For many years I have been sharing yarn decorations for your home. The first yarn decor idea I shared was probably how to make a pom pom garland. It was so easy to make and looked adorable with everyday decor and holiday decor. DIY wreaths are so fun and easy to personalize.

Pom poms are easy to make, and you can make your own form or purchase one from Amazon. Once you learn how to make a pom pom there are so many ways you can use them for decor. You can make them into tassels, use them as decorations on presents, fill a bowl with them, and so on. They are such a fun craft project.

But today, let's talk about how to make a mini yarn pom pom wreath, and later, I will share ideas of where you can decorate with your mini pom pom wreath.

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission if you purchase using the links below at no extra cost to you. All opinions are all my own.

How to Make a Pom Pom Wreath

With all the wonderful craft or DIY projects, I recommend gathering supplies. Most of these supplies I picked up at the dollar store or you can find them at a craft store.

Step 1: Gather Supplies

• Wire wreath frame (I found mine at Dollar Tree)
• Yarn
• Pom Pom maker (You can make them by hand too, and I have directions on how to make a pom pom garland post.)
• Scissors (new scissors cut the best or ones that are only used for fabric)
• Embroidery scissors
• Twine
• Ribbon (I used a light grey blue 1/2″ velvet ribbon that is not available anymore)
• Glue gun (optional)

Step 2: Make Pom Poms

Did I mention this is an easy DIY pom pom wreath and a fun project to do while watching a good movie? There are just a few simple steps.

First, let's make your pom poms. I am making small size poms and using white yarn. I want a pom pom wreath that I can change the ribbon for different holidays and seasons. You can use different colors of yarn; it's up to you.

How to Use a Pom-Pom Maker?

• First step, open the form and wrap yarn around each side of the form all the way around.
• Next, close the form into a circle.
• Then cut the yarn around the outside circle of the pom pom maker
• Cut a piece of twine long enough to go around the circle and long enough to tie into a knot.
• Now take the string and tie it as tight as you can around the pom pom form.

• Once you have tied the string, you can pull the sides out and then pull the form apart. Some forms are tight, so you have to give it a good pull.
• Next, take your scissors and groom your pom pom if it has any pieces of yarn sticking out. Sharp scissors will make this easier. Then you are all done except you need to make many more.

Step 3: Tie Pom Poms to Wreath Frame

Now here's the fun part! For the next step, take the first of your yarn poms and tie it to the frame in a knot. Then cut the ends of the twine. Repeat this step until you have filled the wire wreath form with pom poms.

Here is a tip on what direction to add the pom poms. I attached the pom poms to the outside wires first and then the inside. You'll have a gorgeous pom pom wreath in no time.

Step 4: Tie Ribbon to Wreath

Last, make a bow with your ribbon for your fluffy pom pom wreath. I made a bow with long ears and long tails. I love the look of a long droopy bow!

Basically, make two long ears and tie them together, and you have a bow. This is a fun way to change up the look of your cute wreath.

There are several ways you can attach your ribbon to your wreath. You can tie your ribbon with floral wire and stick the wire through the yarn balls and attach it to the wreath. Or you can tie your ribbon around the yarn wreath frame. I placed some twine through the bow and tied it to the frame with a double knot at the top.

Another idea is to glue your ribbon on it with your hot glue gun for extra security. If you are not planning to change your ribbon, this would be an easy way to adhere the ribbon bow to the yarn ball wreath.

Well, guess what? This project is all done — yay!! This is such a fun wreath. Now let's style this wreath after answering a few questions.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long does it take to make a pom pom wreath?

The amount of time all depends on the size. A mini pom pom wreath takes one day or about 4 to 5 hours. A larger size yarn ball wreath can take two days and up to 8 to 10 hours.

How many pom poms do you need to make a wreath?

It all depends on the size of the wreath, but if you are making a mini pom pom wreath you will need about 40 pom poms to fill the entire wreath. Larger-size wreaths need as many as 50 to 90 pom poms.

What is the easiest way to make a pom pom?

Yarn pom poms are so easy to make, and there are various pom pom-making forms you can use to make them. Probably the easiest is to purchase a pom pom maker. You can also use your hand to wrap the yarn around or make a form with cardboard.

You will need yarn, wreath form, scissors, and pom pom maker. Other items you might need are floral wire or glue gun.

Final Thoughts

Remember me saying in the beginning that there are so many yarn decorating ideas? Well, here are more home decor yarn projects. I have some macrame mixed in too. If you love yarn decorations as much as I do, then you will like these yarn craft decor posts too:

• Yarn Winter Hat Santa garland
• How to Make Tassels
• How to Make a Tassel Wreath

Now let's talk about where I plan to hang my pom pom wreath. I have a mirror in my entryway that has a crack in it, so I like to hang wreaths on it to distract from the crack. This wreath was planned to hang on the mirror, but when I started testing it out in different places, I loved how it looked on the cutting boards hanging in my kitchen. I think it's a perfect winter pom pom wreath.

I love the contrast of the soft fluffy pom poms against the rough used breadboard and cutting board. But you might be wondering how did I hang this wreath. Well, I cut another piece of yarn, threaded it through the back of the frame, and then tied it to the hook. Easy peasy!

Making this yarn wreath motivated me to finish my decor in this room. All the Christmas had recently come down, and it felt a little empty. So now everything feels cozy again.

Last, here is a side view so you can get an idea from all angles.

Other ideas on where to hang a yarn wreath are on the back of chairs for a special dinner. You can hang them on a wall over a fireplace or a gallery wall. This yarn wreath would also be cute on a range hood or in a window.

There are so many places you can hang a yarn pom pom wreath. Where are you thinking of hanging your own pom pom wreath? Do you have any fun crafts with yarn to share? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Happy Decorating!

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How to Make a Pom Pom Wreath

Print

Here is step by step instructions on how to make a pom pom wreath. This tutorial is for a mini pompom wreath, but you can easily make this in larger sizes.

Active Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours

Difficulty Easy

Materials

• Wire wreath frame
• Pom Pom maker
• Scissors
• Embroidery scissors
• Twine
• Ribbon
• Glue gun

Instructions

1. First step, open the form and wrap yarn around each side of the form all the way around.
2. Next, close the form into a circle.
3. Then cut the yarn around the outside circle of the pom pom maker
4. Cut a piece of twine long enough to go around the circle and long enough to tie into a knot.
5. Now take the string and tie it as tight as you can around the pom pom form.
6. Once you have tied the string, you can pull the sides out and then pull the form apart. Some forms are tight, so you have to give it a good pull.
7. Next, take your scissors and groom your pom pom if it has any pieces of yarn sticking out. Sharp scissors will make this easier. Then you are all done except you need to make many more.
8. Take the first of your yarn poms and tie it to the frame in a knot.
9. Cut the ends of the twine. Repeat this step until you have filled the wire wreath form with pom poms.
10. Last, make a bow with your ribbon for your fluffy pom pom wreath. I made a bow with long ears and long tails.

Notes

1. Here is a tip on what direction to add the pom poms. I attached the pom poms to the outside wires first and then the inside. You'll have a gorgeous pom pom wreath in no time.
2. There are several ways you can attach your ribbon to your wreath. You can tie your ribbon with floral wire and stick the wire through the yarn balls and attach it to the wreath. Or you can tie your ribbon around the yarn wreath frame. I placed some twine through the bow and tied it to the frame with a double knot at the top.
3. Another idea is to glue your ribbon on it with your hot glue gun for extra security. If you are not planning to change your ribbon, this would be an easy way to adhere the ribbon bow to the yarn ball wreath.
4. A mini pom pom wreath takes one day or about 4 to 5 hours. A larger size yarn ball wreath can take two days and up to 8 to 10 hours.
5. If you are making a mini pom pom wreath you will need about 40 pom poms to fill the entire wreath. Larger-size wreaths need as many as 50 to 90 pom poms.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

The post How to Make a Pom Pom Wreath with Yarn (4 Simple Steps) appeared first on LIFE ON SUMMERHILL.

Years ago we invested in a flat screen TV and mounted it on the wall above a pretty piece of furniture. There it sat centerstage on one wall of our living room — a big black box. Even though it doesn't lend much to our home decor we sure do enjoy it.

I have pondered ways to make it fit into our decor and for years planned to make a frame for it. A beautiful frame would be perfect and then I could make art on my YouTube channel to go inside of it. It would be ideal when I shoot photos and videos for the blog or having a party with guests over this wall would look so much better.

But then one day I had an idea so I mustered up the courage and painted the frame on my TV. This is my first time trying this and it turned out so much better than I ever imagined.

So today I am sharing step by step how to paint your TV frame. What you'll see here is modeled from a Samsung frame TV.  I was inspired when looking at the Samsung frame TVs.

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission if you purchase using the links below at no extra cost to you. All opinions are all my own.

Can you Paint TV Frames?

Yes! I was surprised to find out you can paint a TV frame. It's easier than you'd think and it only takes a few simple supplies.

How to Paint Your TV Frame

Gather Your Supplies

The first step in all DIY projects is to gather your supplies. Here's what you need to make your TV frame look like a picture frame. The great thing is that it doesn't cost much money.

• Cleaner like Windex
• Painter's tape
• Fine grit sanding block
• Paper towels (damp to remove grit and clean tv)
• Artist paint brush
• Outdoor acrylic paint (DecoArt Outdoor Acrylic Color Splendid Gold)
• Rub ‘n Buff
• Brown wax (Dixie Belle is what I used)
• Double-sided foam tape (I found mine at Dollar Tree)
• Soft cloth to remove wax (or use an old sock as I did)
• Wood ornate corner embellishment

1. Clean your TV

The first thing you're going to want to do is clean your TV well. I used paper towels and Windex. Be sure to clean the whole thing; the TV screen in addition to the frame.

2. Tape the Inside

The next step is to use painter's tape to tape off the inside of the screen to ensure you don't get any paint on the screen. As you put the tape on, be sure to get it as tight against the frame as possible. If you can, and depending on the frame fit, it's a great option to push the tape down inside of the frame. Along the other side of the tape you can lightly attach it to the screen.

Side note – turn the TV on so you have a greater contrast between the screen and the frame. It will make things much easier.

3. Sand the Frame and Remove the Grit

Next, take your sanding block and rough up the each flat surface of the frame and the side. Once you've sanded all four sides, use a damp rag or paper towel to remove any grit.

Take your time with this prep work as it will make the rest of the project go much more smoothly.

4. Paint the frame with three coats of outdoor acrylic

Before you start painting, look for any clear part on the frame that may be where your remote communicates with your TV sensor. It's usually on the bottom of the TV but it could be at the top of the TV. Be sure to avoid painting over that area.

Here's a tip – one of the best ways to save time is to use a primer before you start painting. I didn't do that and it took more coats of paint to cover the black of the frame than it would have if I had primed it first.

