Briana is a writer and senior editor for HGTV.com. Her self-described design style is "mid-century modern magpie." She lives in a Brooklyn apartment with her fiancé, their spoiled dachshund, Chauncey, and approximately one million old shelter magazines. She cannot wait until she is a home owner, and can wallpaper and/or tile just about every available surface.
ShareI totally dug Grant’s recent Daily Delight featuring an Alice in Wonderland-esque tea party, and its whimsy inspired me to think of other cute things you can do with an old tea set. I’ve already featured some DIY crafts you can make with vintage teacups, so this time I’ve turned my attention to vintage teapots. If you have an old, chipped teapot that would otherwise be headed for the trash heap, turn it into one of these crafts instead.
ShareBRIANA: Wicker furniture was big up until the late ’70s, and then it seemed to be relegated to the backyard. Now it’s making its way back indoors, too. (Peep this wicker headboard and bedside table. Double trouble!) Are you pro-wicker furniture or do you think all this rattan looks ratty? Talk to me, people.
FARIMA: I am pro-wicker! I admit, it looks pretty ratty in natural form, but it looks refreshing and springy with a coat of paint.
LILI: This is only okay in a sunroom. And maybe not even then. I think of the wicker patterns smashed into the backs of my thighs as a kid and shudder at the memory. Furniture should never hurt you!
ShareIt’s true: The fridge is the scrapbook of the kitchen! But don’t display treasured photos, cards and crayon masterpieces with hum-drum clips or promotional swag. All it takes to dress up your magnets is a little time, some common household items and these ideas:
ShareToday’s crazy craft material was a suggestion from commenter DBB, who asked: “Can you show us some crafts with refurbishing old picture frames?” Well, DBB, it’s taken me a bit of time to work my way through my list to get to your request, but I think my finds were worth the wait. (Hopefully you will, too!)
ShareBRIANA: Chevron has long been on my list of trends to tackle, but I’m bringing it up now because I see signs of its reign starting to wane. Could straight stripes and punky polka dots be poised to take the throne once again? Or are you still a loyal subject of the zigzags? Discuss.
JESSICA: You know the seagulls from Finding Nemo? They were me – only instead of wailing “Mine!” I was screaming “Chevron!” in every single department store. But as time went on, I realized that chevron was just a novelty to me. I didn’t really love chevron – just the idea of it. All those crazy zigzags just aren’t stable enough for me at this time in my life. We’re on a break.
DAVID HAYNES: Just the idea of chevron? Jessica, that is deep. I’m going to have to think on this for a while.
LEANNE: Enough with those harsh zigzags. Make 2013 the Year of Sensuous, Life-Affirming Swirls. Like in this Gustav Klimt.
ShareHappy Earth Day to all my MacGyvers out there! I thought that making today’s craft material something all-natural would be a nice way to honor our planet, and what’s more natural than fruit? I also noticed that babies have been on everyone’s brain, sending searches for “baby shower decorations” spiking on Yahoo! this week. Well, it just so happens that you can turn produce into pretty baby shower decorations, so this post is a two-for-one deal. Check out my favorite finds and prepare to have your mind blown by nature’s bounty…
ShareMy mom reads this blog, but she’s on vacation right now, so let’s scheme while she’s away, shall we? Mother’s Day is coming up (May 12!), so you know I’m scouring the Internet for the perfect present for her. While I’m sure any mom wouldn’t turn down a little something from the mall or the florist, homemade gifts are unique and heartfelt. Show your mother, mother-in-law, grandmother or any special woman in your life that you care with one of these crafty gifts made with embroidery hoops.
ShareBRIANA: Even if you’re not a botanist, you may recognize the fiddle-leaf fig tree from its appearances in design magazine spreads and on blogs. Many, many design magazine spreads and blogs. Fiddle-leaf fig trees are basically the plant equivalent of that Cabinet of Natural Curiosities book, in that people staging spaces love to throw one in the mix. But does its ubiquity make it tired? Or is it just evidence that it looks good everywhere? Would you fiddle around with a fiddle-leaf fig tree in your home?
MARIANNE: Derp derp. Guilty as charged. I grew mine from a wee one-leafed seedling and it is basically my second child.
Share“All the single ladies, all the single ladies, now put your hands up!“ Beyoncé wedding jokes aside, we’re busy cooking up some gettin’ hitched ideas that just may make all you single ladies out there start dropping hints. I’m engaged and in the midst of wedding planning myself, so when I got the opportunity to collaborate with one of HGTV’s stars on some wedding DIY videos for the site, I was already well-armed with many hours of bridal mag and Internet research. And let me tell you, these gorgeous, budget-friendly ideas are like your fantasy Pinterest board (or mine) come to life. Just take a look at my behind-the-scenes snapshots.
We’re talking easy table settings that will blow your guests away and wedding arches/chuppahs you can make yourself. Not to mention elegant wedding invitations, posh edible favors, luxe bridal accessories and more projects you can DIY for much less money than you’d spend through boutiques or vendors. If I wasn’t so far along in my planning already, I’d be grabbing my bridesmaids for some serious Crafternoon sessions.
And if you’re wondering who the mysterious HGTV personality behind all of this beauty might be, you’ll just have to check back in June when the videos hit the site. Until then, whet your appetite with some of our favorite wedding ideas from our friends at DIY Network.
ShareBelts, like shoes, can make or break an outfit. In the right context, worn leather belts can look rugged and cool. And in the wrong context? Downright shabby. But did you know you can turn shabby old belts into something shabby chic for your home? Take a peek at these leather belt crafts, then get ready to buckle down and make a few for yourself.
Love this wool rug in a pretty lavender and white design
DIY: lacquered boxes #hgtvmagazine
This cool yellow pouf works in almost any room. Try the pop
Transform a neutral space into a colorful living room with
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