Projects
Paint Project with Behr | Craft Room Organization
"This craft room is getting a lot more colorful with Behr Dynasty paint."
I have been wanting to tackle my craft room for quite some time and I'm excited that I finally get the chance to do so. Since my craft room is half my assistant's office, I really wanted to make it a fun and colorful space. So I went and picked out several vibrant Behr paint colors to transform my space.
"There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure."
Colors Used
- Behr Dynasty (Eggshell) - Sunwashed Brick
- Behr Dynasty (Eggshell) - Breezeway
- Behr Dynasty (Eggshell) - Studio Clay
- Behr Dynasty (Eggshell) - Shiny Kettle
- Behr Dynasty (Eggshell) - Potter's Clay
- Behr Dynasty (Eggshell) - Sustainable
- Behr Dynasty (Eggshell) - Orange Flambe
Materiels
- Sharpie Paint Marker
- Painter's Tape
- Paint Brush
- Drop-cloth
- Step-Ladder with Project Bucket
The Before
As always, I like to take a good look at the before before diving into the project. Like most of my rooms in the house, they are plain white; this room was no different.
I hope you're ready for a total transformation, because it's about to get a lot more colorful in this room.
The Process
Painting the Walls
First, I started off with painting the walls with sunwashed brick, the lighter pink color. I knew this would be the perfect pink for the surrounding room. Then I went back over the sunwashed brick and created an arch using the color shiny kettle.
I utilized painter's tape to make sure the arch was nice and straight. I also utilized a laser level to make sure the tape was straight on the lines.
I also utilized painter's tape to create shapes on the wall. This particular painters tape is for delicate surfaces and I like to use this kind when Im taping on walls that are already painted.
The ceiling is probably the most coolest but most tedious part of this project. I knew this would totally elevate the project, but man did my neck and arms hurt after this one.
First, I used a pencil to sketch out the lines and then went back with a paint brush and the color breezeway to create this groovy ceiling.
I purchased this ladder specifically for this project and I was so glad I did; the project bucket that's attached to the ladder was great for holding my different paints and eliminated me having to take additional trips up and down the ladder. I would definitely recommend for your future paint projects.
Painting the Murals
I knew I wanted to incorporate some type of mural, so I decided to incorporate two drawings on my wall.
The first drawing I saw on amazon on a canvas print, and I knew I wanted to draw this on my wall, it was the perfect addition to my craft room.
The mural I added on the corner wall was created in Canva first to make sure I knew exactly what was going on the wall. Here is my mockup of the drawing.Its a lot easier to draw something when you have a reference photo versus trying to draw from memory, or at least it is for me.
I used my craft paint pen to draw the murals on the wall and I was highly impressed with how good the black paint pen was. It made the drawings look great.
Switching out the Ceiling Fan
When I picked these original ceiling fans out for my house, I knew I would be changing them out down the line. I was super excited to get this fan switched out. I originally bought this new gold fan because I thought it would be great for a mural wall and I was right.
This ceiling fan was the perfect addition to my craft room. If you are interested in the ceiling fan, check it out here.
Staging the Craft Room
Most people I talk to are always surprised when I tell them that I get a lot of my home decor from Home Depot but don't sleep on them because they have tons of furniture options online.
The Final Reveal
The final look came out better than I ever could have imagined. I was able to pull off the look I was going for and the room looks super unique.
All of these paint colors were a part of Behr Dynasty's 2022 lineup and they go so well together!
I was able to throw in a few murals to give the room a little flavor and it was the perfect addition to the room!
One of my other favorite features is the pink arch! I wanted to make the desk area stand out so I added this arch detail to give it the right touch.
and I can't let you go without a few before and afters. I am so happy with how this room turned out!
all of the colors worked so well together and I really enjoyed using Behr paint for this project.
The best part is that paint is always an affordable way to update a space, so it didn't break the bank to bring this room to life!
Thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.
6 DIY Accent Walls | Home Improvement
Accent Walls are the perfect addition for any room.
Accent walls are such a simple project that can completely transform your wall. I have done many DIY projects to add character to my walls, and you can do it too!
Here are 6 different accent wall tutorials that you'll absolutely love. Let's get into it!
6 Accent Walls | Home Improvement
Brick Accent Wall
This thin brick wall project is a wall installation that will immediately add character to any room. Even if you've never worked with brick before, I promise you that you can still accomplish this project! If you want to add this brick accent wall into your home using thin bricks, check out the tutorial for this fun project here.
DIY Wall Paneling Install
Wall Paneling is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to update a space. This simplistic approach to paneling will spice up any wall. Check out the plans for this project, and do it yourself here!
DIY Mirrored Wall
Who knew mirrors could look so good? This mirror wall is the perfect statement piece for any room. Check out the blog post and some tips here to do this project yourself!
Guest Bedroom Makeover
This bedroom makeover has been one of my favorites, and the accent wall makes it even better! This wall is done with pine boards installed vertically. This simplistic idea is budget friendly and will make a huge difference in your room. Check out the plan here.
Arch Nook Makeover
This shiplap paneling is a beautiful addition to an empty space that will provide a modern, clean look to any wall. It's a fun project that will add character and design to any plain space in your home. Check out the plan here, and try it yourself!
DIY Wall Paneling
This DIY Paneled Wall added the perfect amount of character to my living room. The diamond design does a really good job at making sure that happened. Check out the plan here, and add some character to your own wall!
