*THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.*

Congrats to Bethany Winkler! Enjoy your new Flor!

In my last post, you got a sneak peek of the new rug in the boys’ bedroom. Previously, I bought an inexpensive cotton flat weave from IKEA to give the kids a soft place to play. I knew when I bought it that it wasn’t the rug. {But that’s okay. I was thinking ahead and planned to use it elsewhere once I found the right rug for the boys’ room.}

It was too light to survive in a boys’ bedroom {hello, dirt} and the size was all wrong. It was roughly 6′x8′ but I needed it about 3′ longer on the longest side to optimize play space. That meant I was looking for a 6′x11′ rug. Basically, a fat runner. If you’ve ever done any rug shopping, you know that 6′x11′ is not anywhere close to a standard rug size. I would find rugs long enough but they were too wide. {Eventually, two desks are going in on the right wall shown above so I didn’t want a rug that would extend into the desk area.} When I found rugs narrow enough, they were too short to run the length of the room. That’s when I realized I was wasting my time searching for the perfectly sized rug. The only way I was going to get a ~6′x11′ rug was to have one custom made or make one myself.

I went as far as to special order a custom cut rug via Home Depot. But when it arrived {six weeks later!} it was damaged and hadn’t even been cut to the size I specified. I had such a horrible experience that I swore off the whole custom cut rug idea. {In Home Depot’s defense, they hire out for the custom cutting of rugs and I did get a full refund because the product I received wasn’t what had been ordered – wrong size & damaged. Still, it was not a pleasant experience.}

That’s when I looked to Flor. Well, now. Here was a huge selection of rug tiles that I could position any way I wanted to nearly any size my house-lovin’ heart desired. Bingo. After I did the math, I discovered that if I made a rug 4 tiles wide and 7 tiles long it would produce a ~6’6″x11’6″ rug. Faaaantastic.

I chose 30 tiles of the sweater weather in grey. It has a cable knit texture I love in a color that will hide just about anything my boys can throw, drop, squish, mark or smear on it. For particularly awful messes, I can remove the affected tiles, wash them off in the sink or outside then put them back. Like nothing ever happened. Shhhhhhh. If one the tiles is ever beyond washing or repairing, I have two replacement tiles to use.

I was leery of the ‘heavy traffic’ description, afraid that the tiles would feel like the abrasive indoor-outdoor carpeting from the 70′s. But they don’t feel that way at all. They feel more like yarn than carpet or wool.

{Nevermind the sliver of sunlight blowing out the middle of the rug.}

The other great thing is that the rug has a super low profile. I can easily pull out the trundle bed of the bunk onto the rug without having to move anything first. The tile backs are slip-resistant so the rug doesn’t shift or wrinkle when the trundle rolls onto them. No need for a rug pad.

Putting the rug together was a cinch.

I laid out my 28 tiles in the rectangular shape I wanted, using the quarter-turn installation. Then we lived with them like that – floating freely – for a week or so to make sure it was the rug. It was! The only thing left to do was adhere the tiles to each other.

The tiles came with a slew of stickers.

At the intersection of four tiles, I placed one sticker – sticky side up – underneath and lined up the seams of the tiles with the guide lines on the sticker. {Picture the sticker above laying under the tiles.}

At the intersection of two end tiles, I placed one sticker – sticky side up – underneath the seam and lined up the seam with the guide lines on the sticker. {Picture the sticker above laying under the top tile as well.} I just went row by row, sticking the tiles together until they were all one big rug. It took me a total of 20 minutes.

This is the view from the top bunk. You can better see the size of the rug in relation to the room. It’s perfect.

I’m Flor’s newest fan. For several reasons:

*The tiles can be made into rugs of hard-to-come-by shapes and sizes.

*The low profile makes it ideal near moving doors, desk chairs and trundle beds.

*The slip-resistant backing makes a rug pad unnecessary.

*Tiles can be removed and replaced easily for cleaning.

*Tile facing is made from 100% recycled fibers.

I would highly recommend Flor for your floor-covering needs. To help you out, Flor is graciously sponsoring this week’s giveaway! See entry details below.

