For the next couple of months, we will be introducing you to some of our blog friends. This month we want you to meet Lisa from Farmhouse on Boone!
Hi Everyone! My name is Lisa from Farmhouse on Boone. I’m so excited Cassity is having me over to tell you all a little bit about my blog and myself. I also hope to inspire you to get creative in your own home, by sharing some of my favorite projects from the farmhouse!
I am a homeschooling mama of five, two girls and three boys. We live in a small farmhouse in the Midwest that we have renovated from top to bottom. When we bought it in 2008, it took a little imagination to see the potential. Here is a snippet of what we saw when we first walked through:
Sometimes, plastic laminate countertops, also called Formica countertops, need an update — and that doesn't require replacing them all together. You can simply paint over them.
Do you have a gallery wall of frames and art in your home? Or do you have a stack of frames that you *intend* to hang as a gallery wall… when you can get up the courage to actually hang them all? Today’s tip for hanging a gallery is going to change your gallery-wall-loving life!
Watch the video below to see how Krista hung a huge gallery wall in her entryway — 47 frames! — in under 2 hours. What? Yes! Nothing like saving time and getting it right the first time!
Subscribe to our Remodelaholic YouTube channel here for new videos every week!
If you prefer to read it, you can read the written break-down of this super smart frame hanging tip here.
Whether you’re hanging frames, canvases, wall decor, mirrors, or mixing it all up, this hack for hanging frames quickly will make it so much easier! Even for a simple modern grid gallery wall, using this tip will save you a lot of time measuring and making extra nail holes in the wall to get the gallery wall hanging straight and perfectly spaced. Use this speedy frame-hanging trick for a holiday gallery wall or any old gallery wall! (and don’t forget to check out our favorite free printables to add to gallery walls!)
Need more inspiration? Here are some beautiful DIY gallery walls to get you going:
This post is sponsored by Wayfair. As always, we share only what we love, and all opinions are my own.
Today is a very special day… in addition to being just ONE MONTH until my kiddos’ last day of school, today is WAY DAY! (cue the balloons)
Wayfair, one of our favorite online sources for furniture and decor and our partner for today’s post, is hosting the annual Way Day today, where they are offering their lowest prices of the year – even better than Black Friday! Plus, free shipping on all orders. Since this special sale is for 24 hours only, we shopped around for some of our favorite outdoor picks to get you inspired to fill you shopping cart and makeover your home (and patio)!
This post contains affiliate links; learn more and read our full disclosure policy here.
You saw a little sneak peek of our new outdoor space here yesterday, and we have big plans for the patio this summer — starting with some that we’ll be sharing later this week. I’m sure you all have plans for your outdoor spaces too — but today, TODAY is the day to shop over at Wayfair because the sales are AMAZING! Whether you are starting from scratch and need all new patio furniture and outdoor lighting, or whether your patio just needs a spruce with some new cushions and an updated outdoor rug — check out the prices over at Wayfair, today only for all of your outdoor decor (and indoor furniture and decor is on sale, too, so be sure to score some deals on area rugs, lighting, and organization needs, too!)
Click (or double-tap on mobile) each of the images below to see more about each item and to see the today-only sale price.
Start with an easy front porch update — a new porch bench and a new porch light are a budget-friendly update! Add a couple of colorful (self-watering) planters for a whole new look for the entrance. (Bonus points if you also paint the front door one of our favorite colors.)
We have already had our first (and second) backyard marshmallow roast, so if you don’t have a fire pit, today is the perfect day to get one, at a great price, for memories (and yummy food) all summer long. Add a beautiful outdoor dining table and some easy-care but beautiful melamine dishes and you’ll be dining al-fresco with ease… one of my favorite parts of summer! (Oh, and don’t forget the grill
There are so many amazing deals over at Wayfair today for Way Day TODAY ONLY, so go check out all the deals here! And here are more of our favorites… because throw pillows and area rugs are two of our favorite easy updates for a whole new space!
Today we have a really fun little project! We are participating in the Wood Art Challenge!! What is the Wood Art Challenge you may ask?
Well, we are joining 32 other bloggers to create a square piece of art for your wall that is primarily made of wood! #woodartchallenge
This is a really great way to get tons of wall art inspiration and the best news is a have a whole playlist of these great projects on our YouTube channel so please be sure to go check it out- and please subscribe to our channel while you are there!
For this project I thought it would be fun to try a buffalo check wood pattern, but I also wanted it to be 3 dimensional… so I asked my hubby if he would cut out the wood while I helped with my daughter’s field trip! (I won guys!) I got home to hundreds of little blocks of wood sanded and cut perfectly! #besthusbandever!
