DIY Tiki Bar

Build a basic tiki bar for your next backyard luau with these easy to follow instructions.

Somehow Oscar is turning one next week and we wanted to make sure to mark the occasion in a way that would fun for the adults and the kids. A backyard luau is something we have never done before so we went with it.  In addition to the grass skirts and flower leis, I wanted to build a basic tiki bar to add to the charm. I made this one small enough for our back deck but you could adjust to any size.

I wanted to make something quick (I made this during baby naps over 1 24 hour period), easy (no special tools required) and reasonably cheap.   This was my solution and I think it looks appropriately Gilligan's Island. I also plan on reusing it for this year's Halloween display so doubly useful for me.  If you wanted to create something that would withstand the elements for longer and/or looked less rustic, you could use cedar which withstands moisture and rot but I just used the cheapest lumber I could find.

Materials used: 13 1x4 cut into 35 inch lengths, 2 1x2 cut into 29 inch lengths, 6 1x2s cut into 13 inch lengths, 1 16x36 inch wood piece for the top, 2 29.5x13 wood pieces for the shelves, wood screws, stain or paint

Build the Tiki Bar

• Line up 9 of the 35 inch pieces edge to edge. Screw together using 1x2s.  Place those pieces where you want your shelves to sit. I have them at 13 and 21 inches from the bottom. This will make the front of the tiki bar.
• Line up 4 of the 35 inch pieces edge to edge, screw together using 1x2.  Repeat.  This will make the left and right side of the tiki bar.
• Screw the left and right sides to the face by abutting the short edge to the back of the long edge.
• Screw in the 1x2s to the underside of the top.  Screw in at right and left for extra hold.
• Place the shelves on the 1x2s support
• Stain or paint as desired. I used a mix of brown paint and MinWax Coastal Grey stain.
• Optional: use scrap wood to create Tiki Bar sign hanging from the counter

The only tools you need are something to cut the wood with (or get your local hardware store to do it for you) and a drill.  It came together pretty easily and has a lot of rustic charm perfect for a luau display.

Must Make: Narrow Vertical Garden Planter

It will come as no surprise to you that I'm a sucker for a vertical planter: see my DIY vertical herb garden, the lazy man's pallet vertical garden, and my recycled can chain link fence garden for further proof.  So when I stumbled upon this twist on the concept that is especially perfect for those short on floor space, I had to save it to the must make file. Pop over The Craft Patch for the entire how-to.

So many projects, so little time!

Must Make: Painted Brick Books

This idea is so simple and fun but I somehow never discovered it before.  Painted bricks all lined up to look like a book collection.  Love it!

You can buy them ready made ...

via light reading london

...or DIY your own collection.  Get some tips from the video tutorial from how to eugene  or a pictorial one from KU Alum.

Wouldn't these make a fun outdoor accessory?

Must Make: Charging Station

Even with just two adults, our charging situation is a hot mess of wires on the kitchen counter (you know how I hate counter clutter!) and always irritates me.  I imagine as the world keeps turning and making more stuff we need to charge this will only get worse.


Driven by Decor hacked a great solution to the problem using a readymade desk organizer but the I haven't been able to locate the same piece to hack.


eHow featured a cool idea for a hidden version using a wine crate but I don't have a great spot so something so large.


This book stack hidden charging station by Little Lovelies is totally genius but I'd have to kill too many books to charge all of our gadgets.

Anyone else come up with some genius solution to share?  Or should I just wait for wireless charging to come around?

Must Make: Ammo Can Vertical Garden

It might surprise you that I have an ammo can sitting in my basement (not from practical use but from finding it in my neighbors trash pile and thinking it was too cool to throw away - thanks neighbors!).

So when I spotted this vertical garden project, I just had to save it to my must make list.  It's super clever and adds a great industrial element to an outdoor space. Bravo The Horticult!  They even share a great step by step tutorial of how to make your own.





Go check out  The Horticult for lots more beautiful outdoor inspiration.

Side note: It's still cold here but I'm itching to get going on some outdoor projects.  Will this winter ever end?

Must Make: Pom Pom branches

How did I not think of this? Genius idea from the inter webs that I have somehow missed.  Pom pom + branches = cheap and whimsical decor. This particularly lovely example from The Surznick Common Room.



If you wanted to be really crazy, you could buy a huge sack of pom poms to pomify your backyard!  I think I'll save that idea for a future Easter egg hunt.

Must Make: Art Cart

I'm not sure if I have mentioned it before but I've always loved the Ikea Rastog utility cart.  I just never had any valid reason to bring it home with me.

But thanks to the smart ladies over at Tinker Lab, I now have the perfect excuse totally practical purpose.



Woo hoo.  I'm definitely getting an art cart. I mean Aggie, Aggie is definitely getting an art cart.

Must Make: Hanging Scarf & Hat Storage

I know I'm not the only one who seems to have a pile of scarves and hats that don't quite fit anywhere. Thanks to Ikea Hackers for this super easy way to store & organize. Just take Ikea's ready made Kvarnvik hat boxes and screw to the wall. Genius!



Now why didn't I think of this?