10 Home Improvement Projects
"Looking to update your homes? Check out these home improvement makeovers."
Sometimes your house can start to feel plain and boring, and that's when an update is needed! If you're looking to improve your home, then you came to the right spot. You can refresh your home with these DIY building plans!
Small Pantry Makeover | Organization and Storage
The pantry is one of the most important parts of the kitchen, but it is also one of the hardest to keep up with. Thankfully, there's an easy fix to get your pantry to look more organized and provide more storage! Check out this tutorial for some pantry organization tips here.
Guest Bedroom Makeover | Installing an Accent Wall
This Guest Bedroom Makeover is one that will make your visitors never want to leave their room! This super fun project only took a weekend, and it makes a huge difference. See how an accent wall and some paint transforms a room. Check out the plans here.
Bathroom Refresh Makeover
Are you needing a refresh for your guest bathroom? This the perfect plan. It was a super quick and easy DIY project that your guests will love. Check out the tutorial here to do it yourself!
Arch Nook Makeover - Installing Shiplap
This Arch Nook Makeover is perfect to add some shiplap paneling design and character to an empty space. This fun transformation project will easily make a small space stand out. Check out the plans here.
Wall Paneling Install
Wall Paneling is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to update a space with wall paneling. This simplistic approach to paneling will spice up any wall. Check out the plans for this project, and do it yourself here!
DIY Master Closet Reveal - Installing Built-Ins
This Master Closet plan is perfect for organizing and provides tons of storage. The closet includes a full built-in wardrobe and shoe built-in. Check out the plans here, and build your own dream closet!
DIY Office Nook
Working from home has become the new norm, and its important to work in a space you love! You can transform your boring nook space into a beautiful, stylish home office space with shiplap paneling and butcher block. Check out the plans here.
Kitchen Reno
If you are in need of renovating your kitchen, you've come to the perfect spot. This renovation will completely change your kitchen, and it can be done on a budget! Check out the plans here and how it was done with just $3200!
Brick Accent Wall - Installing Thin Brick and Grouting
This thin brick wall project is another wall installation that will immediately add character to any room. See how to install thin brick and apply grout. If you want to add this into your home, check out the tutorial for this fun project here.
DIY Mirrored Wall
Who knew mirrors could look so good? This mirror wall is the perfect statement piece for any room. Check out the plan and some tips here to do this project yourself!
Small Pantry Makeover | Organization Tips and Storage Ideas
"Who says pantry organization and storage can't look good."
- (2) 4'x8' 3/4" Sanded Plywood
- (2) 1x4x8 Pine Boards
- (3) 1x2x8 Select Pine Boards
- (1) Project Panel (20" x 48")
- Behr Dynasty Paint - Rush Hour
-
Behr Dynasty Paint - Cloudy Day
- 1/4" Pocket Hole Screws
- Nail Pulling Pliers
- DAP Wood Filler
- 80-Grit Sandpaper
- 220- Grit Sandpaper
- Painters Tape
- Paint Brush Kit
- Pre-Mixed Thin Set
- Pre-Mixed Grout
- Polyurethane
- Merola Tile
Tools Used
The Before
As always, I like to give you guys a good look at the before. As you can see, my pantry organization was a definite no go. I knew I needed some better pantry organization and storage ideas. 
As you can see, these shelving units just weren't cutting it for me. I knew I needed to split up the shelves a bit and have varying sizes for it to be a better fit for me and my items. The plan is to remove the bottom two existing shelves and build a cabinet that will be more functional for me.
You would be amazed just how changing up a small portion of a space can make such an impact! Let's get into it.
The Pantry Demo/Rebuilding the Pantry
I first started out with removing the two existing shelves. They were installed with nails, so with a little push and tug with a hammer and my foot, I was able to knock them right out.
With the existing shelves out, I was able to start building the bottom cabinet. Unfortunately, because of the size of the pantry, I had to build the cabinet in the space vs. building it outside and putting it in there afterwards.
I used 3/4" Sanded Plywood to build the bulk of the cabinet and then framed it out with 1x2 boards.
When building the cabinet, I really tried to pay attention to how I had been using the pantry previously and the items I have to store, ultimately that led to me creating the cabinet the way I did.
There was a lot of unused space, so I knew I wanted to create an additional space to store more items. If you can tell instead of three spaces at the bottom, the cabinet added four.
Painting the Pantry
Before I started the pantry, I knew I wanted to go with some sort of blue color. I browsed the Behr Dynasty paint colors on HomeDepot.com and found the perfect shade of blue Rush Hour. Luckily, there are many colors to choose from.
With the bottom cabinetry color all picked out, I had to determine which color to paint the top. I picked three different colors to choose from and tested them out on the pantry.
If you aren't that great at picking out colors, luckily the Home Depot app gives you a little help. I typed in the bottom cabinet color within The Home Depot app and it showed me similar colors to choose from.
I ended up going with one of the suggestions from the app, Cloudy Day, for the top pantry cabinets and it turned out perfectly. The paint calculator also helped me determine just how much paint I needed, so that I didn't overbuy.
Tiling the Pantry
Now on to this amazing tile. I wanted to make my pantry feel more like a butler's pantry and I knew tiling the middle would help make it feel more like one. Instead of the two shelves that were there before, I created four shelves by adding three spaces to the cabinet and having a space in the middle.
