Top DIY Books (and the online bookstore where you can find them)

Our friends at Book Outlet sponsored this post, but we would never share anything with our readers that we wouldn’t use ourselves. See full disclosure statement here.

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Parenting can be an overwhelming task, especially since there is simply no easy way to keep track of all the things that need to be done in a day when you’ve got so many things going on at once. From being employed to running errands, and dropping the kids to and from school, things like home maintenance can often be the last thing on a busy parent’s mind. As a result, it’s easy to forget to completely child-proof your home, especially if you make design changes like choosing new window treatments over a long period of time. Unfortunately, such memory lapses can be very dangerous. Dubbed the “silent killer”, window blind cords are one of those seemingly innocuous things that adults don’t realize can pose a threat to children; hundreds of children have passed away from strangulation upon getting caught in these cords.

Because of this potential danger, Health Canada has decreed that all Canadian-made window treatments, as well as those products sold in the country must be child-proofed with cord/chain tension devices. That being said, the rise of e-commerce businesses has resulted in many customers purchasing window treatments that do not necessarily conform to regulations.

As such, it bears to keep in mind that legacy or unregulated products, or even products that are improperly installed can pose a serious risk to children. Here are a few tips for those of you who would like to re-think your window treatment options for your family’s home:

Go Cordless

These days, it seems like just about everything is going wireless. And why not? If it’s within your budget, automated window coverings are a great cordless option for a child-proof home. They come in a range of different prices, and so you don’t need to shell out an arm and a leg for them. Cellular shades make for great alternatives to corded blinds at a relatively affordable price.

Take Your Time

If you’re in need of a more wallet-friendly solution, and cannot commit to changing all your blinds at once, you could also opt for changing your window treatments over an extended period of time as well. Simply start by the rooms most used by the kids – their bedrooms, the family room, etc. In the meantime, you can follow a few other solutions to keep those pesky cords from causing trouble.

Move the Furniture Around

If going cordless isn’t an option for you, one of the first steps to take in childproofing your window treatments is to move some furniture around. Kids are adept climbers, and if the bed, a desk, a chair – anything really – is close enough to a window, they’ll climb it at one point or another. If a child gets his or head caught within the cords of the window blinds, they’ll be at risk of strangling themselves.

Double Check the Installation

We all know how exasperating home renovations can be. It’s easy to make small, unnoticeable mistakes or to do a sloppy job at the end of a long day. Make sure that the window blinds are actually properly installed, cords are not super slack, and that cord-restraining devices are secure. On that note, if you’ve just purchased a new product, read the safety label to find out if it falls under new safety regulations. While all corded window treatments manufactured are supplied with a warning label and are within regulation, not every company will be as scrupulous.

The Tuck Doesn’t Cut It

We’ve all heard of the old saying, “out of sight, out of mind”. Many people seem to think that simply tucking the cords of their blinds out of sight will keep their kids from harm, but this isn’t necessarily the case. Any child with a love of climbing will find that cord faster than they can say “uncle”, and a gust of wind or the slam of a door could easily dislodge a cord that is tucked away on top of the blinds. Instead, you could opt for cutting the cord, in which case you’ll be limited to using the tilt wand to adjust the slats. You could also purchase cord cleats to deal with excess cords. This a very economical solution, but depends on adults to use them properly and consistently after handling the blinds.

Ultimately, going cordless is the only solution guaranteed to keeping your window blinds child-proof. While you can follow our helpful hints to deal with legacy or unregulated products, if you decide to upgrade your window treatments, do your due diligence by purchasing commercial window coverings supplied with a warning label, and that fall under Health Canada’s consumer regulations.

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How to maximize space in a small apartment

If you happen to live in a booming urban environment, you may notice that the cost of living space is at somewhat of a premium. The solution to this is often to live in smaller spaces. Many of us have lived in small spaces at some time in our lives, and many of us still do – especially when you’ve found that perfect apartment close to work and right next to the grocery store. But how can you escape that feeling of living in a tiny box? There are a few small space solutions that can help you to really open up your space and make the most of it.

Think Vertically

It’s important to remember that every room has eight corners! One way to maximize your space is by thinking vertically rather than horizontally. Floor to ceiling bookshelves are a great way to make use of wall space. Cabinets too! You can also think about exploiting the spaces between the tops of furniture and the ceiling. Think of hanging or high-mounted elements, which will draw the eye upwards.

