DIY Barn Door

I’m so excited to share my barn door tutorial!!!! Full disclosure we had a pretty hard time hanging it up! Sooooooo, this tutorial will focus mostly on building the barn door rather than installing it. You can watch this video for more of an install tutorial.

MATERIALS

• (1) 4x8 23/32 sanded plywood

• (2) 6ft 1x6 boards

• (2) 8ft 1x4 boards

• (4) 8 ft 1x2 boards

• Liquid Nails

• Small Clamps (I used like 10)

• Large Clamps

• Miter saw

• Nail Gun

• Sand Paper

• Behr Ultra white Paint & Primer (see step )

• Laser Level (for mounting)

• Barn Door Mounting Set

• Barn Door Handle

STEP 1

Purchase all the materials listed above! Start with your plywood and cut to size. Size will depend on your specific ceiling height and doorway. It is super helpful to read the instructions for the barn door track to determine sizing (it has to be a certain height from the floor etc.)

STEP 2

Cut the 1x6 board to match the width of the plywood. For example: If your door is 40 inches wide - cut the 1x6 board 40 inches. Then, cut the 1x4 board to fit remaining height. This will most likely be height of the plywood minus 11 inches. Glue with liquid nails and clamp!

STEP 3

Now onto the diagonal wood detailing in the middle of the board! This was the trickiest part for me to figure out! Start at the top left corner. cut the end of a 1x2 at a 45 degree angle using the miter saw. Stick it in the top left corner. Make sure it is nice and snug!

STEP 4

Mark a line on the other end of the 1x2 to match the side board using some kind of straight edge. Then use the miter saw to cut along the marked line. Glue & clamp!

STEP 5

Now repeat that process in the bottom right corner!

STEP 6

For the smaller diagonal pieces in the top right corner, measure the center width of the top of the board and mark! Cut the end of a 1x2 board at a 45 degree angle using the miter saw. Match up the center of the 1x2 end with the mark made earlier. Repeat process used earlier to trim the other end of the board (Mark a line on the other end of the 1x2 to match the side board using some kind of straight edge. Then use the miter saw to cut along the marked line. ) Glue & clamp!

STEP 7

Repeat this process in the bottom left corner

STEP 8

At this point you should have 4 diagonal pieces. For the center diagonal piece - measure the center of the height of the board and mark. Cut the end of a 1x2 board at a 45 degree angle using the miter saw. Match up the center of the 1x2 end with the mark made earlier. Repeat process used earlier to trim the other end of the board (Mark a line on the other end of the 1x2 to match the side board using some kind of straight edge. Then use the miter saw to cut along the marked line. ) Glue & clamp!

STEP 9

Use a nail gun to nail down all your wood. Don’t get too crazy. Just a nail or 2 at each end!

STEP 10

Now sand the rough edges!

STEP 11

Using Interior flat BEHR paint and primer-in-one, paint your board! I used ultra white. I used a roller for the big areas and a brush for the smaller areas such as the sides of the 1x2s and corners. Lesson learned: don’t skip the wood putty!) In hind sight I would have used wood putty to smooth out nail holes and grooves in wood for a smoother finish.

STEP 12

Pour yourself a drink! You are almost done!! In about 2 coats my board was looking freshhhhh.

STEP 13

Now onto the install…watch this video tutorial and good luck!

DIY outDoor bar

Still in quarantine over here… all bars are shut down, so I made my own! Here’s how..

Grab the materials listed below:

• Cascade iron co brackets (2-3 depending on length of wood)

• concrete anchor screws

• level

• drill

• hammer

• black paint

• paintbrush

• wood (2 x 12)

• styling pieces!

Step 1: Hand Lettering on Wall

My sister is a hand letter! We uploaded her lettering to a computer, hooked it up to a projector, and went over it with black exterior paint!

Step 2: level holes

we used this level to level the top holes of the bracket (if you don’t your drinks may slip off). We used concrete anchor screws. Linked HERE.

step 3: hang brackets

We got these cascade iron co brackets for 20 each!! We decided to make the top holes about 41 inches from the ground so the top bracket was 42 inches - standard bar height. That way bar height stools would fit!! Make sure the holes are level so your drinks won’t fall off the bar!!

Step 4: place wood

We get a 2 by 12 pieced of wood. We trimmed it to fit the wall. We placed the brackets 10 inches in from the end of wall. If you have a longer area to work with you may need an additional bracket to support the wood! See Cascade Iron Co website for specifics!

Step 5: Style & Enjoy!

