Happy #100reveal Thursday!!
You guys. I have got the COOLEST project for you today. As I was brainstorming ideas for these fun GE reveal® light bulb projects my natural train of thought was obviously to do something cool with light. But we’ve already rewired a light, and made an amazing chandelier for the entryway.
Something different was just what the Dr. ordered.
Something new.
So armed with $100 to The Home Depot, and a GE reveal® light bulb I set out on my quest.
You know when you get an idea that just seems so crazy, and when you tell everyone in your life about it they genuinely don’t understand what you are explaining? No? Just me?
This project describes that perfectly. I have been super obsessed with shadow art lately, but it is always done on such a grand art installation scale.
I wanted a way to be able to simplify it enough to use it in my house. And probably not use it to make human shapes because that would be terrifying to stumble across in the middle of the night.
So after thinking long and hard about it for a minute or 2 I set out to see if it would work. If I could actually do something using light and shadow.
I conducted a little experiment and here is what I learned:
It is entirely possible…IF you have the right kind of light bulb, and the right angle.
The light bulb is critical, it needs to give off enough light to cast a strong shadow and it also needs to be focused. A regular style light bulb disperses the light too much, but a reveal® indoor flood light worked perfectly.
The angle of the light, will lengthen + shorten your shadow, and the distance from the pegs will straighten out the letters (the further away the less skewed they are.)
So with this in mind we started with a little trip to my version of Disneyland…The Home Depot.
I bought a GE reveal® indoor flood light (and a regular one for the before and after) (4) 8’x1”x6”, a 3’x1”x1” wooden dowel and a 2×4’ sheet of underlayment.
After you’ve measured the exact size of the underlayment (this will serve as the backboard for everything) you are going to cut 2 pieces that measure the width of the underlayment horizontally (2’) and 2 pieces that measure the vertical distance between the 2 horizontal boards. This is a backer frame and will give you something to attach the face frame and the underlayment to.
Next you are going to cut 2 boards with 45 degree angles that have an inner measurement that match your underlayment.
PSA: For the LOVE cut these angles so that they look like this:
Not like this:
Court, I’m talking to you.
If you did not heed the above advice, head back to The Home Depot and buy yourself another couple of boards…#fun.
Once you have your boards cut the right way, use a nail gun to attach them to the back frame.
Then put your underlayment on top and secure it with a few nails.
To make the light I took apart this cute desk lamp that I’ve had laying around and a few spare parts from the Bent Arm chandelier build.
All I did was deconstruct this light that I bought a while ago:
And put it back together with the long arm in between the base and the socket (I wanted to be able to adjust the light angle as much as I need to.) I also swapped in my favorite twisted lamp cord that looked better and had a higher wattage rating.
Then I drilled a small hole in the center of the frame and fed the cute new wire through. The last bit of light construction was wiring a plug on the end. Its time for a common sense disclaimer, these bulbs can get warm, this isn’t a light that you will want to leave on for hours and hours. Yes? Yes.
Once the light was hung inside the frame (with a small screw) it was time to place the dowels.
I did this part last so that I had complete control over the way that the shadow cast.
Once I measured and marked where my short dowels (they measure 3.5”) were going to live, I used a small amount of Titebond III wood glue to adhere them to the board.
A roll of painters tape works wonders to hold them in place while the glue dries.
Want to see what it turned into?
When the house lights are on and the spotlight is off you have this curious and delightfully inoffensive bit of wooden art on the wall.
When you shut off the house lights, and turn on the spotlight you get a friendly little message:
Amazing right?! I mean, who doesn’t want your decor to actually greet you!!? And for a grand total of less than $50 no less!
Because of the closeness of the light onto the board I was a little curious if you would even be able to tell a difference with the reveal® light bulb. Oh ye of little faith Mandi. Of course you can. Directly on the light it’s a little hard to tell a difference, but look at how much cleaner white the reveal® side is, and how much sharper the shadow. (Bulbs used were 40 W Soft White Spotlight vs 45 W reveal® Halogen Indoor Flood bulb.)
What do you think? Do you love it?!
Its time for another giveaway!! You know the drill, (10) winners will win a $100 Home Depot gift card, and a GE reveal® lighting package, all you have to do to enter is leave a comment and let me know what level of DIYer do you consider yourself to be and/or tell me about your favorite DIY project that you have completed!
Oh boy, I am a total beginner at DIY. I can paint rooms, but that is about it. I would love to win the gift card so I can ramp up my DIY skillz!
Maybe a level 3 😉
I fancy myself a level 2 DIYer, but I think I’m probably only a 1. My husband, on the other hand, is more of a 2.. he just did our backsplash in bead board last weekend (and it looks great!). I’d love to use this gc to do that bent arm chandelier, but it may be out of my wheelhouse 🙂
I’m uh…mediumish? I tend to think I have way more skills than I do, haha. I have a room full of furniture I’m supposed to be refinishing, and a lot of half started projects. Most of my decor is DIY in some way though, so maybe I’m selling myself short. 😛
I’m definitely a beginner DIYer. Also, it looks like your RSS Feed isn’t working.
I am a total beginner baby DIYer but I LOVE your ideas! So creative and fun.
MANDI! This is so cool! I’m probably fairly advanced when it comes to projects not involving power tools. I hope that will change soon. And honestly, one of my favorite DIY projects I ever completed was the leather and brass magazine rack. It adds so much to our little office!
I am a beginner DIYer, but itching to become more advanced. I just need a place of my own to be able to create in and ill be off!!
I am a middle of the road diy-er. I can use all the tools and I always give everything a shot before calling in help.
My favorite diy project is probably the shoe racks I built into my closet years ago. There was a small area that could not be used for anything else so while my husband was at work I pulled out the saws and got to work. It was perfect!
There are levels?! I’m moderate…? Love building things I want that I can’t find in-store and my family regularly recruits me. I’m itching to re-do my stairs!!
I’d say I’m a level 3, but I usually don’t have the time or funds, so I only try and tackle level 1 stuff. Level 2 if I’m in a good mood. And then that one time, when I did a level 3 project, and totally hacked an awful (and large) Ikea Fjus hack off Craigslist, and it took FOREVER. Cuz I wanted to do it right. But then, I ran out of patience (and paint), and I didn’t do the last coat inside the bottom cupboards. But it’s my favorite. Except for when I open the cupboards…. 😉 #EndOfNovel
Heck yeah, I LOVE IT!
Such a fun project! I love the way you put your Mandilicious stamp on everything.
I’d say I am an intermediate DIY-er. My dad is an electrician and can basically do anything, so he’s taught me a lot – but I still get him to do more of the advanced stuff on our projects 🙂 I’m pretty sure he loves working on my projects as much as I do! One of my favorite DIY projects has to be the industrial modern floating shelves I installed in my living room using your tutorial. Everyone who visits me always comments on them.
I’m a seriously DIY newbie. We bought our first home in June of 2014 and have been diving in head first since. My favorite project so far as been rebuilding our kitchen. My dad has taught me so much about plumbing!
On a scale of 1 to 10, I would say I’m probably a 1. Probably because I’m lazy. 🙂
I’d say I’m an intermediate DIYer. My favourite project in the last few months is the gold inverted triangles I Sharpied on our bedroom wall—thanks to your Sharpie wallpaper tutorials! That or the upturned-wire-basket-turned-side-table, with a lovely walnut top. (Just to let you know, I think typing just “vintagerevivals.com” into a browser—without the “www.”—treats your Intrusive Future Homeowner post as your latest. Or is it just me? I thought you had given up posting for a while!)
We are remodeling our entire New-to-us home, so that will be my favorite project when it’s finished 🙂
Beginner DIYer. I love to try new projects…but the execution often leaves something to be desired.
I’m a tiny baby step above a rookie. So far my favorite project was painting our bathroom cabinets. #100reveal
My dad was a die-hard DIY’er and a landlord to boot, so he had me changing plumbing fixtures and installing toilets when I was a teenager. He taught me electrical, drywall, laying flooring, tile-cutting, wallpaper stripping and applying ….and even how to trap moles. My biggest project was a kitchen remake that included stripping years of paint from 27 cabinet doors, ceramic tile flooring, new lighting and appliance built-ins, and new countertops. But, I LOVE your HI art and have never done anything like it!
My husband and I are pretty hardcore DIYers. We are completing a full bathroom renovation (8 weeks and counting)… my favorite project to date!
I am the worse DIY’er (but I’m really good at being the “cutter assistant” when my husband paints the walls). I just tried making fish scale art, it’s on my blog, but it was pretty much a bust and all I had to do was cut up paper. I’d love a certificate to try another craft. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.
Intermediate..maybe. I love to do easier DIY stuff like painting, making chalkboards, shelving etc. We are building our first owned home after 10 yrs of renting so DIY here I come..
