Houzz: Build a Modern Window Planter Box

Hey there!

Window planter boxes are a great way to add an architectural element and a boost of color to your home's exterior. There are a wide variety of styles out there; I chose to create a simple box style to reflect our 1900 cabin-style home and shed.

We recently built a shed to store all those items that we've been piling in our unfinished upstairs and that we're sure to need in the future — at least, that's what I tell my husband. But the shed's simple rectangular shape was needing some serious style help, especially given its visible position in our yard. We added a six-paned window, which gave it a little somethin' somethin', but it was still a blank slate. I wanted to add simple color and texture, and I thought a window planter box would be the perfect addition.

Other design by Media And Blogs Meg Padgett

Other design by Other Metro Media And Blogs Meg Padgett

Learn how to build your own simple window planter boxes by checking out my most recent Houzz Ideabook.

Build a Modern Window Planter Box

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More »

Browse Kitchen Products on Houzz- For Example:

Cookware And Bakeware · Kitchen Countertops · Kitchen Faucets · Kitchen Tile · Gas Ranges And Electric Ranges · Ovens · Refrigerators And Freezers · Coffee Makers And Tea Kettles ·

Have you built any window planter boxes of your own?  I'd love to see what style you built!

Until next time,

Disclaimer:  As a Contributor I have been compensated for any Ideabooks featured on Houzz, although I am not compensated for sharing Houzz ideabooks on Revamp Homegoods.  All opinions expressed here or that of the writer and are in no way influenced by Houzz.

Before & After: Bland Nursery to Hip Big Kid Room

Hey there!

The old adage "time flies" is ringing true this week.  Luke transitioned from his crib to a big boy bed after he started scaling it like he was climbing over a pebble.  I figured that his room might as well get a big boy update as well so I turned to my good ol' friend - Paint.

 
I broke out some painters tape and two gallons of OOPS paint from Home Depot one in a semi-gloss white and the other in an eggshell gray and painted large stripes on the walls.  Once I got the gray on the walls it was looking more baby blue, so with a little custom tinting by yours truly I had it the perfect neutral blue-gray.  And then I busted out another can of OOPS paint in a high-gloss black and some grout to make my own chalkboard paint for the wall in the back.  This update was super budget-friendly - it only cost me $21 for the three cans of OOPS paint (TIP:  Always check your local hardware or paint stores for mistakes.  They're often marked down to a fraction of the cost and you can mix it to a more favorable color like I did here.)  Now all that needs replaced is that BROWN carpet!

Posters from local events like the longboard surfing competition in Pacific City and local concerts, in addition to the Octopus Triptych I painted, adorn the walls.

The vintage dresser, which was his Grandma's, got an update with Behr's Glacier Lake.  An old coffee table leftover from my college days got transformed into an activity table with an Ikea Bygel rail mounted along the side to hold art supplies, a paper roll holder mounted on one end and a fun chevron pattern in Behr's Glacier Lake and Behr's Rolling Hills.  To keep magnets off the fridge and from falling on the kitchen floor, I mounted a magnetic board from Ikea above his desk and another Ikea Bygel rail below to hold art supplies and chalk.  The multitude of fabric bins hold his growing collection of toys - keeping the clutter out of sight. 

 Check out the complete transformation ~ video style!

Revamp Homegoods Kid's RoomTour from Meg Padgett on Vimeo.

Stay tuned for two great how-tos via Houzz (1:  How-to Make Chalkboard Paint and 2: How to Paint Perfect Stripes.)

So what do you think?  I know I've said this before but it's amazing what a little paint will do, right?  

Until next time,

Houzz: Frame Your Garden With a DIY Arbor

Hey there!

When the sun is out and shining (even when it hasn't been) we've been busy working outdoors sprucing up our yard with some a pea gravel pathway, hanging shelves, a brand new deck and now this beautiful garden arbor.  Does your yard need a little boost like ours did?

Other design by Media And Blogs Meg Padgett

This garden arbor is simple to build and has a beautiful end result — the best of both worlds for a do-it-yourselfer. The base of this arbor consists of a basic structure that can be as simple or as ornate as desired, and the piece can be used in many ways outdoors. Use it to showcase a walkway, create a transition from one place to another, cover a bench or gate, or frame a gorgeous view.

Check out all the details here:

Frame Your Garden With a DIY Arbor for $150

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More »

Browse Furniture on Houzz- For Example:

Armchairs · Bar Tables · Chairs · Coffee Tables · Day Beds And Chaises · Dining Chairs And Benches · Rocking Chairs · Sectional Sofas ·

Have you guys built any garden arbors of your own?  I'd love to see what you built!

Until next time,

Disclaimer:  As a Contributor I have been compensated for any Ideabooks featured on Houzz, although I am not compensated for sharing Houzz ideabooks on Revamp Homegoods.  All opinions expressed here or that of the writer and are in no way influenced by Houzz.

