DIY by Design

Master Bedroom His and Hers Closets - His Revealed

2012-03-05T20:00:00.000-05:00

Hope you all had a great weekend. I teased you all on Friday with a

sneak peak at my solution for transforming my husband's white closet organizer system.

Without further ado...here is the transformation:

Well, I spent all day on Saturday working some magic on my husband's closet.

I started by painting the inside of the closet the same color as our master bedroom tray ceiling.

Then came my solution to changing those white drawers and shelves.

A few of you guessed it right...contact paper was my solution. I was in Home Depot looking at the closet organizers. I saw the valet bar there and grabbed it. When I turned around, right behind me was the contact paper. I picked up this wood tone one and compared it to the dark closet organizer Home Depot was selling. It looked so similar I figured it was worth a try. It really worked perfectly.

I have to be honest...this project is not for the faint of heart. It took ALL DAY on Saturday. It took so long mainly because the key to having it really look like wood is to not have any bubbles. The only way to achieve that is so go super slow and to smooth it out every inch or so as you apply it. There were many times during the process that the $2300 for a whole new organizer system seemed like a bargain compared to the work I was doing. But I am not a quitter, so I pressed on.

The drawers were the easiest part.

Adding the sleek new handles really made the drawers look awesome.

I fixed the drawer fronts by using wood putty. Simple fix.

I added a valet bar purchased at Home Depot.

I also added a slide-out belt holder.

On the other side of the closet I added an area for all of my husband's things he needs each day.

I found this great organizer in Home Goods.

I used different contact paper to cover the wall behind this area.

It picks up the design in the storage boxes too.

This is what this part of the closet looked like before.

Here's a few more views of the after...

I love the new masculine look of the closet.

I also added a framed full length mirror to finish the look.

Here's one more look at the transformation.

The whole makeover cost just around $100. A significant savings from the $2300 for a new closet system. In person it looks as good, if not better, than it does in the photos. The transformation is huge! Best of all, my husband loves his new closet.

How about you? I can't wait to hear what you think.

-Judy

I Have a Plan

2012-03-02T14:30:00.001-05:00

As you know, I am in the process of updating/reorganizing the his and hers walk-in closets in our master bedroom. It started with me removing the closet doors and adding drapes instead.

Then I revamped my closet.

You can check out the full closet reveal here.

Now it's time for me to work on my husband's closet. My husband's closet is a much different story. My husband wanted a new organizer system for his closet. I got a few estimates and the estimates range from $1500 if we do it ourself to $2,300 to have a professional install the closet. When we originally designed the closet we must have done a good job, because no one can come up with a better layout. So for all of the estimates the layout would NOT change at all.

$1500-$2300 for the exact same closet seems just plain wrong. I could justify it if the new design would be so much different. But it won't be. So I asked my husband what he likes and dislikes about his current closet system, hoping that once I understood that, I could come up with another solution.

This is what he likes:

1. He likes the current closet's functionality

Yes, it's a short list.

This is what he doesn't like:

1. He HATES the white (he wants dark wood)

2. He HATES the handles (he wants something sleeker)

3. A few of the drawer fronts are stripped so they don't work right

4. He wants a valet pullout bar

I can work with this. So after much thought and research, I came up with nothing. Then, I was wandering around Home Depot and I inadvertently stumbled upon a solution.

I am super excited.

I tried it on one drawer and I think it's going to be perfect. I showed my husband and he thought I had bought a new drawer front. Once I told him what I did he was totally on board and he gave me the go ahead to get started. My solution will save me $2200. Yep...I can fix all of his dislikes for under $100. Do I have you wondering?

Here's a sneak peak.

I've got my work cut out for me this weekend.

Have a great weekend!

-Judy

Spring Mantle

2012-03-01T18:00:00.000-05:00

It's only March 1st, but it is time to start bringing Spring into my home...

whether or not the weather wants to cooperate.

It is time to Springify (don't even think that's a word) my mantle.

The weather has been overcast and rainy/snowy here for the past two days

which makes it challenging to get a great photo.

For Spring I wanted a fresh look for my mantle. I decided to create my design
using lots of crystal and green.

