diy home decor Archives - Darling Darleen

Best Online Tile Resources

The Best Online Tile Resources

With our recent move from Georgia to Connecticut, we recently bought a home that is about fifteen years old. It isn’t old enough that it needs a major gut and renovation, but it does need some refreshing up and cosmetic changes to modernize it. The last major tile project we did was our first home in Connecticut, where we gutted and redesigned our upstairs family bathroom. Many of the best online tile resources websites come from that bathroom project. Our new house has good bones and has enough space for our growing children. I love the location of the home–less than a mile away from the train station to NYC and about a mile and half to the beach. And the neighborhood is great and family friendly. But there are definitely some things in the home that need major remodeling. We have already repainted the 50 shades of blue walls in the house to Benjamin Moore White Dove. And boy! Paint does make a huge difference!

Painting the entire house (inside and out) is not the only thing we are doing. We are also changing out most of the bathroom tiles, and there are about four bathrooms that need a good change. So, tile has been my focus the last few weeks as our first remodeling project will be our downstairs powder bathroom, since it’s the bathroom that gets the most use during the day. I will definitely be posting a before and after on the process. In the meantime, make sure you are following along with me on Instagram as I will be posting on my page and IG Stories. I’ve already shown some of the tile-picking process.

So I wanted to share what I have found to be the best online tile resources. Picking tile can be overwhelming, and I know how it’s best to see a tile sample in the room before making the big final purchase. What I have found to work best and to save money, is to head to your local tile showroom and pick out tile patterns and styles you like. Showrooms usually allow you to check out one of their samples. Or you can ask them for the name of tile, and then head to one of these online tile resources and most likely the online site will have the tile but for a fraction of the price. Most of the tiles I have found in a showroom are available online and about 20% cheaper. It is nice to see the tile in person. So if you don’t feel comfortable checking out the sample (because usually they request personal information), you can snap a picture of the tile and again head to these best online tile resources for reference.

As you may have noticed pattern tile in natural stone, ceramic and porcelian are huge right now! I am loving every patterned and its been quite hard narrowing it down. Mixing tile pattern and colors are also a favorite. The water jet mosaic tiles are just so beautiful. You can really have so much fun creating your space with just tile.

(bathroom and laundry images from Three Bird Renovations)

Here are the Best Online Tile Resources for shopping for your next tile project:

TileBar.com–so many beautiful patterned tiles. I get giddy looking through their tile options.
Floor & Decor–they offer stone, decorative and tile. They have a very competitive pricing.
AllModern–if you are looking for the modern style of tile, head to All Modern. Here are a few of my favorite styles:

4. Clé Tile –clean and simple. They have an amazing terra cotta tile collection and team up with other designers. Most of the tiles are handmade and on the higher end.

5. Overstock.com–I have found some really great tile option on Overstock. You’d be amaze and the savings are worth it. Here are a few of my favorite styles:

6. Amazon–I’m sure you aren’t surprised that they also sell floor tile. Well of course! The only concern is if the seller is reputable so do you research if you find a tile you love. Here are a few of my favorites:

7. Home Depot–don’t disregard Home Depot’s tile selection. They have really picked it up a notch and now sells some really beautiful tiles that are more design focused.

8. Lowe’s–another home improvement store that is now offering exceptional tile pattern styles. Most of their best tile styles are found online instead of their stores.

9. Wayfair–if you are looking for the mosaic cement tile, Wayfair is a great resource and has it at great prices. They also have an easy return policy, which helps if the tile doesn’t work out.

10. Houzz–did you know that Houzz now has a shop department? So convenient because they have many house images linked to the product. If you need to see how it looks in a space this is a great resource. Here are a few of my favorite tiles from Houzz.

Which tile is your favorite??

Here is a PIN for your Board!