Must Make: Pimped Out Cozy Coupe

I have a thing about ugly toys - I don't like buying them.  Granted its a pretty difficult thing to avoid when just about everything made for kids seems to come in a color scheme akin to a clown explosion.  The solution to that problem can sometimes be simply giving an existing toy a makeover (like I did with Aggie's kitchen renovation).  Meet my new obsession - finding a cozy coupe to makeover.  Check out these fabulous pimped out toddler rides....

Sources: 

go team wood | Sara Anne Photography 

Angie Schottmuller |  Dwellings by Devore

I was putting off buying one of these since it's about to get cold but once I saw that adorable Christmas tree photo, I know I have to try to stage that photo.  Now I just need to find a cozy coupe to makeover.  I haven't had much luck in the usual haunts.  Anyone local have one laying around they want to sell?

Must Make: Hand drawn Wallpaper

I've been seeing this trend of hand drawn walls pop up here and there and I love it! It's super low cost, totally custom and has a huge impact.  The artist has to either be very talented or very patient - or perhaps a bit of both.  Despite my lack of drawing talents, but I am going to attempt it somewhere with the idea the imperfections will make it more interesting (and I can always paint over it if it all goes horribly wrong!)

sources:

1. Ace Hotel Room by Timothy Goodman via inthralld

2. DIY version by Permanently Disco

3. Incredibly detailed hallway by Charlotte Mann

The idea is hardly new (hello, its the poor man's Trompe-l'œil) but in this form its a lot more fun! Considering I still love chalkboard walls and hand sketched everything so its no surprise I adore this - you could even say I'm drawn to it. Ha!

Have you tried something like this in  your own home? Please share! I'd love to see!

Must Make: Modern Candelabra

I've been seeing a few cool modern candelabra projects lately which just so happens to be perfect timing with the holidays coming up.  Since we have a pretty long table, the usual centerpieces just look ridiculously small so something large (and preferably cheap!) is in order.

Check out a few of my favorites...

from left to right

1. industrial candelabra made with pipe fitting from Homemade Modern

2. a simple + versatile candelabra made from table legs via Inspired by Home

3. outdoor spiral candelabra made with copper coil via Katie Brown

Have you seen any others worth noting?  Made your own?  Share in the comments.

Must Make: Wood Slice Chalkboard

You already know I love using rustic wood in decor and entertaining (see: stumps , log boxes) so naturally, I'm doubly loving the whole wood slice chalkboard craft trend that is everywhere lately.
Here are some of my favorites:
sources: brittanys notebook / brit co / just the bees knees / bourbon and boots

If I lived in a place where wood slices grew on trees, I'd have a whole wall of these serve as an art installation in my backyard.  Alas, free wood slices are hard to come by for city dwellers like me so I'll just have to admire from afar for now. I think I might have to incorporate some of these into a holiday project for sure.

I know the whole chalkboard hot or not topic is hotly debated.  What do you think of this twist on the trend?

I want to make you: clay tags

I'm totally smitten with homemade clay tags this year.  I'm running out of time to get this done for the holidays but I'm really loving them in all their forms!

Like these beauties by Besotted Brand:


Or this simple faux bois version from Live Laugh Rowe


Or handpainted versions from A Beautiful Mess


Have you made your own?  Is it realy as simple as it looks? 

I want to make you: Trompe L'oeil Canvas bags

Ever devoted to Martha Stewart, I've haven't been quite as glued to her magazine lately because summer issues tend to be all about gardening on masses of acreage and cooking fruit you hand pick from your orchard. As someone with a postage stamp sized backyard, I can't quite relate.



But the September issue is veering back into projects I can totally get behind. Yet another reason to be excited for fall! Particularly loving these whimsical canvas tote bags which MS describes as 'trompe l'oeil' - doesn't everything sound better in French? I need one!

Thanks to the use of tshirt transfer paper, it requires zero artistic ability. Yea for Martha.

Any projects catching your eye lately? Please share.

I want to make you: Colorful Wooden Doormat

I'm not sure if its the joy of the yellow boots or the fun of the mat itself but I'm loving this! My version would be ombre blues and just perfect for the shore. Yet another time I wish I had a barn full of tools to get some side projects done without messing up my living room.


Project details can be found at Lowes Creative Ideas

PS: If you happen to have a barn, I'm really very jealous. Oh, the fabulous parties and projects I dream of in my imaginary barn. Can I borrow yours?

Must Make This: Polaroid Scarf

I have a really long list of projects I'd like to attempt when I have some free time. I don't get to 99% of them but having a running list in my head helps me stay on top of things. Occassionally I'll see something that jumps right to the top of the list.



I spotted this amazing scarf on Hoopla the other day. The designer, Philippe Roucou created something simple yet gorgeous here. So gorgeous that nearly all of them have sold out, even with a healthy price tag on them.

Of course my internal cheapskate has me convinced I can do my own version, with my own photo for a lot less. I wear scarves quite a lot so I think something like this would make a perfectly fun accessory for me.

I can get silk printed but no clue how to finish the edges. How hard could it be? Anyone know how and want to give me (i'm really quite a terrible seamstress) some tips? Has anyone done this project already and want to give me the inside scoop?