D.I.M.- Tray End Tables

After posting about my DIM (Did It Myself) mirrored coffee table project that you can view here, I really thought I had shared my proudest homemade project.  I'm torn now.  This one is right up there in my level of pride.  I guess it's like choosing a favorite child….how can you choose (easy, the first born is the fave, wink wink).

In the midst of my home makeover, I was also searching far and wide for a couple of end tables.  The end tables I was sporting were actually tv trays…..high-end wooden ones, but tv trays non the less.

Classy, right?

Once again, I searched and searched for some inexpensive, size appropriate, storage capable end tables without any luck.  I really didn't want to spend $200 on a couple of tables, but then I came across this pretty piece from West Elm…..

I loved that I would be able to move it around and mosey it right up to my couch if I wanted to.  The problem was that they are $179 a piece.  I just couldn't swing that.  Upon closer examination, I noticed that the construction was simple.  I got that crazy twinkle in my eye, and my mom thought, "Oh crap.  Get the glue gun ready."

Better than a glue gun, I was buying pvc at Home Depot and elbow joints I would have never paid a second glance to before.  Plan A consisted of making a pvc version.  It would be lightweight and manageable.  I also wanted to change up the look by adding a bit of color and even more versatility.

I found these trays at Home Goods for $20 each and decided to paint them with a complimentary fushia.

I sanded them a bit so the paint would adhere better.

I wanted a high gloss look and bought this paint at Michaels for about $2.50 a bottle.

I mixed the 2 colors above to get a deeper color.  I didn't want shocking pink of course!

For the base, I purchased 3/4 pvc pipe and the elbow joints to match.  One tricky caveat….the 3-armed joint without scoring is not available in the hardware stores.  I had to purchase an attachment to make it compatible with the rest of the pieces.  Just be mindful that you are using 3/4 for all of the pieces.

I was able to cut the pipe with a hack saw to all of my desired lengths.

Then it is pretty much like a puzzle.
I used a couple of tools to make the process easier too…including a rubber mallet to make sure everything was fitted securely.

I wanted the pipe to have that metal look, so lucky for me, that comes in a can!

Now wait a second.  You might be saying, "Hey, that has 4 legs!"  Well, yes, it does.  Upon constructing the framework to replicate the original design inspiration, we discovered that the pvc just wasn't sturdy enough to for the "C" design.  I gave in and put 2 extra legs on.

This only meant one thing….time to try some other materials.

I ordered some 3-armed, galvanized steel joints online (4 for $36), bought some additional metal elbow joints and had Home Depot cut and score some 3/4 black pipe for me (first 10 cuts are free!).  Once again, another puzzle….

I spray painted this piece too to give it that overall uniform metal look…and to match the pvc piece.  Honestly, looking at the 2 of them, you'd never know that one is made of a different material.

I added a basket underneath my 4 legged table since this one would be stationary.  All it is is a file basket from Staples attached with some wire.

Originally, I was going to adhere the trays to the top of the framework.  I opted against this when I realized how having them removable made them so easy to clean.  The trays settle onto the framework perfectly making them fairly stable.

Here you can see how nicely the "C" table fits under and over my chair.

Overall, success!  I have 2 fully functioning tables that are customized to my space.  The pricing breakdown is different for each, but still under budget!

PVC table:
$3.00- 3/4 x 10' PVC pipe (2 pieces at $1.50 each)
$19.00- 3/4 fittings and adapters
$13.50- 2 bottles of Flat Metallic Spray Paint
$20.00- Wooden tray from Home Goods
$3.00- High Gloss Paint
Total- $55.50 or so

Metal table:
$21.60- 3/4 x 10' black pipe (with cuts)
$9.50- 3/4 galvanized steel 90 degree elbows
$36.00- 3/4 galvanized steel 3-sided fittings
$6.75- Flat Metallic Spray Paint
$20.00- Wooden tray from Home Goods
$3.00- High Gloss Paint
Total- $96.85 or so

2 tables for about $155!  That's over $200 savings!!!  These pieces are custom too…no one else has them…unless you want a set then that's another story.

Pretty great.  You can see why it's a toss up between my tables.  I kind of think they are all awesome.  It definitely has you looking at furniture differently when you think, "I could make that."  Oh dear….what have I gotten myself into?!

Studio Storage Makeover

The Everygirl feature of my apartment is going to be published next month, and I still have a few more projects to share with you beforehand.  You've already seen my painted lamps here and my chalkboard inspiration board here.  Now it's time for one of the easiest projects I did to update my studio.

I had these storage boxes that I got on super sale at Michaels ages ago.

I don't know why I didn't make them over when I got them since my color scheme has never been gold and red diamonds, but anyways... They were still serving a purpose, so rather than hunt down new storage, I expectedly made them over with my favorite supply: paint.