I'm going to use a gold outdoor acrylic paint to paint the TV frame. I am going for a vintage frame look. It goes on thinly so you'll need to add multiple coats. Let each coat dry for 15-20 minutes before adding the next coat.

Here's a tip – once you finish painting a side of your TV frame, it's a great idea to take your paint brush and run it in one long stroke along the side to blend the paint.

While the paint on your TV frame dries, you can use the time to paint the embellishments that will go along the corners of your TV. I have ornate pieces of wood for each corner and will paint them with several coats of the gold outdoor acrylic paint just like I am doing with the TV frame.

5. Paint Rub ‘n Buff (if you want an antique look)

After three coats of paints have dried, I'm going to put Rub n' Buff over the gold. To do this, I simply put the Rub ‘n Buff on a paper plate and, using the same paint brush, dab it into the Rub ‘n Buff and then wipe it over the gold paint. You'll do this to the embellishments and the TV frame.

6. Add Dark Wax and Buff it Off

Once the Rub ‘n Buff has dried, use a brush to add the brown wax to the embellishments which will add a darker color into the creases, and is a great way to add depth and give them a nice vintage look. After you add the wax, buff off the wax with a soft cloth.

You do not need to add wax or rub n' buff if you are not planning to do a vintage looking frame.

Paint the wax onto the TV frame in a circular motion first, then go back over it with a straight buffing motion. Then you'll use the soft cloth to buff the wax and you'll end up with a nice patina.

Once that's done, you can slowly and carefully remove the painter's tape.

7. Add ornate wood pieces

Lastly, I cut small pieces of double sided foam tape, attach them to the wood embellishments, and attach them to the corners of the TV frame.

They add an elegant touch to a simple frame that's perfect!

Your flat panel TV is now one more of the beautiful things in your home; an art piece for you to watch your favorite show on.

Final Thoughts

You can complete the new look of your TV by displaying digital art on your TV screen. I created a playlist of Vintage tv art on my YouTube. It makes your TV look just like a piece of art in a wood frame! It completely changes the look of your family room.

Your TV wall can now be a gallery wall. You can learn more about how to hang a gallery wall here. Or if your TV is in your bedroom, your newly painted TV frame would wonderfully complement an antique vintage aesthetic bedroom.

So what do you think? Would you be willing to paint your TV frame? I know it can be intimidating, especially if you have a new TV. However, it was really easier than I thought it would be.

Whatever the size of your TV, I think you'll be happy with the results. I'll keep you updated on how it holds up. If you decide to paint your TV frame, I'd love to hear how it goes!

Happy Decorating!

How to Paint Your TV Frame

Print

Learn how to paint your tv frame (mine is a vintage frame style) and where to find art on YouTube for your television.

Materials

• Cleaner like Windex
• Painter's tape
• Fine grit sanding block
• Paper towels (damp to remove grit and clean the TV)
• Artist paint brush
• Outdoor acrylic paint (DecoArt Outdoor Acrylic Color Splendid Gold)
• Rub 'n Buff
• Brown wax (Dixie Belle is what I used)
• Double-sided foam tape (I found mine at Dollar Tree)
• Soft cloth to remove wax (or use an old sock as I did)
• Wood ornate corner embellishment

Instructions

1. The first thing you're going to want to clean your TV well. I used paper towels and Windex. Be sure to clean the whole thing; the TV screen in addition to the frame.
2. The next step is to use painter's tape to tape off the inside of the screen to ensure you don't get any paint on the screen. As you put the tape on, be sure to get it as tight against the frame as possible.
3. Take your sanding block and rough up the each flat surface of the frame and the side. Once you've sanded all four sides, use a damp rag or paper towel to remove any grit.
4. I used a gold outdoor acrylic paint to paint the TV frame. It goes on thinly so you'll need to add multiple coats. Let each coat dry for 15-20 minutes before adding the next coat.
5. While the paint on your TV frame dries, you can use the time to paint the embellishments that will go along the corners of your TV.
6. After the paint has dried, put Rub n' Buff over the gold. To do this, simply put the Rub 'n Buff on a paper plate and, using the same paint brush, dab it into the Rub 'n Buff and then wipe it over the gold paint. Do this to the embellishments and the TV frame.
7. Once the Rub 'n Buff has dried, use a brush to add the wax to the embellishments which will add a darker color into the creases, and is a great way to add depth and give them a nice vintage look. After you add the wax, wipe off any excess with a soft cloth.
8. Paint the wax onto the TV frame in a circular motion first, then go back over it with a straight buffing motion. Then you'll use the soft cloth to buff the wax and you'll end up with a nice patina.
9. Once that's done, you can slowly and carefully remove the painter's tape
10. Cut small pieces of double sided foam tape, attach them to the wood embellishments, and attach them to the corners of the TV frame.

Notes

1. Before you start painting, look for any clear part on the frame that may be where your remote communicates with your TV sensor. It's usually on the bottom of the TV but it could be at the top of the TV. Be sure to avoid painting over that area.
2. Once you finish painting a side of your TV frame, it's a great idea to take your paint brush and run it in one long stroke along the side to blend the paint.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

The post How to Paint Your TV Frame appeared first on LIFE ON SUMMERHILL.

If you're looking for new ways to add a touch of charm to your home, using wicker baskets is a great option. They come in all different shapes and sizes, making them perfect for a variety of applications. Here are 12 creative ideas on how you can use wicker baskets around your home. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission if you purchase using the links below at no extra cost to you. All opinions are all my own.

Today we are talking about how to decorate with wicker baskets because recently I have been in love with decorating with baskets. Well, actually I have had a love affair with baskets for many, many years. LOL!

But you might be wondering why I love my wicker basket collection so much. Well, they are charming, provide extra storage space, add instant character to your home decor and you can find them cheap when thrift shopping.

Okay so now that I have confessed and hopefully gotten you on board with decorating with baskets let's look at different ways you can decorate with wicker baskets in your home and how to style them.

How to Decorate with Wicker Baskets

The best places to decorate with wicker baskets are

• Coffee tables
• Fireplace mantels
• Dining tables
• Bookcases
• On top of tall furniture
• On top of cabinets
• Kitchen decorative storage
• Bathroom decorative storage
• Hanging on hooks

There are so many options for decorating with baskets but let's break this down even more and show how you can style them in your home decor.

Decorating with Wicker Baskets on Coffee Tables

You have many options when it comes to your coffee table. For example, use a wicker tray to sit books inside or other decorations. You can also consider using a wicker basket on a side table for remote controls for easy access. A wicker basket is also a great alternative to a magazine rack.

And you can even layer smaller baskets inside large baskets as we did here with this small white-painted basket in our living room. I share how to paint wicker baskets in another post if you would like to give your old basket a fresh new look.

Wicker Baskets Decorating Ideas for your Fireplace Mantel

Another great place to decorate with wicker baskets is your mantel as I did on our spring mantel. You can sit smaller baskets on the mantel shelf or hang them on the front as we did for fresh or faux flowers.

I love hanging baskets so much that we also hung a smaller one on the wall above the mantel.

Years ago in the fall, we hung many baskets over the mantel and created this fall decor mantel. Wicker baskets really fit the fall look. In fact, they fit into any season very well and are an easy way to create new looks. This shallow basket and flat baskets are easy to hang for beautiful wall decor.

Wicker Basket Centerpiece Ideas

Wicker baskets of all shapes and sizes are an easy way to create centerpieces. Consider adding a pitcher of water inside of a pretty basket and making a floral arrangement as I did here.

Your options are endless for dining room table decorations.

Bookcase Decorating Using Wicker Baskets

Probably one of my favorite places to decorate with baskets is a bookcase. Baskets add so much character and charm to a bookcase like these large wicker baskets. And you can store things inside of them. A tall basket is perfect for storing extra towels or cozy blanket.

Add baskets to the top of your bookcase or furniture, especially vintage and antique baskets like my bushel basket. I got this basket while antiquing and thrifting. I share more about decorating from thrift stores in another post.

Also, consider placing a picnic basket on a bookcase. A sturdy basket like this is the perfect hidden storage compartment and it looks pretty.

Add a small wreath on top of the basket for another decoration.

Also, using a lidded basket such as a picnic basket as decoration makes getting ready for a picnic easy. When you get ready to pack all you have to do is grab it and go. We used this basket in our vintage tea party picnic post if you would like a picnic idea.

Kitchen Decorating with Wicker Baskets

The kitchen is the one place that needs baskets. Remember, baskets are pretty and you can use them for storage. This basket over my refrigerator looks like it is a decoration but I actually store kitchen towels in it.

Who would have known? Right?

And if you need to organize your cabinets, wicker baskets provide the perfect solution. They look so pretty!!

In addition to storage baskets, there are more organizing tips in my how to organize your kitchen post. There are more creative and pretty ways to organize.

Wicker baskets are also a practical storage solution for your home office to store office supplies and organize important papers.

I also love hanging baskets as decoration. Here is a great example of using tiny baskets for your decorations. And it is handy if I want to use it on our dining table for dinner.

Another hanging basket idea is this french market basket which is one of my favorite. This decorative basket gets used a lot and it looks amazing hanging in my kitchen. One of my favorite ways to use it is to add fresh flowers to it now and then but for the most part, it is empty because I use so much.

Bathroom Decorating and Storage Using Wicker Baskets

Now let's head to my bathroom where I use these beautiful baskets from Ikea as storage. They are a great idea to act as a decoration and are a perfect way to solve a storage problem I have in our small bathroom.

If you have a console table by the front door a wicker basket can be a great place to drop your keys so you know where to find them.

Hanging Pendant Light Wicker Basket

Not all baskets sit on shelves or furniture. You can even make a wicker basket light and hang it next to a bed, over a desk, or next to a chair in a reading nook.

This is a great way to add lighting without losing nightstand or desk space. And this DIY basket pendant light is so easy to make.

Final Thoughts!

I think by now you are seeing that there are endless possibilities when it comes to decorating with wicker baskets. There are so many different materials used to make baskets which give you many options when it comes to decorating.

Here is my best advice when shopping for baskets. You can buy new baskets from stores. My favorite places to shop for baskets are Walmart, Target, Homegoods, Ikea, and Amazon. For used baskets, I look online on Etsy for wicker baskets and locally at thrift stores and garage sales. For old vintage antique baskets, I shop at antique stores and keep my eyes open at thrift stores and garage sales.

When you buy an old used basket, think about cleaning it. I have a post on how to clean a wicker basket that shows two ways of the best methods to clean them. You will be surprised at how much brighter a vintage basket will look after cleaning it.

Okay, so now you have all kinds of ideas for decorating with wicker baskets and tips on shopping for them. Decorating with baskets can be a cheap way to add decor to your home. Baskets can also be very expensive too but remember, you don't have to pay a lot to add wicker basket charm to your home decor.

