Decor

My Family Room

My Christmas decorations were put away, and the sun came out (unfortunately a rarity here in January).  My family room was clean, so I ran for the camera!  I’ve shared this room before, but I thought I’d share it in a little more detail.

Neutral Living Room

I’ve done little accessory changes, but the only major change is that I painted over the stripes on the fireplace.  It was fun for a while, but I needed the space to be a little more calming.

Bed Bench in Living Room

On the outside wall that connects the kitchen to my family room, I have my bed turned bench that I painted with chalk paint.  If you want to see more about this project, you can click HERE.

Family Room Clock

Across from the bench, I have a clock hanging on the wall between the kitchen and family.  A friend of mine had one, and I loved it so much I bought one.  I bought it at Pottery Barn a couple of years ago.  It’s awesome because it’s double-sided – you can read the time from the couch or kitchen!

Family Room Fireplace

I always decorate my fireplace with complete symmetry.  I just can’t help myself.

Boxwood

I loved preserved boxwood because they add a touch of life, but they require almost no maintenance (Just a little misting once a month).

Painted Logs

Yes, I painted my firewood.  We used the fireplace last winter, but I almost hate to this year because I love how pretty it looks.  You can see more about this painted firewood HERE.

Living Room corner

I added a little sitting area to the right of the fireplace.  That table was a $5 garage sale find, and I love that it holds magazines.

Tufts and Ruffles

If I didn’t have three boys living in my house, I’d be tempted to decorate in all tufts and ruffles.

Living Room Frames

I stenciled the walls and you can see more HERE.  The frames are from Target, (the framed) fabric remnants were some I had on hand, and the dictionary clip art is from Etsy.

Chicken Coop Coffee Table

My current coffee table is an old chicken coop.  I love this piece, but it’s too small for the space.  I currently have a coffee table ordered, but I won’t see it for several more weeks.

Chicken Coop Upcycle

The coop was a flea market find that I had to have but can’t find the perfect home for…

Painted Piano

My yellow piano sits on the wall that separates the room from the kitchen.  You can see more on how I painted the piano HERE.

Painted Yellow Piano

The keys may be chipped, but I still love this piano…

Piano in Living Room

I found this George Washington (plastic) bust at a flea market and painted him green.  I love pretty books and the cool clock was an Anthropologie after Christmas sale find.

Books on Piano

Living Room

The room is painted in my favorite neutral from Valspar: Cincinnatian Hotel Briggs Beige.  I love its warmth. Go create something!

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

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Decor

Make It Organized Magazine Feature

Make It Organized Magazine Feature

Oh guys.  I am SO excited.  I am currently featured in the Spring issue of Make It Organized magazine!

Make It Organized Magazine Feature

It is my first print feature. (!!)

Make It Organized Magazine Mudroom

My chalkboard calendar and shoe cubby are in a section all about entry/mudroom organization solutions.

 (Want to see more about my mudroom?  Click HERE.)

I need to give a huge thanks to my friend Melody of Carpenter Photo for the beautiful photo:

Mudroom 1

Here is a closer look at the write-up:

Make It Organized sincerely, sara d

I know the magazine can be found at Target, Meijer, and Barnes and Noble (yes, I have looked!) 🙂 – as well as many other newsstands.  Check it out because it is filled with so many wonderful organizing and home decor ideas. I especially love this feature because of the story behind the shoe cubby – which was originally an old mail sorter.  I found it in a local antique shop and knew I had to have it!  However, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it at the time of purchase, so I had to come up with a fantastic idea (quickly) before my husband saw the piece…

Thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement on the Make it Organized magazine feature.

Go create something!

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Pinterest Want more DIY project ideas?  Click on the images below to see how to make your own DIY concrete table, paint a faucet or painting fabric! DIY Concrete Table        Paint.a.Faucet          PaintedHeadboardB&A

DIY

Best Projects of 2014

Best Projects of 2014 

Best Projects of 2014

I completed my goal for 2014: Consistently (at least twice a week) blog quality content for the entire year.  It definitely proved challenging at times (and I’m not sure how I did at the quality part), but I definitely completed the quantity part! I thought a fun way to celebrate 2014 would be to share my 5 most popular posts:

#1 – By far, my most popular post this year has been my Perfect Chalkboard Lettering tutorial.  

To see more click HERE or on the pic below.  It is such an EASY tutorial, and I promise anyone can do it!

PerfectChalkboardLettering  

#2 – My painted faucet post was also a favorite.  

To see more click HERE or on the photo below.

Paint.a.Faucet  

#3 – The headboard I found at a flea market got a new look with chalk paint.  

