Easy Guide on How to Sand Wood for a Smooth Finish
Ok, I’m just going to put it out there before starting this post all about, how to sand wood for a smooth finish. I loathe sanding. I think I literally say that every time I get to the stage of sanding. BUT I love a silky smooth finish! So, in the end it’s...
Easy How to Build a Frosted Glass Sliding Barn Door
07I have heard some whispers that sliding barn doors are so yesterday. But yet, perusing on Pinterest, I see them everywhere. How can a door that is both functional and beautiful lose it’s appeal? I don’t believe it has. And if you love it, I say go for...
DIY Kitchen Remodel Checklist: 9 Things You Need to Know
Last year I took on my most extensive DIY project yet, I remodeled my kitchen. Having heard so many horror stories of what all can go wrong when tackling this giant task, I finally decided to just go for it. All said and done, I absolutely love it! And am so happy I...
Vinyl Plank Flooring vs Engineered Hardwood: Which is Best?
Recently I took on my biggest home improvement project ever. I remodeled my entire kitchen. One of the most important decisions I needed to make was: new flooring. My two options: vinyl plank flooring vs. engineered hardwood. Many people thought I was crazy for even...
Easy DIY Anthropologie Mirror Dupe-Make it for a lot Less
Can I just say that to buy a big fancy floor mirror today might require taking out a small loan? They are not cheap!! Trust me. I searched high and low for a designer mirror that would make a statement. But wasn’t really wanting to budget nearly $1000 for it!...
Easy How to DIY a Wood Planked Ceiling
So, I had this eyesore in my bedroom called a tray ceiling. Maybe I’m stepping on some toes. Ugh! Sorry! But I am not a fan. I’ve done everything in my power to not draw attention to it. When I decided to do a complete makeover on our master bedroom, my...
What’s The Best Wood Species to Use for Stair Treads
Best Wood For Stair Treads My very first home renovation DIY project was ripping all of the carpet off of my stairs and transforming them into a beautiful wooden staircase. I know, most people start with maybe building a birdhouse. But in Nicole-fashion, I jumped in...
Easy How to DIY Textured Canvas Wall Art
My daughter and I were at Crate & Barrel a few weeks ago and per usual I wanted everything and looked at most things, with the thought–I can make that. When I came across this beautiful canvas wall art and saw the outrageous price, I knew I could easily make...
17 Tips for Personalizing Your Space & Making It Functional
Personalizing Your Space If you’ve read my “About Me” page, then you know that decorating my home proved to be very challenging for me for several years. My sister and my mom were my go-to’s when trying to figure out my interior design process....
DIY Home Projects: 9 Simple Ways to Add Personality to Your Space
More than just a place to live, your home is an extension of you. It reflects your personality and your style. Our home is where we express ourselves, create memories, feel safe and find comfort. By adding your own personal touch to your space, you can make it truly...
Room Renovations: Beginners Guide to Create Your Dream Space
Having never really used a drill before, let alone a saw, my kids thought I was crazy when I came home and told them I was going to renovate our stairway. But per “Nicole fashion”, when I make the decision to do something, I go all in! Pulling back a...
Building Your Own Furniture: An Easy Step-By-Step Guide
I never imagined I would be able to build the things I’m building today. Having never in my life picked up a drill, let alone pushed a board through a table saw. I would have laughed if you would have told me, “You’ll be building your own pieces of...
7 Modern Home Theater Room DIYs You’ll Want to Copy
A home theater room was always a dream for me. After making that dream a reality over the last few months, I’ve been sharing all of the home theater room DIYs I’ve been tackling. In today’s post, I’ll be sharing them with you! Creating a home...
3 Easy Steps to DIY Picture Frame Moulding Tutorial
What do you do with a long wall? Picture frame moulding is my new favorite go-to. And in my picture frame moulding tutorial, I’ll show you exactly how to do it. We have a very big room down in our basement that has gone through a few transitions over the years....
Easy How to Build a Media Console Table Tutorial
Scrolling through Instagram one day, I stumbled upon a media console table that stopped me in my tracks. I fell in love with this piece! While only a third of the tv console was visible in the picture, I was sure I could recreate this gorgeous piece. Off to the...
Easy How to Build a DIY Home Theater Room
Our DIY home theater room is now my most favorite room in our house. The problem (yet, not a problem) is that it’s everyone’s most desired place to hang out. When we’re not all down there for a family movie night, we almost need a sign-up sheet for...
4 DIY Kitchen Updates That Make a Huge Impact
Today I’m sharing the 4 DIY kitchen updates that made a huge impact to my kitchen. Last winter I took on my biggest remodel job ever! I had been wanting to update my kitchen for a long time. And while I did some minor updates over the years, none of them came...
Easy How to Build a DIY Kitchen Island-Kitchen Series
Early in my marriage, my husband and I found our dream kitchen island while house hunting. We ended up not buying that house and I have longed for that island ever since. During my recent modern kitchen remodel, I made that dream a reality. My very own kitchen island....
Easy How to DIY Faux Marble Countertops
While all new quartz countertops would have been ideal, that extra cost just wasn’t in the budget for my recent kitchen remodel. Having completed a DIY faux marble countertops project in my master bathroom a couple years ago, I knew this was the way I wanted to...
From Boring Pantry to a DIY Butler’s Pantry Makeover
From boring pantry to DIY butler’s pantry. I have wanted to make this drastic change for the longest time now. At the start of this year, I tackled my biggest room remodel yet! My kitchen! So, of course, making my dreams come true of a bona fide butler’s...