Now grab some baskets and start decorating. If you are new to wicker basket decorating, feel free to ask any questions below. And, last, do you have a favorite wicker basket in your own home? If so I would love to know what it is and how you decorate with it or use it.

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Happy Decorating!

How to Decorate with Wicker Baskets

Print

Here are creative ideas on how you can use wicker baskets around your home. Enjoy!

Instructions

Decorating with Wicker Baskets on Coffee Tables - use a wicker tray to sit books inside, or other decorations. You can even layer smaller baskets inside large baskets

Wicker Baskets Decorating Ideas for your Fireplace Mantel - You can sit smaller baskets on the mantel shelf or hang them on the front as we did for fresh or faux flowers. You can also hang many baskets over the mantel for beautiful wall decor.

Wicker Basket Centerpiece Ideas - Consider adding a pitcher of water inside of a pretty basket and making a floral arrangement.

Bookcase Decorating Using Wicker Baskets - Baskets add so much character and charm to a bookcase and you can store things inside of them. Also, consider placing a picnic basket on a bookcase.

Kitchen Decorating with Wicker Baskets - A basket over your refrigerator looks like it is a decoration but actually stores kitchen towels. And if you need to organize your cabinets, wicker baskets provide the perfect solution.

Hanging Baskets - Add fresh flowers to it or keep it empty to use for shopping or errands.

Bathroom Decorating and Storage Using Wicker Baskets - Wicker baskets are a perfect way to solve a storage problem in a small bathroom.

Hanging Pendant Light Wicker Basket - Not all baskets sit on shelves or furniture. You can make a wicker basket light and hang it next to a bed, over a desk, or next to a chair in a reading nook.

Notes

You can buy new baskets from stores like Walmart, Target, Homegoods, Ikea, and Amazon. For used baskets, try Etsy for wicker baskets and locally at thrift stores and garage sales. For old vintage antique baskets, try antique stores and keep your eyes open at thrift stores and garage sales.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

The post 12 Creative Ideas on How to Decorate with Wicker Baskets appeared first on LIFE ON SUMMERHILL.

Lately, vintage decorations have been the craze and baskets are an easy thing to decorate with and easy to find. But when you buy an old basket, you are purchasing other things that have been in contact with that basket like smoke and pet hair, to name a few. And your wicker basket will collect dust. Learning how to clean a wicker basket will extend its life and beauty.

So, if you buy a beautiful old vintage basket follow these steps on how to clean a basket to bring out its lovely color and remove any odors from the natural materials without any harsh chemicals.

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission if you purchase using the links below at no extra cost to you. All opinions are all my own.

How to Clean Wicker Baskets

To begin here is a list of supplies you will need to clean your basket.

• Clean paintbrush for dusting and cleaning (I picked up one at the Dollar Tree)
• Tub or sink
• Gentle dishwashing liquid
• An old toothbrush or natural bristle brush (if needed to clean deep down between cracks)
• Lint-free dishtowel
• Pitcher of water or running tap water

Shop Wicker Basket Cleaning Supplies:

As you can see you do not need many things to clean a basket but before we jump into the simple steps let's talk about what baskets you should not clean.

Can I Clean an Antique Basket?

If you have an old antique basket that is very special or precious to you then you might want to reconsider cleaning the basket with a lot of water.

This farm basket is an old basket I found at an antique store. It was used to pick fruit and vegetables on a local farm in my hometown. I love how vintage decorations have a story or history so when I found this basket in an antique store in my hometown I knew I wanted to handle it with care.

So today we are going to give it a bath and then wash another old basket I found at a thrift store. This will walk through the best way to clean antique or thrift baskets.

How to Clean an Antique Basket

Like I said before, this is an old picking basket which means it probably has lots of dirt and grime in between the layers. I want to bring it back as close to its original beauty without taking chances and damaging the wood.

First, I removed the heavier dust carefully with a clean Dollar Tree paintbrush or a soft brush would work, especially between the wicker weave and around the base of the basket.

Next, I used a lint-free old dishtowel or soft cloth that is damp with water and started wiping it from the top down. Each time I noticed my towel looking dirty I cleaned it out and brushed the damp cloth over the wood again. Be sure not to use too much moisture. Continue until you've wiped down the entire piece.

Once I was finished, I left the basket set outside in the sun until it was completely dry.

This basket didn't necessarily get a deep clean but it is clean enough for display. Now let's talk about giving a wicker basket a deep cleaning.

How to Clean a Thrift Store Basket

Now let's talk about baskets that you care more about getting good and clean and less about saving them.

This small hanging basket I picked up at a thrift store. I bought it to hang in my garage over my woodworking table. It holds all my protective goggles and between spider webs and sawdust, it is one dirty wicker basket with a musty smell.

So, let's give this basket a deep cleaning because I want to hang it over my mantel. But before we dive in, I want to share that this method is for baskets that you don't have anything to lose in case it gets damaged. Meaning do not try this on a basket you really love and want to keep.

First, fill a tub or kitchen sink with gentle dishwashing liquid and clean water. I used Dawn dishwashing liquid.

If you want to bleach the color of the basket you can add bleach now. But if you simply wash it with detergent there is a good chance it will lighten a little naturally.

Add a 1/8 cup of bleach if you want to, otherwise, let's move forward with cleaning without bleach.

Now dust off your entire basket with a clean Dollar Tree paintbrush.

Next, dip the basket down into the bath of soapy water. Move it up and down a few times to let the water flow between the wicker fibers. Woven baskets can collect dust between the fibers.

If you have really bad stains or grease of any kind on the wicker, use an old toothbrush or brush to clean between. For best results, it's a good idea to take special care and be very gentle because when the wicker gets wet it can be bent or moved easily.

Once you feel like the wicker is clean, rinse it off gently with clear water.

Final Steps for Cleaning your Wicker Baskets

Place it in the sun to air dry.

Now let's leave them in the sun for a couple of hours. Keep a watch on the weather outside just in case it decides to rain on you.

A couple of hours have passed so let's look at the two baskets.

Wow! Do you see what I see? After a thorough cleaning, the small basket got a lot brighter and lighter.

The coloring got lighter from what it looked like in the beginning. I can imagine if I used bleach it would have lightened even more.

See how simple it is to clean baskets? Cleaning a basket isn't rocket science. These cleaning methods are simple and safe for your wicker baskets.

Final Thoughts

Now you might be wondering, can I clean wicker on chairs and outdoor furniture using this method? The answer is yes, but I would consider leaving out the bleach unless you want to bleach the wicker and take your chances damaging it.

You might also be wondering why I buy wicker baskets in thrift and antique stores. Well, different styles of baskets give so much character to any decorations. Wicker items are so versatile. The different types of wicker, colors, and textures add a lot of interest to your home decor.

I love using baskets in so many ways. Here are a few ideas for decorating with wicker baskets.

First, you can hang them on the front of a mantel as I did in the photo above. And you can hang them on walls like here in my tutorial on how to hang baskets on a wall.

Here is another idea where I placed the basket we washed today above our mantel. Hanging a basket over and on a mantel is a fun and creative idea. If you need guidance on how to decorate a mantel, check out this tutorial on decorating a spring mantel.

Baskets look really pretty on top of bookcases or cabinets. I love adding larger baskets up high.

These two baskets are fun because the large one is another basket from the antique store in my hometown. And the other smaller basket is brand new. It was a gift from my hubby for Mother's Day.

I share lots of other finds from thrift stores in my decorating from thrift stores post.

Even More Ways to use your Baskets

Here is another idea where I took a small basket and turned it into a pendant light. This DIY basket pendant light project is super easy and you can use all kinds of different baskets from old to new.

Another fun way to decorate with baskets is hanging a market basket on a hook. This is one of my favorite baskets. Fill it with fresh flowers daily or a few days at a time.

Doesn't that looks so pretty!!

And last, probably the most important tip for decorating with baskets is storage. There are so many easy ways you can use baskets for storage.

Here is an example where we used baskets from the dollar store to decorate and use for storage in my niece's rainbow toddler girl bedroom. Here's a post with more ideas on how to decorate with wicker baskets.

You don't have to spend a lot on baskets. You can find them at thrift stores, flea markets, garage sales, and even Etsy is a popular choice. Also, for new baskets, shop in regular stores and dollar stores. We found the ones in my niece's bedroom at the Dollar General. If you take good care of your wicker baskets they will last a long time. If you want to change up the look of your basket, check out my post about how to paint wicker baskets.

Now that you know all about cleaning wicker baskets, I would love to hear about the basket you are planning to clean. Is it old or new and what story does it have behind it? Share in the comments.

Good luck and I cannot wait to hear all about it!

Happy Decorating!

How to Clean a Wicker Basket

Print

When you buy an old basket, you are purchasing other things that have been in contact with that basket like smoke and pet hair, to name a few. Learning how to clean a wicker basket will extend its life and beauty.

Active Time 30 minutes

Additional Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Tools

• Clean paintbrush
• Tub or sink
• Gentle dishwashing liquid
• An old toothbrush or natural bristle brush
• Lint-free dishtowel
• Pitcher of water

Instructions

1. First, remove the heavier dust carefully with a clean Dollar Tree paintbrush or a soft brush would work, especially between the wicker weave and around the base of the basket.
2. Next, use a lint-free old dishtowel or soft cloth that is damp with water and started wiping it from the top down.
3. Each time your towel looks dirty, clean it out and brush the damp cloth over the wood again.
4. Continue until you've wiped down the entire piece.
5. Leave the basket set outside in the sun until it was completely dry.
6. Let's talk about baskets that you care more about getting good and clean and less about saving them.
7. First, fill a tub or kitchen sink with gentle dishwashing liquid and clean water.
8. If you want to bleach the color of the basket you can add 1/8 cup bleach now. But if you simply wash it with detergent there is a good chance it will lighten a little naturally.
9. Now dust off your entire basket with a clean Dollar Tree paintbrush.
10. Next, dip the basket down into the bath of soapy water. Move it up and down a few times to let the water flow between the wicker fibers.
11. If you have really bad stains or grease of any kind on the wicker, use an old toothbrush or brush to clean between.
12. Once you feel like the wicker is clean, rinse it off gently with clear water.
13. Place it in the sun to air dry for a couple of hours.

Notes

The basket coloring may get lighter from what it looked like in the beginning.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

The post How to Clean a Wicker Baskets: Step by Step Guide appeared first on LIFE ON SUMMERHILL.

Recently I got to redecorate my little toddler niece's bedroom. Our plan was rainbows, cute, and to keep the cost down. But after sharing this rainbow-painted wall I got to thinking that you might want to see some toddler girl bedroom ideas on a budget and designer tricks on how to decorate a toddler girl's room.

I hope these ideas provide great inspiration!

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission if you purchase using the links below at no extra cost to you. All opinions are all my own.

