Over the years, I've chosen time and time again to dive into DIY projects rather than buy a perfectly good version of whatever I need from a store that specializes in it. Whether it's a creative outlet or plain old frugality, I've developed quite the collection of stuff. Take a gander!

Nautical Worn Dresser

Lou, Townsquare Media
Lou, Townsquare Media
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This baby started out as a kids' dresser from Ikea, but with a little stain, paint, and sandpaper (and some cleats from a sail hardware website) it's a unique nautical mini-bureau!

Creative Coaster

Lou, Townsquare Media
Lou, Townsquare Media
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My boyfriend and I collect coasters wherever we go, and this one came from Lamplighter Brewery in Boston. I'm crafting a larger wall installation with the remaining 50+ coasters in our collection, but this one sits perfectly next to my light switch for the living room lamp.

Cools Wine, Holds Toothpaste

Lou, Townsquare Media
Lou, Townsquare Media
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A couple years ago, I bought a bottle cutting kit that weakens the glass around any size bottle and the breaks when you alternate pouring cold and hot water on it. It's a DIYer's dream come true and most of the containers I own were once homes to delicious alcoholic beverages.

Beer Box Rubbish Bin

Lou, Townsquare Media
Lou, Townsquare Media
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Have you done a price check on waste baskets lately? the cheapest, ugliest ones are at least $5-6 and who wants an eye-sore in their bathroom? For no money at all (besides the cost of the beer itself), you can repurpose a sweet cardboard box into a bathroom rubbish bin. Just add a plastic bag and you're all set!

Pom Pom Welcome Deco

Lou, Townsquare Media
Lou, Townsquare Media
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This is straight out of Pinterest, if you couldn't tell. I needed something 3D and had some extra yarn from a past project laying around. When I searched "yarn projects," this loom-esque thing showed up in the results and I learned in an afternoon how to make pom poms out of plain yarn!

Ski (Coat) Rack

Lou, Townsquare Media
Lou, Townsquare Media
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I found these kids' skis in the basement of my parents' shop back in Idaho and instantly wanted to make them into something. My dad helped me brainstorm and carry out the process to transform them into a coat rack, switching their bindings into hanging supports, and now they're one of my favorite belongings.

Radiator-Top Game Center

Lou, Townsquare Media
Lou, Townsquare Media
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What you can't see in this pic is the narrow 2X4 underneath all this stuff to protect from the heat of the radiator come next winter. Why work around an old rad and waste space when you can put it to use? For now, I turned this old heating mechanism into a makeshift shelf for my games, puzzles, and living room lamp. Easy peasy!

Kitchen Counter Just For Me

Lou, Townsquare Media
Lou, Townsquare Media
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I can't take credit for the Idaho cutting board; that was all my dad (and Idaho is the perfect shape for a cheese plate with a handle!) The cut containers, left a gin bottle and right a cider, were two more victims of my handy glass-cutter contraption. Like I said, I try to make my own glass containers whenever possible to add a touch of personal history to my storage mechanisms. Here, they house spatulas and tongs. The garlic is store bought, not DIY. And thus concludes my DIY deets tour; stay tuned for more as I settle into my new place!

 

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