Click HERE to see more or on the picture below.

PaintedHeadboardB&A  

#4 – Everyone loves a shortcut, and my painting cabinets with shortcuts was a popular post.

 Click HERE to see more or on the photo below.

Boys Bathroom - AFTER  

#5 – When I shared my mudroom, I thought people would be interested in the stripes or the chalkboard calendar.  However, I received the most feedback on my shoe cubby.  

To see more click HERE or on the photo below.

Mudroom 2

It has been a great year, and I am overwhelmed and incredibly thankful. Thanks so much to you all for keeping me going.  You are appreciated.

Happy New Year!  

Here is to an exciting project-filled 2015!

Go create something!

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DIY

Starched Fabric Wall

Fabric Wall Treatment Using Starch

I have been SO excited to try this wall treatment.  Fabric can be hung on a wall using starch.  It’s great for people like me who are afraid to commit to wallpaper.  This (faux) wallpaper is easy to remove – you just peel it off when you get tired of it. I ordered my fabric (Premier Prints Suzani Blend Oatmeal/Cloud) and painted my half bath in preparation for the new wall.

Starched Fabric Wall BEFORE

I used a small sponge roller, a small paint tray, Liquid starch, and a knife.  I found that this rotary cutter wasn’t the best choice, and I ended up using my X-Acto knife.

Supplies for Starched Fabric Wall

I tacked up my fabric with small nails and decided to measure this way rather than using a ruler and risking a mistake…

Starched Fabric Wall Dry Fit Starched Fabric Wall Trim

I left several inches on the bottom – which I thought would be more than enough.  Learn from my mistake and add an extra six inches to the length.  Trust me.

Applying starach to fabric for wall

I laid out my gigantic piece of fabric on my tile and rolled starch on the back.  This process makes a mess, and the liquid starch got my floors really sticky.  (But, it is really easy to wash away –  I used Mr. Clean and the starch cleaned up quickly.)

Applying starch to fabric for wall prep

This is where the craziness began.  That fabric was huge and heavy – and now being soaked in liquid starch it was CRAZY heavy.  My husband wasn’t home, and I’m not sure why I tried to attempt this project alone.  DO NOT TRY TO HANG THE FABRIC YOURSELF. It’s. A. Disaster. I was sweating, frustrated and just a hot mess.  I yelled for my kids to help, but they were useless.  Somehow a half-hour into it (maybe 45 minutes?), I managed to successfully tack the fabric back on the wall.  This was so difficult because you have to line up the fabric to the ceiling and along the side of the wall.  However, I did this.  Successfully!  Or so I thought…

Starched Fabric Wall - just short!

Starched Fabric Wall - Fabric shrunk

I realized the wet starch had shrunk my fabric.  A LOT.  Bummer.  My fabric was several inches short and wide.  So close, yet SO far away.  I wanted to cry.

Rolling Starch on Wall

I was not in the right frame of mind (after the craziness of hanging a heavy piece of wet fabric alone).  I really was afraid that a heavy piece of fabric was going to come falling down on me, so I rolled more liquid starch over top.  In hindsight, this was probably overkill and you can skip this step.

Starched Fabric Wall piecing

I then went to work piecing the fabric so it covered the entire wall.  This wasn’t too hard.  The smaller pieces were so much easier to work with.  The difficult part was finding the right piece of fabric to match the pattern. Starched Fabric Wall - Cleaning up edges

I went through and cleaned it up by cutting off the extra along the edges.  Yes, I cut myself (note the bandaid) in the process.  This really wasn’t my night, but I was determined to have my fabric wall treatment.  I did find that it was easier to cut the drier, starched fabric than the wet fabric.  So if you can wait until the fabric dries, it will be easier to clean up the edges. I had done a lot of research on this before I actually did this fabric wall.  I read several times that the seams sort of “disappear.”  I’m here to tell you mine don’t disappear very well. Starched Fabric Wall Seam

Overall, I think this is a great project for a small area and a great idea for a renter.  (And don’t forget you need a partner for this project!)  Maybe with more practice, I could do a larger room and my seams will disappear.  However, it may take a lot of convincing before I try this again…

Starched Fabric Wall

*UPDATE*  I removed the bottom portion of the fabric because I added paneled walls to the bathroom walls.  I was able to remove the fabric easily and without any damage to the walls!  To see more, click HERE. Go create something!

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Pinterest Want to see what else I’m up to?  Click on the photos below: DIY Concrete Table        Paint.a.Faucet          PaintedHeadboardB&A

DIY

Tissue Tassel Garland

I’m sharing an easy tutorial for tissue tassel garland.

