How to Frame a Bathroom Mirror

You can add a personal touch and value to your home by simply dressing up boring mirrors. This inexpensive project can be done in a couple of hours just using a few simple tips and tools. This was a quick project that I completed on a Sunday morning shortly before having friends over with the help of my husband. It's super easy and here's a tip (paint your pieces in advance).

Supplies:

BEFORE

Measuring Tape
Adhesive (such as liquid nails)
Primed Composite Casing & Rosette Moulding Blocks
Paint & Paint Brush
Old Towel

1. Measure the mirror exactly.

2. Choose, cut & paint all molding pieces. (the hardware store will straight cut your pieces for you as long as you have the measurements) Prior to painting do a mock set up as best as you can on your mirror to make sure all pieces are the correct size

3. Using the adhesive spread the glue down the center of the composite pieces  in a 'S' shape.

4. Starting with the moulding blocks carefully place pieces in order (for example: glue and place moulding block, then composite casing piece, continue order & make sure all pieces are exactly as you want them before your adhesive dries)

5. Once dried go over with your paint to fill in any little spaces between the moulding blocks and moulding board & scrape off any additional adhesive on the mirror.

AFTER

Sew Easy Pillow

In the process of redecorating several areas of my home my children's rooms have become my most favorite spaces to get creative in. They love color & have wild imaginations that makes the entire process really fun (even when I have to work late to complete a project). So as of late I've been finishing up some pillows for the boys' room and this print I really love. It's so adorable and fitting for their ages (1 and 5) yet has such a big boy look.

This small project is really easy whether you have an existing pillow to use or your actually stuffing your finished case with filling. All items can be found at a local craft store. You will need:

pillow or pillow stuffing
fabric of your choice (make sure you get enough cut for a 1" hem for both pieces)
sewing machine (you can sew by hand but a sewing machine is much quicker)
sewing pins
iron on hem (optional)
iron
buttons (amount depends on pillow size)
sewing needle & coordinating thread




Start by measuring two equal pieces of fabric (add 1" to your final measurements).
With the right sides in (whatever print you want to be showing once it's finished), pin fabric and stitch together both sides and the bottom of the fabric.
Then fold down open end & iron down using iron on hem (you could sew this using a needle and thread). Turn fabric right side out and insert pillow (pillow stuffing).
Pin together openings allowing for 1/2" space for buttons.
Using needle and thread sew on desired amount of buttons going across opening. .

**If you are going to use the iron on hem do not
get it on your iron**

My finished results....fun colors & a really cool boy
friendly print.

I chose bright colored buttons to reflect the overall
design throughout their room.

Re-purposed Decanter

My Inspiration ~ I love the colors in this space.

 I've had this decanter for years & actually loved to use it. While unpacking from one of our last moves I found that the cork to it got broken...it was custom made for the decanter itself so replacing it with just a regular cork top would not do it justice. So until very recently (about 2 weeks ago) I had tucked it away not ready to part with it. Long story short it ended up back in the 'up-cycle' cabinet & I had to either use it or lose it. So I used it. Flipping through a home decor book I got a little inspiration to transform my once super chic decanter to a stylish & very useful vase.

The original colors were gradient red & yellow,
(more red than yellow)

I used a silver metallic color & cream with navy print
fabric.

You can really see the pattern
detail in the glass.

Kid Friendly Art

 I was finally able to get some better pictures of the frames I did yesterday, even got a chance to put the artwork in. Both done by my 5 year old son a year or two ago. They like to see their paintings displayed, gets them really excited. The whole room will be displayed sometime this week so be sure to check out my blog posts. If anyone wants specifics on colors used for either the paintings or frames. Please feel free to email me at peppyvintagechic@gmail.com.

These will be hanging horizontally & side by side.
This red will really pop against their wall color.

Kid Approved Diy Custom Artwork

A really earthy shade of green keeps the whole color
palette in balance.

Decorating With Frames

We've all been told," a picture is worth a thousand words"...what should have followed immediately is," the frame you put it in is worth a million". Frames come in so many shapes, sizes & materials sometimes it's difficult just to narrow down what color you want let alone choosing molding, shadow box or no shadow box etc. Look to the design of the room. A horrific frame can ruin nearly an entire space. Whether your interior decoration design style is classical, craftsman or contemporary you can mix & match frame colors & patterns provided they 'help' rather than hinder the design of  your space.

I bought these frames from a sweet lady last year who just had too many. They were made in Holland in 1940. We ended up getting around 15 frames in all. For less than $20. Needless to say after about 70 years of wear I wanted to update them just a bit. Using a lightweight sandpaper & bristle brush to prepped the wood for painting. I used a navy blue & once that was nearly dry I wiped on an off white paint shade. These frames were originally used in my youngest sons nursery & have since been tweaked to furnish my little girl's walls.

If you find something great & the color just doesn't go you can always change it. A little sandpaper & lots of creativity will go a long way!

Once plain stained wood, I sanded a pair of these
frames down & painted them  a vibrant red. I'll be
hanging them in the boys room.

3 Ways To Open Up Your Small Space

Give your low ceiling some height. There's nothing worse than feeling cramped in your own home. A few simple tricks will have you reaching new heights, or at least appear to be, in no time.
The easiest way to is using floor to ceiling window treatments. I chose this method for my dining area open floor plan setup. The go to drape choice is usually vertical stripes to intensify the added height look however you can play up nearly any pattern you like as long as it brings your complete design together.

Paint the ceiling. Anyone who loves to decorate usually paints the walls first. With that in mind you can paint the ceiling as well with a lighter, more receding color than the walls.

Keep your overall design simple. That does not read plain & boring, you just need to know your limit when it comes to adding patterns & colors. Too much of a good thing can prove to be bad & leave your space looking overwhelmed & you feeling like a sardine! Opt for paler shades when it comes to drapes & wall color, they reflect light & give the feeling of an expanded space. Save your color pops for one or two decorative pillows or a vibrant flower arrangement.

Avoid heavy volume furniture. All too often we see a chair or coffee table that we're just dying to take home only to find that it looked better when you could actually cross the room without bumping into it. Clean lines are what's needed when decorating smaller areas. The beauty of this is you can go vintage with quaint pieces like a small accent chair, one will do (hello color pop!) or modern Ikea style.

As always you can email us your complete design to be featured on our Diy Designers Wall

EASY DIY

My go to shades are deep reds & warm coordinating colors & they match perfectly with this gray vase with white flowers & accented burgundy stems. The vase itself is made of stone as you can see where the design stops about 1 inch from the bottom. This small but detailed characteristic lends a modern vintage charm that you can design around with ease.

Full size photos available.

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