Intermediate for sure! So made to decide…hmm. Either my concrete side tables or my frame for my huge map. So wish making frameless easier! Please provide a wood frame diy or an acrylic and wood frame diy.
This has got to be one of the best projects I’ve seen any blogger tackle. Amazing. And I’m a pretty novice DIY-er although thankfully my boyfriend is handy enough for the both of us. We just re-did the dining room in our 1913 house and framed out a conspicuously new window in craftsman-era trim. I’m in love.
that is just sooooo crazy smart !
I am a super beginner. I actually decided to try your floating industrial shelves. After a little learn and grow time, and a little help from the hubby – we now have three lovely shelves hanging in our house. The perfect touch for that wall. Muchos Gracias! Still a beginner though. Much to be learned and tried ahead!!
MY favorite project I completed was an old rusty shop cart that I completely stripped down, painted a fun color, then added a wood top to. Now makes an awesome bar!
Oh wow it’s like we are the same person! I consider myself a born DIYer to the upteenth level. (That that doesn’t mean I always get it right, just means I always have something in the works.) I’m in the process of building a pendant light and sewing cushions for a wooden couch frame I thrifted. Just finished a platform bed! I think the poor people at Home Depot run when I walk through the door because they know I’m about to ask for something that doesn’t exist or I don’t have a name real for. Metal roundish thing about thiiiiis size with a hole somewhere in this area???
Woman! You are brilliant bordering on crazy genius! My mind is literally blown.
So super fun!! Humm…..DIY level. I want to be seen as all out amazing goddess caliber of 1000, but at last, in everyone else’s reality I am a 2. Thank goodness for creativity in the mind and a husband that has time/good attitude to achieve my crazy schemes. We are looking into and dreaming up DIY projects for the spring yard at the moment. Thanks for the opportunity for the chance at a gift card!
One of the most Clever (with a capital “C”) diy projects I’ve ever seen!
i’m beginner for certain. I love your blog and ideas – I’ve never have the courage to carve out some time and try anything….this might actually be the thing to try! seize the shadow art!
#100reveal – My new favorite DIY is the one my 24yr old daughter just called from 13 hours away to ask me how to do! With my hubby I am a 10 without sadly a 4.5 🙁
Pretty amateur over here! I can manage very simple projects, done quite a few from your blog over the years too! My fav is probably some simple corner shelves with brackets.. Would love it to be something else if I got the chance to spend some moolah at the HD 😉
This is AHH-MAZ-ING! I am new to the blog world but not new to DIY-ing. I easily get inspired but when the juice is flowing and my head is spinning, I know it is a good one. And I am spinning right, round, baby, right- round. There WILL be something in the future using this idea. Thank you! My most favorite DIY? Hum…my kitchen got a revamp from floor to ceiling and it is unrecognizable. Best part of the DIY is that it cost less than 50 smackaroos! Check it out on my blog…pictures to come (remember, I am new to this whole blogging world) http://www.HomeIsWhereBlissIs.com
A level 6 DIYer probably… best project was taking a dresser and hacking it into the perfect TV console. Built shelves and dividers on the top part an refinished it to our liking!
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity! I’m a beginning DIY-er. My favorite project is priming and painting the backs of bookshelves before I assembled them. The bookcases are dark wood, the backs are a subtle gold. It gleams in low light or bright light. Love it!
I love it! Very clever. I haven’t gotten too far beyond repainting furniture, but I’d love to get some tools & do more. #100reveal
I would consider myself a beginner DIYer for things that require saws or nail guns. We haven’t tackled anything too big (besides redoing our floors), mostly because of budget. But I love thrifting and garage sales and giving old pieces new life. Can’t think of a favorite project at the top of my head, but I know we have some.
I am a beginner DIYer and love your site for ideas and demonstration. Great motivation to look at things differently, with an I CAN Do attitude!!!
I am definitely a beginner DIY’er. I love to look at blogs and get inspiration! I have great ideas I just don’t know how to execute them!
I am definitely a newbie. My favorite project so far has to be painting my hideous 50 year old kitchen cabinets super bright turqoiuse inside and minty green outside. Brightened up my outdated kitchen so much.
I have the vision, my husband’s the manual labor.
I’m an advanced beginner, myself. My husband does it all. Together we’ve done serious DIY in previous homes, including a 1000 sq ft deck. I’m working on expanding my power tool skills, and agree with you about Home Depot and Lowes being The Happiest Place on Earth!
I am such a beginner! The most involved project I have done fisher a concrete + wood + acrylic display box for an art project at school. It turned out fabulously…because I had a ton of instructor help when it came to execution 😉
loveLOVElove this tutorial! I’m about a 5(?) I get impatient and frustrated when things go awry. My favorite recent DIY is a Juju hat I made for the breakfast nook it took us a year to finally tackle.
Freaking crazy GENIUS!!!! So in love with this project!
I guess I would be considered an advanced DIYer
I’m a terrible DIY-er. But I love learning about it and dream about completing a successful project one day.
Hilarious! I love it!
Moderate to low advanced. We recently added beadboard to our guest bathroom and a cool rope trim that came out pretty sweet.
I also one did a time mosaic table of a giant manta ray I’m pretty proud of.
First time I’ve heard of shadow art, but it is so cool.
I have no idea how to DIY anything- but I have a ton of ideas that I can never accomplish- basically I am the frustrated kind :/
I am definitely a beginner DIYer. We just bought our first house so we are slowly learning to DIY as we go. Right now we are working on our first baby’s nursery. My favorite project has been our peony mural wall and redoing a dresser for the changing table.
I am level 4. My favorite project was refinishing my kitchen tank, I am next about to tackle building shelves.
Advanced beginner? Fave DIY was making 2 end tables that we use regularly.
Love this!! Any kind of “lamp” diy is always my favorite! I would say I’m a diy novice + some, depending on the category, haha. My favorite thing I’ve ever completed is actually a lamp (go figure). It’s a cylinder made of lace, with a round hole in the side that lets you see gold leaves and foliage inside near the bulb. Sounds crazy, but I love it!
I would say moderate. :). Can’t say I have a favorite project. The one I am currently working on is my fav.
I would say moderate, by which I mean my very patient hubby is always willing to help with all the projects that my advanced-DIY heart wants but my beginner-DIY brain does not know how to do.
Love this! Would be so cute in an entry way. I think I am an advanced DIYer when it comes to furniture and projects but would love to increase my basic construction type skills. Love reveal bulbs too. I thought I was going to have to repaint my daughters yellow bed once I got it in her room because at night it looked neon. After switching to reveal bulbs it looks great.
Love this!!! You continue to blow my mind girl!! I’d consider my diy skill level moderate, I’m pretty proud of a bed I just finished, but I definitely had some hiccups along the way!
In my mind, I’m a master DIY-er, of course, but realistically, I’m probably novice/moderate. My favorite DIY project that I personally have done is the planked wall in my daughters room. Not hard at all, but I love it.
I’m a newbie and totally intimidated. Proudest DIY: repainting a dresser for the nursery. 🙂
I am a dihard DIYer. Fav project is my Modi murphy bed, and my teacup chandelier.
I am definitely a newbie. I love art museum types of installations in homes. I love how big the box is.
Such a cool idea! And I agree with you on Home depot. I love it! Been there 3 times in 4 days. Big projects going on here 🙂
This is really cool. People will get a kick out of it.
I’m also crazy about reveal bulbs–the only kind I have in my house. I am a professional-level expert DIYer. My favorite DIY of all time is the remodel of my galley kitchen that included opening up a wall, building additional cabinets, installing a huge stainless farmhouse sink, a walnut butcher block countertop on one side, fabricating and installing a soapstone countertop on the other side (okay, I had the hubs and another guy lift and move the soapstone for me), installing can lighting and replacing the flooring in the kitchen and paint and tile backsplash. All by myself. But I got a super luxe looking kitchen for a pretty small price because I did all the labor myself and was really thrifty about sourcing all the materials.
Oh Mandi, this is a hilarious piece of art! The video is adorable. I’ve done a few of your DIY’s, like probably 5. My favorite is the LOVE string art. It’s awesome. MY DIY level is probably a 5-6 now. Thanks to you, of course.
On a scale of 1-10 diy skill level I am a 3, but my girlfriend and I want to do more! We converted a clock to make it fit the look of our living room but that’s about it. I have a bunch of projects in mind though… Including a standing love bookshelf made out of wood.
I love this!!!!!! I always have so many ideas of projects I want to do but never follow through… Usually because of cost. I want to make something representing the state we came from and now where we moved to.
I am a babe-in-the-woods DIYer. Fearless painter. Have cheerfully screwed up several efforts at installing new light fixtures, but I intend to persevere. Procrastinating on putting new shelves up in my kids’ bathroom…went and bought all the stuff, that counts for something, right?