DIY Driftwood Chalkboard

Hey there!

Lately, I've been on a driftwood kick.  (Along with the design world.) I love how rugged and unique each piece is.  And there's just something cool about the power of water.

I always have my eye on the shore when we walk down to the port or to the local beach just hoping to spy an interesting piece that I can lug home.  I have hopes of making a couple driftwood log side tables.  And while I wasn't THAT motivated, I did manage to create an amazing driftwood framed chalkboard with some recent finds.  You might have caught a glimpse of it in my "I Told You So" Cabinet post.

If you love adding natural elements to your decor and are looking for a quick and easy DIY project this one should be it. 

Supplies:

• Chalkboard Paint
• Board (the size is up to you)
• Glue
• Driftwood

 Break out the chalkboard paint and spray your board.  I gave my 32" long board 5 coats of paint.

After the paint is dry, lay out the driftwood pieces layering as you go.  Once you're happy with the layout, glue those bad boys down.  By the way, this Seal-All adhesive is the shiz!

Once dry, attach a hanging hook (technical name?) to the back.  I placed one hook in the center of the board.  Depending on the size, you may need to place one hook at each side of the board.

And that's it!  This is the perfect little piece to remind ourselves to just breathe, kick back and stop worrying about all the house projects weighing us down. 

It's also a great message board for friends and family who stop by.  Hint, hint friends and family.  Feel free to stop by.  :)

So what about you guys?  Are you as obsessed with driftwood as I am?  Created any driftwood projects of your own?  Or are you one of the few who is over the trend?

Until next time,

Linking Up:
Not Just A Housewife
Thrifty Decor Chick


This project was featured!

Astoria Craft Party August 24th 4-8pm

Hey there! 

We are well underway with plans for the first ever Astoria Craft Party on August 24th from 4-8 pm at the Fort George Lovell Building.

We have an amazing lineup of activities:

• Blacksmith Crafts
• "Broken Glass" frames 
• Glass Ornament Blowing
• License Plate Art
• Nautical Fancy Work
• Paper crafts made from vintage maps and charts
• Photo Walk
• Pinback buttons
• Rag Dolls
• Salvaged Door Knob Hanger
• Scrabble tile art
• Spindle Bird Feeder
• Stenciled Subway Style Pallet Art
• Stenciled Scandinavian Flag Tote Bags
• Vintage Cabinet Door Chalkboards
• Vintage Drawer & Window Planters

For more details, check out AstoriaCraftParty.blogspot.com.  Hope to see you all there!

Until next time,

Houzz: Build A Beautiful Platform Deck

Hey there!

Have you thought about building a deck but just didn't think you could manage a project of that scale?  Well, think again!

Other design by Media And Blogs Meg Padgett

Other design by Media And Blogs Meg Padgett

Learn how to build this amazingly beautiful platform deck in my Houzz Ideabook.

Build a Beautiful Platform Deck in a Weekend

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More »

Browse Kids Products on Houzz- For Example:

Baby Bedding · Baby Toys · Cribs · Kids Bedding · Kids Beds · Kids Decor · Kids Tables · Kids Toys ·

Until next time,

Disclaimer:  As a Contributor I have been compensated for any Ideabooks featured on Houzz, although I am not compensated for sharing Houzz ideabooks on Revamp Homegoods.  All opinions expressed here or that of the writer and are in no way influenced by Houzz.

Pinterest Challenge Summer Edition: Good (re)vs. Evil Kid's Cape

Hey there!

Guess what time it is????  YEP!  It's...

Jumping up and down?  Me too!

The lovely ladies, Katie from Bower Power and Sherry from YoungHouseLove along with the equally lovely Kate - better known as Centsational Girl and Michelle from the blog Ten June are the hosts for this summer edition.

I've been keeping my eye on the announcement for the Pinterest Challenge: Spring Edition, but it seems like I wasn't the only one extremely busy and the PC ladies, like mother nature, skipped right over spring.

This summer we've celebrated lots of birthdays for the little tykes in our lives and with present ideas quickly dwindling I thought I'd make something homemade for Luke's best buds next door.  These boys are pretty amazing and only something SUPER would do and what's more super than Super Hero capes?  That's right.  Nothing.

Source: allfortheboys.com via Meagan Padgett on Pinterest

I dug through my pins and remembered seeing this tutorial at All For the Boys by Christie from Storehouse Crafts. While I didn't follow the tutorial, I did use a similar pattern. And instead of using a superhero fleece for the inside, I thought I'd turn things up a notch and make one side good and the other side evil because sometimes you just want to be bad.

