Saturday

DIYP #28 Small Changes Equal Big Impact



Do you remember the DIYP where I talked about repurposing old furniture?

You were all very impressed with my junky dresser turned entry table/ shoe holder.

Well.

Those shoes are unsightly.


And not quite as hidden as I thought they would be.

I dreamed of special pull out baskets to cradle the stinky shoes of my beloved children.

But have y'all priced the wicker container part of the world lately?

The basket people must be very proud of their handy work.

And so I waited and window shopped.

Until I found these last week for $10 for a set of four!



And it works out perfectly, since there are three drawers and three children. {Honey, we can't have any more kids because I'd have to get a new dresser!}


Now doesn't that look better?

Total Cost: $20!

And here's a quick DIYP.

After Christmas I shopped the clearance at one of my favorite stores. 

It's quaint and I can't afford a thing in the place (thus the clearance aisle).

But I love the quirky display ideas and the unusual items. I saw these simple picture frames, adorned with big stiff bows. The brooch in the center of the bow made the frame beautiful and unique. And expensive. (Someone was very impressed with themselves).

I hurried home and dug thru my leftover Christmas ribbon.


And my broken costume jewelry. (Helloo, I have a toddler).


I heated up my glue gun and made this:


Now the ribbon in the store was much bigger and finer and the brooch was shinier and more bejeweled. 

But, this was free!


27 comments:

Karla Meachem said...

Love the dresser and the baskets! Very unique, beautiful and convenient!

Thanx so much for sharing! You have me thinking about my entrance way now. :)

Unknown said...

the picture frame is awesome looking. As is your dressed up dresser!

Catherine said...

I'm totally impressed! The snowy shoes by the front door is also my nemesis. I recently moved some furniture to make some more room, etc. This reminded me that I should take some pics and blog about it! Love the picture frame. I suppose I could be cool and creative like that, but I'd have to find where my daughter stashed my hot glue gun, not to mention find a few extra minutes thrown under the sofa or something. Anyway, sorry to ramble. Great post and pictures!

Heather said...

Fancy-smancy! I just may have to do this with some upcoming picture frames!

MAMA CEO said...

Very good idea!!!!!! Repurposing things is so much fun! Thanks for all the ideas! I can't wait to get started!

Amanda said...

love the basket idea- was it a Ross find? Thats were I get all my baskets- they are cheaper than the ones at Marshalls.

Anonymous said...

Love 'em both! Thanks for the great ideas... now I feel the need to drag the kids out of the house, kicking and screaming and still in their pjs, just to roam the streets for garage sales! =0)

Beth Cotell said...

Great ideas! Thanks for the inspiration!

Jessica said...

Look how thrifty you are!!! I love anything that requires a hotglue gun!

Cupcake Dessert said...

That dresser is awesome!!! and and and and I love that frame!!! soooooooo cute I stuttered.. :)

Angie said...

The dresser looks awesome..and the baskets are like the icing! I love the frame idea, too, and if you get sick of it, you can just rip the bow off...love that! Thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

Awsome. My first thought was (b/c my kids always have sand/dirt in their shoes) how nice to be able to shake the baskets out outside instead of try and sweep out the drawers. Very nice indeed.

Shawna said...

Well I LOVE these! Great job! And, as always, thanks for sharing with us.

Anonymous said...

I am envious of that entry shoe rack you have there. We have all 5 people's shoes in a big wicker laundry basket under our entry table (when they aren't just loose around the minivan). This is way more eye appealing and less frustrating. Nice work!

everyday mom of one said...

You did a great job on both of those. Aren't basket prices ridiculous, you got a bargain.

Anonymous said...

Great job with the shoes! I'm a basket freak! I think I have them for everything, but I always buy them on sale.

BTW, I did just write a post with a link back to your site. :-)

AliceAnderson said...

Way to go! The shoes look much more organized. I'm a huge fan of baskets. I did a blog post about the baskets in my entry closet. Glad I'm not the only one. :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, I love both of these projects! I got so excited I called my hubs in to look at the dresser/shoe holder. Woot woot!

Anonymous said...

Dang, girl, you should start a business. Your projects always come out so awesome.

Anonymous said...

You are always inspiring! Love the shoe cubby and the frame!.

Lucrecia said...

Your children actually take their shoes off and neatly place them in baskets side by side? HOW did you brain wash them, I mean teach them to do this? I'm lucky if they make it into the shoe/coat closet - instead of hanging half out with the door then not able to shut!

Lindsay @ Makely said...

What a great idea! It looks fantastic!

Kim said...

Wow. Be proud. My husband made us "shoe shelves," and they look horrid--but they keep my people from tracking through the house in shoes.

Kasey said...

Way to go, it looks great. I love the baskets too. Makes it looked organized. Way to go on the bargain shopping.

Unknown said...

Those baskets did the trick.

My friend at Scooterblu's Whimsy made several of those frames with different ribbon for Christmas gifts. They are so cute! Great way to use up what you have.

Anonymous said...

This is my first time seeing your blog and I am so glad it was today! Love the dresser makeover...I have an old dresser that the drawers have definitely seen better days and this is such a great idea I'm sad to say I wouldn't have thought of myself! Thanks for the idea.

Hopechest Bride said...

Hi Kristen,
I did that tooooo. Don't you just love the look. Makes a plain old picture frame look mighty cute. I'll have to post a pic of mine on my blog.
Blessings
Lisa