cut all the pieces using the miter saw and nailed them in place with finishing nails. To give an extra tap in place I also used a nail punch to drive home the nails – love that tool.

7. Then I filled in all the holes using wood filler.

After the last piece was put in place, I gave the moulding a light sanding, and painted it with semi-gloss white. Here’s the result…

A closeup…

This new niche is such a fun, unexpected addition to the bathroom. Pretty + Functional = A great storage solution

Here is the niche filled with a few things…

And a glimpse a few steps back…

A few more details to go and I will be able to call this bathroom makeover DONE! Adding a tiled niche on Day 19 + 20 is complete! Up nextâ€¦ adding details – moulding, lighting, and accessories. More to come soon!

The installation of the tiled niche took 2 days, about 4 hours each day

From start to finish, these are all the posts pertaining to this bathroom remodel
Plan of Action
Demo: Removal + Installation of the Tub & Walls
How-To Tile + Grout the Bathroom Walls
Installing Wallpaper
Adding a Tile Accent Border
Creating a Tiled Niche
Bathroom Makeover Reveal
Resources

{Day 19+20} Tiled Niche â€“ Complete! 10 more days to goâ€¦

To gather even more unique, fun, and creative ideas for your indoor and outdoor Winter spaces, I would definitely suggest downloading the Loweâ€™s Creative Ideas app on your iphone and/or ipad. Iâ€™m always checking out the FREE app for great seasonal + do-it-yourself inspiration.

Disclosure: I am part of the Loweâ€™s Creative Team and was provided with a Loweâ€™s gift card to purchase items for my project. I was also compensated for my time to use the products. No one told me what to create, what to buy, how to use the product, or what to write. All opinions are 100% mine!

Bathroom Makeover: Plan of Action {Day 1}

Written by Jenna on October 29, 2014. Posted in Bathroom, DIY, Paint, Renovations, Tile, Wallpaper. 4 Comments on Bathroom Makeover: Plan of Action {Day 1}

I’m at it again… another project! And this is a biggie. I know, I know…. I haven’t even waited 0.05 seconds before starting something new, but this project has been in the works for over a year and I’m thrilled that my thoughts + ideas are actually coming to fruition! So the next big remodel… the hall/kids bathroom.

This bathroom got a mini DIY revamp about 3 years ago, but it’s been used & abused by two kiddos, so it was time to put my design expertise to work and create a space that would handle the everyday splashes & wear of two busy bees.

Of course, I can’t start the remodel without a plan of action. So here it is. My creative vision board for the new bathroom space…

I’m thrilled to be partnering with Lowe’s on this bathroom renovation and they’ve put me to the test to create a dynamic, on-trend space using their in-stock products (items that can be found in store versus online). My vision for this revamp is to mix my design style of classic eclectic – classic for the background with bold elements layered in! Since the tile is the dominate feature (shower + 3′ up all the walls) in this bathroom, that’s where I started…

My design philosophy when creating any space is to go classic for the elements that are expensive and/or difficult to change. Similar to buying a sofa (which I typically go neutral in color and pattern), I wanted a tile that could “live” a long time… I DO NOT plan on changing the tile in a year or two (or even 5), so it had to be something that I would like now & in the future. There is nothing more classic and beautiful than 3 x 6 subway tile. The bonus, it’s only .22 cents a tile – one of the least expensive Lowe’s has. But (there’s always a but), I wanted something more. I needed to create a wow-factor. So along with the classic subway tile, I am also going to incorporate a gorgeous herringbone carrara marble. Crossing my fingers that it looks as good on the wall as I envision it in my head {squeal}.

But you all know me, I need color somehow, someway. That’s where the layers in the space come in. I’ve selected a dynamic wallpaper that is really give an incredible contract against the classic white subway. It’s bold. It’s unexpected. It’s me.

