Upholstered headboards- comfortable, practical and beautiful...and expensive... The only downfall we could think of. But, GOOD NEWS- Making your own upholstered headboard is SO simple and very cost effective. For just about $100 you could make the headboard you dream of. Follow this link for instructions on how to do this DIY project.

http://simplystated.realsimple.com/home/2008/05/headboard-revam.html

We all know that painting a room creates a huge impact and can alter the look and feel instantly, but what if you add texture to that paint? The room will go from a plain painted wall to a rustic 100 year old villa in Italy, or an industrial look with a gray concrete feel. It's time to play with venetian plaster! With a little time and determination, you can add this beautiful finish to your walls. Follow this link from DIY network to find out how.

http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/decorative-paint-technique-venetian-plaster/index.html

A BIG thank you to Lynn, one of our loyal blog readers for sending us these fantastic before and after photos of her gallery. She was inspired to paint this console table after reading our DIY furniture painting blog post: http://roomjuice.com/home/interior-design-blog/item/35-diy-furniture-painting-give-a-pop-to-an-old-piece.html. What a HUGE difference it made in her space, creating a very fresh and fun look while still being very sophisticated. If you look at the before & after, you will notice that she didn't just paint the table, she took it one step further by re-accessorizing the area. Let's take a look at what she did to achieve this look.

Since the console Lynn was painting was in good condition, she didn't need to do any repair work. It was as simple as one coat of primer and a few coats of turquoise latex paint to create this look. After painting the table, she moved a few of the more colorful pieces of artwork closer to the mirror & table. One of the biggest impacts in this space is the new silver mirror- another brightening factor in the space. The brown framed mirror was somewhat heavy and dark and the reflectivity of the silver frame is just what the space needed. And finally, by getting some new accessories for the console table the space looks pulled together and complete. The white accent lamp and vase are clean and sophisticated and the asymmetrical arrangement creates a perfect balance. My favorite finishing touch is fresh flowers. Lynn picked the perfect bright red that really pops against the turquoise table. She read our mind since our favorite color scheme of the week was turquoise and red! http://roomjuice.com/home/interior-design-blog/item/43-color-scheme-turquoise-and-red.html

Great job Lynn and thank you again for sharing your DIY project!

Today’s DIY project is something that’s not only fun to create while you’re gluing the pieces together, but you will be sure to have some fun for months before saving up all of these wine corks! Not only is this upcycled wine cork board really fun and interesting, but it’s functional as well.

Cork boards are one of the necessities for keeping your home organized. It is a great thing to have in your kitchen to keep a favorite recipe, doctor appointment card, important receipts etc. It keeps your countertops uncluttered and your important items in front of your face so they don’t slip your mind. It also works in a home office, or you could use it in a living area and put up some of your favorite photos on it. Cork boards are usually not very pretty. They come in standard 1” wood or painted frames and they are very boring. This one will take some time and effort, but it’s really a focal piece that will enhance your home rather than make it feel like a boring office space with the standard staples cork board.

Start saving your wine corks; tell your friends and family to also! After you have collected enough for your board (depending on the size) decide what you want to create your board out of. The board in the photo uses an old window frame which creates two cork sections, but you could use a piece of plywood or an old mirror or art frame. Depending on the look you are going for you can go from an ornate frame filled with cork to a plain frameless cork board on a piece of inexpensive plywood. Once you have decided what to use, buy one of the tools pictured below…we don’t know what it’s called but you are sure to find one at home depot, lowes or your local hardware store. When you’re there be sure to pick up your wood glue and plywood if you need it. Finally, cut the corks in half and start gluing. We love the look of the board when the wine corks are different. So do some tasting and save up different ones- it will give it a more interesting and artistic look. And don’t forget to eat some cheese along the way!

We love all things green here at Room Juice, so today’s DIY project is one big recycling moment! Instead of throwing away that old piece of furniture, try your hand at painting it first. Painting your old furniture is a fantastic way to breathe new life into your space for a low cost. Plus, since you were considering getting rid of the piece anyway you don’t have to be afraid to try a pop of color for a change. Typically when investing in a piece of furniture we tend to go with neutrals that will not get old or we won’t get sick of. Most people shy away from buying a bright turquoise console table or a lime green chair. Here’s your chance to try out this trend for just about $50.

Here’s your shopping list:

- Medium to fine sandpapers (about 3 different ones)

- A cloth to clean

- Paint brushes

- Oil based primer

- Oil based paint: a semi-gloss is a nice finish to go with.

- You may need wood filler if there are any dents or dings in the piece

Before you go with a drastic color- establish your spaces color scheme. If you don’t have one, check out the Room Juice blog for ideas or let us design an accessory package for your space. Now, in most color schemes there is an accent, which is a great way to choose your paint color. For instance- if you’re going to use the plum with a dash of apple scheme that we blogged about yesterday, choose a shade of yellow-green for your furniture. It will give a pop and tie the space together.

Ok- now you’re ready…Here’s what to do:

1) First, make sure you cover the area you’re working in! Cover floors with plastic, then a layer of paper to make sure there is no bleed through if paint drips.

2) Wipe down the furniture with the cloth & some mild soap and water.

3) Sand the furniture, starting with the heavy paper and working down to the fine paper. This will ensure a smooth finish. Make sure to remove all gloss and as much paint as possible.

4) After sanding, wipe the piece down with a clean damp cloth to get off all the dust.

5) Apply a coat of primer and let it dry completely

6) After it is dry, sand it lightly with the fine paper.

7) Finally- apply two coats of your paint color- one at a time. Be sure to let them dry in between!

8) If your furniture has knobs or pulls- change them! It will really make it look new.

What could be more fabulous than the bubble chandeliers we featured on our blog last week from Jean Pelle http://www.jeanpelle.com/. But, let's face it- times are tough and although these beautiful handmade pendants are well worth the price, some of us just can't afford to splurge. That's why we have DIY day!

If you're not scared of a craft day, then save big bucks by making one all  by yourself...and with some help from CB2! With these perfect glass bubbles from CB2, some fishing wire, and a few other supplies you can make bubble art. We found a fabulous DIY post on a more sculptural piece here at Casa Sugar http://www.casasugar.com/DIY-Bubble-Chandelier-8478784.

For one that's more similar to a JP fixture, buy a bunch of these glass bubbles, a light cord kit with either a plug or a hardwire http://www.lunabazaar.com/white-light-cord-for-paper-lanterns.aspx, some twine or rope, and some round light bulbs http://www.bulbs.com/eSpec.aspx?ID=10993&Ref=Globe&RefId=126&Ref2=Incandescent+Bulbs . All you need to do is create the toggles as shown on the casa sugar instructions, and once the bubbles are on their strings, group them together along with the light bulbs on their wires. After you do this, wrap the grouping in twine or rope and voila! You have a beautiful light fixture, on a small budget.