Modern Wire Evergreen Wreath

Modern Wire Evergreen Wreath

Wreath making is one of my favorite Christmas crafts for decorating the home. You really can’t go wrong and the outcome is so beautiful. I can’t wait to show you the wreaths and garland I’ve been putting together. I’m hoping to get my Christmas holiday post up either tomorrow or Monday (fingers crossed). If you remember last month for Thanksgiving, I made these Modern Harvest Wreaths out of wire hangers and clippings from my yard. I love the fun wreath shapes you can make of circles, triangles and squares. It really puts a geometric, modern look on a simple wreath. Well, I just updated my modern harvest wreaths with a modern wire evergreen wreath so they look a little more holiday and goes with my Christmas tree and ornaments. This craft is so easy! Don’t throw out those wire hangers, craft them into something beautiful that can be used year after year.

Supplies for the Modern Wire Evergreen Wreath:

Wire hangers
Follow the instructions for the Modern Harvest Wreath for making the wire wreath.
floral wire
wire cutters
wire pliers
Christmas ribbon
leaves–magnolia, eucalyptus, boxwood, any kind of ever green leaves
Cotton stem
holiday berries from any craft store

Instructions for the Modern Wire Evergreen Wreath:

After you make the wire wreath, go out to your yard or a neighbors or even the woods or a park and clip evergreen plants. An evergreen plant is a plant that stays green all year round for example boxwood, cedar fir, Fraser fir, eucalyptus, magnolia. There are so many evergreen variety but I tend for find branches that remind me of a Christmas tree. You don’t need a lot but enough to cover the bottom half of the wreath. Then arrange the evergreen clips with the large, bushier branches behind and the thinner smaller leaves in front. Take your floral wire and wrap around the wire wreath. Once everything is secure, add your holiday berry branches under the floral wire. Pull out the cotton heads from the stem and place them also in floral wire. Add some ribbon and you are ready to hang.

These simple modern wire evergreen wreaths are best placed over a mirror or over the back of a chair. I also love the look over a fireplace mantle or switching out a picture over a console with one of these modern wire evergreen wreaths.

Modern Harvest Wreath

Modern Harvest Wreath

I don’t know about you, but it is hard to feel like it’s Fall when the weather outside is hot and steamy. Halfway through September, and I’m trying really hard to get into the mood of Fall so the best way to do so is with crafting Fall home decor. I love how these modern harvest wreaths came out, and they are the perfect crafting idea to get into Fall. These modern harvest wreaths are perfect to place over a mirror, hang off the back of a chair or decorate above a console table. Did I mention budget friendly? Except for a few berry branches, I pulled almost everything from my flower garden and around the house. And how can you not get over the geometric wreath style? It the best part of the modern harvest wreath! You may have seen similar modern harvest wreath styles on Pinterest, but these ones are made out of wire hangers!

A few of the items I used were magnolia leaves, eucalyptus leaves, wheat grasses, decorative berry branches and dyed dried natural berry branches. These modern harvest wreaths are made with real, natural flowers and leaves but using items that will completely dry beautifully and not wilt. They should be good the whole fall season!

Here’s the easy breakdown for the modern harvest wreath.

Materials for Modern Harvest Wreath

Three wire hangers to make a circle, square, triangle
metallic spray paint
floral wire
wire cutters
wire pliers
ribbon
leaves–magnolia, eucalyptus, boxwood, any kind of ever green leaves
natural dried dyed branches like wheat or berries
real flowers or berries that does not discolor or welt when dried

Instructions for Modern Harvest Wreath

To make the modern wire wreaths, I used a wire hanger and snipped off the hook part with wire cutters. Then I manipulated the wire into a geometric shape. You will need arm strength to bent and twist the wire ends around each other to hold the geometric shape. Use pliers to assist in the twisting and maybe another set of hands. Once the shape is secure with the wire hanger, don’t be surprised if the wire ends are pointing out. You will be covering that part with your flowers. Just make sure they aren’t pointing out too much that there is a concern with scratching a door or mirror. After you are happy with the shape of the wreath, spray paint both sides of the wreath with metallic spray paint. Let it dry.

Start with the leaves and then add three decorative flowers or berries. Cut the stems an inch from base. Wrap floral wire around the base of the flowers, then wrap the floral bunch around the base of the wire wreath, making sure it covers where the twist is located. Repeat about three more times. Hang the wire wreath with ribbon.

I love the look of hanging the wreath in other places other than a door. Get creative and have fun decorating your home with these modern harvest wreaths.

