Projects

"Whether Easter, Spring or Summer, this DIY serving tray is sure to put all of your guest in good spirits."

With Easter around the corner, I figured I'd do a fun project to commemorate the event. But this floral serving tray applies to more seasons than just one. I am excited to share this fun DIY with you guys today.

"This post is sponsored by the Home Depot as a part of The Home Depot's Pro-Spective Campaign."

Whether you want to display food or have a fun space for displaying your drinks, this DIY floral serving tray will surely elevate any table setting. The best part is that you can continually change out the flowers for each event r season, making it a project that's always new and fresh.

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

2 - 1x4x6 Select Pine Board

1 - 1x3x8 Select Pine Board

1 - 2x4 1/2" MDF Board

1" Brad Nails

1 1/4" Pocket Hole Screws

Floral Foam

Artificial Flowers

8 - White Picket Fences

White Acrylic Paint

Paint Brush

Painters Tape

Tools

Makita Impact Drill

Kreg Jig

Brad Nailer

Miter Saw

Bandsaw

Hot Glue Gun

Luckily, I got this project all on video so be sure to check out the video tutorial after reading through the post.

Step 1: Assemble Outer Tray Box

The first thing I did was assemble the outer tray box. I used my brad nailer and 1" brad nails to assemble it together. I first started attaching the two 1x4s ( 16 7/8") to the 1/2" MDF bottom  (16 7/8" x 16 7/8"). Then I added the two 1x4 outer side pieces (18 1/4) to the MDF bottom.

I used 1" brad nails to attach the pieces together. For more strength, you can also use wood glue for extra strength.

Step 2: Assemble Inner Box

Next, I started assembling the inner box. I used my Makita Impact Drill and Kreg Jigto pre-drill pocket holes into the sides of the inner box. The Makita Brushless Impact Driver features variable 2-speed and has 1,240 in.lbs of max torque in an ergonomic and compact design. The Makita Impact driver kit comes packed with a bag, charger and battery.

I drilled two pocket holes in each outer side of the 1x3s. Next I used a brad nailer to attach the four 1x3 (12 1/2") pieces together. Again, use wood glue for extra strength. Note: Make sure the pocket holes our facing outward and that the pocket holes are in the downward position.

One the inner box was assembled I started drilling the inner tray to the our tray using 1 1/4" pocket hole screws and my Makita Impact Drill

Step 3: Adding Floral Foam

Next, I cut down the floral foam on the bandsaw to fit into the sides of the food tray.

This doesn't have to fit perfectly, it just needs to be full enough to place the flowers in so it looks full. As you can see I had a few gaps between my foam.

I used a hot glue gun to hold the foam in place. You don't need a whole lot of glue fr this, just a few drops to keep the foam secure.

Step 4: Add White Picket Fences

Next step is to start adding the white picket fences. I used a hot glue gun to add the picket fences to the sides of the serving tray.

Be sure to make sure you don't put the hot glue all the way to the top of the picket fences because the top of the fence shows through on top.

Step 5: Add Flowers

Now this is the fun part. I used all types of artificial flowers to fill up the foam around the serving tray.

The flowers really made the serving tray pop, I can't get over just how good this looks. The flower arrangements really turned out better than expected.

I couldn't help but think of all the other things I could do with this project, It would also serve as a unique photo frame. Im sure my mom would love this for Mother's Day with a pic of us in the middle.

Step 6: Paint Tray Bottom

And the final step for this DIY is to paint the bottom of the serving tray white. Use painters tape to tape off the sides, and using a paint brush, paint the bottom of the tray white.

And TAA-DAH project is finished. 

Serving snacks never looked so good. This fun DIY was a quick way to bring a lot of pizzazz to my table setting and the best part is that it's fitting for multiple occasions.

 "A plate rack with a unique design."

I am super excited about sharing this build. This DIY plate rack has been on my long list of "things I need to build" for a while and I'm glad to finally mark it off the list. 

"This post is sponsored by the Home Depot as a part of The Home Depot's Pro-Spective Campaign."

I am a big fan of any build that gives me some extra storage in my home and it being something stylish is and extra plus. This was a quick, fun build I was able to tackle in one afternoon and I am excited to share my process of building it.