Storage Solutions

In the same way, consider storage nooks, bespoke built-ins and tailored furniture to make use of every available portion of space. For example, try retractable pantry drawers for small appliances. To reduce clutter, make sure that items can easily be shut away or grouped by category. Open storage can also draw the eye upward; balance this against the amount of clutter you have on your shelves.

Opening Up

Doors and walls are so last century! Consider using room dividers in place of walls to let your space breathe. If you want to go further, consider glass walls, which can separate spaces without visually dividing a room. Curtains are also useful where privacy is required, and can make one wide open room into two very easily. And try increasing your window to wall ratio; larger windows let in more light, which can really make your space seem more open and free.

Less is More

It’s a lot easier to minimize clutter if you don’t have any clutter. Embracing a minimalist lifestyle can not only make your space go further but also cuts down on the need for consistent consumption of consumer goods, saving money as well. A win-win. In terms of furnishings, maximize your square footage by using small, easily moveable pieces of furniture. As an alternative, use fewer, larger pieces of quality furniture – this may seem counter-intuitive, but this can make a room feel grander. But choose which technique you want to use – don’t mix and match!

Mirror, Mirror

The cunning placement of mirrors can do wonders for opening up a space. Using them can easily double the size of a room, for example by mimicking doorways and windows. An alternative is to use reflective metallic subway tiles; reflecting more light will also help the space feel larger. Other visual tricks include see-through furniture made of glass, Lucite or Plexiglas – either that or mounting the mirrors or tiles on the furniture themselves.

Zone Warfare

Think about all the things you do in your house or apartment –work, sleep, eat, relax – and consider separate zones for each activity. You can place different types of furniture and demarcate the zones by using multiple seating areas, a table and chair, or a tented bed. If you don’t want to go this route, go the other way: find elements that have multiple functions, like a table that can function as both dining table and desk, or deep sofa beds. Try ensuring that each furniture piece is dual-use at least. That way you will waste as little space as possible.

Conclusion

Maximizing your space doesn’t have to be a chore – it can be a fun interior design project. Reduce clutter by thinking like a minimalist, and making use of storage space in an optimal fashion. Use visual tricks like mirrors, windows and glass walls to open up the interior, and make use of as much of your vertical space as possible. And consider the type and size of furniture you are using, where it’s placed and what it’s used for. Taken together, these tips should help you to feel like you’re living in a much larger space!

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Are the VIP tickets are worth it? Yes, they really are. The VIP tent is massive, the food and drinks seem endless and the dessert… the VIP tickets are worth getting just for the dessert. Oh and you get to meet the horses too.

Not sure who you should bring? Significant other, friend, family, kids of all ages, or just bring yourself! Go…

You’ve booked your tickets? Yes? Okay let’s continue.

I love circus. It’s almost an addiction. West Coast Flying Trapeze in Pitt Meadows, BC is my happy place where I get to fly and forget about the worries of the world. I have seen a majority of the Cirque du Soleil shows across North America, and our family vacations often centre around which resort has circus related activities. When I heard there was a new big top in town and it combined horses into the act, I had to check it out. 

The show opens with the horses entering and roaming about the stage freely. This theme of the horses roaming free continues throughout the show. The artists and trainers, while amazing themselves, seamlessly blend into the background, confident in their relationship with the team, and happily let the horses shine like proud parents. I can only imaging the countless hours of training and care to make it look so effortless.

First Act – The Herd

I was surprised of how calm the show felt; coming from someone who is quite nervous around horses this is a big deal. It is a strange paradox to be sitting on the edge of my seat yet overcome with the calmness and emotion between the performers and the horses.

In one act the horses are in full gallop as the performers hang upside down off the side of the horse. My first time on a horse was when I was 11 years old; a birthday party trail ride turned into me clinging on the back of a spooked horse for a few miles. Horsepower is impressive and scary. These riders are extremely skilled and possibly a tad bit crazy… but that’s usually what we think of those who choose, and obviously love, to do the things that scare us the most.

The stage: A 17,500 square foot stage in the middle of which rises a three-story tall hill. Some 10,000 tons of Vancouver and lower-mainland rock, earth and sand has been trucked in and sculpted to create the vast space of freedom. I was taken aback by how seamlessly the sand and dirt are transformed into various terrains from all over the world. An outstanding job by the lighting designer, technical director and team.

