To turn an old column into a headboard:

• Apply painter’s tape around the column to mark the cut.
• Cut the columns to length using a reciprocating saw with a long blade.
• Build a cubbyhole shadow box out of 1”x 6” lumber.
• Cut 2”x 12” lumber to size for the base and caps on the columns.
• Attach the headboard, bases, and caps to the two columns.
• Finish the headboard and allow it to dry.
• Install the headboard by securing it to the wall with screws.

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Painting an old wicker chair is an easy DIY project that can breathe new life into old furniture. Here’s how to go about it.

• Use an air compressor to blow off all the dirt and dust from the cracks between the caning.
• Scrub the chair down with denatured alcohol to clean the surface.
• Use a hot glue gun to reattach any loose caning.
• Apply several light coats of spray paint to the chair.
• Make sure the paint has dried completely before using the chair. Directing a fan on the chair for a few hours will help speed up the drying process.
• Save any leftover paint to use for touch-up later.

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• Tips for Refinishing Children’s Furniture
• How to Paint Over Wallpaper
• (714) Something for Almost Nothing

Instead of throwing an outdated ceiling fan away, consider refurbishing it. Here’s how to go about it:

• Remove the blades and metal components from the fan.
• Clean the entire fan thoroughly with denatured alcohol.
• Rub all metal surfaces with fine steel wool to allow the paint to adhere.
• Lay the metal components out on newspaper and spray with several light coats of spray paint.
• Rehang the ceiling fan.
• Reattach the blades to the ceiling fan.

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• How to Stop Wobble and Vibration in a Paddle Ceiling Fan
• How to Paint a Wicker Chair
• (714) Something for Almost Nothing

Refinishing and personalizing old children’s furniture makes a great DIY project. Here’s how to go about it:

• Start by cleaning the chair thoroughly, making sure all the dust is removed.
• Next, apply on coat of primer, and allow it to dry. Tinting the primer to the color of the paint can cut down on the number of coats needed.
• Apply two coats of paint and allow to dry.
• Personalize the furniture with the child’s name or decorative artwork.
• Finally, spray on a coat of clear finish to seal the paint and increase the longevity of your work.

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• Can Primer Be Used as the Finish Coat When Painting?
• How to Paint a Wicker Chair

Transforming the look and purpose of an object can be easier than you think. After this old credenza chest had been refinished and a wine rack added, it became the focal point of the room. Watch this video to find out more.

Updating and improving the look of your home doesn’t have to put a strain on your budget. By using recycled or reused materials, along with a little imagination and creativity, you can make a big difference in your home for a very small investment. Here are seven simple DIY projects to get you started.

Where to Find Items to Reuse and Renew

There are a number of sources for used and discarded items, such as:

• Thrift stores
• Secondhand consignment shops
• Goodwill
• Salvage companies
• Habit for Humanity ReStores
• Online at The Freecycle Network
• Yard and garage sales
• Classified ads online and in newspapers
• Remodeling site dumpsters

How to Refinish a Ceiling Fan

Instead of throwing an outdated ceiling fan in the trash, consider refinishing it to make it look like new. Here’s how to go about it:

• Disassemble the fan components you plan to paint.
• Clean all the parts with denatured alcohol to remove any dust or grease.
• Rub metal surfaces with fine steel wool to remove the gloss.
• Lay all of the pieces out and spray with several light coats of spray paint for metal.
• Reassemble the fan components except the blades.
• Reattach the fan to the ceiling.
• Attach the blades and balance if needed.

How to Refurbish Old Furniture

Kendra Bennett is a homeowner who has a knack for taking old objects and transforming them into something new. She found an old credenza for $20 at a yard sale. After stripping off the black finish and refinishing it, the piece was converted into this unique conversation piece for her home.

The two cabinet doors in the center of the piece were removed and replaced by wine racks. As an accent, two wooden window frames were backed by mirrors then mounted on the wall above it. The whole project only cost $150 dollars and a little imagination.

How to Make a Fireplace Screen

To hide a fireplace from view during the summer, create a simple fireplace screen by hinging together discarded shutters found at a salvage store. Here’s how to go about it:

• Clean, sand, and make any repairs to the shutters.
• Apply two coats of interior paint and allow to dry.
• Link the shutters together with brass cabinet hinges.
• For screens of more than three shutters, install each pair of hinges on alternating sides so the screen can be folded up like an accordion when not in use.