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DIY Copper Hat Rack

DIY Copper Hat Rack

DIY Copper Hat Rack: Summer time is usually when I rock a hat..almost everyday. Protection from the sun and blocking harmful UV rays makes me all about wearing a hat when I head outside. So, my hat collection, specifically my straw hat collection, has become a little out of control, and I have been in desperation of organizing the collection. I have wanted to buy a hat rack, but most of the hat racks on the market weren’t quite what I was looking for. But after DIYing the copper clothing rack, I was leaning toward a DIY copper hat rack because I had left over copper supplies and thought it would be a great way to use up my copper inventory. All said and done, this DIY copper hat rack what SO easy and took about five minutes to put together with total supplies of about $15. Of course, not including the cost of the hats!

Find a spot in your closet to set up your hat collection. Or this DIY copper hat rack is so chic and stylish you could use your hats as display over a headboard or dresser. I recommend using parts from Tradefix Direct as the price and quality are both very good!

Supplies for DIY Copper Hat Rack

All these materials are available at Home Depot or your local hardware store. Or you can buy with the links below, but prices will be higher.

1/2″ in diameter and anywhere from 5 ft – 10ft copper pipe depending on how wide you need. You can also buy long and cut down the copper. See the how to.
2 copper end caps (1/2″ diameter)
2 copper pipe strap (3/4″ wide)
Curtain rod ring with clips
Hammer
Nails or screws
Leveler (optional)

Instructions for DIY Copper Hat Rack

Figure out where you want to hang your hat rack. Think about how wide your hats are and make sure to leave room from the end of the hat to what it will be near. Also think about how many hats you want to hang. You can double similar hats together to maximize space. Also if space permits, you can hang from the clips rope or string and then attach hats with clothing clips to the ropes. Lots of different options!

Once if you figure out where you want to display your hats, take your hammer and pound in one of the pipe straps to the wall with a nail. Use screws for a stronger connection or if you are planning to hang quite a bit of hats on it. Make sure you get 3/4″ pipe strap, NOT 1/2″. That way you can slide your copper pipe in and out of the pipe strap to add or remove ring clips without marking your walls too much.
Add the end caps to the ends of the copper pipe and then slide your curtain rod rings on it and keep them in the middle of the pipe. Then slide your copper pipe into the pipe strap.
Use your leveler, or if you have a good eye, to make sure the pipe is straight against the wall. Then take your other pipe strap and place one the other end of the copper pipe. Secure in place with either nails or screws.
Grab your hats and clip them onto the curtain rings. Then enjoy!

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Check out these other COPPER DIY projects

COPPER Plant Stand

At Home with Ashley of Mütze Hats

At Home with Ashley of Mütze Hats

This past summer I spent some time at the home of my dear friend Ashley, who lives near my family in Las Vegas Nevada. Ashley has the best sense of style, and exhibits it well in her clothing, knitting business and home. I’m excited to share a little bit of her laid-back modern style with a new series I’m exploring and hoping to share more of on my blog called “At Home”. I hope you gather inspiration of At Home with Ashley of Mütze Hats.

Ashley, her husband and three daughters wanted to get out of the city-limits of Las Vegas and find a home that wasn’t the typical Spanish-style, cookie-cutter track home with a square lot. They eventually found a 1979 ranch in Henderson and was attracted to its large property and acreage. Growing up in Idaho, Ashley wanted a home were she could have land large enough to raise chickens, goats and horses. A little piece of a Idaho farm life in the desert was just what Ashley was looking for.

Before they moved into their home they gutted the kitchen, resurfaced all the walls, replaced the flooring, changed fixtures and lighting and completely repainted the house. The style of the home is what Ashley coins “prairie modern”–a mix of old country with modern touches.

My dress | Ashley’s Dress (similar , similar with white shirt underneath)

At Home with Ashley of Mütze Hats

Here are some home styling tips from Ashley:

Add texture of wood and leather to achieve a prairie-modern look. Leather pillows and wood chairs are perfect accents.
When traveling, stop by farmer’s markets to pick up reasonably priced original art and to support local artists.
Incorporate family heirlooms when decorating, and frame old black and white family pictures in modern frames to achieve a prairie-modern look.
Use large maps as art pieces. This is inexpensive, and a great way to show your state pride.
Personalize your home with items you collect. Ashley collects cuckoo clocks from her time of studying in Germany. She displays her cuckoo clocks around her house and has added to her collection.