Speaking of light fixtures, could you please make a post out of the way you rewired the lamp you used to focus light on your fab shadow art? That looks like my ideal bedside sconce — my poor husband can’t sleep with lights on, I need to read at night, so I need a lamp I can focus tightly. Thanks ma’am!
DIY-level – I’d say I’m pretty advanced. I’ve done woodworking, sewing and light metal-working since high school- then became. Wedding Florist for 12 years but now I spend most days doing upholstery and restoring furniture. I’m pretty comfortable around my workshop, but love following VR because there’s always something new to learn and try!!
My favorite DIY to date? That’s a tough one, but probably it would be the massive 8 ft tufted headboard I’m made for our king sized bed. It makes me feel like royalty when I sleep in it 😀
Hi Mandi! Such a cool project. When I saw this on instagram I was expecting something involving blacklights but this was such a unique idea! I’m definitely a novice DIYer. The last few years of living in tiny apartments and having a college student budget/amount of free time haven’t allowed for a ton of DIYing. I did make a simple piece of wall art to hang over my bed two years ago though. I followed this tutorial from Lia Griffith : https://liagriffith.com/make-easy-diy-art-with-a-canvas-stretcher-frame-and-pretty-fabric/. It was the width of my full sized bed and I used fabric with a pretty grey and green modern floral print from Jo-Ann’s. It definitely brightened up some questionably painted bedrooms (including one with bright yellow walls! It somehow toned them down and made them less obnoxious).
You are brilliant!! I am prob a level 5 diyer and backsliding fast! Thanks for the inspiration!
You are so clever!
DIY level 2- best DIY? Probably hanging picture ledges, ha! I’ve got to work on that DIY stuff.
My husband and I tag team together so it helps us to do more than we would individually. We haven’t done huge projects yet, but we hope to in the future. So far we’ve put together 2 nurseries with redoing old furniture and creating new projects. We’ve built a beautiful entry table from scratch. I love to do smaller scale projects like making wreaths (obsessed), and sewing dolls and Halloween costumes for my babies It’s very rewarding and fun! It’s a hobby we will continue together for the rest of our lives.
I am a wannabe DIYer
Very cool. This is an idea that I am going to start playing around with. Would be interesting to see what other designs could be made with shadows. I think on a scale of 1 to 10. I’m a level 10. I think my entire house is diy. 🙂 Its hard to pick one of favorites. I have so many that turned out. One of my most satisfying project was taking a old MCM china cabinet and turning it into three pieces of furniture, a media console for living room, a book shelf in office and a console table for the family room.
No. Words. Could. Express. How awesome this shadow art is. I can’t even…
I am a level 5 DIYer, but with my hub’s help, level 10.
3rd Fave DIY: a simple copper pipe wall sconce inspired by your Target lamp scone DIY
2nd Fave DIY: Sharpie wall (copied straight-up from your office sharpie wall. So good.)
Most Fave DIY: Upstairs hallway sharpie wall done by my 5 and 7 year-olds. It makes such a great graphic cartoon statement. And although my 5 year-old got an exasperated “Are you kidding me?!” at first when I saw he was copying his mom by using the black paint pen on the hallway wall, I eventually came to my senses and invited my 7 year-old to join in the creation. I gave them some step stools, took down the existing art, and the after turned out amazing.
This is the best thing I have ever seen. Ever.
I’m a level 3 wanna be. I’m trying to get back into the DIY groove after having a baby. All my old projects are gettin so they look old and blah and need a major face lift. My fav was probably when I took an old trunk and cleaned it up and added a frame to the bottom along with legs and made it a sofa table to store blankets (and whatever is laying out that needs to be hidden when the doorbell rings).
I am a DIY neophyte- newly converted but anxious to learn with the acquisition of my first house! Thanks for the chance! #100reveal
Also, I was thinking.. Has anyone here played the game Shadowmatic? It’s found in the iTunes App Store. It’s viually stunning and reminds me a lot of this project. Could be great source of inspiration for another piece!
My fave diy are all the diys I’ve attempted because I didn’t let the fear of failure stop me, which is huge. #100reveal
I’m a very beginner DIYer. I’m terrible at painting furniture! But my proudest DIY is painting this cabinet I bought on Craigslist. It turned out so great that changed my husband’s mind about buying stuff off Craigslist!
I’m an armchair DIY gal when it comes to power tools, but I can tackle big things if you give me a sewing machine! I loved the video–it added a super fun element to the blog post.
Love this Mandi! You are so clever and the videos are awesome, makes me want to create some, but I know they wouldn’t be that good! Pass it on to the Unicorn sister that makes them will ya! My level of DIY? I have no idea, I guess I am average, but I want to be above average… My favorite project is my Master closet makeover, because I use it and LOVE it every day!
Awesome light!! I like to think that I am advanced but in reality probably intermediate!! HOWEVER!!! I pulled off DIYing my own version of the NUGGET LIGHT!!! YAYYYY.. it has added so much personality to my living room!! I also did a version of the shelves you did in your MIL’s office.. yayy.. get tonnnns of compliments on these.. there are so many more, but those are the latest !!
I am a level butterfly diy! Lots of grand ideas, flitting from one to the next. My poor husband gets to help as a simple consequence of having 3, 3 and under. One of us has to watch the kids, and he is faster with the tools. I am getting more adventurous with the saws, and router, and boy is it amazing! 🙂 love it!
I am a watch from the sidelines (in awe) DIYer. Someday, when I find the right inspiration, I will dip my toe into the beginner/novice pool. This piece is so awesome!
I am just a wee babe of a diy-er compared to you, but I can hold my own against regular non-super humans. My favorite DIY was building an outdoor dining table that still amazes me to this day 🙂
This shadowbox is amazeballs.
Level 1, but I aspire to be a level 10 😉
Love this! Great idea and very creative!!!
I’m a beginner, but I know enough to be dangerous at this point. My DIY isn’t contained to the house, though. I also love to tinker in the garden! 🙂
I think I’m fairly advanced—not afraid of saws, sanders, etc.—but am hoping to learn things like drywall and tile in the near future. I’ve been limited by renting!
I would say experienced beginner 😉 (is that a real level?) and my favorite DIY would be the 1980’s “leather” dinning room chair that we use as a computer chair that i HAD to recovered once the desk moved to the living room (and then would be visible to all).
I’m a mid-range DIYer…and I always look forward to your projects!
Definitely a beginner DIYer. My favorite project so far is my shibori-dyed curtains, pillow cases, and t-shirt (you don’t set up a shibori dye day and not dye everything you can think of!).
this is really, really cute and cool. so interesting and perfect for a foyer or mudroom!
I’m probably a medium DIYer. I think my favorite project I’ve worked on was when I painted an old tufted chair I have… I’m now working on reupholstering it, so when thats finished I’ll have a new favorite.
I’m definitely a beginner! But I did just strip and stain a tiny side table, so I’m learning
Thats really cute, but it would have to go in the perfect place to make sense.
In my dreams I am a D.I.Y guru…but alas, in reality, a mere newbie.
I love how truly unique your projects are. It isn’t just “15 ways to update furniture” meaning paint, stain, decoupage, etc…..that every one else in the entire world has done.
As for me, I am on the beginning wannabe end of things. Sigh…
My hubby and I are pretty capable DIYers and we’re currently working on creating a pipe rail fence along our property. I think my favorite DIY project I’ve ever done is sewing the curtain panels for my home. I’m very proud of how they look since I took the time to really do them right!
Thanks for the giveaway! I’d love to win!
SUPER COOL!
I guess I’m a moderate DIY’er, if that’s a thing…. My fave DIY project EVER is the skirted console table I tackled last month. It was no-sew, but it looks totally custom-made, and it really dressed up our shabby old buffet. Love your projects, and of course your blog!
I was totally confused about the wood placement and asked my husband to come look at what you were doing. He was like “It says hi..” very matter of factly and I felt very dumb. But now I know. 😀
So I guess you could say I’m level 2 DIYer… and the coolest thing I did was a massive string art in my living room. I’m actually quite proud.
I am level LOW of DIY levels… 🙂 But I love to copy things I find on blogs! My favorite has probably been a cute wreath for our front door!
I would still consider myself a newbie, but I learned a lot stripping and refinishing my dining set and reupholstering the chairs.
I think I’m a mid-level DIY’er, but my main focus is woodworking and furniture building. My favorite project has got to the be the open vanity with a concrete counter top I built for our half bathroom.
I just have to say this is one of my favorite DIY’s ever. I really think I might make this one or something similar. I’m not exactly a beginning DIYer, but I’m not as advanced as you are Mandi! My favorite project I’ve done so far was turning a vintage TV into a bar, complete with herringbone table top!
I would say i’m a level 2 but my favorite diy project to date is upholstering my boxspring and adding tapered legs to it! chartreuse raw silk
I would say that I’m and advanced beginner. I like to refinish furniture and I’m pretty handy with a sewing machine. Some of my best diy projects have been hacks of dumpster furniture!
