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Please SHARE a photo with us of your FAVORITE DIY project you did for your home! Can be before and after, or just the finished project!

This photo can be any project for your home. Whether you designed it and someone helped you accomplish it, OR you refinished, re-purposed, sewed or painted (no recipes please). BUT any sewing project is good too!

Does NOT have to be current! Can be something you made that you are proud of even if you made it in the past.

WE can have FUN reviewing each other's FAVORITE PROJECTS we did for our homes!

SHOW OFF YOUR ATTA GIRL TALENT we know you have!!!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

Funny coincidence! I am about to post pics of my living room which is a total DIY. Heck, my whole house is a DIY!

I'll be back after I finish posting there with something to share on this inspirational thread!

ETA - Boys are welcome too!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: meldin,

MY FAVORITE PROJECT:
COPYING RALPH LAUREN LINENS:
This was my all time FAVORITE project because I didn't have to rely on anyone else for time or materials. And the fabrics were already chosen by Ralph Lauren... so all I had to was match up!

It was search for materials, then all straight stitching! Some materials I couldn't find such as the wide stripe, so I made my own by sewing black strips with white and alternating. To make flange on pillows, I just made the pillow larger then sewed a seam in about 2" to accomplish! And piping was mostly all same color, so I made plenty ahead of my project.

I was able to sew upstairs in a guest room, so I didn't have to put away anything while working on this, and I had the ironing board right there. Also I had a Queen sized guest bed in the same room so I could assemble as I was making the parts! How COOL is that?

I SAVED a bunch of money by DIY'ing this project!

Came together QUICKLY so that I could get fast gratification and kept my interest.

Looked good during and after, as I got excited seeing the pieces come together.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

Meldin,
We were posting at the same time!
YES boys welcome! After all DH did half or more of most of our projects!

I know, my house is ALL DIY too, especially now that we are working on our kitchen, closets, dining area and fireplace (faux)... in this house!

You should put all your projects on a Blog or some format where you can have them ALL. You can make your Blog private you know, with password for guests (which you can change after you share. I am in the process of doing that so I have a record of all the projects in one place... Why not record all that HARD WORK and dedication to your home?

I remember that room from back in the days of the Nouveau Stitch forum! It is one of my all time favorite rooms. You have skills, girlfriend!

Gosh...a blog? That's funny! I hate writing, and have zero time for that. I just started Pinterest! Baby steps, KWIM?

It's so hard to choose something! Because I sewed professionally, it wouldn't be fair to call those projects DIY.

Though I have posted this before, I will share a pic of our dining room floor. My design, DH's sweat and labor.

For anyone interested in seeing the process, a sort of photo tutorial can be seen here:

http://s812.beta.photobucket.c...ing%20Room%20Remodel

meldin,
WOW IKNOW how much actual work went into this project! What a labor of LOVE!

GREAT project and GREAT dining room and such warm colors! I did check out the link for more photos, amazing how you actually did construction on the ceiling, windows, doors and walls! AMAZING work!

Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

My most rewarding DIY project was fixing my steps by my garage. They're not perfect - but the steps were unusable and had it gone unfixed for a bit more, the city might have come by and got me...

The whole run of about 15 steps were like the one shown..and there were even two that were virtually unusable. The final look after painting them, too.

Oh wow - great idea for a thread, but I'm going to have to give it some thought! Like Meldin said, my whole house is DIY, and since we've been working on it since 1985 that's a LOT of projects

A corner of my very small living room -- upper left 2001, lower right Dec. 2012. Just paint -- painted woodwork, walls, made shelving from old dresser top.

I have two actually. The rehab of the second parlor of our old house. Before on top, after on bottom.

The second is the eight month rehab on the front parlor floor in the same house. It was already there when we bought it unlike that fantastic floor Meldin designed and installed at their place!

Left is before, right is after.

oh my!!! I remember that floor, Christie!!! And in fact, i thought about it when i read about this thread!

You are all fabulously talented!!!! OOAL....the steps look great! MLV, I remember your room, too. Painting those doors white made such a pleasant change!

Christie....words cannot describe what you do!!! Amazing!

Yes, a lot of wonderful talent, and I too remember some of those projects!

After giving it some thought, I chose my furniture refinishing projects. These are just a couple; I have done quite a few more. It gives me such a sense of satisfaction.

Let's see if this works; I tried to make a couple of collage photos.

First, the bedroom set that I stripped of the whitewash finish and stained a rich brown.

And the antique armoire with a finish in bad shape that I brought back to life.

I finally get to contribute to a post! I love what everyone has done and I remember Christie's work on her parlor floor at the time. That is so amazing as is everyone's.

When I moved into my house in 2001, I tore down a wall between two small bedrooms to make a bigger (longer) bedroom for my son. The only thing I didn't do myself was moving the electrical plug. After I tore the wall down, I didn't do anything to disguise the bare supports where the wall was until my son grew up and moved out. When I turned the rooms into my craft room I piecemealed bits of drywall around the edges where it was bare wood and then taped and mudded everything. I think it looks pretty decent!