Fun Facts about Ashley:

Ashley has 15 chickens, 2 roosters, 3 goats, 1 horse and 2 alpacas on her farm.
She will be learning how to shear her alpacas this next year and will be using their fiber to spin yarn and use them for Mütze Hats. She eventually will sell the yarn on her website.
Ashley has a small team and they begin knitting hats the end of spring all through the year to prep for the numerous markets Mütze exhibits during the winter months.
Ashley collects old vinyls and has a couple of record players in her home.
Ashley’s favorite shops are West Elm, Anthropologie Home, World Market, Home Goods and Bohem.

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DIY Copper Clothing Rack

DIY Copper Clothing Rack

Lately, I’ve become a little obsessed with copper pipe projects like my recent copper blanket ladder ! Working with copper pipes is actually really fun and the results are clean and modern. I hope to bring you a few more copper pipe DIYs, but today I am showing you have to make a DIY copper clothing rack. This project is so easy and you really only need one tool. Assembling the copper pipes takes just a few minutes. I like this DIY copper clothing rack because it’s pretty enough to have it exposed in a room and could be used for a pop-up shop or coat rack. You can dissemble the DIY copper clothing rack when it is not in use and assemble in just a few minutes. All the details and instructions of the DIY copper clothing rack is listed below. Don’t forget to PIN this project! 🙂

DIY Copper Clothing Rack

Cost: $80

Time: about 30 minutes

Results: a furniture-like clothing rack

Supplies: All these supplies can be found at your local hardware store. This project is not the cheapest but cheaper than buying a copper clothing rack online or at a store. Also, if you have a copper pipe cutter than the total price will be less since I had to buy one.

2– 3/4″ x 10 feet copper pipe

1– 1/2″ x 10 feet copper pipe

6–3/4″x3/4″ 90 degree elbows

2–3/4″ copper Tee

4–3/4″x3/4″x1/2″ copper Tee

4–3/4″ end caps

copper pipe cutter

black sharpie

tape measure

E6000 glue (optional, but recommended)

nail polish remover (for cleaning the pipes)

Instructions: Don’t be intimidated to cut copper. It’s SO easy! I actually had my younger son help me out with this project. And he cut the copper! The first thing to do is clean you pipes. You probably have red ink markings on the sides. Take a rag and nail polish remover and just rub it off. Nail polish remover easily takes it off.

Now that you have clean copper pipes, take your 10 foot pipes and measure and mark what you will cut. Here is the breakdown:

Take 1 of the 3/4″ diameter copper pipe and measure and mark 5 feet so basically right in the middle of the pipe. Once it is cut you will get 2 x 5 feet 3/4″ diameter copper pipes. These will be for the sides of the clothing rack.
Next take the 1/2″ diameter 10 foot pipe. Measure and mark 41″ twice. You will need two 41″ 1/2 diameter pipes. These are the ones that run on the bottom of the clothing rack and will hold up your shoes. You will have extra 1/2″ diameter copper pipes left over. Save it for another project!
Then take your other 3/4″ diameter 10 foot copper pipe. First measure 41″ and mark. This will be the bar that goes on the top and holds the clothes. Then measure 8 x 3″ lengths and 4 x 2″ lengths.

Now it’s time to cut! It’s so easy. Take your copper pipe cutter and place over the pipe where the mark is. Tighten the cutter so it is secure. Then rotate the cutter around the pipe clockwise 3 times. Tighten cutter again. Rotates counter clockwise 3 times. Tighten the cutter again. Rotate clockwise 3 times. Tighten. Repeat until the pipe snaps. It’s that easy!

Once you are all done cutting your pipes, this is what you should have! Now you are ready to assemble.

To assemble your DIY copper clothing rack, I would start with the base. I would also take your e6000 and glue these pieces together for a more secure clothing rack. Don’t glue the top sides of the rack; that way you can dissemble the top and the sides for easy storage when it’s not in use.

