The Penny Parlor: 02/01/2010

Accessories are my thing…

2/22/2010

The other day in Express I spotted a necklace I just had to have!! At $50 it would be splurge for a piece I would only wear on occasion. So I refrained, but thought...maybe I could DIY it?

While at the craft store I bought some beads knowing I could return them if things… didn’t work out so well for me in jewelry making. I spent $10 on beads $4 on findings (the things that connect the beads) and $ .70 on string to connect the necklace. I used needle nose pliers I had at home to construct the piece…… and after one snowed-in afternoon I had my necklace…and $35 to put towards another project!

Of course I am already thinking of where to put that savings..... I found some wedges online at DSW with some fabulous bead work on the top strap.

At $80/pair... I wonder if I could re-create this look with some inexpensive wedges and beads???

Decor/Accents

Monograms Made Easy

2/22/2010

Monograms are a popular trend in home décor. I’ve seen them on everything from lamp shades to wall plaques to bed linens. The described technique can be used for various applications:

Book ends
Paper weight
Nursery wall names or words
Words of inspiration
A simple wall plaque
Wedding décor

What you will need:

Monogram Letters: I purchased mine on sale at JoAnn for under $2 already primed
Optional rectangular plaque: $ .59 at JoAnn
Mod Podge
Exacto Knife
Scrapbooking paper and embellishments
Glue stick
Spray paint

Spray paint your letters and plaques in a color that coordinates the scrapbooking paper you’ve chosen.

Tip: A spray paint nozzle (under $3) at Home Depot eliminates a tired trigger finger!

When your paint dries, glue the backside of paper on to the letters smoothing out any bumps. Allow the glue to dry and trim your letters with the Exacto Knife.

Then apply Mod Podge over the entire surface.

When the Mod Podge dries embellish with your scrapbooking décor (I used stick on rhinestones) and hot glue to plaque (optional).

Tip: Some monogram letters will not stand up alone without the plaque. If you decide to hang them on the wall you can hot glue letters together or hot glue ribbon on the back and hang that way.

Before/After

Easy Chair Re-Upholster

2/17/2010

In need of a chair for my office makeover, I turned to a hand-me-down from my aunt.

When choosing fabric for a single chair or small project, don’t forget the REMNANTS section of your fabric store. I was able to get fabric originally priced at $39.99 per yard for just $6 at JoAnn Fabrics.

I gave the chair a light sanding and sprayed on primer and paint. Then re-covered the seat with my staple gun—and Voila! A new chair for my office space. I will soon be posting more projects in the office.

You can often find chairs at your local thrift store. Remember a coat of paint can do wonders.

Decor/Accents

Key Art

2/04/2010

While doing some online window shopping I came across a unique piece of art at Restoration Hardware… with an equally unique price tag of $199! (gasp) The collage alone is $1200.

Pottery Barn also has a version of key art:

I remembered seeing some aged skeleton keys at a local antique shop a while back so I ventured over to see if I could recreate my own key art.

I was able to find the keys for $2-$5 depending on the size. I actually prefer the aged look over the polished look Restoration Hardware offers.

When purchasing frames keep in mind you have to allow depth for the keys. I was able to find some at Michaels Arts & Crafts on sale for $12. They have the matting already in them similar to the look we are trying to create.

I also purchased a quarter yard of neutral toned fabric for a back drop behind the keys. The cost was $1.50 at JoAnn Fabric.

To assemble, first play around with the layout of the keys. I chose to have multiple keys in some of the frames.

When you have it figured out, take some spray adhesive to attach fabric to the paper insert that came with. Smooth it out to ensure no wrinkles.

Next, hot glue the key(s) in your desired configuration. Layer the matting and key in the frame and simply hang on the wall.

Tip: Some of my keys were so thick I had to duct tape the back flat against the frame. It has held up great.

The finshed product:

Tip: If you cannot find an antique shop try Kennedy Hardware , House of Antique Hardware or Pottery Barn online for skeleton keys.

Before/After

How to Hide an Off Center/Out of Place Window

2/03/2010

In our last home we had a small awkward window on the wall behind our bed.

While browsing JCPenny online I came across this unique hardware in the specialty section that hangs window treatments from the ceiling.

It was a perfect solution and made a pretty neat backdrop behind the bed.

Before/After

DIY Barstool Makeover

2/01/2010

We recently moved into a new home complete with a kitchen island. While saving for the barstools I really want… I rescued some from my mom’s garage that looked like this:

Here is a simple makeover easy enough for anybody. Give the stools a light sanding, paint with spray paint (don’t worry about seat, we will cover it), spray with protective sealant and let dry completely. I chose an Espresso Brown spray paint from The Home Depot. Next lay the chair upside down. You will need fabric, batting and foam, which you can find at your local craft store, and layer it in that order. I actually used a leftover curtain from my old house as the fabric.

To secure everything you will need an upholstery gun (staple gun) which you can purchase at your local craft store as well. This is a good tool to have for DIY projects. I got mine at JoAnn Fabrics.

Trace the seat on the foam and trim so you have a nice circle. The batting can overlap a little around the seat. Next trim the fabric, but leave enough to pull taunt while you staple. Finally, begin stapling by pulling the fabric taunt, but not so hard that it pulls. I do one side, then the opposite, leaving two halves to finish stapling. When you are done stapling, trim any leftover fabric so you can't see below the seat. And you're done!