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Outdoor Winter Birch Planters

How to make Outdoor Winter Planters with these step-by-step tutorial from Darling Darleen — outdoor winter birch planters

Outdoor Winter Birch Planters

Outdoor Winter Birch Planters seem to be available everywhere here in the Northeast, and are a traditional style of front porch decoration. You don’t see this style of winter planters in the South, so I was excited to make up these outdoor winter birch planters from the clippings of my Christmas tree. Birch branches are difficult to find in the South, but they are available at most stores in the North and priced well. These outdoor winter birch planters are easy to make and add a gorgeous statement to your winter outdoor decorating!

Supplies for making an Outdoor Winter Birch planters can be clippings from your Christmas tree, clippings from evergreen plants in your yard or greenery branches from your local flower shop. Like I said, these planters are very popular in the Northeast mostly because the many of the greenery can be found right in your backyard. But if you don’t leave in the Northeast, all of these clippings can be at your local flower shop.

Supplies:

Urn or large planter (filled with dirt)

Birch branches (cut down with varying heights)

Fir clippings

White Pine clippings

Seeded Eucalyptus

Juniper spray with berries

Boxwood Evergreen (could be found in your yard)

Curly branches

Pine cones (get the scented one for a new welcoming scent to your guests)

I picked up a couple of tiny fir trees for my other urns, but if you can’t find birch branches, then fir trees can be used as your center for the outdoor winter planters or anything that creates height.

Take three birch branches that are varying heights and poke them in the center of the pot, pushing them down into the soil.

Take your fir branch clipping and stick them around the birch branches. Place your juniper berry clipping on top of the fir.

Easy to Make Outdoor Winter Planters with these step-by-step tutorial from Darling Darleen

Seeded eucalyptus branches are floppy, and great to fill in under the fir branches that have open spots. They also are a different color of green and add a good variation of the planters and bring out the tiny blue berries on the juniper branches.

Take the boxwood clippings and continue to fill in empty spaces to make your outdoor winter planter full.

Finish it off with your curly branches placed in the middle of the planter. Then take your scented pine cones and scatter a few around the branches of your planters.

How to make Outdoor Winter Birch Planters with clippings from your tree via Darling Darleen

Enjoy your holiday porch with your new outdoor winter birch planters!

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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. Looking at places like how to home might be a good way to finding out and learn about DIY projects that could inspire you. My friend gave me some affordable sass clothing that no longer fitted her and it will look great hung up on this 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 Modern Blanket Ladder

DIY Modern Blanket Ladder

One of the ways to jump into the new year, is to tackle some DIY projects that have been lingering on that “do-be-completed” list. What better way to start off with the first DIY project of the year than with this DIY modern blanket ladder. With the cold weather and winter blankets out of the closet, this DIY modern blanket ladder is going to get quite a bit of use before the season ends. And it is a cute accent to my other home decor. This DIY modern blanket ladder project is so easy to complete. Once you get all the supplies, it really only takes about 30 minutes. And in 30 minutes, you’ll have a new furniture piece to add to your home for under $50.

First thing you want to do is head to Home Depot and pick up the following supplies. To save time, you could even saw the dowels down to size right at Home Depot before you check out.

5 wooden dowels (3/4″ x 48″)

8 Copper pressure tee (3/4″ for all openings)

tape measure

pencil

hand saw or circular saw

white spray paint

rubber circular pads

The modern blanket ladder is about 5 feet tall and 22″ across.

Step 1: Using your tape measure and pencil, cut with hand saw or circular saw the wooden dowels down to the following measurements:

4×20″, 2×18″, 6×12″ and 2×8″. You will have a few extra wooden pieces left over.

Step 2: Spray paint your dowels and let it dry completely. I choose white, but use whatever color you want. Or stain the dowels to get a weathered wood color. Or you can even just skip this step and keep it a natural color.

Step 3: Okay so the 20″ dowels are used for the steps of the ladder. The 18″ dowels are the bottom legs of the ladder. The 12″ dowels are used between each step. And the 8″ dowels are used at the top of the ladder.