PRIZE: 20 Flor tiles of your choice!! {This will make a ~5′x8′ rug. You may purchase additional tiles for a larger rug.}

RULES: You must be at least 18 years old and have a U.S. shipping address {no P.O. boxes please} to enter. One entry per email address.

TO ENTER: ‘Like’ Flor on facebook then come back here and leave a comment on this post proclaiming “FLOR ME!”

DEADLINE: Enter before noon on Friday, October 19th. One random winner will be announced that same day.

WHILE YOU’RE AT IT: Since we’re talking custom-sized rugs…what’s your favorite custom item in your home? Maybe you have custom built kitchen cabinets or commissioned artwork that was created just for you. I’ll go first. We had an engineered ridge beam custom built for the great room. It allowed us to vault the once 8′ ceilings to >12′. It’s definitely a custom touch that goes a long way in making our kitchen and family room feel bigger and brighter. We’d do it over again in a heartbeat.

BUT, WAIT!, THERE’S MORE: Ever wonder what happened to the IKEA rug I took out of the boys’ room? Check back tomorrow to see where it ended up.

images: all Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

*THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.*

Congrats to Andrea who is overdue for a bathroom update!

‘Fess up. Which of you went out and bought the new iPhone 5 last week? My sister did. I didn’t.

Seeing as how HH had to drag me to the store when I finally caved for my iPhone over year ago, I’m not one to jump on the latest technology bandwagons. I still haven’t tapped into all that my phone can do, so I’ll be using it for a while. In fact, the phone I had just before my current iPhone was a very outdated Motorola Razr. It was in bad shape. The wire connecting the keypad portion to the flip-top was fully exposed and I had to hold the phone with two hands to use it. That upgrade was similar to when my country-lovin’, Harley riding, hillbilly dad bought a Lexus sedan last month. Whaaaaat??? He also wears cargo shorts now. Up until a year ago, I couldn’t even tell you what his legs looked like. I’d seen them maybe a total of two times in my 30+ years. He always wore jeans. My bonus mom is opening my dad’s eyes to all the things me and my siblings have been trying to turn him on to for three decades. And she’s done it in two years! Without nagging or changing my dad’s personality. She’s pretty amazing.

Anyhow, for those of us who still like our older iPhone models, there’s a brand spanking new etsy shop that’s got us covered. Literally.

Scribbles & Stripes offers a variety of modern printed cases compatible with the iPhone 4 or 4S. From polka dots to chevron to ombre, there’s a pattern for everyone. You can update your iPhone without paying for the expensive upgrade. Want something a little more personal than a pattern? Well, check out the custom instagram and photo options as well. These would make lovely gifts, don’t you think?

Could your iPhone 4 or 4S use a little love? Great. See details below and win a case of your own!

PRIZE: one iPhone 4/4S case of your choice from Scribbles & Stripes

RULES: You must be at least 18 years old and have a U.S. shipping address. No P.O. boxes please. One entry per email address.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this post proclaiming “UPDATE ME!”

DEADLINE: Enter before Thursday, September 27th at 9:00 p.m. EST. One random winner will be chosen and announced Friday, September 28th.

WHILE YOU’RE AT IT: Since we’re talking updates and upgrades… what’s a future update or upgrade you’re looking forward to? A new hairstyle? A reliable car? Replacing something in your wardrobe? Or maybe you’re updating something in your house? I’ll go first. We’ve done a lot of work around the Underdog but there’s still one full bathroom sitting completely gutted. All five of us have been sharing our master bathroom and while it hasn’t been impossible, I’m really looking forward to finishing the other bathroom for kids and guests. It’s on the calendar for winter.

BUT, WAIT!, THERE’S MORE: Can’t wait to win or are you doing your Christmas shopping early? Scribbles & Stripes is offering an exclusive discount to House*Tweaking readers. For the next two days four days, use the coupon code “HOUSE25″ to score 25% off your purchase! After that, use the coupon code “HOUSETWEAKING” to score 10% off any purchase through October 24th 2012. AND…if you’re interested in a case for an iPhone 5, you can pre-order them now through Scribbles & Stripes!

Don’t forget to like Scribbles & Stripes on facebook and follow them on instagram!