The classic and the bold are covered! The other elements in this new proposed bathroom are all going to enhance the beautiful classic and bold selections. The old builder-grade vanity will be headed curbside and a new, more modern vanity in an espresso finish will be installed in it’s place. For the lighting, I wanted to introduce another unexpected element and chose an oversized single exterior industrial-style light fixture.

Here’s the catch… I’m doing 95% of this bathroom renovation on my own. I’m crazy, right?! Nutso, but I’m determined. The part that I will not be tackling is the install of the new tub and shower components. The mister nor I have ever installed a tub or shower fittings and are too nervous to tackle it on our own and want to avoid any possible leaks. We know when to call in the pros and the tub install is not within our skill-set. I am sure we could do it, but who wants to take the chance? Not Us! Beyond that though, it’s all on me. Tile, toilet, vanity, lighting… All DIY baby!

Since this bathroom makeover is almost an entirely DIY job, it’s going to take longer than typical, so our goal is to tackle it in 30 days. 30 days start to finish, complete! Can we do it? Let’s see. I hope you’ll follow along on another crazy DIY adventure…

{Day 1} Plan on Action – Complete! 29 more days to go…

This post is sponsored by Lowe’s, but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I am thrilled (and a bit nervous) about tackling this project, but very excited to be partnering with Lowe’s on creating an entirely new bathroom space. Iâ€™d love for you to follow along on this new project!

Color Block Hanging Succulents

Written by Jenna on July 3, 2014. Posted in DIY. 2 Comments on Color Block Hanging Succulents

I love a quick, wham bam thank you ma’ma kinda DIY project! Yes, I love the gratification of a big ole’ DIY challenge that takes brains + braun (hello honeycomb shelves), but at the same time something simple is just as satisfying (& takes a whole lot less time).

Now that our baby girl has arrivedand I have no free time to do anything, my mind is all for easy + fast… I’m in git er’ done mode. I could never give up DIYing, even if I had 8 kids (which will never happen), so instead of tackling something difficult & timely, I’m going for simple. My latest & greatest – Color Block Hanging Succulents…

Just to be honest and not have you think I am wonder woman, I worked on this project before the baby arrived, then snapped the final pictures for the post yesterday. Over the last few days, I really have tried to just sit back, rest, and relax – well for the most part.

So on to this really cool & super easy creation… When I was shopping at Lowe’s for supplies for a few projects last month, I had to hit the succulent / plant section. Succulents are my favorite this time of year – Spring & Summer – and I love planting smaller and larger sized succulents in pots, cups, or anything that is container-like. Last years Spring mantel is a great example of a succulent display using all different style containers.

While loading up on different sized succulents at Lowe’s, I found a a pre-made wicker-style hanging basket filled with about 4 different style succulents. How much better does it get than already made?!

I immediately the hanging baskets would look great in the kitchen at the large window that overlooks the backyard. I knew I would enjoy them immensely while doing dishes at the sink or prepping dinner.

But of course I had to jazz them up…

I first figured out where the baskets would best be placed to hang from the ceiling. I made a mark, installed an anchor, then a hook.

Here comes the easy DIY idea to customize and make them one-of-a-kind, unique pieces.

Using paint that I had on-hand (I had the hardest time choosing the color) and a firm crafting brush, I painted the bottom 1/3 of the wicker / stick basket. In the end I chose to use plain white and a popping citron green hue (Valspar Olive Tree, which matches the front door).

I could have used tape to make sure the line was straight around, but instead I simply “eyed it”. I added the paint on thick so it got into all the nooks & crannies.

Within minutes, I made my way around the entire edge and to dry, I hung them by the hooks. And that’s it. Down & Dirty easy DIY!

Here’s the result…

So fun, right?! I love how they look and in just 2 weeks they have grown a lot. I guess they love the light that filtrates through the large window.

Gosh, I just can not get enough of succulents!

Do you love easy DIY creations? Would you rather start projects from scratch or do you like ‘jazzing’ up something pre-made?

