Vintage Revivals • Page 77 of 120 • Fearless DIY

DIY Geometric Hanging Brass Planter

By Mandi | 07/15/2014 | 10 Comments

You guys!! Today I am back with another hanging geometric himmeli planter! (The tutorial for the first one is here!) Can you just picture how awesome they will be together?! Phew.

This planter is so simple to make, I pinky promise you can do it!

To make this planter you will need:

Brass Tubing (found here)
Pipe Cutter (can be found at Home Depot)
30 Gauge Floral Wire (can be found at Joann’s)
Leather Cord
Small Bowl
Glue Gun

Start by cutting your pipe (this is a little boring so spice things up with some Tim Riggins or something mmmkay?)

You will need:

(3) at 12”
(6) at 6”
(9) at 2”

Start by measuring 2 arms length of wire. Thread 3 of the 6” pieces onto it.

Connect the 2 ends of the wire by twisting them together.

Thread 2 more pieces of pipe onto the wire. Tuck in the little tail from your first triangle, it makes things nice and neat!

Connect them to one of the triangle elbows (doesn’t matter which one and this point!) Twist your wire and thread it through the next piece so that it comes out on the tip of your shape.

Add 1 more piece and connect it with the tip on the opposite side.

This will make a 3D triangle.

Now take (2) 12” pieces and thread them onto your wire.

Connect them to one of the triangle corners.

Thread your wire through the pipe to the last corner of the triangle.

Add your last 12” piece, and join the wire at the top.

Now to make the little hanging guy on the bottom.

Take an arm’s length of wire and thread 4 pieces of 2” tubing onto it.

Twist the wire at the ends of the pipe together to make a square.

Add 2 pieces of tube onto your wire (make sure to tuck the tail in!)

Connect it at the opposite end.

Thread your wire through ONE of the pieces so that it is coming out at one of the disconnected elbows

Add one piece of pipe

Connect the tube to the next corner (horizontally!) and repeat for the other 2 pieces.

Feed the wire back through one piece so that it is coming out of the top and attach it to the bottom triangle point of the large planter piece.

Hanging your leather cording is really simple!

Measure the length that you want and feed one end through the top of the planter.

Fold it over and hot glue the end.

Using a second piece of leather, hot glue the tip underneath the fold that you just made.

Wrap it around the longer piece nice and even.

When you have wrapped it the desired length, trim your leather and hot glue the end down.

Tada! You are amazing! Give yourself a giant high five friend!! Plant your favorite succulent or fern inside the bowl and it just rests inside the triangle!

Check out the other posts in this series here!

No Sew DIY Floor Cloth

By Mandi | 07/14/2014 | 25 Comments

We are solving a little design dilemma today folks. Does anyone have areas in their house that need a uniquely sized rug (not your standard 3×5 or 5×7)? In my house, these places always seem to be low traffic areas and the rug is really just for looks and to add to the design. (If you have this prob, you might want to check out this tutorial too!)

Dun dun dun duuuuuuunnnn! Insert a Floor Cloth. A floor cloth is basically a reinforced piece of fabric that is sturdy and looks so great!

To make this project you will need:

Heavy Woven Fabric (I found this at Joann’s of all places!)
Wonder Under Fusible Webbing (also available at Joann’s)
Drop Cloth

Start cutting your fabric to the size you are itching for, add 1 1/2-2” to that measurement. Next you are going to iron a 3/4-1” fold into the raw edges of your fabric. Because I loved the little fringies on the ends of mine I only did it on the sides, but you can do it on all 4 of you need to!

Position your fusible webbing on the back of your fabric (paper side up)

Iron on the paper side (don’t use steam! Just heat and pressure).

Wait until the fabric is completely cooled down before you peel off the paper.

Notice how the webbing is also on the fold that I ironed. You don’t want to miss that part!

Now iron your drop cloth right side down onto your fabric/webbing combo. We are doing it right side down so that the thick edge doesn’t leave a big gap between the 2 materials.

All finished!!

While it isn’t heavy duty rug weight, the floor cloth is still really substantial. I love that you can throw it in the washing machine if it gets spilled on and I LOVE that it is so inexpensive!

Check out the other projects in this series here!

You Left Me In The Dust, Now Living With Me Is A Must!

