If you’re like me, you come across ideas - on television, in magazines, online, in your imagination - and then you set about putting some of those ideas into action. But sometimes it’s not as easy as going to the store and picking up a ready-made version. Don’t fret. Just make your own. Let’s explore some DIY projects to bring about display-worthy results.
Sometimes 1 and 1 makes a pretty attractive 2. Standard canisters can be just that – standard. But for your kitchen or craft storage, you have the option to take either mason jars or apothecary jars in various shapes and sizes and combine them with a stencil and paint for a customized version. You could spray paint numbers or words on the outside for a streamlined look to your countertop or cabinet storage. Or you could paint a decorative section of chalkboard paint for easy-to-change labeling.
Coasters are another simple make-at-home project that add a little pop of color or print to your side tables. Use 4 inch plain white square tiles from the hardware store and top them with a section of craft paper you decoupage on with the special glue, tiny glass tiles on the mesh backing you apply with Thinset, or even small objects like a grid of Scrabble tiles you superglue on to the base. Add some small felt pads to the underside of the four corners, and you’re ready to drink up in style.
Whether you’re organizing at home or decorating a gift with a custom tag, those pretty labels you see on the creations of others aren’t always ready-made. Your best bet may be to buy white cardstock or labels to run through your own home printer and get crafty in a program like Publisher or find modern templates online. Choose 6-per-page round stickers, square or rectangular labels, or full sheet label pages you can custom cut, all in a glossy finish, and put your own touch on your stored containers, wrapped presents, or give-away kitchen treats. Additionally, if you’re always in search of a great, new font, look into your online options for creating your very own font out of your handwriting to use on your projects and invitations.
If the commercial wall calendars you find fall short of your family organizing purposes, make your own. Wall space in your back entryway or laundry room can be spray painted with chalkboard paint to give you a custom sized surface to work with. And then use stencils or painters’ tape to paint white or colored gridlines, a section for notes, days of the week, or a creative heading on the fully dry surface. Use chalk to change your month, dates, and to-do notes, and have a place to see one big family schedule.
You may be your best asset for adding customized elements to your home when you get crafty and make your own versions of popular items that really are display-worthy.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star February 2nd.