Do you have an etsy shop or small business you’d like to introduce House*Tweaking readers to by way of a giveaway? Please contact me at danarmiller {at} hotmail {dot} com for more info.

images: Scribbles & Stripes collage by Dana Miller

By now you should have a draft mood board of items. To polish it up and make it presentable for a blog post or client, you can add embellishments such as titles, text, arrows and decoration. This step can be likened to taking a loose photo and making it into a scrapbook page. It’s all about dressing it up and being creative.

Log into polyvore, click ‘create’, click the ‘my sets’ tab, click ‘drafts.’ Select the draft board you want to embellish and click ‘edit this draft.’

This should bring up the draft board that you saved previously. To add text to your board, click the ‘all items’ tab. Under the ‘embellishments’ category, select ‘text.’

This will bring up a text box. Select a font and type in your desired text. Click ‘update’ to see it appear on your board. You can enlarge, shrink and pivot your text box the same way you would an item. Change the font or color of your text by using the drop-down menus in the text bar.

I widen my text box by dragging the right line of the box to get my title all in one line. I shrink my text and use a teal color to go along with my mood board’s color palette. I center the title above the board. Then I save my draft.

Sometimes it’s useful to number items in your mood board. This is helpful when you’ll be discussing each item in depth within a blog post or with a client. You can simply add lone numbers like you did with the title and then position them next to each item OR polyvore gives you the option of using ready made numbers that have a more professional appearance. To access the ready made numbers, click the ‘all items’ link in blue to the right of your board. Select ’123♥→.’

This will bring up pages of arrows, numbers and other decorative labeling aides. Select the label you want and ‘add to set.’ You can change the color via the drop-down menu in the box. You can also lighten or darken the color using the fade feature. I use the round number stickers in orange and fade them so that they mimic the coral in my mood board.

When numbering, I like to layer the numbers slightly over the items so there’s no question which number goes with which item. I also try to stagger the placement of the numbers so your eye moves around the board in a flowing manner. With my mood board titled and numbered, I give it a once-over and save my draft.

For fun and to show you a little more of what you can do, I play around with my title’s color and give it some flair. {“I don’t really like talking about my flair.” Name that movie.}

To highlight the title, I add double arrowheads to each end of the title. I decide the teal font and coral arrows work best. I save my draft.

If you’re wondering, I use the ‘text’, ’123♥→’, ‘effects & textures’ and ‘patterns & overlays’ embellishments most frequently. My best advice here is to practice playing around with the embellishments. Try layering text over patterns and using different extras to amp up the wow factor on your boards. It’s just like cropping…you’ll get better with practice. That being said, if I’m making a mood board for personal use, I usually don’t add embellishments. I just want a feel for how certain items will look all together in one space.

Ta-dah! Wait…how’d I get my board onto my blog you ask?

Once you complete a mood board you have two options: 1) save it as a draft to view personally OR 2) publish it to share with others.

If you want to post your mood board to a blog or email it to a client, you will need to publish it. Click ‘publish’ in the upper left hand corner of your  board.

Populate the fields as directed. I don’t spend a whole lot of time or thought on this part since I don’t target my boards toward the polyvore audience. Click ‘publish.’

You are able to quick share via different social media sites but I click ‘done’ here. My boards are usually going into a blog post that I haven’t written yet or to a client via email.

Congrats! You just published a mood board! Feels good, doesn’t it?

A great feature about a completed mood board is that you can hover over any of the items and it will bring up links to the items. Super convenient. There are share buttons for twitter, tumblr, email, pinterest and facebook. I use the email button to email mood boards to clients. The email includes links to all the items in the mood board which is another convenient feature. I also send a separate email to clients from my personal email account giving more details about the board – this is where those numbers come in handy. I specify furniture arrangements, each item’s placement, my thoughts on why I chose each item and other pertinent info. It’s easier for me to discuss one item at a time and I’m sure it’s easier for the client to see the mood board broken down into smaller bits.

To post my mood board to House*Tweaking I click ‘post to blog.’ This brings up a box giving me appearance options. I always choose the last option in the first row which basically means I don’t want a list of all the items included with the mood board…I just want the mood board itself to appear on my blog. I set the image size to 600 pixels wide because that’s how wide my post column is on H*T. I skip the ‘choose your blog’ option and instead opt to copy the HTML code for my board. I paste the HTML code within the blog post I write pertaining to the mood board.

