DIY Designs

HOW TO WIPE ON POLY

driftwoodesign — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:14:00 +0000

When someone asks me what I recommend for a hard durable finish for a surface I always suggest

Minwax's wipe on poly because I remember the first time I used it. It was easy to understand and

follow the directions that are offered on the can and the resulting finish is very hard and durable.

I never got around to finishing the whole look or applying a new surface finish to George's old desk

but now that it has to find a new home I figured this would be a good time to share with you how

easy it really is to apply the poly.

wipe away any dust, dirty, or left over stain that might be sitting on the surface

I use gloves and a folded piece of paper towel

I pour the poly right on the surface of my project

I then wipe it from side to side covering the whole surface in a thin coat

if you have freshly stained your piece your rag will look like this the first time

leave it dry for 4 hours

once dry lightly sand the surface 220+ grit

re-apply as many times as you like, waiting 4 hours between coats

always move with the grain

after the final light sanding, apply a coat of wax and buff

PLEASE NOTE :

Wipe on poly will yellow light colored surfaces.

George's old but glamorously updated desk is listed on the SHOWROOM page

with price and dimensions along with his Passionate Home desk chair.

Yes he will be getting a new chair to match his new desk.

Till next time ... Kristy

6 Masculine-Friendly Ways to Incorporate Indoor Plants into Your Home

Man Made DIY Recent Posts — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:00:00 +0000

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Indoor plants in your home are a no-brainer: they bring the outside in, improve air quality, provide lots of natural color and texture, and encourage you to take an investment in the spaces you spend your time. They literally (and figuratively) add life to your home. Learn how to rock the green look with these six guy-friendly decor ideas. No floral wallpaper need … read more

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Hitting a Wallpaper

Lindsey Allen — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:36:00 +0000

Friends, I think I've lost my mojo. Summertime has sucked me dry. My pal Brooke said it best today, "Summertime comes around and I feel like I'm breathing with one lung, trying to keep up with it all." Amen, sister. I don't really have a point in telling you this, other than to hear myself whine for a minute, but if you feel like sending a virtual high-five of encouragement my way, I could use it!

And while we're at it, let's virtual high-five, fist-bump, hip-shimmy with Cheryl and her beautiful dresser makeover. It had some water damage and a few scuffs and scratches to begin with, but the big issue was that this was going in her two-year-old daughter's room. Does this look like the type of furniture that would excite a two-year-old girl? Maybe if she enjoys cigars and playing poker with the boys, but that's unlikely. It's a bit masculine, is what I'm saying. Cheryl girlified it just enough with a paint treatment meant to look like vintage wallpaper, and it turned out so, so beautifully! Check it out on her blog It’s Two AM.

Joy & Revelry White Box Challenge | Jeanne from Shop Sweet Things

Reichel Broussard — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:30:00 +0000

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This week for Joy & Revelry's White Box Challenge we have...
Jeanne from Shop Sweet Things
Oh how I love Jeanne's design aesthetic! So clean, so modern, so white. I love this look, it's just one of those styles I wish you could pull off in my own home, but just never looks quite right. Jeanne makes it looks effortless, doesn't she? Her vignette is to die for. The square base of the lamp

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FAB For All

Katie — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:12:54 +0000

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DISCLAIMER: This is a sponsored post brought to you by Fab. I hand picked each of the items below and got to choose what to write. Including those jokes about kanoodling a rug. Don’t judge. You would do it too.

It’s that time again for sharing my favorite finds from Fab! If you don’t know what’s uber-fly for any guy…and girl, this is the post for you. I go on over to Fab’s online marketplace and pick whatever fancies my fancy (that’s a thing) and spill the details here. Basically their stuff is always changing and each colorful and quirky item could be here today but gone tomorrow so it’s one of my favorite places to online shop because I never know what fresh new thing I could find.

This time around the ole Fab block, I wanted to share things that I would buy for my little guys and then also what I would buy only for me (because I am generous like that!). Let’s get to that eye candy!

1. White & Navy Geo Rug - Words can not describe how much I love this rug. Mostly because words have meaning and my love is beyond meaning…it’s primal. I would totally put this rug in between two twin beds in a bedroom and pray that my boys don’t think it’s weird that mommy wants to kanoodle with it each night.
2. Skyline Plaid throw in Ocean – Ever meet a blanket that you love and think to yourself that you would totally splurge on a really really nice blanket like the one draped over your body because you would die under that blanket one day? Just me then. I do. I want to die snugly in a cocoon of warmth and beauty. This blanket might be that exact dream. 3. Animal Alphabet – The little forest creatures are cute all by themselves. Add to them learning the ABC’s and this poster is pure educational cuteness. My fav is xerus. Never knew about that little critter.
4. White & Navy Pouf - I’ll take two please. That is all. I love it.