I love the idea of DIYing, but things usually don’t turn out how they look in my head, so I don’t do many. I think my favorite DIY has been scraping the popcorn of the ceilings and re-texturing them with a hand applied texture. They are SO much better and it wasn’t hard, just took a while.
Iwould say I am beginner/intermediate.
Well I can’t say I’m an expert DIYer but I sure love to try! Probably be abit more than a beginner.. Haha anyway my favorite and latest diy is that I refinished and reupholstered a chair I found at a sale for $1.!
I’d say I’m a beginner DIYer. I love to think that I can do things that are complicated, but it never comes out looking like I hoped. I also love to force my husband to do my DIY projects. 🙂
I am a total beginner but my husband is a master DIYer. My favorite projects to date are the farmhouse table, coffee table and tv console he made out of salvaged wood. We would love to win a gift card!
I would rate myself as a pretty competent (and confident) diyer. I’ve touched almost every space in my home (at least once) and what I don’t know how to do, I learn via Google. Thanks, Mandy, for the chance to win. There is always something to spend money on around here.
#100reveal This is really a cool project!
I’m totally a zero! Fun project.
My fave DIY is a coat hook shelf that I made for my kids junk. In my mind it would make them more organized, really it just means I don’t have to use hangers when I clean up after them. 🙂
I’m a novice DIYer. I’m most proud of a dresser I refinished.
Oh I need this! My hubby would love a mitre saw to do all the projects I need him to help me with!
I’m definitely a beginner DIYer! My favorite projects to date are refinishing my kitchen table/chairs set and making throw pillows for our sofas. Next on my list is to make a hairpin leg coffee table from scratch… So the giftcard would be put to great use!
DIY Level: 1 (extreme beginner). Not because the desire isn’t there, the confidence isn’t there!
I would say intermediate, but I need to get going again. My fingers are itching to do a little DIY this weekend.
We are serious DIYers. We gutted the last house, moved walls, changed windows, and replaced every surface inside and outside the house. We moved into our forever home a year ago and are still planning all the changes. The gift card would definitely help because we have a long list!
I would say I am probably a level 3 diy-er on a scale of 1-5?? I feel comfortable with completing a project and having it come out the way I imagined. I am constantly inspired by you and your blog. It makes my diy list grow much to the disdain of my Fiance. My favorite diy project at the moment is a pegboard headboard that we built for only $20! We found a large pallet in great shape for free and then bought the pegboard. To give it a more industrial look we put larger bolts with washers at the corners of the pegboard. It came out great!!
I never win anything, but if I don’t try I surely won’t.
I am a intermediate-rookie DIYer. My best project to date was the headboard I made that was inspired by the floors in the Nugget.
I am only a beginner, but eager to learn. I have a few projects I want to do, especially one that involves sanding and painting an old sowing machine table that I want for my bedroom. I have begun, and this would sure come in handy to get it done.
I’d like to think I’m an intermediate DIY, but I’m never satisfied with how my DIYs come out and more often than not, I end up hiring someone to do it.
I guess I’m still a beginner.
I’m an intermediate DIYer, unless the project involves spray paint. Then, I’m the humblest of beginners; I have terrible luck and no patience with spray paint. Which is a bummer. My favorite DIY project of late was changing out our living room light. The previous owners used the room as the dining room so it had a chandelier (ugly) that my husband could not stop walking into. Now we’ve got a simple semi-flush mount light in there, and I could not be happier!
I’m a total DIY beginning, but I’m learning! My favorite project so far has definitely been refinishing an old floor lamp that used to belong to my great-grandmother.
I love redoing furniture! My favorite so far is repainting my grandma’s dresser!
I think I’m headed towards intermediate (?) Still lots to learn-
My favorite (and best) DIY project thus far also used some underlayment for a backing. After years of sleeping on a plain old box spring and mattress on a bare-bones bedframe, I reeeeeally wanted a headboard. In my mind it would make me feel more grown up. (Spoiler alert: It totally does.) The only problem: I rent, so I couldn’t make something that mounted to the wall. So after scouring the interwebs for inspiration and doing a little brainstorming, I went to Home Depot and wandered around their building materials department until I settled on a (sort-of, half-formed) plan. I loaded everything up in my little red ’91 Honda Accord, brought it all home, and proceeded to make an awesome headboard out of underlayment, cedar garden stakes, a couple of 1x2s, and some small brass nails. It looks pretty awesome, if I do say so myself, and I have such a sense of accomplishment.
I’m a fairly determined DIYer, but lack a lot of tools to complete projects. In fact, I’m not really trusted with them. I’ve gotten my finger stuck in a blender once and caught an extension cord in a hedge trimmer. I’m good friends with paint though!
This is amazing, I just low how your brain works. I am so not creative in that sense. I love to work with my hands so I might be an intermediate or slightly less, but it’s not too often I can think up the things myself. My fav DIY project was at our last house when my hubby and I gutted and remodeled our bathroom. I miss that bathroom as our current one needs help.
I’d call myself a beginner-intermediate. But pair me up with my electrician/handiman husband and I’m pretty sure we would be a solid intermediate 😉
A very ambitious beginner! My favorite DIY was a rescued oak office chair from work. It is from somewhere between 1935 and 1943, and was in sad, ugly shape. I took it home, cleaned, stripped, sanded, and sealed, and it is GORGEOUS!
I am a total beginner. But luckily my husband is much better than I am and removed a load-bearing wall between our living room and dining room!
I feel like I’m passed a novice DIYer but I definitely wouldn’t consider myself a pro. So far, my favorite DIY project I completed was a copper and wood table lamp.
I think my husband and I are intermediate-advanced! We’re really good at being presented with a problem and constructing something out of nothing. My favorite project we’ve done thus far has been a stereo cabinet/buffet for our dining room. We built the top out of old pallets we found in our basement when we bought our house and added ornate metal grates to the cabinet doors for the stereo to play through!
I would say I am between beginner and intermediate… I have a lot of amazing ideas but haven’t actually done many yet, we’re still getting through the remodeling process of our house. The next thing I would like to attempt to make is a cornice board for my windows in my kitchen! I got the fabric already, just need to get the rest of the supplies!
I would say intermediate! My favorite project would have to be my kitchen cabinets! They have been so much dang work, but I LOVE them!!! I’m still in the process of finishing them though!!! I get distracted & start working on other projects before ones complete!
I am probably a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10. Most of my DIY skills are in the realm of sewing and painting. I would like to be able to use tools like saws and drills but my hubby is a 1 and we don’t own a saw. Workin on it though. I am planning to make a light fixture for my kitchen soon though, and could use the gift card and the light bulb package. Hoping……
I’d say I’m intermediate. My fave DIY is our concrete hairpin leg kitchen table.
im a intermediate beginner :-).
My favorite project has been a coat rack my husband and I built together during the late nights our babe was crying herself to sleep!
I’d say I’m intermediate with craft projects. I could plan a party for dayyssss but I’m a total beginner when it comes to working with wood. I’d love to learn more DIY projects using wood but power tools scare me.
I’d consider myself a diehard DIYer! I love to take on a great project!
Hello! I am in love with this blog and your old living room was my favorite ever room! Like ever! I know your next room will be amazing too but it’s gonna be so hard to top the last one. I consider myself a moderate DIYer, I paint, upcycle, and sell furniture as a hobby.. My husband and I are stationed overseas (I can still order from Home Depot though so don’t count me out!). Some of the resources available to us in america I cannot find here and so I’ve been frustrated sometimes. My favorite DIY project is my dining room table, I grey washed the top and painting the rest chalk white and it’s oh so beautiful! I painted it to sell and couldn’t part with it. I love it so much.
Here’s for hoping to win this contest! I’ll keep coming back and entering. Thanks for the incredible blog which I’m hopelessly addicted to!
On a scale of 0–5 DIYer, I’m probably a 2.5, but my boyfriend is definitely a 4! My favorite project has to be adding wood slats to our dining room.
We have DIY’d a lot of our house, and yet I would still call us beginners. There is soooo much to learn and so many mistakes to make (we have made quite a few). Still it is fun.
I’d love to win the gift certificate and lighting package. We just took out ugly paneling and sanded and finished a wide plank pine floor in our upstairs in preparation for our master bedroom. We could really use the certificate to pay for the wood for board and batten!
I would like to think mid-level, but something like this-figuring it out as you go along- would frustrate me! 🙂
By myself I am a beginner but I have help with many, many major home products in my life. Me and my husband just built an insert cabinet for our bar that added much needed storage.
Your life is my envy! I love your blog and all your ideas. Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
I am a veteran DIY-er with novice DIY skills (side-eye). I’m most proud of my plumbing DIY jerry-rigging skills. Least proud of my raised garden bed, which is lopsided and forlorn looking.