Hey there Remodelaholic readers! Dawn here, from AD Aesthetic, and I’m back this month with another reader question mockup to hopefully inspire some creative ideas for your space. If you’ve missed any of my previous reader question mockups, you can always see all my posts here.
If you follow Remodelaholic on Facebook, you’ve probably seen several of the reader questions that are submitted every month. Well each month here on Remodelaholic, I choose one reader submitted photo to offer my two cents on, and I create a Photoshop mock up of what I would do if I were in your shoes! (Pssssst— you can submit your reader questions by messaging Remodelaholic on Facebook. Be sure to include a good quality photo!)
First though, my standard disclaimer:While I can recommend ideas that I think look nice, I have never seen this house in real life and don’t have accurate measurements. I am also not an architect or landscaper and do not know the planting recommendations for your area- I just like to make things look nice. I can’t guarantee that any of the items I put in my ‘virtual’ design will actually work in real life (or that they’ll fit your design style for that matter), and this is not intended to be a professional design consultation. So think of this as a just-for-fun rendering that hopefully gets your wheels turning and provides some inspiration!
On to the fun!
READER QUESTION from Nicole —
I got a quote to redo our 2nd bath – and it was too much money, after further thinking – this bathroom has decent bones – just needs some sprucing up. I am planning on taking out the shower doors replace with curtain, painting walls, replace baseboard heat with wood cover, paint vanity, new vanity top, new fixtures, new mirror — The tricky part is the floor – I would love to try to NOT redo the tile – it’s got a pinkish color to it – So I am looking for help with a color scheme and ideas — we are open to everything but replacing floor (btw not against resealing and painting the grout too). Any suggestions and ideas are super helpful.
We all know that bathrooms can be expensive to renovate, so working with what’s already there can be a huge money saver, especially if it’s a big ticket item like tile or a vanity. Here are a few spaces that show how an amazing update can include existing items:
Ideas for a Simple and Cost Effective Bathroom Update
Image Source: Bless’er House Photo Credit: Lauren Shaver
Image Source: A Beautiful Mess Photo Credit: Amy Ulmer and Elsie Larson
Image Source: A Beautiful Mess Photo Credit: Laura Gummerman and Elsie Larson
Image Source: Bower Power Photo Credit: Katie Bower
Since we were keeping the main fixtures of this bathroom intact, the update is mainly aesthetic, but surprisingly impactful. Here’s what I came up with:
Sources:
contains affiliate links; see our full disclosure policy here
Bathroom Update Ideas that are Simple and Cost Effective
Modern Colors.
Something as simple as updating to a modern wall color can totally change the look of a dated bathroom. Since there is a pinkish cast to the floor, I wanted to keep the walls fairly bright and neutral. A very soft warm gray such as Sherwin-Williams On The Rocks provides contrast, while still working with the warmth of the floor. Painting the cabinets a darker gray (Thunder Gray) and adding gold square bar pulls updates the existing cabinetry. (Read experienced DIYer and pro tips for painting cabinets here.)
Cover It Up.
If you aren’t wild about the tile in your bathroom, but don’t have the budget to replace it at the moment, the easiest fix is to dress it up with a rug you love. The green color of the previous rug served to bring out the contrasting orangy-pink tones of the floor, while the small size left a lot of that floor exposed. Adding a long runner that spans both in front of the tum and the sink makes the space feel connected and thought out. The neutral colors of this rug also soften the warm colors of the floor, helping it to blend together in your mind with a more muted overall tone.
Add Practical Storage.
No one has ever complained about having too much storage space, especially in a bathroom. Vertical storage above a toilet is a great way to add some decorative elements and some extra storage space at the same time. Floating shelves are beautiful and practical, plus they give the space an open, airy feeling. You can purchase shelves here, or learn to build and install your own floating shelf here (or this nautical rope floating shelf here).
Add Some Life.
I’m a firm believer that a plant or two makes any room better. Bringing living objects into a space gives it a welcoming, lived-in vibe that can’t be beat. If your bathroom is short on natural light, faux greenery works almost as well. Adding plants is a great way to bring in some extra color and texture, and to break up the common hard lines and surfaces of a bathroom.
So what do you think? What would you do if this were your home?
As always, thank you to Cassity and the Remodelaholic team for having me back each month. If you like this post, and have a design dilemma you’d like me to mock up some ideas for, you can ask your questions by sending Remodelaholic a message over on Facebook, or checkout my mockup design services over on my site adaesthetic.com. And be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram and say hello! Have a great day, friends!
How do you store your kitchen spices? This cute countertop spice storage bin is made with a 1/4 sheet of plywood, and can be finished in one Saturday. There is quite a bit of down time while letting stain or paint dry. So, you can still get your chores done too!
