Recycling and Coffee Station Combo

This is a project that anyone could do in those occasion when you are limited in space,

or when you just want to be efficient in using the square feet your house has to offer.

If you remember, right before Thanksgiving,

I tackled this coffee station project.

(project here)

I initially used the bottom part of the table to store my 45lb pail of hard wheat, 

and several pounds of dried beans.

(as a long distance runner, 

I eat plenty of both. 

I love my carbs, vegetable proteins and iron)

One thing though was not working out very well in our kitchen,

and that was our recycling bins situation.

We recycle pretty much 

Think outside the Wooden Box

If you are a regular around here,

you know I love a good wooden box.

I have made many,

but today's project is different.

Literally thinking outside the wooden box.

Here were my requirements for this project.

I needed a box that:

would fit on a particular shelf

was light enough for the little children to move

yet, strong enough to keep up especially with Mr. Tornado,

and would look somewhat decent on the shelf in our sunroom.

Ok, got all of that?

Reason why I couldn't just build a storage box out of pallets

(whom I deeply love)

DIY Wooden Crate (here)

Chicken Wire Wood crate (here) 

So here is what I used this time around:

Fabric lined and painted pine wooden crates

Today's project was one of those impromptu

project.

Fabric lined (on the inside) and painted pine (on the outside) wooden crates.

 

It was fast and turned out great.

I started with two wooden crates that I already had.

The crates are the plain unfinished pine ones.

Until I stained them (about 8 years ago).

Today I added some painted numbers and some dropcloth.

I use those crates to store clothes, 

so I wanted to be able to "hide" the inside by adding fabric on the inside. 

(the easy way)

I drew the 

Adding Inexpensive Industrial Look

I recently purchased some metal bins,

to add a little industrial vibe to the sunroom...

and to keep schoolbooks out of sight when not in use.

The children and I love to spend time in the new sunroom, 

and rightly so, we do pretty much anything in there.

The galvanized bins are great, 

as you can't see what's inside, but 

Storage to seat

Since I was able to refinish this old desk,

I wanted to make a seat suitable for the space.

I decided to use this storage basket we kept in our bedroom and use it as a seat.

I painted the wooden top,

then added a strip of dropcloth.

I attached the fabric at 

The Open Pantry

Since I got these large 1/2 gallon jars,

I needed a place to store all of them.

I decided that this shelf I made pre-blogging days, was perfect to keep all my jars organized.

The shelf was made using 

How to make a rolling basket and "new" coffee table

Long story short,

we got a free coffee table, and the first thing I notice is this note.

Taped at the bottom of the coffee table.

I think it's so cool how Betty Jane wrote the "story" of the coffee table...that apparently used to be an old library table, 

bought used in 1922.

Now...

Glass Storage

Yesterday I received a pack of Ball jars that I ordered last week...

the half gallon size.

I love how big these are.

I already filled them with grains, dry legumes and nuts.

Can you tell I am organizing?

I guess it's one of those things most people do with 

Inexpensive storage boxes and memo board

I was in need of some storage boxes in our entrance, and I was able to customize some free cardboard boxes.

I painted two boxes with this brand new quart of paint found at the ReStore for $1.

Unused drawers project

You know the feeling when you do a project (my Ikea recycle/trash cart), 

and you are left with things that you don't want to throw away 

(drawers)?

recycle-trash cart

Well, maybe I am just one of those people...

So here I was left with 3 unused drawers.

I also had eight little plastic 

What a dresser made me do

Few days ago I found this dresser on Craigslist for $10.

It is the perfect size for what I need, 
and for $10, 

Take off your boots

I little while ago I showed you how I got this new $80 shelf from Target for only $10.
(if you wonder where I have been, 
be assured that I will be back to regular blog reading and regular posting in just few days)

Today I am going to show you what I did with it (for now...).

Most of the people that come over our house (and we have quite a few), 

TV cart revised

A long time ago 

(ok, well at least 10 years ago), 

I got this little tv cart to use as a nightstand in my bedroom. 

It had wheels and it served it's purpose well. 

This little guy has been moved around for a while, wearing different hats...even holding a small tv.

I moved this at the end of our hallway, right outside the girls bedroom.

I needed a place where the girls could sit and put their shoes on AND

Chicken Wire Frames

I had a couple of white frames leftover from the girls' bedroom gallery wall, and I needed to make something to go in my work/desk area.

So I came up with this project using two things I already have: frames and chicken wire

I cut the chicken wire to the measure I needed, big enough for the opening of the frames and replaced 

In the closet

Just in case you were wondering where have I been...I have been in this closet!

Linen closet, that is.

It all started because we needed to replace some plumbing (welcome to our 1966 home).

Not just any plumbing, the shower's plumbing.

Thankfully we have a closet on the wall where the water lines run. So the drywall was cut and the work began!

Numbers on baskets

Today I was looking at the shelf-room divider that RN and built, and decided I was going to add a little personal touch to the basket on there.

I love adding personal touches to the things I love and use, so today was time for a little projects.

Children napping...check

parents napping...check

dogs napping...check

See, I told you this was an ideal time for me to get some paint out.

I had this 2 samples that I got for free a year or two ago. Love these things...they have a brush built in!

Nice.

So I painted the number 7  and let it dry.

Why the number 7? 

Here is why...

And now I am done!

Just in time for my nap...(yeah right!)

I had the basket for years, and now this built in shelf in the master doubles as my dresser.
***Click here to see our 
Master bedroom/basement remodel***

You see, those boxes on the shelf are actually just cardboard boxes I got at the store. They are very sturdy, and with some dropcloth and a a little glue gun, this are now my "drawers".

Stay Frugal,

Daniela

Linking to
At the Picket Fence
Coastal Charm
Savvy Southern Style

Hanging Necklaces

Ever feel the need to have your accessories organized? 

This is what I came up a year ago and today I am going to show you how I organized my necklaces and bracelets.

Wire baskets around the house

Few weeks ago I had a fun morning finding several wire baskets for a total of $12

I had been keeping my eyes open for some good deals...but had no luck until...that Saturday morning.

Wall art

This is what I created with a couple of dollars and some creativity.
The biggest art piece is this letter I made from the bottom of a box and used coffee filters!

Click here to view how I made it.

The landing spot

When you first come into our home, 

you see this!

It is our landing spot.

I recently removed the key holder I made from baseboard scraps, and replaced it with this metal paper basket (I have 5 total that I got for free here).

I also moved my Bibles here, from bottom to top: Italian, Portuguese, Kabiye, French and English.