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book, Books as decor, Decorating, Gift Ideas, Product Review

Natural Accents & New Ceramic Surface Design – Book Reviews

It’s time to make room on your bookshelf for two more beautiful books. The first is Natural Accents by Stacy Risenmay. Stacy is a good friend and fellow DIY blogger. She’s also a power tool rock star. Stacy recently released this colorful book filled with lots of ways to decorate and furnish your home with natural elements. This book follows in the footsteps of Stacy’s blog with easy to follow step-by-step tutorials.

Natural Accents is filled with projects that you can make with simple materials found in your backyard.

My favorite project is definitely this plexiglass side table. Natural Accents is filled with many more brilliant ideas!

Get your copy today, because you’ll find at least half a dozen projects you’ll want to tackle this weekend.

Natural Accents by Stacy Risenmay $22.58 on Amazon (affiliate link)

New Ceramic Surface Design by Molly Hatch is a book full of ceramic eye candy. If you’ve ever wanted to dabble in ceramic arts, this is the book you want to devour. And even if you have no interest in ceramics, this book is filled with beautiful photos on each page. I found myself being drawn through the entire book enjoying all the gorgeous art pieces.

Molly filled New Ceramic Surface Design with everything you need to know about working with clay, glazes and more. She gives her expert advice and tips to help you avoid botched projects.

I leave you with one of my favorite images from the book. This beautiful Mishima Slip Inlay design in blue and white belongs on my shelf!

Get your own copy of New Ceramic Surface Design by Molly Hatch for $20.27 on Amazon (affiliate link)

Disclosure: Natural Accents by Stacy Risenmay and New Ceramic Surface Design by Molly Hatch were sent to me at no charge to review. I was not told what to write or say about these books.

June 26, 2015/2 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

bedroom, book, Bookcase backer board, Books as decor, bookshelves facelift, Build It, storage

DIY Wall Bookrack

bookrack title 1

Who needs kids book storage that is easily accessible and holds a ton of books? I’m Jaime from That’s My Letter and today I’m sharing a DIY wall bookrack with free plans to build your own.

This bookrack building project will have all your books corralled in no time. The shelves are tapered and have plenty of depth for multiple books or thicker books.

Personally I love this display style storage because it allows kids to see the book covers, easily making reading more enticing!

I added a center cut out for style points, but this is totally optional. It doesn’t affect the operation of the bookrack.

At only 4 1/2″ deep the bookrack is unobtrusive but still provides plenty of useful storage.

Materials:

1 – 1x5x10 pine board
1 – 1x4x10 pine board
1 – 1x3x6 pine board
1 – 1x2x6 pine board
1/4″ plywood (1/2 sheet)
chop saw
measuring tape
pencil
sandpaper
wood putty
drill
pocket hole jig
1 1/4″ pocket hole screws
1 1/4″ & 3/4″ finish nails
finish nailer or hammer
wood glue
french cleat

Instructions:

Click here to download the step-by-step instructions to construct this bookrack. Read through plans first before beginning.

Cut list:

2 – 1×4 @ 31 ½” (sides)

3 – 1×5 @ 36” (shelf fronts)

1 – 1×4 @ 34 1/2” (bottom shelf base)

1 – 1×3 @ 34 ½” (middle shelf base)

2 – 1×2 @ 34 ½” (top shelf base & top cross support)

1 – ¼” plywood @ 36” x 31 ½” (back)

Step 1: Sides. Follow measurements in guide above to cut out sides. Use a jigsaw and clamps to hold your wood steady. Cut 2 sides.

Tip: To ensure sides are equal, clamp together then sand smooth.

Step 2: Shelf fronts. Attach (3) shelf fronts to sides at notched locations using glue and 1 ¼” finish nails. Read more

May 20, 2015/6 Comments/by Jaime Costiglio

accessories, Aged, art, arts and craft, Before and After, Books as decor, Centerpieces, decor, Decorating, Falling in Love with Your Home, framing, Home Decor, vase, vignettes

Love Your Home Challenge

Spring Foyer Vignette | Pretty Handy Girl

My blogging friend Melissa Michaels just published a wonderful new book to help you “Love the Home You Have.” She focuses on simple things you can do to embrace the home you live in. With easy suggestions and achievable goals, she breaks down all the barriers you have when it comes to truly loving your home.

To help Melissa promote the book, I agreed to take on a quick little Love Your Home Challenge. Her book has 31 Small Challenges to help you love your home again. Each one is simple, quick and easy.

I decided to focus my efforts on our foyer. I still loved the little rustic IKEA hack chest, but the mirror was a little to drab. I’d been staring at the pussy willows all winter and needed an infusion of color.

Originally, I chose to work with the Day 30 suggestion to Paint Something. I removed the mirror and within 30 minutes I painted the wood slats with white chalk paint. Then I used some patina Rub ‘n Buff to give the edges an aged metal look.

Much better.

To continue adding some cheer to the foyer, I incorporated the Day 11 Challenge by Adding Fresh Flowers.

I didn’t spend a dime on my flowers or vase. The red bud branches were clipped from our tree. And I slipped a mason jar into the boot for a fun and quirky vase. I think it’s a nod to the saying, “April Showers Bring May Flowers.”

A small collected birds nest and feathers add an additional nod to springtime.

I also painted an old frame with blue chalk paint and popped a piece of scrapbook paper into the frame for instant art.

My total cost was $0! I can honestly say that seeing this springtime foyer vignette has made me happy.

Within an hour, I was able to love this corner again. What can you do for $0 in your home? Read more

March 31, 2015/18 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

Before and After, book, Books as decor, bookshelves facelift, Decorating, Furniture, painting, Painting & Antiquing Techniques, reading nook, ReNew, renovation, Sconces

Elementary School Library Reveal

School Library Reveal | Pretty Handy Girl

For a month I’ve been working on the school library makeover that was facilitated by a donation from Overstock.com. This morning I got my emotional reward. I walked into the library ready to put on the finishing touches in the room. There were a few kids in the main section of the library reading. But, when I turned the corner and gazed into what used to be the dark back corner…

…I was surprised to see a dozen kids sprawled on the rug, dog beds and bean bags.

They were all piled back there and quietly reading! My heart almost burst. The librarian told me it’s been like that since we finished painting. The kids love to hang out there. And not just the younger grade levels, all the kids love it! My heart is just singing with joy. Read more

November 20, 2013/19 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

arts and craft, book, Books as decor, decor, Decorating, Home Decor, mod podge, Très Frugal

Decorative Book with Hidden Storage Inside

DIY Book with Storage Inside | Pretty Handy Girl

Do you remember when you were a kid and you wanted a super secret place to hide things from your sibling? Having a secret book with a hidden storage compartment would have been perfect! Even as an adult, it’s nice to have a spot where you can hide something personal, valuable or sweet (think dark chocolate!) 😉

This DIY Decorative Hidden Storage Book is a relatively easy project, but it takes a little patience and a very sharp X-acto knife (so have a few fresh blades to replace when your blade dulls.)

Materials:

Fat book (shop Goodwill or repurpose an old book you already own)
X-acto knife
4-5 New X-acto blades
Ruler with a metal edge
Self-healing cutting board
Paint brush
Mod Podge
Gold craft paint (optional)
3 Sheets of scrapbook paper (2 the same design and 1 coordinating design)
Scotch tape
Rubber cement
Wax paper (cereal box bags work great)
Cup to mix mod podge in
Weights or heavy objects
Ribbon

Instructions: Read more

November 5, 2013/10 Comments/by Brittany Bailey