Step 4: Take the copper pressure tees and then build your ladder, putting each dowel into each opening. Make sure you push to dowels down so they are secure.

Step: 5: Place your rubber pads on the bottom of the ladder. Then ENJOY!

Easiest DIY Modern blanket Ladder to make! Don’t you agree?

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Easy 5-minute Watercolor Paint Project

Easy 5-minute Watercolor Paint Project

Need some artwork to fill a wall in a room? And don’t want to pay a fortune for that artwork? Want instead an easy 5-minute watercolor paint project that is quick but makes a statement? That has been me this past week. My guest room has been majorly neglected, and now that I have family coming into town for the upcoming holiday. It’s encouraging me to address the issue. Since I’ve waited until the last minute, I don’t have much time to buy prints and artwork online. So, my next idea is to just DIY it. I’ve been so inspired by all the minimal artwork I see online and on Pinterest, like this Etsy shop was my inspiration and is so reasonably priced for real artwork. If you don’t want to DIY, just buy it! I had all the watercolor paint supplies on hand from this watercolor project and with my limited timeframe, I decided to make this easy 5-minute watercolor paint project.

Easy 5-minute Watercolor Paint Project

Supplies:

Watercolor

Brush

Watercolor Paper

Water

Palette or Paper Plate

Instructions:

Make sure you use watercolor paper! Watercolor paper absorbs the color and moisture. Also, as your watercolor dries, the paper won’t warp if it’s watercolor paper.
Decide your paper size and whether you want the paper horizontal or portrait. Having a frame on hand, and a location of where you want to hang it already picked out helps make the process easier. I wanted to hang my artwork in my guest bedroom with the frames hanging portrait.
To keep it minimal, I stuck with black watercolor, but once I got the hang of it, I mixed in purple, pink and the blues in the black to create some really beautiful grayish tones. That is one of the great things about working with watercolor is how easy to mix colors. Having a palette is a necessary tool when working with watercolor. It makes it so you can easily mix your colors.
The more water you use to dilute your colors the lighter the watercolors will be. As you can see, I used a lot of water to make the black more of a gray tone and more faint.
It is the nature of watercolor paint to bleed if wet paint is applied too close to another color. This is a great opportunity to create beautiful visual effects.
Begin with simple shapes, swirls and loops. Overlap triangles with triangles. Square over squares. Hearts over hearts. Octagon over octagons. Sometimes simplicity makes a huge statement.
Let it dry and then frame!

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DIY Metal Bench Ikea Hack

DIY Metal Bench IKEA Hack

This IKEA hack is one of my favorites. I’ve been wanting a contemporary modern metal bench to go in a corner of our foyer, and haven’t been able to find one that is the right size and the right price. When friends come over usually that corner is where kids throw their shoes and bags and coats. This metal bench IKEA hack is the best because it serves as a modern storage unit and a comfortable seat. The whole piece cost me about $70, but I had fabric on hand and most supplies. But even if you had to buy a yard of fabric, you can complete this DIY metal bench IKEA hack for under $100. You might remember this DIY marble gold coffee table IKEA hack, which is very similar to this DIY hack except you add a cushion and fabric. This is really easy and you can complete this project in about 30 minutes. Of course, if you’re more handy than I am with metalwork, you might even want to buy some metal of your own from somewhere like aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk to make a bench frame that is totally unique!

DIY Metal Bench IKEA HACK

Supplies

VittsJO Nesting Tables

gold metallic spray paint

Foam Cushion–3″ you might be able to get it cheaper at a local fabric store

tacky glue spray

scissors

staple gun

1 yard of fabric. I bought my fabric here and it was leftover fabric from a previous project

Directions:

Follow the directions for putting together the Vittsjo coffee table. Once you have the coffee table frame together, spray paint it gold making sure to completely cover all leg posts. While it is drying, take the wooden rectangle board and place on top of the foam to measure. Cut the foam to the size of the wooden board. Then take the adhesive spray glue and spray one side of the board and gentle place the foam down on the board, firmly securing with the glue. This will help keep the foam from shifting on the board.