Your 1/2″ diameter 41″ pipes are the two parts that run on the bottom of the rack where the shoes are placed. Take the copper Tee’s that are 3/4″ x 3/4″x 1/2″ to secure the cross bars. Take your 2″ 3/4 diameter pipes and place them on the one sides of the T. Then place the 3/4″ Tee for the other side and connect the two cross bar together with the secure of 3/4″ Tee. That Tee should be place up and will be where you will place you 5 foot copper pipes. But before you do that, take your 3″ copper pipes and place them on the other side of the Tees and connect your elbows and then finish off the feet with another set of 3″ copper pipes and then your end caps. Make sure all your pipes are secure and pushed in all the way. If you are gluing, let the glue set before you assemble the top.

I’m loving these kate spade fushcia pink heels and bow-tie heels. So fun and festive.

Once all the bottom is assembled of your DIY copper clothing rack, now take your long bar and assemble the sides and the top securing with your last two copper elbows. Grab a helper so the long pipes aren’t hitting you in the head! Add some rubber bottoms to your rack if you have hard wood floors so it doesn’t slide around or scratch the wood. Your copper clothing rack is now ready to be used!

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DIY Fresh Magnolia Mixed Branch Wreath

DIY Fresh Magnolia Mixed Branch Wreath

Fresh Christmas wreaths are my favorite! I try to make two fresh ones every year. So last spring I had my landscaper plant two magnolia trees in my backyard since we live in the south. Every southern home should have their own magnolia tree, right? Our house definitely needed one. But really the main reasons why was so I can make magnolia wreaths and garland during Christmas. A mature magnolia tree is huge, so we ended up planting two miniature magnolia trees because we didn’t have the yard space. Since the miniatures don’t get as big, they also don’t have as large of leaves. Our magnolia trees are still babies, so I didn’t have enough leaves for full magnolia wreath. Instead, I decided to DIY fresh magnolia mixed branch wreath, using clippings from my Christmas tree and my front yard boxwoods. If you have evergreen plants in your yard, they do great with mixing in with a wreath. Also, get thrifty and use your Christmas tree clippings by making either a wreath, garland, swag or put some in a vase for a simple centerpiece.

DIY Fresh Magnolia Mixed Branch Wreath Supplies

Magnolia leaves

Fir or Cedar clippings

Boxwood or Eucalyptus clippings

floral shears

floral wire

wreath wire

There’s not a lot of supplies to make a magnolia mixed branch wreath. I reuse my wreath wire every year. Make sure you have a good pair of floral shears, so its easy to cut branches off the tree.

Magnolia leaves have such an elegant, classy appeal with their contrasting sides. It’s no wonder that store-bought magnolia wreaths are quite expensive. If you live in an area with magnolia trees, most floral nurseries have magnolia leaves in the bundles. As you can see one stem has quite a few leaves so you can really use one branch and then wire the bundle to the wreath.

Take about 3 to 4 branches of your Christmas tree clippings. Trim so they all the same height. Cut a long piece of wire and wrap tightly around the base of the clippings leaving about 2 inches of wire on both sides.
Place the tree branches on the cross wire of the wreath wire and then wrap the floral wire tightly around the thick cross wire. Secure.
Then take one magnolia branch and place a few boxwood stems behind it, then tightly wrap the base with floral wire leaving about 2 inches of wire on both sides. Place slightly offset of the tree branches then secure to the wreath with wire.
Repeat with the tree branches and then the magnolia and boxwood leaves, placing offset a few inches down the wreath.
Continue to make mixed branch sets and work around the wreath until it is completed, placing one set from the other. I worked the wreath counter-clockwise.
Once the wreath is completed, take floral wire and wire wrap all the branches together to the wreath about every 3 inches until you complete the circle. This will make the branches more secured and from flopping around.

Then enjoy your DIY fresh magnolia mixed branch wreath. Add a bow or long ribbon to the wreath to complete the look.

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Here’s are other DIY wreaths:

Mini Wreaths

Evergreen Wreath

A New England Christmas

Outdoor Winter Birch Planters

Holiday Gift Guide For Teen Girls

Holiday Gift Guide for Teen Boys

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