Standing at the top of the three story high stage.

Standing at the midway point down stage.

Living with a lighting designer for many years opened my eyes to the technical and visual effects of every show I watch. While everyone else looks at the stage during the performance, my eyes are usually skyward looking at the technical grid. Above the Odysseo stage hangs an impressive technical grid capable of supporting 80 tons of equipment including, a merry-go-round, yes, thats right… a full-sized.merry-go-round!

The merry-go-round is as beautiful as the acts performed on it.  My daughter asked a few times if the performers had glue on their feet and costumes to help keep them attached on the pole. She uttered her disbelief in a way thats not very polite to write here but know that she was extremely impressed.

Cavalia will be taking a special part of our city with them as they continue their tour.  Vancouver’s own Michelle Sargent was recently chosen to begin touring with Cavalia in China over the next two years. Michelle recently performed a beautiful lyra routine at West Coast Flying Trapeze’s Heps for Hearts: A Night at the Circus in support of the Heart & Stroke Foundation.  Wishing you all the best Michelle!

Bottom line: Go see it!

PS: My daughter wants me to mention the stuffed toy horses in the gift shop need to be adopted. Apparently the toys get quite lonely not sleeping with the rest of the horses in the stables. The sky runner shoes are also “awesome!”

Horses for adoption and super cool SkyRunner shoes.

@Cavalia: #OdysseoYVR

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Until the day when I can have the older home of my dreams and embark on that adventure, I will happily settle on being about halfway there with our current home that is approaching the 50 year mark. This place has garnered us with plenty of experience in fixing and repairing, but without the charm of a front porch. Any part of our place that looks nice to date is because we have made it that way. We bought this place because we could see the potential and liked the space it afforded us (not because we were won over by things like pink sinks and yellow bathtubs or a lack of doors on most of the rooms…including the bathrooms…). Of course it has meant replacing some plumbing and electrical along the way, as well as many ascetics (orange melamine countertops anyone?), and due to the age of the building, there is asbestos. We didn’t know it initially, but we learned that it was present in the drywall tape. This is hardly unusual. In fact, older homes are not the only ones with the problem (unless you are young enough to think that 1990 is old – in which case get out your smartphone and look up asbestos and shoulder pads – both are bad…. but in different ways…). Asbestos was used in construction up until 1990, believe it or not. Often times it seems to slip people’s minds, but asbestos is something that should be at front of mind when considering renos. 

By living in a place that has been on this planet longer than I have, I have been afforded unique insights along the way, thanks to my DIY-happy husband. I’ve learned to say things aloud like, “When I come home today, please let there still be stairs.” After all, in his defense, he can’t read my mind. I learned this when I returned home from work one day, shortly after purchasing our current home, and was shocked to hear myself say, “Where are the stairs that were here this morning?!”

It has also taught me phrases like, “What is your asbestos abatement plan?”. No seriously, my husband’s career is related to safety and the words ‘abatement plan’ are in fact part of our regular vocabulary and riveting dinner conversation.

Asbestos is not uncommon, as most houses built between 1950 and 1990 in BC contain some form of asbestos. In our case, it’s in the drywall tape on the walls. Drywall, insulation and vinyl flooring are very common places to find asbestos. You can find a list of other common places asbestos is located here. 

Turns out that buying a place built in the 70’s didn’t just leave us the building legacy of no overhead lighting, sunken living rooms and strangely hued decorative glass panels! The use of asbestos in residential finishes (between 1950-1990) became commonplace because of its incredibly hardy nature and resistance to heat. Now the presence of asbestos in itself is not harmful, but the act of removing it is. If you have ever lived through any type of renovation or demolition, you will know about the dust. The never ending, insidious, possibly make you lose your mind trying to clean it up, dust. There is no way around it. Unfortunately, this is where asbestos becomes incredibly dangerous. As soon as something containing asbestos is disturbed, it can become air born and harmful. You do not want breathe in asbestos particles and there is no renovation without dust (though how I wish there was) and so asbestos protection/removal plans need to be in place.  

Before fixing up our homes, we all need to make sure our renovation plans include looking for and safely removing asbestos before any workers come into do the work. 