By Mandi | 07/10/2014 | 34 Comments

Who remembers the Jenny Jones show? It aired when I was much too young and impressionable to be watching it, but sometimes when my mom went to the grocery store I would sneak. My favorite episodes were the ones where guests would bring a bully from their past to show them that, while they used to be a nerd, they now were a sexy stripper… or something along those lines. I just never understood why they felt the need to try to validate themselves like that. Until now.

The Hoard Sale was AMAZING, but as we were cleaning up I was dumbfounded at the treasures that people passed up. Stuff that was amazing, and a great price, that got overlooked because all of the “good stuff” had been taken. Well guess what? It was allllll good stuff. (Do a body roll while you read that last line.)

So I am doing a makeover series that is reminiscent of Jenny, to show off their hot new look. Catchy JJ title and all…

You Left Me In The Dust, Now Living With Me Is A Must!

Up first is this set of chairs. They were r.o.u.g.h. I bought them at a consignment store for $40 and was almost blinded by the quilted country blue fabric that had crusty dust all over it.

Delightful no?

I started by taking off the fabric and old foam. If the foam cushions are in good shape they can totally be reused. I was worried about leprosy, so I decided to biohazard them.

Trace the seat shape on a new piece of foam (these are available at Joann’s for $5 with a coupon)

I am seriously obsessed with the perfect bright mustard linen that I found to recover it with! (I also scored this at Joann’s)

To recover your seat, you are going to make a seat sandwich. Lay your fabric down first. Then lay down a layer of batting, then your foam, and lastly your wooden seat.

I would love to just take a minute and note the choppiness of foam edges. I couldn’t find scissors ANYWHERE. In my drawn out and diligent search I threw up a prayer asking for any scissors at all. Well, the man upstairs has a sense of humor because the only pair that I could find was kiddie safety scissors. Which do in fact work better than a steak knife. In case you were wondering…

Each chair is different, but basically you are going to pull your fabric tight and staple. Make folds instead of bunches and you will be such a professional.

Flip it over and screw it to your seat base!

That chair is sexy. Sometimes horrible fabric and gangrene is hard to look past, I get it. But I am pretty excited that no one could pull the trigger and buy this baby.

**Check out the other projects in this series here!

Um…Best news ever. This series isn’t going away any time soon, I have a few more Hoard Sale cast asides that are DYING to show off their sparkle! Jenny! Jenny!

It is my favorite time of the season, Color Challenge time!!

This quarter we decided to embrace the essence of summer and go with yellow (but of course my darling!)

Check out everyone’s projects below, there is just so much goodness to discover!

Thrifted, Gifted, and Lifted: The Anatomy of Budget Decorating

By Mandi | 07/09/2014 | 14 Comments

Dudes. Lets talk about budget decorating tips. Pretty sure that every blogger on the planet has written a post or 9 about this subject. And I mean, here is the thing, there are a million tips about it but I thought it would be fun to create a simple seating area on a real life budget and show you the scientific breakdown (or something along those lines) of a fail-proof and awesome little space. Then all week I will be posting tutorials, to make the projects crystal clear so that you can totally snatch up the thrifting spirit and run with it!

There are 3 categories that we are dividing and conquering today.

Thrifted, Gifted, and Lifted. Catchy much?

Thrifted is pretty self explanatory. It is cool junk that you find secondhand. Thrift stores, Craigslist, Yard Sales etc. Thrifting is where I find most of my treasures.

I love thrifting art. I think everyone should have pretty things hanging on the walls in their house, but there is this idea that only “real” art should count. I wholeheartedly disagree. Creating a space that I love in my house is all about embracing the imperfection. Perfect example is this awesome skeleton print. I found it a few weeks ago for $2. At the time it was a black and white print. Sometimes I make bad choices and leave things in my car for too long. Imagine my surprise (and swears) when I finally remembered to take this guy in my house only to discover that the sun had changed the color. My black and white print was now mauve. Blink blink. There was a clear film on the paper that had a reaction to the heat. It had a large piece of film on the top (the one that remains) and a smaller one on the bottom that I peeled off. I sort of think that the two tone background makes the piece and let me tell you, I am so happy about that little accident.

