Rustic Kitchen Wall Gallery DIY



You know that one item you have in your home that you never use? You know the one… It may have been a gift, something you inherited, or maybe even a purchase you made with good intentions. Whatever the case may be, I’m almost certain every home has that one thing that’s just sitting in a cabinet or closet taking up space and collecting dust. 

My husband and I received these brass trays as a housewarming gift when we got our first apartment. Which means we’ve had them for over 10 years. I was ready to find a new home for them because they were in fact taking up much needed space and were very much underutilized (we’d used them about 2-3 times). But, my husband challenged me to find a new use for them. Challenge accepted!

Here’s my take on a rustic kitchen wall art gallery.



Step 1: painted the trays (front and back) with chalk paint. I love that there is no prep with the chalk paint.



Step 2: painted accessories with metallic spray paint.








These large utensils were less than $2 each at Walmart.



















I found these metal hanging letters for $2.99 each on clearance at Michaels.
Step 3: attached the utensils to the square tray using crazy glue



Step 4: put inspirational words on the larger tray using alphabet stickers and sealed with modpodge (I used matte finish)









Quick tip: if you try this, stick the letters on lightly until you get the spacing right before sticking down completely.











Step 5: assembled my gallery display.



One last step I took, before putting these on the wall, was using a matte finish acrylic spray sealer to minimize paint chipping (this is optional).
This project cost was around $25 (which includes the cost of the spray sealer). I really love how this came out! What do you think? Have you created your own wall art? Leave me a comment, I would love to know your thoughts. Thanks, and God Bless.

Living Simply,

Mindy✿

Easy Kitchen Drawer Organization

Do you want to know the secret to organizing kitchen drawers? Wait for it…this is mind-blowing! The secret to organized kitchen drawers is…there isn’t one. I don’t mean to be dramatic, but I’m here to tell you that organizing isn’t about having the prettiest, most expensive dividers or fancy contraptions. And you don’t have to get sucked in to the vortex of glamour shots that is Pinterest.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m all about using Pinterest to spark ideas and keep my mind working to get more creative. But, when it comes to your home you have to live in it. And what works for someone else will not necessarily work for you.

So, let me show you a very easy and inexpensive kitchen drawer update that literally took about a ½ hour and made a noticeable difference in functionality.

Here is what each drawer looked like before.

Part of my wanting to revamp these drawers was the fact that the kitchen was not part of the renovations we made to our home. The cabinets are probably original to the year our home was built in 1925. No joke! But, I have to live with them in the meantime.

And here is the after. I decided to categorize items by amount of use.

What a difference purging and decluttering can make! How about that towel folding! And for about $6 worth of dollar store baskets this is a much more efficient use of the space. Now I know exactly what I have in each drawer without having to move anything around.

If you liked this, you may like these budget friendly pins I found!

DIY Cereal Box Drawer Organizer by

The StonyBrook House

Pegboard Drawer Storage

by

From House to Home

And this Baking Utensil Organizer (using paint sticks) by

Dreaming In Color

What areas in your home are you organizing? Thanks again for stopping by, and God bless!

Living Simply,

Mindy

✿

Budget Outdoor Lighting


So, I finally got around to cleaning up the backyard because we had an outdoor birthday party for our 6 and 10-year-old daughters. I had decided that adding to the one light we have on the back of the house would give us the option to extend our outdoor living time.

I hadn’t come across very many options for inexpensive outdoor lighting (none that fit my taste anyway). After browsing on Pinterest, I decided to create these two DIY lighting projects. And it just so happens that all the items I used are from Dollar Tree making the cost less than $20.



To start I created this easy string light with only two items


Step 1: cut the cups off this string of lights and added batteries. This light string does say “for indoor use only”, so I will not be leaving it outside.


Step 2: inserted each light into the ball decoration where it fit snuggly to avoid having to glue it. I ended up using 2 ½ packages of the balls.


All done!
The second project required a little more technique but, was also quick. The supplies are pictured.


Step 1: removed the stake from the solar light along with the plastic covering and spray painted the rim of the light being sure to cover the solar panel.


Step 2: while the paint dried, I wrapped the floral wire around the rim of the jar leaving about an inch overhang. Then wrapped the wire onto itself to secure.
















Step 3: created a handle and tucked the wire under on the other side of the jar leaving another overhang.



Step 4: wrapped the remaining wire overhang around itself to secure.


Step 5: attached the solar lantern to the jars outer lid with hot glue. Then secured the lid back on the jar.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a picture outside due to a thunderstorm. But for the sake of showing you how it looks in the dark, here are a couple of shots inside. Isn’t it pretty?


Leave me a comment if you've created your own DIY lighting. I would love to see your ideas! Until next time, keep it simple. Thanks, and God Bless!
Living Simply,
Mindy✿

Beach themed outdoor decor DIY


I don’t know about you, but I love the beach! I love summer in general, but there’s something about laying out on the sand and watching the waves that is very soothing. Now we live in New England which means the ocean water is absolutely freezing and beaches are crowded. Even so our family tries to make at least one or two trips a year. So, since we don’t go as often as I’d like, I thought I would bring the beach to us with beach themed décor.
I will be sharing two diy projects that will be on our backyard patio table. Now if I could only get the yard cleaned up…sigh.