This is one of my favorite new additions to my decor.

Gina from Random Thoughts from an Incoherent Mind had a cloche with a bird on it that I just loved. The day before I had seen it on her blog I had seen something similar in Home Goods (but had walked by it not thinking I had anywhere to use it). After seeing Gina's, I literally ran back to Home Goods...thankfully they still had it. Thanks Gina for the inspiration!!

I filled mine with small birds nests at the bottom and speckled brown and cream eggs.

To finish it off I tied it with the left over grosgrain ribbon

from my guest room embroidered bolster pillow.

On one side of the mantle I have a decoupaged letter "K" sitting on top of two paper boxes I made.

You can check out my video tutorial on how to make these boxes here.

I added vinyl letters cut from my Silhouette machine to the boxes.

The frame has a piece of scrapbook paper and two birds cut out of

burlap. The burlap is from my daughter's area rug that was shipped to us UPS.
The burlap was used as part of the packing process to ship the rug. Nothing goes to waste here!

On the other side I have more candles and a stack of books tied in ribbon.

This little vignette has to be my second favorite thing next to my apothecary jar.

I tied the books using a ribbon and key I had from a Pottery Barn gift.

The crystal bowl has green silk fabric wrapped around some faux

flowers I had in a closet. The little bird I grabbed while on the checkout line

at Home Goods. I guess I'm one of those people who fall for that stuff they
have on the checkout line to entice you.
My little bird has potpourri in him to freshen the room too.

I just love the fresh Spring look my mantle has now.
Now if I could only get the weather to cooperate!

Can't wait to hear what you think.

Have a great day.

-Judy

Winter Blues Wednesday - It's a Party #54

2012-02-29T19:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to this week's Winter Blues Wednesday party. Last week's party was filled with so much inspiration. Here are this week's features:

First up is this beautiful vignette created by JBigg's Little Pieces.

I just love the blue bowl that started it all. Really pretty.

Comfortably Carried Away transformed a foot stool into this beauty using a drop cloth and transferring this pattern. She uses a slightly different method of transferring the image. Hope you check it out.

I think this craft room peg board created by How to Nest For Less is super cool.

What a great way to keep organized.

This is one before and after makeover done by Dixie Delights.

The transformation of the den is incredible.

Laughter and Grace transformed a plain wastepaper basket into this jute wrapped basket.

Such a great project.

If you were featured, please grab an "I've Been Featured" button (you can now find my buttons by clicking on the buttons tab right under my header). Now let's get started with this week's party. I can't wait to see what you have been up to. Link up anything you have been working on...home decor, sewing, crafts, organizing, baking, recipes etc. I will keep this link open through Friday.

A few rules:

1. Please become a follower (if you already follow me on Google, I would love for you to follow me on Linky Followers as well).

2. Please grab my party button above and display it either on your sidebar or somewhere in your post. This way word can spread about the party. The more people at the party, the more fun we will have.

3. Please enter the link to your actual post, not just a link to your main blog page.

4. Please visit others who have linked up. Everyone works hard on their projects and blogs...let's show each other some love by visiting each other. Let's have some fun and hopefully make a few new friends along the way.

Ok...Let's Party

--Judy

Decorated Boxes

2012-02-28T07:45:00.000-05:00

I just love a quick and easy project that yields such awesome results.

I found this beautiful gray and black damask contact paper at Home Goods.

It was only $5.99 for two rolls.

I simply covered two empty shoe boxes with the contact paper and...

Voila! Instant decorative boxes.

I felt like it needed just a bit more so I added grey grosgrain ribbon I had in the house.

Don't forget to stop back tonight for my Winter Blues Wednesday party.

The party opens at 8pm EST. Hope to see you then.

-Judy

Embroidered Bolster Pillow

2012-02-27T18:45:00.001-05:00

I have been wanting to make a bolster pillow for my guest room for a while now.

A few months back I made pinch pleat drapes for the guest bedroom.

You can click here for the tutorial.

I had enough fabric left to make a bolster pillow cover.

When I got my new embroidery sewing machine for Christmas,

I knew that I wanted to use it on this project.

I embroidered the word "Dream" onto the fabric.

