An Idea Worth Stealing

A few weeks ago I found the perfect bouquet at the thrift store for $1. What makes it so perfect?

It's simple yet stunning.

Simple because it's made using a half round piece of styrofoam with the heads of faux flowers glued abundantly on top. It's stunning because it can be plopped atop almost anything and
it looks gorgeous.

A silver ice bucket.A white pedestal vase.An old copper pot.On top of moss rocks inside a huge hurricane.

And it's easy to store away when the season, or your mood, changes. It's definitely an idea worth stealing (or buying at the thrift store for $1).

He Said I Should

I spotted this huge tray at the thrift store for $1. When my husband questioned my choice I told him that I wanted a big tray for our coffee table and we could either build one or I could invest in this one for a dollar. He said I should spend the dollar (I'm sure he just didn't want to have to build anything in this summer heat.)
The tray is over two feet wide---it's an ugly old restaurant tray that it's previous owner gave makeover using contact paper.

That's one way to improve it's appearance.
But as any good DIYer knows,
spray paint is really the ultimate fix!Now that dollar tray looks at least ten times the price!

Everybody Loves a Monogram

A great way to indicate where you live (along with your address) is to hang a huge monogram just outside your door.
I purchased an big wooden letter at my local craft store for just a few dollars.To make it a more significant statement I cut a piece of beadboard and framed it with MDF strips.I spray painted the beadboard frame black and the letter got a couple of coats of heirlloom white for a nice contrast.

It's the perfect piece in the perfect spot!
No wonder everybody loves a monogram.

Address This

My client shares a long driveway with her neighbors. She wanted a way to let people know which home was theirs. I thought about making something like this to show off her address, but she also asked for items that were low maintenance.I walked the aisles of the home improvement store until I discovered the electrical section. I purchased a long conduit pipe, two bent sections, and a bag of joiners. I also picked up address numbers and a small piece of galvanized sheet metal.
Mr. JofH cut the pipe and assembled the frame. He backed the sheet metal with cedar boards so the numbers could be screwed in, then hung the address from the frame with a few links of chain.I was thrilled with the no maintenance, simple industrial look and so was my client.

No More Big and Boring

My adorable client had a wall in her home that was her nemesis. Her home is filled with beautiful architectural details, but this wall was big and boring. She loved the look of board and batten and wondered if it would be appropriate for this wall.Directly across from the wall is a beautiful wall of windows.
I wanted to repeat the details of the window wall onto the opposite wall. I sketched out a drawing and her talented husband used it as inspiration.They started by painting out the lower portion of the wall.He framed out the sides and top.Added the vertical boards to the lower portion. Topped with a horizontal band. Then finished off the top portion with vertical boards.Big and Boring is now Bold and Beautiful!

You're So Vane

I found these vanity benches at different times years ago at thrift stores. I bought the second thinking that it was an exact match to the first. It wasn't. The legs are different but fortunately the size is the same. They sat in my storage room until I found this darling fabric. It's too light weight for upholstery fabric so I knew that if I were going to use it on a piece of furniture it would have to something that wouldn't be used every day. That's when I remembered the benches. I knew that with a little makeover they would finally find a home.With a little Mediterranean Blue spray paint to unite them, and cushy new tops for comfort, those worn out benches now look fresh and new.
They now reside at the foot of the bed in the guest room.

They finally look right at home!(And I might have just enough fabric left to cover that small pillow!)

Spicy Makeover

When I discovered this spicy orange floral fabric in the clearance pile I knew that it would look great in my family room.I pulled the perfect chair from another room in the house to give it it's inexpensive update.I removed the seat and covered the existing foam with a fresh layer of batting for a little extra cushiness.Then it was just a matter of cutting, pulling and stapling.Now I have a gorgeous addition to my family room that took me only a few minutes and around two dollars to create.

How's that for a little spice of life?

I am so happy to announce that Joys of Home has officially been declared the winner of the JDR Blogger Awards in the category of interior design!!!!!
I am indebted to those of you who took the time to vote.

Thank you,
thank you so very much!!!

Shutter Love

Last year I found an old shutter while doing a dumpster drive-by. Even though I had no clue what I would do with a tall, lone, beat-up shutter, I threw it in the garage until inspiration hit. Then it happened! I pulled out my trash find, cleaned, spray painted, and sanded until it had the perfect worn patina.
I added a knob where one was missing. I grabbed clips from my office supplies. And I began to hang and clip fun items onto the slats. Now I have the perfect memo/photo board for our guest room.

Trying a Trend

What do you do with a pretty little button? You use it as the center for a trendy
fabulous fabric flower.

Make a flower pattern by folding a piece of paper in half, in half again, and then fold one edge to meet the opposite, forming a point. Using scissors, round off the open end about 2 & 1/2 inches from the point. Make a second pattern by repeating the process of folding and cutting, this time cut about 2 inches from the point. You now have two flower pattern sizes.Choose one or two of your favorite fabrics, like brown burlap and a piece of upholstery fabric. Cut two of each size flower patterns (one fabric per pattern if you're using two fabrics).Layer the two small pieces on top of the two large, alternating the fabrics.
Stitch and hot glue the four layers together. Be sure to scrunch each layer a bit so they don't just lay flat (this is where the hot glue comes in handy).

Add a pin to the back. If you don't have an "official brooch pin" simply cut a scrap of coordinating fabric and glue it on top of a safety pin.Then pin it onto your blouse and get ready to
hear the comments like:

"That's pretty. Did you make it?"

"I like your brooch."or my favorite
"What is that?!?!"