Toddler Girl Bedroom Ideas on a Budget

If you have a tight budget to decorate a toddler girl's bedroom use these three categories to decorate their bedroom.

• Shop at dollar stores and on Etsy
• Do-it-yourself decorations
• Using items you already have

In my niece's room, we used something from all these three categories. Now let's take a tour of this little toddler girl's bedroom and I will show you where we saved pennies while keeping this room toddler friendly.

Shop the post:

1. Toddler Girl Accent Wall

Consider making a mural on an accent wall as we did with this rainbow wall. It's a great way to save money and make the bedroom fun for kids.

Good news! This DIY rainbow accent wall is easy to paint and it doesn't cost much money. You can use acrylic paint to keep the cost down and this wall makes a big statement. The bright colors are fun and create a focal point.

But you can do any design on an accent wall. When my daughter was little we found the cutest cartoon Paris scene and used a projector to cast it on the wall. Then we traced it with chalk and started painting it. This feature wall brightened the entire room.

Her room was so fun and whimsical and it had a color scheme just like my niece's room that came from the murals on the wall. These fun murals can light up the whole room and will bring joy for a long time.

If you want a mural but do not plan to do it yourself here are more rainbow murals and children's bedroom murals. This is one of my favorites! Kids wallpaper accent walls are great too.

Once you have a color scheme, go to your next biggest purchase and shop for bedding.

2. Toddler Bed Decorations

When it comes to a child bed and you have a tight budget shop at Target, Walmart, or Ikea. For this toddler's bed, I found this pink comforter and striped blanket at Target. It perfectly matched the pink paint color in the rainbow mural.

Update: Target has sold out of the bedding but here are more pink comforter and striped blanket ideas.

If you already have some solid color pieces that will work use items you already have and add new items like shams, and throw pillows in her favorite colors. It's the perfect way to decorate on a budget.

We found this cozy pillow at Target and included it as an accent pillow for her bed.

Anything soft, cozy, and comfy is a great idea and will make a toddler happy. But when it comes to a little girl's room you need to consider one more decoration for her bed and that is stuffed animals. It's an easy way to incorporate your toddler's favorite things and to change out as her tastes change.

Add a stuffed animal decoration to her bedroom decor as we did here with this unicorn. I mean what says toddler little girl room like unicorns and rainbows.

You can use a favorite stuffed animal here to keep your cost down or pick up one at the store.

Now that you have your two largest things decorated, let's talk about decorations for the rest of the room like wall art and accessories for the rest of the toddler's room.

3. Toddler Wall Art on a Budget

Wall decor doesn't have to break the bank. My cheapest go-to wall art decoration is printables. There are so many great options of printables on Etsy for under 5 dollars that you can frame. Here are DIY printable ideas that will save you money on wall décor too and our Etsy shop which is full of printable wall art.

In my niece's room, we took these pastel printables from our Etsy shop and framed them in inexpensive frames from Walmart.

We printed them in a poster size to fill up the wall more and make a bigger statement. You could also do smaller sizes and make a gallery wall.

4. Decorating Bookcases in Toddler Rooms

Having a bookcase in a toddler's room is important for several reasons. One, it can be used as a storage space with baskets, and two, reading is important so there needs to be a place for books.

In my niece's room, she had this unusual space where the wall came up a part of the way and then stopped. We took advantage of this spot and added shelves to the top then used the lower shelves for toy storage and the top shelves for decorations.

If you have bookcases in your toddler's room, the top shelves are a great place to decorate with decorations that match the room. This is where dollar stores come in handy. Pick up a plant, baskets, and signs for their shelves.

Also, using their books is a fun way to decorate with as we did here. There are several creative ways to decorate with books. Organize them in rainbow color to match the theme of a rainbow room or you can use books that have all the same color to match the design. It's a fantastic way to make books fun and appealing.

We try to use items they already had. Some of the best things you can use are already in your home. I love to shop around our house for decorations like this brass bunny bank we used as a bookend.

Are you starting to see how all these toddler girl bedroom ideas on a budget are coming together?

5. Toddler Decor DIY Project

To finish up how to decorate a toddler's room consider making decorations like this pom pom garland. It's a great addition and a simple way to tie the whole room together.

Pompom garlands are so fun to make, very inexpensive to make, and they look absolutely adorable in a kid's room. Match your yarn garland to your color scheme as close as you can as we did here.

You can find all the instructions in this how to a make a pom pom garland post.

How to Decorate a Toddlers Bedroom

Toddler bedroom decorations are important to their growth and safety. When shopping for decorations make sure it is safe for them to touch and put into their mouth. Small pieces or breakable pieces should not be used for safety reasons.

Also, look for items that are age-appropriate and assist in their learning. Color and texture help them experience life and learn as they grow.

Conclusion

Kid's rooms are by far the most fun places to decorate. Not only are there so many ideas and themes to choose from that are fun but your client, in my case my niece, is almost always happy with the end result. LOL!

Here are a few final decorations I thought you might like to see.

My niece's nightstand needed a lamp. We splurged a little on the lamp that took only a little space and kept the nightstand mostly decoration free. Keeping this space free of decor allow your toddler to place things where they like or make space for a book that you will read together at bedtime.

And we added more decoration to the top of this chest of drawers which is the perfect place as she cannot reach it at this age.

Also, just in case you are wondering, we used the colors from this sign we bought at Hobby Lobby for the paint colors in the rainbow wall mural.

And see how we used more books under the llama? Layering decorations is a designer trick to make your decoration more interesting.

Now it is your turn. Here are more great little girl wall decor ideas and DIY little girl room decor ideas that will help you shop for her bedroom and here are adorable little boy room decor ideas.

I hope you found some inspiration for your toddler's room in these cute ideas! Are you ready to decorate your toddler's bedroom? I know you can do it.

If you have any questions about these toddler bedroom ideas please feel free to ask in the comments. And good luck! What theme are you considering for your toddler's bedroom?

Happy Decorating!

The post 5 Cute Toddler Girl Bedroom Ideas on a Budget appeared first on LIFE ON SUMMERHILL.

After completing this project I couldn't wait to share with you how to make shiplap with plywood. We created an accent wall in a bedroom running the boards vertically but let's rewind and talk about why I chose to make this shiplap wall.

My daughter and I decided it is time to give her bedroom a facelift. And since she loves vintage decorations I wasn't surprised when she asked for a vertical shiplap accent wall. While there are many different ways to create the look of shiplap, I thought a plywood shiplap wall would give more texture and authenticity to the overall look.

When we started thinking through how to make her shiplap wall I knew I didn't want peel and stick shiplap wallpaper as we did in my guest bedroom. And we considered making the shiplap with a sharpie as we did with this faux beadboard in my closet but that wasn't right either.

Old homes with shiplap walls are not perfect and honestly, that is what I love about them. You can see the texture in the boards, areas where the saw cut is not straight. The imperfection has beauty in it.

We wanted to give the room a true vibe and a faux shiplap wall didn't feel right. We were going for a Cottagecore aesthetic without spending a fortune and I had a feeling plywood would do the trick. Let's just say it didn't disappoint us.

Now that you know the back story about hanging shiplap made with plywood let's break it down into simple steps so you can make some too.

How to Make Shiplap with Plywood

To begin you will need to measure your wall or room to determine how many sheets of shiplap you will need. We only did one wall that was 8 feet tall by 10 feet wide. We hit the hardware store and ended up with three sheets of plywood to cover the entire wall.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a commission if you purchase at no cost to you using the links below.  All opinions are all my own.

Plywood Shiplap Supplies

• 1/4″ sanded pine plywood
• 1 x 4 wood
• Table Saw (we use Ryobi products)
• Stud finder
• Miter saw
• Skill saw
• Sander (with medium and fine grit)
• Tack cloth
• Level
• Chalk line
• Nail gun (you can also use a hammer and finishing nails)
• Spackle or painters putty
• Kilz 3 Primer (if you plan to paint)
• Paint (we used Sherwin Williams Escape Gray SW 6185)
• Pencil

Shop Supplies:

Now that we have all the supplies and right tools, here are the steps on making plywood shiplap.

Plywood Shiplap Wall

Begin by cutting your shiplap stripes from plywood sheets with a table saw. Set your table saw to 4 1/2″ wide. Then start running your boards through and cutting all the boards.

To make this easier get someone to help you by holding the other end of the board. It is also much easier to cut the sheet of plywood in half first than cutting all the shiplap planks.

Sanding Shiplap

Once all your plywood strips are cut let's give them a good sanding. First look at both sides of each plank and pick out the one that looks the best. If there are any knots on one side I would turn it over. Choose the side with no knots and fewer imperfections unless you are going for a rough wall.

Now let's start smoothing down the boards and getting rid of any splinters. I used a medium grit first to sand each shiplap plank then I used a fine grit to polish the wood. They turned out nice and smooth but there were still not perfect which was exactly what we were going for.

Once your sanding is complete wipe down the boards with a tack cloth. Actually, I used my blower to blow off any grit first and then used my tack cloth to remove any excess dust.

Remove the Basebaord

Next, we removed the baseboard. If you have never removed trim before here is a simple way to do it. First, take a utility knife and break the caulk line that runs at the top of the quarter round or shoemold. You will remove this part first. Some people don't have this trim piece. If that is you then you keep reading because it is basically the same steps.

Now that the caulk line has been broken with the utility knife place a putty knife down between the boards and pull towards you a little. Move the putty knife down and repeat. Then move it down again and repeat.

Basically, you want to inch the shoemold out from the baseboard a little at a time doing it more and more until the board comes off in one piece.

Next, you will repeat this process with the baseboard. If your baseboard is sticking to the wall you may need to use a crowbar or hammer to help pull it out. Once the base is off you will be exposing the bottom of the wall.

Hanging Shiplap Planks

Now determine where your studs are in the wall. You will be shooting nails into the board and securing it into the studs. Once you have an idea where the studs are make a pencil line on the sheetrock so you know where to shoot into the boards

Next, if you are hanging your shiplap vertically begin by hanging the second board first from the corner. Measure over about 3 inches give or take and use your level to make the board perfectly vertical and shoot in nails into the studs.

Follow by measuring from the corner to the first board at the top, middle and bottom. Once you have those measurements grab another board and mark those measurements on the board.

Next, using your chalk line pop a line over those marks and rip the board down with the handheld saw. Then see if the board will fit. If it is a little big you can sand the edge some to fit it into the corner. Once it fits, nail it onto the wall.

The next steps are pretty easy. You will continue to add boards leaving a slight gap, nickel gap, between them. You can make them flush if you like that look better but we wanted the vertical seams to really show so we placed a little bit of a gap.

When you get to the last board you will measure and cut just like the other corner board. Before you know it, you've covered the whole wall.

Crown Mold for Shiplap

Next, if you planned a crown trim piece for your shiplap simply measure the width of the wall at the top. Cut your board to size with the miter saw.

