Reader Favorite Archives - Average But Inspired

June 22, 2017 by Bre

Five Tips for Styling a Dresser on the Cheap

A couple of weeks ago my son and I went to Goodwill to do some treasure hunting. It had been months since we’d been there last and I was ready to find all the good things! Thankfully the trip did not disappoint – I found these amazingly cool vintage lamps that I picked up for $4.99 a piece. With marble bases, brass accents, and white hobnail middles, they were too good to pass up (even though they didn’t work)!

This post contains affiliate links. To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

After cleaning up the lamps, my husband rewired them for me with these lamp rewiring kits. (Guys – I didn’t even ask him to do that! He just did it one Saturday out of the blue. ALL THE HEART EYES!) Anyway, I was so excited about my new WORKING lamps that it prompted me to redecorate my entire bedroom dresser. (By redecorate, I mean clear off the piles of junk that had been accumulating for Lord knows how long and actually make it look nice.) I completely blanked on taking a picture of my dresser in its messy state, but please trust me that it was a disaster. But here, let me show you my new and improved dresser with my thrift store lamps!

After I redecorated my dresser, I realized that it was one of the easiest things I have ever done and I wondered why I hadn’t done it sooner. (Then I realized its because the master bedroom usually gets the short end of the stick – since nobody else ever really sees it, it’s the easiest to neglect.) I also realized that having it look nice like that made my entire master bedroom look nicer and made me like the room more!

If you’re like (the old) me and your bedroom dresser serves as more of a dumping ground than a pretty focal point of your bedroom, please know that you’re not alone (ha!), and that you, too, can make a change for the better! Here are the five tips for styling a dresser on the cheap that I came up with while changing out the look of my dresser.

Tip 1: Add Lighting

Before I bought my thrift store lamps, I had no lighting on my dresser. Adding lamps instantly brightened the room and gave some height to the dresser. You don’t have to use two matching lamps; one is fine, too! Just balance it out on the other side with something tall.

Tip 2: Add Some Art and Personal Photos

Bring some color and style to your dresser by adding art. It doesn’t have to be sophisticated; I framed one of my seven-year-old’s paintings from art class!

Also, your dresser is the perfect place to display some personal photos. It is your dresser after all! This picture of my mom, sister, and me on the beach at my best friend’s Florida inn always makes me smile. Plus, it’s adorable on my DIY Wood Plaque Photo Frame.

Tip 3: Make it Functional

The truth about a dresser is that it has to work for you as well as look good! So make it functional with a stylish tray and little bowls to stash jewelry, lip balm, ear plugs (Women Against Snoring Husbands Unite!), etc.

I bought both this hammered gold tray and the little bowl (similar one here) in the kitchen section at Target!

Tip 4: Add Books or Boxes

Books or boxes will add height and color on top of your dresser. I wrapped some books I found in the basement with leftover fabric scraps (including leftover shower curtain fabric from my Master Bathroom Makeover)! This was a free way to put some more color on the dresser! (Plus, if I am suffering from insomnia one night, I’ll have a book right there to keep me entertained.)

If you need more storage space for your jewelry or other things, swap out the books for decorative boxes or a jewelry box!

Tip 5: Add Something Natural

Fresh flowers or greenery immediately adds life to any space, and it’s my favorite thing to put just about everywhere! If you have a black thumb like me, get some realistic faux boxwood to use on your dresser. I have tons of these mini boxwood that I use all over my house! Pop them into a pretty planter for added color and interest.

So there you have it. There are a reformed dresser neglector’s tips for styling a dresser on the cheap! I hope they’ve inspired you to whip your own dresser into shape. If you’d pin this post to get others on the pretty dresser bandwagon, I would really appreciate it!

-Bre

June 14, 2017 by Bre

FAT Paint Antique Wedgewood Blue Console Cabinet Makeover {Monthly DIY Challenge}

Every time I make over a piece of furniture, I am reminded of how much I LOVE refinishing furniture! There is something so exciting about taking a piece that was no longer wanted, or no longer desirable, and making it shine once again. Because of that, I was ecstatic for this month’s Monthly DIY Challenge to roll around!

Thank you to The FAT Paint Co. for sponsoring this post. The project and all opinions are my own!