Then place the foam-side of the board on top of the wrong-side of the fabric. Cut down the fabric, leaving enough fabric to cover the sides of the board and foam and about 1 inch of the bottom board. I also folded the edges of the fabric to prevent fraying.

Take your staple gun and secure the fabric by stapling it around the board. Follow this technique to staple the corners of the board.

After completely covering the wooden board, you can gently place it on the gold bench frame. You could use the metal tabs from the frame to drill the cushion part to the frame. But I just placed mine on the frame and haven’t had any problems with it moving. Then take the glass part and place it on the bottom. It gives it a clean contemporary look, and is great to place a basket on it for storage.

Easy right?! I am so in love. What to do with the other nesting table?? Simple. Spray paint it gold too and use it as a side table. Here are some other fun DIY IKEA hacks:

10 Minute Fur Stool

Gold Marble Coffee Table

Tassel Curtains

Here are some other modern gold metal benches

Before + After: Lacquer Mid-Century Modern Credenza Makeover

Before + After: Lacquer Mid-Century Modern Credenza Makeover

I came across this mid-century modern credenza at an estate sale. It was the last day of the sale, so I bargained and paid less than $30. What really caught my attention was the brass modern round, tapered legs. The wood grain was in pretty good condition, but I knew I wanted to lacquer the outside of the frame and add brass handles to freshen it up. I have used Amy Howard at Home Lacquer spray paint before on a lamp and really liked the results, so I thought it would work perfect for this project. The piece was in overall good condition– just had some minor scratches, dried paper stuck to it and a lot of dust. Estate sales are a great place to find mid-century modern furniture pieces. I’m slightly obsessed with Worlds Away furniture and they do a lot of two-tone credenza pieces, so I knew this mid-century modern credenza makeover was a perfect project to tackle and create a copycat look.

Before picture of the mid-century credenza at the estate sale. Isn’t my baby cute in her mismatch princess shoes?!

Once I got the piece home, I pulled the sliding doors off and took the shelves out. I wanted to do a two-tone, mid-century look with a white perimeter but keep the wood-grain sliding doors the same wood stain. So I really didn’t want to take the chance of getting paint on the doors.

Using a de-greaser, like Simple Green, I cleaned the inside and outside of the furniture piece removing any dust, particles and grime.
Then I taped off the sections that I didn’t want any paint to get on.
The top was laminate, so I ripped that off and then used wood putty to fill any holes. Then sanded so the wood putty was flat. I probably didn’t have to do this since I was just spray painting the top, but I thought I would get a better result. In the end, it was a step I could of skipped and would of saved a lot of time. Make sure to remove ALL dust before going to the next step.
After, I spray painted the piece with two coats of a white furniture primer. You must prime the piece with a white primer to get the best results.

The lacquer products you will need are Amy Howard at Home White Perfection and Bright Idea lacquer spray paint. I used about two cans of the White Perfection and one of the Bright Idea. Amy’s high performance furniture lacquer is my favorite and is actual lacquer that creates a thick, rich, high-gloss finish on a piece of furniture.

5. Take the White Perfection lacquer spray paint and using horizontal swiping motions at an 8-10” distance, spray in short spurts at a time overlapping each stroke. Don’t linger too long or spray too closely. This could create drips! I spray painted back and forth, back and forth to create an even finish.

6. After it dries, lightly sand (with 400 grit sandpaper) any puddles or uneven lacquer areas on the piece. Wipe well with a tack cloth to remove any dust.

7. Apply a second coat of white perfection lacquer spray paint. Let it dry about 30 minutes. Then sand again.

8. Repeat until you get the desire finish. Once you get the desired look, you don’t have to sand. It took me about three coats of lacquer until I was satisfied.

9. To finish the project, apply Amy Howard at Home Bright Idea Clear Lacquer Spray Paint. This will give it an added protection to the lacquer and a high-gloss finish. Before I applied two coats of the Bright Idea clear spray paint, I made sure the piece was completely dried. Using the same horizontal motion, completely cover the piece of furniture. If you get any puddles, no worries! Just sand down with 400-grit paper after it dries and in between coats.