With the board in my blog post, I’m able to refer to each item via its labeled number. Voilà!

I’ll bet you would have never guessed all that went on behind the scenes when you’re reading a mood board post on H*T. No one is ever going to ask how I create anything tech-y again! Ha!

Sorry if this week was a total wash and you have no interest in mood boards. I’m happy if I inspire just one person to create their own. Playing around with mood boards is my idea of fun. I wish a step-by-step tutorial for polyvore had been around years ago when I started using it, so this is my way of paying it forward. Another reason I wanted to share this tutorial now is that NEXT WEEK I will begin offering mood board services for a fee. I know not everyone will be able/want to shell out the moolah for a custom mood board, so I thought sharing my process would give those readers the chance to DIY their own.

Happy embellishing! And I apologize in advance to the husbands, boyfriends, wives?, girlfriends?, children and pets of any polyvore monsters I created this week. SORRY. I would love for readers to link to their polyvore mood boards in the comments section below so I can see what lovely sets you’ve created.

Please feel free to ask any questions about polyvore and mood boards in the comments section below. Refer to Parts I, II and III of this tutorial if you’re just tuning in.

images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

*THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.*

Congrats to Kellie who has five naked windows in her new place that could use some TLC and who saw her last live performance waaaaay too long ago {like me!} back in December. Here’s to making live performance viewings less rare!

I’ve got another fabulous etsy shop to share with you today! Nena Von specializes in custom drapery and designer pillows.

I’ve purchased many a pillow cover {Imagine that. Me. Buying pillow covers. Crazy.} from this shop and they are wonderful. With all the different prints, colors and sizes available, there’s sure to be one that suits your home inside or out.

This week the shop’s owner, Summer, is graciously offering up a pair of custom drapery panels. Do you have a window in need of some flair? Great! See entry details below.

PRIZE: a pair of Nena Von custom drapery panels. Choose from one of the five drapery fabrics above. Each panel will be 50″ wide and lined. The winner will specify the desired length and choice of finished top: brushed nickel grommet top, flat panel (for clip rings) or rod top. Because this prize will be custom made, please allow 2-3 weeks for shipping.

RULES: You must be at least 18 years old to enter. One entry per email address. International entries are welcome!

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this post proclaiming “CURTAIN CALL!”

DEADLINE: Enter before Thursday, July 26th at 9:00 p.m. EST. One random winner will be announced Friday, July 27th.

WHILE YOU’RE AT IT: Since we’re talking curtain calls…what was the last live performance you went to see? A concert? A Broadway show? The ballet? I’ll go first. The last live performance I saw was Layne’s music performance at his school back in February. I know. Waaaaay too long ago. It was a singing performance that his class and a few other first grade classes put on for a local retirement community. They did such a great job that the directors decided to have a concert for parents and families as well. The theme was ‘We Can Make a Difference’ and I was so surprised by the performance {the kids were on key and smiling, you could actually hear what they were saying, videos of the kids helping out around the school and community were playing, Layne was in the tallest back row and kept putting one hand above his eyes bill-style trying to find us in the audience, and they were delivering a great message} that I cried the entire time. And I’m usually not a crier! Oh, how kids can pull at your heartstrings sometimes.

Don’t forget to like Nena Von on Facebook to get in on exclusive giveaways and discounts!

Click here to see who won the Del Mar Designs giveaway.

images: Nena Von

*THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.*

Over at the Underdog we’re trying to get it livable so we can move in. But one of my favorite parts of home decor is adding personal touches. Monograms, photographs and and custom artwork can all work together to make a house feel more like a home. And that’s what this giveaway is all about!

Amanda over at Our Humble A{Bowed}D started off making art prints for her own house…a 1960′s rancher that she and her handyman of a hubby have slowly tweaked into a bona fide home with the help of their two lil’ boys. {Sound familiar?} She now offers several original prints in her Etsy shop.

All pieces are customizable so photos, initials, names and colors can be personalized to match your household and decor.

Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Hint: Valentine’s Day gift.