This time, the Monthly DIY Challenge team and I partnered up with The FAT Paint Co. to bring you some absolutely gorgeous furniture flips that you are going to love! And, to make this Monthly DIY Challenge even sweeter, The FAT Paint Co. is giving you a chance to win their paint and wax! You’ll find the entry form and links to all of the beautiful makeovers at the bottom of this post, but first here’s a little sneak peek to pique your interest!

Now that you’ve gotten an idea of the FAT Paint transformations my friends and I did, let me show you my project, which was giving this $25 console cabinet a beautiful new look. I chose this piece because I liked its scalloped details and the fact that it has lots of storage inside. I knew this piece could be a knockout with some color!

As you probably know by now, I’m a little obsessed with chalk-style paint (sign up for my weekly newsletter and you can get my free Beginner’s Guide to Chalky Finish Painting eBook!). I love the instant results and durable finish it provides, so I was pumped to try a brand I hadn’t yet used – FAT Paint chalk-style paint. The FAT Paint Co. is run by a brother and sister duo in Canada, and they have some of the most gorgeous chalk-style paint colors around, not to mention fantastic paint products that have virtually no smell and that are practically foolproof to use!

I chose to work with Antique Wedgewood (a smoky blue), Parchment (a creamy off-white), and to seal everything up, Natural FAT Wax. Before I started painting, I gave the console cabinet a really light sanding and sprayed the top of it with Zinsser Shellac to prevent the water rings that were on there from bleeding through the paint. Then I got to work!

The first coat of Antique Wedgewood covered really well and I was loving where this project was heading!

Once the paint dried, I gave the cabinet a light sanding (FAT Paint recommends doing this for the most beautiful finish possible), and then put on another coat of Antique Wedgewood.

After that dried, I did another allover light sanding, and sanded some highlight areas to distress, and then applied the Natural FAT Wax to seal the entire cabinet. I used my friend Amy from Canary Street Crafts‘ trick of putting the wax into a bowl instead of working from the canister – this way I don’t contaminate any of the wax in the canister!

After the topcoat of wax dried and I buffed it to a shine, I put more wax in a bowl and mixed in some of the Parchment FAT Paint. I mixed it all up to form a white wax, which I then wiped on with a cloth in strategic places to make the details really pop!

You can see where the white wax was applied in this photo. The panel on the left has white wax, the panel on the right does not and is a solid color.

Once that dried, I drilled holes for new hardware, and of course messed that up. Thankfully that was nothing a little wood filler and more paint couldn’t fix!

Finally, I decoupaged some gorgeous paper to the inside arches of the cabinet for a fun pop of color when you open the doors. If you’re curious about how to add paper or fabric to your furniture, check out my post on how to do it!

Once the paper inside the cabinet dried, this makeover was finished!

And I am obsessed.

I am actually considering re-doing my entire foyer to accommodate this console cabinet.

I just can’t imagine giving this piece away! I love everything about it – the colors, the paper, the hardware, the shape and details . . . I think we have an emotional connection, the two of us.

Anyway, while I consider whether or not I can bear to part with this Antique Wedgewood beauty, let me encourage you to start your own FAT Paint project. Seriously, you will love this paint. Find a retailer near you by checking their website, and if there’s not a retailer near you, get this – The Fat Paint Co. is giving $200 CASH away to anyone — yes, anyone! — who helps them make a connection with a new retailer. So if you know a retailer that might be a good fit, here’s more info about their Finder’s Fee program.

Annnnnnd, as if that generosity isn’t enough, The FAT Paint Co. is also giving one of you lucky readers a chance to win a pint of FAT Paint in the color of your choice and a 50 gram container of the Natural FAT Wax (which I used and loved!). Enter through the Rafflecopter form below, where you’ll also find complete terms and conditions.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Finally, please don’t forget to visit my friends’ posts to see how they transformed these pieces into stunners with FAT Paint! These are the BEFORE photos – you won’t believe the AFTERS!

February 27, 2017 by Bre

Rainbow Sand Art Terrariums

St. Patrick’s Day has been a holiday I’ve enjoyed since, well, college. I’m sure you can figure out why. At a Catholic university Milwaukee, we really knew how to honor St. Patrick and his contributions to Irish life and culture.

