Faux Starfish Featured on Copycat Crafts!

Come see our faux starfish feature over at Copycat Crafts!

And while you're there, be sure to check out the other projects on this great site!

Thanks for the feature, Amanda!

 

Lace Filigree Cabinet Knobs {Anthropologie Inspired}

I have a crush on Anthropologie's Lace-Strewn knobs. They are the prettiest robin's egg blue ceramic knobs, with a delicate metal filigree. So sweet:

I like them so much, I was inspired to create my own Anthro inspired knobs.

To make your own Anthropologie inspired cabinet knobs, you will need any set of plain knobs. (mine were wooden)

Clean, lightly sand, prime and paint your knobs.

Find some pretty lace paper doilies and cut out the parts that you want to use.  I actually used a double thickness of doily for greater depth.  I also layered elements for additional dimension.  Lightly glue your layers together in a couple of spots so they will be easier to work with. (hint: use tweezers when working with paper filigree)

Now, you can paint your paper filigree pieces. (you may be able to skip this part if you use metallic doilies)

To give patina to your filigree, apply an antiquing medium and wipe off, leaving the desired amount of patina in all the little nooks and crannies.

Next, decoupage your pieces to your painted cabinet knob -- Mod Podge works great for this.  (I added a clear glossy topcoat to my knobs before this step, but you may not need to if you use a glossy paint)

Now I have two crushes:

The lovely Lace-Strewn knobs from Anthropologie, and these easy to make paper lace knobs.

Thanks for stopping by!  If you've enjoyed this tutorial, and would like to receive more, there are lots of options for following or subscribing in my sidebar.  Also, I love getting your comments, and I REALLY love it when you share projects that were inspired by something you saw here :)

Have a lovely weekend!

This post is being shared at the following lovely places:
Funky Junk Interiors
Tatertots and Jello
Between Naps on the Porch
I Heart Naptime

504 Main 
French Country Cottage

Cabinet Handles Featured at Knock Off Decor!

Hey folks, if you missed my Anthropologie inspired cabinet pulls, Beckie is featuring them over at Knock Off Decor!

Thanks for the feature, Beckie!

Make a Simple Raised Dog Food Station

Recently, our sixteen year old pup had a big fall. Our sweet puppy fell two stories while being pet sat. We were on vacation at the time, and cut our trip short, catching the first flight home. During his recovery, he was so stiff and sore that he needed his food and water bowls slightly elevated, so we created this for him:

Yes, I know it's a bit "girlie", but our pup doesn't care about stuff like that :)

I wanted to create something simple, that was easy to make, and didn't require tools.  He needed his elevating feeding station right away, so we didn't want to worry about waiting for paint to dry.  This thrifted vintage tray was the perfect size to hold his bowls, and the raised sides would keep dog food and spills contained.

We poked around, looking for something to elevate the tray with, and ran across this cake pan.  It was the perfect size and height. Lot's of things might have worked -- even another tray, but pans are something most of us already have in our cupboards, and we didn't have time to scour the stores.

My pan was already black, but if your pan doesn't match your serving tray, you can hit it with a little spray paint.

To hold the pan and the tray together, I used self-adhesive hook and loop tape.

1. Turn the cake pan upside down and apply two strips of hook tape lengthways. Press it down well.
2. Attach the loop side of the tape to the hook side and peel back the paper, exposing the adhesive.
3. Set your tray onto the upside down cake pan, so that it sticks to the tape.  You will need to carefully lift the tray off the pan, separating the hook and loop tape.  Now, run your fingers along the loop tape, making sure it is well adhered.

Pop the tray back onto the upside down pan, and you're done!  The great thing about building the dog food station with hook and loop tape, is that I can always "undo" it.  Who knows?  Maybe someday I will want to bake a cake?  The adhesive residue will come right off with a little adhesive release, and nothing has been drilled or permanently altered.

 

Here is our incredible flying superdog.  Isn't he beautiful?  I loved the way he looked at me when I showed him his new tray.

