Resourceful Girl

I’ve always secretly wanted a safe behind a picture frame, but I guess this DIY is a little more practical. We all can’t afford a personal body guard, which is possibly why home alarm systems are so popular. Just a few problems, they’re super ugly and you can usually see them from outside one of your windows.

This canvas on hinges idea comes from the lovely ladies of The Third Boob.

Step 1. You just attach two flat hinges to your canvas print and then to the wall.
Step 2. Voila.

Found via Storage Geek

Part of an engagement that didn’t last? Now you’re left with a billion painful memories and a ring? You’re not alone. Luckily, the founder of I Do, Now I Don’t was dumped by his fiance and left with the ring. I say luckily because now he runs a website where you can sell that ring and gain some cash. Money may not buy happiness, but it will buy you a boss ocean front vacation suite, a few Mai Tais and a towel boy. Think of it as engagement ring ebay.

This also means you can buy an engagement ring at a major discount. Some ladies just need a big rock and the whole idea of spending three months salary on a ring is (let’s admit it) really silly. And for those of us that don’t wear diamonds, there is a selection of gemstone rings, necklaces and earrings of all price ranges. The best part is, almost all listings come with the story behind the ring.
So, if you’re not shopping you can just read all the juicy details behind each one.

And by classy I mean NOT that weird 70′s faux wood paneling that belongs in an elk lodge – not your living room (I’m looking at you, Mom.) There are so many interesting ways to add board and batten paneling to your home and they’re all surprisingly inexpensive. Plus, when you add a durable semi-gloss paint, you’re protecting your walls from the torture of little ones (read: a child with a crayon). Here are a few different ways to to spend a weekend on board and batten style paneling.

1. Bathroom by Ana White Home Maker
2. Hallway by Evolution of Style
3. Headboard by Evolution of Style
4. Laundry Room by Evolution of Style
5. Functional Bathroom found via Sherri Howard
6. Kitchen by Funky Junk Interiors

Top photo by A Well Dressed Home

Time-check: middle of winter. It’s about that time of year when most of the country gets a little coo-coo after spending months indoors. Sorry New York, Annie is lying. The sun is not going to come out tomorrow, more like 3-4 more months. Here are some ideas on small in-home projects you can do (on the cheap) to bide the time found on Stylelist.com. Found via CasaSugar.

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1. Rearrange your furniture. This may sound simple, but rearranging furniture is a great (and free!) way to completely change the look and feel of your home. If you always find yourself climbing over an ottoman, move your couch back to create a passing lane. Is it too cramped? Try moving your side table to another room that’s more spacious.

2.Change a light switch plate. Finding the light switch is always a daunting task, especially for guests. So why not try decoupaging pretty patterned paper to the plate for a nice pop of color? Your friends will thank you and a little touch of color will liven up any space.

3.Rearrange the bookshelf. Reorganizing the bookshelf will easily make an entire room look more styled and polished, and you don’t even have to get rid of anything. One tip is to arrange your books so they look like a smooth landscape of rolling hills. Put the tallest in the middle and fan out to the smallest or create multiple peaks (as long as the books flow together) or lay a few books on their side and stack them like a pyramid.

4.Buy fresh flowers. A vase full of fresh flowers instantly brings life to any space, especially in the dreary winter months when everything outside is cold and pretty lackluster. You don’t need to get fancy – a bouquet of supermarket roses in a happy hue is enough to make a difference.

5.Make pillow covers. One yard of fabric is all you need to make two adorable decorative pillow covers. Adding a fresh pattern or color to your living room or bed will elevate the design and you can buy designer fabrics on sale for an inexpensive price.

6.Change your lightbulbs. Nothing is more frustrating than light bulbs burning out, especially because replacing them is one of those things you put on the to-do list and immediately forget about. Take the time to replace all of those lights for a brighter, happier space. In your bedroom or den, try opting for lower wattage lights (between 20- and 50-watts) to create a cozier and more romantic ambiance.

8.Transform A Coffee Table.If you have a glass-topped coffee table, try sticking photographs underneath the glass for a new look. It’ll bring a personal touch to the space, reduce the need for frames and changing the photos is easy. If you don’t have a glass-topped coffee table, but like the idea, you can easily buy custom-cut glass from the hardware store.

9.De-clutter. It’s amazing what a good cleaning can do to a space. Getting rid of miscellaneous items that you don’t need will make your home feel less cramped and more comfortable. Giving away or throwing out fifty things will not only free-up your home, but will alter your mindset as well.

Find these adorable bird knobs on Etsy

10.Change your dresser knobs.Changing all of your hardware can get expensive, but why not change the knobs on your nightstand for a low-cost alternative. Two or three knobs is all you’ll need to make them look good as new!

11.Frame a piece of fabric. Buying artwork can be very expensive, so try framing a piece of decorative fabric or an old scarf instead.

12.Change glass cabinet doors. It’s easy to repaint a wooden door, but what about when you have glass doors and are tired of people being able to peek at your mess? Turns out you can paint that too. If you’re done with your glass door, paint over them from the inside or staple fabric over the glass. If you don’t have fabric, you can use free printable decorative paper instead!

13.Create a hanging plate display. Do you have a gorgeous set of china sitting in the cabinet? Pull out those dishes and mount them on your wall. You’ll transform an empty wall and display an otherwise hidden collection.

14.Edge a shelf with ribbon. Update tired shelves by covering the edges with ribbon, fabric or paper. Use a fun pattern or bold color to turn the unit into a fun, statement piece.

Top photo by Marc Lacoste
Shelf photo By Lucy Orloski
Plate photo by BCCNYC