WorkSafeBC is educating homeowners in BC about the danger of asbestos exposure and how we can work together to keep everyone healthy and safe on our projects. Because asbestos was so widely used in BC construction, it’s important that any asbestos is identified and properly removed to ensure the health and safety of everyone contributing to the project or living in the home. Take asbestos seriously. It can only be removed (or remediated) by qualified professionals.

Consider these sobering facts. Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause serious health problems, lung diseases and cancer. Asbestos-related disease is the leading cause of work place death in BC. In fact 584 workers died from asbestos-related diseases between 2006 and 2015, 30% of which were in the construction industry alone.

Clearly, we need a greater awareness of asbestos and how prevalent it can be in structures built before 1990. Educate yourself before taking on a home renovation. Click here to learn more about asbestos.

It’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure your home is asbestos-free before starting any demolition or renovation project.

Disclaimer: this post has been generously sponsored by WorkSafeBC, the opinions and language are my own.

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I’m not going to lie… it’s a bold choice to give your special someone a vacuum as a gift. My husband did it and he lives to tell the tale. I have the Dyson V8 Stick vacuum. Trust me, anything Dyson, she’ll love it. 

Growing up with two typical guy shoppers – get in, find the item, and get out as fast as possible – I’m not one for battling crowds or going to the store only to find out the item I want isn’t in stock. I want a one stop shop where I can get most of my shopping done under one roof. With two kids in tow, the years of being mentored with the get-in-get-out rule of shopping has done me well. Thanks guys!

Enter the Wow Guide from Canadian Tire. You’ve been tasked with picking up a new pan, dish or appliance for the gathering you didn’t know you were hosting? Check. Toys? Check. Christmas Lights? Check. The thing-a-ma-jig your mom keeps hinting about? Check.

Best of all…with the click of a button you can check stock and aisle numbers before even leaving the house. Or if you need your spouse to pick up an item you can give them the exact location in the store.

From our house to yours, wishing you the gift of laughter and good times…Caveat: If you buy any vacuum other than a Dyson, you are on your own!

Disclaimer: Although this post has been sponsored, the opinions and language are my own. If I would not do it for my family, I would never suggest you do it for yours.

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It all started with a vampire cape from the dollar store. No one wanted to wear it, it didn’t even get much love sitting in the dress up box. I removed the collar of the cape and spread out the vinyl and started thinking about what I could use it for.

Ah ha! I had a yellow plastic table cloth left over from a recent birthday party. Given my kid’s love for all things superheroes and Minions, this lonely cape would get a new a new life and decorate our front door for Halloween. Behold: Bat Minion! 

You will need:

White card stock or cardboard
Black plastic/vinyl cloth (I used a vampire cape)
Stencil or print out of Batman logo
Yellow plastic table cloth
Googly eye (optional)
Paint – gray, white, red, black, brown
Paint brushes
Tape
Scissors
Pencil

Step 1: If using the vampire cape, remove the collar. With your material folded in half, cut out the shape of the mask, body and feet. Take the folded body portion and tape the batman logo on the fold and cut out. Tape the feet to the body. 

Step 2: For the eye, trace a large circle on card stock or cardboard with a bowl or other circular object. With a slightly smaller bowl, draw another circle.  Use gray paint around the edges and brown and black paint for the iris. You can also use a googly eye from the dollar store for the iris.

Step 3: For the mouth, paint and cut out a mouth on cardstock. Make it as spooky or happy as you wish.

Step 4: Now you have all of your pieces, its time to set up! If your front door is painted, test in an inconspicuous spot to make sure your tape does not peel off the paint. Tape the yellow tablecloth to your front door. Make a very small cut and carefully push the tablecloth over the door handle. Repeat for the deadbolt. Tape the body and feet to the door. Repeat for the head, mouth and eye. 

Happy Halloween!

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I often struggle with having everything just so. Perfectionism is a slippery slope, especially when children are involved. Children are not perfect; they are glorious and wonderful. Learning how to do things comes with mess – lots and lots of mess. That mess and clutter makes me shy away from all day cleaning binges in order to make my house appear uninhabited for when company comes calling. I don’t want to teach my girls that their selves and their homes must be perfect to be hospitable. That’s just not true.

I decided to make ‘goodbye expectations’ my new motto. Embracing that spirit means it’s time to say:

“Goodbye, see you later, adios, so long expectations!

Here we are in all our imperfect glory!!!