Patio Paradise: The Plan + Mood Board

Written by Jenna on May 27, 2014. Posted in DIY.

I hope you had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend! Not only did we spend time thanking those who served our country, but we enjoyed much of the long weekend soaking up the sun + enjoying the beautiful outdoors. BUT like always, with playtime comes worktime. Before setting our sights on BBQing & the beach, we worked all day Saturday on the outdoors.

Over the past month, we have been spilling hours into transforming our sideyard into a Patio Paradise! I’m thrilled to be partnering with Lowe’s on this project to create a space that is inviting, relaxing, and truly a magical oasis. With the new baby coming in just a few short weeks, I am banking on this new area being our stay-cation spot for the Summer.

Here’s a peek at the shopping and prepping that has gone into to making this Patio Paradise come to fruition…

When you have a blah blank slate, there is alot that can be done. Only a few years ago, the area where our new oasis now sits was filled with a dilapidated above-ground pool + 15 overgrown trees. It surely has taken a turn (for the better) since then!

I’m super excited for this outdoor space to be done & to share it with you. As I’ve mentioned once and again (and maybe 48 other times), I don’t have a green thumb + many perennials are difficult to grow in my neck of the woods because of the long winters. But, I can say that new buds are popping each day. In no time, this space will be done and I’ll be able to share with you my new Patio Paradise! In the meantime, if you’ve got your eye on any of the elements in my mood board, here are direct links to the sources…

1. Outdoor Lights
2. Pergola
3. Garden Pot (navy)
4. Lanterns – Large & Small
5. Pillows – Blue Multi / White Medallion / Bird
6. (2) Side Chairs + Pillows
7. Loveseat + Coffee Table
8. White Garden Stool
9. Planter
10. Outdoor Rug
11. Pouf
12. Outdoor Fireplace

Once our Patio Paradise is complete, we’ll be ready for a big ole’ bash! I wish you could all come. The reveal + party pics coming soon. In the meantime, later this week (or possible next week) I’ll be sharing the other outdoor spaces around our home. Along with the patio, we’ve been busy updating the back deck + the front porch. I better get back to work…

What updates have you made to your outdoor spaces this Spring?

Disclosure: I am super excited to be partnering with Loweâ€™s on this outdoor project. I love working with Loweâ€™s because they offer a range of items with great design qualities. As always, they did not tell me what to write, what to choose, and all thoughts are 100% my own. They gave me free-reign on everything so my design ideas + thoughts are 100% genuine.

Kitchen Organization: Ideas for the Inside of the Cabinet Doors

Written by Jenna on November 4, 2013. Posted in Cabinet, DIY. 57 Comments on Kitchen Organization: Ideas for the Inside of the Cabinet Doors

Happy Monday! I was feeling a bit under the weather last week which is why the blog and my other favorite places to share + converse on the ‘net’ – IG, FB, etc – were quiet. I’m still not feeling 100%, but am excited to share something I’ve been working on lately… getting my kitchen organized.

For me, organization is a never ending battle. I never feel like everything completely has a home, but I’ve accepted that and continually try to work towards creating a more efficient, more organized home.

When Lowe’s put to me to the challenge this month to tackle the kitchen, I knew it was a win-win. To start off, I took a step back to analyze how the space could be more organized and user-friendly for cooking and storage. I made a few moves of pots and pans, but what I really wanted to put-to-good-use was the insides of the kitchen cabinets. All that vertical space going unused? The ideas started to flow…

My kitchen isn’t small, but it isn’t huge either. With no pantry or extra storage for food, I’m always thinking about how to best store the food / “pantry items” in the cabinets. For the most part, we eat real food / very little processed food. That means no snacks that have to be stored for a long period of time because the food I buy has little “shelf time”. Good for me, that the food we buy takes up less shelf area. Bad for me, I go food shopping a lot.

