Monday, November 24, 2008

I Can Do That!

Do you ever browse through catalogs, see great things and think they'd be easy to replicate? I do that all the time. That's why my last garage was so full of future projects. I'm determined to keep this garage less cluttered, but I still get inspired.

I need a piece of art over the fireplace; I just don't know what I want. I do like this piece from Pottery Barn. It's 50" square and costs $399. I'm inclined to buy a piece of plywood, some lathing strips, and a few cans of wood stain. I'm thinking it'd cost about $50 to make this myself.

I've posted this one before, but it just looks so easy to make, in spite of the geometry required. Ballard Designs no longer carries it, so I'm not sure of the price. I see mirrored closet doors for sale all the time on Craigslist. You could buy one for $10-15, and then purchase that stick-on leading stuff from the craft store. I'll bet this could be made for less than $30!

Then there are those expensive desk accessories that are so popular right now. The following ones are from Pottery Barn. Lots of times, you can get free, cheapy chests and nightstands from Craigslist. The following organizer could be made out of a drawer.

I think you could make the following two items out of jewelry boxes. I'll bet you could get them inexpensively at thrift stores.


Bulletin boards can be purchased inexpensively at WalMart. This one's covered in linen. It looks very chic, doesn't it?

Finally, though I've tried to stay away from posting anything Christmas till after Thanksgiving, I do think these pillows would be pretty easy to replicate. WalMart has solid pillows for about $7. Use fusible tape or fabric glue to adhere metallic ribbon to pillow. Surely that'd be cheaper than the $34 price at Pottery Barn.

11 comments:

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hey, Sandra, you're SO right, I can see duplicating lots of these ideas! Great inspiration.

Loved that neutral spread from TH too, I'm very drawn to that look, but it would be SO hard to start over, so I probably wouldn't even attempt it. I do like my color too!

Hope ya'll have a great Thanksgiving!

Robin Beck said...

GREAT post! I'm a do it yourselfer too! I love the idea of making your own wood art over your fireplace. That would be really easy to do! I saw a big chalkboard in a magazine the other day-It was huge and in a lady's kitchen. I showed it to my husband and he bought everything last night to make it. He told me this morning it should be up by tomorrow! It wasn't very expensive to make!
By the way... I loved your answers on my Santa Wish List post today. I hope all your wishes come true!
Robin~♥

Lisa said...

Hmmmm....Brad is replacing our wooden fence and I've been trying to figure out what I can do with all those old wooden fence slats! That first project might just be the thing! (Was actually thinking of making signs with painted quotes on them...or funny sayings...thinking, thinking...)

Anonymous said...

Love your ideas. Sometimes I think about things the same way. These are some great ideas. I'd love to try that wrapping paper organizer.

Nola said...

I love that first piece, not only can you make it, you can customize the colors to suit your taste and your space available. If you make it, please photograph your steps as you go, and then post a tutorial on it!
That second one, with the mirrors would be really easy, I used to do the "faux" stained glass. All you need is some space and a steady hand. Your pattern is limited only to your imagination.

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Yes! you CAN do it...all of it! Great ideas Sandra. Start with the art. 'Cause then I want you to make ME one. Yes?

Becca Watson said...

All those items are great! I know what you mean, I see all kinds of things that I want and think I can make that!

Of course I'm not very handy, so I tell my husband to make it for me.. The table he just built me cost about 60-70 dollars to make, if you were to buy it in the store, it would be a couple hundred dollars or more..
(I'll post the finished pictures of it soon..)

Hope you have a wonderful week and Thanksgiving!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Great ideas Sandra! I do that all of the time! (see things and know I can make them). I love the wood piece. If you do make one, post a pic ok?
Penny

Unknown said...

What great ideas. I love to find ideas and modify them. I love the ribbon organizer!

Chris said...

You could SO make those things. I dare you to do the wood piece over the fireplace. (Is my tough talk working?) I would love to see you do it. Great pics!

PAT said...

All great ideas, Sandra!

Happy Thanksgiving!