Having varying sizes and adding an additional slot will allow me to organize items a lot more effectively. There was a lot of unused space within the pantry as it was, so I am making it a lot more functional by designing it this way.
I used my Ridgid tile saw to cut down the tile to size. This is my second time using this tile saw and I really love it. It makes tile laying a lot easier and cutting a lot more accurate.
I adhered the tiles to the wall with a Pre-Mixed Thin Set. This comes ready out of the container and I love using this brand. You can opt to get a mortar that isn't pre-mixed for cheaper, but I am a fan of the easy road, so pre-mixed it is!
Once the mortar was dry and sat for about a day, I went back in the next day and started grouting. I used a Pre-Mixed Grout that was ready right out of the container, same brand as the thin set.
I applied a little bit of grout and then used a sponge and water to wipe the additional grout off of the tile.
Once the grout was dry, I installed a project panel underneath to serve as a countertop and sealed it with polyurethane.
Pantry Storage and Organization
Now for the fun part; organizing! By the time I had finished the grout, I was super excited to start organizing the pantry with all of the containers and items I found.
I really took advantage of The Home Depot's Home Delivery Service for this project. I was able to order all of my containers and tile right online and it was delivered right to my front door. At one point I had so many packages at the door, I had to leave them outside until I had time to bring them all in.
Now thats what I call a good service, items arriving right at your door!
Having dedicated containers really helped bring some great storage to the pantry but also made it look more appealing. This clear jar set was the perfect set of containers for this pantry.
If you notice a common theme, you probably can tell that I went heavy on the rose gold! I knew it would couple well with the blue and I was absolutely right. The rose gold accents on the glass jars and the bread logo just tied everything together.
The Final Reveal
Now I know why most of you are here, you're wanting to see the final reveal. Well, here it is. Meet my new organized pantry!
These colors were the perfect match for this pantry makeover. Shout out to Behr for the amazing blues.
The real heroes of this pantry makeover are the storage solutions! I was able to find some great finds to help organize my pantry and I absolutely love how they contrast with the colors I chose! The rose gold accents on the storage containers and the bread container, really made this pantry pop. This bread box was a close second!
My favorite organization item is hands down the cereal dispenser. It's such a fun and cool way to display cereal and as a cereal lover, it makes me that more excited about it.
As always, I have to leave you guys with a before and after. As you can see, I was in need of some serious pantry organization. With a little tweaking I was able to make my pantry more functional and it looks ten times better than it ever would have.
Thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley
Guest Bathroom Makeover Refresh
"An easy guest bathroom refresh my guests will love."
If you were around for my guest bedroom makeover, you know how excited I was to add some color to my guest bedroom. Well, I felt it was only right to carry that into the guest bedroom. I decided to take a weekend and update my guest bathroom and give it a little refresh.
"There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure."
The Before
Here is a look at the before. I know, I know, it doesn't look bad, which luckily for me was a great thing. I just wanted to make a few minor tweaks to really make this bathroom makeover come to life. No real big bathroom renovation here unfortunately, but you won't be disappointed!
I really loved the tile choices I made when I built this house, but I wanted to make this room bold. So I decided to add a bold paint color and change out the hardware!
Sources
Now I know what most of you are here for; the sources. Here are all the items I used to makeover this guest bathroom! I may have gone overboard with the gold finishes, but I think it came out well!
Colors Used:
- Behr Marquee Interior Paint - Twinberry - Satin
- Behr Marquee Interior Paint - Rice Crackers - Satin
Hardware
I think one last look at the before and after is a great way to finish out this post. I hope you enjoyed this mini bathroom refresh just as much as I did.
As always, thanks for reading Guys!
DIY Arch Nook: Shiplap Paneling
"Adding a little shiplap and character to a small arched nook."
I have been eyeing this little nook area since I moved in the house. I knew from he very beginning that I wanted to add some color to this spot but went back and forth on how exactly I wanted to carry it out. Well now its time to show you guys what I came up with!
"There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure."
Materiels
- 11 Shiplap Boards
- 1x2x8 Select Pine Boards
- Wood Filler
- Caulk
- Scotch Painters Tape
- Delicate Surface Tape
- Sherwin Williams - Nomadic Desert
- Brad Nailer
- Brad Nails
- Miter Saw
- Jigsaw
The Before
As always, I have to show you a shot of the before, so you can see the full transformation of the project. I love this little reading nook because its small but gives the house a lot of character and now it's really about to stand out with this fun transformation.
A lot of folks always ask me about this little reading light and if you missed it I break down all of my home lighting choices in another post. Be sure to check that out as well.
Step 1: Installing the Shiplap
First, I started off by adding the shiplap boards to the wall. I have always loved how clean shiplap looks. I didn't want a farmhouse look, which is what I normally see when I hear shiplap, but I'm using it in hopes for a more modern feel.
I secured the shiplap to the wall with my brad nailer and 2" brad nails. Some people like to use paneling adhesive along with this, which is entirely your choice.
In order to make the shiplap fit around the existing hardware, I used my jigsaw to make the appropriate cuts for a nice fit.
Step 2: Prepping the Area for Paint
Once all of the shiplap was installed, it was time to prep the area for paint. First, I went through and filled all of the nail holes and crevice with wood filler. Then I went back through and caulked any areas where there were opening seams. This makes it look seamless.
I used Scotch Painter's Tape to tape off all of the edges and hardware, so I could have a nice clean line around the painted area. Once that was done, I was ready for paint!