Take us as we come, because we are great!

Welcome to ‘how we do things in our family.

Hello friends – my kids are learning and growing here.”

I want them to know it might be a bit of a circus, but it’s our circus. Life would be awfully dull without it. All this fun and life happens in our home. It happens in our sometimes cluttered, sometimes noisy, sometimes ‘where-is-the-dining-table-under-all-these-crafts-and-blanket-forts’ kind of home and more often than not, with a dirty kitchen floor. 

After all, a lot happens in our kitchen. There are chairs dragged up to the counters (sometimes running over my toes), with flour flying everywhere. Sometimes we have more baking than we know what to do with, but the neighbours never complain about that. I hope that spirit of sharing teaches my girls to be generous and giving. The spirit of hospitality is about more than housekeeping. 

Who’s idea is it anyway that a home must appear un-lived in and flawless to entertain guests? We have enough people expecting us to be perfect, do we really want that from our near and dear too? And when, oh when, did someone decide there should be no sign of children around the home (and especially not in living rooms)? It’s just plain weird that 50% of our household should leave no evidence of their existence.

 Do we really only want friends who know this version of ourselves, the version that – if we succeed in portraying – will only make them feel ‘less than’ about themselves? Shouldn’t our friends and loved ones enjoy our company, comfy sofa and yummy kitchen creations? 

Yummy kitchen creations make for messy floors. It’s science. You can’t argue with science. Aren’t the best meals the ones that happen naturally with many hands contributing a little of this and a little of that (in comfy pants, with lots of laughter for good measure)?! 

This is why Ikea’s new campaign #letsrelax really spoke to me. Ikea’s new global campaign challenges the expectations and starts conversations about the things that make life unnecessarily demanding. It’s about time we all relax and start enjoying the perfectly imperfect life we have to share with family and friends. 

Here are some of the great ways our family has found to do just that: 

Location, location, location. For daily family meals we all sit around our kitchen table, it makes for much better conversation – plus you are closer to the food for seconds or, dare I even say, thirds. 

Embracing the dining table. Our dining space (referring to it as an actual room might be a stretch) is rather tight. To seat everyone at the table comfortably we need to slide the living room sofa further into the living room. It’s painstaking, but we are not to be denied. We love sitting around the table, and not just because we are statistically more prone to spills! 

Make room! When it comes to entertaining, cozy or not, we slide the sofa out, insert the dining table’s extra leaf, and add more chairs. We can (and do) seat up to ten. Once the food starts flying being eaten, no one really seems to notice the close quarters. Our most recent family gathering boasted out of town relatives, with our numbers rising to twelve. The kids pulled up their play table and chairs next to the adults table and away we went!! Make room in your heart and your house for family. 

Delegate! Kids can help you embrace imperfection. No one will have to wonder if you did things to a grade or preschool level because the kids will be proud enough to take ownership when your guests cross the threshold. A collaborative approach teaches that entertaining is a family affair. It should not just fall on one person. This lesson is important for me and my kids.

Start Small.  Setting the table for guests is a great start. Bonus: a table set with mismatched dishware is adorable because the kids did it. No one suspects you don’t have twelve matching place settings (which my cupboards don’t currently boast). 

For Everything There is A Season. My beautiful place settings for twelve are carefully packed away in the basement with very fragile and non dishwasher friendly china. They patiently await another season in our lives. This is not the time for that; it is the time for occasionally broken dishes and everything dishwasher friendly. 

Leave Room For Creativity. Once our eight year old set such a beautiful table, it would rival that of any adult! Our ‘Fancy Nancy’ made the everyday very beautiful and special, even the single flower she choose for a vase in the centre matched. As I cooked in the kitchen, she looked up on youtube how to turn napkins into roses! I didn’t even need to lift a finger. Truly, it meant more to our family that she’d taken such pride and pleasure in doing it than if I’d unearthed all the fine china.

There’s never too many cooks. My kids love to help in the kitchen, sometimes even a little too much.  My youngest once ‘helped’ cover the cupboards and both of us in chocolate cake batter turning the mixer on high prematurely! While it means four times the mess, I am bound and determined my kids will learn to cook and clean. This is why I’ve said goodbye to keeping kids out of the kitchen for fear of a mess. 