Place your board up at the top of the wall and shoot a nail into the center to secure it. Then nail on the ends and nail between. I like to add crown molding this way so I can bend the board if needed to get it tight on the ceiling.

How to Add Baseboard to Shiplap

Now it is time to put the baseboard back over the plywood shiplap. First, if you are using the old baseboard remove the nails and clean up any caulk with the utility knife.

Then use the utility knife or Dremel to cut away at the side boards so the new board will fit in. If it is not perfect you can cover it with caulk. If you have a Dremel it is faster to trim down the baseboards on the sides.

Basically, measure back about 1/4″ and make a mark. Then cut at an angle. You will need to trim down the shoe mold too because you will be adding the shoe mold next.

Now place your baseboard up against the wall covering the ends of the board to the floor and shoot in the nails. Then set the shoemold and nail it into place.

How to Paint Plywood Shiplap

Are you starting to see this come together?

If you want to show the natural wood you will stop here or you can add stain or clear coat. But we have plans for a gray-green paint color called Escape Gray by Sherwin Williams. This color is right next to Sherwin Williams color of the year 2022 Evergreen Fog but we felt Evergreen Fog was a little too dark for this bedroom so we went one shade lighter.

To paint your plywood shiplap begin by spackling or adding paint putty to all the nail holes. Once the spackle is dry, sand if needed. Caulk your baseboard, shoe-mold, and the crown at the ceiling if needed. We decided not to caulk our crown because we like how it looked up at our ceiling. You be the judge at your home.

Next, add a good primer. We used Kilz 3 and rolled on a good coat of primer. Give the primer about an hour to dry.

When you finish priming the wall go back with your paintbrush, while the paint is wet, and remove where the paint has filled in the small gaps between the edges of the boards.

Next, roll on your paint color. If you are using a darker color you need two coats. After the first coat of paint, we decided we needed two coats of paint.

And just like before, remove the paint between the gaps. Here is an easy way to get your lines on the ends nice and straight. You can use painter's tape or use a firm angled paintbrush. Keep your wrist tight and angle into the corner and pull down.

And guess what? Your plywood shiplap wall is finished. Yay!!

Conclusion

We cannot get over how beautiful this vertical shiplap wall turned out. You would never know from the finished look that it is plywood. And it made a huge difference in the feel of the room.

After we put all the furniture back in the room I couldn't believe how much it reminded me of the rustic look of my grandma's early 1900s home. I truly miss her but something about this wall gave me a sweet feeling inside. Read more about how we chose to decorate this antique vintage aesthetic bedroom.

I hope you have found this DIY plywood shiplap wall helpful. You can use this for a large wall or a small space. Give it a try.

Plywood shiplap walls are a great way to change or enhance the feel of a room. It will add so much character to your farmhouse decor, vintage decor, french country decor, English cottage decor or pretty much any style of design. Check out my post on cottagecore bedroom ideas for more decor ideas that work great with shiplap.

If you make your own plywood shiplap wall, I'd love to hear how it goes!

Happy Decorating!

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How to Make Shiplap with Plywood

Print

If you want to transform a room into an old vintage farmhouse style then you will love this vertical shiplap.

Active Time 8 hours

Total Time 8 hours

Difficulty Medium

Materials

• 1/4" sanded pine plywood
• 1 x 4 wood
• Spackle or painters putty
• Kilz 3 Primer (if you plan to paint)
• Paint (we used Sherwin Williams Escape Gray SW 6185)

Tools

• Table Saw (we use Ryobi products)
• Stud finder
• Miter saw
• Skill saw
• Sander (with medium and fine grit)
• Tack cloth
• Level
• Chalk line
• Nail gun (you can also use a hammer and finishing nails)
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Begin by cutting your shiplap stripes from plywood sheets with a table saw. Set your table saw to 4 1/2" wide. Then start running your boards through and cutting all the boards. To make this easier get someone to help you by holding the other end of the board. It is also much easier to cut the sheet of plywood in half first than cutting all the shiplap planks.
2. Once all your plywood strips are cut let's give them a good sanding. First look at both sides of each plank and pick out the one that looks the best. If there are any knots on one side I would turn it over. Choose the side with no knots and fewer imperfections unless you are going for a rough wall.
3. Now let's start smoothing down the boards and getting rid of any splinters. I used a medium grit first to sand each shiplap plank then I used a fine grit to polish the wood. They turned out nice and smooth but there were still not perfect which was exactly what we were going for. Once your sanding is complete wipe down the boards with a tack cloth. Actually, I used my blower to blow off any grit first and then used my tack cloth to remove any excess dust.
4. Next, we removed the baseboard. If you have never removed trim before here is a simple way to do it. First, take a utility knife and break the caulk line that runs at the top of the quarter round or shoemold. You will remove this part first. Some people don't have this trim piece. If that is you then you keep reading because it is basically the same steps. Now that the caulk line has been broken with the utility knife place a putty knife down between the boards and pull towards you a little. Move the putty knife down and repeat. Then move it down again and repeat.
5. You want to inch the shoemold out from the baseboard a little at a time doing it more and more until the board comes off in one piece, exposing the bottom of the wall. Next, you will repeat this process with the baseboard. If your baseboard is sticking to the wall you may need to use a crowbar or hammer to help pull it out.
6. Now determine where your studs are in the wall. You will be shooting nails into the board and securing it into the studs. Once you have an idea where the studs are make a pencil line on the sheetrock so you know where to shoot into the boards.
7. Next, if you are hanging your shiplap vertically begin by hanging the second board first from the corner. Measure over about 3 inches give or take and use your level to make the board perfectly vertical and shoot in nails into the studs.
8. Follow by measuring from the corner to the first board at the top middle and bottom. Once you have those measurements grab another board and mark those measurements on the board.
9. Next, using your chalk line pop a line over those marks and rip the board down with the handheld saw. Then see if the board will fit. If it is a little big you can sand the edge some to fit it into the corner. Once it fits, nail it onto the wall.
10. You will continue to add boards leaving a slight gap between them. You can make them flush if you like that look better but we wanted the vertical seams to really show so we placed a little bit of a gap.
11. When you get to the last board you will measure and cut just like the other corner board. Before you know it, you've covered the whole wall.
12. If you planned a crown trim piece for your shiplap simply measure the width of the wall at the top. Cut your board to size with the miter saw.
13. Place your board up at the top of the wall and shoot a nail into the center to secure it. Then nail on the ends and nail between. I like to add crown molding this way so I can bend the board if needed to get it tight on the ceiling.
14. Now it is time to put the baseboard back over the plywood shiplap. First, if you are using the old baseboard remove the nails and clean up any caulk with the utility knife.
15. Then use the utility knife or Dremel to cut away at the side boards so the new board will fit in. If it is not perfect you can cover it with caulk. If you have a Dremel it is faster to trim down the baseboards on the sides. Basically, measure back about 1/4" and make a mark. Then cut at an angle. You will need to trim down the shoe mold too because you will be adding the shoe mold next.
16. Now place your baseboard up against the wall covering the ends of the board to the floor and shoot in the nails. Then set the shoemold and nail it into place.
17. If you want to show the natural wood you will stop here or you can add stain or clear coat.
18. To paint your plywood shiplap begin by spackling or adding paint putty to all the nail holes first. Once the spackle is dry, sand if needed. Caulk your baseboard, shoe-mold, and the crown at the ceiling if needed. We decided not to caulk our crown because we like how it looked up at our ceiling. You be the judge at your home.
19. Next, add a good primer. We used Kilz 3 and rolled on a good coat of primer. Give the primer about an hour to dry.
20. When you finish priming the wall go back with your paintbrush and remove where the paint has filled in the small gaps between the edges of the boards.
21. Next, roll on your paint color. If you are using a darker color you need two coats.
22. And just like before, remove the paint between the gaps. Here is an easy way to get your lines on the ends nice and straight. You can use painter's tape or use a firm angled paintbrush. Keep your wrist tights and angle into the corner and pull down.
23. And guess what? Your plywood shiplap wall is finished. Yay!!

Notes

The cost listed does not include the power tools used as we already owned those.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

The post How to Make Shiplap with Plywood appeared first on LIFE ON SUMMERHILL.

Before I begin talking about how to make teacup candles let me share that this is my first time candle making and it was so easy. I ask myself why did I wait this long to make a candle in any kind of jar.

I love making candles out of fruit like this how to make a candle from an orange and how to make a candle from an apple. These candles are super easy because you don't have to melt the wax. But I have never made a candle in a jar — meaning melting wax and all the steps.

But what really got me interested in making a candle was after I did some research on what to look for in clean burning candles. That was when I became interested in making my own candles.

You are probably wondering why am I teaching how to make a teacup candle rather than another type of container candle? Well, I have several late 1800's pretty teacups that belonged to my husband's mom. They never get used so I thought wouldn't it be pretty to make them into a candle.

Well, now that you know what made this all come about, let's get started on our DIY project by grabbing supplies.

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission if you purchase using the links below at no extra cost to you. All opinions are all my own.

How to Make a Teacup Candle

Most of the supplies you will need you may already have at home. Except maybe the teacup. You can find vintage teacups at your local thrift store, charity shops, or second-hand stores. There are many places to find pretty tea cups!

Now collect all your supplies first before you get started melting the wax for your DIY candle.

• Teacup
• Pot
• Glass bowl (preferably with a spout)
• Two 12″ taper candles (I am using beewax candles from a local farmer's market store)
• Cotton or wood wick
• Glue gun with glue sticks
• Jumbo popsicle stick or anything you have on hand that you don't mind placing into the wax
• Paper plate
• Scissors
• Hot pads
• Cutting board or another hot pad to sit the tea cup on when pouring the hot wax inside

Shop Supplies:

How to Make a Candle in a Tea Cup

Candle making only requires a few easy steps. Basically, to make a candle all you have to do is melt wax and pour it into the jar or, in our case a pretty teacup, that already has a wick inside. Let's begin with the first step, and that is planning out what to melt the wax in.

How to Melt Wax for Candle

Before you start, make sure your glass bowl sits down inside your pot but does not touch the bottom, similar to a double boiler. Once you have this part figured out, add water to the pot about 1/4 of the inside of the pot. Turn the burner on and wait for it to come to a low rolling boil.

While you are waiting for the water to boil, it's a good idea to get the wax ready. Let's break the taper candles into three smaller candles. I used both my hands, grabbed the candle in each hand and snapped it. Once you have a break you will need to cut the wick inside with scissors.

Now check on the water and if it is boiling bring the burner down to close to low where the water comes to a low rolling boil. Then go ahead and sit the bowl into the pot and place broken candles inside. I only put three pieces of a candle in at a time because my pot is small. Stir the wax pieces with a popsicle stick around until they melt.

If your water acts like it wants to come out of the pot around the glass bowl simply turn it down until it stops.

