10_dreamy_window_seat_inspirationsDreamy Window Seat Inspiration Photos

I have a friend, named Claire, who is an interior design genius. She would beg to differ, but honestly she is brilliant when it comes to design decisions. This friend was the visionary who created our kitchen floor plan for us. She was also the person who envisioned a window seat in our bay window. Magnifique! Adding a window seat to the bay window was a great way to free up floor space, add storage to the kitchen, and give us a cozy spot to sit and eat. You can read how I built the window seat with storage in our bay window here.

Fall Decor in a Rustic Farmhouse Kitchen | Pretty Handy Girl

Before building our window seat, I scoured the web for window seat inspiration photos and here are my Favorite Dreamy Window Seat Inspiration Photos (of the MANY more photos I pinned):

BHG_window_seatDesigner Carrie Miller created a relaxing beadboard window seat via BHG.com

 

California_blue_white_breakfast_nookGorgeous tower breakfast nook. Photo by Karyn R. Millet via House Beautiful

 

elegant_built_in_no_windowElegant built-in seat (without a window) via: London Painting Group

 

Refrigerator cabinets used to build a window seat via Centsational Girl

 

storage_drawer_window_seatWindow seat with storage drawers via BHG.com

 

Bedroom window seat by Newport Beach Interior Designer Wendi Young Design via Houzz

 

Curved banquette by Brooklyn architect Ben Herzog via Houzz

 

White_window_seat_with_plantation_shuttersWhite and black built in storage bench via BHG.com

 

Huge bay window seating by Flemington architect Pickell Architecture via Houzz

 

Small corner window seat by Santa Cruz Media and blogs Shannon Malone via Houzz

 


Finally, this was the photo that set my wheels in the right direction for construction via Houzz

Want to build your own? I have a great tutorial for how to build a window seat in a bay window with storage.

Hope you find some window seat inspiration! Happy building!

PHGFancySign

Rustic Metal Magnetic Window Frame | Pretty Handy Girl

Galvanized Metal Magnetic Windows | Pretty Handy Girl

I was really inspired by Laura Putnam’s new book: DIY Rustic Modern Metal Crafts. I love the look of aged galvanized metal and knew that our home needed more of it. Today I’ll share with you a tutorial to create your own Rustic Metal Magnetic Window Frame, inspired by Laura’s Vintage Window Memo Board. But, you’ll definitely want to get a copy of Laura’s book to learn how to make 34 more storage and decor items using galvanized metal!

Materials:
(contains affiliate links)

Galvanized Metal Magnetic Windows | Pretty Handy Girl

Optional: Silicone Caulk (for more secure metal)

Instructions:

Ready to make your own Rustic Metal Magnetic Window Frame? If you have newer galvanized metal, you can easily add an aged patina to metal following this tutorial. Prepare ahead of time, because it might take up to 8 hours to get the look you want. The sheet you see below was left overnight in the solution to get a nice white patina.

aged-galvanized-sheet-metal

Remove the glass panes from your old window.

old-window-pane

Measure the size of each pane.

measure-window-panes

Transfer your measurements onto the galvanized metal sheet. Read more

Build a Temporary Pergola with Trellises | Pretty Handy Girl

Build a Temporary Pergola with Trellises | Pretty Handy Girl

This tutorial to build a temporary pergola is perfect for a wedding, photo shoot, for some shade, or for your garden if you are okay with it not lasting forever.

My sister and I constructed it for our Thompson’s WaterSeal Bali Dream Deck to provide some romance and shade from the hot Bali sun.

Bali Dream Deck for Thompsons Water Seal | Pretty Handy Girl

Materials:

Build a Temporary Pergola with Trellises | Pretty Handy Girl

  • 2 Trellises (with double vertical construction)
  • 1 Trellis
  • 4 – 2 1/2″ wood screws
  • Drill bit
  • Drill
  • Clamps

Optional:

Instructions: 

Dry fit your trellis pieces together to create the pergola shape. Make note of where the top trellis intersects with the two side pieces.

Build a Temporary Pergola with Trellises | Pretty Handy Girl

Pre-drill holes through the top trellis piece at the four intersecting points.

Build a Temporary Pergola with Trellises | Pretty Handy Girl

Pre-drill holes into the top outer pieces of the vertical side trellises (where they meet the top trellis.) Read more

interior cedar shutters

Hello Pretty Handy friends, Jaime from That’s My Letter here today to share how to build functional interior cedar shutters using inexpensive AND readily available hardware.

I have been itching to build some cedar shutters for our living room for quite some time now.  I had two requirements: 1) they had to be completely functional to block out the hot summer sun (which also makes them great for privacy) and 2) use no fancy hardware.  I didn’t want to special order any shutter hardware and I like to build using readily available supplies.

interior cedar shutters partial open

You can find the cedar planks and hardware at your local home improvement store.  Ready to learn how to build the shutters and install these beauties?

interior cedar shutters closed 1

You can see just how much light the shutters will block out once closed.  I plan to keep the shutters open except during the extremely hot summer days.

interior cedar shutters front view

Interior cedar shutters make a great alternative window treatment if you’re not into fabric panels.  They truly are a statement piece (and hopefully distract from the fact that my windows don’t match!).  I also built the sliding door console last Spring, a link to all the details on that piece is in this post.

Materials:

  • cedar boards (1×6 and 1×4)
  • saw
  • nail gun
  • 1 1/4″ finish nails
  • 1×2 pine board
  • 2″ wood screws
  • drill & bits
  • pencil
  • measuring tape
  • wood putty
  • sandpaper
  • paint
  • hinges (pictured below) & screws

interior cedar shutters hardware

Hardware: (for one pair of shutters)

  • 2 – 2 1/2″ hinge (spray painted oil rubbed bronze) & 12 screws
  • 2 – 4″ decorative tee hinge & 12 screws

Instructions:

MEASURE YOUR INTERIOR WINDOW SPACE.  MEASURE IT AGAIN.  MEASURE IT AGAIN. The top of the window may vary from the bottom. Read more

Easy and Inexpensive Romantic Curtains | Pretty Handy Girl

Easy and Inexpensive Romantic Curtains | Pretty Handy Girl

Are your windows naked? What’s holding you back? Don’t have the funds to buy some? Don’t have the time to sew some? I have the instant cure for your naked windows. Get ready to make your own easy and inexpensive romantic curtains! Best of all, you don’t have to sew a thing!

Materials:

  • 2 Flat twin sheets from Walmart ($4.97 ea.)
  • 10 Curtain ring clips

Instructions:

Fold your bed sheet in half lengthwise at the top edge. Pleat the left corner and clip a ring over the pleats approximately 2-3 inches below the top edge.

Easy & Cheap Curtains | Pretty Handy Girl

Pleat and add another clip at the fold. Gather another pleat halfway between your two clips and add a third clip. Read more