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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Easter Eggs Decorella Style

There are countless ways to create beautiful Easter eggs, and I couldn't pick just one option to feature. I made quite a mess but it was worth it. 



For traditional pastel eggs use water with your dye, for medium tone use lemon juice and for bright colors use vinegar with your dye. 



 1. Use sharpies to decorate your eggs with patterns, phrases, names, designs or just plain doodles. Sharpies come in so many great colors that it's very inspiring to think of the possibilities.


2. Ombre eggs- using your typical egg dye continue to dip your egg into your dye to create the very on trend look. 

3. Mod podge your heart away! I used magazine clipping but feel inspired to use fabric, glitter, or just about anything you can mod podge. 


 4. Marbled eggs- Add a tablespoon of oil to allow a very texturized and organic look to your eggs. Each egg will truly be unique. I recommend just one or two quick dips into the egg bath for the best results.




5. Tie-dye with nailpolish. Drip a few drops of any nail polish color into a water egg bath to create a funky crazy look to your eggs. 

6. The golden egg- I dipped the left egg into gold paint and let it drip dry and used mod podge for the second and rolled it in a glitter bath. 

Monday, March 18, 2013

Create Modern Concrete Planters


I adore the simple things in life. I think concrete planters are beautiful. In one afternoon, I created several beautiful planters that could also function to best fit your needs.



Items Needed:
1 tub/bag of concrete (1 tub was $7)
Multiple lightweight  plastic containers or milk cartons
Optional:
Succulents
Cement Color  




Build your planters, cups, bowls or other items to size. I used multiple juice boxes, recycled plastic and more to create various depths and widths. In a disposable bowl or cup, mix together your cement and water based off the package instructions.  Pour into your designed container and let dry in the sun for 3 or more hours, based on the size.






Lastly, Brody helped me plant beautiful succulents into my planters. He's so helpful.



Another option is to paint the planters.

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Thursday, March 7, 2013

Curb and Patio Appeal

I am in the final stages of decorating, sprucing up and preparing for our first veranda party on our newly remodeled back yard, drive way and front entry.

I'm interested in a patio heater since it's not quite warm enough to be outside all night. I think a patio heater would allow more outdoor entertaining through the season and provide potential light, decor and some have beverage stands for the adult beverage.  Patio heaters come in various sizes (free standing or table top) and in a multiple variety of colors.  I'm going to start with one patio heater and then see if I need to invest in a second heater. I especially prefer the outdoor heaters that don't require any electricity and can be moved to accommodate various furniture arrangements.

I also need to purchase a new mailbox (ours has been hit three times by construction companies and the utility company) but I'm hesitant if I should DIY a stone mail box or purchase another inexpensive one if the case that we may have another causality. I love this mailbox from Outdoorimpressions.net and I think I can create this. I think it would look nice with our new stone pavers and since our home is stone it would look very classic. Has anyone built their own mailbox and would recommend trying it?

I think a custom address plaque would look great with a new Stone mail box. I live on a busy street so the address plaque would come in handy as most of my visitors struggle to know which is my drive way.

I keep everyone updated as I put the final touches on my outdoor home projects.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Vote for Decorella in Metropulse Best of Knoxville

It's time again! Decorella came so close last year to wining a Best of Knoxville award. This year you should vote for Decorella in best local blog, best twitter account and best local website.


Thursday, February 21, 2013

Tools for the Beginner DIYer

I was truly shocked when a friend asked me a couple of weeks ago to borrow my power drill. She is a home owner and someone I considered to be very handy. Here are my reocmendationsn (in order of importance) for the DIYer and home owner.

1. Basic Tool Set
  • Screw drivers
  • Hammer
  • Wrench
  • Pliers
  • Measuring Tape


2. Power Drill


3. Staple Gun


4. Saw (Table saw, rotary saw or jigsaw, just depending on what projects you expect to complete)
  • Chop saws are great for angled cuts and straight cuts. I have a 10" blade and am able to cut wood for furniture and picture frames.

  • Circular saws are handheld and allow for greater flexibility in use (they don't need to be on a table), and are great for those wood pieces larger than a table saw blade but you lack the guaranteed straight line.

  • Jig saws are great because they are easy to use. I use mine for cuitting circles of ottoman pieces and detailed wood cutting with unqiue angles and shapes.

I believe you can invest in a tool set, power drill, staple gun and one saw for under $150.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

BIY: Buy-it-Yourself

I certainly don't DIY everything. Who has time for that?

Log into Etsy.com to see what DIY items you can BIY.
Veneer Light Fixture
Wood Beam Bench
Mod Chair

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