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 best part about this build is that I actually had the time to film it, so if my instructions get a little confusing, please feel free to check out my build video for additional help. Here it is:

Materials:

2 - 1x6 @ 6ft

1 - 1x2 @ 6ft

1 - 1x4 @ 6ft

3/8" dowel

1 1/4" Pocket Hole Screws

Danish Oil - Walnut

DAP Rapid Fuse Glue

Cut List:

2 - 1x6 @ 33"

1 - 1x6 @ 22"

3 - 1x4 @ 22"

2 - 1x2 @ 22"

Tools Used:

Ryobi Drill/Driver

Ryobi Brushless Jigsaw

Bosch Spade Bits

Kreg Jig

Ryobi Brad Nailer

Ryobi Corner Cat Sander

Ryobi Inflator

Step 1: First I free handed the pattern for the coat rack sides (1x6 - 33") and then used my Ryobi brushless jigsaw to cut out the patterns on both sides. 

The Ryobi Brushless Jigsaw has a brushluss motor that creates more runtime, power, and faster cutting. It features a lock on trigger with a variable speed dial and is compatible with Ryobi's LITHIUM HP batteries for better performance.

To cut out the straight line on the coat rack sides I used my Diablo Ultra Finish Saw Blade. This saw blade is specifically designed to increase performance with each application. It features a thin laser cut kerf for durable and clean cuts and has carbide tips that can withstand extreme impact, allowing maximum durability.

Step 2: Next I used my Kreg jig to drill pocket holes into the support braces ( 1 x 4 - 22") for the plate rack. I used a 3/4" setting and 1 1/4" pocket hole screws.

Step 3: After the support pieces were secure I added in the (1x6 - 22") bottom shelf and attached it to the assembled plate rack using my Ryobi Brad nailer and then attached the (1x2 - 22") trim peice with brad nails to the bottom shelf.

Step 4: I then added the two additional trim pieces to the plate rack using my Ryobi Drill/Driver.

Step 5: After the coat rack was assembled I used my Bosch Spade Bits to create the holes for the 3/8" dowels and then attached the dowels using DAP Rapid Fuse Glue.

The Bosch Spade Bit set drills 10x faster than any conventional spade bit and has full thread tips that grabs the wood and pulls the bit through. Its paddle design reduces bit jamming and creates better hole entry.

once the dowels were in place she was ready for finish. I decided to try this WACO - Danish Oil for the first time and absolutely loved it. It really made the poplar pop.

Once I sanded the plate rack she was ready to be hung and man does she look good!

This fun DIY was an easy way to bring some flavor to my kitchen and I  had tons f fun trying out some new tools, lets take one last look.

Thanks for reading guys. XOXO, Ashley

I acknowledge that the Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in the THD Pro-Spective Tool Review Program. As a part of the program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purposes of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own. My post complies with the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

The coolest kids teepee bed I've ever seen!

I am excited to feature a new build today by some amazing builders. M.E Refined Designs has built this amazing kids teepee bed and I am excited to be featuring the plans for it today on the blog. If I could be a kid again, I would definitely travel back to the future and ask for a bed like this.

Before we jump into the plans, make sure to go check out more of M.E Refined Design's work on all of their social media channels. (Instagram and Facebook). This Kids Teepee bed is just one of the many cool projects they've made.

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.

Dimensions

Materiels

1- 2 x 4 @ 8ft

2 - 2 x 2 @ 8ft

3 - 1 x 6 @ 8ft

11 - 1 x 4 @ 8ft

Cut List

Bed Base

• 4 - 2x4 @ 8"
• 2 - 2x2 @ 74"
• 2 - 1x6 @ 36"
• 2 - 1x6 @ 76"
• 11 - 1x4 @ 39 1/2"

Bed X Sides

• 2 - 1x4 @ 57 7/16" (50 degrees)
• 2 - 1x4 @ 72" (20 degrees)
• 1 - 1x4 @ 76"
• 2 - 1x4 @ 14 9/16" (50 degrees)

Now lets get to it!

Step 1: Attach the (76") 1x6 to the two (8") 2x4s using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 1 1/2" setting, with 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws to attach along with wood glue. Repeat this step for the other side of the Kids Teepee Bed.

