Design

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6 Steps to Build Wooden Butterfly Slat Art

In the process of updating our daughters room we decided to build a custom wooden slat picture frame with butterflies. This unique piece was easy and fun to make. Here is our design and build process. Project Design Considerations: With each project, even the simple ones, there are design considerations I go over trying to implement Nichole’s vision. To help prime your creative process, here are some design considerations. #01: Size of Wood Slats and Space Between. We opted for...

How to Make a Floating Picture Frame – Rabbet Edition

Nearly two months ago we set about creating a floating picture frame (see it here) and I wanted to spruce it up a wee bit. I invested in a proper “thumb friendly” router (like this one) and a rabbet bit set (this one). The design was to create a picture frame with no visible nails or the need to fill nail holes. Here’s the adventure and my first experience creating a double rabbet joint. PROJECT DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS #01: Measurements You’ll...

Build a backyard Firepit from Belgard Stone

Our fireplace is done! Nearly five months ago we started a backyard overhaul which added some covered space and a more permanent firepit. Our concept was to integrate the firepit area into the retaining wall and use the stone to develop a bench feature–see How to Add a Unique Backyard Firepit. Part of the challenge with this design was finding ways to soften the hardscape. While a stone bench is a thing of beauty, it’s not overly comfortable for hours....

Hanging Holiday Balls with Wire

Seems like every year when unpacking our Holiday decorations we discover that some of the clips are missing. Or, the clips that come with some ornaments just aren’t up for the task. Over the years our outdoor decorations have expanded and we like to hang oversize ornamental balls in our trees. Because we’ve had more than a few find their way off the tree and limited success with clips (or just some frugality), we’ve come up with an outdoor ornamental...

Build a Learning Tower

Learning towers are a fantastic way to have your kids help and provide a stable platform that can be adjusted to their height. It’s a pretty fantastic thing when you’re getting ready to do something in the kitchen and here comes your toddler pushing their learning tower. I highly recommend the felt pads and depending on where you store it, some side pads won’t hurt – it tends to get bounced off walls a wee bit. We built a learning...

How to Make a Floating Picture Frame

We’ve been updating our wall art over the past few months. One way we’re updating our art is by swapping out smaller art pieces for large form art. We’ve found a great way to save money by creating canvas wrapped frames from downloadable art, which you can read about How to Create Wrapped Canvas Art for under $100 here. With all the large form art now, we wanted to frame them. We opted for a floating frame style. This post...

You and Your Contractor: #02 Bids and Estimates

This segment discusses some ways to inform the project cost and estimate process. These steps have helped us negotiate with contractors. More importantly, they have helped us understand our project budget and protect our pocket book from overpriced help. The first estimate is rarely the final price for your project. That generally holds true for remodel work or larger projects. If it’s a simpler project, like repainting a room, chances are the price is the price. Yet, there is usually...

Updating Pendant Lights

Replacing and updating lights is a great project. Here is our adventure in finding the perfect modern lighting solution for our kitchen. It is a project that is possible to take on yourself. If you aren’t comfortable around electricity, then you should check with an electrician. For most replacement projects, it’s a matter of swapping out the fixture as the existing ceiling box should work. First Things First – Power Off and Check your Product Updating lights could get complicated...

Upgrade your Pulls and Knobs to Enhance your Cabinets

Swapping out your existing pulls and knobs is an easy DIY project and can really change the character of your space. It can be as simple as only needing a screw driver. Lucky us, we needed to drill new holes in our cabinets which was a wee bit stressful. Here are some tips and tricks to upgrading those knobs and pulls. Selecting Hardware Finish. Because the majority of our existing finishes are satin, we opted to stay with a similar...

How to Install Landscape Lighting on a Retaining Wall

Adding lights to an existing retaining wall is possible, but it is easier while being constructed. For both of our wall areas, we were fortunate enough to have areas where the ground rose up to meet the wall caps. After searching online and seeing what the landscape supply stores carried, I selected some powder coated paver wall lights. The process for install is fairly simple as I had already installed the landscape lighting transformer with some moon rays. Here are...