I have this green vase that I bought so many years ago at Target on clearance for next to nothing. There is nothing special about it but I have always liked the shape and for a time I did like the color. However, in my new home it just seems bland and out of place. Given my green philosophy of reusing what you can I thought the green vase could be easily transformed. As a result I thought I’d try out a new craft project…

The vase sits beneath a painting I absolutely love. It’s an abstract of horses and the idea to make the vase compliment the painting in a rustic sort of way came to mind.

I vaguely remembered this trick from a Real Simple magazine several months ago where small interesting vases with unique shapes were transformed using a few simple items. Taking this concept and running with it I opted to use manila rope, double-sided carpet tape, and a hot glue gun. As a result my not-so-unique green vase experienced a fabulous transformation. For next to nothing and about two hours time I changed the face of the vase.

First I created a patchwork of carpet tape so that I could better manage wrapping the vase without blowing through a zillion glue sticks and burning my fingers to the bone (let’s just say I’m not so skilled when it comes to the glue gun).  With the help of the carpet tape and the use of the glue gun in a few select areas the rope was twisted around the vase from bottom up. 

Once the project was complete I felt like it was missing a little something therefore I rigged a random knot and wrapped it around the neck. It adds a bit of detail (and hides a couple mistakes I made at the base of the neck). For the first pass at a project like this I’m pleased with the end result. The cheap green vase now looks like an expensive accessory from a rustic designer shop!

Check out this transformation and others at the 83rd Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch!

As a follow up to the Kitchen Cabinet Facelift recent post I thought I would share more about phase two. The second step to improving my kitchen included the replacement of the countertop, sink, and fixture.

Before… 

This was a DIY project as well but I like to call it a DIY-WF (with family). My Dad helped me to replace the old outdated and damaged laminate countertop which was much appreciated and it saved cash in the budget.  This part of the project could not have been completed without him.

First thing first we pulled the old countertop out and replaced it with a new laminate surface. My finish of choice was from Formica in Basalt Slate with a Honed Finish (upgrade) and a bullnose edge detail.

I selected this laminate because at first glance you don’t realize it is laminate. The honed finish creates a tactile texture to the slate look finish. The visual texture isn’t too busy therefore it isn’t cheesy faux like some of the laminates in granite finishes have a tendency to be.

The second selection was the Quartz sink. This option is ideal because it is dark like the countertop which creates a single visual plane. In a small space a greater sense of openness is created. The Quartz is so easy to maintain and always looks clean not to mention it is highly durable and doesn’t provide the tin sound that stainless steel can sometimes do when the water is running.

Last but not least is what I consider to be the jewelry for the sink, the faucet. The fixture is in a brushed nichol finish and the traditional modern style adds vintage style.

The finished kitchen project is a perfect compliment to the gray cabinets and is quite possibly the best transformation in my home to-date.     – Thanks Dad

After…

For more on Phase One check out the posting, Affordable Kitchen Cabinet Facelift at http://theidesignbox.com/?p=395  

With this posting I participated in Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch. For more on Metamorphosis Monday, December 7th go to: http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/12/welcome-to-47th-metamorphosis-monday.html

You know those off-the-shelf from the big box home improvement store oak cabinets that seem to appear in every apartment, inexpensive contractor re-do, and unfortunately unsuccessful remodels completed with little or no taste…I mean budget? You know the ones…and unfortunately the previous owner installed them in my nearly 100 year old home. Nothing about these cabinets leant themselves to the charm and period of my home that was built in 1911.

The starting point:

Being budget conscious, sticking to my intention to reuse something in perfectly good and usable shape, and desiring that designer touch that gives also honors the period of my house I decided to give them a fresh look.  I gave my cabinets an affordable face lift by removing and painting each door as well as adding glass inserts and hardware for added style.

The final result:  

How did I accomplish the affordable face lift of the oh-so-average oak cabinets? Here’s how…

A gallon of primer and a gallon of oil based Benjamin Moore paint (stinky yet extremely durable), new cabinet hardware, reeded glass inserts, a tube of silicon glue, a handful of foam paint brushes (eliminates appearance of brush strokes) and a few pieces of middle grade sand paper did the trick. 

What is priceless is my friends’ reactions which have included comments such as “You did this? Yourself? They look brand new!” which makes me even more appreciative that I completed this project myself.

In approximately a week the kitchen cabinets were complete and I had a whole new look that provided a period yet modern feel to the typical oak cabinets. The only task I hired out was removing the existing panels in the upper cabinets where I later installed the reeded glass inserts. For a step-by-step process email me at questions@theidesignbox.com

 Insider DIY Tips For This Project: 1. Number the door fronts so they go back in the same place and are easy to level when you reinstall them.  2. Take the already cut cabinet doors to the glass shop so the glass inserts fit perfectly. This eliminates unfortunate errors in measuring.  3. Paint the insides of the doors and cabinets for a more professional appearance.

Check out more DIY Projects where I’m participating in ”Do It Yourself Day“ at A Soft Place to Land!