Step 2: Attach the two teepee bed sides together by attaching the (36") 1x6 using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 1 1/2" setting, with 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws to attach along with wood glue Repeat this step for the other side of the Kids Teepee Bed.

Step 3: Attach the (74") 2x2 to the outer sides of the kids teepee bed using a brad nailer and brad nails or wood screws. The 2x2 should be flush with the bottom of the 1x6 stretcher. Repeat this step for the other side of the teepee bed frame.

Step 4: Attach the 11 (39 1/2") 1x4 bed stretchers to the assembled bed frame using a brad nailer and brad nails. Each stretcher should have a 3.75" spacing in between each other.

Step 5: Assemble the teepee portion of the bed by attaching the (57 7/16") 1x4 to the (72") 1x4) using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 3/4" setting, with 1 1 1/4" Pocket Hole Screws to attach along with wood glue. Then attach the (14 9/16") 1x4 to the assembled teepee frame. The outside end of the 1x4s should be cut at 20 degrees and the inside of the 1x4s should be cut at 50 degrees.

Step 6: Attach the 1x4 stretcher to the two assembled teepee frames using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 3/4" setting, with 1 1/4" Pocket Hole Screws to attach along with wood glue.

Step 7: Fill all seen pocket holes with wood for a clean look. For help on how to easily fill pocket holes, check out my technique here.

and that's that!

I really love the simplicity of this build and the natural wood finish with the black tips is absolutely perfect.

Again, I am so excited to share this Awesome Kids teepee bed by M.E Refined Designs and if you are in the Hesperia, California area, they can even build one for you. Just go check out their site here. Be sure to go give them a follow and don't forget to share your builds with us. 

Thanks for reading guys! XOXO Ashley

"Shiplap + coat Rack = a whole lot of style"

DIY Wall Paneling never looked so good!

When I first purchased my home, one thing that I always wanted to do was to paint some kind of accent wall in my living room. I have two big adjoining walls in there and I knew one of these walls would be perfect for it. So I decided to paint grey and white stripes on one of them.

After a couple of years of staring at it I realized that I needed a change, and that my 27 year old self wasn’t agreeing with my 23 year old self and feeling a little juvenile with a bland striped wall. So I decided to spruce up my walls with some DIY Paneling and man am I loving it.

Materials

• Behr Marquee - Butterscotch Amber
• 1x2x6’ (Select Pine)
• Liquid Nails
• DAP Wood Filler
• Dap Caulk
• Paint Brush
• Painters Tape

Tools Used

• Ryobi Brad Nailer
• Angle Finder
• 2" Brad Nails
• Miter Saw
• Level
• Square
• Ryobi Corner Cat Sander

Step 1: Paint the Wall

I first started off by painting the wall with my Behr Marquee - Butterscotch Amber. I had to do two full coats because of the striped wall. In order to ensure clean lines, I used Painters Tape to tape off the walls before painting.

Step 2: Attach Border Trim

Before you start getting into creating the wall pattern, you want to go ahead and trim the outside of your wall project.

I opted to use this select pine instead of MDF, because the 1x2s were just the size I wanted and I didn't have to worry about cutting a MDF board down to strips. 

Step 3: Add Wall Paneling Pattern

I started off with the bottom corner first, and then went through line by line and added the diamonds, carefully, measuring each piece and making sure each piece was level.

To make sure the diamonds were equal, I made sure that the right and left corners were each measuring 70 degrees, using this handy angle finder. In order to make the 70 degree angle I had to make sure all of the pieces connecting the left and right sides were cut at 22.5 degrees.

It may be helpful to have a second person help make sure everything looks level. I secured the trim to the wall by applying a small amount of Liquid Nails and then shot a few 2" Brad Nails into the trim to secure it.

I attempted to layout my steps for this trim to make it easier to understand. Hopefully this helps you re-create this wall.

This wall cost me around $200 in materials and halfway through I could tell that I made the right decision. I was loving the look of the wall.

I was able to complete this project in one full day by myself, so I'm sure with some help you could definitely get this project knocked out faster.

Step 4: Fill Nail Holes and Paint

Once the trim was complete, I had to decide whether I was going to paint the trim a different color or the same color. At first, I thought about painting the trim white, but eventually decided to just paint it all the same color, and I think I made the right decision.