Diy pallet patio table

The easiest DIY I’ve ever done! I’m loving the rustic and beach vibe this pallet patio table added to my outdoor space. Here’s how to DIY your own.
1) find 2 pallets

2) spray paint white (make sure to spray paint the inside too)

3) stack

4) style & enjoy!

@diydontya | the easiest DIY I have ever done!! Patio pallet table lookin cuuuuuteeee

@diydontya | diy pallet patio table styled with marble tray and textured vases

@DIYdontya |cheers to my diy patio pallet table - and the many cocktails to come

@diydontya | will be having all my morning coffees right here.

Tan like your on Vacay

I don’t know when your reading this but it’s April 2020, so we’re in quarantine!! I’ve been trying my best to think of how to make the best of this situation. Besides a lot of personal shifts in perspectives one way I know to make my self happy is…. making a space beautiful! Figured I’ll be spending a lot of time in the back yard anyway! Might as well make it EXACTLY how I want it. So I’ll be here pretending I’m at a resort, tanning, sipping on a cocktail, and watching sunsets! All styling details below…

@DIYDONTYA | Grab your rose, let’s make your backyard into a resort! All styling details linked!

@DIYDONTYA | Tanning area of your dreamssssss… all styling details linked!

Here are the deets:

Lounge Chairs | Home Depot $182

Rug | Target $60

Towels | Amazon $20 for 2

Pillows | Target $20

Lantern | (Old from Target)

Patio Table | (Old from Target - similar one linked) $100

Wine Glasses | West Elm or Crate and Barrel $10

@DIYDONTYA | Don’t forget a spot for your cocktails!

@DIYDONTYA | Styling patio details

Baby girl nursery

I’m almost done with the nursery and so excited to share!! It was so hard to get started - there are so many cute ideas out there! Seriously, my Pinterest board was flooded with cute nursery ideas and styles. I wanted something that was cozy, chic, yet kid friendly. Normally boho is so not my style but baby girl must be leading me from the womb! Haha ! So obsessed with the way it turned out! Here are alllllll the details!

Boho Chic girls nursery. #babygirlnursery #Nurserydecor

The shiplap wall is the focal point of the room. I love the neutral yet textured look it gives the focal wall. Check out my shiplap tutorial HERE for how to DIY your own shiplap wall on a budget! Next, I used command hooks to hang floral hoops designed and created at a local flower shop called Aquarella Flowers in Monrovia, CA (check them out if you are in the LA area)! Here are the rest of the styling details LINKED!

• Crib: Babyletto from AMAZON

• Crib Sheet: The Mini Scout

• Rug: RUGS USA

• Hanging Chandelier: World Market (I can’t find the same one so here is a similar one from PB kids)

• Lamp: Target

• Curtains: Target

• Curtain Rod: Target

• Bassinet: Baby Bjorn

• Storage Baskets: Homegoods

• Cloud Pillow: AMAZON

• Baluga whale Stuffed Animal: IKEA

Floral hoops against shiplap - the cutest.

Eventually, this area will be a changing table… will update once that happens! But here are the details so far…

• Mirror: Homegoods (But here is a similar one from Wayfair)

• Dresser: HEMNES IKEA

• Shelves: Target

• Basket: Target

• Jar with Pacifiers: World Market

• Pink Paint Color: White Dogwood - Sherwin Williams

Here is the updated look with the changing pad and bow bar added!

• Changing Pad: TARGET

• Changing Pad Cover: Burts Bees @ TARGET

• Bow Bar Clip Frame: HOME GOODs

• Felt Letter Board: TARGET

• Duck Piggy Bank: TIFFANY & CO

• Lamb Night Light: HALLMARK

Bows for everyday of the year!

Last is the reading nook/snuggling area! Imagining many late nights breast feeding and rocking baby to sleep here. We found our glider at the pottery barn outlet for 50%off! It reclines, glides and swivels! Here is the full priced one.

• Book Shelves: Target

• Side Table: Target (This is an old model but here is a similar one)

6 Holiday Decor Tips To Bring You JOY

Decorating for Christmas is one of my favorite things EVER!!! Here are some tips to help make your holiday decorating full of JOY not STRESS.

Cozing up to holiday decor this season.

1) Choose a theme and stick with it. If you decide to go with metallics and white one year - try and stick with it the next. That way you can fill your decor boxes a little more each year and still have a cohesive theme.

2) Pick a theme that is timeless. I know its soooo hard with all the cute trends each year - but try and find a theme that will take you throughout the holidays in years to come. I love metallics & white. You can always find trendy decor to fit within that theme - while still going with your old stuff!

