Show Off Your DIY!

[wimbly11]

So we recently bought our first home together.

While the house is in fairly good condition, we have lots we want to do to truly make it our own. I am planning on doing a lot of DIY and refinishing furniture to acheive the look I want for less.

Any other creative souls out there, who are obsessed with DIY and creating their own thing? Let's share ideas, pictures, etc and get those creative juices flowing!!

[Natalka]

Well, you'll be busy!

Check out the home and garden section - I know some others have posted there.

[wimbly11]

Great thanks!

[xlxo]

I'm not really a handyman.... but one thing I DIY would be lawn mowing.... I can't believe how many neighbors hire contractors to do the mowing and leave the lawns ultrashort. In Vancouver, short lawns are breeding grounds for June to August chaeffer beetles. It turns brown/yellow so quickly in the summer sun and needs constant watering. Want some regular exercise, get a weed puller and spend an hour easy week chasing those things.

After a few months, the money you saved could have gotten you an electric mower that can last decades!

BTW... did you hire a home inspector when you purchased your home. They would have told you priorities on what needs to be fixed first.

• how old is the home? Does the roof leak? I had someone install one of those aluminum roofs. Just need a visit every 5 years for someone to rechaulk around the chimneys
• did you get a blower door pressure check for air leaks around doors and windows? Save big money to track down air leaks. Do the maintenance in the summer and save money 'n comfort in the winter
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blower_door
• check the drains... if it drains slowly.... try a few kettles of boiling hot water to loosen up some grease in the drains
• is the furnace old? might need to bring someone in to have it inspected. If you see scorch marks on the furnace outside.... that can mean major servicing.
• look around the home and see what lighting is there. Are they tungsten/incandescent? Are they CFL's? Consider LED bulbs. They last longer, save energy, and work better in rooms where the light switch is turned off and on all day (kitchen, bathrooms).
• if you are looking at upgrades/renovations... consider lever locks on your doors, widening openings, lower electrical switches, and lower counter surfaces. The objective is to make the home wheelchair friendly for yourself and others. You might find it increases the value of the home. When I redid the bathroom, I had the walls reinforced with grab bars. Made a huge difference for a family member a few years later. It allowed them to stay in the home longer.

[bargain_hunter_lola]

We've done loads of DIY's. DH is really handy.

Here is a pic of the bedframe/headboard DH made. I told him what I wanted and he made it.



Here's our raised garden. It's now full of strawberry, watermelon, cucumber, tomatoes, and radishes.



A pic of the farm-style table DH made me before it was finished/varnished.


A link to the thread I made when DH built DD a playhouse/bed. She loves it, as do all her friends.

http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/320663-...ctures-canada/

[acosta]

I LOVE DIY - I make things all the time... or more so repurpose items.

I like doing things with old tables, headboards etc.

I also loveeee doing things in the garden / backyard.

[MrsSunshine]

dh is HUGE into DIY he built a wood shed about 6-7 years. ago. then two years later turned it into a smaller shed, then again into a 'box' with a hinged lid. then last year it became a small deck box. he was determined not to buy any new wood.
he also built our deck a few years back.
seriously give this guy would he'll turn it into anything. he even took a pallet and turned it into a small entertainment stand for us.

if your looking for more ideas check out 'frugal homemaking and living' on facebook. it's a british group but OMG so amazing what they do. heck they even repaint kids toys to make them look new.

check out rummage/church/thrift/garage sales. always knick knacks to repurpose their for cheap. esp. when ppl are putting things at the curb for free.
pinterest is amazing to find unique ideas for storage/recycling ideas.

congrats on the house btw!

[wimbly11]

We did have a home inspection. We don't have any major repairs, mostly updating decor and what not to achieve the right look

[wimbly11]

Would love to see your pics!!!!

We've done loads of DIY's. DH is really handy.

We made DD a new/playhouse, a farm-style dining room table, king-size bedframe/headboard, raised garden area. I'll try to post pics if I remember.

[wimbly11]

Obsessed with pintrest and going yard sale hunting this weekend

dh is HUGE into DIY he built a wood shed about 6-7 years. ago. then two years later turned it into a smaller shed, then again into a 'box' with a hinged lid. then last year it became a small deck box. he was determined not to buy any new wood.
he also built our deck a few years back.
seriously give this guy would he'll turn it into anything. he even took a pallet and turned it into a small entertainment stand for us.

if your looking for more ideas check out 'frugal homemaking and living' on facebook. it's a british group but OMG so amazing what they do. heck they even repaint kids toys to make them look new.

check out rummage/church/thrift/garage sales. always knick knacks to repurpose their for cheap. esp. when ppl are putting things at the curb for free.
pinterest is amazing to find unique ideas for storage/recycling ideas.

congrats on the house btw!

[MrsSunshine]

Lola better be sharing pics of those awesome sounding projects.

[wimbly11]

I will post pictures as I go as well First room that is being tackled is the den/reading nook

[Jp-13]

So my parents have a garden bench which has been worn out from the weather and looked gross. So I was determined to fix it. Bought couple of cans of spray paint for about $15 and had some at home and made it beautiful

[wimbly11]

Love the pics!!

Bargain_Hunter, I love the raised flower bed and the bed!! So cute!

JP Awesome job on the bench

I will post pictures later of the headboard that I made from an old window

[GoJays]

So my parents have a garden bench which has been worn out from the weather and looked gross. So I was determined to fix it. Bought couple of cans of spray paint for about $15 and had some at home and made it beautiful

Great bench, you did a super job ... but mostly I love your little feathered friend! What a cute little face