Honestly, I probably could have left the trim without a coat of paint, it definitely looked good without it, but I went ahead and painted it.  I went through and used wood filler to fill all of  the nail holes and creases. This was probably my second least favorite part, aside from the caulking.

Once I filled all the nail holes with DAP Wood Filler I went through with Dap Caulk and caulked the insides of the diamonds to ensure that I would have a clean finish once I painted over the trim.

When caulking, I try not to make it too thick, otherwise you can really notice it through the paint. I tried to get the caulk lines as thin as I could possibly get them.

After I finished filling all the holes and caulking, I took my corner sander and sanded down the 1x2s, so they were smooth for painting and I painted over the trim for the final look.

Now, let's take a look at the before and after!

I'm so happy with how the wall turned out, the diamonds really bring character to the room, and my friends always compliment me on this wall when they walk in and realize what's there.If you're looking for a quick way to bring some character to your home, wall paneling is a quick and easy way to do it.

 I especially love that you can decorate the wall in many different ways and it always add character.

Whether you put a couch in front of it or a console table, this wall paneling will be the y’all of the space.

It would even serve as a great bedroom feature wall.

''Grab those magazines, Ive got a magazine shelf rack perfect for your space."

This review is sponsored by the Home Depot as a part of The Home Depot's Pro-Spective Campaign. 

I don't know about you, but in my house I never know where to put my magazines and as a result they always end up all over the place. But today, I'm putting a stop to that with this DIY magazine shelf rack. Now I don't have to worry about wasting 30 minutes looking for my magazine, I know I'm not the only one. 

Step 1: Drill Holes for Aluminum Bar

The first thing I did after cutting the lumber down to size was to start making the lines for the hole placement. I used a speed square to make sure the lines were all aligned. This is probably the most important step, because if the holes aren't in the exact spot on both boards, your aluminum boards will be off. 

I was excited to finally rid my living room of random magazine displacement but I was also excited to use my new RIDGID Brushless 18 V Drill/Driver and Impact Driver Combo Kit. Ridgid has always impressed me with it's Lifetime warranty and it's brushless technology is at an entry level price point. 

This RIDGID Drill/Driver kit comes packed with two 1.5 Ah batteries and brushless motor technology that increases performance and runtime. The drill/driver has two speed settings that help match power to the task, so it was the perfect tool to use for this quick step.

I used a 1/2"Forstner Bit to drill the holes. This is one bit that I don't use often, but glad I have it when I do, and Ryobi sells a great set for cheap at Home Depot.

Once you make the line marks for the holes, you've done the hardest part. I drilled the six holes in less than three minutes. It was just that simple. As long as you sit the tip of the forstner bit right on the line mark, the holes should line up perfectly.

Step 2: Cut Aluminum Bar to Size

I always enjoy when I get to use materials other than wood in my project. I got the 1/2" Aluminum Rod to use for my magazine rack and it was the perfect addition to the project. To cut the aluminum bar down, I used my Makita SubCompact Reciprocating Saw coupled with my Diablo Metal Blade. It has a compact design thats only 12-1/2" ;one and weighs around 6 lbs with the battery. Its lightness and brushless motor makes it a much easier choice to pick up in the shop.

This Diablo Metal Cutting Blade went right through the aluminum bar like butter.  My Diablo Blade set includes three nail-embedded wood blades and three metal-cutting blades. These blades have a non-stick coating that protects against heat damage and corrosion; and as you can see this aluminum rod was no match for this Diablo metal blade. In order to hold the bar securely in place I used my Vise Clamp and cut down my three bars in no time.

Step 3: Attach Aluminum Bar

To attach the three aluminum bars to the two sides of the DIY magazine rack, I put a little DAP RapidFuse glue into three holes on one side of the magazine rack, let that sit or five minutes.

 Then put some glue into the other three holes and attached that to the other end of the aluminum bars, and let it sit for another five minutes.

I placed the holes in the middle of the side pieces to keep me from loading this thing up with two many books, but if you want more room for more magazines, feel free to move the holes to the back.