Spray primer-sealer was used to prime the inside of the boxes, but the outside needed a bit more coverage, so I had to go with the Kilz primer and roll it on.

I wanted these boxes to sink into the background of my studio rather than be standout storage, so I painted them the same color as my studio walls.

While putting everything back together with some hot glue, I also added some ribbon to spice things up.  And, voila!

Aren't these cute?!  Nice, clean, subtle storage for my new studio.  I can't wait for you to see them with the full scope of the photo shoot.  Agh!  We'll just have to wait.

Chalkboard, Corkboard and Resolution Board All in One

It's February 1st and it's a blizzard outside today….a good day to stay indoors and refresh.  A month into the new year, and how many of you have already forgotten what your new years resolutions were?  The first couple of weeks of the new year are filled with regular reminders of improvement, but let's be honest, after that things start to dwindle.  Well, I've found a great way to remember my intentions for the new year.

I had this old cork board hanging in my studio cluttered with inspirations that started to blur into the background.  You can see it behind my old computer:

With some leftover wall paint, I decided to paint the cork board dark gray to mimic chalkboard and touched up the plain frame with some sliver paint.

This year I actually chose words for the year rather than actual resolutions.  Though they may be more vague, they open the doors to so many possibilities of how these words can shape my 2014.  Here's my list:

-Perspective

-Intentional

-Awe

-Systems

-Get Outside

-Stay in Motion

-Create a Path

With some chalk, a ruler and a little layout I plugged into Illustrator to get some cool fonts, I made up my own chalkboard/cork board resolution board.

Throughout the year I anticipate covering these words with other inspirations and starting again fresh for 2015.

What are some of your words for 2014?  Oh, and what do you think of the new studio color?!!

Christmas Cleanup and Making More Messes

The studio got painted this past weekend, and all I can say is PINK.  I love it and can't wait to show it off in The Everygirl shoot in March.  What I don't love about painting an entire room is all the work that goes into it.  You can't just slap some paint on the walls and call it a day.  No. Even with only painting 3 out of the 4 walls (one wall is my main living room wall, so it was to keep it's same color), everything had to be moved out of this 100 square foot space and taken off the walls.  And, to move everything means that all of the junk that has accumulated in drawers and cabinets must come out as well.  Needless to say, the Poop Cleanup of 2014 evolved into the Studio Explosion of 2014.  Everything is everywhere and in much need of reorganization.  I guess that's the glass half full way of looking at this: mandatory purging.

First Blush by Behr for the studio.  It's a pink palace.

So all this being said, I am behind on much of my life, but that's no big surprise.  Rather than further postponing a project to share, or worse yet, saving it till the end of the year, I'm going to pull it out now.  Maybe some of you are just as behind as I am.

You know all those Christmas cards you get (yes, I said Christmas)?  I personally like to keep some  cards to see how people change over time or to make a note of who has actually sent me a card (naughty/nice list kind of thing;).  Maybe it's a hoarder tendency, but it's pretty harmless for now…especially if it leads to a craft.  In the midst of reorganizing everything, I found that it was finally time to put these cards away…without taking up a bunch of my time.  Easy peasy.

Supplies: Hole punch, ribbon and cards

I like to punch a whole in the corner of the card that doesn't have someone's face in it…unless they are on the naughty list.

String them all on your ribbon and voila, a neat stack of cards stored together.

I'm thinking ahead now for this year…maybe for the 2014 cards I'll make a booklet and put the year on the cover.  Wouldn't that be cute for a coffee table!?  Something you could bring out every year. Ok, everyone send me your Christmas cards now so I can get ahead of the game.  Much appreciated.

New Year Facelift

Happy New Year from Reenie Rose!!
It's my first post of the new year which will be followed up by the first weekend of 2014.  I feel like having all of the holidays during the week has kind of messed up the flow of the past few weeks….I thought yesterday was Monday!  Maybe it's ok.  We can regroup this weekend and dive into next week with more clarity and focus on starting the year off the way we want it to.
I am personally looking forward to a fresher start to 2014.  I've lived in my condo for over 7 years now, and though I love it, it needs a bit of a facelift.  Luckily, I only need to go as far as a couple of cans of paint and a few diy projects to get me feeling like I am in a newer space.

Another kick in the butt for this room-redo, is that my apartment has been chosen to be featured on the Chicago based blog, The Everygirl.  If you haven't checked out this blog yet, put it on your 2014 list of things to do.  It is chalk full of inspiration…my favorite articles are the career interviews and home tours.  My dear friend and photographer Jennifer Gaudreau (Jennifer Kathryn Photography) is going to come out and re-shoot my space for the new story.  In the meantime, here are a few of the "before" shots that were submitted to be considered for this feature.

