Before and After

How to Cut Bar Stools Down to Counter Height Stools

counter stools

Yes you can make those wood bar stools fit your counter. Here’s an easy DIY fix to make bar stools into counter stools (and a quick makeover too!).

Bar stools typically sit at 30″ high, this is fine and dandy if you have a proper bar where the countertop is elevated higher than the working countertop space. Kitchen designs are trending now away from the proper bar towards one even countertop surface. No worries, you can still use those bar stools for your counter by easily cutting off the bottom 4″ to reduce the stools to a counter height of 26″:

(The white stools above are counter height and in the picture for comparison purposes.)

In addition to fixing the height of your stools give them a fresh look with a quick paint job and a new design: [Read more...]

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Filed Under: Before and After, chair glides, circular saw, Contributor, Fix It, painting, painting chair, thrifting, Tutorial

How to Recover Outdoor Pillows and a Mini Patio Makeover #LowesCreator

1 Apr posted by Brittany Bailey

When Lowe’s challenged me to give an outdoor spot a mini-makeover, I knew exactly where to turn my attention.

Our small paver patio is where we sit on warm spring days to eat lunch, take a break or sip wine after dark. The winter months wreak havoc on the furniture and the pillows I neglected to bring inside.

Cleaning the furniture was as easy as a quick sponging with a Mr. Clean magic eraser.

Then I hosed them down and was done in less than 10 minutes. The pillows weren’t as easily cleaned. I tried to wash them, but they were still a little dingy. So, I headed to Lowe’s to look for new ones.

As I entered Lowe’s with my complimentary gift card in hand, I found myself wandering down the curtain aisle again. (Do you gravitate to this aisle too? With all those colors, patterns, and textures it’s hard for me to stay focused on my shopping list.) [Read more...]

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Filed Under: Before and After, cleaning, Landscaping, Lowe's Creative Idea, Pillows, Plants, Sewing

Welcome Contributor – Cristina from Remodelando La Casa

29 Mar posted by Brittany Bailey

I’m so excited to introduce another handy writer to you today! She’s a wife, a mom, and a secret DIY Superwoman! She knows how to tame any ugly cabinet or window in her home by wrapping it in beautiful custom molding and trim.

Please meet Cristina from Remodelando la Casa!

Cristina started her blog over a year ago after she took on a major project and lived to tell about it. She renovated her kitchen by herself! Going through the process myself, I can tell you that this is no easy feat. You won’t believe the before and after pictures: [Read more...]

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Filed Under: Before and After, bloggers, Contributor

Welcome Contributors – Matt & Jacque from The DIY Village

28 Mar posted by Brittany Bailey

Vanna, can you please reveal who’s behind square two and three? Why, look who it is! It’s Jacque and Matt from The DIY Village.

Contributors_revealed_3

Not to be confused or associated with the Village People. Although it would be fun to have all of us dress up like this (or maybe not.):

I first met Matt & Jacque at Haven. These two are the dynamic duo of DIY. (If they’d let me in their duo, we’d make a great trio!) Do you sense a tinge of jealousy? I can tell you that I am a little envious of their tandem blogging and DIY projects. Double the fun, double the productivity, double the…you get the point.

diy_village_and_me When they aren’t DIYing together, Jacque works in the office of a small landscaping company and Matt is a Firefighter for a local fire department. They live in East Tennessee in a home that they bought in 2011

Matt & Jacque both have some fabulous DIY skills. For example, feast your eyes on their woodland stenciled dresser: [Read more...]

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Filed Under: Before and After, bloggers, Contributor

Voting for Round 2 of Creating with the Stars {Knockoff Challenge}

18 Mar posted by Brittany Bailey

My goodness the competition is fierce. I’ve seen some scissors, plumbing parts and puffy paint being thrown around. I’ve witnessed dirty looks and name calling. This is the ultimate throw down all ya’ got competition. And it is nothing short of an online cat fight! Okay, not really, but seriously there are some amazing knockoff design projects on this week’s Creating with the Stars over at East Coast Creative. Head over to check out some amazing money saving designs and vote for your favorite!