Now I don't know if this ever happens to anyone, but halfway through the project I thought, why not just make this into a mini blanket ladder? haha so I tried it out but after taking a couple photos, I decided to keep going with my original plan, but I had to at least show you guys what it looked like. Surely, I'm not the only one this has happened to, right?

Step 4: Attach Additional Wood Pieces to Magazine Rack

After the experimenting was over, I began adding the front braces to the magazine rack with wood glue and brad nails.

Next I added the two shelf supports to the back of the magazine rack using wood glue and brad nails. This was the last step of the process.

"This Console table is giving farmhouse a whole new meaning."

It's been a while since I've been able to feature a fellow builder, so I was super excited to partner up with Kelly from paisleyandwilliam to bring you the free plans for this Farmhouse V Console Table. But before you check out the free plans, be sure to go give her a follow on Instagram.

Console tables are probably one of my favorite kind of builds because it never takes too much work and it can really bring your entryway to life, and even better, this one was super cheap to make.  I just love how this V console table looks in Kelly's entryway.

Kelly and I also partnered up together to bring you the free plans for this V Side table, so be sure to check it out when you’re done!

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.   

Dimensions

Materials

2 - 1x6 @ 8ft.

8 - 2x2 @ 8ft

Cut List

2 - 1x6 @ 66" (top)

4 - 2x2 @ 33" (legs)

3 - 2x2 @ 63" (supports)

5 - 2x2 @ 8" (supports)

4 - 2x2 @ 31 1/4" (V Pieces) @ 26 degrees

Step 1:

Attach the 2x2 supports (8") to the 2x2s (33") using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 1 1/2" setting, with  2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws to attach along with Wood Glue. There should be a 2" spacing from the bottom support piece and the floor. Repeat step for the other side of the farmhouse console table. Note: The pocket holes on the supports should face down on the bottom support and inward on the top support.

Step 2:

Attach the 2x2 supports (63") to the assembled console table sides using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 1 1/2" setting, with 2 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws to attach along with Wood Glue. Note: Be sure to face the pocket holes upward. This will be hidden once the top is placed on the console table.

Step 3:

Attach the 2x2 middle support (8") to the assembled console table sides using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 1 1/2" setting, with  2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws to attach along with Wood Glue. Note: Be sure to face the pocket holes upward. This will be hidden once the top is placed on the console table

Step 4:

Attach the 2x2 bottom middle support (63") to the assembled console table sides using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 1 1/2" setting, with  2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws to attach along with Wood Glue. Note: Be sure to face the pocket holes downward.

Step 5:

Attach the 2x2 middle support (27 1/2"") to the assembled console table sides using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 1 1/2" setting, with  2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws to attach along with Wood Glue.  Note: Be sure to face the pocket holes to the back.

Step 6:

Attach the 2x2 V braces (31 1/4") to the assembled console table using a brad nailer along with wood glue. Alternatively, you can pre-drill small holes and use wood screws to attach.

Step 7:

After assembling the top together  using a Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System on a 3/4" setting, with 1 1/4" pocket hole screws to attach along with Wood Glue, attach the 1x6 tabletop to the assembled console table sides using wood screws from underneath the console table base.

Step 8: Fill all seen pocket holes with wood for a clean look. For help on how to easily fill pocket holes, check out my technique here.

and that wraps it up. Kelly did a great job on this build and now you can make one too.

For the finish Kelly used Rustoleum Ultra Cover Black paint for the bottom of the base and a mix of Minwax stains for the top (Minwax Gray and Minwax Special Walnut)

Be sure to share your go with Kelly and I. I absolutely love this farmhouse console table, I think my house needs one.

Thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley

Who said toy carts can’t be stylish?

This DIY toy cart build may come as a surprise to some of you because I myself don’t have any kids; but fortunately I have plenty of nieces and nephews that will put this to good use and it was fun to build something a little different for a change.

This post is sponsored by Build Something.

When I saw this picture on Pinterest, I immediately thought “I want to build that,” but I don’t really have a use for it. But I decided, why not? So here we are!

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 best part about this DIY toy cart is that I am sharing the free plans on Build Something. But before you head over, be sure to read through my build process and check out how I was able to apply a restoration hardware finish.