All photos courtesy of Jennifer Kathryn Photography

I'll keep you updated on all of my makeover projects.  Haven't decided yet, but this weekend will either involve some charcoal gray or silver paint.  Hope your weekend is productive!!

Pop the Champagne to Celebrate Pantone and DIY!

It has been quite awhile since I posted.  I kind of took a mental holiday break from everything.  Instead of digging myself out of snow, I'm trying to surface out of a pile of catching up which means I have a bunch of content to share with you….all in due time of course.
For starters, I want to go back to about a week and a half ago when a styled shoot I worked on was featured on Style Me Pretty Illinois.  Once again, myself, Jennifer Gaudreau of Jennifer Kathryn Photography and Meghan Andalman of Lovebird Events took on the Pantone color of the year: Emerald Green.  I'm kind of sad to see this one go since it still seems so in season and fresh.  Alas though, I think we paid tribute to this color quite well with our shoot.

Hosted at The Boarding House in their 3rd floor dining room, we couldn't have asked for a better setting and source of inspiration.  From floor to ceiling, myself and the rest of our team used the space as our muse for our individual projects.  I took the wine bottle ceiling and inverted it to create a centerpiece for our table:

Another project I took on was a custom painted table runner.  We decided against the over done chevron and went with a simple wide diagonal charcoal gray stripe.  At the ends I recreated the single letter monogram that was used in several other details.  How appropriate that the letter "L" was chosen too!

You'll have to visit Style Me Pretty Illinois to view the full gallery of images taken by Jennifer Kathryn Photography and to see all of the amazing details our team took on.  Everyone worked so hard:

Photography: Jennifer Kathryn Photography | Wedding Dress: Bella Bridesmaid | Floral Design: Dilly Lily | Cake: Elysia Root | Invitations: Nico & Lala | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Event Planning: Love Bird Events | Event Design: Reenie Rose | Hair & Makeup: Nika Vaughan Bridal Artists | Groom's Attire: J. Crew | Boarding House Chicago: Boarding House | Linens: BBJ Linen | Sweets: Veruca Chocolates

So with one more day left to enjoy this color of 2013, I thought I might inspire you going into the new year with a video on how to cut your own wine bottles like the piece in our shoot:

Maybe you are looking to create a fun centerpiece for a NYE party or are want to get a bit more creative in the new year.  Whatever your motive, I hope you put all of those champagne bottles to good use!

How to- Cutting Wine Bottles from Reenie Rose on Vimeo.

Happy New Year!!!

How To: Personalized Notebooks

What is everyone talking about right now…the cold and the holidays.  They kind of go hand and hand, and while I'm not a big fan of this extreme cold right now, you've got to make a snowman out of snow (my parallel to making lemonade out of lemons).  I feel like a caved bear with my blinds and shades closed to keep in the heat, but all this coziness plus the holidays makes me crafty too.

If you are still trying to check some people off your list but want to give a gift with a personal touch, say no more.  Welcome to Loreen's craft corner….

I did this project toward the beginning of the year and kind of forgot about it till now, so I thought I'd share.  The Chapel Designers florist group gets together every year for a field trip to the New York flower markets, and this year member Trish Van de Merkt wanted to give each member a little something special.  She approached me about personalizing notebooks with the Chapel Designer's logo, and the game was on!

How cute are these…

Do you love the added Reenie Rose floral touch?

So this is a really easy project to do yourself in an effort to spice up a classic notebook.
Here's your supply list:
-Notebook (with a cover that is compatible with your chosen writing tool…don't want things to smear)
-Graphite paper
-Removable Tape
-Tracing instrument (I use a mechanical pencil without the lead)
-Fine point markers or pens to trace over/color in your design (make sure they won't smear on your cover surface).  For this one I used a black Micron pen and a gold gel pen.
-Ruler
-Eraser

Step 1:  Choose your design and print it out to scale.
Step 2:  Cut a piece of the graphite paper to fit underneath your design.
Step 3:  Place your design where you want it and tape it down to hold it in place.

Step 4:  Use your tracing instrument to go over your entire design.  If needed, use a ruler for straight lines and curved elements for any organic items (I used a glass for the circle).

Step 5:  Once everything is traced in, go over your entire design with your desired marker choices.

And that's it!  Add a fun pen, and you have the perfect gift that says you cared more than just a lil notebook.

The graphite paper is key in this project for giving you the extra umph of confidence to know that you can handle the design you chose no matter what.  Imagine all the fun designs you could use….different fonts, something from a magazine or picture.  It's like going back to tracing in kindergarten!  Easy peasy.
Let me know if you try this and send me a pic of your finished project!