PROJECT #1 - Modern/Organic Curtains for less than $30
DIGNITET Curtain Wire & Clips from IKEA + 6' X 9' Canvas Dropcloth from Lowes, for a total cost of 12.99 (wire system) + 4.99 (clips) + $10.98 (drop cloth) = $28.96; hard to beat for a complete window treatment.
I wanted a clean, simple window covering that was both modern (clean lines) and organic (good texture, natural pallet). I had been admiring various components of this window treatment since spotting them on Pinterest a few weeks back:
- Clip drapery rings that can turn any piece of fabric into "curtains" (available at Target)
- Using a painter's drop cloth as a curtain: Shabby Love, one of the many DIY blogs I attempt to emulate, has a great Drop Cloth Shower Curtain Tutorial.
- Not implemented here, but my original plan was to paint on a yellow chevron pattern, as shown by Kristen F. Davis Designs in her Chevron Curtain DIY post. Although I still love the idea (and already purchased the paint!), I determined that it just didn't fit with the existing design elements in this space.
PROJECT #2 - Sleek, Modern, All-wood bed frame for less than $100
Full/Double FJELLSE Bed Frame ($49.99) & SULTAN LADE wood slats ($30.00) from IKEA + Minwax Walnut Stain from Lowes ($15.77) = $95.76.
I wanted to upgrade my simple metal bed frame to something a little less squeaky (the dang thing squeaked every time I sat down or turned over). My first thought was, "I'll just build a bed!" (how much harder could it be than building a dog bed?). So after a few hours of furious Google searching, the best thing I found was Ana White's step-by-step plan for a "Much More than a Chunky Leg Bed Frame", which really does look fabulous. But one wonders:( 1) how long will it actually take; (2) what is the likelihood that I will screw this up and; (3) will I actually save money? For me, the answers were: (1) probably much longer than I think; (2) "high"and; (3) probably not much.
So, I turned to IKEA, which happily offers this cheap, unfinished, all-wood option for the eager do-it-yourselfer (yay, me!). Further inspired by brilliant do-it-yourselfers such as Manhattan Nest's glorious FJELLSE hack: A Whole Mess of Staples, I was ready to turn this simple bed into the bed frame of my dreams. All I needed was a little wood stain....
So after sifting through lots of wood & screws...
And spending an entire weekend attempting to successfully stain a bunch of pine wood (mind you, I live in an apartment, don't have any power tools (e.g., a sander would have been nice!), and it was the middle of February when I attempted this project (i.e., stain does not dry quickly when it is below freezing outside), the finished project finally emerged about four days later than my original estimates:
A few disclaimers:
- Shipping cost to have the frame/slats sent to my house =$20. Less than the gas I would've spent to get to the store + reduced stress from worrying whether or not it would fit in my car + 4-5 day 'instant' gratification arriving at my door step = worth it, for me.
- Staining a piece of furniture is NOT - *definitively not* - a piece of cake. Actually it is pretty difficult, time consuming and easy to screw up. If you ever hear me talk about doing such a thing in the future, please remind me that it is a BAD IDEA. Alternatively, I suggest getting yourself a nice can of spray paint (in whatever color suits your fancy) and you will save yourself a pile of trouble & time. Slap a layer of polyurethane on top, and you won't even be able to tell it's spray paint!
- Resist the temptation to put together the various wood pieces until AFTER the staining/painting/spraying phase has been completed. Otherwise, you will inevitably be faced with a bunch of hard to fill-in nooks and crannies (I speak from experiences, as someone who put together both the headboard and footboard before being forced to undo my steps)
- Consider your choice of slats carefully. I simply bought the cheapest option on offer, which I probably wouldn't have done if I had it to do over. Don't get me wrong, the SULTAN LADE slats are perfectly adequate. A lot of people talk about having issues with the slats falling through, but this hasn't been an issue for me at all (side note: this related video is hilarious!). My issue had to do with the level of firmness afforded by solid wood bed slats, which was a little too firm for my taste. After sleeping on the slats for a week, it isn't soo bad (with the help of a memory foam mattress cover), but I would suggest paying a little more to get the more flexible SULTAN LURÖY ($50 for Full/Double) or the even more luxurious SULTAN LAXEBY ($120 for Full/Double).
I was thinking of getting a Fjellse bed frame also, and wondering how to finish it.
ReplyDeleteSince the frame is unfinished pine, I looked up time-tested traditional ways for finishing unfinished pine.
One of the easiest and also best apparently, is 100% Tung oil. Simply wipe it on and let it dry. It penetrates, stays in the wood, leaves a matte finish on the surface on which water beads. The color darkens slightly. Not much. The grain is slightly accentuated.
Stains can be rubbed out with additional Tung oil on a rag.