Amateur oil paintings are a crucial cog in the thrift store machine. They are always there. Some are not so awesome, and sometimes it is hard to see how amazing a piece is while you are actually at the Goodwill. So if you don’t hate it and think it has a little potential, spend the $3 and take it home. Hang it on the wall and see how cool it really is! Sometimes I see a painting and think “Hm. I don’t hate it…” but I don’t know if it will look lame or if it is too weird. Those are usually the pieces that I love the most once they are up. This little blue moment was a great find for $5.

How freaking adorable is this little Kodak Brownie video camera? It was one of those exact situation where I wasn’t sure if it was old enough to be cute. I am so happy I spent $10 on it, because it is perfect in this shot.

Category #2: Gifted. The gifted category makes up things that were given to you (why I felt the need to clarify that is beyond me….) The amazing weaving is the star of the show and was a little happy mail from my girl Lindsay at Hello Hydrangea. You guys must go and check out her shop. I need it all.

Because I love you so much, I have a gift for you! Next week (Friday the 18th) the free project in the Vintage Revivals Newsletter is a download of the Geometric Grizzly. Make sure that you sign up for the newsletter so that you can cash in! (Don’t worry, I will remind you again!)

Now for our third and final category, Lifted. So I feel like lifted can mean 3 things. 1. Stolen. Like from someone that loves you enough to let you take something. Or illegally…if it is worth the consequences. I know there are a few Cold Dead Fingers pieces that I would do 1-5 for. 2. Hijacked from another part of your house, or 3. Something that you bought or DIYed for an amazing price.

The hanging planter? DIYed for less than $20. The cute IKEA basket was less than $10 (I cant find it on their website, but I just bought it so they have them in store!)

Remember when I told you that I bought a meeeellion different colored serape blankets? Yep. It was the truth. The tribal floor cloth is one of my favorite elements. Can you believe that I found the fabric at Joann’s of all places?!

I didn’t get a great shot of it, but the little white plant stand with the fern on it is a total Target hack. Right now they are selling these beverage stands and they are the perfect size for a plant!

I just love how collected and happy it feels.

Tutorials start tomorrow for this space! Watch for the Himmeli planter (you can check out this one if you cant wait for a few days, I wont judge you), chair reupholstery (you will throw up at the before), and the tribal floor cloth.

**Check out the other projects in this series here!

I am heading to Atlanta for Haven today, Pray for this desert rat to not completely drown in the humidity… its going to be touch and go.

Picnic Table Makeover

By Mandi | 07/08/2014 | 9 Comments

You guys! Have you signed up for the VR newsletter yet? Every week the girl I love most (that would be Jamie) has an AWESOME secret project that is only available through the newsletter. Hello, who doesn’t want a secret weekend project?! (Don’t worry, you can sign up at the end of this post!)

Last week Jamie shared a picnic table update that is just so simple that I just had to share it over here too.

Hey there everyone! It’s Jamie, and I’m saying Happy Independence day to all my fellow Americans out there! I hope you all have a fun safe holiday and it’s spent with family and loved ones. Our family time here has already started, and of course my mom wanted to get cracking on some projects together. One of them being to restain the picnic table. This year, I decided to put a twist on it.

We talked some ideas over about painting a design on the table, but after sanding it, I couldn’t bear to cover that wood with paint. It’s way to gorgeous! So instead we decided to have a colored stain and a clear stain to let a design show through.

The table is old and needed a good sanding. This is where I mentioned that I fell in love with the wood. Seriously if I didn’t have to stain it, I wouldn’t have. The raw wood was so so SO pretty. But this baby has to survive outside in Idaho weather. It’s snows in July people. I’m not joking. Start with a coarse 60 grit sandpaper to get the old junk off. Then move to 120 grit to finish. If you want it ULTRA smooth you can use 220 after that.

I already had an idea for a pattern that I wanted on it. I honestly kind of played it by ear. I knew I had to account for the umbrella hole smack dab in the middle of the table. So with some tape, scissors, a pencil and a t-square. Start by making a 90 degree angle.

Moving an inch down at a time, I continued with this angle pattern. (I overlapped so I could cut straight edges later).

Tada! After cleaning it up with the t-square and am exacto knife. I was totally sold on the pattern.

My mom’s favorite stain is the olde maple satin 1 step from Minwax. I always like to paint the table from the inside boards out. And then you have to resist taking the tape off till you know it’s dry. I know it’s so so tempting cause it’s totally the funnest part.