Nobody expects perfection. Years of entertaining taught me people do not in fact have more fun when everything is just perfect. They may ooh and ahh over it at first, but they have more fun when you are relaxed and enjoying their company, not striving for the impossible or worrying something may get ruined. 

Add a little extra (to dinner). More times than I can count last minute dinner invitations have made for some of our most memorable times. Put a little extra on for unexpected guests (and memories!)

Many hands make light work. Let those who offer, bring something! I hate going places empty handed. I am relieved when someone tells me how I can contribute. Our last few dinners, I’ve happily made the main, the dessert (there is just no way I could ever outsource the dessert) and a side dish. My husband made the mashed potatoes (truly, no one makes them better than him anyways). Someone brought a salad and two others brought sides and another provided the wine. It turned out great – delicious food, great company and I wasn’t exhausted!

Strut the Stuff You Love When You Fancy. I really enjoy decorating cakes and of course, that has its place. Those old fashioned, hand written recipes that have been passed down through generations, those cakes covered in glorious swirls or mounds or nuts that you just can’t wait to dive into, those somehow have my heart. That being said, Ikea and I agree on their suggestion to ‘keep it simple (but delicious)!’

 Simplify. Sometimes I struggle between what tastes amazing and what looks great when it comes to entertaining. I don’t think I need to say which one wins when it’s just me. The meals and recipes I get asked for the most by friends and family are the quickest and simplest to prepare. These are the ones that won’t win any competitions on looks but get asked for again and again because they are so comforting or downright delicious!

It’s all about the guest list. Yummy food just tastes better with the ones you care about (again I believe this is pure science – like dirty kitchen floors). Invite those you care about, that make you laugh over and embrace the way you do things. It doesn’t need to be the way the neighbours do it or the media says it needs to be done, but rather just the way that works for you and your family. It turns out that is more than enough.

So join the movement! #letsrelax

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Spring has officially sprung, and whether you are experiencing warmer weather or still waiting for the thaw to come, it’s never to early to spruce up your wardrobe.

This t-shirt upcycle is a great project to do for 3 reasons:

1. You have 6 t-shirts that are all the same and if you have to wear them one more time you are going to rip your arm off.
2. You have a favourite t-shirt that you wear All. The. Time. And it may be looking a little tired under the arms (ahem… stains)
3. You are bored to death with the t-shirt options and want to do something a bit funky 

DIY T-Shirt Upcycle Instructions

What you need:

• 1 T-shirt (if you are buying a new one buy one or two sizes too small. I am a size medium and I would buy a small or extra small depending on the width of panel that I want to put in … wider the panel means smaller the shirt)
• 1 piece of materiel (cotton is easier than knit but both work) 2 inches longer than the measurement of armpit to bottom hem on the t-shirt.)
• Scissors or rotary cutter (I use a rotary cutter and cutting pad because I am the absolute worst at cutting a straight line)
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Measuring tape
• Iron

How to do it:

Step 1: Carefully cut right next to both sides of the side seams on the t-shirt. I carefully undid the seam the first time I did this project and that is 40 minutes I will never get back. Just trust yourself and cut those seams out. You will end up with an “opened up smock-like-thing”. 

Step 2: Cut your piece of material into 2 strips/panels 2 inches longer than the measure of your t-shirt side seam. You will use the extra length for your seams. The width is totally up to you. You can also choose to cut them straight or flaring slightly at the bottom depending on the finished look that you want to achieve. Flared will create a more flowy top. 

Step 3: If you are not using a knit fabric (they are a bit trickier so for a first go I suggest cotton) set your machine to a simple zig-zag stitch and whip around the edges to finish them.

Step 4: Then fold the top edge over about ½ inch & press with a hot iron (trust me this is an important step that makes it come together so much better! Oh and don’t forget to use an ironing board or at the very least put a folded towel down on whatever surface you use!!). Fold over again and repeat pressing. Repeat on both panels. Sew this hem with a straight stitch.

Step 5: Put the good side of the t-shirt face up and the good side of panel face down (right-side to right-side). Place the hem you just made even with the armpit seam on the t-shirt and pin together all the way down the shirt. Sew this seam with a straight stitch. Make sure that you do a few stitches forward, backwards then forwards again at the beginning and end to secure it.

You’re doing great!

Step 6: Now keeping right-side to right-side pin and sew the other side of the panel. 

Don’t worry about the bottom yet. Take a break and shake out.