Step 3: Paint the Shiplap Nook
Now its time for paint and I was most excited about this part because I found the absolute best color! I was so excited to try this color out and now I am hooked.
It was the perfect color to really bring this nook to life and I think it goes perfectly with my wooden floors. I used Sherwin Williams - Nomadic Desert and now I want to paint all of my walls this color. It's just so pretty and so me!
The Reveal
Once the paint was dry, I added in some decor and the arched nook transformation was finished! Even though this was a small project, this paint really made this nook stand out and the pictures honestly don't do it justice.
When you see the before and after side by side, you can really see the difference between the two. I's amazing what a little paint can do to a small space.
and that's a wrap. As always, thanks for reading guys! XOXO Ashley
Chair Makeover w/ Rustoleum Outdoor Fabric Paint
"No need to throw out those old cushions, Rustoleum's Outdoor Fabric Paint is here to save the day."
- Outdoor Fabric Paint
- Spray Paint Attachment
- Older Outdoor Cushions
The Before
Prep and Paint
To get my cushions ready, I had minimal prep work. I took a damp rag and wiped down the outside of the cushions to prep it for paint. The can suggests cleaning with soap and water for dirty cushions, so if you have some older cushions a good soap and water wash down should be good enough for prep.
Then I started spraying the cushion with the Outdoor Fabric Spray Paint in khaki. I used my spray paint attachment which I absolutely love. I don't spray paint without it. It is a totally lifesaver against hand cramps and such an effective inexpensive tool.
I could immediately tell that the color was going to turn out beautiful. I definitely picked the right color. Once I sprayed both sides of the cushion, I let it dry for two hours and then it was ready to set them back in the chair! The can suggest waiting a total of 24 hours to be 100% dry.
The Results
Once everything was dry, I set up the cushions in the chair and decorated the chair in the back patio, and man did I love the results!
The Khaki color was definitely the best choice, it elevated the look of my patio chair and it only costs me $12. That sounds much better than buying some new cushions; things are getting pricey these days.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you want to see the video process of me spray painting the chair, head on over to my Instagram and check out my "Fabric Paint" Highlight! I had a ton of questions about the outdoor fabric paint so I figured I'd answer some of the frequent questions here!
How do the cushions feel once dry Does it feel stiff or crunchy?- One of the more popular questions. My cushions did not feel stiff after drying, and I couldn't tell much of a difference from how it was before spraying. I made sure to do really light coats which I believe helped with that. Some people mentioned experiencing stiffness when using the paint and I think over-saturating your cushions with paint may be the cause of that.
- No. Once the paint is dry, it will not rub off on your clothes. Make sure you allow 24 hours for the paint to completely dry before use.
Does it have a smell?
- When using the outdoor fabric paint, I did not detect a smell.
Can you wash it?
- The can mentions that your cushions should be machine washable after 3 days.
How many cushions can you paint with one can?
- I used about half a can to paint these two cushions. Again, using light coats helped with this.
and that wraps up my furniture chair makeover, but I can't let you leave without another before and after, so here it is.
And as always, thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.
DIY Master Closet | Final Reveal
"This DIY master closet system is what dreams are made of."
Today is a very exciting day because I finally get to share the final reveal of my DIY Master closet and man am I happy to say that all of the hard work was worth it. It came out better than I had imagined.
"This post is sponsored by The Home Depot."
But before we get into the final reveal, let's do a little recap of how the closet was built! If you've been following along since day one, you know that the closet includes a full on wardrobe built in and a shoe built it in.
Master Closet Recap
Be sure to check out Part 1 and 2 of the closet build for more detailed information and step-by-step instructions!
Part 1: Shoe Built-In Install
Part 2: Wardrobe Built-In Install
| Materials Used |
| 3/4" Plywood |
| 1 1/4" Pocket Hole Screws |
| Fluted Casing |
| 1" and 2" Brad Nails |
| Wood Glue |
| 12" Drawer Slides |
| 3" Wood Screws |
| Select Pine Boards - 1x2, 1x6, 1x8, 1x12 |
| Wood Filler, Caulk, Spackle |
| Painters Tape |
| Tools Used |
| Brad Nailer |
| Miter Saw |
| Drill |
| Kreg Jig |
| Right Angle Clamps |
| Track Saw |
| Staple Gun |
| Hammer / Crowbar/ Utility Knife |
| Stud Finder |
I first started off with the shoe built in. Honestly, because this was the side I was most excited about. I decided to designate a whole area for my shoes; I mean a girl can never have too many shoes right.
Watching the shoe built in come together was so fun, and the more I began to build it the more excited I became about it. If you want more details on how I built this shoe built in out, make sure you go check out Part 1 - Shoe Built In.
Now even though I always had a plan to paint the built-ins, man did they look good naturally. I was almost swayed to leave it like it was, but ultimately I knew I would be happier with it painted.
Now, the wardrobe portion of the walk-in closet system was a beast. This took a lot of work to get done, and being that I work alone, I was definitely feeling the burn after this one.
One of the things that helped the most was mapping out the design first with the tape! Even though I changed the design up along the way, being able to visualize everything was a game changer during this build.
Although it was a ton of work, seeing this closet come together was so exciting and fulfilling. To know that I built this with my one two hands just makes it that more special!
Many people asked why not use the IKEA Pax closet system, but I wanted to build my closet custom, it was a lot cheaper and I knew the wood I was using was better then the pre-fabbed cabinets.
