It’s been awhile since I’ve shared some of the great things/sites I’ve found around the net about home decorating.  So today I’m sharing…….there are some cool DIY projects out there and since I’m slow in getting to my projects, I thought I’d show you what other creative types are doing.  I will find the time to work on one of the projects in my head and share it here.  I promise.  Really, I will.

DIY Projects

via FrugalHomeIdeas.blogspot.com

This faux wainscoting project is SO easy, you’ll be amazed. If you want to add some architectural detail to a room, this will get you inspired. Frugal Home Ideas shows before and after and step by step instructions – really, anyone can do this with a few boards and some paint! 

I was watching Project Runway this week and their project was to make a party dress out of a burlap potato sack.  Then I find this how-to for burlap curtains – is burlap the new ‘hot’ fabric?  Life to the T gives a perfect example of finding drapes in a catalog and figuring out a DIY way to accomplish the look on a budget.

via Heidi-HeartandHome.blogspot.com

More burlap – a casual table runner with ribbon trim from Heart and Home.  And below is a chair makeover with a few yards of burlap, a staple gun and a little sewing – see Beneath My Heart’s instructions.

via BeneathMyHeart.blogspot.com

via LilBlueBoo.blogspot.com

How about taking your resolutions and putting them out there for the world to see?  At Lil Blue Boo she shares a very complete tutorial to make your own ’subway sign’ art and display any message you’d like.

via Shanty2Chic.blogspot.com

I’ve often wondered how complicated it would be to recover my lampshade – here’s a detailed tutorial with photos and plenty of instruction.  Doesn’t the finished product look great? See it at Shanty2Chic.

via JordanKrogmanPhotography.blogspot.com

Yellow and gray color combos are everywhere – and this gal created this intricate painted wall.  She says her walls are gray, furniture is gray, so she needed a spark.  A little tape, a little paint, a little creativity…see her how-to starting with her posts on January 16 (her site is a photography site and she has some amazing photos of kids, etc. too: Jordan Krogman Photography)

via TatertotsAndJello.blogspot.com

Another creative type over at Tatertots and Jello figured out a way to make these look just like Pottery Barn pillows – for a fraction of the price.  Why would you have to do numbers?  Why not your initials or spell a word in pillows across your bed or sofa?  Find your inspiration piece and figure out how to make it yourself for less!

A no-sew option from A Pretty Cool Life.

A Pretty Cool Life has an excellent tutorial on making a simple no-sew Roman shade.  Lots of pictures and step by step, she makes it clear and helpful if you want to tackle a window covering project.

via TalesAndTrials.com

Topiaries are a great way to add green to a room, fill in a space on a bookshelf or add some height to an accessory grouping.  Their architectural shape makes them work for contemporary settings and used in pairs, the symmetry works great in traditional spaces.  This tutorial from Tales and Trials shows how she found her inspiration from a Ballard Designs ad and proceeded to remake a garage sale find.  You could also cover it with moss, ivy or even flower blooms for a totally different look.

Organizing and Cleaning

As I’ve gotten older I’ve become less fanatical about house cleaning.  But when I DO clean, I want to do it quickly and efficiently. I found these sites with great tips:

Here’s a link to a woman who researched how to use natural products to clean just about everything. Centsational Girl tells you what lemons, baking soda, vinegar, and olive oil can clean. (keep reading through the comments as others add their tips)

At Organize Your Stuff Now she shares her top ten organizational tools (under $10) – will one of them help you?

Here’s a post on Green Spring Cleaning from Mommy Goes Green - a 8-week plan to thoroughly clean your home.

Share Your Tips or Projects

Now I’d love to hear from you – do you have a favorite cleaning, organizing or DIY project to share?  Send us a little comment love and tell us all about it.