Tassel Garland Tutorial

I’ve been wanting to make a tassel garland for a while now, and I decided New Year’s was the perfect time to display it.

Paper Tassel Garland

The tassel garland isn’t hard – it’s just a little time-consuming.  I sat and made my garland while the kids were watching a Christmas movie.

Supplies for tissue tassels

For this tutorial, you’ll need tissue paper, a glue gun, and scissors.

Steps for Tissue Tassels

Start by unfolding one piece of tissue paper and laying it flat.  Next, fold the paper in half – lengthwise.

Step 1 Party Tassels

Fold it again – this time widthwise.

Step 2 Party Tassel

Keep folding – fold it lengthwise.

Step 3 Party Tassel

Last fold!  Fold it widthwise.

Step 4 Party Tassel

Now it’s time to cut the tassels.  The top should be made completely of folds – so it all stays together.  Cut strips up the folded tissue and leave several inches at the top.

Step 5 Party Tassel

After you have cut the tassels, open up the piece like this:

Step 6 Party Tassel

Cut it down the center.

Step 7 Party Tassel

Now open the piece up like this:

Step 8 Party Tassel

Step 9 Party Tassel

Roll it.

Step 10 Party Tassel

And you’ll see you’re close!  Then twist it down the center.

Step 11 Party Tassel

And a drop of hot glue at on end of the twist.

Step 12 Party Tassels

Make a loop and attach it to the glue.

Step 13 Party Tassel

Some of the ends will be connected, so you’ll want to give the tassels a little trim.

Step 14 Party Tassel

And you’ve made a tassel!  (Each piece of tissue paper makes four tassels.)

Party Tissue Tassels

You can make them in lots of colors…

How to make party tissue tassels

Add them to a rope or ribbon, and you have a tassel garland!

How to make Paper Tassels

They’re perfect for New Year’s or any other party.  Or, they’d be adorable in a kid’s room or toy room. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Go create something!

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

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Seasonal Decor

Free Christmas Printables

Looking for some FREE Christmas printables?  You’re in the right place!  Today you can download your own Christmas countdown and Christmas gift tags.

Free Printable Christmas Countdown

Today I’m sharing some FREE Christmas printables my friend Tamra from Signed Sealed Delivered created.

The first is a cute Santa Christmas Countdown.  You add a cotton ball to his beard each day.  The kids will love this activity, and it is inexpensive and fun.  This would also a great class craft or project!

Santa Christmas Countdown

To download the PDF, click on the link below.

Santa Christmas Countdown

   Tamra is also sharing some Christmas gift tags with us.  I always forget to pick up Christmas gift tags, but thanks to this printable you can just print your own!

Christmas Gift Tags 

To download the PDF for these gift tags, you can click below:

Christmas Gift Tags

Don’t forget to check out Tamra’s shop on Etsy (she has TONS of great invitations and prints) and like her on Facebook!  

Thanks so much to Tamra for the free Christmas printables!

Go create something!

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

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DIY

Convert Recessed Lighting

Today I’m sharing how to convert recessed lighting into a pendant or chandelier, and you won’t have to hire an electrian!

Recessed Light to Chandelier Pin

 

I had a recessed light that shines over our master bathtub.  The tub deserves more than a single, recessed light.  So I started talking to my (handyman) dad about how to transform the recessed light into a chandelier.

Spotlight to fixture Before

Spotlight to fixture Before Pic

What could have been a very complicated job requiring an electrician was made much easier thanks to a recessed light converter kit.

Recessed Light Converter

Recessed light converter kit

This kit can be found on Amazon:

Before you begin, make sure the power is off.  Then, remove the plastic recessed lighting case and light bulb.

Converting a recessed light step one

Removing recessed lighting

Since we’re not electricians, I’m not going to give a tutorial for electrical work.  However, I will tell you it wasn’t hard, and the kit comes with detailed instructions and diagrams.

recessed light turned into chandelier

updating a recessed light

And it helps if you have a handyman for a dad and an assistant dressed like Anna from Frozen…

converting recessed lights

The kit really does make converting recessed light into a light fixture as easy as possible.  Now I have a pretty chandler hanging over my tub…

Changing a spotlight into a pendant

Spotlight to chandlier

Are there any rooms in your home you’d like to convert recessed lighting?

We are planning to update our bathroom completely next year.  A few months ago, I put together my dream bathroom.  

Want to see more?  Click HERE.  

This chandler is a little different than one I originally envisioned, but I found this on clearance at Lowe’s and couldn’t turn it down!