Wanna know how you can get your mitts on some personalized artwork? Great! Here are all the details:

• PRIZE:  $50 credit to Our Humble A{Bowe}D Etsy shop
• RULES:  You must be at least 18 years old and have a U.S. or Canadian shipping address {no P.O. boxes please} to enter. One entry per email address.
• HOW TO ENTER:  Leave a comment on this post proclaiming “LET’S GET PERSONAL!”
• DEADLINE:  Enter before Thursday, February 2nd at 9:00 p.m. EST. One winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced on Friday, February 3rd.
• WHILE YOU’RE AT IT:  Tell me something personal that makes you, well, YOU! Do you have a rare talent? Do you have a unique physical characteristic? Any irrational phobias? I’ll go first. 1 – As a toddler, I walked with my feet turned outward – almost backward – and had to wear a cast on each of my legs down to my toes to correct the problem. The treatment didn’t fully cure me but it came to my advantage later during ten years of ballet training…my feet still turned out more than normal and I had learned to walk on my toes very well because of the casts. 2 – I have a random patch of freckles on the left side of my chin just below my lower lip. Growing up, my grandma always mistook the patch for dirt and would try to scrub it off to no avail. 3 – I’m afraid of birds. The smaller they are the more scared I am. It’s totally the beak that freaks me out.

Check out Amanda’s lovely home over on her blog and “Like” her on Facebook!

images: Amanda at Our Humble A{Bowe}D

*THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED*

Remember these cutie patootie moving postcards I purchased from Etsy recently to officially announce our new address? I am smitten with them.

Now you have a chance to grab up some custom stationery from Jack & Ella Paper Press too! Lucky for you, the shop owner is offering up $40 worth of free paper goods to one House*Tweaking winner.

So maybe you don’t need moving postcards…that’s okay!  Jack & Ella carries a wide array of custom stationery for nearly every formal and informal occasion.  Weddings, birthdays, recipe cards, holidays, gift tags, life events…Jack & Ella has you covered.

Don’t forget those everyday moments either.  This Etsy seller even has lunch box and love notes available to let your someone special know that they’re, well…special.

With emphasis on simple style and eco-friendly design, Jack & Ella prints on recycled card stock and frequently uses twine to bundle orders.  To check out the shop’s entire inventory click here and to follow Jack & Ella on Facebook click here.

Do you have a special announcement to make or are you looking for fun yet stylish invitations? Maybe you just need some monogrammed notecards handy at a moment’s notice?  Whatever your reason, here’s how to win some custom stationery of your own:

• PRIZE:  $40 worth of paper goods from Jack & Ella Paper Press
• RULES:  You must be at least 18 years old and have a street mailing address {no P.O. boxes} within the U.S.  One entry per email address.
• HOW TO ENTER:  Leave a comment on this post proclaiming “WRITE ME!”
• DEADLINE:  Enter before Thursday, September 22nd at 9:00 p.m. EST.  The winner will be picked at random and announced Friday, September 23rd.
• WHILE YOU’RE AT IT:  Tell me a unique characteristic of your own handwriting.  I’ll go first…I detest my handwriting.  I’m left-handed so 95% of the time my writing is smudged.  My freehand writing {with no horizontal lines to guide me} is always slanted.  The only time I ever write in cursive is when I sign my name to something and, even then, it’s barely legible.  I prefer to print. I’d love to have beautiful handwriting but since I’ve been at it for close to 30 years now, I think it’s a lost cause.  To make my writing appear ‘better’, I rewrite almost everything at least once {usually more than that} and I write with a fine Sharpie or other fine marker.  My writing always turns out nicer in marker.  Weird.  The good news?  I’m much better at typing than handwriting.

FYI – I paid for my Jack & Ella postcards with my own money.  I am not being compensated for hosting this giveaway.  I just love sharing great Etsy finds!

images:  1) Dana Miller for House*Tweaking  2 & 3) collages by Dana Miller using Jack & Ella Paper Press images

We closed on our previous house nearly 3 weeks ago and I’m just now getting around to sending out change of address postcards.  It took me a while to find just the right ones.  I decided on these Etsy ‘new digs’ postcards…and I’m so happy I did.

They’re made of heavy weight, 100% recycled card stock.

I love their simple, natural style.

I needed more than the bundle of 40 that was for sale on the Etsy listing.  I convo’d the seller and she quickly set me up with a reserved listing for 75 postcards at $37.50.