I painted this old dresser from childhood. (gosh it was awful looking)
p.s. oops, I mean DH did all the work. He likes doing that sort of thing and didn't give me a chance. I provided all the materials for him.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: nance425,

out on a limb,
I remember that awesome project with such an amazing result! I like how you tied in the color from garage door to step to shutters... NICE!

MLV,
What nice additions you made to your room! Love the updated changes!

Bella,
What a beautiful transformation! I love the blue furniture! I remember that room, I really wish I could have spent some time in there!

That FLOOR! You brought it back to life! WOW, I'll bet it was amazing IRL too!

Nitalynn,
OH I love the change from white wash to rich brown on that furniture! And that antique armoire... you SURE did bring it back to LIFE! I love it... AFTER!

AKsunny,
Oh my what a GREAT job you did on creating your craft room and making the raw edges disappear! Looks really nice!

nance,
Well that still counts if DH did the work! DH helps me with my heavy duty projects!
I LOVE the AFTER! And that blue is stunning!

I KNEW we had TALENT on this board! And thank you so much for posting your favorite DIY projects! I know we could probably fill a book with what everyone has DIY'd for their homes!
Thank you! LOVE seeing all the photos!

What great projects! I remember most of them too.

MR, those RL linens are beautiful!

Thank you Wanda! I still have them... and have used some of them here in this house.

I love seeing all the befores and afters. One of my faves for me was changing out my bathroom mirror. Originally the mirror on the left was on the wall with hollywood lights over it but I hated the light fixture so I took it down thinking I could easily put my new one up...well surprise! The previous homeowners hadn't put the fixture up with any sort of box and I just didn't know what to do so I called mr. Sparky. I will say I got my $95 worth as it took 2 guys over an hour since they had to do some wiring changes but they had quoted me that price so that is what I paid. Anyway the mirror ended up leaning on the wall for a while. The mirror on the right was white when I bought it but I silver leafed it and then used a blacking paint to antique it a bit. Made a huge difference in my bathroom.

debicga,
I know isn't it AWESOME all the before and afters!

Yes, I had that type of mirror and vanity lights in my bathrooms in Virginia house and here too! We changed out the light fixture already. YES really made a huge difference in your bath!
You did a great job on the silver frame!

Thanks for posting your favorite before and after for us to see!

Great projects, I remember most of them! I really need to look around my house (in the light) and join in. Been DIY since I moved here in 1992!

YES Jaysmom!
WE would LOVE to see your favorite DIY project!

I have a second one, and this one means so much to me that it brings tears to my eyes when I see the photo...

Short story behind this project... I had a home accident where I fell (landed on the left side of my face did considerable damage that left me disabled) I can do a lot more now physically through a lot of therapy and 6 surgeries.

So, I had two surgeries to reattach my left hand (snapped clean break at the wrist) and one to shave and move things in my impinged left shoulder, leaving me without much use of my left hand and arm for about a year and a half>

So WHY does THIS project bring tears to my eyes? BECAUSE I did this while my left hand was recovering, my left shoulder recovering from surgery and in a sling and cast.

I only had my RIGHT hand to use... AND I leaned on the vinyl sheet with my body to hold it steady, used a long metal ruler, holding it steady with my knee... Well the photos of my actual body uses would have been funny to share!

I no longer have that vinyl floor cloth (painted on the back side of left over vinyl flooring) I did it because I wanted to prove to myself I was NOT DONE with DIY, even though I was given possible BLEAK future use of that left side (took the most brunt of the fall) by Orthopedic doctor. I wanted to FEEL the 'old me' the ME I didn't want to lose...

It took a few days to get measurements right and taped onto the vinyl. DH had brought it home to me after I asked him to look for one (he was building houses and they were throwing the left over vinyl into the dumpsters) I gave him a size idea of what I wanted. Then one day he showed up with this one, I didn't trim it (could not handle a utility knife), or I could have planned the squares a bit differently.

This showed my my BRAIN was indeed working (math and logistics of making the project) and afterwards I cried and was very happy to feel a part of my old world was still accessible!
I have come a long way since then, challenging myself more than I did before my infamous fall. I am still reaching reaching beyond the words 'that's good enough'...

Thanks for reading my emotional (to me even this AM, sniff...) story. Coming on the board here while I was recovering really MEANT a lot to me, I was not shut away at home.. I felt I could still stay connected to friends online.
That is why I am posting here now, because this place has a bit of a 'home' feeling for me with all the great friends I have come to know over the years.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

Here is a photo in process.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

close up of edge

BTW, that FIRST project I posted (at the top of this thread, RL linen copy)
was worked on after I got therapy for my left arm and hand and awaiting my Cervical spine surgery... So being able to do these projects MEANS so much more to me... than you could ever know!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

All these projects inspire me to get busy when I get back home to Ohio from my winter digs in FL. Can't wait.