Applying the Finishing Touches
The most fulfilling thing was finishing all of the building of the closet. I'm not going to lie, I was so out of gas at this point but I knew I was so close to finishing. Now with everything built out it was time to paint my DIY master walk in closet; closet organizer of my dreams.
But before I started painting, I had to prep everything. I went through and filled all of the nail holes and pocket holes with wood filler and caulked all of the corners and crevices for a clean look, drawers included. Once that was all dry I went back and sanded everything down, first with 80-grit sandpaper and then again with 120 and 220 grit. Sanding is tedious and it sucks but the better you prep, the better your finish will be in the end.
Once everything was sanded down, I used my Graco X7 to spray paint the built ins.Theres no way I wouldn't use a pint sprayer on a project like this. Even though the prep takes a while, the clean finish is so worth it.
Anytime I'm using a paint sprayer, I use Behr Premium Plus because I don't need to thin it. I just dip the tube in the bucket and I'm good to go. For this particular project, I decided to go with Behr-Spanish Sand because I wanted to stay in the white family but I wanted a warmer tone.
The overspray wasn't too bad after adjusting the pressure of the sprayer. I just made sure to cover the floors and the surrounding areas to prevent anything from getting sprayed. Make sure you have a good respirator mask and goggles when spraying for safety.
Right after I painted and the paint dried, I immediately started putting my clothes in the closet because I just couldn't contain my excitement. I used these socket set rods to hang up my clothes. They were really simple to install.
I hadn't even finished yet! HA! Has anyone else been there? Next up was adding some fancy hardware.
When I first saw these gold drawer pulls, I was absolutely in love and they definitely elevated the closet.
The Final Reveal
Well the time has come; the moment you all are waiting for the final reveal. Well here it is folks!
There are no words to describe how happy I was to finally finish this beast of a project. It took a lot of work, but I must say it was absolutely worth it! The drawer pulls really gave it a luxurious look.
During the build process, I had a few folks say that they couldn't envision how I was going to make the corners work, but I think I knocked it out of the park. This closet organizer is the perfect place to hang all of my favorite clothes. I wanted to make sure I used every single space and it turned out better than I could have imagined, now I have two designated corner areas for my longer clothes. 
Let's talk about this shoe built in though; this thing is a work of art and I am so glad to finally get my shoes out of the guest room and in a designated area and of course I couldn't forget my hat collection. I figured, why not use that empty space up top and make a place for them as well.
Even better, I have a spot for all of the socks and other miscellaneous items underneath and all hidden and tucked away.
I knew I wanted the middle portion to be a focal point, so I added in some fun items to make the middle really draw your eye. The first thing I added was this decorative wallpaper in the back. I saw this online and immediately knew that was the one. It was peel and stick, so it was really easy to install.
I also added this round mirror to one side for my personal preference and a fun piece of wall art on the other side.
but I must say, the ironing board drawer takes the cake. I absolutely love this feature in my newly built closet.
I am so in love with my new closet, I don't think I ever want to leave.
and that's a wrap folks, I hope you love my closet just as much as I do and I can't wait for you guys to follow me along on the next project!! Thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.
DIY Farmhouse Console Table
"Console Tables can never get old."
With all of the building I have done within my building career, I think it is safe to say that console tables are something that I have built the most. They are both, easy to build and fun to style.
So today, I am providing you guys the plans for this fun little entryway project that I built. The even more exciting part is that this build was the first project that I built for my home! Even better, it was caught all on film.
- 3 - 12x2x6s
- 4 - 2x2x8s
- 2 - 1x3x8s
- (1) Project Panel (15.75" x 48")
- 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws
STEP 1: Assemble Console Sides
The first thing I did was build out the sides; and it should be to no surprise that I used my handy dandy Kreg Jig to do so. I really had fun with this particular build because I had some company with me; my girl Ashley! Yup, two Ashley's building!
STEP 2: Build the Frame
Once the two sides were built, I started building out the frame. I first attached the top two stretchers and then the bottom two.
Again, clamps can be helpful with this step, especially if you're working alone but luckily I had a few extra hands this time from my helper, Ashley.
STEP 3 : Add Bottom Slats
Once the frame was built, we started putting in the bottom slats. This part of the project really brought the console to life.
My parents were able be in town while Ashley and the crew came out, so even Poppa Fred got to join in on the building fun. Once the slats were all in, the console table was all built!
STEP 4 : Prep and Stain the DIY Console
Once the console was built, we filled all of the nail holes and cracks with wood filler and then used a pre-wood conditioner on the console. I always use this to get a nice clean finish when I'm staining.
My dad helped me out here on the staining and I must say, it was pretty awesome to have some help in the shop. We used a gel stain on this build and I really loved how I turned out.
Once the stain was dry, we painted the top white and place it on top of the console and attached it using brad nails.
If you want to re-create this farmhouse console table, I surely won't leave you hanging. Check out the printable plans above.
And that's a wrap for the Farmhouse Console! I hope you guys enjoyed this post!
and as always, thanks for reading! XOXO Ashley
DIY Master Closet: Wardrobe Built In (Part 2)
" A wardrobe built in, you'll never forget."
The closet is well underway and we are moving on to the next part in the DIY Closet series; the wardrobe built in. Hopefully, you caught the first part of the series; the Shoe Built in, but if you haven't, go check out that post here first to see how I got my DIY closet started.