I adore the cute lil’ birdhouse on the front.  Somehow ‘new digs’ sounds a little less severe than ‘we’ve moved!’

The back is short and sweet and includes our new contact info.  I just have to address them and add postage.  Guess you know what I’m doing this weekend!

I purchased my custom postcards from Jack and Ella Paper.  The Etsy shop has various other notes, cards and stationery available for purchase as well if you’re interested.

FYI – I was not compensated for featuring my postcards.  I’m just sharing a great handmade purchase I received from Etsy.

images:  all Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

You wouldn’t know any better if I didn’t tell you, but this is my second attempt at writing this post.  I spent a whole thirty minutes at the public library downloading and editing pictures for the post when {just my luck!} the library lost internet service. Now, I’m coming to you live from McDonald’s, the next closest location with free wifi service.  I will be so thankful when we finally get internet service set up at the apartment.  We’re on the calendar for Saturday.  

I completed my first home-related DIY project at the apartment over the weekend.  Surprise!  It’s nothing special in the way of design…mostly it’s just functional.  Over the past few weeks, we’ve been working during all hours of the day {and sometimes night} to get our previous home ready for closing while still trying to keep the ball rolling at the Underdog.  It’s made us and our kiddos pretty weary.  Often times we didn’t eat dinner until after 9pm…well past our kids’ usual bedtime.  So priority #1 for apartment living was to get back on schedule and rest up from all the packing/moving chaos.  One small problem though…

Summer in the midwest means late sunsets and early sunrises and without proper window treatments, all that natural light was wreaking havoc on our efforts catch some extra zzzz’s.  And those blinds that come already installed on the apartment windows?  They don’t really block light very well.  So, I devised a plan to DIY some inexpensive, remedial, completely temporary window shades using a few blackout panels we had used in the nursery at our previous home and four tension rods {two for each window}.  You can purchase the same blackout panels from Wal-Mart or even purchase blackout fabric from a fabric store.  Find tension rods at nearly any store that sells curtain rods.  I got mine at Meijer for $20 total.

First, I measured the inside dimensions of the bedroom windows – the boys’ bedroom window and our bedroom window.  At 35″ wide, I quickly realized that my 27″ wide blackout panels weren’t going to be wide enough, so I cut a 9″ strip from another panel to add onto the original 27″.  I pinned the two pieces together with a 1″ overlap making sure to line up the top rod pockets…

…then sewed them together on the sewing machine.

I cut the 35″ wide panel to length {in my case it was 57″} and was left with a blackout shade that fit the inside window dimensions perfectly.  Functional enough.  But I wanted to add a little savvy to it, so I decided to sew printed fabric to the interior side of the blackout panel.  Per apartment regulations, all window treatments must have a white backside so that the complex looks uniform from the street.

I found a fun turquoise print at JoAnn’s for the boys’ bedroom.  I would have liked something with a larger, punchier print but this is what I was able to find on such short notice and in my price range.  I had a 50% off coupon.  I bought 2 yards.  I laid the fabric wrong side up under the cut blackout panel and cut to length…leaving an inch or so around the sides and about 6″ at the top and bottom to allow for the top and bottom rod pockets.  *Make sure to leave enough fabric at the top so that when it is folded over and sewn down over the top rod pocket, the sewn seam doesn’t impede movement of the tension rod through the pocket.*

I didn’t worry about the unfinished edges of the pocket.  I figured I could just fold them into the pocket and slide my tension rod through.

Next I folded the sides over twice, pinned them and sewed them…being careful not to pin or sew the opening to the top rod pocket.

Lastly, I folded up the bottom of the fabric twice, pinned and sewed it leaving a few inches between the bottom of the blackout panel and my seam {higher up} to make a bottom rod pocket for the second tension rod.

To hang my final product, I simply extended 2 tension rods to the correct width, slid a tension rod through the top and bottom rod pockets and squeezed them into the window frame right up against the vinyl blinds.

The bottom tension rod keeps the shade in place for a room darkening effect but can be moved higher up during daylight hours to let light in.

My DIY shade could use a little ironing but I was trying my hardest to complete the shades before bedtime…and I started making them while Handy Hubby was giving the boys their showers…so I was pressed for time.  {Pun intended.}  I made a blackout shade for our master bedroom as well using striped ticking fabric from JoAnn’s.

