Have you ever noticed that some people actually use their florescent overhead lights? It amazes me that anyone could stand living that way. I guess maybe I’m just sensitive to that sort of thing, but I insist on having good lighting. Since we moved into our new place there has been one thing bugging me…the [...]
Archive of posts filed under the DIY Projects category.
How To: Re-pot a Plant
I’ve started a new feature on 2nd Floor Living. Introducing the “How To” post. I’ve actually already written a few how-to’s in the past, they just weren’t labeled as such. But now you can easily access all “How-To’s” in the sidebar. Hopefully, this will be a helpful resource for you. Next time you aren’t sure [...]
For Your Consideration: Vintage Scarves
Wall looking plain and boring? Not sure what it needs? Then might I suggest vintage silk scarves. These scarves are a throwback to the days when Betty Drapers walked the earth. They may feel too grandmother-y to actually wear (depends on your style), but when they are laid flat and framed you can really appreciate [...]
A Quick Guide To Wall-Mounted Shelves And What Not To Do!
At some point in your life – perhaps this has already happened – you will install wall-mounted shelves and then an hour later they will fall out. It’s ok. It happens to everyone. It happened to me the other day actually. I was trying to put up a shelf in the kitchen and the result [...]
Decorate With Bunting…(Lame Title But All I Could Come Up With Were Stupid Baseball Puns)
(Photo of Cheri Messerli’s Wedding by Jame Ryang) Bunting is a trend I have seen all over the internet and for good reason. Its really cute! These flags/banners are a combination of kitschy and sweet, and they look especially nice outdoors. I had no idea what “bunting” was before, but apparently the term comes from [...]
A Cheap & Easy Remedy To Your Ugly Overhead Light Fixtures
Posting two days in a row after being MIA in Europe for 3 weeks! Gasp! I was just so excited to share this really resourceful, cheap and renter-friendly DIY light fixture project. So, here it is… I’m sure all renters will know what I mean when I refer to the amazingly cheap and ugly ceiling [...]
A container garden fit for a queen
I am still on a high from my 3-week trek through Europe. And coming home to Brooklyn is taking a bit of adjusting. One of the highlights of our trip was bicycling around the grounds at Versailles. To be honest, the interior of the palace was a bit of a disappointment…the rooms were not furnished [...]
Mantel Envy & How To Fake It If You Don’t Have One
If there is one thing I could add to my apartment aside from more space it would be a fireplace. I don’t even care if it works, I just love the way a fireplace becomes the focal point of a room. More specifically I love the possibilities of a fireplace mantel for displaying stuff. There [...]
Behind The Curtain…Turning a junk space into a work/storage space
And the saga continues! As you might remember, a couple of weeks ago I made a curtain to hide the messy bookcase over our desks. So last weekend it was time to tackle the wall opposite to our desks. Historically this wall has always been a problem area…a magnet for the random junk that we [...]
I’ve always wanted an ottoman of my own
Welp, I finished my ottoman class. It was a bit traumatic, but I am glad I did it. Now I have a cute little ottoman covered in a disgusting purple fabric. Thanks to the teacher and his assistant for making the ottoman look good and thanks to me for picking such a nasty fabric. Here’s [...]
Upholstery Class Update
Hi Everybody. I’ve been away working on a DIY project and then a do-over of said DIY project (more on that tomorrow), but I just wanted to let you know more about the upholstery class I am taking in case you are interested in signing up. The class is through The Furniture Joint which is [...]
Designing with Personal Photos
No matter what our age or our budgets, there is one thing that we all have…personal photos, old birthday cards and various other mementos. These sentimental objects are usually stored away in a shoebox or a scrapbook, but don’t you think you would enjoy them much more if you could experience them everyday? So why [...]
Be afraid of what lurks behind the curtain!
I have a personal problem and I’m going to be honest about it. Half of my apartment is slowly turning into a junk zone. My apartment’s living room and bedroom are separated by a curtain. So on one side we have our lovely living room and kitchen and on the other side is our bedroom [...]
Advice from the book arranger to the rich and famous
In December I wrote a post about attempting to rearrange my bookcase. A day after that post, I learned that Madeline Donahue of the screen printing duo FakeDog is a professional book arranger! She works for a large book store in Manhattan and is hired to put together private libraries for people who can…well, afford [...]
