The Design Confidential

Outdoor Living Space and Tiki Brand Fire Sculpture

RyTurner — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:31:47 +0000

Outdoor Living and Tiki

This post brought to you by TIKI Brand®. All opinions are 100% mine.

I had a funny (or not so funny, really) experience recently... it involved a giant jug of bubbles and a fire sculpture... ask me who won? I wasn't me, that's for certain, at least not at first. It seems that the soapy ingredient in bubbles, mixed with water, doesn't create the perfect environment for fire, or fire related ambiance... who knew? Let's just say that I'm quite surprised and utterly thrilled that my Tiki Brand Fire Sculpture not only survived, but thrived even... after a decent amount of cleanup and some major drying out, of course. eek...

Remember when I published 2 outdoor living decor options, here and here? Well I am super duper excited to say that one of these looks is very much under way! My outdoor space is so important to me since I adore being outdoors, but you guys... I have never actually had a real grown up outdoor space! I was having trouble deciding on which color scheme to go with, right up until I realized I have two separate and distinct outdoor spaces... duh! I can do both! yahoo!

The first space I am tackling will be the living space with sofa and chairs and it will have the pink, peach, red and purple color scheme you see above along with the furniture... yay! The Tiki Brand Fire Sculpture will live in this space too and is the perfect addition to add a bit of that relaxing vacationy vibe I hope to achieve! Now I just need to settle on a rug or two (layering is cool) and get this party started. No really, like actually started...

You can purchase the bad boys (TIKI Brand Fire Sculptures) at The Home Depot or follow TIKI Brand on Facebook, and of course they are well priced at between $50-$100. This replace the more traditional idea of a series of small tiki torches and acts as a fabulous piece of decor as well! Now I will get real with you for a quick minute. I am actually terrified of fire. So suffice to say that putting this together (the cleaning it up) and getting it lit were a bit of the scary side for me. It was one of those band-aid moments where you just need to rip that thing off and dive right in, and of course it was so simple and not scary in the least. Always works out like that, but at least initially I was petrified when my husband was out of town and I had to do this myself! yikes.. but seriously easy peasy. I have included a short video showing just how easy it was, yay! enjoy...

Sources

All of the sources found in the moodboard can be found here! and purchased if you like!

My Neighbor Needed a Rolling Grill Table

Jake — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:37:01 +0000

Rolling Grill Table

My friend, neighbor, professor, author David (pictured) needed a large rolling grill table to support his frequent efforts at great grilling. He showed me plans for one from This Old House magazine so we got the shopping list together and headed off to Big Blue for supplies. A couple of days later with luck and forced design changes the final product came to be. You can get the plans at: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20691643,00.html

It is a straightforward project but the plans leave a lot to the imagination and calculator. Pay attention to keeping everything level and square. We are going through Beta testing now to see what may need changing and strengthening.

Estimated Cost:

About $100. Wheels alone were $20 and cedar was $50 so it adds up quickly.

Length of Time:

2 days (12 hours)

Modifications:

The table is a little high for me to pull around so I suggest another handle just a little lower.

Lumber Used:

100% cedar

Finishing Technique:

Probably just natural stain.

DIY Succulent Garden, DIH Workshop and a $100 Giveaway

RyTurner — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:23:09 +0000

DIY Succulents & Giveaway

The Design Confidential

Post and giveaway sponsored by The Home Depot, but all opinions are my own.

It's been a whirlwind week or two working with The Home Depot for the DIH Workshop, Inspired by Pinterest. There have been tv segments... workshops... projects... succulents... dirt under my fingernails... and it's been an amazing ride! I am excited to share all the deets with you and also launch a giveaway as our way of saying we heart you and to wrap this amazing partnership! One of you lucky duckies will walk away with a $100 gift card to The Home Depot, yahoooooo... For the giveaway, scroll all the way to the bottom, and for a recap of all the excitement as well as a fun video tutorial for a DIY succulent garden, just hold on to your seats folks... it's gonna be fabulous! I'm also including the link to another DIY succulent garden I created specifically for The Home Depot and can be found on their blog, The Apron... it's awesome-sauce, if I do say so myself (which I do...).

Also if you would like to watch my segment on KCRA, click here and watch away (I haven't figured out how to embed it yet) and my segment on ABC click here. Don't judge... I'm still chubby from hatching the bird, I have this strange tendency toward crazy eyes... and I'm downright goofy most of the time, pretty sure that's why you guys guys tolerate me though, ya? I will try and post the other links to the other segments as they roll through.. weeeeee.

The DIH Workshop at the Stanford Ranch Home Depot was amazing, with an amazing turnout! Yahoo! Everyone was completely into the topic and the whole experience was amazing (Thank you Stanford Ranch Store, I heart you guys!!!)!

We tackled a vertical garden, classic potted garden and even hypertufa... ya be jealous... hypertufa rules!

Now let's get down to business for our DIY project, shall we?