I’m a beginner diy’er 🙁 but I’m working on it!!
I would say I’m a pro with spray paint and other similar projects. I’m a good assistant if it’s a harder project that involves power tools. 🙂
what an amazing project Mandi, absolutely brilliant!! And what a perfect solution for your card catalog too! As far as diy skillz, I’m about a 4. My problem is fear of failure, so I tend to stick with easier projects.
I am a mid level DIY-er. I haven’t knocked any walls down yet but lots of home and craft projects.
I consider myself a pro DIYer with NO imagination. I can seriously COPY anything! Sew, cut, electrical, paint, build. I got mad skilz with no original thoughts.
Level 1? I can paint, spray paint, and hot glue just about anything! Favorite project? My house, it is never ending.
I’m an amateur DIYer! I have lots of ideas and visions about redoing furniture pieces but still working on the implementation. Also, some more tools would help too!
I love your creative fearlessness!
This is just pure genius! My mind is racing…I need to move into a bigger place so I can buy more tools so I can make this!! Uh Oh…what just happened? :p
i am an experienced amateur. I can do a lot of things, but I’m not afraid to say that I don’t have the time/money/skill to tackle a project and then I hire a professional.
Let’s see – I consider myself an average DIYer. My best project was some chevron wall art that I made from pallet wood.
My favorite DIY project would have to be the balcony table I built out of an old shelf, flanges, and wooden dowels spray painted to have the look of hammered metal. I use it every day and I love it. Bc it has two legs and rests on the ledge of our super small balcony I’m able to adjust home much room it takes up by sliding towards or away from our apt.
Dang it. Forgot to include my experience level. I’m a broke intermediate DIYer! I have so many ideas that I can’t wait to create, I just don’t have the funds for the right tools or supplies. Its actually worked out though, bc it creates an environment where I have to repurpose and reimagine the items I have in my home.
I am unfamiliar with shadow art but I think your project is super-cool. I use that pressure-treated wood at Home Depot all the time!
I’m not much of a DIYer, but I really want to try something challening soon. I mostly love seeing before and afters online!
Hi…..I’m Katie. SO. I think on the DIYer level I think I’m an addict. That just feels so good to say. Mainly because I am OBSESSED with painting and spraying. If it is in my house, it’s probably been 12 different colors. Or something completely different. Anyway maybe not the coolest, but my favorite project was a ugly mirror I found discounted at Ross. I spray painted it and then measured and colored (with a gold sharpie of course) triangles around the edges. Couldn’t love it more! At least for the next 6 months until my make-over senses start tingling again.
I’m an intermediate DIYer. My favorite project (to date) was renovating my in-laws’ dressing room / bathroom for Christmas. Lots of wallpaper removal and popcorn ceiling demo… Lots of love and elbow grease 🙂
As a diyer, I’d say I’m fairly adventurous, although I’ve also had many failed attempts at different projects. I love seeing what kind of things you come up with! Such a creative mind!
I would say I’m an intermediate diy’er, favorite project to date has been refinishing and reupholstering 8 Danish modern dining chairs.
On a scale of 1-10, I’d say I’m about a 1. DIY scares me to death, but I’m determined to start doing more projects this spring & summer. 🙂
I’ve done my fair share of DIY. Some projects turned out great; others not so much!
I consider myself a novice DIYer.
I’d have to say my favorite DIY project to date would be my upstairs bathroom.
We did everything ourselves!
I would say that I am an intermediate diyer. It may take me a while to start on a project and tackle it. I spend to much time over analyzing the steps and materials. My favorite project to date is when I built the industrial shelves that you built in Maskcara’s room.
I love this! I’m a mid-high level crafter/diyer. My favorite project I have ever done is by far building and installing a pot and pan peg board rack in my kitchen. (A la Julia child) I’m renting a tiny apt in a cozy downtown, but that just means I have no kitchen space. Even though I’m renting, I plan on being here long term, and figured if I’m already going to have to repaint all of the walls, I might as well spackle a few holes, and have my kitchen the way I want for a good few years. 🙂
I am every level a diy, all depending on the projects. I love crafting but also working on the house and building things. We gutted our bathroom and built it back up grom scratch. Found out i am really good at drywall. People can’t even tell that we added an entry and closed the other one up.
I’m a mid-level DIYer. With my husband at my side, we can pretty much do anything. My favorite DIY is the play kitchen I am finishing right now!
I’m probably a mid-level DIYer. My favorite project by far is the TARDIS door I made for our basement family room!
I am between beginner and advanced. Love taking gross fake brass lights and making them something cool.
My husband and I make a great DIY pair. I tell him what to do and he does it! Our favorite project has been installing recessed lighting in the kitchen. Best time and money spent!
HOW COOL!
I am a Master DIYer in my dreams, but I am probably more beginner in my DIYness. I think my favorite project was redoing my kitchen cabinets, changing the hardware, removing some of the doors to have open shelves, etc. My other DIY’s have mostly been painting projects, but in my heart and really want to build something!
i am a beginner DIYer, but have been my whole life – always repainting furniture and painting crazy designs on my wall since i was a kid. couldn’t wait to decorate my dorm room and make it look as non-dorm-roomish as possible 🙂 sometimes i toy with the idea of becoming more of a higher level DIYer, but i married well and can count on my husband to do most of it for me, ha!
I’m a DIY novice. I seem to try a lot of different things (refinishing furniture, making mosaic table tops, making a fountain, making picture ledges, etc.) but I don’t do any of them enough times to really get expert. I think I like to see how the process works and then move on. DIY Dilettante, that’s me!
I think I am an intermediate, we just finished a card catalogue project and made a top out of vintage reclaimed flooring in a herringbone pattern.
That is the coolest art piece. My kids thought it must be magic:) I am a beginner. My husband is a contractor…so he can do everything, it just never gets done at my house. So..it’s starting to fall apart. I have all the tools I just need to start doing things.
Of course my DIY’s are not at your level of greatness, but I do a bit of spray painting things around the house…candles, white vases, cake plates. Thanks for the amazing tutorial and the giveaway!
I’m a novice. We did tackle a subway tile backsplash and it turned out pretty well!
I am definitely a beginner! I do enjoy doing crafts, and we have renovated a couple of homes. I enjoy it but it is a lot of work!
Definitely a beginner! I stripped, sanded, stained, and recovered 4 vintage chairs and they are awesome!
We just bought our first house and have been doing a few diy projects here and there. My favorite has to be the laundry room makeover where i removed the wired shelving, patched and sanded the holes, painted the walls, and built a counter top for folding/sorting and hung a bar across the top for drying clothes. It’s a tiny room packed with so much function now. I love it!
I’m a moderately experienced DIYer. My favorite project is my bed. I made the headboard out of pegboard so I could provide some subtle moonlighting. Unfortunately I never found a soft enough light to fill the space. It still looks cool though!
THAT is so cool!
I am a hopeful beginner 🙂
Such a cool idea!
I’m a beginner. I found the coolest bamboo chairs and sanded, refinished them and then covered the cushions with ticking fabric. I love the satisfaction of making something old new again!
I would consider myself an intermediate DIY er
Totally a beginner…needing additional practice projects! My best DIY was a floral tissue backdrop. Sounds really cheesy but it was the most elegant party decor ever (and it took a trillion hours to make)
#100reveal
When it comes to electricity? A scaredy cat level! Everything else? Somewhat adventurous! This is waaaay cool!
out of 4, i think i am a 2.75, maybe that’s because i’m still a little afraid of electrical and plumbing. my favorite diy – my entire house! we moved here two years ago and we’re still working. and loving every minute of it (ok, except when we are exhausted)
I’m still learning when it comes to DIY, but I love it! My favorite projects so far have been ones that I’ve either upholstered or painted, but I’m hoping to tackle making a wrapping cart soon!
I’d say I’m still a beginner DIYer. I need more tools and then I can take it up a notch. My fav project so far was nursing a MCM thrift store dresser back to life.
I’d consider my DIY skills to be at the mid level. I always think “I can do that!” And sometimes frantically calling my carpenter-dad begging for some help with a simple repair. I’ve sewn an ottoman, London shades, curtains and way too many pillows. We don’t have a ball pit at our house — rather, we have a pillow pit! I love your energy and this shadow box project is just… Wow. Amazing.
I am a pretty fearless (some might say reckless!) DIYer. What I lack in skills, I make up for with enthusiasm! My favorite projects are always when I build something out of unusual or reclaimed materials. The thing I am most proud of is building a large armoire out of shipping crates my dad brought home from work. I even reused nails and screws! Waste not want not!
My favorite DIY project (and the one I’m most proud of) is an old coffee table I stripped and wood burned designs on the top. Then I stained the different parts of the design with different colors of wood stain. It turned out great and it’s a great conversation piece!
pick me, my drill is lonely and would love a saw to pal around with.