After I was finished painting, waited till it was dry (impatiently), and took off the tape, the separation between the stain and the unstained patterned was a little much. It was just way to drastic, I was going for subtlety here. So we decided to do a light sanding (emphasis on the light).

Problem solved! It’s a Christmas miracle! Hallelujah chorus, it’s beautiful and this natural organic vibe that I was totally going for. Freaking win.

BUT! We still gotta protect that table remember? So we gotta put a clear coat on top of evvverrrryyything and protect it from that crazy Southern Idaho weather.

Light quick coat over the whole thing. Thanks to my momma for helping me out with this coat of paint.

And thanks to my pretty sister, Janae! Isn’t she gorgeous?! She basically steals the photo. We’re all pretty in love with the new table, and being where we live, it’s only warm for about 1-2 months we’re definitely going to be getting as much use out of this as we possibly can!

I also love your guts,

–Jamie

Mandi again! Can you see why I had to share it? It totally makes me want a picnic table, just so I can copy this idea.

And make sure you sign up for the newsletter, because let me tell you, alllll of the projects are just this amazing.

Complete Bathroom Overhaul (You MUST See These Before and Afters!!)

By Mandi | 07/07/2014 | 13 Comments

You guys! Did you have the best 4th? I hope it was wonderful!!

I have made a few lifelong friends through this little blogging world and my girl Jill tops the list. She was my partner in shame when all humiliation broke loose on national television (ahem, Craft Wars). We have spend a few weeks together and I can always count on THE BEST stories being shared and never running out of things to talk about. I truly love her.

Jill has been completely overhauling the bathroom in her basement. I think we can all sympathize when a project that should (in our minds) take a few weeks, then turns into something much much more life sucking. Like 2 years later life sucking.

Here is what Jill’s bathroom looked like before she got started:

Not so awesome. Dark, dingy, (and in Jill’s mind) completely unacceptable.

So she did what any slightly sane hardcore DIYer would do. She completely transformed it into her dream bathroom.

It is amazing right?!! Like any good DIYer, she shared the good, the bad, and the ugly on her blog. You will most definitely want to head over and read all about the shenanigans. You can see the full reveal here (tons of great info in that post!) While you are there give her a huge high five for seeing this thing through!

I am dying to know what your favorite part is. I think the countertops and the shower are to die for. The mirrors are just sooo good too. And the floors, love them. The whole thing is just perfection, amazing job Jilly!!

Cold Dead Fingers //6

By Mandi | 07/03/2014 | 13 Comments

You guys. Yesterday I was outside working on The Nugget and my phone beeped (which I normally ignore) but I was seriously looking for an excuse to come inside and die for a minute. It is SO hot right now. Anyways it was an email that made me laugh and gave me a bit of an adrenaline rush of the Cold Dead Fingers sort and I just had to share it with you!

I [deep breath] die. I just made the purchase (with as much drama as one Salvation Army could give me – bottom of the tag missing, announcement over the speaker that someone needs to claim it if they have the ticket bottom, wait 5 minutes for a response and gasp…double check the log book) of a retro black leather sofa with REAL wood trim THAT HAS A HIDE-A-BED. Ok so the hide-a-bed is potentially (most likely) disgusting and I’ll cross that bridge when I get there (no I didn’t check it before I bought it – look at the photos and you’ll understand I needed it ASAP and without distractions).

I bring it home tomorrow which is when my husband finds out I bought it. Sorry for the run-on paragraph, all caps, and parenthesis but I’m still in shock.

COLD. DEAD.FINGERS.

Seriously Angela. You win the internet today with this AMAZING find. Also, how do you feel about adorable creative children? Because we might be able to make a trade…

Now for a few faves from #colddeadfingers, because who doesn’t love seeing amazing scores? No one, that’s who. Its impossible.

Yes. Just yes, to this $60 Franco Albini wicker lounger that Lea found on Craigslist.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/livinginlayers
Blog: https://www.living-in-layers.blogspot.com/

Welp. Color me jealous. This couch that Brynne found is the stuff of myths and dreams.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/brynalyn

Blog: https://www.thegatheredhome.com/

These nightstands would make me want to rearrange my entire house too Sabrina.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/futuristichuman
Blog: https://retrofuturefurniture.tumblr.com/

2 things. Emily found this shelving unit for $15 and her man is excited about it. I feel like she should make her way to Vegas because this.girl.is.lucky.