#treads Archives - Slave to DIY

Classic, Elegant Christmas Decor Inspiration and Ideas on a Budget

Posted on November 21, 2019 by admin

I’ve been sneaking Christmas decor out of the closet, but I guess I’m not super stealthy. The thing is, I don’t have a lot a lot of energy, and I really have to pace myself. So, if everything but the tree is up before Thanksgiving, so be it. This is my favorite time of the year, and the little white twinkling lights just give me the Christmas feels! So, here is what I have done so far:

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The exterior: If it was up to me, we’d be done. I have wreaths with red ribbons and window candles with automatic light sensors and flickering flames (for about $5 each, I thought these were a steal). Okay, maybe some lighted garland around the porch would be cool, but, we’ll see. Clark Griswold is already harassing me about adding more lights, but I’m standing my ground.

Classic Christmas Decor: Wreaths with red ribbons in the windows and window candles

This is a great example of the unpredictable weather in Coastal NC: My roses are still blooming, my hydrangea leaves haven’t wilted yet, my Christmas stuff is out, and there are still tons of leaves falling.

This is a close up of the basic wreaths: Very basic but should hold up well outdoors, and they were cheap enough that it won’t break my heart if they’re ruined. They’re perfectly matched with the window candles!

This is a great example of “be where you are.” I am not in love with my fireplace set up currently, but it’s where we are, so I just decorated the crap out of it. I am REALLY proud of my garland I put together, with a willow/eucalyptus garland combined with a basic fir garland (if you don’t have any of these, go to Michael’s after Christmas when they’re pretty much giving them away. They’re on racks on the wall and I got the basic lighted garlands for about $5 each. The faux silver dollar eucalyptus and preserved roses arrangement I added as an afterthought and I love the combo. (Check out our great post on how to preserve roses!)

This awesome Ethan Allen Vase I use for every season with different stems because I ADORE it! The faux cranberries make a gorgeous, simple seasonal arrangement (tip: open them outside and let them air out a little… they have a heavy chemical scent but are beautiful once they’ve breathed a little they’re great!).

For the story of why our turtle inspires us, check out the story on Our Instagram!

And finally, I’m still in work on these faux eucalyptus mixed garlands, and there is a great garland tutorial on our blog so you can make your own much more cheaply than buying them! And I’m just loving the cool led cork-bottle fairy lights, if you’re looking for what to do with all those bottles you saved.

How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price

I would love to hear what you think about our Christmas style in the comments below! Do you have any Christmas decor traditions at your house?

Check out more of our decor and project inspiration over on our blog. Cheers!

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How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price

Posted on November 16, 2019November 16, 2019 by admin

Unless you thought ahead last year and swept Michael’s post-Christmas sale you’re probably in the same boat as everyone else- seeing all these gorgeous Christmas displays on Instagram and Pinterest and wondering how they do that (and how do they afford it?!). The secret is, they don’t usually buy pre-made garlands (or at least some don’t), because they’re crazy expensive! They make their own. Well, guess what? Even if you don’t have the gift for arranging greenery (I DON’T EITHER), you can make a beautiful garland that will impress all your holiday guests!

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I was checking out the Balsam Hill site and their eucalyptus garland is on sale for $119. Ha. I need six to do my stair and upstairs hallway railing. Quick math: that’s too expensive. So, I decided to transform the Mixed Pine Lighted Garland that I got a couple years ago from Michaels (on sale at the time for 50% off because I procrastinated long enough). They’re currently on sale for about $20.

Step one: Check to make sure the light kit is working (ask me why I put this first) and then lay it out on a flat work space (like the dining room table).

Step Two: Flatten out all of the branches evenly on both sides of the garland. Nothing should be sticking up or hiding underneath.

I found the Eucalyptus Garland on Amazon for about $10 each. They come looking flat and sad, but fluff nicely once you mess with them a little.

Step Three: Lay the eucalyptus flat on the fir garland. The foot of the garland should be lined up with the female end of your light kit if you want to drape them naturally (in this picture the plug end that goes into the wall is at the bottom of the picture).

This is what they look like up close:

This is what it looks like part way done:

Step Four: Starting at the base: Pull each eucalyptus branch away from the base and wrap the fir branch (that is directly below it) into the elbow, wrapping it across to the other side. Do this on the other side as well. This will make an X of fir branches over the eucalyptus.

Step Five: Once you’ve made Xs everywhere there is a eucalyptus branch, go back and arrange the leaves. You’ll see that on each branch there is a short leaf and a long leaf. Put the short leaves on top of the fir branches you twisted and the long leaf underneath.

This is what it will look like:

Here’s one more: (Don’t mess with it more until you get it up where it’s hanging, because it will move around a little once you get it hung).

Step Six: Hang your garland. I hang it on my railing with the flat part against the railing (the part that was laying on the table) so the fluffy side is out. I use the wire from the end of the garland to secure it to the top of the post but your method will depend on the size of your posts, etc.