3) Twinkle lights are EVERYTHING. They add holiday cheer to any space.= - like these lights I added along the back of the countertop. Make sure to go with WARM WHITE when possible. The battery powered ones are amazing too - because then you don’t have to find a plug near the mantle or run some ugly extension cord.

Add some joy to your kitchen this Christas

4) GO BIG. Spend money on big pieces rather than cheaper little ones. This JOY sign from target and bulb garland from Michael’s are the only pieces I added to the dining room space and it’s DONE! I spent a little more but it adds so much - without having that cluttered look.

Dining room styling tips

5) The use the MIRROR EFFECT. Hang wreaths and decor on mirrors. I use command hooks so I can easily pull it off when the month is up.

Hanging the wreath on the circle mirror added the perfect touch!

6) Don’t be afraid to go cheap. For smaller areas I love buying the little trees from the target dollar section. They add a little sparkle to a space that doesn’t need a lot

A little goes a long way. This Target dollar section tree added the perfect sparkle to our coffee table!

Happy Decorating!! May your decor fill hearts with joy this holiday season!

Halloween Decor Essentials

I love decorating, holidays are just another excuse to mix things up! Here are my fav halloween decorating items - that won’t max out your cc card. These essentials work in almost any space and you can find them at almost any store (mine are from home goods , but they are also linked below). Happy decorating!

• Black Bats

• Glass Pumpkins

• Ceramic Pumpkins

• Mini Pumpkins

Here’s how I used the essentials in my space!

Fall Decor with Dried Flowers

Decorating for fall can be tricky. There is so many cute things out there but I find myself getting overwhelmed with the decorations and finding cute spots to put them without it looking super random. There is also a fine line between a cute pumpkin and some random crazy straw porcupine you’ve had forever. I get lost in homegoods and target wanting to spend 200 dollars on trendy decor that will be in for one year before next years trends come around. But, I found a solution! Dried flowers! 2 dried flower bouquets can go a lonnnggg way. They add the perfect fall vibe and last forever while giving your space a unique look! I grabbed mine from a local flower boutique. If your in the LA area check out Aquarela Flowers in Monrovia. Here are some tips for how to style dried flowers for fall in any area of your house!

Dried flowers on entry way console table adds an inviting cozy vibe right as your guests walk in.

I found this console table online at target.com. I originally bought it for behind our couch bet loveeee the way it ended up looking in our entry way. Styled with: a lantern, a cozy blanked, athro candle, coffee table books, some hunter boots (of course), and finally a bouquet of dried flowers! Hanging sign from small wood home add the perfect cozy touch!

Dried flowers on the mantle, classic yet chic.

Mantle Styling tips: Wood sign (homegoods), glass pumpkins (homegoods), sandwiched by some dried flowers. I created the garland look by taking 4 bundles of greenery from target and placing them along the bottom of the mantle.

Farmhouse dining room bar with a touch of modern.

I tried the dried flowers on the bar in the dinning room and am obsessed with the cozy yet chic look against the shiplap. Shiplap is the perfect neutral yet textured backdrop. See my shiplap tutorial here.

Bar Styling Tips: Have a center focal point like a sign or picture. This wood sign is from homegoods. Use dried. lowers of various lengths and textures on either side. Add a pop of color by placing a gold or copper bucket and glasses. A textured pillow like this one from Busa Designs & Co adds a cozy touch

So ready to cozy up for fall! Just give me a pumpkin spice and I’m all set!

Pampas Grass gave the console table behind the couch the perfect I catching backdrop without being too overwhelming or looking too crowded. I love the way the pampas grass looked in the reflection of the mirror and in this vase from cost plus. WARNING: Pampas grass sheds small pieces any time it’s moved or touch. Make sure its somewhere out of reach to avoid having to vacuum every 5 seconds! I love what the textured pillow adds to the neutral couch.

Grab yourself a drink, and let’s get decorating.

The best morning - coffee and dried flowers,

Happy styling!

DIY: THE PERF SHIPLAP FOR $50

PREP

1) Get your wood - I used underlayment plywood that was $10 for a whole board 4 by 8 ft board (.106 in thick)! I got 3 to cover the entire wall. (Total: $30)

2) Cut wood - I had Home Depot cut the wood for me. Make sure cuts are even 6 inches wide (or whatever size you want) this will matter a lot when it comes to getting planks level and spaces even. (Planks ended up 6 inches by 8 ft). 