To assemble the base of my diy toy cart, I used one of my top 5 favorite tools, the Kreg Jig Master System. This is one tool I recommend any builder to have, the use of pocket holes has completely changed my building experience and I can’t get enough of it.

The Kreg Jig master system comes equipped with all the extra pieces to take your joinery to the next level. For any beginner woodworkers, I would definitely recommend as a must have in the shop.

Once I assembled the DIY toy cart, I filled in all of the brad nails holes with DAP wood filler. This is one of go to products because it just gets the job done. I use this wood filler for all of my woodworking projects.

I also love these oversized casters. I really think it made the toy cart looked beefed up. This is like the King Kong of all toy carts!

RESTORATION HARDWARE FINISH

This by far is one of my favorite finishes. I have applied it to a number of my builds and I don’t see myself getting sick of it anytime soon. It gives it sort of an industrial restoration hardware feel, and it was super simple.

The first thing I did was coat the whole toy cart with white chalk paint. I don’t think it makes a difference what type of chalk paint you use. I have tried Annie Sloan and Rustoleum and each worked great. Rust-Oleum’s chalk paint is a bit cheaper so that would be my recommendation since it will be used as the bottom layer.

When applying the chalk paint be sure to apply it evenly and eliminate any bulk up of paint because it will show through after applying the gel stain.

Chalk paint is always my go to because it’s thick and it drys quickly (working on my patience!)

After the chalk paint dried I started applying a light coat of Gel Masters - Walnut Stain using a dry cloth.  This is a gel stain that you wipe on and it gives the wood a restoration hardware look.

After the stain drys, I sealed it with Old Masters finish and WAAAA-LAAAHHH!

Be sure to go check out the free plans on Build Something, Kreg’s project plans site.

 I love how this little toy cart came out and I partially want to keep it for myself.

and be sure to make your kiddos day by making your own little DIY Industrial Rolling Toy Cart. They will thank you for it.

Thanks for reading guys, XOXO ASHLEY

Never seen a Laundry Room Makeover look so good; and yes I’m biased.

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.

My laundry room has been on my To-Do list since I moved in to my house three years ago. I brought my house brand new but a lot of my rooms were and still are cookie cutter. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the grey tones and the style of it, but as a creative blogger, the grey walls and bland tile just wasn’t cutting it for a sister.

 So I am so excited to finally be sharing the final review with you guys. With a little bit of paint and some elbow grease, I was able to totally transform this room with less than $400. Keep this between us, but the original planned budget was $200. If you are wondering, “How on earth did you blow the budget by $200?” Well…read on and find out.

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.

STENCILED WALL

The first step in the laundry room makeover process was the stenciled wall. I knew this was going to be both a great idea and horrible idea. Why do you ask? Because everyone knows stencils look awesome, but the road to get there; not so pretty.

I can surely attest to that because halfway through stenciling the wall, I was questioning myself, saying, “What in the world were you thinking?” Fortunately I stuck with it and was able to ‘Get Ur Done,” and I’m so glad I did because I love the way it turned out! For all the details on how I created this stenciled wall check out my Laundry Makeover – Stenciled Wall Post.

PAINTED CABINETS

I am always amazed by how a little paint can go a long way. Painting my laundry room storage cabinets really lightened up the room and made my laundry room feel a little bigger.

Now this is one thing just about anyone can do to update a space.  I used Grey Behr Paint to coat these cabinets. Details for paint is listed in the Stencil post.

VINYL FLOORING INSTALL

The tile in the laundry room was probably the one I was most anticipating covering up. For a while now I have been secretly wanting to replace all of the tile in my kitchen and laundry room. Unfortunately, this vinyl flooring didn’t get to the kitchen but I was happy to get this vinyl flooring in my laundry room.

I knew this vinyl flooring would make a difference but I was pleasantly surprised just by how much the flooring made a difference, and for my first time installing vinyl flooring, it was very easy to install. The great part was it only cost me about $115 for materials to install. Sounds like a win to me. To check out all the details of how I installed the flooring, check out my post here: Installing Vinyl Flooring

Peel and Stick Tile

Now I’m sure by now you’re still wondering, were did you go over budget, well the time has come; the Peel and Stick tile!!!! This part of the laundry room design was not planned at all, but after painting the cabinets and the stencil, it was clear that the plain grey wall behind where the washer would go was just to plain for me, and if you really know me; you would probably agree.