Anyway, there is one large cabinet that all the food is stored in. It’s a large cabinet at about 30″ wide with (2) doors. Take a look…

don’t you just love peaking into other peoples cabinets??? What are they eating? What do they buy? We use a lot of coconut oil – 3 jars right there in front.

Great change, right?! Nothing from this space had to go, but instead everything was reorganized to be easier to get at in an instant.

Let me show you a bit more of what I did…

On the inside of the left cabinet, I lined the inset panel with stylish geometric patterned contact paper. Similar to what I did for my TV cabinet back in the Summer. I purchased the roll of contact paper at TJ Maxx for about $5 – what a great score.

Once I aligned the contact paper on the cabinet and pulled off the backing, I used a straight edge to trim the excess.

Once the contact paper was adhered, it was time to dress it up.

Before my interior cabinet updo, I never had a great place for spice storage, so that was a major need on my list. I looked around for pre-made styles, but nothing fit the bill just right, so I made my own. I’ll show you more on that in an upcoming tutorial, but this is the result…

For less than $8, I created 2 fit-to-size wood spice racks.

At the top of the interior of the cabinet, I added a half round piece of trim, which I then added metal screw-in hooks to.

I attached the half round piece of trim + the newly made wood spice holders using a very very very strong adhesive â€“ Loctite Epoxy Instant Mix. Basically itâ€™s two formulas that mix together and provide a major adhesive mixture. DO NOT TOUCH IT. I carefully applied the mixture to the back of the trim and spice holder, then placed it on the interior of the cabinet. I held it in place for about 3-5 minutes until it was completely adhered to the surface. I will be honest, the wood started to slide a few times, but I was close by and slid it back into place. There are other epoxy mixtures that dry even quicker â€“ 1 minute of less.

It really is the perfect spot to hang many of the kitchen utensils. Here’s the result…

Heading over to the other cabinet, the right side, I added a decorative magnetic metal sheet that I found at Lowe’s and adhered it to the inset panel with 3M 77 Multipurpose Adhesive. I sprayed the adhesive outside on a towel and then ~~ran~~ brought it indoors and positioned it. All went to plan and my fingers only stuck together a little, phew…

Having the magnetic sheet on the inside of the cabinet door has been GREAT! This large vertical spot is great to keep my grocery list, to do’s with the kids, and of course our random chinese fortunes…

For the interior of the cabinets, I took everything out and simply organized it all. Well, it wasn’t simple, but it sure was worth it! For things that could be grouped – like snacks, baking supplies, medicines, teas, etc. – I added bins and labeled them with washi tape. So easy. The bins are from ClosetMaid available at Target and they are leftovers from when I reorganized the kids rooms. They are the ideal size for a typical kitchen cabinet.

For the rest of the food items, I grouped them and organized them as I saw best for how / when I would use them. Really no rhyme or reason…

On to the other large cabinet, the space that holds ALL the dishes. Another material that I thought would be extra helpful in staying organized in the kitchen was cork. I purchased a roll of cork and double layered it, then added it to the inside panel of the cabinet interior, again using the 3M Multipurpose Adhesive.

This is such a great spot for the school calendar, plus random coupons, and reminders. I also use the cork board when following a recipe. I pin it on the board and it’s right in front ready to follow as I’m prepping.

Also on this inside cabinet, I added another half round trim piece for added storage. Right now all I have is a pin with a pen hanging, but it can be used for so many other things. Maybe more kitchen utensils???

Here is the result of my kitchen organization, with all the doors open…

Inside and out, I’m loving this space.

If you haven’t been following along with my blog from the beginning, you might not know that I redid the entire kitchen by hand (total down-and-dirty do it yourself) a little over 2 years ago. It included painting cabinets, painting the countertop, adding backsplash tile, adding decorative brackets,and more. See the before and after by clicking here.

I’m still on a path for more organization, but I feel one step closer to a more efficient space. On to the next room…

I truly love using every square inch of a space. Vertical surfaces often are forgotten as the ideal spot for storage. If you use all the interiors of your kitchen cabinets, how much more could you store?? Ask yourself.