As the wax melts you will notice that the wicks come loose. Simply take the jumbo popsicle stick and lift it out of the bowl onto the plate.

Now add three more pieces of wax and stir them until they are melted.

Once the wax has melted, turn off the burner. The wax will stay in liquid form because of the warm water.

Next, place your cutting board close by and set the teacup on it. I placed my cutting board on the other side of my range. It is convenient to have it close by, but you can put it on the counter too.

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How to Set Up a Wick for a Candle

Now determine how long your candle wick needs to be and cut the wick. I measured from up against the cup and then cut the wick about 1/4″ shorter than the mark. You want your wick to be 1/8″ above the wax once you pour it inside.

Then place the wooden wick into the metal frame wick holder. Next, use your hot glue gun to add a dab of hot glue to the bottom of the metal frame. Then place it inside on the bottom of your teacup in the center of the cup.

If you are using a cotton candle wicks, repeat these steps except cut the wick an extra couple of inches. Once you place the wick into the bottom of the cup, take a wooden skewer or pencil and wrap the wick around it. This will keep your wick straight.

How to Pour Candle Wax into Cup

Now pick up the bowl with a hot pad or oven mitt and pour the melted wax into the teacup. This is where the spout comes in handy. It helps keep the wax from going where it shouldn't. Pour the wax until it is about 1/8″ below the top of the wooden wick. Go slowly, you do not want to pour too much wax.

Next, let it sit, and the wax cool for at least four hours. Do not touch, bump or move the teacup candle. If it is moved in any way, even if it looks like it is solid, it may cave into the middle a little. I know because I learned the hard way. Here is how it looks after 10 minutes.

Here is how it looks after 4 hours.

Once your teacup candle is hardened you are all finished. If your wick is still too long and needs trimming, simply use scissors and trim it down to 1/8″ above the wax.

When you go to light it, make sure to burn it for a while the first time so the wax melts out to the edges. This will help the candle to burn more evenly in the future.

How to Decorate with a Teacup Candle

The best part is deciding where to display your tea cup candles. Here are some ideas on how to decorate with your teacup candle. It looks amazing on an end table. Our sitting room off the kitchen is the perfect spot for tea so this teacup candle looks perfect nestled with these accessories.

Your teacup candle also looks great on a coffee table. Our coffee table is a great place to burn it because it is not near anything that can catch on fire.

These sweet little teacup candles make great gifts. You can give it for Valentine's day or use it as a place setting for a special dinner, Mother's Day, or bridal shower. Then you can give it as a gift to all your guests to take home. Can you imagine how special they will feel going home with the wonderful gift of an antique vintage teacup candle?

There are so many beautiful ways you can style your teacup candle.

Conclusion

You are probably wondering why I used two taper beeswax candles instead of buying beeswax pellets. Well, I was so excited to get started and the only natural beeswax I could find were these candles. I like to use clean-burning candles in my home so that is why I was looking specifically for beeswax.

You can also do this project with Dollar Tree taper candles unless you are looking for organic or natural wax. This teacup candle would be super cheap if you already have the teacup and use Dollar Tree candles.

It's also a fun to make teacup candles with different scents. You may also try using soy candles or soy wax flakes that you can find at your craft store. It's even a great way to give new life to old candles. Keep in mind that a different type of wax may have a lower melting point so keep a close eye on your melting wax.

I hope you have found these DIY teacup candles inspiring. Do you have an old teacup sitting around? DIY candles are a simple craft a try. There are so many fun ways to use your teacup candle. Whether you keep it for yourself or use it as a wonderful gift, it will give your old teacup a new purpose.

Happy Decorating!

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How to Make Teacup Candles

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Learn how to make teacup candles using a sweet vintage antique tea cup. This cheap and easy project can be created with an old candle or wax pellets.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Active Time 30 minutes

Additional Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 35 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Materials

• Teacup
• Two 12" taper candles
• Cotton or wood wick
• Glue sticks
• Jumbo popsicle stick or anything you have on hand that you don't mind placing into the wax
• Paper plate

Tools

• Pot
• Glass Bowl (preferably with a spout)
• Glue gun
• Scissors
• Hot pads
• Cutting board

Instructions

1. Make sure your glass bowl sits down inside your pot but does not touch the bottom, similar to a double boiler. Add water to the pot about 1/4 of the inside of the pot. Turn the burner on and wait for it to come to a low rolling boil.
2. While you are waiting for the water to boil get the wax ready. Break the taper candles into three smaller candles. I used both my hands, grabbed the candle in each hand and snapped it. Once you have a break you will need to cut the wick inside with scissors.
3. Once the water is boiling, bring the burner down to close to low where the water comes to a low rolling boil. Then sit the bowl into the pot and place broken candles inside. I only put three pieces of a candle in at a time because my pot is small. Stir the wax pieces with a popsicle stick around until they melt.
4. If your water acts like it wants to come out of the pot around the glass bowl simply turn it down until it stops.
5. As the wax melts the wicks will come loose. Simply take the jumbo popsicle stick and lift it out of the bowl onto the plate.
6. Now add three more pieces of wax and stir them until they are melted.
7. Once the wax has melted, turn off the burner. The wax will stay in liquid form because of the warm water.
8. Place your cutting board close by and set the teacup on it. I placed my cutting board on the other side of my range. It is convenient to have it close by, but you can put it on the counter too.
9. Determine how long your candle wick needs to be and cut the wick. I measured from up against the cup and then cut the wick about 1/4" shorter than the mark. You want your wick to be 1/8" above the wax once you pour it inside.
10. Place the wooden wick into the metal frame wick holder.
11. Use your hot glue gun to add a dab of hot glue to the bottom of the metal frame. Place it inside on the bottom of your teacup in the center of the cup.
12. If you are using a cotton candle wicks, repeat these steps except cut the wick an extra couple of inches. Once you place the wick into the bottom of the cup, take a wooden skewer or pencil and wrap the wick around it. This will keep your wick straight.
13. Pick up the bowl with a hot pad or oven mitt and pour the melted wax into the teacup. This is where the spout comes in handy. It helps keep the wax from going where it shouldn't. Pour the wax until it is about 1/8" below the top of the wooden wick. Go slowly, you do not want to pour too much wax.
14. Let it sit, and the wax cool for at least four hours. Do not touch, bump or move the teacup candle. If it is moved in any way, even if it looks like it is solid, it may cave into the middle a little.
15. Once your teacup candle is hardened you are all finished. If your wick is still too long and needs trimming, simply use scissors and trim it down to 1/8" above the wax.

Notes

1. When you go to light it, make sure to burn it for a while the first time so the wax melts out to the edges. This will help the candle to burn more evenly in the future.
2. After each time you burn your candle trim the wick to 1/8" above the wax.
3. Your teacup candle looks amazing on an end table or a coffee table.
4. These sweet little teacup candles make great gifts. You can give it for Valentine's day or use it as a place setting for a special dinner, Mother's Day, or bridal shower.
5. You can also do this project with Dollar Tree taper candles unless you are looking for organic or natural wax. This teacup candle would be super cheap if you already have the teacup and use Dollar Tree candles.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

The post How to Make Teacup Candles appeared first on LIFE ON SUMMERHILL.

I couldn't take it anymore. Our shed is piled with so much inside that you cannot even open the door. I knew I needed to do something but organizing wasn't going to solve the whole problem so that is when I decided to use the space up in the loft and devised this surprisingly simple project. Overhead lofts add square footage for storage and can make even a small storage shed feel like a large storage shed.

You see our small shed actually has a pretty high roof and if you have space above, why not use the extra space as a storage loft? Another problem is the exterior door. It swings the wrong way so we will address why that doesn't help either and fit it.

But first, let's get started building a loft space in the shed. We'll make a good shed into a great shed!

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission if you purchase using the links below at no extra cost to you. All opinions are all my own.

How to Build a Loft in a Shed

Before you begin building a loft, think about where you want the floor of your loft to be located. You want to take into account the ceiling height and what will be adequate clearance for what you plan on storing. In our case, we wanted as much height as possible in our loft so we decided that our loft would need to be 7 feet on the floor.

Now let's gather supplies to build your loft.

DIY Shed Loft Supplies

• 2 x 4″ woods (how much depends on the width and depth of your loft)
• 3/4″ plywood (also depends on the width and depth of your loft)
• Hammer
• Nails
• Hammer Drill
• Long screws
• Saw and/or miter saw (we used a saw the whole time but a miter saw works great for shorter cuts)
• Sawhorses
• Level
• Carpenters Pencil
• Triangle carpenter square measuring ruler
• Chalk line

Shop Supplies:

Now that you have all your supplies let's begin by making the floor joists first.

Building a Loft in a Shed

Our loft is only about 12 feet wide so our floor joists are not the standard width and we do not plan to be walking on our loft floor so that is another reason why they are spaced further apart. Be mindful and consider how much weight you'll want the floor to support.

Also, our loft is about 30″ deep. It is strong enough for someone to lay down up there. This is a great loft to make a small shed feel like a large shed.

So if you have a small shed then let's start making the floor joists.

Building a Floor Frame for a Shed Loft

Start by measuring along the back wall the width and cutting a 2 x 4 to those measurements. Then measure up from the floor where you want the first board to be placed and make a mark. Because we wanted a floor clearance of 7 feet, we knew the bottom of our boards needed to be right at the 7-foot mark.

Now place the 2 x 4 on the back wall on your mark and hammer a nail into the center. Next, place your level on the piece of wood and make sure it is level. Then hammer in a few nails through the 2 x 4 into the studs to hold it in place. Then screw in screws for added security

Now use a level and mark the wall studs on the sidewalls using the new stud you just put up as a guide. Make sure to draw a line on all the studs for the depth you want in your loft.

Next, repeat the first step with another long 2 x 4 board. Cut the board the same width as the first. However, measure to make sure it is the same. Remember to measure twice and cut once.

Now we are going to add floor joists starting with the side-boards. Before you can add these boards you will need to cut a 12-inch piece of 2 x 4 and nail it to the corner board. This will give you something to attach to the side board.

Next, let's cut shorter boards for each end. Measure between the front and back 2 x 4 board. Then cut your first floor joist out of a 2 x 4. Place it on the lines you marked with the level and screw them into the studs.

Repeat by adding another floor joist on the other side the same way.

Here is a pro tip to make this easier if you are doing it by yourself. Pre-hammer nails into the 2 x 4's before you put them in place. That way you can hold your board with one hand and simply hammer in the nails. After you have the board set you can screw in the boards.

Next, you will need to add more floor joist boards. If you plan to walk on your loft I would recommend your floor joists be 16 inches apart. But in our case, we will only be storing items up there so we added two more floor joists at about 30 inches apart.

First, mark where each floor joist will be attached between the front and back board.

Next measure between the front and back board. Then cut your 2 x 4's and then screw them between the front and back board. This is how we screwed them in on the front side of the loft.

