Very Cool DIY - A Headboard Bench

 Photo taken by me with my iPhone

So my love for benches continues....spotted this bench a few months ago in the lobby of a restaurant.  It wasn't until I got home and was posting it on Instagram that I realized that it was actually a headboard made into a bench...very cool, right?   I always love a good DIY and even better, repurposing something.  The bench I saw was made from just the headboard, but some of the ones below have cut the footboard in half and used it on the sides for arm rests...such a great idea...love this!  

If you're thinking of making one, I would suggest that to really get the full impact of the headboard you should paint it dark if it's against a light wall, and paint it light if it's against a dark wall.  These can be real show stoppers if put in the right surroundings.  The light ones below would look stunning against a dark wall.  Here's a tutorial if you're interested in making one...you can see more on my Pinterest board.

via shabby2chic Etsy

via recreatedesigncompany.com

via afewgoodpieces.blogspot.ca

Some of you have sent me pics of things you've painted and DIY projects you've done, and please keep them coming.  I love seeing what you've all been up to, and I'm always happy to hear if I've inspired you in some way.

Have a great week!

Barn or Loft Doors

When I showed the reveal of our son's bedroom in our basement, I got quite a few people telling me they loved this barn door and were going to make one for their own home.  This is my favourite thing in the whole space!  There are so many great ideas out there.  You can make your own or use old or new doors.  You can have vertical or horizontal boards or both.   You can paint them or have them more rustic looking.  I love the idea of recycling old doors.  Here's just some of what I've seen.  

via brightboldbeautiful.com

via tidbitsandtwine.com

The one below is used to save space instead of using a pocket door.

via relaxdeco.com

This one uses old barn boards stacked horizontally.  I've also seen this done on a design show using click board flooring.

via realslidinghardware.com

via cedarhillfarmhouse.com

via lizmarieblog.com

tidbitsandtwine.com

The blue door above adds some interest down a hallway that otherwise might be a bit boring.   Below they recycled old shutters instead of using old doors.  Great idea!

via funkyjunkinteriors.com

via remodelista.com

It's always nice to add some interest and uniqueness to a home, and this is one way of doing it.  Here's a link to purchase the hardware if you are thinking of putting one in your space.  You can also purchase the hardware at many of the big box stores.

You can check out more barn doors here on my Pinterest board.

Painted Antiques - Dual Purpose

Look how gorgeous this looks.  It's an antique I spotted recently.  I absolutely love how paint can transform an old piece of furniture and give it new life.  

The one thing to keep in mind when you're purchasing furniture is what other use the piece can have.  This is especially helpful when people move into a new home.  The furniture they purchased for a specific location in the old home, suddenly doesn't have a space in the new house.  This is when you need to think of what other purpose your furniture can serve before getting rid of it.  For example,  most people purchase a dresser for the sole purpose of being in a bedroom, but don't feel you always have to place a dresser in a bedroom.  The piece above would also look fantastic in a front hall and used for storage.  It could also be placed in a dining room and used as a sideboard or buffet.  

This cabinet below is another example of a piece of furniture that can be placed in any room.  This would look fantastic in a bathroom, hallway, living room, dining room or bedroom.

To see more painted furniture, check out these.