DIY Decorating Projects on a Budget!
Welcome to our first {ditto} DIY challenge!
Are you ready for a series of fun, achievable DIY decorating projects? Starting today and continuing once a month, nine very different bloggers are recreating a project or design element inspired by a haute couture look chosen by Darlene Weir of Fieldstone Hill Design. Each month we tackle a new idea and interpret it in our own homes. This post launches our first challenge and shows one blogger’s take on a painted tray and vanity vignette.
In addition to Darlene, the participating bloggers include:
Ruth @ Living Well Spending Less
Cindy @ Skip to My Lou
Jen @ Balancing Beauty & Bedlam
Edie @ Life in Grace
Rachel @ Surviving the Stores
Karin @ Trophy Mom Diaries
Lauren @ I am THAT Lady
Kelly @ View Along The Way
Melissa @ The Inspired Room
Starting next month (Monday, June 3rd) we invite you to join the {ditto} DIY challenge. Visit Darlene to see next month’s prompt so you can join in—this time we’ll be going for the gold with a gilding theme!
Our inspiration photograph for this month was a chic painted tray and vanity vignette from the home of Nina Bergsten, photographed by Marcus Lawett.
The {ditto} DIY Challenge:
Create your own painted tray and vanity vignette.
Here is my first {ditto}DIY project:
With an hour to spare on Saturday, I headed to a local flea market to find a tray to transform. I was tempted to buy a finished tray I liked, but I decided to follow the spirit of the challenge and actually paint one.
I chose a round metal tray with twisted handles—I loved its porthole-like shape and unique character. The center was an unattractive wood insert and the metal finish wasn’t precious, so it was perfect for a makeover.
Of course, DIY rarely goes exactly as planned. My tray did not survive the painting process unscathed—here’s what happened during my attempt.
It was a warm, almost-summer day, so I spray-painted the tray outdoors. I started with primer and then applied glossy white spray paint. A gust of wind blew dust around, and then a large winged insect flew right into the wet paint and became stuck.
Dang.
I won’t go into every detail of the rescue attempt, but despite trying to remove the bug and salvage the paint, the wings left a mark. Still, I didn’t abandon the project. I kept working and used styling to conceal the mishap.
In the end, the tray turned out well. With a few carefully placed objects, the blemish is hidden and the finished vignette looks cohesive and intentional.
For this challenge I used items I already had to create a vanity-style display on the painted tray. One of the best parts of using a photo for inspiration is that you don’t have to copy it exactly—you can adapt the idea to suit what you own and love.
So, here it is: my completed {ditto} DIY tray.
Reminder: Beginning next month (Monday, June 3rd) everyone is invited to join the {ditto} DIY challenge and share an “after” photo. This round we’ll be painting something gold. Check Darlene’s blog for full details—there will be a link-up with all the participating bloggers and it promises to be a fun event.
*Be sure to view the other Ditto DIY after projects from the bloggers listed above, and visit Darlene’s blog for next month’s challenge and tips on styling painted tray vignettes in your home.
Have you ever had a bug fly into wet paint?
How did you handle it? Share your story—ha!