To gather even more unique, fun, and creative ideas for your indoor and outdoor Fall and Winter spaces, I would definitely suggest downloading the Loweâ€™s Creative Ideas app on the iphone and ipad. Iâ€™m always checking out the FREE app for great seasonal + do-it-yourself inspiration.

Also consider following Loweâ€™s on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram as well.

DIY: Drop Cloth Curtain Panels with Leading Edge Detail

Written by Jenna on September 5, 2013. Posted in DIY. 16 Comments on DIY: Drop Cloth Curtain Panels with Leading Edge Detail

I’ll be honest, none of the window curtain panels in my home cost more than $50. Yet all are custom made. Not by an uber-expensive fabricator, but by me.

Store-bought and/or custom-made curtain panels can be very pricey, but the same look (or better) can be achieved by making your own. And guess what, it’s not difficult…

As the calendar turns and another Fall approaches, Lowe’s put The Team to the test this month to create a new window treatment for the home. I was in need (well more like a want) of new window panels for the dining room, so I knew it was the perfect spot to get my craft on.

I desired something simple, so instead of stopping at the curtain aisle for a typical drape, I headed towards the paint aisle and landed in the drop cloth section. confession: I can close my eyes and always find the drop cloth section… I’ve confessed my love for drop cloth before, but honestly it is The. Best. Material. hands down. You can do so much with drop cloth material. It’s not just for painters!!

Anyway, onto the new panels…

1. At Lowes, I chose a 6 ft. x 9 ft. size panel (about $10), then cut it in half to make (2) 3 ft. x 9 ft. pieces.

2. The panels are heavy enough, so I didn’t feel that a lining was needed, so I simply squared off the edges (drop cloth isn’t always perfectly straight), folded over the edges, and sewed all around.

3. Once the panels were complete, it was time to add the decorative leading edge. I chose a navy blue light cotton fabric which was the perfect contrasting complement to the lighter color of the drop cloth material.

And yes, that says $3 for the yard. In all these panels cost about $13!

The color of the fabric is showing royal blue in this pic, but it is more navy in actuality.

4. I layed out the fabric length-wise and cut as many 4″ strips as I could.

again showing royal blue… but it’s not.

5. Then I folded over the two side edges 1/2″ each and ironed the seam flat.

That’s the true color. I swear!

Sidenote: Because of the panel length (a typical panel can be from 84-96″ long), you may need to attach fabric strips to achieve one long strip. I did and before folding over and ironing the seam, I attached two strips and then I had enough length. Once sewn, iron the seam flat.

6. Once the seams were ironed, it was time to attach the decorative edge to the drop cloth panel. I decided to have 1″ of drop cloth exposed, then add the navy blue accent. I first pinned the navy fabric in place and sewed all along the edges using the same color thread.

And that’s it. A high-end look for $13!

The result…

The panels are hung by clip rings and have slight puddle at the bottom. They are the perfect addition for my dining space.

Other ideas + ways to achieve a high-end look for less…

You don’t have to use drop cloth to create a similar window curtain panel. A similar detailed edge can be added to a store-bought curtain, similar to what I did in my daughter’s room. In her space, I actually added the decorative fabric to the outside edge of the curtain panel instead of on top of the fabric. The typical store-bought panel wasn’t long enough, but the added fabric made it the ideal length.

If you are using a thinner fabric to create a window panel and want to have a heavier panel that will allow less light to shine through, check out what I did in my bedroom. Using drop cloth material (AGAIN), I took a regular weight cotton fabric and lined them. Depending on the fabric pattern, a decorative edge could be added to these style panels as well.

Ideas are limitless for what you can create for your windows!

Thanks to Lowe’s, I was able to create my most recent creation for less than $15. So next time your combing the paint aisle to grab some spray paint, don’t forget to check out the drop cloth section. Your mind will go bonkers with all that can be created!

