Shelves for Savannah!

September 22, 2015 venicepup

Hola Amigos!!

Progress is being made in Savannah’s room and it’s finally, FINALLY starting to look kinda done. Yes, it’s true! We are still tweaking a bit (since she’s 9 and doesn’t die over all my flea market finds) but I know that we’ll get there ’cause girl’s got style, taste and more than a few opinions!

In her room, after putting in the bed against one wall and adding in a necessary bedside table, we were left with a narrowish space that could have become unless, or GASP! boring. Of course, I couldn’t have that!!

In case you need a refresher check out a few of my other (1, 2, 3, 4) Savannah posts.

Here’s the space I’m talking about…See that little corner by the window??

Maybe you have an awkward space too? SHELVES!! And for less than $20 bucks – Um, hell ya!

A few cuts and viola, styled with things I found around my uncles house. (That seems like it should have been easy, but it kinda wasn’t.)

It’s so moody, isn’t it?! That lavender is pretty dreamy in real life too.

Shall we make some super easy shelves??

I purchased a 6″ pine board, 10 ft long. I then cut 5 pieces 20″ long. Sand these and set em aside for now.

Then grab a 2×4 piece of lumber you have lying around… hopefully you do have some since you really don’t need all that much – maybe 2ft. Seriously, you don’t even have to measure! Make a straight cut across, and then 90 degree cuts from the corners. Like so,

You will just keep cutting like this until you have 10 total brackets. Now grab your drill and drill bits – Time to make those holes. **Make sure that you are prepared to drill into the “meatiest” part of the bracket at the top. Not the middle, not the bottom. Even though these shelves are narrow, you’re still going to want support.

First go in straight, to give yourself a base, and then drill in straight down. Super straight, nice and steady.

You can even have your screw inset into the bracket. It’s more finished that way.

Sand the brackets and stain all your pieces. I bought this stain that looks like a deep purple, Olympic Stain and Sealant in Blue Sapphire. You have to get it mixed like paint, but the color is pretty cool.

While you’re at the store grabbing stain, grab some long screws and anchors. I had to get 3″ screws and those blue anchors (two different packages). You’ll also need 3/4″ screws to attach the shelf to the bracket unless you are a hoarder of screws like someone I know. Hint, it’s me.

Stain them – that was Captain Obvious.

Attaching the shelves to the wall is not hard at all, just put a level on top of the shelf and use your drill to mark where the holes in the brackets are onto the wall. Then move the shelf away, put in your anchors and screw to your little hearts content.

This project is all kinds of fun.

I found this lovely lady at Lamps Plus for $30. Yes, she’s mass produced, but I’m still so pleased with that find.

And that’s it! Raid your uncle’s house for treasures or hey, maybe just check out your own stuff, just a thought. I’m curious to see how Savannah makes it her own, but she’s got plenty of room to play with and collect treasures of her own.

Cute and EASY! My favorite kind of project!!

I think next week I can finally show you the rest of the room!

1 Comment Projects

Trellis, Lattice and Arbors; Structures Plants Can Grow On

September 17, 2015 venicepup

You know when you have an idea in your mind that you’re totally going to do, but you don’t know how or where or ANY OF THE DETAILS? Alls I know is that I want some structure built for the purpose of some plant to shower me with flowers on the daily. Picture me in a Bollywood movie.

The seed has been planted. Bad pun intended.

Wondering what I’m actually talking about?

Well, this here below is a trellis… Trellises are often filled with lattice. Trellis is the structure, usually wall-like not enclosed, and lattice is the wood grid stuff you can buy at Lowes to pretty it up.

An arbor (or arbour) is a structure that creates a shaded walkway or sitting area with crossbeams. It is sometimes attached to a house or other structure, but the key is that it’s not completely enclosed, like with a roof, which is perfectly suited for lots of green goodness to grow all over it.

Both images above – Garden Club

Here are a bunch of inspiration photos for what’s swirling around in my head… Maybe you can test yourself on your garden structure knowledge?

Dark Blue

Parthenocissus Quinquefolia Vines

And this last one… it’s a teepee y’all. Duh. It’s it all kinds of magical? I think it’s where unicorns sleep.

Do you have any big plans for your garden? I have all kinds of ideas… in my head, I’m just like, more green, More Green, MORE GREEN! Now I need to get focused because I have maybe a month or two to get it done this year. I don’t want my new leafy babies to freeze in the California winter.

1 Comment Design 101, Inspiration

Concrete Your Planters

September 15, 2015 venicepup

Don’t you love it when the title tells you what to expect in the book? That’s exactly what I did to my old plant pots!! And what a difference.

What I started with…

AFTER!!

So let’s dig in, shall we?!

Gather your supplies

A bucket for mixing
Feather finish concrete from Home Depot (or Ardex which is a bit more expensive)
Gloves (not shown but strongly recommended)
Mixing attachment (not required but it’s so cool!)
Concrete tint (not required, but I used black and bought it here)
A concrete sealer, I used Acrylacq from the countertop project and a paint brush to apply it
A sanding sponge

First things first. You must remove a good amount of dirt from the edges of the pot. You will want to concrete into the pot so that you don’t see any “seams” later. Save your dirt, you’ll put it back of course!

Put a protective sheet or paper under your pot (or whatever it is you’re going to concrete over) and mix up your batter! Now, folks I do not measure a thing. I know that doesn’t help much but it’s the consistency you’re looking for… you’re going for a custard, so that you’ll have time to apply it (and you can add water if it’s getting too thick).

Stir it up…nah, nah…the boys are waiting… Yes. You must sing the milk shake song.

Put on them gloves and “finger paint” your pots. Get dirty! Here’s my first coat…

This would have been ok, but I wanted to smooth it a bit. Insert a second coating… it’s drying here and it doesn’t look much different, now that I’m looking at it

At this point I gently sanded it using a sanding sponge, just to get all the chunks off. And I actually went to a plastic sheet under the pots for the sealing process. Once you’re happy with the look, seal it! Make an extra effort inside the pot (try not to poison the plant) and on the bottom where water can sit.

It’s not perfect?! Of course it’s not! It’s more Gaudi looking, which makes it special. This isn’t a pot your friends will see at Target.

To finish out the entry, I added a long sisal runner from Ikea.

The proportion of the other rug drove me nuts every time I looked at it, but it was a housewarming gift from my in-laws and I was nervous to remove it. Well, when they came over a few days ago, they said they loved the new rug! Phew!!

Or was that trickery?!?!?!?!!?

Nevertheless, I am so much happier with the look!! It’s like a real entry now.

Here’s a before

And NOW!!

A little paint, some new glass door panels and a new rug. Oh, and let’s not forget the cutest doorbell ever! I didn’t change much but it looks so different!

Before

AFTER!! I added rosemary to the pots and I hope they hang over the edge! I’ll let cha know.

Ready to concrete something?!

1 Comment Projects