A lady at JoAnn’s was kind enough to give me another 50% coupon {I only had one} she wasn’t using, so I ended up getting 50% off the fabric for our shade too.  In retrospect, I think she was feeling a little sorry for me.  I was at JoAnn’s with two very energetic boys who like nothing more than to hide in all the fabric.

Again, it could use some ironing.  Maybe I’ll get around to that before our time at the apartment is up.  Maybe not.

I like these shades for a lot of functional reasons:  1) They are temporary.  Without involving nails or screws, I can simply pull them down when it’s time to move.  2) They meet the apartment guidelines.  By sewing fabric onto only the interior side of the shade, the backsides are left white.  3) They are cheap.  Both shades cost me less than $40 total and I was able to reuse blackout panels I already had on hand.  4) They keep the light out at night and let light in during the day.  The bottom tension rods can be moved to a desired height, gauging the amount of light coming into the bedrooms.  The vinyl blinds still move up and down freely behind the shades.  5) They muffle a fair amount of street noise.  While the occasional siren and train can still be heard, sounds from the parking lot right outside the bedroom windows are blocked.  6) They’re kid-friendly. If my boys decide to pull on them or hang from them {which is inevitable}, the shades will just come loose.

I know these shades aren’t the most design worthy window treatments in the world but they are serving their purpose for us. They’d be a great ‘holdover’ window treatment to keep you rested while you save up for what you really want or until you decide exactly what you want. I think they could be used similarly in college dorms and nurseries since those spaces tend to be temporary too.  Add a thick border of ribbon {simply hot glued on} to add some sophistication or stencil/paint your own design onto plain fabric for a custom look.

So, that was my first apartment project completed only days after we moved in.  While I don’t want to put a lot of time and money into the apartment since it’s only temporary, I do want to make it functional and comfortable.  Because, well, that’s what I do.  Next, I’ve got my eye on the pesky folding closet doors.  Everett has already pinched his finger in one. They’ve gotta go.

What about you?  What are some little things you’ve done to make apartments, dorm rooms, rentals or even your homes work for you?  It doesn’t have to cost a bundle.

images:  Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

Back in August, Handy Hubby and I attended his grandmother’s funeral in Pennsylvania.  It was bittersweet.  Bitter because we were grieving the loss of a loved one but also sweet because we were able to bring home a part of his grandmother’s past.  You see, Handy Hubby’s grandmother had lived on a large farm for many years which was recently sold due to her husband’s death and her own deteriorating health. Many items were salvaged from the farm including old fence boards used to corral cattle.  After being asked several times if there was anything we’d like to have, Handy Hubby and I decided to give the worn fence boards a facelift.  So we loaded ‘em into our SUV and brought ‘em back to Ohio.  Let me tell you, that ride was interesting, dusty and uncomfortable.  The boards were long and extended all the way up through the front seats, in between Handy Hubby and me, and up onto the dashboard.  We couldn’t see each other.  The back gate barely shut. {And, no, the kiddos weren’t with us.}

We tried to cover up as much of the interior and luggage as we could with a tarp but nearly every surface was coated in a thick layer of dust by the time we got home.  As soon as we unloaded the boards, I cleaned and swept the whole car out.  It was disgusting!

We devised a plan to use the boards for custom artwork/a makeshift headboard in our master bedroom and for a sliding door {coming soon!} to our master bathroom.  You got a peek at the art/headboard last week.  How did I come up with that idea?  Well, I couldn’t decide on artwork, a headboard or both above our bed.  I thought both would be a little much for our simple taste…not to mention more expensive than just one.  So, I decided to make artwork that could double as a headboard.  **I’ve got a serious {maybe even scary} thing for multitasking home decor.**  Handy Hubby cut the boards to size.

He managed to avoid using damaged portions of the fence boards.  We still wanted them imperfect though.

Next, he sanded them {wearing a mask, of course} and wiped them down with tack cloth.  He attached them together using two 1″x4″ lumber strips vertically along the backside. {I didn’t want the edges lined up perfectly.}  That left me with this blank canvas…

I wrote out “love” onto the wooden headboard with a piece of chalk…

…and then painted over top of it…

May I point out the little hole above the “v”?  It was unintentional but it’s the best lil’ place to slip your hand into and haul the headboard around.  Funny how that worked out.