Because of this, I was excited to participate in a St. Patrick’s Day blog hop being hosted by my friend Meg at Green With Decor. You’ll find lots of fun ways to add some St. Patrick’s Day flair to your home (links are at the bottom of this post), including with my colorful Rainbow Sand Art Terrariums!

Can’t you imagine a leprechaun finding his pot of gold in these sweet sand art terrariums?

Supplies Needed for Rainbow Sand Art Terrariums

This post contains affiliate links. To read my full disclosure policy, please click here. Also, many thanks to ACTÍVA Products for providing the colored sand I used in this post. The project and opinions are all my own.

ACTÍVA Products Scenic Sand colored sand in red, orange, yellow, vivid green, bermuda blue, purple, and pink (1 lb. bags)
Gold glitter
Faux succulents
Clear glass vases (I bought them at Dollar Tree)
Optional embellishments: shamrock floral picks, paper straw, washi tape
Optional: long stick to create patterns in the sand

How to Make Rainbow Sand Art Terrariums

This project is pretty self-explanatory. I poured colored sand in rainbow colors into clear glass vases, layering the sand in different amounts and moving the containers around slightly to vary the height of each layer of sand within the containers.

To make these terrariums extra rainbow-like, I poured chunky gold glitter on top of the sand once all of the layers were poured in.

In the taller vase, I then used a long stick to poke along the edges of the glass. This created some patterns in the sand that looked kind of cool!

Finally, I popped fake succulents into the containers. In one of them I made a little flag with washi tape and a paper straw, and in another I put a shamrock floral pick for extra St. Patrick’s Day festiveness!

See how easy and fun this project is? I love how colorful it is! If you like it, too, please “pin” it to share!

And now make sure to check out the other fabulous St. Patrick’s Day projects that are part of this blog hop! I know these ladies would love it if you stopped by and checked out their projects.

An InLinkz Link-up

Cheers!

Bre

January 18, 2016 by Bre

10 Craft Supplies You Should Buy at Dollar Tree

One of my favorite things to do is wander the aisles of Michaels to see what adorable, new craft supplies they have. It’s like an instant injection of happy for me, and I bet a lot of you feel the same way! With every trip, my cart ends up with lots of fun finds and I leave with many new project ideas in mind.

But truth be told, there are certain craft supplies that I do not purchase from Michaels because I can get them from Dollar Tree for less (in some cases for a lot less). Of course people have quality concerns about products from Dollar Tree, but I’ve personally tested all of these products time and again and can vouch for them! That’s why I’m spilling my secrets on the 10 craft supplies you should buy at Dollar Tree! Trust me – this list will save you money so you can buy more of those cute supplies at Michaels or Hobby Lobby! (P.S. You might also like to read my post on The Best Party Supplies to Buy at Dollar Tree!)

1. Glassware (Vases, Mason Jars, Candle holders)

The selection of glassware at Dollar Tree is ah-ma-zing. There are tons of shapes and sizes of vases, mason jars, candle holders – you name it! And it’s all a dollar! Comparable glassware at a craft store typically costs five times as much.

I’ve used glassware from Dollar Tree to create my sand art terrariums, etched glass votive holders, funky pilgrim vases, and cozy sweater gift jars, among other things. I also use all different sizes of their vases and glassware for fresh flowers at parties – like the ones in this video! (I think you’ll love this project!)

2. Twine (Jute, Bleached, and Baker’s Twine)

Jute twine adds a perfect rustic touch to any project, while bleached twine and baker’s twine can definitely add a cute and whimsical feel to a craft. Dollar Tree has every type of twine you could need or want!

Find three packs of twine in the automotive aisle, and multi-packs of colored baker’s twine in the craft aisle.

I have used twine from Dollar Tree on my cozy sweater gift jars, printable glitter glue valentines, and moss bunny topiaries, among other things! I also recently used Dollar Tree twine in my Facebook Live debut where I showed you how to make three cute holiday gifts with Dollar Tree supplies!

3. Floral Foam

Oh my gosh. Floral foam is SO expensive when you buy it at the craft store. And I can’t figure out why. But at Dollar Tree it’s, yep, a dollar. And it comes in lots of shapes and sizes, too!

