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Your Weekend DIY Project: Hanging Mason Jars for Storage

by Alyssa Sparacino May 17, 2013 2 Comments

In the June issue of HGTV Magazine Shannon Quimby showed us her creative kitchen filled with found objects, recycled materials and DIY projects that make it such a unique space.

One of our favorites was this totally doable mason-jar storage idea. “This project originated in my Grandpa Buzz’s workshop, and it always brings a smile to my face when I see his idea now in my own kitchen,” Quimby says.
mason jar diy

The best part about these hanging mason jars is they can work throughout the house as both functional storage and interesting display. Some of Quimby’s suggestions:

Office organizer: Install the jars under bookshelves to store paper clips, erasers, or pens.
In the bathroom: Fill jars with cotton balls, Q-tips and scented soaps, and attach them under a shelf.
Beauty routine: Stop the aimless digging for eyeliner and lip gloss and arrange your makeup in easy to see jars under a vanity or free-standing cabinet.
Show off your collections: Give your keepsakes the attention they deserve and use the mason jars as an inventive display in any room.

Get the look for your own home by following the simple step-by-step guide here.

The Nursery Files: Hanging a Gallery Wall

by Marianne Canada May 17, 2013 3 Comments

Now that we’re closing in on my due date, I’m ready to finish this nursery. The last big project I’m tackling is hanging the eclectic assortment of art I’ve been collecting (and in the case of this monogrammed string art, making) with this space in mind. Hanging a gallery art wall can look overwhelming, but it’s really a snap. Sherry and John over at Young House Love have some great tips for using newspaper templates when hanging a lot of art in a space. In the end, I laid out the artwork on the floor first and then eyeballed it on the wall. I think it turned out pretty great.

How to Hang a Gallery Style Art Wall

I was able to check one more project off my list this week, recovering the glider cushions. If you remember from this post, this glider had great lines but the dingy white cushions had to go. I knew that as soon as I spotted this modern fish-printed fabric that I had found the perfect pattern. My friend Emily’s mom (thank you Teresa!) made slipcovers for the existing cushions and boom! The glider looks brand new for just $30 in fabric costs.

Recovered Nursery Glider

Only a few more last-minute details and then I’m ready to unveil the finished room, not to mention ready to have a baby.

Catch up on The Nursery Files from the beginning:

Adventures in Antiquing: Clinch River Spring Antiques Fair

by H. Camille Smith May 15, 2013 14 Comments

This time of year is my favorite for so many reasons: warm weather, spring flowers, longer days…but the thing I love most is spending sunny weekends outdoors hitting the local antique fairs. Thanks to the favorable weather, most fairs take place in the spring and fall — check this list to discover one near you.

The closest antique fair to HGTV’s Knoxville HQ is less than 20 minutes away in the Mayberry-esque hamlet of Clinton, TN. Each year in early May and October, this sleepy Southern town draws antique and collectible dealers from throughout the Southeast for their Clinch River Antiques Fair. Best of all, mixed in with the professional vendors are lots of locals who’ve cleaned out Grandma’s attic, barn or basement — so, although the prices and quality of antiques vary dramatically from booth to booth, there’s so much to choose from that I never leave empty handed.

Here are a few of the goodies I spied:

A coat of bright green paint and a liberal sanding give this 60-year-old dresser a kicky update — $150: Distressed Green Dresser

Mixed in with the antiques were a few crafts. How clever are these?! Old Reader’s Digest books cut into initials — such a great idea for a kids’ room or nursery – $15 .

Studio Style: I’m Movin’ On Up!

by Kayla Kitts May 14, 2013 16 Comments

As of June 1, I’ll be going from a 1,200-square-foot, two bedroom, two bathroom premium apartment nestled in the suburbs to a 615-square-foot industrial studio in a high-rise right in the heart of downtown. And when I say industrial, I mean concrete floors, concrete walls, a visible ventilation system on the ceiling and a contemporary barn door to close off the bathroom. To say that this will be an adjustment is an understatement, but I’ve never been more excited for a change.

I’ve been calling on my design-savvy friends and even Laurie March, HGTV Remodels’ House Counselor, for advice on how to create a comfortable flow, make it party-ready (without my bed being front and center) and make an urban, industrial space feel warm and cozy.

Here’s my new apartment’s floorplan. You walk directly into a tiny entryway with the kitchen to the right and a tall, narrow closet to the left. This is the only closet in the apartment, so I think it will serve as a great storage space rather than as an actual clothes closet. (You have no idea how many clothes I have.) The floorplan has the living room listed against the back wall, but the unit I viewed had the bedroom in the back. This is how I envision setting up my space. By doing this, the kitchen and living room are together and the bedroom is offset and can easily be separated with IKEA Expedit shelves or a track curtain (if the ceiling allows). [We'll discuss room divider options in a later post.]

Studio Apartment Floorplan at HGTV's Design Happens Blog

I have lots of ideas and lots of bookmarks building up. I need chic and stylish furnishings that are dual-purpose pieces, plus an idea for a closet. (My first thought was to make an industrial steel pipe garment rack and just display my clothes.) With so many ideas to filter through, I thought D-Happ readers would have the best advice. So, please help me sort through some of these decisions.

What layout do you think would serve best? Bed against the windows? Bed by the bathroom? Couch against the back, right wall? I’d love to get your input as I start planning out my new place.

Follow along as Kayla makes the transition into an industrial studio apartment. Follow her studio inspiration board here.

