daily decorator

Happy Monday everyone!  Today we have 2 fellow bloggers with several great diy ideas!  I’m so excited about our 1st entry today because it is from one of my new favorite blogs, Craftynest.com.  Formerly a magazine graphic designer for mags like O, The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple and Sunset, Monica (creator of Craftynest) has a slew of fabulous ideas for bringing high style design into your home through diy. 





Check out these fairly easy and very affordable diys…





For project number 1… no she didn’t stain the table and paint over–the flower pattern is cut out of wood veneer!  It is a great look and makes the pretty basic tables the centerpieces of the room!  Here is a brief how-to (for the full tutorial click HERE).





1.  Find an image that would be easy to cut.  2.  Using a tracer projector, trace image onto paper (making a template) then transfer to veneer.  3.  Cut out image on veneer.  4.  Position your veneer cut outs onto surface to see what your pattern will look like.  After applying 2 coats of polyurethane to each cut-out, glue to your surface and allow to dry with books weighing each piece down. And the final product…





Now the 2nd project, creating a serving tray out of a cabinet door.


 


 1.  Find an old cabinet door and prime and paint desired color.  2.  Find decorative drawer pulls that would work as handles and spray paint with desired color.  Drill holes on the shorter sides of the cabinet where the handles will be.  3.  Either paint free-hand or stencil a design on top side of door.  Attach handles and felt pads on the bottom and you are done! 





For a more complete tutorial click HERE. 

Oh, and did I mention that occasionally Monica will sell some of her creations that you see on her site?  So make sure you pay her a visit at Craftynest.com.                                                                                   

This is an exciting week because we also have the very talented JoAnn from DIY Maven who is also a featured writer at Curbly,  sharing her most favorite diy project.  It is a 2 in 1 deal.  Something that looks great but is also very useful.  I call it functional art!  Check it out… 





Here is a brief how-to below.  Click HERE for a full tutorial.





1.  Find an old frame and paint desired color.  2.  Measure and cut a piece of plywood or MDF veneer to fit in back of frame.  Attach with staples or small nails.  Mark out where you want your pegs to be and drill holes that fit the size of your pegs.  3.  Attach pegs by slightly tapping them in with a covered hammer (use wood glue if the fit is not snug).  Now display and organize your jewelry!

One of my favorite diy projects that JoAnn did was her craft room shelf.

LOOOVE it!  I may consider this idea for my office update!  Click HERE for the how-to.





Go to DIYMaven for more great ideas or you can find DIY Maven on Curbly.

Thanks Monica and JoAnn for your virtual visit today at the daily decorator and for your great diy ideas!