But on the back we had to screw in the screw at an angle.

Now we have the frame all done for the shed loft. Next, let's walk through how to build a floor for a loft.

Adding a Floor to the Loft Frame

At this point, you can start seeing things come together. Once you have all your floor joists in place, it is time to cut your plywood for the floor.

Simply measure the width in two places and the depth in three places. Use the shortest width number and the longest depth number. Your numbers should be all the same but, just in case, this will help to get the floorboard to fit just right.

Once you have your figures, mark your boards and use a chalk line. If you have never used a chalk line simply place your line on one mark on one end and then have someone hold it on the mark on the other ends. Pull it taught then lift the chalk string somewhere towards the middle and snap it back down. This will make a line for you to cut.

Next, cut your plywood. Make your board a little shy of your measurement. In other words, cut on the inside of the line rather than on the line. This makes installing your floor much easier.

Now make your plywood where the floor joists will sit on it. Then slightly drill in screws in three places. This will make installation much easier.

After you have cut your board take it inside the loft and carefully slide it on top of the floor joists. It helps to slide it in as level and even as possible. Your floor should be a tight fit which is why it helps to bring it evenly.

Now that your floor is in place, screw down all the screws into the floor joists. Your main goal is to secure the plywood to the joists so it won't move around.

Well, guess what? Your tiny shed loft is finished and you have so much space for storage. You can use this project for a tiny house, bedroom loft, playroom, or pretty much anywhere as long as you have enough height. And who couldn't use extra storage space? Now that we have our loft built, let's build some easy ladder to climb into the loft.

How to Build a Loft Ladder

I got this idea from my grandma's old garage. She has a loft on each end of her garage with an opening in the middle. On one side she had a loft ladder like the one I am going to show you how to build. This is a super easy project.

Now measure across your studs in your wall. Because we don't have sheetrock or anything on our wall this was easy. If you have sheetrock then this ladder will not work for you.

Next cut boards to the measure and screw them onto the studs. We place our board 12 inches apart. And on the top board, we made it a little wider to have something to hold on to once we were at the top. Instant easy access to your storage loft.

Also, we used screws for more security. As you use the ladder the nails may have worked their way out. The screws are more stable.

Yay! Another shed project is done. Now we need to fix our door problem. Our door was rotten on the bottom so it was time for a new door.

New Shed Door

A door swing can make a big difference in a small room. Our door was swinging into the shed which took up a lot of floor space. When you opened the door you couldn't see what was inside first only the wall to the left making it feel like there was less space available.

So since we needed a new door I opted to replace the door and frame in all and move the swing to the left. After installing the new door where it swing open and nested nicely against the wall now I could see everything in the room when I walked in.

Now that the door problem is solved let's get this shed organized.

How to Organize a Shed

I find it helps to remove everything when organizing. As you remove all items, take the time to ask yourself if you have used this item in the last couple of years. If it is something you won't need again, put it in a trash or thrift store pile. Only store items that are useful to you.

Also, while you are organizing place items into categories. As I was removing everything from the entire building I ended up with various types of items, but primarily I had a hunting supply pile, gardening tool pile, and outdoor game section.

After removing everything from our shed I couldn't believe all the dirt on the floor. So give your shed floor a sweeping to start back with a clean floor. This is also a good time to consider the floor plan.

Now that I know our shed is a hunting and fishing shed, gardening shed, and outdoor game storage shed, I need to think about creating zones. Other zones may work for you, for example, sports equipment or outdoor decor zone.

First, it appears the hunting and fishing stuff will take up the most space and then gardening next. We have one shelving unit in the room to work with so we decided to place it on the back wall. Three of the shelves are hunting and fishing and one shelf is for gardening supplies.

To the right of the shelf, we made a closet to hang all the hunting apparel. We found this to be the easiest way to store and access everything. If you need to hang any apparel in your shed, make sure to bring it out enough so the hanger has plenty of room. This is a great place to ensure items that may be damp, dry properly.

So far we have the biggest pieces solved. Shelves and closet. You don't see a closet in a shed very often. LOL! But this really works.

Now another big area is the tools. The side walls of the shed are the perfect place to keep them accessible. We moved the hooks to another wall and hung shovels and such. The racks were a different challenge. They don't fit on the gardening hooks but had the good idea to drill holes into the handles, put a long headless nail into the wall studs, and hung them that way.

We continued to place nails into the studs and hung other tools. Other tools we sat between the studs and nailed boards in front. This is a great way to ensure they wouldn't fall out.

Speaking of using the space between the studs as storage let's go back to the hunting section and use the space in between the studs there too. Because my husband has many rods and reels, we used the space between the studs to store them. Again, place a board at the bottom to help them be more secure.

Next, we hung different bags on the wall with nails just like some of the tools. The main thing is to get stuff off the floor and give everything a home. Now when my husband comes back from hunting he will know where to place his items.

Last, let's talk about these outdoor games. The corn hole board takes up a lot of space so we used L-brackets to hang them behind the door. There was just enough space for them. We placed one on top of the other and added shelves between the studs for the bean bags.

Next, we used more nails for other games. You're probably wondering what we put in the loft area. Well, anything that's not used but once or twice a year went into the loft space.

For example, the spreader went up there. You can see it easily in this photo. This loft space is especially useful if you do not have attic space. Whatever your storage shed plans, building this loft will, no doubt, be useful!

For more tips on organizing try my organizing 101 post. I share details on how to begin organizing and how to keep it organized.

Conclusion

What do you think? Are you going to try to build a loft in your shed? This DIY project took us a full day to build the loft, ladders, put on a new door, and organize the shed. We had all the tools and supplies ready and we began at 8 am and worked until about 6 pm with a short lunch break.

What a difference this has made. Before you couldn't open the door all the way and stuff was piled on top of each other. Now you can walk into the shed and even have floor space to walk around. It is so nice until I wish it was my she shed. LOL!

If you are thinking of getting a she-shed then you will like these cottage style she shed ideas. Let us know your loft plans. We would like to know how it went.

Happy Decorating!

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The post How to Build a Loft in a Shed appeared first on LIFE ON SUMMERHILL.

I love the look of a board and batten wall treatment above a fireplace! A fireplace that is finished with trim from the ceiling to the floor looks amazing. Something about the wood details gives it a polished look and reminds me of old homes.

I have been eyeing different designs all over the web but I wanted something that was very simple and where I wouldn't need to remove the baseboard if I wanted to carry it all the way to the floor. This DIY board and batten fireplace makeover fits all the categories.

The holidays are coming soon and I am getting my living room ready for all the decorations. This project was on my list of things to do before I break out all my Christmas decor. With the help of Home Depot, I got the focal point of my family room ready to garnish with Christmas decorations.

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot. This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase using the links below. All opinions are my own.

DIY Board and Batten Fireplace Makeover

With all projects, I recommend gathering all your supplies first. Here is a list of what you will need after you do some measuring to figure the dimensions of each item you'll need.

• 1 x 3 x 8″ whitewood board (This is your top board along the ceiling)
• Decorative base cap trim (you can use a mini crown or a piece like I have in the photos)
• Lattice trim
• Ryobi brad nailer or hammer
• 1 1/2″ 18 gauge nails for Ryobi nail gun or finishing nails
• Paintable latex caulk and caulk gun
• Behr Ultra Pure White Dynasty paint
• Ryobi orbit sander
• Sandpaper for sander
• Ryobi miter saw
• Ladder
• Level
• Tape measure

Next, let's talk about measuring and how to get the amounts of wood you will need.

How to Measure for Wood for Fireplace Mantel

First, let's measure the top boards. Begin by measuring the width of the top of the mantel shelf. Take that number and add 3 inches. This is the minimum width of your top board.

Now take the same number and 4 more inches and that is the minimum of the decorative piece that sits on the top board. You can add more to these numbers if you want your top board to go past the end vertical pieces of the lattice. I think it will look nice to go past also.

Next, you need to figure out the lattice strips. Simple measure from the floor to the ceiling to get the two long batten pieces that will go on each side. Then determine how many vertical boards you want to go above the mantel shelf and times that by the measurement from the top of the shelf to the ceiling. After you have all those numbers, the long sides and the top of the shelf add them together to get your total lattice strip number.

I usually add about a foot to all my numbers just in case. I also make note of the total number for each cut. That is important because you don't want shorter than long side pieces. In other words, I bought two 8′ pieces for the side and then made sure my over-the-mantel pieces would be one cut too.

Mantel Fireplace Crown

Once I have all my wood home I remeasure one more time before cutting each piece for the mantel. This little detail is important and I wanted to remind you upfront before we dive in. Always measure each area because one side of the fireplace may be off by a quart of an inch. By measuring each place you get a perfect cut each time. Now let's get started cutting the top board.

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Cut and Install Fireplace Ceiling 1 x 3 Board

I started with the top horizontal boards beginning with the 1 x 3 x 8″ wood piece. I measure the top of the mantel shelf one more time and add the lattice strip on each side and then cut my board.

Next, I sand it including the cut edges. This Ryobi sander has come in so handy on many projects. I used this sander to make this simple DIY bench that I used on my cottage farmhouse Christmas porch decor.

Now that the board is cut and sanded I started by finding the center of the mantel. After I made a mark with a pencil I used a level to find the center at the top of the fireplace wall. Again I made a mark.

Now I measure and find the center of the wood and make a mark there too. One thing to consider is where you are making marks. I like to mark on the small side of the wood and I make a mark down about 3 to 4 inches on the wall from the ceiling. This way I can see clearly where to line up the marks.

Next, I hold the board up against the ceiling and use the Ryobi nail gun to put one nail in the center. Once I have that nail I hop down from my ladder and stand back to make sure it all looks good. If everything is good I add more brad nails including the ends and in between.

Cut and Install Fireplace Ceiling Decorative Trim

Now that the 1 x 3 is up it is time to cut the decorative trim pieces. Since I already have the measurement I am good to go. Simply cut your decorative trim at a 45-degree angle. Make sure to place your trim standing up if you are doing the same kind of trim that I am.

Also mark on the top backside of the trim because that is where it will meet the edge of the 1 x 3. Once you have your board cut, give it a sanding, and let's nail it to the 1 x 3.

Again measure for the center and place it on the 1 x 3. Shoot one nail in the middle and check to see if your board is lining up on the edges. If all is good go ahead and nail the rest in.

Next, you will need to cut returns on the ends. Cut the decorative trim on a straight cut then a 45 degree left for one and a 45 degree right for the other side. Place them on the sides and shoot one nail into them.

Because my ceiling is at an angle I had to chisel some sheetrock to get it to go into place. The vaulted ceiling made it a little challenging but I kept cutting away until the molding fit.

Now that the top board is done let's move on to the sides.

Floor to Ceiling Fireplace Mantel Trim

You will find this part to be very easy. Measure from the bottom of the top horizontal pieces to the baseboard on one side.