Excited for the Fall and ready to tackle some home improvement and DIY projects? Lowe’s has it all.

Sign up for their free Lowe’s Creative Ideas Magazine, which is filled with ideas + inspiration! Plus you can always follow them on Pinterest and Instagram for even more great ideas!

Disclosure: I am so grateful to be apart of the Loweâ€™s Creative Team and was provided with a Loweâ€™s gift card to purchase items for my project. I was also compensated for my time to use the products. No one told me what to create, what to buy, how to use the product, or what to write. All opinions are 100% mine!

What have you made using drop cloth? Have you ever thought of jazzing up your window curtain panels to create a custom look?

DIY: Kids Play + Camping Tent

Written by Jenna on July 2, 2013. Posted in DIY. 12 Comments on DIY: Kids Play + Camping Tent

Happy July!

For me, it officially feels like Summer has begun. The kids are out of school now for just about a week, and the Summer sun is setting in (despite all the rain we’ve been having). The kids and I have been enjoying fun outings each day, while also spending some down-time at home just relaxing. Often on those home-bound days, the hours creep by with boredom, so when Lowe’s put me up to the challenge this month to create something related to DIY camping, I thought of the perfect solution…

…a kids play + camping tent. They can use it as a tent to play in during the day, as well as a spot to sleep in once the sun sets and the stars peak.

The the best part about this tent is that it only took about $10 to make + 10 minutes to create! I made two, so the cost and time were double.

Supplies for (1) Tent:

(4) 1 x 2 piece of wood at 42″ long ($2.16)
- At Lowe’s I had them cut down (1) 1 x 2 x 8 which cost $1.08 into my (2) 42″ long pieces
(1) 3/4″ diameter dowel at 48″ long ($2.85)
2.5 total yards of fabric ($2.25/yard x 2.5 = $5.63)
1.5 total yards of ribbon (leftovers)
Drill with a 3/4″ drill bit

This tent is really easy to create, and what’s even better is that you can put it up and take it down very easily with each use. I made it so it can be easily assembled and just as easy to disassemble for storage. More on that later…

1. (2 minutes)

To start off, I drilled a 3/4″ hole at each end of the 1 x 2 piece of wood. The Mister and I set up a “drilling station” by creating two piles of stacked wood so the 1 x 2 could bridge across the top. As an alternative, you can drill through your piece of lumber with a scrap piece underneath. Either method will work.

One hole of each piece will be for the peak of the tent, while the other hole will be for the ribbon to tie through. Keep reading and it’ll all come together…

2. (1 minute)

Once the holes were drilled, I fed one end of the dowel through two of the 1 x 2’s, then fed the other end of the dowel through the other two 1 x 2’s.

Note: The drill bit size needs to match the dowel size, so it fits snug. I used a 3/4″ dowel and a 3/4″ drill bit. The dowel needs to be snug in the 1 x 2’s so it stays in place, yet is still easily adjustable.

And the frame was done!

Onto the fabric.

3. (2 minutes)

Many fabric comes in a 44/45″ width, so the sides don’t need to be hemmed (if you want to hem them you can, but I didn’t). To start off, I folded over one end of the fabric and sewed.

4. (2 minutes)

I draped the fabric (with one finished edge) over the tent frame. I lined up the finished edge side with the bottom of the legs, so I could determine how much needed to be trimmed off the other side – be sure to leave enough fabric to fold over and sew (about 1″ extra inch).

Using my Jar O’ Ribbons, I picked out 4 fun colors.

5. (2 minutes)

To secure the fabric to the frame, I added ribbon. I cut (4) 12-15″ long pieces of ribbon, and sewed the center of it to the right side of each corner using a fun stitch.

After cutting the loose threads, it was complete!

I draped the fabric over the dowel, attached the 4 ribbons through the 4 bottom holes, and secured. (1 minute)

And the dual play + camping tent was complete.