Weekday Crafternoon: Anchor-Stenciled Boat Bag

by Marianne Canada May 14, 2013 1 Comment

I don’t know how the weather has been in your part of the country, but here at HGTV Headquarters we had a long winter and unseasonably cool spring. The chilly temperatures have just made summer more tantalizing, and with Memorial Day only a couple of weeks away, I’m ready to kick off summer and head out on the lake. On my arm? This adorable stenciled boat bag.

Didn’t I say I was excited about freezer paper stencils? Ever since I heard about them on Alison’s blog, I’ve been hooked. They are easy to use and the results are amazingly crisp and professional. Download our free “Boat Bag” and anchor stencils, and you’re all set to make your own nautical-themed tote bag.

How to Stencil a Boat Bag for Memorial Day

Are you gearing up for a fun Memorial Day weekend? Do your plans involve heading out to the pool or lake, or will you stick closer to home? I’m counting down the days until that long weekend…

Missed an episode of Weekday Crafternoon? Catch them all, and more from Marianne, right here.

Party Food: Mother’s Day Breakfast Casserole Recipe

by Liz Gray May 11, 2013 1 Comment

When you’re cooking with kids for Mother’s Day, the simplest recipes are the best. Skip the four-course meal and try this delicious ham and cheese breakfast casserole that’s simple enough for the most kitchen-clueless dads. The best part? You assemble the casserole the night before serving, making morning-of preparations a snap.

To make the casserole, cover a greased ceramic pie pan with a single layer of bread cubes, followed by ham, cheese and an egg-and-milk mixture. The kids will love layering in the ingredients and helping to mix up the eggs. Bake at 325 degrees F for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until golden brown. Serve alongside a simple salad and store-bought cake or cupcakes. Don’t forget the kitchen clean up!

GET THE HAM AND CHEESE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE RECIPE >>

Give Mom Our Free Printable Mother’s Day Cards

by Liz Gray May 10, 2013 1 Comment

Still searching for the perfect Mother’s Day card? I love these cards that Kim Stoegbauer of The TomKat Studio created just for HGTV.com: The printable templates are adorable and easy to assemble, but each one has a handmade touch that will make moms of all ages smile.

This 3-D flower card features patterned spring flowers. (Fun fact: The printable paper for Kim’s flower designs was inspired by children’s fingerprints.) To create, simply print the card, cut out the flowers and attach using double-sided tape. Then, use a hole punch to create a tiny center for each blossom.
GET THE FREE PRINTABLE TEMPLATES

Cozy Breakfast Nooks That Will Brighten Your Morning

by Kayla Kitts May 10, 2013 4 Comments

There’s something about catching up on the morning news and drinking a cup of coffee in a kitchen nook that feels cozier than gathering around an expansive dining table. I mean, that’s the whole point of a kitchen nook, right? It’s supposed to be quaint, cozy and secluded, which, oftentimes, is exactly what you want when you crawl out of bed in the AM. A tiny corner or sliver of extra space is just the right amount of room to set up a small eating spot. Everyone needs that moment of their own before conquering the outside world each day. Why not steal that time in the comfort of your own kitchen?

Grab some inspiration from a few of our favorite designers who have mastered the art of the breakfast nook.

Cozy Breakfast Nooks at HGTV's Design Blog Design by Brian Patrick Flynn

Designer Brian Patrick Flynn created this vibrant, coral space not only as a breakfast area, but as a work space and museum of sorts. Built-ins with lucite shelves allow this photographer’s vintage camera collection to be front and center.

Cozy Breakfast Nooks at HGTV's Design Blog Design by Anisa Darnell

Designer Anisa Darnell wanted to keep the homeowners’ personalities at the forefront of this nook design. Eclectic styles are brought together through a neutral zebra-print banquette, bentwood chairs, Saarinen table, capiz chandelier and rustic, vintage wall art.

See More Morning Spots

HGTV Magazine June Issue Sneak Peek

by Alyssa Sparacino May 9, 2013 1 Comment

For an early-access pass to the June issue of HGTV Magazine head over to our I Heart HGTV blog where I dish on three homes that really wow!

brooks beachhouse deck
This breathtaking view is courtesy of the Brooks family beach house that is so gorgeous now, you’ll hardly recognize the home before their massive remodel. Head over to see how they did it.

Ombre’d Out? We’re Not!

by Kayla Kitts May 8, 2013 4 Comments

The ombre trend in both fashion and design has been climbing for years now, peaking last year and not slowing down anytime soon. I think we all thought it would slowly die out come fall just like any other spiking trend, but it’s only gaining more popularity, particularly this week*. People are ombre-ing everything from cake frosting to maxi dresses and we’re in full support of this. I mean, why not showcase every glorious shade of your favorite hue? I jumped on board the ombre train early last year by spicing up my long, brunette locks with dip-dyed tips. Now, I’ve taken the trend into the kitchen by painting my bamboo cooking utensils alternating shades of pink. I can’t get enough!

Looking for more ways to bring the look home? Here are eight ideas you’ll love.

Ombre Ruffed Cake at HGTV's Design Happens Blog via Confetti Daydreams

Ruffled Ombre Cake: This two-tiered wedding cake features breathtaking ruffle details in colors alternating from pink to a pale lavender. It almost looks too good to eat.

Ombre Pendants at HGTV's Design Happens Blog via designlovefest

Ombre Pendant Lamp: Here’s an easy paint project you can complete in just a few hours. The girls over at designlovefest add an ombre effect to a glass pendant light with opaque and translucent spray paint.

Get More Dip-Dyed Ideas