Go create something!

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

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Printables

O Holy Night Print

I’m excited to share this FREE O Holy Night Print with you today.

O Holy Night Christmas Printable

I know it is not even Thanksgiving yet, but when it snows (and I can no longer see the pumpkins on my front step) and temperatures are in the teens… Well, I take that as a free pass to start decorating for Christmas early. I created this “O Holy Night” printable and have it in two formats for you.  The JPG is for printing through a photo lab (and I think the chalkboard background shows up best printing through a photo lab) and the PDF is for home printing.  The JPG is set up as an 8×10 and the PDF is set up on regular 8.5 x 11 letter-sized paper. To save the JPG version, just click and save the image below:

O Holy Night

Or, if you prefer the PDF of this O Holy Night Print, just click on the link below:

O Holy Night*

  O Holy Night Printable

I have mine on my mantel…

Christmas Mantle

This printable can be framed to fit any decor.  It also would make a great (and really inexpensive) gift!

O Holy Night

Want to see more of my FREE printables?  I have a lot more here on the blog!  

Go HERE to see everything from chore charts to Bible verses!

Happy Thanksgiving and early Merry Christmas!

Go create something!

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

*All Sincerely Sara D. printables are for personal, non-commercial use only. Use it, gift it, but don’t alter it, sell it or otherwise distribute the print or the file. 

Paint

Painted Rug on a Wood Floor

Today I’m sharing all the details behind our painted rug on a wood floor.

How To Paint a Rug on Wood Floor

We would love to refinish our wood floors.  They’re over 15 years old and have been well-loved.  Unfortunately refinishing the wood floors is pretty far down on our to-do list, and the floors in the kitchen are in the worst shape of all. And if you know me or have been following me for a while, you won’t be surprised that I decided to paint a rug on the floor…

Damaged Floor

I had a large rug in the kitchen, but it ended up being more of a hassle than what it was worth.  Food and drinks were spilled on it constantly.  It was so much maintenance and it was just plain gross. Damaged wood floors

So, I decided to try painting a rug.  Food and spill could easily be wiped away (and milk wouldn’t have anything to soak into and linger).  Down the road, we can remove the paint when we decide to refinish our floors.

Clean floors before painting

I gave the floor a good cleaning with Murphey Oil Soap.  I didn’t worry about sanding since most of my finish was already gone from the floor.

Prep for painting wood floor

I used a ruler level, painter’s tape and a sharpie to layout the perimeter of the rug.

How to paint a floor

I measured out the same distance from the cabinets and taped down my rug border.

Painting Wood Floors 1

I used Annie Sloan Chalk paint and watered it down: one part water to one part paint.  (The white is Old White and the Gray is French Linen.) I painted the outside because this is where my pattern was going to be.  I eventually would paint the entire rug in gray, but I need to paint it white for my (Greek Key) design.

Taping Greek Key

After I had painted the inside with white, I went through and taped a line around the perimeter again.  I wanted a white border on my rug. Then I added squares to the four corners.  I measured squares and made sure they were all the same distance from the corners.

Creating Greek Key

Next, I connect the squares as you can see above.

Taping Greek Key Design

And to finish my greek key design, I connected all four squares with lines.

Painting Wood Floor Rug

Once my pattern taping was done, I painted the entire rug in French Linen.

Use rollar on wood floors

Again, I did one part water to one part paint.

Painting Wood Floors

It took close to four coats of paint.

Painting Patterns on Wood Floor

I removed the paint and my greek key pattern was revealed!  When I pulled back the tape, bits of the paint came up.  It wasn’t bad, since I knew I was going to be sanding it down anyway.  I assume this is because I rushed through the steps and didn’t allow the paint to completely dry before I started taping.

Painted Wood Floor

Once all the tape was pulled away, I got to work sanding.

Sanding Paint

I first tried hand-sanding the rug with fine sandpaper, but that didn’t do much.

Sand Wood Floor

But then I decided to just go for it and pulled out my electric sander and really went after it. Once the sanding was done, I swept away all the dust.  Then I put 2-3 coats of Polycrylic (this is water-based, like the paint) on the top to protect it. The great thing about Polycrylic is that it dries REALLY fast. You can find it on Amazon:

Painted Rug Wood Floor

I now have an easy-to-care-for rug!

Painted Rug on Wood Floor

Now I can live with the wood floors until we refinish them.

Painted Rug on Wood Floor.

Greek Key Rug Painted Wood Floors

Greek Key Design Painted Floor

It’s only been a few weeks since I painted them, but so far I love the rug.  It’s fun and low maintenance – just what I envisioned!