I have a three other simple paint projects that made a huge difference in the feel of my home.

First is the garage door -- I painted on hinges and from the street it is difficult to tell that they are not real.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MyLifeVacation1,

And - the laminate kitchen counter. I painted the oak cabinets and trim white (uppers - white, lowers - black), and the counter top green from the stained beige. When I get back to Oh. in a week I plan to paint the lower black cabinets white.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MyLifeVacation1,

And the bathroom -- I painted the oak base cabinet and medicine cabinet white, changed the toilet lid/seat to white, changed the light, faucet, and door hardware to satin nickel, and painted a garage sale mirror. Even painted the picture frame over the toilet. Much better for me.

Oh, the old is on the right, new on the left.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MyLifeVacation1,

Wow what an inspirational thread! I love seeing the furniture redos!

I have a couple.....my backsplash. Got the embossed wall paper for $.99 as it had been opened. Lucky me!

Before. Very boring!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: patty louise,

After. Hung, painted & glazed!

My stenciled wall clock. My neighbor & I had the best time doing this.

It was a severe PIA! But we just kept laughing & finally got it done. The battery motor for the hands is in the wall.

quote:

Originally posted by patty louise:
After. Hung, painted & glazed!

beautiful!

Again....you are an incredible bunch!!!!

Patti, I love the clock!

DH and I have done literally hundreds of DYI projects, some as small as crown moulding to as big as an entire kitchen gut and reno. But if I had to choose it would be our built-ins in our office.

Oops, just noticed in that pic the cushion is upside down

My LIfeVacation,
I really like what you did with that paint for the hinges! DH saw this project and liked it! We might try it on our garage doors too!

WOW, that kitchen white cabinets and counter look great too!
The bathroom came out nice too! GREAT projects!

Patty Louise,
That is a $6 project with a BIG return! What a fantastic project! LOVE how it came out!
I saw these projects IRL and they are so beautiful! Love that clock stencil and how great it looks at the top of the stairs!

Wanda,
That built-in project in your office is WONDERFUL! I would not have noticed any pillow being upside down! I had to look for it! LOL
Wonderful project! What great bookshelves too and a GREAT view!

I remember almost all of these, and love them all! Nice to see them posted again, and be reminded of all our talent!

Can someone please explain how I can remember some of these projects yet can't remember to take pictures in the light???
Great projects, but MR that floor cloth is amazing, especially under the situation. This getting old stuff is getting old!

Thank you so much for the encouragement Nitalynn!

jaysmom!
I KNOW what you mean! I get so excited when working on a project that I forget to take photos of stages! Then the next day 'it rains out' or I have appointments... and or DH has the day off and we do our shopping (he has to help me with grocery shopping to lift and carry some things)

Thank you sweetie, I went way past my 'limits' set by doctors and therapists! You know like the Phoenix (mythology, with a meaning of constant renewal and rising out of the ashes, reborn). And now that I can get back into the kitchen and bake and cook... well DH is soooo happy about that! LOL But that won't be posted on any board or blog! Baking and table-settings go hand in hand and I am looking forward to when I can dress the dining area, fill the kitchen island with great food and have a small get together with a few dear friends or family! DH loves that! I was so hoping to get this accomplished by Christmas!

LOVE love LOVE all the pictures you ladies have posted. Thanks for sharing! Atta, girl!

Becca Love your steps! Awesome.

Thank you so much MyLifeVacation1!

WWanda thank you so much! Your built-ins are great - has a library look.

Thank you Mary Ruth. I so enjoyed your visit & our shopping trips! You are a special person!

Our whole house is DIY just about. Bookcases, kitchen, dining table, bar, cornices... We still have a lot to do. I really can't pick a favorite.

So many fabulous projects. I remember MOST of them. You all are some talented people.
I just love all the redo's, so beautiful

Mary Ruth, I'm ABSOLUTELY SURE you'll get it done by Christmas. I've got tons of projects I'll get done by Christmas, I've just never said what Christmas LOL!

I am loving this thread! It is so much fun to see the transformations. I can't post pics, but my all time favorite DIY project was the complete renovation of the apartment above DH's office. The apt had been built in the late 50s and had few updates. We gutted the place and replaced floors, walls, ceilings, moved walls, installed new plumbing , electrical and heating. We kept the kitchen cabinets(they really only needed new paint and hardware) and the tub/shower unit. Other than that every thing was new. The best part was that this was a family project. At the very end we did hire a friend to finish the painting, since I was back at work and the project had already taken 2 months longer than planned.

lilsophie,
Isn't it GREAT to see ALL the work that goes on behind the board IRL!

jaysmom,
YES, I won't promise WHICH Christmas! LOL

Maine Lady,
PM me, I will give you my email address and I will get your photos posted on this thread for you! We NEED to add yours to this thread!