Then cut the board and take it back inside to make sure it works. If it fits nicely simply nail one nail in the middle and then use your level and position the trim perfectly up and down.

Now add more nails but when you get to the top if it is not lining up exactly with the edge or where you want it simply push the board over and nail it in. These wood lattice strips have a little give which makes them nice for a batten project like this. Plus it is an inexpensive board which makes this DIY project low cost.

Next, repeat this step on the other side of the fireplace.

Now that the sides are done let's do the same thing over the mantel-shelf but cutting smaller pieces. Again measure and cut your board and sand them.

Then nail one in the middle and use the level to make sure it is straight up and down.

Do the other vertical battens and your board and batten fireplace chimney mantel is finished and ready to be painted.

How to Paint a Fireplace Mantel

All the wood has been installed and now it is time to paint. If your walls are textured you can sand them down first before you remove debris to get smooth walls. I decided to keep my textured walls for now.

Next take some paintable caulk or wood filler and fill in all the nail holes and along the edges where the wood meets the walls. Let that dry for a couple of hours and go back and sand any rough areas.

Once everything has been caulked and sanded take a tack cloth or a lightly damp paper towel and wipe down all the wood and the wall removing any dust or debris. Now we are ready to paint.

Begin by painting from the top down. I used Home Depot Behr paint Dynasty in Ultra Pure White. This paint is perfect for all the decoration changes that I do throughout the year. The wall over my mantle needs to be tough and this paint is designed for that. It would be great for any high traffic area, on cabinets, or on any furniture that takes a beating like a kids art table.

I used a paintbrush and brushed it on starting at the top and working my way down. The paint is a one-coat paint if you are using darker colors but on my textured wall, I needed to do two coats of paint to get the crisp white look I was wanting.

Once you have finished painting, let it dry for 24 hours before decorating your mantel. You want to give the paint time to set before putting anything on it. In fact, if you plan way ahead I would wait 6 days. This will give the paint time to cure and you won't have anything stick to the paint finish when it sits on the mantel shelf.

A white mantel is so easy to decorate. It makes colors in decor stand out better and has a light and airy feeling.

Well, guess what? We are done making this easy DIY board and batten mantel.

Conclusion

I hope you give this DIY board and batten fireplace mantel a try. It is a very good beginner's woodworking project.

This holiday season I came up with this mantel idea to get ready for Christmas decorating, and entertaining friends and family for Christmas. After the paint dried, I created this simple farmhouse Christmas mantel idea. This was the icing on the cake for this fireplace makeover.

I have all the details in another blog post but hanging your mantel decor by season can be a fun way to change the feel of your room. Check out my Decorating a Mantel for Spring post to see how it can transform a room.

Also with the help of the Home Depot, I show you how easy it is to get a designer look on your fireplace for Christmas by walking you through step by step.

I am excited to have a floor-to-ceiling vintage wood mantel. I look forward to creating more decorative ideas on our mantel for other holidays to come to share with you.

Happy Decorating!

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Earlier this year my daughter, Savanna learned how to dry orange slices. She must have made 100 dried orange peels for a baby shower. I saved some to decorate for Christmas but I wanted more. So that is when I started experiments on the easiest ways to dry oranges.

After trying several different ways of cutting them and then testing some in the oven and others in the dehydrator I finally found the easiest and most efficient way to dry them. And guess what? I am excited to share this simple method with you so you can save time and get the best-looking crisp orange slices.

How to Dry Orange Slices

Before we begin I always recommend gathering all your supplies. Here is a list of what you will need to make dried orange slices.

• Oven or dehydrator (I used my Kitchenaid convection toaster oven but you can use a regular larger oven)
• Fresh oranges (a firmer orange works better)
• Mandolin or serrated knife (Both worked great but the madelyn worked better for firmer oranges)
• Cutting board
• Baking pan (if you are drying in the oven)
• Parchment paper (if you are drying in the oven)
• Ziplock bag or mason jars for storage

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You can use an oven or dehydrator. I will talk about the pros and cons of each. Also, you can use any kind of orange but keep in mind if you use blood oranges it will come out to be a darker orange-red color which is a beautiful color.

Last, I picked satsuma oranges from a local orange grove here in Florida call Florida Georgia Citrus. They make jellies, juice, soaps and more, that you can buy online in addition to boxes of satsuma oranges. Personally, I think satsuma oranges are the best oranges in the world. LOL!

I could go on and on about these oranges. Can you tell? LOL! But let's get back to cutting and drying oranges.

Cutting your Oranges

You are probably thinking how hard is it to cut whole oranges? Well, it is actually very easy if the orange is firm. Let's me repeat it is easy if the orange is firm. I found this out the hard way. Grab a cutting board and let's start cutting orange slices.

Cutting an orange with a Mandelin

My satsuma oranges were perfect for eating because they were soft. But they were not perfect for cutting on the mandolin. I cut them with a sharp knife but they would not work in the mandolin. However, the larger oranges worked beautifully in the mandolin cutter.

I loved the small size and will try this again when I get firmer satsumas. If you are eating satsuma look for the smaller oranges because I personally think they are tastier.

Okay, so I would use the mandolin slicer if I wanted all my oranges to be the same thickness. However, my mandolin only produced thinner slices at the largest setting. So I opted to cut them all with my serrated knife which is actually my bread knife.

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Slicing Oranges with a Knife

To make a long story short if you are pretty good at cutting things with a knife then I would simply use a bread knife instead of investing in a mandolin. However, if you are making more than 100 crisp thin slices then I would invest in a mandolin that cuts about a 1/4″ thick piece.

To cut slices of oranges simply hold the orange in one with your fingertips and first shave the end off where the stem was. Then place your knife about 1/4″ over from the cut end and cut back and forth moving your way through the orange.

Repeat this step until you get too close to the end. Then turn the orange around and shave the other end off. If you have enough to cut another 1/4″ simply use your fingertips to hold along the edge and slice down the middle.

How to Dry Orange Slices in the Oven

Next, we are going to talk about the oven and the dehydrator pros and cons when it comes to drying citrus slices. First, let's discuss the oven.

I used my small Kitchenaid convection toaster oven. I use it all the time to cook things because it is basically a miniature size of my oven so I thought why not save making my kitchen hot for hours and hours and use the little single layer oven instead.

Now place a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet or baking tray. Sit the orange slices on the parchment paper side by side. Make sure they are not touching each other or overlapping.

Then set your oven to 200 degrees and place your sliced oranges inside. If you're using a small toaster oven like me you will have to set it for one hour and then turn it back on again when it cuts off.

Once your orange slices are in the mini oven set an alarm on your phone to remind you. When the timer goes off check on the slices. I used my finger to tap on the soft orange part to see if it was sticky. If it is sticky then set your alarm for another hour.

It took about four hours for all the orange slices to dry out. During the process, some of them dried before others. I pull them out when they were dry and continued to dry the others. If you leave them in too long they will get very dark looking and look burned.

The small convection oven worked great. It worked faster than the dehydrator and the color of the oranges came out darker. If you want orange slices faster then the oven is your ticket but if you want a more consistent color and you have more time then the dehydrator is better for you. I think the oven method makes a more vintage-looking orange slice.

How to Dry Citrus in a Dehydrater

Next, let's see how things worked out in the food dehydrator. Simply place all your orange slices on the shelves of the dehydrator. Make sure to not overlap them. Give them lots of space for air to flow in and around them.

Now turn your dehydrator on and leave it for about 10 hours. After about 4 hours I checked on them and did the tap test to see if they were not sticky. There were some that were paper thin and they felt dry to the touch so I pulled them out.

The dehydrator worked like a charm. The only drawback to this method is time. You basically need all day to completely dry them. I would recommend prepping the project in the morning so it will run all day. The dehydrator was less work because I didn't need to keep checking on it every hour. As you can see they all came out perfect.

Now that you have all the scoop on dehydrated orange slices, let's talk about ways you can decorate with them and how to store them for the next holiday or event.

How to Store Dried Orange Slices

Once all your orange slices are dried and cooled simply place them in gallon-size Ziploc bags or you can either store them in mason jars or an airtight container and store them in a dry and dark place. I kept the ones my daughter made seven months ago in my closet. They looked great when Christmas came and I wanted to decorate with them.

Dried Orange Slices Garland

There are several different ways you can make a garland with dehydrated oranges. You can simply add them to your Christmas garland as I did here on our mantel.

Or you can thread them with yarn or twine with a needle to make a citrus garland and hang them anywhere in your home. I made this one for this year's Christmas decorations for my hutch. I used cutting from my artificial Christmas tree from Home Depot and wooden beads.

Or you can make them into Christmas ornaments to put on your Christmas tree. Simply thread twine into a yarn need and push the needle through the orange. Add a Star Anice spice to it for more decorations. And sit them in front of lights so they will glow and stand out more.

They also look very pretty on wreaths. During the baby shower, we added orange slices everywhere including the wreath on the front door. Keep in mind if you leave natural orange slices outside when it is humid and warm they will go bad. But if it is cold and dry outside then they will last a very long time.

Or simply place them in a basket with cinnamon sticks and rosemary for decoration or to make the room smell good.

There are so many ways you can decorate with dried oranges. If you would rather purchase dried oranges there are lots of options on Etsy. Here are a few I found along with a garland and such.

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Conclusion

I hope this tutorial gets you excited to dry oranges for your Christmas decorations, your next event or to decorate your home this holiday season. This is a great low-cost project. If you have oranges in your fruit bowl then you might very well call this a no-cost DIY.

To wrap this up I thought you might like to know a little history about giving the gift of oranges and decorating with them. I remember while visiting Colonial Williamsburg learning that colonists used fruit to decorate for Christmas. It was so pretty how they used greenery from outside and then apples or any fruit they had on hand and placed it in the greenery.

Another historical decoration using fruit was Versaille in France. While studying interior design history I learned that orange trees were shipping to Versallias in the 1600s to create an orangery. Orange trees were considered exotic and otherwise a symbol of wealth and at the time this was the largest collection of orange trees in Europe. Can you imagine going to visit the elaborate Versaille and seeing a tree with a bright orange fruit on it that you had never seen before?

But last and I think the sweetest, pun intended story, is during the depression people used to give the gift of oranges as holiday gifts because it was considered a delicacy. I think about my husband and how he used to get fruit in his stocking. His mom was a teenager during the depression so she must have learned this during that time.

Today you can still give the gift of oranges and citrus fruit by having them shipped to friends and family. You can order them from Florida Georgia Citrus. Or you can make something with dried oranges and give it as a gift.

I teach how to make a candle from an orange. You can give them as gifts or decorate with them too. Homemade gifts are the best because you know someone spent a lot of time and love creating them just for you.

Happy Decorating!

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The post How to Dry Orange Slices the Easy Way appeared first on LIFE ON SUMMERHILL.