Go create something!

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DIY Concrete Table        Paint.a.Faucet          PaintedHeadboardB&A *This post contains affiliate links and/or is a sponsored post. I may receive compensation in the form of monetary compensation or product compensation in exchange for my review. I take pride in reviewing only products that fit my brand and will be beneficial to my readers. And while this post is sponsored or contains affiliate links, all the opinions are my own.

Seasonal Decor

Chalkboard Christmas Countdown

Today I’m sharing how to make this chalkboard Christmas countdown.

DIY Chalkboard Christmas Countdown

 

I’m hosting the monthly craft night at our local library next week, and I’m teaching the class how to make this DIY Christmas countdown chalkboard.  Since most of you aren’t local, I wanted to share this DIY.  It’s easy, inexpensive, and countdowns are just plain fun.  (And don’t worry.  There are actually only 41 days until Christmas (?!). My countdown is wrong.)

Wood Plaque

I started with a plaque I found at Hobby Lobby.  Mine was around $3 – before any sale or coupon.

Stain Wood Plaque

I added a dark stain to the plaque – not worrying about the center.  You’ll be painting most of the plaque with chalkboard paint.

Stain Wood Plaques

I used a sponge roller for the chalkboard paint.  You can use a brush, but I have found the roller makes the paint go on smoother.  And smoother paint = smoother chalkboard surface. (It’s always a good idea to let the chalkboard paint sit for 24 hours before you try writing on it.)

Chalkboard Paint

If you need chalkboard paint, you can find it on Amazon:

Next, I printed out the lettering and snowflake for the plaque.  To print out your own, just click on the below link: Christmas Countdown It’s formatted on a regular 8.5 x 11 letter-sized paper.  All you need to do is download and print! Earlier this year I shared how to transfer lettering to a chalkboard.  If haven’t seen this post and want to know how click HERE or on the photo below.

PerfectChalkboardLettering

Once you’ve added the lettering, the countdown can begin!

Chalkboard Christmas Countdown

Go create something!

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

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Seasonal Decor

Thanksgiving Table Decor

Today I’m sharing some inexpensive Thanksgiving table decor ideas and telling you about some FREE give thanks printables!

 Thanksgiving Table Decor & FREE Printables

Fall Table Setting

Today I’m guest posting at Unexpected Elegance and sharing FREE Thanksgiving printables and ideas for your holiday table.  To download your own placemats and name cards and see a much more detailed post about Thanksgiving table decor, click HERE to be directed over to my post at Unexpected Elegance.  You will find all the details on this table and be able to download the free printables on Angela’s site at Unexpected Elegance.

Give Thanks

The printables give your dinner guests a spot to jot down what they’re thankful for this year, and there are also printable nametags you can put in your napkin rings.

Thanksgiving Name Card

Fall Centerpiece 5

My fall centerpiece only cost me around $20!  I bought the candles and candlestick holders from the dollar store and *painted the gourds and leaves using spray paint in three different shades.  If you want to see more about how I did this, click HERE.

*Be careful with what you use to paint gourds.  I used spray paint, and it wasn’t a good decision.  Several of the gourds exploded and rotted pretty quickly.  I would suggest using a chalk paint if you are going to try and paint gourds and pumpkins.

Fall Table

Free Thanksgiving Printables

Fall Table 4

Happy Fall & Thanksgiving!

Go create something!

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Paint

Stenciled Entryway

See how easy this stenciled entryway was to create!

Laines Entry - B&A

The goal for the entryway was to brighten it up and make an inviting statement.  It is the first room guests see when entering the house. I painted the room a pale gray and used an even paler gray for the stencil.  We found the stencil at Royal Design Studio.  It is the Marrakech Medallion Stencil.

Laines Entry 6

Laines Entry 7

It mimicked the glass pattern on the entryway doors, so it was a perfect match.

Laines Entry Before

^Here’s a before…

Laines Entry 3

…and after!

Laines Entry 5

I stenciled the entire room, and once I was done with the full stencil, I cut the stencil into two pieces – one was about 1/3 of the stencil while the other was 2/3.  This allowed me to easily stencil some medallions that “ran off” off the wall.  I did this along the baseboard, ceiling, and around the doorways.  My goal was to make it look like wallpaper (but without the commitment).

Laines Entry Before 2

^Here’s another before…

Laines Entry 2

…and after!

Laines Entry 4

Laines Entry 5

The room looks completely different thanks to a little paint – and a stencil! Go create something!

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Pinterest *I used Valspar paint for this project.  (Woodsmoke & Seashell Gray)