3) Sand wood - Make sure edges are sanded. This will make it much easier to paint and create a finished look.

4) Find studs & mark on wall - once you have nailed the first few planks you can use those nails as a guide for location of studs. 

SUPPLIES

• Planks (6 in. x 8 ft.)

• Construction Glue

• Caulking Gun

• Level

• Nail Gun and Nails

• Stud Finder

• Nickels

• Sand Paper

NOTE - YOU'LL NEED SOME BIG TOOLS:

You will need a tool for trimming the wood to the length needed. I used a miter saw or circular saw. 

You will also need a tool for cutting small squares for outlets. I used a jigsaw. 

DOIN IT - DAY 1

1. Squeeze contstruction glue on the back of the plank. Make sure first plank is level… this will make the rest super easy

2. Place 8 ft. plank on wall. Measure left over space - distance from end of the plank to end of the wall. Cut another plank to fit and glue.

3. Nail in using nail gun on ends and studs.

4. Repeat with next plank! Place nickel between bottom plank and top plank (To make sure gaps are even). Check to make sure plank is level. Repeat glue and nail gunning until you have reached the top.

NOTE: To avoid creating a "pattern" use different lengths of planks. You can even cut it randomly and go from there! 

Once you reach the top you will most likely have to cut a custom piece to fit because most ceilings are not square (SO ANNOYING). I usually do this by using big butcher paper to create a pattern.

Here’s how:

Cut butcher paper to the normal size of a plank. Place in between ceiling and top plank. Using a pencil mark the edge where the wall and ceiling meet. Cut paper accordingly. Use this paper to cut your wood using a circular or jigsaw.

Have a cocktail and celebrate you are done with day ONE! 

DOIN IT - DAY 2

1. Prime wood planks with a multipurpose primer

2. Paint with any white you want! (I used Shermin Williams Extra white). Make sure paint coats are thin and light. Do multiple light coats instead of 2 heavy coats. If you do heavy coats your planks will most likely expand and pop off the wall! Yikes!

3. Celebrate, post on stories, take a pic! You are DONE! ENJOY! 

I decided to do a wall in my dinning room too! I’m OBSESSED with the way it turned out!

Interior Trends from Bondi Beach

Just got back from a trip with my sis to BONDI BEACH - AUSTRALIA. I was so inspired the entire time I was there. Every place I walked into had it’s own unique look filled with character and sooooooo aestheticly pleasing. I was obsessed! Even the smallest cafes had the cutest looks. It’s definitely a trend setting city. I thoughts I would put together a list of some of the top trends I saw while I was there.

COASTAL ACCESSORIES EVERYWHERE

STRAW PENDANT LIGHTS

Literally everywhere! They give the perfect coastal vibe to any space. And, for the most part - they are SUPER affordable. Some of my favs are from Target and IKEA. 

PATTERNED TILE

From tables, floors, to walls, and even the bar… Patterned tile was a definite trend. It add a nice pop of color and character to an otherwise neutral space. See my DIY your own with my Patterned Tile Tutorial HERE. 

PLANTS IN BASKETS

I saw so many different indoor plants in baskets. White baskets - or neutral, even patterned baskets. There were big ones on the floor and even smaller plants on the bar! baskets are so much more affordable than pots and a definite trending piece right now. AMAZON has some great options along with homegoods/tjmaxx or your local craft store. 

Yes, paper striped straws even in our coconut water!!!

PAPER STRAWS

OMG - Black or red striped paper straws were in every drink you could think of - coffee, cocktails, and even a protein shakes. They add a fun element to an otherwise dull drink. Grab biodegradable striped paper straws HERE. 

MASON JARS

Normally, I think of mason jars as farmhouse but they surprisingly work with the coastal look. And the best part - they are CHEAP and STURDY! You can get them almost anywhere, amazon, target, or your local craft store. 

These gorgeous flowers designed by @floranthropy. Setting trends in Australia!

DRIED FLOWERS

So obsessed with dried flowers! The arrangements seriously had me wishing I could smuggles some back in my suitcase. Even the tiniest cafes had unique arrangements of dried flowers on tables and bars. They add an element of texture and life while lasting FOREVER! 

OMG the Ricotta CAKES were to DIE!!! Bills @ Bondi Beach

CLASSIC STAPLES

While the trends were definitely coastal - classic pieces kept restaurants and cafes timeless. Some classic elements were marble table tops and bars, wood accents, and neutral colors.

Hotel Ravesis @ BONDI BEACH, AUSTRALIA