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How To Avoid Costly Mistakes On Your DIY Home Project

How To Avoid Costly Mistakes On Your DIY Home Project

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Most of us love to tackle a DIY home project every once in a while.  Maybe we do it to save money or to feel that sense of accomplishment that comes from a job well done.  Maybe we do it because design TV makes it look so easy.  Even though it can be fun (and sometimes stressful), there may come a time when you’ve messed it up and want to know how to avoid costly mistakes on your next DIY project.

As an interior designer, I often get the SOS call to fix it.  You know what I mean.  The sofa from an online store that looked great in the photograph, but feels like a rock when you sit on it.  Or the window shades you ordered without help that don’t fit the window.  These mistakes can be costly, both in money and the time it takes to fix them.

I know because it’s happened to me when I wasn’t paying attention, and then waited to long to examine my purchase.  What started out in my mind as a fun window treatment sewing project soon became an energy vampire, sucking my time.

Because I know how to avoid costly mistakes that can happen on a DIY home project, my ego was more than a little bit battered.  I was embarrassed to admit that I messed up.  And now my goal is to help you prevent it. 

time. price, quality

Rule #1: Have a plan in place before you start…and follow your plan. 

  • Know what you’re goal is and write out all the steps in the process before your begin. 
  • Do your research. What will it cost?  What quality of product are you looking for?  How long will it take?
  • Check all the dimensions before you order anything online.

Rule #2:  Measure twice, cut/buy once

  • Double check all dimensions before you cut/order the wood, fabric, or blinds.
  • Custom orders can not be returned
  • Will the piece of furniture fit through your doorways?  Will it fit in the room?

Rule #3:  Pay attention when making your purchases. 

  • Watch as fabric is unrolled
  • Read the sales receipt before you commit to the sale.  Don’t assume that the sales associate has written exactly what you asked for.
  • Read the fine print, and be sure everything you’re expecting has been included
  • In the image below, I hate to admit that I was so excited about getting a great price on this normally expensive fabric, that I didn’t follow my own rule.  Notice how the design is printed crooked on the fabric.  Fortunately there was just enough fabric to make the window treatments so the pattern matches all across the windows.

fabric printed crooked

valance progress

finished DIY window treatments

Rule #4:  Have a Designer On Your Team to help you avoid costly mistakes.

  • gives you advice before you make your purchases
  • validates your choices…or guides you in a better direction
  • tells you how much fabric, paint, etc. you need to order, as well as all the parts and pieces
  • can place the orders for you
  • connect you with trusted trade partners

 Costly mistakes seem to be broken down into two categories.  I like to call them the “Oh no! What was I thinking!!!” mistakes.  Let’s take a look…

 Purchases you regret later because you realize you don’t like them:

  •       You had a “love at first site” moment and just HAD to own it
  •       You didn’t really love it, but had a “hole” to fill and thought it would work.  You were in a hurry to just be done with it!
  •       Oops!  You forgot to measure.

  Purchases and decisions you made because you didn’t know better or didn’t think it through:

  • Appliances that will be placed against a wall and the impact that will have on opening and closing doors and drawers.
  • Adding expensive new counter tops and then realizing you should have purchased new cabinets too.
  • Not checking the specifications of appliances to see how they will affect the cabinet.
  • Buying on line,which we all do, and realizing you don’t have all the parts and pieces to finish the job correctly.

Here are just a few examples of DIY home project mistakes (sources unknown):

bathtub at the top of the stairs       

Bathtub at the top of the stairs?

mantle over a sink

                   A mantle over a pedestal sink, complete with a towel ring

door hung upside down

Exterior door hung upside down

off center chandelier

A chandelier not installed in the center of the medallion or tray ceiling.

 

Your Design Action Steps:

1.  If you’re in the “information gathering” phase of your project, remember to study everything.  That means look over the plans when you have them.

2.  Review the specifications and dimensions of each item you hope to purchase.

3.  Hire an interior designer to be a part of your team.  The peace of mind you’ll get from relying on someone you trust will be well worth the investment.

 

 

Fall Table Settings Set the Mood: How to Do It Yourself

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holidaytable1

I have to admit that Fall is my favorite time of year.  Why do I love it?  Because, finally the temperatures begin to cool down and the leaves change to vibrant gold, orange, and red.  I love spending time on the porch having a glass of wine with my husband in the evening, enjoying our treehouse view that changes daily with different colors.  But most of all, I love entertaining and creating Fall table settings that set the mood for the evening.

The moods you create can be endless…completely your choice!  One mood might be warm and cozy like the table setting above.  I loved it the minute I discovered it on One Kings Lane.  The swag draped down the center with glowing candles and fresh flowers make me want to pull up a chair and sit there all evening!

Have you ever gone to a dinner party at a friend’s home and they’ve really taken the time to create a beautiful table setting?  How does it make you feel?  I hope that it makes you feel as if you’ve entered a special place that welcomes you, because they want you to feel special.

Remember that you don’t have to hire a professional floral designer to create it for you when it’s so easy and so much fun.  But there are a few things you need to keep in mind if you want to learn how to do it yourself.

holidaytable2

MOOD:  Do you want your dinner party to be formal or casual, rustic or festive, simple or elaborate?  The food that you plan to serve for the evening may be the deciding factor.  Don’t you love how the rustic setting above uses food in fall colors as part of the setting?  Even the use of fresh herbs in a vase adds to its farm-to-table appeal.  But I especially love how this table setting makes me want to sit down with friends, share a delicious meal, and have great conversations.

The table setting below, shared from BHG, takes the opposite approach from the traditional settings above.  I call this “opposites attract” with its use of the sky blue tablecloth pared with a simple arrangement of autumn leaves.  Doesn’t it make you feel a little more festive and ready to party?

fall table settings

holidaytable4

FOCAL POINT:  It’s important to have a focal point to your table.  And it’s a lot more fun to ditch the traditional floral arrangement to be a little more creative.  That’s right!  It’s time to think outside the box.  Take a walk in the woods.  Shop your pantry and cabinets.  Stretch your imagination!!!

Keep placement in mind when you create your focal point.  Remember that guests like to see your face when they’re talking with you.  Arrangements that are too high or too wide are beautiful to look at when you enter the space, but not so practical during dinner.

fall

INDOORS OR OUT:  When the weather is beautiful and the air is crisp, it’s nice to have the option of setting your table outdoors.  My friend, Donna, has a lovely front porch that’s perfect for a long table to fill with friends.  Tom and I love serving cocktails and appetizers on our porch since the table there is too small for a large dinner crowd.  But that doesn’t stop me from creating a Fall table setting that sets the mood for the evening!

Each time I see this Southern Living outdoor dining space, my heart sings!  I love the lights, the pots filled with mums and grasses, and the rustic setting.  What a fun way to spend an evening with friends!

holidaytable6

In the end, when all is said and done, the table you set and the food you serve is never as important as the people who share the table with you.  Remember that life is about the moments spent with people you love, the laughter shared around the table, and the memories you create when you’re together.  Happy Decorating!!!!