Friday, May 25, 2012

30 DIY Projects for the 3-Day Weekend

525DIY07.jpgListen up, folks: we only get a few three-day weekends each year and so it's up to each of us to make the most of them. Oh sure, you'll want to take some down time to drink some beer and bask in the sun. There's still plenty of time for a little DIYing. Check out these 30 projects for 3-day weekend inspiration.
525DIY01.jpg1. Make a grill for your budding Top Chef – How To Make a Toy Grill for $20
2. Make a place to stash your pens and pencils – DIY No-Sew Colored Pencil Roll
3. Clean your bedroom – The Ultimate Guide to Green Cleaning Your Bedroom
4. Make your kid fly – How to Make Your Baby Fly
5. Create a charging station – An Upcycled Plastic Bottle Charging Station
525DIY02.jpg6. Make a new clothes bar – How To Make a Rope Wrapped Hanging Clothes Bar
7. Go to sleep! – How to Nap (No, Really!)
8. Create an urban garden – Budget Friendly: DIY Cinderblock Planters
9. Stop the tangles – DIY Tangle-Free Headphones with Embroidery Floss
10. Make cushions, learn geography – Modular DIY Map Cushions
525DIY03.jpg11. Make a window box – DIY Wood Shim Window Box
12. Add some detail to your frames – $5 DIY: Dress Up Your Frames with Tape
13. Cover an ugly light – How To Make a DIY Drum Shade
14. Make a headboard – 10 DIY Headboard Ideas
15. Stencil something – Put Some Pattern On It: Stencil Resources
525DIY04.jpg16. Make new bedding – You Can Do It: Sew Your Own Bedding
17. Create some outdoor lanterns – DIY Leather & Glass Outdoor Lanterns
18. Make everlasting flowers – DIY Paper Flowers From Recycled Maps
19. Get your books in order – Fresh Start: How To Organize Your Personal Library
20. Dress up your can lights – How To: Make Can Light Luminaries
525DIY05.jpg21. Put up a yurt – How To Raise a Yurt in Four Hours
22. Switch out your shower head – DIY Basics: Replacing a Shower Head
23. Join the terrarium trend – Buy or DIY: Trendy Terrariums
24. Stamp it! – DIY Wine Cork Stamps
25. Dress up a wall – How To: Create A Reclaimed Wood Wall
525DIY06.jpg26. Weave a basket – DIY: Recycled Paper Sewing Basket
27. Dress a window or two – Making Your Own Curtains: Easy Instructions from Across the Web
28. Funk up your keyboard – Colorful Keyboard Makeover With Masking Tape
29. DIY an ikat mirror – How To Make an Ikat-Inspired Mirror
30. Build an outdoor dining set – Free DIY Plans: Simple Plywood Farm Style Table & Bench

Still need more inspiration. Check out last year's 30 Projects for the 3-Day Weekend
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Images: As credited in individual posts.

Brought to you by: Apartment Therapy

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

How to Keep Your Bathroom Clean in 5 Minutes a Day

Here are the facts: I don't have hours and hours to laboriously clean my bathroom every week. Even if I did there would be more pressing things at hand, like um, anything really. So how can you keep things clean with a minimal amount of effort and time? I use the five minute rule and it works fabulously!

The truth of the matter is, you can get a great deal done in 60 seconds when you don't have distractions. It's why the 5 minute rule works so well. Even if you don't have 5 minutes back to back, there's a good chance you have 60 seconds here and there throughout the day. Want to see how it's done? Check it:

MINUTE ONE:
Minute one is dedicated to clearing off surfaces. Put away your straight iron, find a new home for your SPIN magazine, toss your makeup back in the drawer and grab that old towel off the sink. Dirty clothes should be off the floor and those bobby pins that never seem to have a home should find one.

MINUTE TWO
Minute two is all about surface cleaning. Drop in some toilet bowl cleaner and let it sit until the last few seconds and then wipe down the countertops, sink and toilet tank and seat. Give your shower a spray with either store bought or homemade daily cleaner (or white vinegar). Run your toilet brush around your toilet and you're done. It's a busy minute but it can be done in that time frame.

MINUTE THREE
Your third minute is dedicated to straightening. Refold your towels and pull your shower curtain closed so it can air out. Check to make sure you have toilet paper and even take a few seconds to straighten the bottles on your countertops and those that live in your shower.

MINUTE FOUR
You're on the downhill stretch and now it's time to check your mirrors. It's easier to get toothpaste spittle on them than you think and a quick wipe or spray with your favorite cleaner will keep them clean in a jiffy. If the mirror is already clean, take a moment to wipe down your sink and bath fixtures and make them shine.

MINUTE FIVE
Did you panic at minute two when I said clean all the surfaces? Maybe you have kids that make things messier or you just don't move at lightning speed like I do. Take an extra 60 seconds to assess anything out of sorts and finish up.

IN CONCLUSION
To make this system really work it has to be used EVERY DAY. If you skip a few days here and there it's easy for your bathroom to get that layer of dust and grime that takes more than just a few minutes to remove.

Once a week, skip cleaning your mirrors and fixtures and take a moment to sweep or mop the floor and wipe down the outside of your toilet. It can be done in a minute (ok, maybe two or three) if you mop with something easy like a Swiffer — if you can squeeze in the time to do it more frequently, great. Likewise, you can give your shower an actual scrub down — just use your time wisely and don't let it intimidate you!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/keeping-your-bathroom-clean-in-5-minutes-a-day-171474

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Grommet Guide

Who new grommets could be so sleek and modern? The new "it" thing is to use grommets in everything from furniture to table cloths, lamps and even bedding. Check out the pictures below for some fresh decorating ideas using curtain grommets. 


Designer Grommets always available at www.InteriorMall.com!