Materials:

4x6 piece of lumber at 6' or less
Spade Bit or Hole Saw at 2"-2 1/2" would be perfect, but smaller will work with multiple holes (see my video below!)
large and long drill bit for wood
succulents of your choice
sandpaper
acylic paint of your choice
paint brush (I used a 2" brush for this, it went faster that way)

Oky dok, the directions are all included in this short video below. yahoo...

Oky dok my friends... and now are you ready to get this GIVEAWAY started? One of you lucky ducks will win a $100 Home Depot Gift Card! Yahoo!

Enter using the Rafflecopter form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An Updated Painting and Seeing Spots

RyTurner — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:41:21 +0000

Updated Painting Seeing Spots

The Design Confidential

I have been making some major headway in the new house, despite my radio silence on the matter... I have had freelance project after project and haven't hardly had a moment to update you on what I have been up to otherwise! In fact I am almost completely finished with the Family Room, squeal... can't wait to do the full room reveal for you guys! Such a fun space...

In the meantime the other areas of my house are needing some love desperately too! Remember this painting I found at Denio's, my new home away from home? Well as much as I loved it as it was, I wanted something fresh and exciting and so I took a paint brush to it, duh. After all, the reason I purchased it in the first place was the sheer size and of course the price of a mere $3! Doesn't get better than that folks, except when it gets a new 'do' and that 'do' is a little reminiscent of a space I loved when I shared it with you here... See the room with the spotted art above the bed? Yep, loved it...

One of my goals in the new house is to turn my design style up a notch and mix things up. I want to really push my design boundaries and find a new style to love for a while! The only way for me to do this is to take risks, so a few dalmatian-ish spots above the bed are a great place to start!

I will spare you the 'tutorial' since it's pretty straightforward, but I will mention that I used Rustoleum spray paint and primer in one to give it a good base coat. I used just regular acrylic craft paint for the spotted goodness and a sponge brush with a round tip. That made the spotting that much easier to do! Easy Peasy update and I couldn't love how it sets a fresh new tone for the space any more than I currently do. It makes me happy to remember it's there and stare at it. Ya, that's probably weird but, it's my way...

Also... how devious does that pup look. I clearly caught him in the act of something, I have yet to simply find out what... He's a little out of focus here because I was shooting the painting, but that look on his face is priceless. Part, leave me alone, part, did she see what I was doing? eek...

Free DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Crate and Barrel Inspired Bluestone Coffee Table

Cher-Ann Texter — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:32:10 +0000

Cher-Ann Texter

Bluestone Coffee Table

Project Details

Free DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Crate and Barrel Inspired Bluestone Coffee Table! The top can be painted to look like concrete or you can brush on some concrete resurfacing material for a thin coat! How fantastic is that... Xx... Rayan

Estimated Cost

$25-$50

Dimensions

Tools

Tape Measure
Saw – Jig, Circular, or Miter
Drill
Countersink Bit for Drill
Square
Sander
Kreg Jig
Brad nailer

Lumber

2 – 3x3 posts at 3’
1 – 2x2 at 6’
1 – 2x2 at 8’
1 – 2x3 at 6’
2 – 2x3 at 8’
1 sheet of ¾” plywood

Materials

2-1/2” pocket hole screws
3” screws
1-1/4” brad nails
1-1/2” edge banding
Wood filler
Sandpaper
Wood glue
Finishing Supplies

Cut List

4 – 3x3 at 15-1/2” – Legs
4 – 2x2 at 22-1/2” – Stretchers
4 – 2x3 at 22-1/2” Stretchers
4 – 2x2 at 12-1/2”- Truss Pieces
5 – 2x3 at 24-1/2” – Slats
2 – ¾” plywood at 27-1/2” x 27-1/2” - Top

Instructions

Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.

Step 1

Cut the pieces for the legs and the stretchers. Set the Kreg jig for 1-1/2” material and drill pocket holes in each end of the stretchers. Secure to the legs as shown using glue and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws. The front face of the stretchers will be flush with the outside face of the legs.

Step 2

Cut the truss pieces. Cut the angles as shown (they are NOT cut at 45 degrees) and drill pocket holes in each angle. Position as shown and secure to the stretchers using glue and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws.

Step 3

Cut the pieces for the other stretchers and drill pocket holes in each end. Position as shown and secure using glue and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws.

Step 4

Cut the pieces for the slats. Drill pocket holes in each end and secure to the stretchers as shown using glue and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws. Locate them ½” down from the top of the stretcher.

Step 5

Cut the pieces for the top and fasten them together using glue and 1-1/4” brad nails. Apply the edge banding. Position the top on the frame and secure using glue and countersunk 3” screws from the underside of the upper stretchers into the underside of the top.

Finishing Instructions

Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School

Disclaimer

**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you provide an adequate link back to the appropriate post! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it.

The Design Confidential

Outdoor Living Space and Tiki Brand Fire Sculpture

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