This is awesome!!! I’ve been taking over bigger DIY projects ever since moving to the Midwest and having the extra space. Visits to the hardware store are my fave ha!
I would say I’m a mid-level DIYer, although I haven’t tackled any really large or advanced projects- not yet 😉 My favorite so far is probably a bench I made for my parents using an old headboard & 100+ yr old barn wood. I found your blog shortly after I discovering Pinterest & it is definitely one of my favs. I LOVE your style & great ideas, thank you for sharing! HD is one of my DIY “go to” stores & I only use GE Reveal bulbs in my home, so this is an awesome giveaway!
I’m a medium level DIYer I think. Favorite project, I guess is painted furniture, with Annie Sloan Paint. I can’t really cut wood, but I can do a lot of other things, like re-wire lamps. I have my own little Lamp Shoppe in the basement.
I’d say I’m a level 2. Just finished gutting a 70’s stereo and making it into a wine bar!
You amaze me! I am a pretty good average DIYer but usually find myself helping others with their stuff more than finishing my own. Heh. My favorite diy of late is a song I wrote and finished last year. Does that count? 😉 otherwise I love my giant chalkboard on my front porch that I write different quotes on for holidays and just because. I know you’re prob way over chalkboards, but I still love them. And I love your stinkin guts too! Xo
I am a timid DIYer. I see so many projects I want to try but I’m scared!
Your posts never cease to inspire me!!! This is genius.
I remember the first time I came across your work was when you were featured on the Nate Berkus show. (My favorite)
I’ve been hooked on your blog since!
PS- I’m a total DIYer to the max!!! My husband are constantly coming up with crazy diy ideas
Hi Mandi, this project is just amazing and I m totally speechless. Awesome!!
I m level 1-2. My most satisfying project should be master closet makeover, Indian Inlay stencilled cornice and yes, adult sized paper mache elephant
Fantastico!!! Are you calling LUAN underlayment?? door ply (called Luan here in Canada, that we use in set building all the time) what a nice little project !! is there a cold GE bulb that would do the same job that could be used as a night light w/o heating up?
Now that you’ve been GE educated….lol. Are CFL bulbs the only ones that are “cold”?
Another brilliant Mandi idea…any inspiration sources for more complicated “shadow art”?
Keep up the great ideas!
I built this pedestal table with a trash can, a piece of wood and some Ardex. I love the way it turned out and it’s holding up great! https://redhousewest.com/2014/12/10/diy-concrete-pedestal-table/
Love your shadow art 🙂
I would say I am a intermediate DIYer! Wall decor is probably my favorite! I once took a palet apart and glued them together and put seashells in the shape of the heart – It looked great! I LOVE how the Shadow Art looks – even with the light off! The simplistic wood look of it is stunning! <3
My husband and I make a great DIY team…I think up the crazy schemes and he figures out a way to make them happen. So, together, I’d give us a solid “advanced” DIY degree. We love the time we get to spend together on the projects and the feeling of accomplishment we get when we stand back and take a look at what we made happen. It’s good for the heart; it’s good for the soul; it’s good for our love life!
I consider myself skilled in any non-power tool related brainstorm. When it comes to power tools I get a little Intimidated (I’m a work in progress on that one). My fav DIY is for sure my daughter’s over the top enclosed bed with open and close door fronts to make making the bed easier and conceal storage underneath. This clearly took power tools so it also took my dad but I was involved so I consider it a team effort. I bought inexpensive white curtains and DIY’d some pom – pom trim on them for her to pull closed for privacy and added an Ikea chandelier to the inside. Roughly $200 worth of materials (luckily my dad hoards wood) and BAM, it looks like a custom $1000+ little girl sleepers delight! Thank you for the opportunity and the inspiration! 🙂
How the heck did you come up with the shadow light art? Amazing!!! As for my DIY knowledge and know-how, I do well with most woodworking but can’t sew to save my life. I’m definitely more than a beginner, but not quite yet a pro. My proudest achievement this far is building built-in cabinets for my living and having them flank my mantle! I get compliment on them all the time and it inspires me to do more!
Love all the ideas you have! I am an idea DIYier- meaning that I feel I have more ideas than I actually do or have time to do 😉
I’m another medium-ish level DIY’er. I once built an outdoor sofa but needed help from the boyfriend. I’m comfortable with power tools but appreciate a second opinion and a few muscles during big projects so I don’t make any bad decisions on my own. 🙂 Love your shadow light… trying to think of an outdoor installation for something like that.
I consider myself a medium diyer. As long as I have my hubby around to help make my crazy ideas a reality we are good. Together we built a bookstore for a local library. Turned a ruined by water grand piano into a bookcase, skateboards bookcase, mantel fireplace and more.
We also tackled our kitchen countertops and turns out you can make them look like granite w a lot of patience, cheap craft paint and environmental texlite epoxy.
We have a lot of other things we would like to try but nothing as big as your Nugget!!!
I’m a moderate DIY-er – generally run into problems because a task is too heavy, not because I can’t figure it out. My favorite project always seems to be the one I’ve most recently completed – so right now it’s refinishing our kitchen cabinets.
I am still in the novice DIY stage.
Wow!! Very cool and creative! I’m a novice DIYer…..in other words a wanna be. My favorite project has been taking my husband’s ex-wife’s brown ugly vanity and old lady floral stool…sanding it down, painting, reupholstered and turning into a cute desk for my daughter. : )
As far as decorating DIY goes, I feel that I am still a novice. Certainly not as fearless as you. My boyfriend and I bought a house a year ago. We just bought some old barn wood that I want to put on our TV wall in the living room. Just waiting for warmer weather. I need those GE Reveal light bulbs in my craft room, so I can see what I am doing in there at night.
Chicken Coop. That is the weekend DIY plan and I am terrified! We have the chicks under the lightbulb keeping them warm and what if our carpentry skills are sup-par and after raising them and moving them outside there’s a cave in!? I’d make a chicken nugget joke but it’s too real.
Oh my gosh Lori this made me laugh so hard!!! Fingers crossed for the nuggets!
xo
m
Such a cool project! I’d say I’m an intermediate diy-er. Still working on getting over occasional design paralysis. 🙂
Your design skills are just growing phenomenally. I expect these early pieces are going to become collector finds in the future. I love the surprise and whimsy in this project. Your posts make me want to be fearless and more creative in the furniture in my home. I have lists of projects, although I have been creating visual design for some time, I am still a beginner in this field, I have lists of things I want to try, and a garage full of projects. #100Reveal
My husband and I are expert DIYers. We’ve now remodeled/renovated a three-level townhouse and we’ve fully gutted (and I do mean gutted) a three-story house. In the new house, I incorporated your hexagon wall in my daughter’s bedroom. Only being the lazy creature that I am, I used large popsicle sticks that I painted bright white and colored paper for the hexagons. Even though there are over one hundred hexagons, my daughter can decide to change the color scheme by replacing the papers. I am of the same stripe as you, Mandy, when something doesn’t quite work, it has to go. When you tore the back splash in the Nugget, I completely understood. Been there, done that. We are about to redo the tiling we did a few months ago in one of the bathrooms because that gorgeous, fabulous slate tile is not so gorgeous in that space. ANYWAY. My favorite projects are all related to furniture. Please see the Anthro hack couch in the living room (see website). That couch was advertised on Craigslist for $75. It was horrible and old and in need of repair and retying, but it had great bones. You can see that transformation here: https://www.kokillo.com/version8/2011/04. Thank you Mandy for the branch chandelier idea. We’ve done a Voss glass bottle chandelier and yours in next on my list!
I’m a mid-level diy-er. Favorite project was deconstructing found wooden couch frames and reconstructing into L-shaped sectional with new foam cushions. Came out great!
Mid to low level I’d say. Low because there are always a few finishing touches that I never finish! I recently did a chair that’s pretty neat.
Well “HI” to you too… I must confess I’ve never seen shadow art. I’ve obviously been living under a rock. Very cool!!!
This is such a cute idea. I love unique things and this light is it. Now that being said you have inspired me and I really think if the board in the back and dowels were magnetic somehow you could change the words for your mood. Thanks for the inspiration.
Mandy you are a genius. Whose brain works like this??????? Medium DIY-er I would say. BUT, when I’m determined to do something there’s no stopping me.
Oh my gosh, Mandi, we are going to say we knew you when. You are a genius. Tell Court I said so.
I am a medium diy-er. I’ve got skilz with power tools and a sewing machine, so I’m a double threat.
I always have at least one, usually many, DIY projects going in my house (drives my husband nuts:/). I LOVE decorating, building and most of all creating things for my house. I get crazy ideas routinely and dream of even crazier ideas when I sleep. Im not afraid of a failed project, it happens, but failing only teaches me how do it better the next time. I have completely renovated the house we live in & continue to add or change things weekly. From floor to ceiling I love to do it all. It’s hard to pick a favorite but I’m most proud of the feather finish concrete floor I did in my kitchen to cover up the heinous yellowed floral lenolium.