I designed this build after a potato bin. The drawer tips forward to quickly grab what you need — beautifully labeled thanks to our free custom fillable spice labels you can download below! —
or pulls all the way out when you are making a gourmet feast!
This countertop storage bin would also be perfect for bathroom essentials, small toys, craft supplies — what else would you store inside?
Here’s how to make your own — watch the video and subscribe to the Remodelaholic channel, and download the free building plans PLUS the free printable spice labels below!
DIY Countertop Spice Storage Bin
This post contains affiliate links, which help us run this site and build more projects at no additional cost to you. Learn more and read our full disclosure policy here.
Download the free printable spice bin label and custom fillable spice labels here – 2 styles to choose from! We’ve provided the most common spices plus an extra fillable label sheet so you can have custom matching labels for all your spice bottles, no matter how rare or specific your spice tastes may be.
To fill the custom spice labels, download the file above — we’ll send it right to your inbox! Open the PDF in Adobe Reader (not in your web browser’s PDF reader). Click in each field and type the spice names. Print the page(s) you need on 1.5″ round circle labels, or you can also print on a full-sheet sticker page and use a 1.5″ circle punch like we did.
Tools
Table saw (you can have local home improvement store cut these for you)
Miter saw
Drill
Pocket hole jig
Paint brushes
Sander
Clamps
Measuring tape
Square
Step 1: Cuts
The first cut you make will be along the 4′ length of the plywood.
Tip: As you cut pieces sort them as box or drawer pieces. This will help with assembly.
Box sides: Cut at 7 3/8″. Then cut that down to (2) at 6 3/8″ and (1) at 12 1/8″
For the next cuts you will cut on the short end of the plywood.
Box top: First cut the 7 3/8″ strip. Then cut that down to 13 7/8
Box bottom: First cut at 5 1/2″. Then cut down to 12 1/8″.
Drawer front: First cut at 6 1/4″. Then cut down to 12″
Drawer bottom: First cut at 5 1/8″. Then cut down to 12″
Drawer back: First run the outside edge of the plywood through the saw at a 45 degree angle. Then return the blade to cut at 90 degrees and cut to 3 1/2″. Then cut down to 12″.
It should look like this when you have made all of the cuts.
Drawer sides: First cut at 4 3/4″. Then cut (2) 5 7/8″ pieces.
On both side pieces mark 3 1/2″ from the bottom. Then cut on miter saw at about a 64 degree angle to the 5 7/8″ corner.
(4) 1 1/2″ strips for feet, rails, and stiles
Rail pieces: (2) at 10″
Stile pieces: (2) at 6 1/2″
Feet: (4) at 1 1/2″
Using the remaining piece of plywood, cut a 1/2″ strip. Then cut that down to 10 3/4″. This will be a stop for the drawer when it tips forward.
Step 2: (faux) shiplap detail
You will need to set your saw depth to 1/8″
Then set your fence to 1 1/4″
For the box sides: (2) 7 3/8″ x 6 3/8″ and (1) 7 3/8″ x 12 1/8″
Run the 6 3/8″ side along fence to rip out material for the first cut.
The turn the piece and run the other 6 3/8″ side along the fence for the next cut.
Once you have cut along the face you will cut the edges.
This way the groove wraps around giving the appearance of individual slats of wood.
Without moving the fence run the 12 1/8″ piece through along both long sides. This will ensure that grooves match. Do not cut edges of this piece.
Then adjust the fence to 2 3/8″ for the ship lap grooves on the top piece.
Run the top along both of the 13 7/8″ lengths, and then cut the edges as well.
Step 3: Pocket holes
Pocket hole layout for box assembly.
Along the back of the bottom piece mark 2″ from edge for pocket holes that will attach the back of the box, and 2 3/4″ on the sides
Pocket hole measurements for the back of the box. Along the top mark at 2″ from both edges, along the sides mark at 1 1/2″ from the edges.
Pocket hole measurements for the sides of the box. One pocket hole along the top edge, marked at center on both side pieces.
Pocket hole layout for drawer assembly.
Pocket hole measurements for drawer back. Mark along the bottom (none 45 edge) at 2″ from both side edges.
Pocket hole measurements for drawer sides. These measurements are the center point of each edge. Make sure you mark the mirror of the first piece so your pocket holes are on the outside of the drawer on both sides.
Pocket hole layout for drawer bottom. Mark along the 12″ edge 2″ from both sides.
Drill pocket holes
Set pocket hole jig for 1/2″ material.
And adjust the collar on the bit for 1/2″ material.
Line up each mark with one of the marks on the jig. and clamp into place.
Then place the bit in the corresponding hole, and drill out pocket holes for each mark made for the box and the drawer.