So at the last minute I found this peel and stick tile from Home depot and it was the perfect addition to the laundry room. I lucked out on this one and just happened to walk down the right aisle and WAAAAA-LAAAAH; I struck gold.

To check out all the details of how I installed the peel and stick tile; check out my post here: Peel and Stick Tile.

UPDATED APPLIANCES

With any makeover, updating appliances is always a great way to make the space really look updated and modernized. Thanks to my friends over at Home Depot, I was able to pick out a great new GE washer and dryer addition to my laundry room.

My old washer and dryer were on its lasts leg, so these new GE appliances were right on time, and the difference that they made in the newly designed laundry room was like Night and Day. I really love the Diamond Grey Finish. Check out my post on the Home Depot Blog to read up on why I chose these particular GE laundry appliances.

Let’s check out some more of my laundry room before and after pics. I’m more than satisfied how everything came out.

and although I went a little over budget, I couldn't have been happier with the final outcome. I think the extra money was well worth it, and even thought the wall stencil was a bit tedious. Im in love with how it came out.

Zinc Flower Plot from a Plain Metal Bucket? No Way!

I have been dying to add a little design to my front doorway, and I knew this would be the perfect project to get it jump started. This Zinc Flower Pot was so fun and easy to make and it definitely exceeded my expectations. 

This review is sponsored by the Home Depot as a part of The Home Depot's Pro-Spective Campaign. 

Not only was this a fun project, but I was able to complete it in less than two hours. I'm a sucker for a quick project. I have had this project in my mind for a little over a year, so it's about time I actually got it done. 

I have a lot more plans for making my doorway look more appealing but this little DIY zinc flower pot really made big difference.

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 

10 Qt. Galvenized Steel Pail

Amy Howard At Home Zinc Solution

Rustoleum Chalk Paint - Linen White

Frog Tape

Paint Brush/Roller

Trash Bag/Cup/Cloth

Tools Used

Makita Impact Driver

Bosch Daredevil Carbide Bits

So let's take a quick look at where we started. Can you believe this is how the metal pail looked before? I mean I can because I made it haha but if I didn't I would totally be surprised.

 Luckily for you guys, I video'd the process of making the pot, but for those of you who like to read, Im sharing all of the details below!

Now let's get to it!

Step 1: Clean the Pail

So the first and probably most important step is to clean off the pail. The Zinc solution works a lot better when the pail is completely clean and free of grease. One thing you want to make sure you do also is to get all of the sticky solution off of any stickers stuck to the pail.

Is it just me, or does anybody else hate when stores put labels on an item in the worst spot possible. How about putting the sticker on the bottom? So I don't have to spend 30 minutes trying to get the sticker off. Anywho! thats my rant for today.

To help get the stickers completely off, I used windex and that seemed to help a lot.

Step 2: Apply the Zinc Solution

I was so ready for this step because I have been wanting to try this Zinc Solution out for a while. It's been sitting in my house collecting dust and I finally decided to try it out.

To apply the solution, I poured a little bit in a red solo cup and used a regular was rag to apply to the bucket pail.

When I first started applying the solution, I realized it wasn't really turning colors, but after about 2 or 3 minutes of the solution really settling in, I could tell the pail was starting to turn color. So patience, young grasshopper, the solutions works.

I applied the solution for about 10 minutes and it didn't take a lot of it to turn the pail. If I had to guess, I could probably do this project to 6 or 7 pails of this size with one bottle of solution, if not more.

Step 3: Tape off Lines

After applying the Zin solution to the zinc flower pot, I let it sit for about 25 minutes and then started applying the frog tape. I have always had good experiences with frog tape while painting walls, so I figured it would be good for this project.

Big lessons learned for this part of the project was the ridges on the pail. I didn't press down the tape well enough in the ridges and I got some bleed through because of it. AKA I was rushing from the excitement of wanting to finish. Don't be like me! Take your time and get that tape down right!

It also may be easier to tape the pail if you are trying another design as well.

Step 4: Paint Pail Bucket

After taping the zinc flower pot down, I starting painting the pail bucket with chalk paint. I opted to use chalk paint because its thick, and it drys quickly. I am a lover of chalk paint also, so I may be biased.