A Year in Review-Top 5 Furniture Builds of 2022
Where it all began. Furniture builds. Building furniture was my therapy following my husband’s life-changing wakeboarding accident. As I share in my About Me page, (you can find my full story here) I never in a million years imagined this would be the path...
Year in Review-Top 7 Simple DIY Projects 2022
Continuing my Year In Review series. Today, I’m sharing 7 of my top simple DIY projects of 2022. You might not look at the projects below and think of them as simple DIY projects on the surface. However, once you dive into the plans that I have laid out for you,...
Year in Review-My Top 5 Room Makeovers of 2022
Starting off my annual “Year in Review” series with a bang! Room makeovers are truly my favorite projects to take on. I love to see a room go from blah to demo’d to wow! There truly is something so satisfying about that process. And this year did not...
Build Easy DIY Floating Shelves Fast and Cheap
Easy DIY floating shelves are both functional and pleasing to the eye. Today I’m sharing with you the simple way to build and install floating shelves. Want beautiful, West Elm inspired floating shelves? But don’t want to pay the West Elm price tag or wait...
Seven Awesome DIY Outdoor Projects-My Top Favorite
With summer in full swing, I’m excited to share with you my most favorite DIY outdoor projects. These seven awesome outdoor projects are both functional and eye-appealing. Why not spruce up your exterior front of your home to add a little more curb appeal. And...
How to Build a Modern End Table-Pottery Barn Dupe
As promised, this week I’m sharing my Pottery Barn-inspired Modern End Table. This beauty matches perfectly with my modern coffee table I shared last week. You can get the plans for that build here. But just to recap, here’s a quick view of the coffee...
DIY Laundry Room Makeover-The Reveal!
Who doesn’t love a good before and after? Oh my gosh! This one is incredible. When my mom asked me to re-do her laundry room, I jumped on the opportunity. Room makeovers are so much fun and so rewarding! It never ceases to amaze me what a little bit of paint and...
Easy How to Make a DIY Fluted Side Table
Over the summer, I fell in love with West Elm’s Fluted Side Table, but not so much the price. I knew it couldn’t be that hard to build this beautiful table for a whole lot less than the $179 sticker price. And I was right! Sharing yet another easy DIY dupe...
Easy How to Make a Picture Frame for a Printable
A picture frame is one of the easiest DIY’s to take on. I have fallen in love with all things Juniper Prints! Have you seen their work? Beautiful! Basically the concept is: you find a print you like on their site and they mail it to you protected in a hard...
Easily Update Garage Doors to Carriage Doors for Instant Curb Appeal
One of the best updates we made to the exterior of our home was transforming our current garage doors to carriage doors. I can’t tell you the number of compliments we have gotten since making this change 8 years ago. Not only did it step up our curb appeal, but... Easy DIY Textured Vase with Baking Soda and Paint
Want to get that beautiful textured vase pottery look without spending a dime? This DIY is hands-down the easiest DIY you’ll ever do! And more than likely you have everything you need right at your fingertips. First gather up any old vases, lamps, large bowls...
DIY Vase Makeover Idea-Cheap and Easy
DIY VASE MAKEOVER I decided to do a quick and easy project-changing an old vase I found in my storage room into a modern vase I could add to my decor. Four days later, I finally finished the vase! What a nightmare! So, why would I bring you a tutorial on a project...
Easy How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets Without Sanding
The final phase of the kitchen mini-makeover is finished! Painting the kitchen cabinets is done! If you’ve ever painted your kitchen cabinets, you know it’s a very easy project, but also very time-consuming. This is one advantage to having a smaller...
Easy DIY How to Paint a Fabric Chair
Have you ever attempted to paint a fabric chair…on purpose? A couple months ago, I gave my kitchen nook a bit of a makeover. After adding a couple sliding barn doors, shiplap and fresh paint, this chair was in need of a new look too…. I had two options:...
Easy How to Build an Easel Chalkboard
An Easel Chalkboard is a great decor and fun-for-the-family item all in one. My kids (especially when they were younger) loved to write messages and draw pictures on ours especially around Christmas time. These fun chalkboards aren’t only great for your decor...
How to Build DIY Industrial Hardware for Furniture
Want an inexpensive, easy way to add a little more character to a farmhouse table? Industrial hardware is the answer. Better yet, DIY Industrial Hardware. This is one of my favorite things to do when perusing the aisles of Home Depot (ok, right there you may think...
How to Make a Super Easy, Farmhouse Picture Frame
Jumping in here to share a super easy, farmhouse style, picture frame tutorial with you. (That’s a mouthful. :) )These make great gifts for the holidays, birthdays, going away parties…..all occasions! It’s easy to make a few picture frames all in one...
How to Build a Large Word Sign
Do you love the look of a large word sign? Is the cost a little more than you want to fork out? Why not make your own? The inspiration for this project was a metal vintage sign at a local antique store, that I fell in love with. The cost was a little more than I...
How to Make Craftsman Style Shutters
A pair of Craftsman Style Shutters will cost you about $160 at Home Depot. A pair of the same style shutters made by YOU will only cost you half of that. But how do I make my own craftsman style shutters? Let me walk you through this 2-tool project and you’ll...
Hi! I'm Nicole
Interior Designer. Fearless DIYer. Sharing interior design tips and building project tutorials. Let’s design and build something beautiful together. For more design tips, projects and behind the scenes, follow me @designtobuild.nicole
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