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One Room Challenge Week 3 | Master Closet Makeover

We’re still chugging along with the master closet. I’m currently typing this to the background noise of a jig saw, hammer and air nailer. I’m so happy to start seeing some tangible changes this week.

If you’ve been MIA the past two weeks, we are participating in the One Room Challenge. If  you aren’t familiar with the ORC, it is a six week challenge where designers, and guest participants share the transformation of a room from concept to completion. It’s quite inspiring to see so many people transforming their homes during this six week period. You can follow along by going to the link above or scrolling #OneRoomChallenge on Instagram.

One Room Challenge

If you need to catch up, here is Week 1, and Week 2.

Happy to report we stuck to the script this week and got the shelving built. Again, when I say we, I actually mean he. With an awkward corner we knew we didn’t want the poles from the left and right side of the closet to cross over each other so we needed something to keep that from happening. We came up with the idea to put a small shelving system in that would serve as not only storage but also as something to affix the closet poles to.

I’ll be honest, when I posted the inspiration photo last week, I was a little skeptical that we would get it done.

But would you look at this….

Y’all.

I wasn’t home when he put the original structure together, but I came home to the shell and was overcome with joy! We knew we needed this little piece for function, but originally envisioned it holding baskets for storage. Now that it’s up, it will house my shoes. He even went as far as to ask me to bring my Hunter boots so he could make sure he made the bottom shelf tall enough so they could stand upright.

We are planning to do a low shelf on the right side for the shoes he wears most often, and then a storage solution will be placed up high for the rest of his sneakers. We haven’t quite worked out how that will come together just yet.

So what’s next?

Crown moulding for the ceiling, molding on the shelving, patching the holes in the wall and painting is up for this week. If I decide to stop waiting on that coupon from last week, I suppose the light will go up.

Here’s our updated list of things that have been completed, and things that still need to be done.

Here’s what we need:

  • More hanging space
  • Better shoe storage
  • Shelving (built-ins, shoe shelving, high shelving for storage)
  • Grout existing flooring
  • New lighting
  • Paint (ceiling, walls, built-ins)
  • Drywall repair (ceiling, walls)
  • New hangers
  • Glass closet door
  • Baskets
  • Floor length mirror
  • Install hanging rods
  • Rug

 

DIY Home

One Room Challenge Week 2 | Master Closet Makeover

We’re at week 2 of our master closet makeover and we might be a smidge behind but I’m more than confident  we will get everything done on time. If you missed last week, we are participating in the One Room Challenge.

If you aren’t familiar with the ORC it is a six week challenge where designers, and guest participants share the transformation of a room from concept to completion.

One Room Challenge

There are so many talented people across the internet that I am looking forward to not only participating, but also following along on other people’s journeys as they transform their spaces. You can follow along as well by visiting the One Room Challenge blog. Every Wednesday for the next six weeks we will be uploading our progress.

If you missed last week, START HERE.

I apologize in advance for the bad photos. The closet is closed off from natural light and we currently don’t have a light fixture installed because I haven’t found one. Well, I have my eye on one, but I’m hoping if it sits in my shopping cart long enough I’ll get one of those magical email offers with a coupon.

When we were planning our course of action, we decided to work from the top downward. Our first order of action was to attack the ceiling, which involved removing the bar light, scraping the popcorn, patching/skimming the drywall and painting.

We vowed to never, ever (ever, ever)  scrape another ceiling after the living room, but you know how that is. He made light work of getting it scraped, and thanks to a dry-vac loan from his brother the dust was minimal. Then he patched the other two large holes where the ends of the light fixture were attached in the attic.

About that.

master closet makeover

The whole attic process defies words. I captured the process on Instagram Stories for your viewing pleasure.

The next process involved him skimming the ceiling with joint compound, sanding, and painting.

He really got it smooth, if we find some areas that need a little more work after we add in the light we’ll address them. However,  from a poor lighting aspect, things are looking good.

I know the space is small but I wanted to go a little dramatic so I hope this dark color doesn’t come to bite me, but I like it and think my brass light (the one I’m still waiting on a coupon for) will contrast nicely. The color is Portland Twilight by Valspar

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s going down this weekend. (Wish us luck. If you want a front/behind the scenes seat be sure to follow my Instagram Stories, always fun times over there.)

Photo

We’ll be making this and installing, as well as patching the walls to prepare for paint. We’ll be using a paint sprayer instead of  brushes. To make sure everything is seamless we’ll need to get all of our built-ins put in, and have the holes in the walls patched first.

Update: The shelving has been completed!

Here’s our list from last week with a few additions. In other words, this is a working document.