Repeat with the other side of the shirt.

Step 7: Now repeat the fold press fold sew that you did at the top of the shirt down at the bottom so that you line up the panel to the rest of the t-shirt. When you sew start on the t-shirt and secure it well. Try and line up the stitching for a better look.

Et Voila! You are a creative GENIUS!!! 

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In an effort to transform our youngest daughter’s room from a nursery to a little girl’s domain, we had a couple projects up our sleeves. The first of these was refinishing this beautiful antique child’s vanity that my husband had acquired from a second hand store several years back. It was finally it’s moment to come up from the basement and shine!

Before:

Just bursting with potential! You can see why the Hubster, with his woodwork loving ways, brought this gem home. I mean really, can’t you just see the potential bursting all over the place already?!

Refurbished Vanity DIY

Tools and Supplies:

Finishing nails (we saved the original)
Screws (we saved the original)
Sandpaper – 20, 120 and 200 grit
Orbital Sander (optional)
Lint free cloth
Drop Cloth or Plastic (optional – to protect your work area)
Painters Tape
Smooth 4″ Foam roller
2″ Paint Brush
Paint Tray
Zinsser Cover Stain Interior/Exterior Primer-Sealer Stain Killer
Benjamin Moore’s High-gloss Latex Paint in Chantilly lace (OC-65)
Hammer
Drill and corresponding bits
Hardware (handles/pulls)

Step 1:
The first order of business was taking it apart. We removed the mirror by detaching it from the unit. Then we took off the wood backing and removed the mirror itself, putting it carefully aside. It is important to remove the mirror so that the inside edge of the vanity frame can be painted.  This way you will not see a dark reflection of unpainted wood along the outer edge of the mirror when it is finished.

Step 2:
Next came the sanding. All the sanding! My husband’s perfectionist tendencies come in very handy for these sorts of things. We wanted to make sure any sort of finish or varnish had been removed before proceeding. This was achieved with an 80, 120 and then a 200 grit sand paper on an orbital sander.

Step 3:
Carefully wipe down any and all dust with a damp cloth.

Step 4:
Next he taped off inside the drawers with painters tape so there would be straight lines where the paint stopped. This makes a much more finished look when the drawers are opened. He also taped off the casters on the bottom of the unit, alternatively you could just remove them.

Step 5:
Then we meticulously applied a coat of primer, paying extra attention to any detail and being mindful for drips.  We used a paint brush for all the detail work and then finished off with a smooth faced foam roller. We used Zinsser Cover Stain Primer-Sealer Stain Killer so as to give a good solid coat that wouldn’t allow any lingering stain that is embedded in the woodgrain to seep through later. We have used this product multiple times before on other projects with happy results. Allow to dry completely.

Step 6:
Once completely dry, we applied two coats of Benjamin Moore’s High-gloss latex paint in Chantilly Lace (OC-65). A few minutes after applying the first coat, check to ensure that paint runs have not formed. If they have, be sure to quickly smooth with the paint brush or roller before the paint dries. Then allow time for the first coat to dry completely before applying the second coat.  

Step 7:
Allow the paint to dry and cure according to directions (we gave ours a week). Also make sure you allow this to take place without the drawers in place or they may get stuck.

Step 8:
Once the paint was no longer soft, we put the mirror back in place and the wood backing was secured with the original finishing nails. Then it was reattached to the unit with the original screws, saved from disassembly. It took both of us, one holding the mirror in place while the other attached it to the back of the vanity.

Step 9:
Next, if you are anything like me, dance your way to Anthropologie, overjoyed to finally have a reason to actually purchase some of their amazingly beautiful handles, rather than just oohing and ahhing at your every visit!

Step 10:
Install the new hardware. We went with a turquoise glass and oh man I am so in love. They look like jewelry!

And there it is. All done!

I was very pleased with this beautiful vanity, and not just because I didn’t have to do any of the sanding! Acacia especially loves that her father bought it for her. I think it also doesn’t hurt that her older sister doesn’t have one (she has her own desk instead – an antique roll top secretary, also refinished by her father). You can tell both father and daughter are proud of it and I like that! Even the following day when I walked into Acacia’s room, I found her sitting in front of her new vanity happily listening to her jewelry box play music and watching the little ballerina inside of it twirl. Appears I am not the only one pleased.

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