For the first project I used a glass jar I found for $5 at the Target dollar spot. Along with some decorative items from Dollar Tree, and a few things I had laying around the house. 



Step 1: measured and cut jute rope to the length I wanted the handle to hang. Then twisted in half and attached (using hot glue) a nut, which I spray painted with metallic paint.


Step 2: attached a key ring (also spray painted) to each nut using hot glue.

Step 3: wrapped jut rope around neck of the jar, while stringing on the key rings to the second layer. Attached with hot glue.

Step 4: attached a votive candle holder to the bottom of the jar with hot glue. This was so I would be able to remove the battery-operated candle.

Step 5: filled the jar with sand and shells from the Dollar Tree.






For project number two, I thought I would make use of this raised garden bed I purchased 2 summers ago with the intent on starting a garden. There is no garden to speak of. So, I made what I’m calling faux pallet art.
Step 1: took the garden bed apart and cut the wood pieces to fit this quote art I found at Dollar Tree.

Step 2: attached the cut pieces to create a pallet.


Step 3: used modpodge (the outdoor formula) to adhere the art to the wood. I ended up cutting the paper into strips to give it the wood pallet look. I love how it looks imperfect.


Step 4: attached frame support from the back of a previously used frame.



And there you have it. Two simple projects that cost less than $20. I hope this inspires you to create something that reminds you of a soothing experience. Until next time, thanks and God Bless!
Living Simply,
Mindy✿

DIY Laundry Room Organization - Part 3


Today I’m sharing the third and final part of my Laundry Room Organization series. This has been one long process, but I’ve learned some things along the way. I’ve always tried to live by the words “less is more” (or at least I thought I did) and I’m realizing I could live with less. Getting everything checked off on my to do list isn’t necessarily more important than figuring out what things can be removed from my life.

Do you ever feel like your email inbox is a death trap? There’s that never-ending cycle of promotional emails you get just because you had to subscribe to get one coupon. Then you have the social media notifications that won’t go away no matter how many settings you change. When it takes a week to clear out your email inbox it’s a problem. Ok, end rant. I say all that to say my Laundry Room Organization project has been one of those clutter solving projects that reiterates the less is more mentality and I’m striving to keep it simple.

This week I used scrap pieces of MDF, from my DIY folding station, to add to the existing shelving. I also decided to create a curtain to have the option of the shelves being hidden from view.




Project goals:

1.       Add to shelving

2.       Create enclosure for shelving

Supply list: hand saw, right angle braces (12), screws, drill, level, white sheet, pompom trim, fabric glue, hot glue

Step 1: Cut MDF boards to size and created a one shelf unit by attaching angle braces with screws.


Step 2: Attached shelf unit to existing shelving. I decided not to paint at this point, maybe I’ll change my mind later.


Step 3: Created a curtain from an old flat bed sheet by cutting to size and attaching an adhesive pompom trim. I doubled the sheet and secured with fabric glue and hot glue (for faster setting).


Step 4: I hung the curtain with the cheapest rod I could find (this one is only 1.79 from Ikea), and curtain rings with clips from Amazon.


To recap, here is all three parts in the series.


The total cost  for all three parts of this project was less than $60!

Once again, thanks for stopping by. I hope this inspired you to simplify your life. Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Also stop by my Instagram page @simplymindy3 where I’ll be posting frugal finds, upcycle ideas, post previews, and just simple things that make me smile. Thanks, and God Bless.

Living Simply,

Mindy✿

DIY Laundry Room Folding Station


This past week I worked on part 2 of my laundry room organization project. I had only intended this to be a 2-part project, but after getting the supplies needed for this part, I decided I will be adding to the existing shelving behind the machines. But more on that next week.

I must be honest; part of this project was almost a DIY fail. I say almost because I will be correcting the failed attempt. As you’ll see in the pictures, the hardware I initially purchased was not supportive enough to hold the folding table leaf. I had it all planned in my mind, and it was going to work! I tend to keep my project plans in my head, which can be good and bad. But, that’s something I’m working on. So, anyway I decided to share this even though it's not complete.




Project goals:

1.       Create a surface for folding laundry.

2.       Create a space for kitchen towels that need to be washed.

Supplies used: ½ inch MDF board cut to size, Peel and Stick Laminate (contact paper), hinges, and screws.


Step 1: Bought mdf board and had it cut to size in store. I went to Lowes, and got 2 4x4 ft. sheets of mdf. I had 3 pieces cut, 2 for the folding table and one for to use on the surface of the dryer. I was so excited that I didn’t have to do any cutting myself!



Step 2: Covered the boards with the contact paper (I am in love with this stuff!) after applying a light coat of white spray paint and primer. The spray paint was to prevent any wood showing through and to help the paper adhere.



Step 3: At this point the dryer surface board was done. And this is where the diy fail comes in. After attaching the hinges and bolt lock I realized the lock would not hold the board upright! So, at this point I started an online search which brought me to the realization that I needed a folding bracket. Duh!

Fail! 


This is what it will look like when I get it right. This is one of those 3 drawer rolling carts with the drawers replaced by this basket that fit perfectly snug. 



And there you have it.
The total cost of this project was about $30 including the hardware. I hope this inspired you to create something that fits your space! I will update this post after adding the bracket to the folding table. Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Have you had any DIY fails? Thanks and God Bless!


Living Simply,

Mindy ❁