Caitlin’s project had our attention as soon as we read “purchased for $1.14” and “found on the side of the road.” And that was before we even saw the pictures of her shabby-chic DIY jewelry station makeover. Check out her letter below:
I’ve been a long time follower (heck, my morning routine involves a cup of coffee and your blog) so I thought I’d drop in and share one of our latest projects. The old window screen was purchased from a local Habitat for Humanity ReStore for only $1.14 and I found this nightstand on the side of the road. So needless to say this was an incredibly inexpensive makeover.
I sanded the nightstand down before painting it white. Then, after a little mishap with a candle, I recovered the top with some left over fabric to not only disguise the big blue stain, but to coordinate it with our bedroom as well. For the window screen, I left the chippy paint and leaned it against the wall as a fun earring holder.
For the more bulky, or less frequently worn, jewelry pieces, I used some mirrors to organize them inside the nightstand. With the help of a few flowers and a little ceramic bowl to catch any loose jewelry when I’m in a hurry, I made myself a nearly free jewelry box!
I can’t help but think how fun this would be for someone in an apartment to help dress up a wall or corner! You can read more about the project on my blog. – Caitlin at That House on the Corner
Caitlin’s totally right that this would be a perfect little project for anyone, especially if you’re in an apartment or dorm. And we love how the fabric top to the nightstand brings out the vintage feel of the whole project – even if it was just a happy accident. Awesome work and thanks for sharing! What do you guys think? Will you be whipping up a window screen jewelry display spot for your space? Or using small mirrors in a drawer to corral your bling?
Psst- Don’t forget to hop over to BabyCenter for this week’s post. It’s all about our latest trip to Ikea and all the kid-focused stuff that’s inspiring us these days. You know we love window shopping… and we actually have an adult-friendly Ikea roundup scheduled for next week here on YHL so stay tuned for that.
Wow! It turned out nice! That screen would have been 10 bucks at our local habitat for humanity. They charge an arm and a leg for everything. My favorite part is the dresser though!
Gotta love a nearly free project, and this one is lovely!
Wow, just love that look. Amazing it turned out so gorgeous!
Wow, that’s awesome! I have been trying to think of an attractive way to wrangle my jewelry that won’t annoy my husband too much! Very inspiring.
So cute. I found an old screen with a metal frame (I’m sure it would be easy to change out) and was thinking of using it a a memo board. Magnets on both sides of the screen could hold papers in place.
Great re-do Caitlin!
Well done! Great job Caitlin!
This is great!!…and beautiful!! What a great idea!
I didn’t use a window screen, but I did use flatware organizers and a cabinet 3-step organizer thing turned on it’s side for my jewelry in my closet makeover. I posted about it because my closet had gotten way out of control and needed a major makeover and organization.
http://www.cupcakemonkey.com/2010/08/no-more-secrets.html
I really love this re-design!!
Neato! Such a great idea! I love repurposing things. But the nurse in me begs to question how clean is the screen? Wouldn’t want any yuckies going from the screen to earring to ear. Other than that, wonderful ideas!
makes me wish I had pierced ears! :)
No worries Michelle! I thought the same thong and scrubbed down the whole thing before starting with soap and water, then again with bleach :)
Thanks for all the sweet comments and thanks again YHL for the feature!
Thanks,
Caitlin @ That House On The Corner
what a deal!! I need to see if there is a Habitat store around here…
That is awesome, i never would have thought of something like that before!
Oooh, I kind of love this project!
Well, that’s just darling! Kudos!
I love that “happy accident” Bob Ross used to say that all the time… hehe
I love the idea and the final look! Especially so on the cheap…
Looks great and the price makes it even better!
Cute! I rescued some old cabinet doors that had the centers punched out, painted them, and hung the over my dresser… With the addition of six nails, I had spots to store and showcase my necklaces! I wear them so much more now that they are out in the open.
LOVE IT! I have a jewelry tree on my dresser for all my necklaces but so many earrings just floating around. I absolutely adore this idea. I’m copying!
Oh! I love it!! I just whipped up a little earring hoop recently to wrangle some of my jewels too! check it out!
http://temporary-nest.blogspot.com/2010/08/diy-project-jewelry-hoop.html
i’m not sure if you’ve seen this yet, but i totally thought of you guys when i saw this site!
http://laphotocabine.com/
So much fun! Thanks for the link!
xo,
s
i am totally going to do this! we recently got new windows and some of the screens ripped while they were installing them, so i have a couple extra screens. yay!!
Wow, it turned out so nice. I love the idea of covering the top with fabric and the screen looks great with all the earrings! It just so happens that I recently put together a very similar jewelry station using fabric boards and my nightstand. I’ll have to send it in!
That’s awesome! I have been trying to plan a new, more “user-friendly way to store my jewelry so that I actually see it & wear it each day. Great idea!
Hey YHL!
Quick question… I clicked on your BabyCenter link and it didn’t work? Not sure if it’s just me or what?
Anyway, I love your blog, you two are great!
Hey Nicole,
It seems to have worked for others. Maybe it was just a momentary glitch on your end? Hope it works now. Here’s the link again just in case: http://blogs.babycenter.com/life_and_home/ikea-inspiration/
xo,
s
Hey Nicole!
Hmmm, the link seems to be working for us. Here it is again just in case: http://blogs.babycenter.com/life_and_home/ikea-inspiration/
Hope that works better!
-John
I love this! I am definitely bookmarking this for future inspiration.
I’ve made a very similar earring holder using a picture frame. I picked a simple black one, but you could use a funky one too if that’s more your style. You just take off the back temporarily, cut some screen to fit the frame, tack it on, add your earrings, and enjoy! Mine sits on the edge of my sink — I have lots of colorful earrings, so it’s almost like bathroom art :)
I love this! I must keep my eye out for a screen! I would love one smaller & very beat up looking!
I dont have a baby (yet) but I still got excited about your BabyCentre post today because I LOVE Ikea! Can’t wait to see your next post about your Ikea shopping trip :)
Sherry, I gotta know how many faux sheepskins you have at Casa Petersik? Do you mind sharing where each one “lives” in your home? Thanks :)
Hey Andrea P,
Well lets see, we made two and we got three at Ikea so that brings the count up to five. We’re crazy. Anyway, they move around a lot (much like other accessories here at home) but right now one lives on the back of our armchair in the den, another on the back of another armchair in the living room, a third one is on the bench in our dining area, a forth is flung over an ottoman in the nursery, and a fifth one is on the back of the sofa in the living room since Burger loves to lay there and watch squirrels run by out the window. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Whoa…my parents had that same nighstand when I was growing up!
Thanks for the info! I love the texture it gives to a chair when draped over one :)
btw, my cats like the faux sheepskins too!
Great Job! Earrings are too pretty to hide in a box.
I did something similar with an old frame
http://styleandcentsability.wordpress.com/2010/07/28/before-and-after-earring-holder/
Just a friendly reminder to those who love to bring home hidden treasures from the side of the road. (I know I do!) Bed bugs are a growing epidemic in the U.S. and despite their name, these little blood suckers can live in almost any crevice of any household item. Sofas, chairs, nightstands and dressers, picture frames, clocks, phones… anywhere that has a dark, protected location, a bed bug can set up its home.
If you MUST have a curbside item be sure and THOROUGHLY inspect the entire thing before you bring it in your home. The only thing that kills them is heat and specific chemicals. :(
If you want tips on prevention measures, here’s a link you can look at:
http://www.sleepproducts.org/BedBugFAQ.pdf