Home-Made Simple

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Easily Transform Your Walls
Making changes to your wall space can be surprisingly simple. Go beyond picture frames to make lively transformations in stylish, yet manageable ways. Here are a few ideas:
Easily Transform Your Walls

* Accent with Wallpaper. Wallpaper is back, but not like it used to be. Today’s wallpaper comes in colorful, bold patterns that make a big statement in small amounts. Use it in highlight areas such as a breakfast nook, the back of a bookshelf or along a wall, mounted in simple panels. You can also use it as a surprise element in enclosed spaces, like a kitchen pantry or medicine cabinet. If you feel daring (and you should!), use some to recover an outdated fridge. You can do this using rubber cement, so the process is reversible when you change your décor.

* Create Detail with Wall Decals. Instead of a wall-to-wall covering, like wallpaper, wall decals are individually shaped designs and illustrations that you can apply easily wherever you’d like to add detail to a painted wall. Some decals are design elements, while others may be silhouettes of animals, plants or even cityscapes.A single decal creates a touch of interest or you can group several to form an organic pattern. They’re available for purchase online and can be found easily by entering “wall decals” in your favorite search engine.


Tip: Decals add a unique touch to any surface of your home. Go beyond your walls and try applying one-of-a-kind designs to fabric surfaces like upholstered furniture and canvas curtains. Simply print your design on iron-on transfer paper, then iron it onto the item of your choice.

Sports

Tip: When applying your vinyl pieces, use a paper towel to rub out the bubbles and create a smooth decal. Move from top to bottom to take advantage of gravity and get a wrinkle-free result.

Create Detail with Wall Decals.

* Add Dimension. A few interesting objects or sculptural pieces can really pop. Sconce light fixtures or candleholders break up large empty space in the day and at night, they’ll shine soft light patterns across the wall. Sculptural wall hangings, like animals or plants, are more irregular and interesting shapes.

* Amp up your Ceiling. Use textured wallpaper to create the look of antique tin ceiling tiles. Simply hang the paper on your ceiling, carefully line up the seams and paint it with metallic paint. To ensure an even finish, apply paint with a roller. Then, use a paintbrush to smooth it over the textured areas.

Tip: Many types of wallpaper come pre-pasted, but if you are applying it to the ceiling, consider adding extra paste.

Crafty Accents: Make your own wall accents inspired by nature. Here are instructions for butterfly wall accents that Home Maven Wanda created on the Home Made Simple TV Show.

Large Butterfly Accents
This craft is made using bendable wire and pantyhose. You can buy most of the supplies that are needed at a craft or home improvement store.
Butterfly

MATERIALS

Bendable wire
Pantyhose
Acrylic spray paint
Self-adhesive embellishments (crystals)
Pipe cleaners
Duct tape

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Bend wire to any shape- for a butterfly, shape each wing separately and tape ends together.
2. With a pipe cleaner attach wings to each other and cover wings with pantyhose. Cut off any excess and tie ends in a knot.
3. Spray the wings with acrylic spray paint and let dry.
4. Use pipe cleaner to form body and antennas of the butterfly.
5. Embellish the butterfly with self-adhesive jewels. Make sure to cover the pantyhose knot with a jewel.

Tip: You can also make butterfly accents using decorative or colorful papers and adhere them to surfaces in your space.

Bring Garden Furniture Inside
Nature’s beauty is about to bloom. Bring a little of the outdoors into your living space. Metal garden furniture is a great way to add interest in a living room, bathroom or in any nook around your home that needs a little more life. Depending on your décor, a weathered appearance may be perfect. Or, you can easily paint the item to match your color scheme. And don’t be afraid to try a bold color! Here are a couple types of furniture you may like to use:

* Plant Stands. Tiered plant stands make great unconventional organizers. Use one in the bedroom for a decorative shoe rack and another in the bathroom to hold items like brushes, curling irons and blow dryers. Or you can try a more traditional use. Put your houseplants up on a pedestal to truly make your indoor greenery a focal point.

* Metal Lawn Chairs. A 50’s-style metal chair is a nice vintage touch. And most are surprisingly comfortable! Especially when you use a decorative pillow to soften the seat.

* Garden Accessories. You can repurpose outdoor accessories in unexpected ways. For accent furniture, a gardener’s cart can be used as a buffet table or a sundial stand as an end table.

Create Unexpected End Tables
You can never have enough places to set your drink or rest your favorite magazine between reads. But you don’t need to spend a lot at furniture stores. Instead, you can create more surfaces by stacking interesting items that can be found around your home or purchased inexpensively. Here are a few examples:
Suitcases

* Suitcases. Oftentimes, you can find small, vintage travel cases in local antique shops and thrift stores. They come in fun colors like aqua and olive. Stack 2 to 3 from largest to smallest for a nostalgic coffee table or end table that doubles as storage.

* Hatboxes. Another stackable item is a hatbox. Try stacking 2 to 4, depending on their size. Also, don’t be afraid to mix new and old boxes, or solids and patterns.

Throw Down Bright, Bold Rugs
Rugs add lots of color and take minimal effort. Have fun with your options. Modern patterns are bold and stylish, while polka dots are playful. Or you can even go wild with an animal print. The best part is, there’s no handy-work involved. You just have to find the perfect spot. Here are some places where a bright rug may work for you:

* Doorways. Welcome spring and your guests by making a statement right at the door. Place a colorful mat on your doorstep. It will make a great first impression and help protect your interior rugs from springtime mud and grass-stains that may be tracked in.

* Understated Areas. Turn any space from neutral to noticeable by creating a focal point with a large, patterned rug.

* Passageways. Try a bold runner up the steps or down a hallway. Even places where you don’t linger long can make a memorable space.

Following just one or two of these décor tips will add a fresh new look that’s sure to surprise and delight everyone you welcome into your home this spring.