Supplies:

• Fleece in desired colors for front and back (one yard of fleece will make roughly 2 small capes.  I used black and a white lightning bolt for the evil side and a colored fleece with a white circle and another color initial for the good side.)
• Thread
• Sewing machine

First, I drew a template (half of the cape) for the larger size and the smaller sized capes onto some art paper.  I created three capes - one for each two year old and one for a five year old.  The smaller ones were 19.5" from the inside corner of the tie to the end, 11" across the top, 13.75" along the bottom and I used a 6.75" circle for the back.  The bigger cape was 23" long from the inside corner of the tie to the end, 14.5" across the top, 16.5" along the bottom and used an 8" circle.

Cut out your template and fold the fabric in half and pin the template to the folded fleece with the long side of the template along the fold. 

Cut along the template.

Take out the pins and unfold the fleece.  You should have something similar to the photo below.  Repeat the process for the colored piece of fleece.

Trace a circle, initial and lightning bolt onto art paper, pin it to the desired color fleece and cut out.

Place the initial in the center of the circle.  I used a little craft glue to keep it in place, but you could also pin it.

Sew both the letter and circle, plus the lightning bolt to each respective side.

Place the wrong sides of each side of the cape together.  Pin into place and stitch 1/4" around the perimeter, leaving the top open to turn the cape right side out.  Once right side out, stitch the opening closed and you're done!

And that's it.  A simple and incredibly fun gift to give all those SUPER kids in your life.

 And as for what the kids thought of them...I can safely say they were a hit!

So what about you?  Any SUPER success stories to share?  Have any other cute things you've pinned for the kiddos?

I know I'll be looking for more fun things to make. There's just nothing more awesome than someone enjoying something you've made.

Until next time,

Linking up at:
Today's Creative

Trash to Treasure: "I Told You So" Cabinet

Hey there!

If ever a moment deserved an "I told you so" this would be it.

I packed this sad looking oak cabinet home from my friend's mom's house and was welcomed with laughter and exclamations of doubt.  I don't know how many times I've heard it referred to as firewood from my husband, brother and dad.  Oh ye of little faith.  It's honestly hard to blame them for their lack of vision.  This cabinet was in ROUGH shape.

It was dirty and cobwebby.  The drawers were missing their fronts and were no longer square.  There were unattached boards throughout. The top had what resembled burn marks (or severe water damage) and huge gaps in between the boards.  The back was bowed and unattached in some places. 

But, I just knew better.  With a little cleaning and fixin' this bad little boy could be a showstopper.   I had high hopes of converting it into additional bathroom storage for the hallway, but it was just too long and with nowhere else in the house for it to go (for now) I thought it could be a great outdoor storage piece.

I started by sweeping and vacuuming all the dirt and webs.  Then I removed the back so that I could reattach the side and top boards.  Since this cabinet was going to be sitting outdoors, I used rust-proof deck screws to reattach all the pieces.

I reattached the drawer fronts and sides with Gorilla wood glue.

 

 

 I let them dry and scraped off all the dry and brittle laminate.

Then I sanded everything down until it was nice and smooth and gave it a good wipe down with a towel and water.

I filled the large gaps with paintable caulk.

The next day I gave it another sanding to remove any excess caulk and smooth it down a bit more.

It was looking a whole lot better.

After some more sanding and a good cleaning, I gave it a coat of primer.

And then it dawned on me that I didn't fill the gaps on the top.  So, I busted out the wood filler and got to filling.  I let it dry and gave the top another coat of primer.

The dresser got three coats of Behr's Desert Glow semi-gloss exterior paint.  The color was a little too saturated for what I wanted so I cut it with a creamy yellow high-gloss paint I had on hand, which brought it down to the perfect shade of bright yellow.

I primed and painted the back with a coat of satin white exterior paint.  Then I printed a chevron template and started tracing and painting the design with a sponge brush and some tester paint I picked up at home depot.  (And apparently I had a healthy helping of tator tots during the process.)

With the back piece complete, I reattached it and bam!  I'm pretty sure all those naysayers felt the tides turn as the final nail was driven in. 

I haven't figured out exactly what I want to do to the open area.  I'm thinking a shelf will be in order and perhaps two glass paned cabinet doors, but for now I'm just ridiculously happy with it.  I did create a simple curtain for the open portion with some gray duck cloth I snagged at Goodwill just to keep it somewhat sheltered from the elements.

It's the perfect little storage piece for outdoor candles, alfresco eating wares and outdoor toys & games. I just love it!  And the fact that it was a piece that most would have sent to the fire pit or the landfill makes me head over heels.

Let's just take a look at the side by side before & after photos.  Amazing, right?

So what about you?  Have any trash to treasure transformations you'd like to brag about share?  Loving this sunny yellow and gray color combo as much as me?   Or just want to say hey?  Either way, I love to read all your comments!

Until next time,

This project was featured at:

Linking Up at:
Today's Creative
Not Just A Housewife