Now let me tell you I am not doing a lot of floral arranging over here, but floral foam is really great for building height in projects or stabilizing items within a container. I have used Dollar Tree’s floral foam in my moss bunny topiaries and patriotic paper straw centerpiece. It’s great.

4. Glitter

If you’re a crafter then you probably love glitter (until you have to clean it up). For something so tiny it can be kind of pricey though, you know? That’s why I like to purchase it at Dollar Tree. They typically have a lot of colors in their craft aisle, and they come in packages or containers that have enough to get the project done without leaving me with a ton left over. Their glitter glue is also awesome for projects for adults and kids alike!

I have used Dollar Tree glitter or glitter glue on my glitter glue valentines and a guest post I did on another blog (that you’ll see later this year).

5. Contact Paper

Most of you probably don’t think of contact paper as a craft supply, but it is awesome for making stencils on an electronic cutting machine (like a Silhouette), or even by hand! And it is half the price at Dollar Tree than at the hardware store or a big box store!

I have used Dollar Tree contact paper on projects like my DIY Modern Desk (that I BUILT myself!), child’s rocking chair, friendly stool makeover, and etched glass votive holders.

6. Clothespins

Clothespins are another product that might seem like a strange craft supply, but you see them ALL over the craft stores. And they are really versatile for crafting – from hanging banner pieces to making clips for signs or frames – they can be used in many ways. At Dollar Tree you get a pack of 36 for $1, and you can find them in the home improvement aisle.

I have used Dollar Tree clothespins on my DIY Christmas card holder and my magnetic chip clip holder. And of course I have some of them on my drying rack in the laundry room.

7. Foam Board

If you have kids of school age then you know that foam board can be kind of expensive for what you’re getting. Hello, it’s a glorified poster board! That’s why it’s so great to purchase it at Dollar Tree. You will pay at least three times more at another store.

I have used Dollar Tree foam board in my Mr. and Mrs. moss bunny topiaries, as well as other projects I have not blogged here. If you want to check out the queen of foam board projects, you need to visit 3 Little Greenwoods because Ashley can turn a foam board into just about anything. Search her site and you’ll see what I mean.

8. Tissue Paper

Of course tissue paper is great for wrapping gifts, but it’s also a good product for crafting. Dollar Tree sells 40 pieces of white tissue for $1, and smaller packs of colored tissue for the same price. It’s the same quality as tissue paper I’ve purchased elsewhere and is not overly flimsy.

I have used Dollar Tree tissue on my mini sombrero pinatas, and think it would be great for decoupage projects as well!

9. Popsicle Sticks

I know that popsicle sticks are generally more of a kids craft item, but I ALWAYS use them as paint stirrer sticks in my smaller chalky paint containers or as glue applicators. I keep them on hand at all times! I also used them in this “LOVE” popsicle stick craft that my daughter made a couple of years ago (pardon the photography; this was when I was still using my phone to shoot blog photos.). They’re dirt cheap at Dollar Tree and a smart thing to have on hand!

10. Decorative Tape (Washi Tape, Duct Tape)

Finally, decorative tapes like washi tape and patterned duct tape are a great thing to buy at Dollar Tree! $1 is so much less than you pay at the craft store!

I don’t have any blogged projects that use washi tape or duct tape, but I have purchased these items from Dollar Tree and can attest that they work just as well as others that I’ve purchased elsewhere.

11. BONUS UPDATE – Paint Brushes

{UPDATE as of September 2017): I was so pumped to find 8 packs of foam brushes and synthetic bristle paint brushes at Dollar Tree this week! The prices on these brushes is so much lower than you pay at the craft store or home improvement store! Get some! A reader also gave me a tip that the $1 makeup brushes at Dollar Tree work great for decoupage. Keep that in mind as well!

I hope you found this post helpful! If you did, I’d really appreciate if you’d share this image on Pinterest or share the post on Facebook or somewhere else!

Well now that you’ve seen my list of craft supplies that you should be buying at Dollar Tree, what do you think? Do you have any others to add? Let me know if there’s something I should be buying there, too!

-Bre

PLANNING A PARTY? CHECK OUT MY DOLLAR TREE PICKS FOR PARTY SUPPLIES!