repurpose Archives - Lumber in My Minivan

2018, decorating tips, DIY, farmhouse, farmhouse decor, farmhouse style, Fixer Upper Inspired, repurpose, rustic DIY

Board and Batten farmhouse shutters: a ridiculously easy DIY

August 13, 2019August 13, 2019by LumberInMyMiniVan4 Comments

Our kitchen had this awkward window above the sink, which looked into the dining room. It was random and weird, and I couldn’t decide what to do with it. I thought about putting a cafe rod and curtains there, but I really didn’t want to do that.

I wanted something more unique. I spotted some scrap wood in my garage and I had an idea: why not create some simple, rustic shutters? I measured the opening and cut the wood. Then, I bought some cute hinges and handles.

Here they are all laid out but not actually put together.

I constructed four shutters with crossbars like this:

I then painted them white, as you can see.

I attached the hinges on the insides of the shutters so I could accordion close them into the sides of the opening.

I absolutely love how much character these simple, rustic shutters add to our kitchen.

What rustic DIY have you recently created?

2018, cheap decorating, New uses for old things, recycle, repurpose

What can you make with pool noodles?

June 6, 2019June 3, 2019by LumberInMyMiniVan1 Comment

Pool noodles are ridiculously cheap, and you can find them almost anywhere. And while most of us use them to float in a pool, there are many other ways you can use them as well. In today’s Pinterest roundup, I’d like to share some creative ideas for repurposing pool noodles.

You can use them to make a cheap wreath form for a lot cheaper than a foam wreath form.

Hometalk

You can use them to make a footstool for your house, or a faux stone column, or pool noodle luminaries.

Mother Daughter Projects

Epbot

Create. Craft. Love.

Make an obstacle course, a sprinkler, or a track for marble racing.

Sortrature

A pool noodle obstacle course would be a great, easy and cheap fun activity for your kids.

PBS Kids

You can cut the pool noodles to create stamps and paint a pattern.

Instagram

Next week, I’ll share how to organize your home with pool noodles. Have a wonderful weekend, and visit us here tomorrow for a GIVEAWAY!

2018, DIY, farmhouse, farmhouse decor, farmhouse style, hardware stores, knock offs, recycle, repurpose, thrifty decor, upcycle

Make it Monday: Easy Farmhouse Candlesticks

July 23, 2018by LumberInMyMiniVan5 Comments

I love chunky, wooden turned candlesticks, but they can be costly. Did you know you can easily DIY them from materials you can find in most hardware stores?

I was in Lowe’s earlier this week when I happened upon these lovely turned table legs.

I purchased the terra cotta saucers from Rural King.

I then used wood glue to glue saucers to one end of the legs, but for the end with the screw? I chose to drill a hole in the saucers.

I learned that you can soak your terra cotta pots overnight in water and drill a hole with a standard drill bit. No masonry bit needed!

I then bolted the saucers on and painted them white with two coats of chalk paint.

I’m happy with how they turned out, but I’m thinking of cutting one of the taller candlesticks down so I’ll have three varying sizes. I love the look of these and I know they’ll look great on our mantle.

This was a DIY project that didn’t cost much, and it was easy and fun to do. I love how cute these candlesticks are as well!

Have a wonderful week.

2018, decor, DIY, farmhouse, farmhouse decor, farmhouse style, Fixer Upper Inspired, Pin-spired projects, repurpose, rustic DIY

Create a Fixer Upper style sign…for cheap!

April 9, 2018by LumberInMyMiniVan3 Comments

I don’t know about you guys, but I love Fixer Upper. I’m always impressed by what Joanna puts together and I always love seeing the final product.

Have you ever visited the Magnolia Market website? There are so many things on there I’d love to buy, but we are trying to save money AND live with less.

I’ve recently been coveting this bakery sign:

I was set to order one but then noticed the pile of scrap wood in my garage. I instantly knew I could DIY one of these signs.

I created the letters in a font type and size I liked, printed them out and cut them out. Then, I painted the board white and traced the letters.

I then filled them in, taking care to make the letters look a little aged to add to the sign’s rustic charm.

I then attached a hanger to the back and displayed it in my dining room.

What Magnolia/Fixer Upper style craft have you completed lately?

2018, DIY, floral, seasonal decor

Make it Monday: mason jar succulent planter

February 26, 2018by LumberInMyMiniVan5 Comments

Now that spring is in the air, I find myself wanting to make lots of floral and nature-themed crafts. I recently acquired some tiny mason jars and was itching to make Something with them.