DIY Pallet Bed Frame

The post title pretty much says it all - I made a bed frame from pallets. Best part is that the pallets were free! Love free stuff and love repurposing. And before you tell me about the bad chemicals in pallets, I'm gonna say - not these pallets! They are certified clean of the bad stuff.

Anyways, I'm getting a little off topic.I have been seeing a lot of things made from pallets lately. And I got inspired to make a day bed frame since we sold the queen size bed in the guest room and down-sized to a full. The pallets I used were jumbo size - 54 x 40. Most pallets are 48 x 40. And since a full size mattress is 54 x 75, these pallets were made for repurposing into a bed frame. Too many numbers there? Sorry, just fast-forward to the pics below.

To make the bed frame, I first laid the pallets out on the ground to measure. Then I marked where I was going to cut. And then I used my saw to cut them. That finger is my friend pointing to the cut line. He helped me move the pallets too. Thanks Josh!

Next I pried apart the discarded cut piece to salvage the support board. I could have cut a new support board...but why? I would rather save my pennies and get an arm work-out in the 100 degree weather. After I fought with the pallet, I squeezed the support board into the cut area to hold up the top.

Then I nailed in the salvaged support board to the cut pallet. After that, which was a pain since I always use a drill, we moved the pallets into the guest room. And to protect the mattress from the bare wood, I used the bed skirt as a barrier.

So there is my free DIY bed frame. And I have already made the new "headboard" for the day bed. Just have to repair a few little holes in the wall from where the panel headboard was secured. Oh - and the Habitat for Humanity is taking the panel headboard. They are going to auction it off in their Restore & After fundraiser!

I am making some progress in the guest room now. The large queen bed has been replaced with a full size mattress that I am using as a day bed. Next I need to figure out the desk situation. I love the desk I built, but I don't think it is the best solution for the room anymore.

RTH House Crashes - Literally

When my BFF got stuck in a rut on her house remodel, I lent my DIY helping hand to the remodel...at the cost of the projects being on the blog. We have all had it happen to us - start out strong on a remodel project and then get busy with life and the remodel takes a back burner (happens to me all the time). This was no different, but she was soooo close to finishing and I am thrilled to help out.

With girl power in full swing, we tackled her bathroom, more specifically the open linen closet. There used to be cabinets in the space by the shower, but she wanted something different instead of the closed up cabinets. An open closet was the perfect solution. She had already done the hard work - floating the wall and painting. I just came in at the last minute to help install shelves.

First we cut 2x2 boards to use as supports. And then we cut the plywood for the shelves. Then we sanded and primed the boards. Then we marked the lines in the closet where she wanted the shelves. Next we drilled pilot holes into the 2x2 boards so they wouldn't crack. Then, finally, we screwed in the 2x2's:

We kept a small level on the 2x2 at all times to make sure that it stayed level. And then we just kept screwing in the 2x2's on the previously marked lines and ended up with this:

Looks a little like a ladder. Finally, we laid the plywood boards on top of the 2x2's and high-fived each other! Looks like an open linen closet to me:

Go girl power! All that is left is to paint these little shelves and then call it done!

You Asked, I'm Answering

Hey y'all! I received a lot of sweet emails with some great questions and I'm here to spill all of the juicy details. Well, not juicy. Just matter-of-fact answers. So, let's get this show on the road.

What is your can't live without tool?
Hmmm...that is difficult. I use my drill the most, so I guess that is the answer.

What is your beauty routine? Or something similar - favorite makeup, go-to products , etc.
Ha! No beauty routines here. The only thing I do that is not really common (but it isn't a secret) is that I wash my hair with conditioner, no shampoo. Google will enlighten you about conditioner-only washes. And products I love - C.O. Bigelow lip gloss, Cover FX makeup, and coconut oil for my hair. That's it, but the list is subject to change at anytime.

Your husband, what does he think about the remodel?
Well, he is just along for the ride.  He never knows what he will come home to - a remodeled bathroom, a new piece of furniture, a torn-up floor, new paint, etc. He says he doesn't care, but I secretly think he loves it.

Why remodeling? Your house is great!
True, it is a great house. Call me crazy, but remodeling is fun to me...hence, remodeling the house. I would work on any house, even a brand new one.

Is your house a forever-house?
No, not even close. It is our first house. And we are both ready to move closer to his work. Hopefully we will be selling and buying next year.

Favorite project?
I have never been asked this. I think it is the living room since that is where we spend most of our time. Replacing the carpet with hardwood, tearing out the built ins, and revamping the fireplace made huge improvements.

How long have you and the hubby been together?
6 years dating + almost 6 year married = 12 years. We were high school sweethearts and I guess he never got tired of my crazy antics because he is still around.

Do you make inspiration boards?
Not for myself, but I love to make them for other people. I have a general idea of what I want the finished room to look like, but usually I just wing it and see what happens. So far I haven't redone anything. Are you in need of one? I can whip you up something!

Have you ever had to hire someone to do a project?
Hmmm...does having the counter tops installed count? The installation was free with the purchase! Or does having family help count? Those are the only two things that I can think of. We have never paid someone for their work...unless you count food for the family.

Where is that floor plan you promised?
It's in the works... Who am I kidding? I haven't started on it. But it is on the list of things-to-do. So one day I'll get around to it.

If I count correctly, that is 10 questions and 10 answers. There were a few other questions that came in, but I just replied and answered them - things like paint colors, where I got something, etc. Maybe this helped answer some of your burning questions. If not, feel free to ask away. I love to talk!

Cabinet Door Memo Board

A quick little project to gain some much needed memo board / note space...and it is all hidden behind a cabinet door. This project really came in handy after I removed my memo board from the laundry room to paint the funky stripes. Instead of putting the board back on the wall, I repurposed the inside of a kitchen cabinet door into a memo board. (Gee, how many times can I say memo board in one post?!)

All you need to make this is some cork, scissors or exacto knife, and spray glue. And, of course, a cabinet door. This is my spice cabinet.

First, trim the cork to the needed size. I roughly measured a little larger than needed. Then I held the cork up and used the exacto knife to get an exact fit.

Next, spray the glue onto the cabinet door where the cork will be placed. Finally, place the cork onto the glue and hold in place for a few seconds.

Yay for hidden storage! Now fill the space up with pictures, mementos, business cards, etc. This project works well for my cabinet doors because they are paneled and the cork fits snugly. A bonus is that I get to see smiling faces when I open my spice cabinet - not everyone gets to say that about their cabinets.

And the best part is that the side of my fridge got a good cleaning as well. Maybe I am OCD, but I don't like things on the front of my fridge, so they are banished to the side. But now, I moved the few items to the memo board. Happy day!

So...what are your hidden storage secrets? Anyone else have cabinet door memo boards? Or do you have other great ideas for cabinet doors? I made a few of my old cabinet doors in chalkboards.

Attention friends & family - I have a really nice memo board if someone needs it. I'll even give it away, since I'm nice like that. Here it is, hanging in the pre-striped laundry room:

DIY Trophy?

I don't even know if this is a trophy. Actually, I don't even know why this exists...

I was browsing through TJ Maxx when I ran across them. And there were also extension cords and roller skates. Do these get awarded to the best painters? Maybe this is some hot trend and I am getting too old to understand?! Let me tell you, it sure was hard to pass that red one up...... yeah right!

Fess up now. What do you think about these? Would you proudly display on your mantel? Or maybe you are already an owner of a paintbrush trophy?!