I made decorative cording using grosgrain ribbon.

Here is the end result.

I'm still getting the hang of the new embroidery machine.

I have to figure out how to hoop the material so that the

words appear exactly where I want them.

I probably should have made the font slightly smaller

so that it would fit exactly in the cream section.

Since I was so focused on getting the embroidery just right, I missed the fact that I somehow didn't center the pattern. Ugh!! But that's the perfectionist in me. Overall I love how it came out.

I used the same technique I have used before.

You can click here for the tutorial.

It's a perfect finish to the guest room bed.

Can't wait to hear what you think.

-Judy

Partying at Chatty Chics

Home Tour at Debbiedoo's

2012-02-24T15:45:00.000-05:00

Today I'm over at Debbiedoo's giving a full tour of my home.

I hope you will stop by Debbie's and check it out.

If you get a chance come back and let me know what you think.

On another note, remember the Ethan Allen mirror I have been lusting over?
It costs $669 plus tax, plus delivery. I just can't justify that.
However, I was searching for information on the mirror on the internet
and found it being sold on Craigslist for $200!
Only problem is that the listing is across the country. The woman who is selling it has been wonderful, even bringing the mirror to Fed Ex to get a quote to ship. It will cost $143 to ship. That would bring the total cost of the mirror to $343, still less than half of what it would cost new (UPS was even more and the post office won't ship it because the box is too big). The woman told me she owns it two years and it's in perfect condition. I didn't ask why she was selling it...maybe I should.

Friends...I need your advice!!

Am I crazy? Do I even consider it? Will it make it here in one piece?
Please let me know what you think.

Thanks in advance.

Have a great weekend.

-Judy

Master Bedroom Closet Reveal

2012-02-23T13:55:00.000-05:00

I have spent much of the past several weekends working on my master bedroom closet.

I already have an organizer system in my closet, but wanted to pretty it up a bit.

I started by painting the walls the same color as the tray ceiling in the master bedroom.

I thought this would take no time at all. It ended up taking me over three hours since the organizer was already in the closet and I had to cut in what felt like a million times.

While the closet was empty, I went through each and every item and edited what would go back into the closet. This is really an important step in organizing your closet.

After loading five bags of clothing to give away, and reorganizing everything that went back in,

here is my new and improved closet:

A few weeks ago I started this makeover by removing my closet doors and adding drapes instead.

It totally opened up the inside of the closet.

I added decorative boxes on the top shelf to hold all of my handbags and other infrequently used items.

I created labels for the boxes using my Silhouette machine.

On each label I wrote down the contents of each box.

This way I can tell at a glance what is inside.

I also added a damask stencil to the closet.

I used my Silhouette machine to cut out two different sizes

of the damask pattern out of brown adhesive vinyl.

While I was at it, I created a sign for over the door inside the closet also out of the brown vinyl.

The damask on either side of the sign is the negative side of the vinyl cutouts.

I mixed a few elements on the Silhouette machine to make the scroll design.

I think there are several key elements to having a well organized closet

that is both functional and pleasing to the eye.

1. Have all the same hangers. This may seem like it's not a big deal,

but you would be surprised at just how much better your

closet will look and function.

2. Organize your clothing by type and color

Having your clothing organized by type and color makes putting together outfits much easier.

3. Organize your closet by season. Right now I have all of my winter clothing up front and visible.

4. Store less used items in decorative boxes at the top of your closet

so as not to take up valuable "real estate".

So what do you think?

I can't wait to hear.

-Judy

Winter Blues Wednesday - It's a Party #53

2012-02-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to this week's Winter Blues Wednesday party. I know they say it's winter, but here in the northeast it has been unseasonably mild. I'm enjoying every moment of this (although my sweaters miss being worn). Anyhow, last week's party was filled with so many awesome and inspiring ideas.

Here are this week's features:

This one really caught my eye. Decorate With a Little Bit showcased this beautiful stained glass window behind this gorgeous vignette. It's a toss up which I love more.

I just love this organization center made out of cereal boxes.

Colors Mixed Together gives an awesome tutorial on how you can create your own.

This beautiful coverlet was created by Our Home Away From Home using old drapes.