5. Glenny Wire Chairs - With kids in the mix, I always look for things like Brad Pitt in Fight Club…they must clean up easy and look good after a beating. These wire chairs would fit the bill perfectly.

6. Reclaimed Wooden W – Everyone knows I have a soft spot for old wood and the letter W…it represents all the men in my world right now. This wall hanging is not only affordable but it looks so high end.

7. Vintage Kantha Quilt - I’m a quilt person. I have a couple duvets and comforters…but inevitably I fold those down when snuggling and pull the quilt up next to my chin. I love me a weighty texturally quilt…no matter the season.

8. White Bongo Side Table - This side table rocks my world. No sharp edges. No wood to scratch. I got 99 problems but this side table isn’t one.

1. Argyle Boot Keeper in Mint - I don’t get to talk about fashion as much as I would like…but the passion is still there. The passion particularly for shoes. In the words of Taylor Swift, “This love is difficult, but it’s real. Don’t be afraid, we’ll make it out of this mess.” That mess would be my closet. One little thing to keep my closet and my boots in tip-top shape…these boot keepers.

2. Maxine Denim Necklace – This necklace would be the perfect way to dress up an old tshirt and jeans. I’d grab a cute tote and be ready for the playground and girls group. Jeremy…get on that.

3. iPhone Key Ring Charger – Well known fact about Katie…my phone is always dead. Always. The average power on my phone is about 4% at any point. It’s mostly because I can never find a charger. This little gadget would help in that department.

4. Striped Gray Pillow – The ultimate pillow. This striped darling would never go out of style and it would look fantastic on a chair, a bed or in a grouping on your sofa. I think striped covers are the little black dress of pillows.

5. Botanical Prints Card Set – I’m dying with lust over these beautiful pieces of artwork. Oh wait! Did you say they were cards?! You mean I can have 8 pieces of artwork ready for framing for only $16?! SOLD.

6. Nomskulls Cupcake Molds - Is it weird that I am already planning for Halloween? Because I totally am. I can’t help it. It’s one of my favorite holidays and I want at least four of these

7. White/Gold Seed Wall Cups – These would be beautiful over a crib. Or anywhere in my crib I would love them over the commode or my headboard or even in an odd place that needs something more than just framed art.

8. Clear Glass Serving Bowl – Doesn’t this bowl look like a work of art? Fab delivers on style and femininity….the latter I am short on here in the Bower household!

9. Red and White Circle Scarf – Summer scarfs are a breastfeeding mother’s best friend…or should I say breast friend They hide any leaks or spit up and are great for any needed privacy while still being fashion friendly. I love love love this one because of the sweet pattern.

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How to: Build Your Own Papercraft Torso with Removable Organs

Man Made DIY Recent Posts — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:00:00 +0000

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Around a year and a half ago, ManMade featured a behind-the-scenes look at how artist Horst Kiechle created this anatomically correct paper torso with removable organs to teach children biology lessons in the Fiji Islands.

Now, a cool update: Horst has provided a full how-to so you can make your own, complete with free downloadable … read more

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A Bulletproof Gentleman’s Pocket Square?

Man Made DIY Recent Posts — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:00:00 +0000

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Let's say you were headed to a cocktail party, and you'll be sporting a jacket and tie. And let's imagine, for some reason or another, you suspect that you might either find yourself in a tussle in which someone may end up firing a bullet on … read more

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Horchow Rose "Pandora" Settee

Reichel Broussard — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:30:00 +0000

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^$1,099

target button tufted velvet chaise settee ^$480
This post may contain affiliate links.

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Visions of Sugar plums

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:47:00 +0000

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Have you ever seen The Nutcracker Ballet in person? The first time I saw it was when I was about 5 years old and my mom took me to San Francisco for a performance of it. We got all dressed up for our special girls night out and oh I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved it. The ballerinas, the dancing, the everything. It was amazing. It's one of my most vivid memories of that age even now.

So I knew that when I became a mother, I wanted to take my kids to the see The Nutcracker

When my daughter was just starting to toddle around a bit we decided to take the kids to see it in the city. I had 'visions of sugar plums' dancing in my head just knowing how much they would love it.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...

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Blow My Mindsday: June 19, 2013

Man Made DIY Recent Posts — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:00:00 +0000

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Each Wednesday, I post some of my favorite can't-miss links, images, and otherwise mindblowing goodies from across the web.

This camp cobbler on a mountaintop recipe video by Shaun and Kelsey of Happyolks is doing … read more

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