10. Before you enjoy your furniture piece or move it, make sure to let it cure about 3 days for added protection!

While the piece was curing, I cleaned the brass legs with Brasso. The brass was pretty dull and this gave it a nice polish. Then I used Goof Off pro-strength to remove any marks on the wood grain of the sliding doors. You have to be careful because this stuff is strong and will strip stain if you rub too hard. Then I went over the piece with a wood stain marker to cover any scratches.

I switched out the little finger pulls on the sliding doors with these brass hardware pulls from House of Antique Hardware , which are great for sliding cabinet doors. My only complaint about them is we had to drill a hole in the doors to make the hardware flush to the sliding doors, since the rear of the hardware is not flat but has a circular bulge for the finger pull.

I would say this mid-century modern credenza makeover was a success, and I am excited to use it and show it off! I love the Amy Howard at Home lacquer paints. They really can drastically change a piece, and give it a high-gloss finish.

LAMP | RUG | BASKET | PRINT (similar) | BOOKS

This post was sponsored by Amy Howard at Home; however the opinions are all mine.

Want to see more Amy Howard at Home projects?

Want to get the look without doing the work?

DIY Ikea Hack White Fur Stool

DIY Ikea Hack White Fur Stool : You might have seen similar DIY Ikea hack white fur stool projects on Pinterest, but I changed some of the steps to make it a 10-minute Ikea hack project with less supplies. This diy ikea hack white fur stool project is much easier and you might have most the supplies on hand. How cute would it be to make a whole bunch of these white fur stools for a girlfriend luncheon or birthday party? These stools are inexpensive (about $10) and the project is a quickie! Also, it looks really cute under my acrylic console table. Or put it in a bathroom corner. It’s small enough to squeeze even in a powder bathroom. Add just the perfect touch of glam to a room.

Supplies

Ikea Marius Stool

Mongolian Fur

Foam (optional)

Exacto Knife

Adhesive Spray

First thing first! If you want to spray paint the legs of the stool, make that the first step. Or if you like it white, keep it. I spray painted mine gold metallic. Spray painting will add some minutes to this DIY Ikea hack white fur stool project, but if you do it the first step then while it is drying do the other steps.

Okay so I wanted to add foam to my stool to add some height and dimension especially with the fur. You can skip this step if you don’t mind a hard furry stool! I just thought a soft furry stool is a little better! Also, if you can find a white foam instead of blue that would be best. I had to add white fabric under the white fur because you could kind of see of the blue. I bought my foam at a fabric store with a 50% coupon so it was about $2.

Take your foam and place the round stool top on the foam. Outline with a sharpie. Cut with an exacto knife. Then using spray adhesive, spray the top of the foam. Then flip over and press it down on the top of the plastic stool top.

Cut your white fur so it will cover the sides of the foam/plastic top. Spray the adhesive spray all around on the foam then place it down on the wrong side of the white fur fabric. The plastic stool top should be exposed. Wait a minute. Then gently pull the white fur fabric covering the sides and using the adhesive spray to secure to the plastic bottom. Trust me. It will stick!

Cut the fabric around the screw holes. You don’t want to cover them up! Also, cut away any excess fabric. Continue to use the adhesive spray to secure the fur.

Once the white fur is all glued onto the plastic, follow the Ikea directions with screwing on the stool legs. Make sure the legs are dried before you screw them on to the top. Also the legs will help to secure the white fur, so over time the fur doesn’t start drooping.

Voila! You are done!! Easy peasy! And now you’ve got a cute stool with minimal effort.

Want to see more white fur stools you can buy?

Stylish Pet Beds from La-Z-Boy

10 Back-to-School Tips

Summer Solstice Dinner Party

My Home Buying Process

Summer Travel With Brita Filtering Bottle

Outdoor Winter Birch Planters

Outdoor Winter Birch Planters

DIY Copper Clothing Rack

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

DIY Modern Blanket Ladder

Easy 5-minute Watercolor Paint Project

DIY Metal Bench Ikea Hack

Before + After: Lacquer Mid-Century Modern Credenza Makeover

DIY Ikea Hack White Fur Stool

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