The project was completed in less than a day for under $10.

How to Personalize a Child’s Chair

Lisa Brodie also enjoys giving new life to old pieces of furniture. Some of her favorite items are small chairs made for children. Here’s how to go about it:

• Clean the chair to make sure all of the dust and loose finish is removed.
• Apply a coat of primer and allow to dry.
• Apply two coats of paint.
• Decorate the chair as desired with contrasting colors and patterns.
• Personalize the piece with the child’s name.
• For a more durable finish, apply a final coat of clear finish (brushed or sprayed) to the painted surface.

How to Refinish a Wicker Chair

To make an old wicker chair new again:

• Use an air compressor to blow off dirt and dust out of cracks.
• Clean surface with a scrub brush and denatured alcohol.
• Use a hot glue gun to reattach broken or loose caning.
• Apply several light coats of spray paint, letting it dry for the recommended time between coats.
• Allow the paint to dry completely for several before using. A fan can help speed up the process.
• Store any leftover paint to use for touch up later.

How to Build a Headboard

To turn a discarded column and some leftover lumber into a headboard:

• Mark the cuts around the column with painter’s tape.
• Cut the column to length using a reciprocating saw.
• Construct a cubbyhole shadow box for the headboard from 1×6 lumber.
• Use 2×12 lumber for the feet and caps.
• Assemble the columns to the headboard.
• Paint the headboard and allow to dry.
• Use screws to attach the headboard to the wall studs.

Since all of the material used in the headboard was discarded or scrap, the project cost next to nothing.

How to Pour Concrete Stepping Stones

To make personalized concrete stepping stones for your yard:

• Cut down a 5-gallon bucket with a jigsaw to use as a mold.
• Spray lubricating oil around the inside of the mold to prevent the concrete from adhering.
• Mix up concrete and fill the mold with it.
• Smooth off the top of the concrete using a board as a screed.
• Customize the concrete while wet with handprints, decorations, or masonry dye.
• Allow concrete to dry before removing stepping stone from the mold.

Other Tips from This Episode

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• How to Paint a Wicker Chair
• Tips for Refinishing Children’s Furniture
• How to Make a Headboard from an Old Column

Here are some tips to help you choose the right paintbrush for your painting job:

• The size of the brush used is based on how large a space you’re painting.
• Choose either natural or synthetic bristle brushes when applying oil-based paint.
• Use only a synthetic bristle brush when applying water-based (latex) paint.

Watch this video to find out more.

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Natural clay wall plaster, such as the products from American Clay, is easy to apply and can give your home a unique look. Unlike most wall paints, natural clay contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the coating can actually add insulation value to your exterior walls.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Sculpting modeling clay is a favorite activity for kids everywhere, and they can be pretty imaginative with the things they can make from it. But there’s a pretty green use for clay that you might not know about. You can use different forms of clay on your interior walls, but this isn’t the stuff you want to use.

First, there’s clay plaster. This is actually something that people have used for hundreds of years and you might think it will make your room look like an adobe hut, and that could be the case if you want, but I’ve seen some pretty amazing designs and textures that make it very appealing visually and it’s easy to learn how to apply it.

There’s also a clay paint available, which is easier to apply than the plaster, but not as expressive with texture. Both of these items have no volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde or any known carcinogens. Plus, with the plaster you get an added insulation factor to help reduce your home’s energy costs.

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A sponge sander is perfect for sanding molding since it conforms to the surface you’re sanding. While you can buy a sponge sander at a hardware store, it’s easy to make your own by:

• Cutting a piece of sandpaper to size.
• Wrapping it around a kitchen sponge.
• Hold it with your thumb and fingers while sanding the surface.

Not only is a homemade sponge sander less expensive, it allows you to change grits and replace the sandpaper as needed.

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Faux marbleizing is a finishing technique that has been used for hundreds of years to give bland, painted surfaces the look of natural stone. Using a sponging technique, Carol Vonesh and Debra Liles apply multiple colors and layers of paint and glaze to turn a painted column into “fantasy” marble. Fantasy marble differs from traditional marbleizing in that it doesn’t attempt to reproduce the veins and other details found in natural marble.

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