The only money doled out for this project was for paint.  {Hint:  We still have a gallon left over for the rest of the fence boards.}  But who cares how much it did/didn’t cost?  This art/headboard/whatever-you-want-to-call-it means so much to us.  First of all, it’s originally from a place that was a huge part of Handy Hubby’s childhood…the family farm.  It’s a daily reminder of his beloved grandparents who are no longer with us.  It’s also the perfect example of how Handy Hubby and I work together on DIY projects.  I come up with some random, off-the-wall idea…Handy Hubby breaks out the power tools and brings it to life…I add a dose of personality and creativity to the final product.  Really, that’s usually how things work over here.  And in the end, we are left with this meaningful, heartfelt piece to view day in and day out. It’s a good life, I tell ya.

Have you been tag-teaming a recent project?  I’d love to hear all about it.

images: all by Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

This is how our kitchen island has looked for the last 3 years. 

Even though we upgraded our builder laminate countertops along the perimeter, the island sat untouched. 

Over the course of the summer (in between vacations, Kindergarten preparations, swim lessons, soccer practices…and not to mention 2 ‘real’ jobs), we sporadically worked at bringing the island up to par with the rest of the kitchen.  I wanted something a little more substantial with open shelving and a butcher block countertop.  Like this…minus the TV…

Thanks to Handy Hubby and his generous woodworking friend, I scored a handmade extension for the island.  It only took them a few hours, $30 and a large pizza to finish the job.  Then the 9″ island extension sat in our basement awaiting caulk, primer and paint before being installed.  Handy Hubby caulked the seams a few weeks ago…

 …and I finally got around to priming and painting the darn thing last week.  I picked up a slab of  IKEA’s Numerar oak butcher block.  And by ‘picked up’ I mean I dragged my 2 lil’ guys to the Swedish superstore, artfully rearranged all the car seats in the Trailblazer, guilted some big-boned stranger lady into helping me lift the heavy wood slab and somehow managed to slide it across the tops of all the seats’ headrests.  (IKEA may be the reason why I drive an SUV.)  Which means last weekend Handy Hubby installed the extension AND countertop onto our builder grade kitchen island.  Man, I love that man.  Here’s what he did:

Removed the island drawers…

Removed the builder grade laminate countertop…

Scraped off some random dried paint drips from the bottom of the extension (I’m not a professional painter)…

Placed the open shelving extension…

Clamped it to the existing island…

Pre-drilled holes and screwed the extension into the existing island frame and into the floor…

Once the island was secure and checked for level height all the way around, Handy Hubby laid the butcher block on top of the island.

Luckily, the width was just right but the overhang was a bit much lengthwise.  It was about 10″ too long as-is, so out came the circular saw.

Once the countertop was cut to size, Handy Hubby sanded it then screwed it onto the island and added trim along the back side of the extension where the island meets to hide a seam…

I primed and painted the trim, screw holes and a corner piece that I missed the first time I painted the extension before it was put in place.  (When the task of finding and applying painter’s tape to the floor loomed ominously, I went with the old standby…one of my kids’ coloring books.)

And after all that, we finally have ourselves a larger, less builder-ish kitchen island!  Yippee!!

To obtain a near *waterproof* surface, I’ve been applying mineral oil in quantities larger than Betty White has ever dreamed of.  (That’s a little pharmacist humor.)

(My left hand kinda looks like E.T.’s??!)  The 10″ section of butcher block that we cut off got cut in half and sanded to make 2 custom cutting boards.  We like that we were able to use every last piece of the butcher block.  Some may find it ironic that we painted our oak cabinets white and then added an oak countertop to our island.  In fact, the oak stain of our builder cabinets was so awful that the doors didn’t match the frame and many of the doors didn’t even match each other…and they were all very orange.  Plus, 2 walls of oak cabinets was just too much for us.  The more natural wood tone of the butcher block is the small dose of warmth that we were looking for in an otherwise all white kitchen.  We’re absolutely in love with it and the price tag.  Our island upgrade came in under $250!

Check back to see the final product in its surroundings tomorrow!