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Homeowners Michelle and Stuart Howard have a beautiful home, and we’re helping them with some Pinterest inspired, DIY decorating projects to make their house even more attractive.

Television Picture Frame

Our first project was to improve the look of a wall-mounted television set by building a custom wood picture frame around it from stock door casing and lumber.

Television picture frame.
Television picture frame.

The 3¼” door casing was mitered to fit the size of the TV, then attached to a box made from 1×3 lumber.

Watch How to Make Multiple Miter Saw Cuts for tips on how to use a stop block to make identical cuts.

Jennifer Vought of Chic Restorations, helped finish the frame so it would blend in with the antiqued fireplace mantel below it.

Strips of self-adhesive felt were then attached to the frame to keep it from scratching the TV and an elastic strap used to secure it to the back of the set.

Watch How to Build a Custom TV Picture Frame to find out more.

French Door Photo Display Coat Rack

Our next Pinterest project involved converting a wood french door into a wall mounted photo display gallery and coat rack.

We started by trimming the wide bottom rail on the door to the same width as the top rail. To prevent splintering when crosscutting wood, score the cutting line with a utility knife first.

The door was finished with a red barn wood antique finish. Here’s how:

    1. Spray on a coat of dark rustic red primer and allowed to dry.
    1. Sparsely apply a brighter red paint using a “dry brush” technique with little paint on the paintbrush.
  1. Finally, apply a sparse coat of peat moss green antique glaze.

After the paint had dried, it was lightly sanded on the edges to allow the wood to peak through and produce an antique look.

Wall mounted french door photo gallery and coat rack.
Wall mounted french door photo gallery and coat rack.

Read our articles on Faux Textured Wall Finishes and Wall Surfaces and Decorative Finishes to find out more.

Photos were mounted behind the glass on the door. The door was then screwed horizontally to the wall studs, and coat hooks attached to the bottom rail.

Watch DIY Wall Mounted French Door Photo Gallery to find out more.

Whitewash Side Table

Whitewashed side table.
Whitewashed side table.

Our final Pinterest project involved applying a whitewash finish to an unfinished wood side table that was ordered online from International Concepts (OT-92 Lamp Table).

To create a homemade whitewash, mix one part water to one part flat latex paint. Wipe the whitewash mixture on the wood using a rag, similar to applying wood stain.

After the first coat is dry, sand the surface lightly with fine (220-grit or higher) sandpaper to smooth any raised grain. Then apply a second coat of whitewash, and allow it to dry.

Watch Chelsea’s video on How to Whitewash a Side Table to find out more.

Other Tips from This Episode

Drilling hole with drill bit alignment jig

Simple Solutions with Joe Truini:
Drill Bit Alignment Jig

To align a drill bit perpendicular, cut two pieces of 1×4 lumber exactly square and the same length (2” to 3” long), then screw them together to form a “T”. Place the jig on the stock, and align the drill bit with the inside angle of the blocks. (Watch Video)

Milwaukee 25 ft. Magnetic Tape Measure

Best New Products with Jodi Marks:
Milwaukee Magnetic Tape Measure

The tape on the Milwaukee 25’ Magnetic Tape Measure (model# 48-22-5125) is coated with nylon to last longer. It also has a reinforced frame and finger protection. The Milwaukee 25’ Magnetic Tape Measure is available at The Home Depot. (Watch Video)

Sanding wood with power sander

Ask Danny Lipford:
Choosing the Right Sandpaper

The coarseness of sandpaper is designated by the grit number. The higher the number, the finer the grit. Since coarse sandpaper leaves more scratches, start sanding with the highest grit that will work, then progress up to finer grits. (Watch Video)

Editorial Contributors
avatar for Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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