It’s just as easy to disassemble as it is to assemble! Plus it folds right up to store away. I put all the legs together, wrapped the fabric around them, and secured it at both ends with the attached ribbon.

The details.

My kids are having such a fun time with their new creations.

Day for Play…

And night for camping… (well kinda. it didn’t last the whole night).

Either way, they are fun, easy to make, and are perfect for some Summer Fun!

DIY: Vertical Pallet Garden

Written by Jenna on April 22, 2013. Posted in Uncategorized. 24 Comments on DIY: Vertical Pallet Garden

The warmer weather has got me movin’ and groovin’ outdoors. This past weekend I got my DIY mojo on for this months Lowe’s challenge and created (what I think) is something pretty cool. Check out my newly created Vertical Pallet Garden using colorful pots…

Though the flowers are finally starting to peak through around the yard, I was in need of color NOW to start decorating my front porch for Spring. I, of course, hit up my local Lowe’s garden center to get my color fix. It’s still the early days of Spring, so the selection (at my local Lowe’s in NY) was limited, but I was able to find a few perennials for shaded areas that would be ideal for under the front covered porch. I chose a few colorful perennials & vines because they could easily be transplanted to the garden at the end of the season (smart & savvy thinking).

Pallets have been all-the-rage for a while, but I just don’t get tired of them – probably because they’re free. I’ve created so many DIY projects with pallets and I just love their old, worn texture and aesthetic. When thinking about this seasons porch, my major desire was to add height. Height = drama, and that was my goal.

For this project, the materials I used were:

Pallet (which I snagged – with their permission of course – for free in the back on my local Lowe’s)
(4) Eye hooks for 100 lbs+
3′ of metal chain
Plastic pots (I used lime green and turquoise from Lowe’s)
Drill with 1/4″ drill bit
3″ S hooks (found in the outdoor section of Lowe’s)
Vise Grip

Here’s the DL (downlow for short) on how I created the Vertical Pallet Garden

1. At the top of the pallet (slats oriented horizontally), screw in (1) eye hook at about 2-3″ in from each end. It’s best to start out by using a large nail to start the hole. Once the hole is started, screw in the eye hooks with the help of a vise grip to get leverage. Unless you’re the Hulk, it’ll probably be impossible with just your bare hands.

2. With the Misters help, we then unlinked one of the chain links and linked it through the eye hook. (one side only – the other side has to wait until hung)

3. Heading over to the house, we installed the eye hooks (using a drill to start the hole) through the siding and into the house about 2″ below the ceiling plane at the same distance apart as the hooks in the pallet.

4. Once the eye hooks were in, we took the loose end of the chain of the pallet, slipped it through the eye hooks, and secured the chain on the other side.

The pallet base is complete!

Then it was time to create the “garden”.

5. Using varying sized plastic pots in fun colors, drill a 1/4″ hole about 1″ down from the top rim. Using a 3″+/- S hook, slip it through the hole.

6. Plant the pretty flowers…

…And it was complete!

The vertical pallet garden adds so much color to the front porch.

S-hooks make it easy to move the flower pots around or bring them into the sun.

A beautiful focal point for the porch.

If you’re wondering about the pretty white wreath, that was a DIY project that was featured on Jen’s blog. It was created for Valentine’s Day, but I took off the paint chip flowers and just hung the wreath plain and simple. Who knows how I will transform it for another holiday or season to come.

I’m still working on the rest of the porch since it’s still in need of more color and pizazz. By late May, I hope to have that done and ready to share. Right now we’re still getting alot of rain and most nights are still way too chilly to get my gardening-on.

I couldn’t be more thrilled with the outcome of this fun and easy DIY project. It’s brought gorgeous height and beautiful color to my Spring front porch.

To see more creations of mine using pallets, click on the links below:
How-To Make a Pallet Shelf
Monogrammed Pallet Chevron Tray
Pallet Picture Holder
Eclectic Family Gallery Wall