You inspire me to pieces! Thank you!!!
Depending on the project, I would put myself in the middle on some diy projects and a beginner on others. I just finished my stairs (pulled up the carpet, put white beadboard on the risers and a painted oak plywood cover over the treads – they look pretty good for my first time!). I have several more projects I would like to do, but need help from the hubs and he is refusing (silly husband!).
I’d say I’m an intermediate DIYer. I’ve done some basic DIYs like shelf brackets to hold plug in lights, and I’ve done more complex things like 4 custom DIY closets.
I’m a novice DIYer, but I recently redid my little half back downstairs and I LOVE it! I’m looking forward to giving other rooms in the house a little facelift!
I made metal bird feeders out of vent pipe. Next thing to learn. Welding!!!
I am more advanced now when it comes to diy projects…I am the person people come to when they need help. 🙂 My most advanced project was cutting a hole in the wall of my kitchen and putting in a slider where a small window was. l have to say at that time I was more of a beginner and took a big risk that I didn’t know I had until I had a construction worker come look at my work. He said he was impressed and that I had actually did a great job, but told me things I didn’t know that could have went very wrong. I love taking on new tasks when I am able and love being creative.
Hey, Your blog is the BEST! keep on’ a posting and inspiring all of us. 🙂
I am an intermediate with diy’er with a non-compliant spouse! But we make it work…
An additional note, As long as it’s not major overhaul we do fine. I would like to learn to do more and a gift card to Home Depot would go a long way in that direction…
I’d say midlevel diy-er, midlevel artist, midlevel decorator. All around midlevel sort of girl. good at a lot of things, not great at any one thing! My favorite project are funky, glittery ornaments from the Express holiday window I begged them for a few years back. They became a cool art installation that makes a great reflection on the wall and would look even better with GE reveal bulbs illuminating it!!!
I’d put myself as a beginner/intermediate DIY’er. Stuff never seems to turn out as nice as I’d like them to be. I’ve bought my fair share of items to make-over, but out of fear of failure or terribly ruining an item, many times they never get done. I’ll tend to do a half-a$$ fix in hopes to fix an item up a little bit, because if I do a full make-over who knows what will become of an item. I was happy with this half-a$$ fix, the item looked much better after than before. https://sleepingorsewing.blogspot.com/2012/09/half-refinishing.html
I guess I’d say I’m an intermediate DIYer. I have great ideas and can implement most of them but sometimes I have issues finishing projects.
LOVE all your projects and ideas! I guess I’m about intermediate with my DIY skills. One of my favorite projects was updating the tiny kitchen of a carriage house I rented when I moved back to CA. It originally had linoleum lined with metal edges for countertops that someone had tiled over (VERY badly). The tile lifted up easily and there was a mold colony growing underneath for who knows how long??? Also, the landlord had painted the cabinets bright turquoise, which probably would have been ok if I were a surfer dude, but I’m not. I high-tailed it to IKEA and installed a new stainless steel sink, butcher block countertops with tumbled marble backsplash, above which I installed wainscotting. I also fronted the cabinet doors with the leftover wainscoting and trim. Painted it all out in a fresh and clean white and was never afraid to chop on that countertop again!
Level 3 here and my all time favorite DIY was a small drawer/3-shelf unit to sit on top. The kicker is it was all made from cardboard and paper mache paste. Used as a display at a baby shower and no one could believe it was cardboard. Yuppers, I was pretty proud of myself and have to say, it’s pretty darned amazing what can be made when armed with a bit of cardboard, newspaper, flour, water, sugar and imagination!
Thanks Home Depot for the opportunity — my fingers are crossed!
I am most definitely a beginner. I am more a paper crafter, but have been slowly branching out with a friend who is a very advanced DIYer. She is teaching me the tricks. Together we have worked on refinishing a table and 4 chairs and making a couple of shelves. This Shadowbox is really great! Need a few more projects under my belt before I attempt, lol.
Thanks for all you do.
ceashark at aol dot com
I’m more crafty than I am DIY. But I did take an old 80’s bathroom in our house and turn it into something way more 2000. It was a big project, but so worth it!
I guess I’m approaching ninja level DIYer, lol. And I adore Home Depot and am there often multiple times a day mid-project. Your blog is most excellent and a wonderful source of inspiration! Thank you for sharing!!
LOVE this!!! Great idea for wall art, especially on a large blank wall!
I am a beginner… but I like to call myself the “idea creater” …. and then I make my husband figure out how to make it work 😉 Together we make a decent DYI.
I think I’m a pretty experienced DIYer: I renovated my house which included completely rewiring the entire house (which used to have knob and tube everywhere), tiling floors,walls, showers, drywalling, mudding and taping…everything but trimwork and plumbing! My favorite project was tiling my first floor half bath floor (while 5 months pregnant)!
Maybe a DIY 3, but maybe I’m an optimist. 😉 I made a desk from a beautiful slab of raw-edge maple and used galvanized pipe for the legs. Love seeing my kids doing homework there!
I refinished a mid century modern dresser that I love!!
Impressive.
I am an intermediate DIYer and I’d say my favorite project is a side table I am repurposing for my daughter’s bedroom. My husband calls it franken-table because I literally have pulled the entire thing apart down to the shell and moving pieces around. It took forever but I love it!
Holy Moly! I love this. My son wants one for his room. But he wants it to say his name. Um….. yeah. How about “hi”?
I’m a beginner with a little diy experience. Nowhere near the guts you have, but I LOVE trying new things.
I found an old window at an Architectural salvage shop and turned it into a coffee table. I built a base for the window and add hinges so the window would open and I can display objects inside of it. I then added some legs and its a perfect fit for my living room.
I’m super crafty and can recreate anything, I just figure it out even if no pattern or plans. I love working in my garage cutting sanding and staining wood for all kinds of things. Headboards, lights and carts! You’re a great inspiration for fabulous DIYing!!
Oh m gosh you are awesome! I wish I had some of your creativity and ability to create such beautiful things
I think I am at a beginner level. I did paint several dressers and my most favorite one is the Henredon campaign dresser that I found on craigslist for a steal!
Im a beginner. But I LOVE this shadow project.
beginner but keener!
Mandi – THIS PROJECT ROCKS!!! I totally love that it is incognito during the day, looking like an innocent bit of modern art, but then at night…BAM!! so stinkin COOL! you are amazing, but we already knew that, didn’t we? Anyway, I like to think on a 1 – 10 scale, I am a 6 1/2 DIYer… but it may be only a 5? IDK, but my love for DIY is a TOTAL 10 (or 15?). Your DIY projects, and your blog are my absolute favorite, exactly BECAUSE you are such an amazing DIYer and you share your knowledge, making me feel like I could totally accomplish DIY projects! My favorite projects I have done are probably my furniture makeovers, especially this metal faux bamboo tall shelving unit, that I DIYed into a glamtastic gold unit with chalky black painted wood shelves… it turned out really pretty! and I am working on a really cool project right now using old waterbed drawer units that I cut apart, and I’m building them into a giant new “sewing desk”, which is going to be my FIRST EVER post on a blog of my very own… SO EXCITED about that! …. and I will now end the longest blog comment EVER in the history of blogs 😉
Just when I think your projects couldn’t be ANY MORE AMAZING. On a scale of 1-10 I would say that I can do almost any DIY….if it comes without man labor. So maybe a 7? I come from a DIY FAMILY who see my potential much better than I do but we are hoping to move into a new space and if we get it I will totally go DIY crazy! If you have any good ideas for taking CARPET OFF THE WALLS….. The place we are buying is huge. And needs a huge makeover. That will be my biggest DIY. But my present DIY was recreating this family thyme (tree) that I hand painted for my sister in law. I wish I could post a picture so you could see how amaaaaazing it turned out. Anyways. I know that I will be clinging to your blog to help me know what to do with the new space.
Fair, I have my strengths and weaknesses.
We just completed a makeover for office and storage space. Short break, ten minutes! Now to paint the Vespa trailer. Love the shadow art.
I love it like Pooh loves Piglet.
I’m a novice. I made some straight edge window treatments that look pretty good. Would like to try chalk paint next.
My husband and I have been renovating our 1900s row home together for the past year and a half. At the beginning we were both (scale of 1-10 diy skill) a 2. With each project we grew more confident and creative – now we are proud 7 diy-ers. I love your blog and all the inspiration you have shared. There have been many diy moments throughout our renovation, but my favorite has been exposing and re-pointing the original brick walls in our home.
On a DIY scale of 1-5 (5 being Mandi level) I am a 3. But on the fearless scale I am a 4 because if I let myself be a 5, my kids and husband will get neglected. Trying to keep it in balance!
Anyway, your shadow art is RAD. I want to kiss your brilliant little brain. Tristie
Love this!!