Step Seven: Do your final fluffing! Here’s where you eyeball it and move leaves around if it looks a little thin in some places or too full in others.

More arranging:

Step Eight: Plug it in and enjoy!

Lighted and ready! (Those FABULOUS Wine Bottle Cork Lights are super reasonable and lots of fun).

And now I’m ready to go Christmas tree shopping!

I’m totally psyched I have this (mostly) done and that each strand costs only $30 to make.

Do you repurpose old decorations? Please share in the comments below! And, of course, check out more great content on our blog!

Cheers!

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Giant Family Canvas Gallery Wall On A Budget

Posted on November 1, 2019October 23, 2020 by admin

One of the things I get the most compliments on at our house is my giant, black and white canvas gallery wall. It is always a work in progress (sort of like arranging built ins) because I add to it on a regular basis. In fact, this wall has been in work for upwards of eight years!

We have five kids, and three of them are now grown: in college or graduated from college and newly in the work force. That definitely makes me feel old sometimes, but it helps me tremendously to have photos of the people that I love (AND MISS) in a place where I get to look at them on my way up and down the stairs, every day!

The problem with canvasses, obviously, is the cost. Regularly priced large, custom canvasses easily run into the hundreds of dollars. I can’t afford that, but I LOVE the look.

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I can tell you that I’ve paid about $20 for each of my canvas prints and check out the awesome results:

Giant Family Canvas Gallery Wall On A Budget

The trick is PATIENCE (and having downright adorable children): getting on the email list and waiting for sales. Easy Canvas Prints is awesome because it seems like they are “having huge sales” all the time. I’m not sure why it’s not just the price, but whatever. They also generally have free shipping if you purchase a few so I’ve done them in sets.

The other thing is… Once I had a huge order (a Christmas order for grandparents and parents) and one of the canvasses was damaged and one of the others looked as though it was smeared. I emailed them and they reprinted the ENTIRE ORDER free and set it right back out the next day. Their customer service is top notch and I’m always surprised how quickly they print and ship. I am a very happy and loyal customer!

I’ve also had quite a few color prints done and the detail and colors are spectacular.

I have various color prints all over the house, too, but I’ll admit, the black and white wall is my favorite.

Tip: If you have them where you REALLY want them, use 3M double sided mounting tape on each corner so they won’t wiggle around when people walk by. But, that stuff stays, so make sure it’s really where you want them before you commit!

I use Easy Canvas Prints to print canvasses for grandparents and parents, because there’s nothing they’d rather receive then great photos of the people they love!

Do you like color or black and white canvasses better? Let me know in the comments below! Cheers!

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House Porn: An Artist’s Masterpiece in Alabama

Posted on August 5, 2019August 5, 2019 by admin

I have a confession to make: I’m bored to tears with white. There was a time when texture and color were okay, and i desperately miss those days. I recently found a place where every surface: every wall, floor, fixture, and cabinet door has interest. Like a breath of fresh air: hand carved details, custom wall finishes, hand hewn floors… I love it all. Check out the home tour in photos below.

The listing, at 2740 Abingdon Rd, Mountain Brook, AL is 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, and a sprawling 4337 sq. ft. The listing photos are the property of the Realtor, Brooke Wahl, at ARC realty and can be reached at 855-822-3469 for anyone interested in purchasing.

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The exterior:

A two acre lot feels big and is beautifully manicured, perfect for outdoor entertaining and family time. Sculptures are placed throughout the landscape, rolling hills, and stone gardens and patios. The pool is a tasteful addition and blends with the rest of the exterior seamlessly.

Birmingham Alabama artist's home with incredible textures and finishes — Exterior stone, chimneys, and descending rooflines

Special spaces:

I felt like Alice in Wonderland exploring this place, and the details are incredible. One of my favorite places? The art studio.

The interior:

Deep autumn hues wrap the entire interior in a warm, homey hug, yet it’s sophisticated and creative. Extensive recessed lighting, and warm wrought iron fixtures and chandeliers, ensure that it’s still bright even with the maximalist style and textured walls, ceilings, and floors.

c2505216b535fd30653e6ae2d622f3b2l-m11xd-w1020_h770_q80 — Living area with real wood paneling, beams, and modern lighting

c2505216b535fd30653e6ae2d622f3b2l-m33xd-w1020_h770_q80 — Guest bathroom with marble and glass shower, iron sconces, textured walls, and wood plank ceiling

What do you think? Are you ready to ditch those boring white walls for texture and layers of color?

Thanks for checking out our post! Get more awesomeness on our blog. Cheers!

*Legal stuff:

I am honest about my experiences with different products and write because I enjoy it. I do however, have the opportunity to earn money for my writing, also.

Slavetodiy.com is also a VigLink affiliate advertiser which works similarly.