Don't you just love repurposing.

I love this board and batten treatment in Family Love Home's new mudroom.

My favorite part is the double row of hooks.

This last project is definitely going on my "to do" list. Miss Stitch a Wish created this using dollar store rose soaps. Doesn't the soap look like real roses? Too cool.

A few rules:

1. Please become a follower (if you already follow me on Google, I would love for you to follow me on Linky Followers as well).

3. Please enter the link to your actual post, not just a link to your main blog page.

Ok...Let's Party

--Judy

One Thing Leads to Another

2012-02-21T07:45:00.004-05:00

There is no truer statement...especially when it comes to me and decorating.

A few weeks ago I created a photo wall gallery in my upstairs hallway.

The whole wall gallery centered itself around our wedding photo...

which we moved from the end of the hallway.

I have always wanted a mirror and a lamp at the end of this hallway.

I think that a mirror would add so much dimension to the hallway, as would a lamp.

Unfortunately there is no outlet at the end of the hallway.

Or at least there wasn't until last week.

The electrician was here fixing an issue with the outdoor kitchen.

While he was here I asked how difficult it would be for him to add an outlet.

He did it right there and then.

For now I am just using a lamp I pulled out of the guest bedroom.

Now with an electrical outlet at the end of the hallway, I just need to find a mirror.

Image from Ethan Allen store

Here is the mirror I love. It's from Ethan Allen and it's $669

(plus tax plus delivery so in the end it is well over $700).

Here it is again in another room in Ethan Allen

It's beautiful, but I just can't justify it.

So I've been on the hunt for something similar (not easy once you have something in your head).

I hope to find it soon. Otherwise maybe at the Ethan Allen warehouse

sale in April I will luck out and see the mirror there for half price.
By the way do you recognize the lamps in that second photo from Ethan Allen?

It's the same lamp I have in my dining room
(which I did get at the Ethan Allen warehouse sale last year for half price).

Don't forget to stop back tonight for my Winter Blues Wednesday party.

The party opens at 8pm EST. Hope to see you then.

-Judy

Springing up the Dining Room

2012-02-20T17:30:00.001-05:00

That's right...it's been so unseasonably warm here, I've actually got myself

believing that Spring is just around the corner. With that in mind, I was inspired to add a

little Spring to my dining room and lighten it up.

As with so many of my decorating projects, it all began with a trip to Home Goods. I found a tablecloth, runner and napkins in colors and in a pattern that I just loved.
The napkins will be pillows in the near future.

I started by adding a "runner" to my dining room table.

I created this runner using a tablecloth folded in thirds the long way

and then I just pleated it at the head of the table on both ends.

I added the real runner to my buffet.

I just adore these colors.

Here is one side of the buffet...

here is the other side.

On the table I used two matching Lenox vases I had and filled them with my favorite flower...the hydrangea...even if they are faux.

The centerpiece is simply a cake stand with a ceramic basket with eggs in blue and green.

Can't wait to hear what you think of my little update. I always love and appreciate your comments.

Have a great day!

-Judy

Shades of Gray

2012-02-17T07:55:00.000-05:00

Do you tend to be drawn to certain colors? I certainly do.

I'm loving gray at the moment. Here is some gray inspiration.

DIY by Design

Master Bedroom His and Hers Closets - His Revealed

I Have a Plan

Spring Mantle

Winter Blues Wednesday - It's a Party #54

Decorated Boxes

Embroidered Bolster Pillow

Home Tour at Debbiedoo's

Master Bedroom Closet Reveal

Winter Blues Wednesday - It's a Party #53

One Thing Leads to Another

Springing up the Dining Room

Shades of Gray

Good Taste Runs in the Family

Winter Blues Wednesday - It's a Party #52

Happy Valentine's Day

It's Always Darkest Before the Dawn

Closet Update Begins

Photo Wall Gallery Revealed

Winter Blues Wednesday - It's a Party #51

Gathering Closet Inspiration

No More Closet Doors

Happiness is...

Inspiration for Wall Gallery

Winter Blues Wednesday - It's a Party #50

Valentine's Tutorials and Giveaway Winner Announced