"This post is sponsored by The Home Depot"
The Before
I always love looking at the before before starting a project and this time is no different. You saw the other side of the closet in my Part 1 closet post, so here are the other sides of the closet. Check out the final reveal here!
Layout the Design
As you saw on Part 1 with the Shoe Built In, I used the same technique here with the painters tape. This technique is really helpful to me when building out the closet, because I can just reference where the tape is and figure out my measurements on the fly.
While I'm building, I just remove the tape piece by piece and replace it with the real thing; so satisfying.
Here you can see my layout design for my plans for the closet. It's always so helpful to me to be able to see the design beforehand. Even if I change the design on the fly, seeing it beforehand makes the building process that much easier.
Before moving on to building the frame, be sure to remove baseboards from all sides of the wall, see Part 1 for additional info!
Step 1: Build the Bottom Frame
First, you will build out the bottom frame, like we did with Part 1 of the shoe built in. We will use the same technique here; build the frame out by joining 2x4s together with construction screws.
Again, be sure to screw the screws into studs to make sure the frame is secure. Utilize a stud finder to help if needed.
Once the frame is secure, use a brad nailer to secure your top 3/4" piece to the frame. Being that this wall was on the back of the closet, I knew I could get away with a much wider section, so I decided to make the frame here 24".
Step 2: Build the Dresser
I knew I wanted to build a huge dresser, to have plenty of room to store the clothes that I don't want to hang up, so I made this 23"+ deep.
I built this dresser the same way I built the shoe built ins; I used pocket holes to join the plywood pieces together to form the dresser with the help from my Dewalt Drill combo kit and then I used my Kreg jig to create the pocket holes. I put my jig on a 3/4" setting and used 1 1/4" pocket hole screws to attach the plywood together.
Once the dresser was built, I added back supports to both the top and bottom and used those pieces to secure the dresser to the wall with wood screws.
In order to make sure my process of securing these built-ins to the wall went smoothly, I am utilizing my impact drill! It always increases my productivity when driving screws!
If you aren't quite as tool savvy, luckily The Home Depot has tons of how-to guides to assist you on which tools are best for your project, like this guide on How to Use an Impact Driver.
If you ever need assistance on how to work a tool or want to see other fun guides on getting household projects done; be sure to check out The Home Depot's how-to library here.
Th best part is that these how-to guides are easily accessible from the mobile app, so you can view them while completing your specific project.
Step 3: Build the Adjoining Sides
Once the main drawer was in place, I started to add the adjoining sides. I knew I would have to make the width of these pieces a little smaller to make room for the corner pieces and 15" was the perfect width for this.
First, I started off with the bottom pieces. I first adjoined two 15" boards to the drawers by first glueing the long sides to the dresser and then secured it to the bottom with pocket hole screws Once the two long side were secure on the bottom, I used a long horizontal board to connect the two boards at the top.
Once that was secured down, I built the top shelf box and then placed it on top of the bottom wardrobe and secured it both to the wall and the bottom piece with screws.
Step 4: Build the Side Wardrobe
Now on to the side wardrobe! This was probably the most medius part for me being that it was in the corner. I really loved the idea of these corner shelves, but it took me a while to figure out the best way to implement it.
Originally, I thought it would be a good idea to assemble the whole shelf at once and put it in all together, but I quickly learned that this was not the way to go.
You can see here my thought process on how I assembled them together.
Once, I quickly realized that putting it in all at once wasn't a great idea, I started installing it in shelf by shelf, and this was a much better approach.
First, I installed the outer shelf, to create the main frame and then moved on to the additional shelves.
I would install one shelf and secure it to both the wardrobe and the wall, and then add in the L shelf to make it look like one whole shelf. I joined the shelfs together with pocket hole screws.
I also made sure to put support boards underneath the shelves. This helps when installing and also takes the pressure off of the shelves, in regards to weight. It makes the shelves feel more sturdy and just increases the integrity of the built ins all around.
Once the left side wardrobe was finished, it was time to move on to the right side. This side was designated for all of my short clothes. This side was the easiest because it just consisted of three big boxes.
I did have a little difficulty figuring out the size for this side though. I wanted it to be wide enough to where it hid the clothes well but also short enough so that there was a good enough clearance in between the dresser when walking through the door, so ultimately, I decided on 19.5 inches wide minus the trim.
Once the right side was all installed, I started building out the corner. I wanted the corners to be identical for symmetry and also wanted to use that corner space for extra storage for my longer clothes.
Even though I ll be enjoying this closet on my own, I still tried to keep in mind that one day there may be two people using the closet, so I tried to design it in a way that was good for two people.
Step 5: Trim out the Wardrobe Built Ins
I felt such a sense of relief after getting everything built out! Now for the trim. The trimming portion always makes the built-ins look clean! I went back through to add 1x2 trim to all of the sections of the wardrobe.
Step 6: Adding the Drawers
Next up, was adding drawers! When posting this DIY walk in closet on instagram, it seemed like most people were nervous to tackle a project like this because of drawers! But after posting a quick tutorial in my "Closet Pt. 3" highlight, some people seemed to feel a little better about the process. Check it out here.
First, I installed the drawer slides to each drawer opening and then built the drawer box using select pine, based on the sizing of each opening. Once all of the drawers were installed; I started adding the drawer faces.
If you've been following along on Instagram, you've probably seen my little card trick. I use a deck of cards to try and get an even spacing when I'm installing my drawer fronts.