I have always had a good experience with Rustoleum chalk paint and it is a little cheaper than my beloved Annie Sloan so I would definitely recommend it for people looking for chalk paints.

Step 5 : Drill Drain Holes

Because I plain on potting this bucket pail, I wanted to add a couple of drainage holes to the bottom. So I used my Makita Impact Driver coupled with my Bosch Carbide Drill Bits to get the job done. 

The Makita Impact Driver has a powerful brushless motor that delivers 1,500 in.lbs. of max torque and runs cooler and more efficiently for longer life and the Bosch Multi-Purpose Carbide Drill Bits are used for multi-purpose applications like tile, masonry, wood, metal and concrete. Their sharp diamond-ground edges help deliver high drilling speed on hard materials like this bucket pail. It defintely did it's job here. 

and the last and final step....Pot the plant and Enjoy!

I wouldn't be happier with how this DIY Zinc Flower Pot turned out. I'm sure this won't be the last one I make and I hope you guys enjoyed this project. Leave a comment below and let me know what you think? 

If you enjoyed this project, don't forget to Pin it!

Thanks for reading guys! XOXO Ashley

I acknowledge that the Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in the THD Pro-Spective Tool Review Program. As a part of the program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purposes of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own. My post complies with the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

A Vinyl Flooring Install that dramatically changes a Laundry Room Makeover.

I am glad I finally got the chance to set some time aside to start my laundry room makeover. Even though its a really small room, I really wanted to transform the room, so I decided to install this vinyl flooring, that was a good price and easy to install.

This post is sponsored by the Home Depot as a part of The Home Depot's Pro-Spective Campaign.

The original floors in my laundry room were builder grade tile floors. They match the tiles in the kitchen and after three years of looking at them, I was definitely ready for a change.

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.   

Cutting the Door Casing

In order for the vinyl flooring to sit but up against the wall and be flush with the existing tile floor, I needed to cut the door casings off. To make sure I cut off enough of the door casing, I first laid down a piece of the vinyl flooring and marked where I should cut. 

Once my markings were made, I utilized my Dremel MultiMax Oscillating Tool to cut the casings. This was a very simple step in the process. I know it may seem scary to cut into your door casings, but with this Dremel it really was a piece of cake.

Cleaning The Floor

Although I am covering the tile flooring with the new vinyl flooring, I still wanted to clean up the tile before covering it up; just in case I ever want to remove the flooring. Before mopping the floor, I used my Ryobi Stick Vac to pick up all of the dirt and debris. To clean up all of the big dirt spots on the floor, I used my  Dremel Versa Power Cleaner and I was really impressed with how it works. When cleaning my floors I always have spots that are hard to clean up so this little tool definitely came in handy. 

Right now the Dremel Versa Power Cleaner is the fastest cleaning tool and holds a charge for a while. I love that this cleaner is cordless, so I'm not bogged down by the cord. Be sure to check out the video above to see it in action. It does come with four accessory pads for wet and dry cleaning and they are really easy to change out. The attachment pieces are $10 a piece which can get pricey but I think the Dremel Versa Cleaner is worth it. Im hoping Dremel will have a change of heart and drop the price of those attachments. (hint, hint)

Installing Vinyl Flooring

I chose this LifeProof Vinyl Flooring because it is referred to as "floating flooring," meaning it doesn't have to be nailed or glued to the subfloor. This would be perfect for someone who doesn't want to mess up their existing floor. 

Hidden Shoe Storage never looked so good with this shoe cabinet.

 Honestly I love any project that lets me use my new Kreg DB210 Foreman Pocket-Hole Machine, Blue I love that thing. This thing makes me feel like a spoiled child. Its amazing how fast I can spit out those pocket holes; but I don't want my Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System to get jealous so I let it be a part of the party too. Both tools are great and definitely get the job done!

 

I was a little nervous about these pull out drawers because it was my first time using metal drawer slides, but of course Kreg comes to the rescue once again with these awesome Kreg Tool Drawer Slide Jig. Honestly, installing the drawer slides were way easier than I anticipated thanks to this drawer slide jig.   

Now, head on over to Build Something for the FREE PLANS!