Step 4: Box Assembly
I only had 1″ pocket hole screws. You actually want 3/4″ screws. I snipped the end off so that they didn’t come through when I attached two pieces.
To begin assembly of the box align the back piece and one of the side pieces.
I use and un-snipped screw to predrill, and then used a snipped screw to secure the two pieces together.
Then attach the other side.
Next attach the box top.
Turn the top piece so that the ship lap grooves are on the bottom.
Then set the pieces you have already assembled so that the back is flush, and there is a 3/8″ reveal on both sides.
Gently turn the box around so you don’t shift the pieces. Attach the side to the top with the pocket holes along the back first. Making sure they stay flush on the back.
Then use your square to adjust the side pieces,
and screw into place.
It should look like this so far!
Mark 1/2″ from the front of the side pieces on both sides.
Pre-drill two holes in the 1/2″ x 10 3/4″ piece.
Line this piece up with the front on the 1/2″ mark, and about 5/8″ from both sides.
Use 3/4″ wood screws to secure in place.
Now fit the bottom piece of the box with the pocket holes facing down and against the back and sides.
Making sure the back and bottom pieces are flush with each other attache them together with pocket screws.
Then attach the sides, aligning the edges so they are flush and square.
To finish the box the last step is attaching the feet. Pre-drill holes in the center of each foot. I used my pocket hole bit to drill these holes so the screws will be countersunk. There can be tear-out with plywood. I sanded the feet before I attached them.
For the feet on the front of the box place the foot so that it is flush with the front of the box, and 1/8″ from the edge. I used the layers of the plywood as reference. Then use 3/4″ wood screws to attach the foot.
Then align the back feet 1/8″ from the edge on both sides. Using the plywood layers as guides.
Continue until all feet are attached.
This is ready for a quick sand before you stain and paint.
Step 5: Drawer Assembly
Start by attaching the drawer bottom to the drawer front.
With the pocket holes on the back, attach the drawer bottom piece to the front panel.
Next attach the drawer side pieces to the front and bottom.
I decided I want the pocket holes on the outside of the drawer (you can do it either way). Attach both sides.
Next attach the drawer back.
Attach with pocket holes on the outside of the drawer.
Sand the edges to clean up the drawer for stain and paint.
Step 6: Drawer trim
This trim will be attached to the drawer front with glue and screws. First glue and clamp the rails (10″) and stiles (6 1/2″) together. Then clamp them in place.
Run a bead of glue along the both ends of both stile pieces.
Adjust pieces so they are flush and square. Then clamp in place.
Once the pieces have set, quickly sand smooth. Then run a bead of glue around one side of the drawer trim. Spread the glue to within 1/2″ from the outside edge of the trim.
Lay the drawer face onto the making the top of the drawer and the top of the trim flush.
Then adjust the drawer so that there is 1/2″ reveal on each edge.
Pre-drill two holes 1/2″ from the top and 1″ from the sides.
Using 3/4″ wood screws attach the trim to the face of the drawer. Then clamp the bottom of the trim, and let the glue dry.
When the glue is set, fit the drawer into the box. Check to see if it moves easily, and stops against the stop piece.
Step 7: Finish
Apply pre-stain wood conditioner.
I wanted a dark color beneath my paint when I distressed it so I did a single coat of dark stain.
Then painted two coats of chalk paint.
To distress I used a damp rag, and rubbed paint off until I was happy!
Then spray with two coats of polyurethane. Since this piece is meant to look “antique” I used a satin finish.
Measure and mark holes for drawer pull. Drill holes, and attach pull.
Step 8: Stencil
I wanted to try a different wood transfer technique on this project. I purchased some graphite paper from my craft store.
I cut a piece to fit the panel on the drawer face, and taped in place. Then I printed these labels, cut out my favorite, and taped it on top of the graphite paper.
Then with a pencil I traced and filled in the image. The graphite is transferred from the pressure, so try not to touch anywhere else!
After you removed label and graphite paper fill in any light spots if you want to.
I didn’t want to do this step before I sprayed with polyurethane in case it made the graphite run. So I used this workable fixatif that I had from another project to protect the graphite.
Step 9: Spice labels
I printed the spice jar labels on “make your own sticker” paper, and used a 1 1/2″ circle punch to cut them out.
Wipe the lids so the stickers will adhere, and stick the labels on the jars
With countless gallons of paint, lots of elbow grease and a little design we gave it a farmhouse style kitchen, renovated front porch, claw foot tub and plenty of character. We worked on an all cash basis and were able to pay off our farmhouse in less than five years. You can check out our debt free story here: How we Paid Off Our House in Less Than 5 Years.