You can play with the spacing by adding or taking away cards until you achieve the spacing that you like. The best part about these drawers is the secret drawer that I revealed recently; an ironing board!
Thats right; I decided to add this fun ironing board drawer to my closet to make it that much more fun and it was pretty simple to install after figuring out the instructions.
Now, with the Shoe Built In and the Wardrobe all built out, it's time to sand this baby down and paint! The next time you see this closet, she will be all finished and ready to organize. I don't want to give too much away, so here is one last look before the final reveal! Can't wait for you guys to see!!
and as always, thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.
DIY Master Closet : Shoe Built In (Part 1)
"A DIY Master closet to die for! Built ins never looked so good."
| Materials Used |
| 3/4" Plywood |
| 1 1/4" Pocket Hole Screws |
| Fluted Casing |
| 1" and 2" Brad Nails |
| Wood Glue |
| 12" Drawer Slides |
| 3" Wood Screws |
| Select Pine Boards - 1x2, 1x6, 1x8, 1x12 |
| Wood Filler, Caulk, Spackle |
| Painters Tape |
| Tools Used |
| Brad Nailer |
| Miter Saw |
| Drill |
| Kreg Jig |
| Right Angle Clamps |
| Track Saw |
| Staple Gun |
| Hammer / Crowbar/ Utility Knife |
| Stud Finder |
For all of you visual learners, I tried my best to video the process so you can see it in action! See the full video below!
The Before
This particular project feels a little extra special because this is the first project I'm tackling in my new home! When I was having my home built, I knew I wanted to tackle my closet on my own and bring a cool custom design to it, so I asked my builder if he would leave my closet empty so that I could create my own dream closet and I'm so glad I did.
I had my builder install wood flooring and leave the walls blank, so I had a blank canvas to start with. Let's take a look.
Step 1: Layout the Design
Before I started building out the closet, I decided to use some painters tape to lay out the design. I didn't really have a design mapped out, so I wanted to visualize it beforehand before actually committing to build it. This is a great way to visualize a design before starting.
Many people asked why not use the IKEA Pax closet system, but I wanted to build my closet custom, it was a lot cheaper and I knew the wood I was using was better then the pre-fabbed cabinets.
I used frog tape to first map out the shoe built in and then mapped out the other side of the closet.
The great thing about this technique is that you can always change your design on the fly. I am more of a "design as you go" person so I love using this technique and its so fun to compare the two pictures once I'm done building.
Step 2: Choosing Materials
Once, I had everything mapped out, I started figuring out what kind of materials I wanted to use for the closet. With this being a custom master closet, I knew I wanted to use a materiel that would last, so I used my Home Depot mobile app to search for plywood options.
After searching, I eventually landed on this maple plywood that I knew would be great for this project. The great thing about The Home Depot's mobile app is that it will show you how many items are in stock at your local store.
I was able to also utilize the mobile app to pick out some special items and have them delivered to the house while I was working on the closet. They arrived just in time!
Step 3: Remove Baseboards
The first step of the actual building process is to simply remove the baseboards. Now, this can seem like an intimidating process but it is fairly easy. The main thing you want to do before removing the baseboards is to score the caulk.
Step 4: Build out the Bottom Frame
Next, I started building out the bottom frame. I decided to put my built ins on a frame so that I could trim out the bottom to make it match the trim throughout the rest of my house. This step isn't necessary if you don't want to trim out your closet piece as I did.
Pro Tip: If you decide to trim your built in as I did, make sure your bottom frame is 3/4" wider than the actual built ins.
First, I built the frame by joining 2x4s together with construction screws. I found it much easier to the screw the screws through the wood after first drilling pilot holes into the desired location.
Once the frame was built, I placed it in its desired location and attached it to the wall. When attaching the frame to the wall, you want to make sure you drill the screws into the studs to ensure it's secure. If you drill the screws into the drywall it will likely just pull itself out.
If you need help finding the studs, use a stud finder. This particular stud finder, finds the edges of the studs for you so you know exactly where to screw.
Once the frame was secured to the wall, I added a 3/4' piece of plywood to cover the top of the frame. I secured the frame top to the frame with 2" brad nails, wood glue and a brad nailer.
Step 5: Build the Built Ins/Dresser
Sizing
Now with the frame all in place, it's time to start building the actual built ins. I decided to go with different sizes on each wall to allow for spacing within my closet.
For my shoe built in, I opted to go for a 15" depth. I made it smaller since it would be only holding shoes and I wanted to allow enough space for the door to be able to open fully.
When you're building your built in, feel free to decide which depths work best for you and your space
Building the Cabinets
I had my plywood cut down in half at my local Home Depot and then used my track saw to make additional cuts.
I used pocket holes to join the plywood pieces together to form the cabinets for my shoe built in using my Dewalt Drill combo. I used one of my favorite tools, the handy dandy Kreg jig to create the pocket holes. I put my jig on a 3/4" setting and used 1 1/4" pocket hole screws to attach the plywood together.
I also utilized right angle clamps to help me put the cabinets together. I love these clamps because they help a ton when building by myself. One of the ends of the clamp fits right in the pocket hole.
Step 6: Secure Main Built Ins to Wall and Platform
When building the built ins, I made sure to add braces to the back of the built ins, so I would have something to drill the screws through to attach the built in to the wall. again, you want to make sure you secure the built ins to the wall by screwing those wood screws into the studs.