Here’s what we need:

  • More hanging space
  • Better shoe storage
  • Shelving (built-ins, shoe shelving, high shelving for storage)
  • New flooring
  • New lighting
  • Paint (ceiling, walls, built-ins)
  • Drywall repair (ceiling, walls)
  • New hangers
  • Glass closet door
  • Baskets
  • Floor length mirror
Fall kitchen decor
DIY Home

DIY Open Shelves

It’s the weekend, and you do know weekends are the perfect time to tackle those pesky little projects that you’ve been walking past month after month vowing to get to. I know that struggle of having every intention to spruce this up or primp that there and then life and Netflix binge watching sessions and then…..a year passes and those things still aren’t done.

Apprehension for tackling some of those things I’m sure comes from thinking about the cost and time involved but I’m here to tell you taking the time and spending the money to make things a little bit prettier, and  a little more organized in your home pays for itself a million times over.

I can’t stress enough, we are less stressed when our digs are calming and easy on the eyes.

If you are looking for a quick weekend DIY these open shelves cost less than $40 and take about 5 hours to complete.

N E C E S S I T I E S

Plywood board

Look at your space and pick the size and type of wood you want based on the look you are going after. My board was either 16 or 20 inches. I knew I wanted four shelves so I went with a measurement that was divisible by 4. I then had three cuts done at the store. Home Depot does at least 2 cuts for free, I wasn’t charged for 3rd cut. Be sure to ask at your local store. Lastly, I think my board was about $15.

Wood Stain

A quart was all I needed and I had plenty left over.

Wall Brackets

When picking these, consider how much weight you need them to hold up and purchase accordingly. Also be sure to get brackets that have holes at the top  so you can screw the shelf onto the bracket. I used these

Screws

Level

 

 

T H E  W O R K

The hardest part about this project was measuring. I had to do a little finger counting, side head leaning, and unscrewing but I finally got it. I recommend you screw into the studs for support.

Once you have measured out where you want the shelves to hang and located the studs, screw in one bracket and use your level to help you place the second one.

After your brackets are hung it’s smooth sailing. Grab your stain and an old cloth and wipe on the stain as heavy or light as you want.

If you wish, add a clear sealant, I didn’t want mine shiny so I skipped this step.

Once the stain was dry to the touch, I attached them to the brackets. I did let them dry overnight before placing anything on them.

 

white kitchen

 

how to hang a gallery wall

 

 

Fall kitchen decor

 

Fall kitchen decor

 

Soooooo have I inspired you to tackle a tiny weekend DIY project or nah?!

Oh, before you go. Remember the Domino Magazine Award I’m up for? Well voting has been extended until Tuesday. I would love it if you gave me a vote everyday until then. Once on the page scroll down to the section titled “A Little Bit of Everything and vote for Unlikely Martha! VOTE HERE 

Have a great weekend friends.

 

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DIY Bed Canopy
DIY Home Video

DIY Bed Net Canopy

On a Friday evening trip to Ikea, my daughter spotted a bed net canopy and in her very best begging voice pleaded her case for me to shell over $20 for something I knew I could make for under $10.

I was right.

Once we made it down to the first floor in Ikea, I spotted the exact same sheers used in the bed net canopy upstairs in the curtain and fabric section. They came two in a pack for $4.99.

Armed with a few additional supplies, her net was completed in under 30 minutes and the tab came in under $10.

To make one of your own you will need.

DIY bed canopy

 

A pack of Ikea LILL curtains

A medium quilting ring (purchased from Michaels for $2.99)

Ribbon or String

Ceiling Hook

Spraypaint (optional)

 

I. Start with removing the inner ring of the quilting ring from the outer by untwisting the screw until the outer rings disconnect.

DIY bed canopy

 

DIY bed canopy

 

DIY bed canopy

 

II. Once the rings are detached, carefully string the curtains onto the rings. If you choose not to spray paint the rings, the wood will catch the fabric on the curtains so be careful not to tear or rip the fabric.

 

DIY bed canopy

 

III. Once you have strung both panels onto the outer ring. Measure out your string or ribbon to the length desired. Keep in mind  a knot will have to be added so account for that when measuring. Once you have your measurement in mind. Loop knot three ribbons or strings onto the ring.

 

DIY bed canopy

 

DIY bed canopy

 

IV.  Once they have been attached to the ring. Collect them together and make a knot at the top.

 

DIY bed canopy

 

V. Now, place the inner ring back into the outer one, making sure the fabric is hanging how you want. Then tighten the screw to connect the two rings.

 

DIY bed canopy

 

VI. Put your ceiling hook in place and affix the knot onto the hook. I recommend screwing the hook into a drywall anchor to ensure it stays. Ask me how I know.

DIY Bed Canopy

 

DIY Bed Canopy

 

Need a visual?! Addison is on Youtube showing how it’s done