Pinterest, the virtual bulletin board website that allows you to “pin” pictures and ideas you find online, has become very popular. Some of the projects our social media director, Chelsea Lipford, found and tried on her own house include:
- Yarn chandelier
- Paper light switch covers
- Scrap paper collage paintings
- Cooking and laundry cheat sheets
- Mason jar soap dispenser
- Peel-and-stick tile sink cabinet liner
- Tension rod spray bottle hanger
You can find out more about these projects as well as those detailed below on our Pinterest page at www.pinterest.com/todayshomeowner then click on our DIY Pinterest Projects board.
Wall Mounted Folding Craft Center
The front legs of our wall mounted craft center fold down to form a work surface, then fold up to look like a framed picture when closed.
To create the folding craft center:
- Rip 3/4″ plywood for the sides and shelves to width.
2. Cut the pieces to length.
3. Cut dado slots in the sides with a router to support the shelves.
4. Assemble the shelf unit using glue and nails.
5. Apply a face frame made from solid wood to the front of the shelf unit.
6. Install dowels across the cabinet at each shelf to hold the craft supplies in place.
7. Cut the plywood work surface to size and cover the edges with solid wood banding.
8. Make a frame for the legs from mitered pieces of solid wood.
9. Attach a mitered frame made from brick mold to give the legs strength and the frame depth.
10. Fill any nail holes, then prime and paint the entire unit.
11. Attach the legs to the work surface with a brass piano hinge.
12. Hang the craft center on the wall with screws.
Watch our video on Child’s Wall Mounted Folding Desk
Distressed Chalk Paint Finish
To give finished wood furniture an antique look, mix up chalk paint by adding plaster of paris to latex paint. This makes the paint harder and more easily sandable.
Apply two coats of chalk paint to the furniture, allowing each coat to dry. Finally, use sandpaper to sand through the finish in spots, exposing the dark finish below, to give the furniture a distressed, antique look.
Crackle Paint Finish
For a different decorative finish, paint the furniture black, and then apply a coat of water based wood glue the surface. While the glue is still tacky, apply a thick coat of latex paint to the surface.
When the glue and paint dry, the finish will crack and separate, giving the furniture a unique alligator crazed, antique look.
Watch video on DIY Decorative Crackle Paint Finish for Furniture
Picnic Table Drink Trough
To keep drinks cold and handy at a picnic, remove the center board on a picnic table and add a drink trough made from rain gutter. When not in use, the top board can be used to cover the trough.
To make the picnic table drink trough:
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- Remove any diagonal or cross braces under the table that are in the way.
2. Screw 2x4s across the bottom of the table at each end.
3. Screw 2x2s lengthwise to the bottom of the boards adjoining the center board.
4. Remove the center board from the picnic table.
5. Cut the center board into three pieces, and attach the short pieces at each end.
6. Drill a finger hole in one end of the center board to allow for easy removal.
7. Cut the gutter to length and install end caps on each end with caulk.
8. Screw the gutter to the 2x2s using sheet metal screws.
9. Reinstall the diagonal braces under the table.
10. Fill the gutter with drinks and ice.
Watch video on How to Make a Picnic Table Drink Trough
Other Tips from This Episode
Simple Solutions with Joe Truini:
Plastic Container Tool Caddy
Turn a 2½ gallon plastic water container into a homemade caddy for tools or cleaning supplies. Start by marking around the top half of each side of the jug, then use a utility knife to cut through the plastic following the lines. The built-in handle in the center of the jug make the caddy easy to carry. (Watch Video)
Best New Products with Jodi Marks:
Kilz Clean Start Primer
Kilz Clean Start primer, is an extremely low odor product that contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It is mildew resistant and can be used as a primer, sealer, and stain blocker on both interior and exterior surfaces. Kilz Clean Start primer is available at The Home Depot. (Watch Video)
Ask Danny Lipford:
Repairing Drywall Nail Pops
To repair popped nails in drywall, remove the popped nail from the drywall using a screwdriver and pliers. Install drywall screws on either side of the popped nail with the screw heads recessed just below the surface. Fill the popped nail hole and screw heads with two coats of drywall joint compound, allow to dry, sand, and paint. (Watch Video)