I used my Ridgid Drill to screw in the construction screws into the Stus to secure the built ins. I also utilized clamps to clamp the pieces together once they were in place to ensure everything was lined up.
Once everything was clamped together and all square I used brad nails to secure everything together. The built ins were tightly fit, so it didn't take much to secure everything together.
Once you screw a few screws into the studs, the built ins will stabilize and become nice and secure.
Step 7: Add Additional Shelving
Once the built ins were all secure, I started adding additional shelving. Now, a lot of people asked why I didn't just build the whole cabinet and then put it into place. If that's the avenue you want to take, by all means, its your choice to do so.
Personally, I like to build once I'm actually in the space, so I can make design choices on the fly; also, being that I build alone, its always easier for me to build within the space as well, but again this is your project so do what you feel is best.
The first thing I needed to decide with the shelving was whether I was going to make the shelves adjustable or stationary. I personally don't like adjustable shelves, so I just decided to make my shelving permanent.
I attached the shelving to the built in with a Kreg Jig on a 3/4" setting and used 1 1/4" pocket hole screws to attach.
In order to hide the pocket holes, I made sure to place the shelving in a way that would hide them. If the shelve was taller than me, I placed the pocket holes on the upside of the shelf and if the shelf was shorter than me, I placed the pocket holes on the bottom of the shelf.
Step 8: Add Trim to Built Ins
Trimming out Cabinets
With all of the shelving in place, it was time to start adding the trim. The trim is what really makes the shoe built in look fresh and clean . I used 1x2 select pine boards to trim out the shoes built in.
To attach the trim I used wood glue and used my brad nailer to secure it with 2" brad nails.
Fluted Casing
Once the main trim was underway, I thought it would be cool to add a cool design to the side, so I found this cool fluted casing to add to the shoe built in.
The cool part about this fluted casing is that it's double sided. So you can choose which design you want to go with.
I attached the fluted casing to the shoe built in using wood glue and a brad nailer. If you have a finish nailer, this would work better for this type of casing, but unfortunately, mine was in storage during this project, so I had to make the brad nailer work for the time being.
Once the fluted casing was in place, I used spackling, caulk and wood filler to fill all of the nail holes and cracks within the shoe built in.
Step 9: Build and Attach Drawers
Now on to the fun part; drawers! I saw a lot of excitement around this part because a lot of you guys want to build drawers but don't necessarily know how, so here is a little insight into how I installed them.
Install Drawer Slides
First, I installed the 12" drawer slides. With the built in only being 15" wide. 12" was more than enough for my shoe built in.
Because my shoe built in had a lip with the added trim, I first had to add in a scrap board to make sure the drawer slide was flush with the side of the drawer opening.
Then I added the drawer slide to the bottom of the drawer opening. I made sure to place the drawer slide 1" away from the drawer opening to make room for my drawer front. When you make your drawers, make sure that you account for the size of your drawer front.
I also find it a lot easier to screw in the drawer slide screws after first drilling in small pilot holes.
To ensure your drawer slides are level, use a little level to ensue everything is nice and straight.
Build Drawers
I used 1x6 select pine to build my drawers for this shoe built in. I screwed pocket holes into the front and back piece, so the pocket holes would be hidden, and then attached the four pieces together.
Then I attached a 1/4" sheet of plywood underneath and attached it to the drawer with wood glue and a staple gun and 1" staples.
Install Drawers
Once I had the drawers built, I added the drawer slides to the drawers. I placed the pull out slide pieces to the bottom of the drawers and then screwed them into place. Once both slides were on, I slid the drawer into the opening.
Build Drawer Fronts
With the drawer in place, I then measured the opening in order to get the accurate measurements for the drawer front. I built the drawer front with select pine. I used a pine board underneath and 1x2s to trim it out.
Once the front was built, I used playing cards to get even spacing around it. Once I had the accurate spacing, I nailed in two brad nails to hold it in place while opening the drawer open and then drilled to screws into the back of the drawer to secure it.
Step 10: Trim out the Shoe Built In
Once the drawers were installed, I trimmed out the top and bottom of the shoe built in. I placed a 1x4 piece of trim at the top and mitered the corners and added a 4.5" piece of trim on the bottom.
In order to secure it to the built in at the top, I had to place a few two by twos on top of the built in, so I would be able to nail it into something. Once the trim was in place, I went back through with caulk to seal any cracks.
and that's a wrap! Now that my shoe built in is all built out, it's time to sand them down and make it pretty. Stay tuned for Part 2 and 3 of my Master Closet to see how I finish it out!
I hope I was able to answer all of your closet questions, if there is anything I missed, feel free to comment your questions below!
DIY Entryway Console
"An entryway console with a farmhouse feel."
- 7 - 1x2x6s
- (1) Project Panel , 15.75" x 48"
- 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws
- Kreg Jig
- Kreg Right Angle Clamp
- Drill
- Circular Saw
Step 1: Assemble Console Sides
The first thing I did to build the entryway console was building the sides. This first step was fairly easy. I used my handy dandy Kreg Jig to create pocket holes on the console stretcher pieces to use for the joinery
Step 2: Build the Frame
Once the sides were built, I began building the frame of the console by adding the 2x2 stretchers. I made sure to have the pocket holes facing down on the bottom to hide them and facing up on the top, so the console would look nice and clean.
Once I added the stretchers, I added the back decorative pieces and cut the project panel down to size and attached it using brad nails.