Please don't feel angry with our pet sitters about the accident -- it was not their fault. Our vet says the combination of decreased depth perception and a bit of dementia probably caused him to think he could climb over our balcony rails to get "outside" (in his younger days, he was a bit of a Houdini).  Since he didn't really understand what was happening when he fell, he was super relaxed, and didn't receive any serious injuries!  Crazy, huh?  We are just so grateful to have our sweet old guy with us for a bit longer.  On his follow up vet visit, our vet told us he is one of the healthiest old dogs he has ever seen, and that he is an "uncommon dog".

This post is being linked to the following lovely places:
Tatertots and Jello
Funky Junk Interiors

Someday Crafts
House of Hepworths

Flower Arranging with Vintage Finds

Do you love finding cool vintage junk, but are never really sure what to do with it when you get it home? One great trick is to use your vintage find as a plant holder or as a container for a flower arrangement.

Instead of using typical old pans and bowls and pails for your botanical arrangements, why not think outside the box?  Of course, sometimes thinking outside the box means thinking inside the box!

Enter this funky old thrifted metal box.  I was intrigued when I saw the cool label.

But, when I saw the amazing metal framed letter tabs, I was sold -- or should I say it was sold?  For the low, low price of $1.99!  You would never find a traditional vase for that price. And it wouldn't have the visual impact using a re-purposed item would have.

Of course, your scheme won't hold water if it won't, well..., hold water!  I simply tucked an old coffee mug behind the dividers, and added fresh flowers.

How's that for quick and easy re-purposing?  Do you like to use unusual containers for flowers and plants?

 This post is being shared at the following lovely places:
Tatertots and Jello
Funky Junk Interiors
Tip Junkie
Home Stories A to Z
Keeping it Simple
Southern Hospitality
Under the Table and Dreaming 

Cabinet Hardware Makeover {Anthropologie Inspired}

Are you stuck with ugly fake brass and honey oak cabinet hardware that you hate?  Here's a quick and inexpensive way to update those old builder grade cabinet handles.

This project was inspired by these lovelies from Anthropologie.  Gorgeous as they are, they can be pretty pricey when you need to buy twenty or thirty of them for your kitchen.

 Anthropologie

Here is my Anthro inspired updated hardware:

Start by cleaning, priming, and painting your handles.  I used an oil rubbed bronze paint from Rustoleum.

Next, grab a roll of jute or cotton twine and start wrapping your handles!  It's really that easy.  Start with a quick over-under knot to secure the end, then tuck the tail back and wrap the twine around the handle and the tail of twine. Trim the tail, if necessary, and continue wrapping to the end, tucking the remaining tail under the loops and securing with a dab of clear drying glue.

Not counting the time it takes the paint to dry, this project took less than five minutes per handle!  How's that for a super easy and quick update?

This post is being linked to the following lovely places:
Someday Crafts
Tip Junkie
Home Stories A to Z
Today's Creative Blog
C.R.A.F.T.
Homemaker on a Dime
 Keeping it Simple
Under the Table and Dreaming

Funky Junk Interiors
Tatertots and Jello
Between Naps on the Porch

Painting Stripes on Walls

Are you looking for a way to give big impact to your walls, but don't want to spend a lot of money?  How about painting some stripes on your walls?  We are getting ready to paint wide horizontal stripes on a couple of walls at the marina condo.  Here are a few of my favorite inspiration photos.

 Elle Decor

These cocoa and white stripes are bold and classic. I love how they draw the eye through the space, into the dining room beyond.

 via Casa Sugar

For an understated elegant look, you might add a lacquered stripe in the same color as the wall color.

 House Beautiful

Here, two sheens of the same taupe have been used to create a backdrop for a colorful painting.

House Beautiful

Vertical black and white stripes excite the eye in this entryway.  Too much of such a high contrast treatment would be a little hard to take, but in a small "pass through" space, it's just right.

 House to Home

Here is a sophisticated and modern striped scheme.  The stripes pull the rich plums and grays together for a cohesive look.

Coastal Living

The greige and cream stripes in this bedroom seem to embrace you in calm.  This space makes me think of sand and sea and driftwood....

So, do you like striped walls? Have you ever painted them? What bits of advice would you give someone thinking of painting stripes on their walls?

Knock Off Decor Feature!

Hey friends!  Beckie, over at Knock Off Decor, is featuring my Faux Starfish tutorial today!

Be sure to visit Knock Off Decor to see the feature!