I just started a pretty strict budget and I have some projects in mind that this would help out so much!
I love diy, however even though I have been doing projects forever I am still a bit intimidated to take on a big project.♥
Novice. I can paint and am maybe ok at decorating. I really want to take down the builder grade white cabinets above my washer/dryer and do some wooden open shelves. Hopefully that will happen soon (and be successful)!
Total beginner. Would love to get over being scared to begin/fail…..
I am a medium diy-er, with the secret desire to be a huge professional bigger than life diy-er. I currently have a $55 blue velvet tufted couch in my garage waiting for me to make it my favorite diy find yet. Although right now I am really enjoying my spring wreath made from a flower arrangement I dried. It is big, purple and beautiful.
I would say I am a novice DIY-er but an eager one! I just need to find the time (and courage) to work on all the DIY ideas in my head! My favorite DIY project was when my dad, husband, and I turned our purple 1980s curvy bedroom set into a sleek, modern set that matched my taste!
I would give myself an 6 on the DIYer scale.. maybe a 6.5 with our now completed new favorite DIY project – rough sawn floating wood mantel and shelves on our newly discovered fireplace!
I am sadly a level 1, maybe 1.5, but hope to get higher once we buy a bigger house and I have more room for projects. I’ve done some cool things for my son (tent, fabric quiet book), but hope to get into bigger things someday. You inspire me so much!
I am a pretty expert DIY’er, but only in the painting department! your creativity blows me away! My most recent fave DIY was a ikea doksta from the thrift store that I refinished by spray painting the base and painting on a faux marble on top.
I’ve only DIYed a few things, so still new to DIY :). I think my favorite thing I DIYed were some very geometric stripped curtains I sewed using table cloths. <3 They add great visual interest to our living room
Feel like I still have too many DIYs to finish:) so maybe that means I’m still a beginner… But I did reupholster a chair! That would be my fav!
I’m a beginner as far as creative projects go, but I am an expert at “collecting” good ideas to try sometime! 🙂
I would say I’m an intermediate DIYer. My favorite project would the butcher block countertops I put in my last house. I sanded, stained, and sealed them. They looked awesome! I was so sad to leave them when I moved.
I am a very fearful DIYer, I love to live vicariously through your fearless projects
I’m probably a beginner DIYer but my favorite project so far was my gallery wall!
Pretty moderate DIYer. I am at Joanns or Michaels about 3 times a week, but could stand to increase my Lowe’s knowledge quite a bit! Favorite projects are canvas button art with vintage buttons and glass beads. Time consuming but beautiful.
I think the most important aspect of my (and my boyfriend’s) DIY skills is that fact that we just GO for it and even when our DIY aspirations are looking sad and lonely in the corner (a la getting ready to mud drywall we installed ourselves for the first time ever that was looking pretty well…crummy), we really work as a team and pick the other up and continue on our trail of butt-kicking DIY! I have to lump our whole house in my favorite DIY – I just purchased my first house this past summer and my boyfriend and I have been renovating it all on our own! Incredible feeling to know that all of the beautiful changes we see around us are because of OUR hard work, dedication and vision. So far, we’ve uncovered TWO ten foot fireplaces (WHYYYYY would you ever cover brick up?!?) and varnished those babies to protect the almost 100-year old brick and mortar, refinished the floors in 3 of 4 rooms (we’re currently working on refinishing the floors in our back “hell room” which that room is our longest ongoing project), repainted every single room, painted the kitchen cabinets and installed new hardware, painted the kitchen countertops to look like marble which are soooo killer (Yes! This is a real thing!), stripped layers of paint off of the beautiful tiles surrounding one of the fireplaces (again, WHYYYYY would you cover that up?), spray painted the registers, installed a privacy fence, accidentally discovered and then uncovered the original brick pathway in the back yard, painted the outside doors, tore down nasty old drywall and wainscoting (hello again, hell room), hung, mudded and finished new drywall (hell room), moved the plumbing for the W/D in the hell room, pulled up the carpet, carpet pad, tiles which very likely contained asbestos which were glued to plywood which sat on top of the original floors in the hell room, patched the original floors in the hell room and we are now planning to sand and refinish those floors this upcoming weekend! We still have a ton more that we want to do to our house including building a new deck, renovating the bathroom, landscaping outside, removing a pretty gargantuan tree in the backyard that’s causing our current deck to be moved (uh oh), redesigning the kitchen so we have a more open flow and the list goes on and on! It’s an adventure, learning process and a wonderful experience!
This sounds awesome! Love old houses. Are you documenting any of it on a blog, etc? If not, you should start now!
What a cool idea! I never in a million years would have thought of that. I love how minimalist it looks when the light’s off. Great work!
I’m not a great DIY’er, but I do try! My favorite DIY that I have done is probably my daughter’s headboard.
I’m a beginner DIY. but I’m most proud of my kitchen. With help from DIY blogs, I visited Home Depot and bought everything to make board and batten in the dining nook. It really brightened up the space! I made cornices for the windows. We replaced the chandelier over the table and the kitchen faucet. Recently we added a white subway tile backsplash. Now that know how to tile, I want to tile everywhere! The kitchen is my new happy place.
Wow. You’re a genius. Obsessed with this project!
I think Im a decent DIYer, maybe more “crafty?” Let’s say… compared my my friends Im great, compared to Mandy, I need work. And equipment. And the confidence to use it comfortably. When it comes to figuring out angles/measurements & cutting them with saws? That’s on a higher level. If that part’s done for me, I can take it from there. Overall, my fav project has probably been furnishing my place with super cheap auction pieces that I’ve refinished/repurposed. It’s eclectic & I get lots of compliments. Think it reflects my personality well.
I am an ambitious intermediate level DIYer. My style is: bite off more than you think you can chew. Some of my favorite projects are the leather/canvas pillows you inspired me to try and the bar cart I built with 2x8s and aluminum angles. Now if I could just get my husband to turn his back, I would rip out some outdated shelving and some closet doors that need major overhauls (I HATE when he challenges my project execution levels!) Home Depot is my Disneyland too!
I want to hang a cool light in my room! I love this!!
I used to be a higher level DIY person, but I got lazy I guess. I want to get back into the creative pursuits again. My living room needs painted.
I am definitely a beginner but with more time, I think I would advance my skills quickly.
That is so clever!!! I’m blown away. #100reveal
Definitely a beginner. Too many little kids around here to get regular tasks done let alone creative tasks but being a DIY er is for sure something I aspire to.
I’m a pretty unmotivated DIY-er, and not a huge risk taker at that. Recently I made a geometric faux-metal wall art thing from straws, pipe cleaners and copper spray paint. Not the most professional looking of things, but not so bad from across the room… 🙂
I’m a beginning, but fearless, DIYer. My favorite project so far has been these floating flower strings made for my wedding. Check ’em out here: https://sarahyostdesign.com/wedding.html
My husband and I just bought our first home last week, and we’re looking forward to diving deep into the DIY world! Adventure awaits!
Cool!
On a scale of 10, I’m about a 7 but the beau he’s an 11, together that makes us 18… so we tackle things we probably shouldn’t all the time ha. We’re sprinting toward getting the last pieces for our 1974 Skylark travel trailer, before we put it all back together like humpty dumpty. We’d love to have the beauty finished before the end of summer- to hit some kind of mini-fall camping getaway. *fingers crossed*
I am a total beginner with big ideas. Luckily, my husband is a bona fide expert who is willing to execute my ideas 🙂
I’m a mediocre DIYer. My favorite thing I’ve done is landscaping our backyard ourselves!
Type of DIYer= medium? My hubs calls me a: Pinterest addict. We take on some good sized projects. Like buying a farmstead that needed a whole gut job. The challenge in itself is trying to do reno work while we: have a 19m old running around, I’m 9 months pregnant, working full-time ( at hospital so have weekend shifts) and in school. Goal for maternity leave ( this summer): landscaping around house and farm with bolder periennals beds, working on a 20×40 garden, get the hens started laying, new chandelier in dining room; heated tiled floors in porch and entry ways; and new bath upstairs (retro fit a vanity into an old dresser, replace a jet tub with a claw foot for fun sibling scub time and new tiled/heated floors).
Sound like a plan? …..just have to finish up the nursery and do a reveal before this baby arrives!
That has to be one of the most creative projects I’ve seen! Love it =)
I am a diy lightweight. But I have aspirations. My favorite diy project was converting my son’s closet into an office/museum of natural history. Our house is naturally dark and I need some new tools and houseplants so I sure do hope I win! Thnx!
I think I have pinned every post from your site. I love everything so much! This one is amazing! We have completed several projects in our new home but recently it’s wood floors!
Your project turned out amazing! How fun. I would love to see each step done with pictures in addition to the instructions-it was kind of difficult to know what you were talking about. Thanks for sharing-great work!