March 26, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Spring is in the air, and with it the urge to spruce up home and garden.
From simple projects to the more adventurous — here are 12 things to make and do that capture the colorful spirit of the season, from How To website Houzz.com.
1. Make over last year’s plant pots. Give plain terracotta pots a new lease on life by painting them in two colors. Tape off and paint one hue at a time, letting it dry between coats. (Avoid painting the inside of pots used for edibles.) A cluster of painted pots in various sizes planted with fresh greenery would make a cheerful addition to the front porch or steps.
Variation: For an even more personal look, use chalkboard paint. Once the paint has dried, you can label the pots with their contents or your house numbers. Or you can use small pots on the dining table as creative place cards with handwritten names.
2. Paint a patterned accent wall. Looking for something a bit different from the usual accent wall? After priming your wall and allowing it to dry, try taping off a pattern with painters tape, then painting the wall in the hue of your choice. When you remove the tape, the pattern will be revealed.
Tip: Painters tape isn’t always foolproof, and paint can sometimes bleed through the edges, making less-than-perfect lines. If you end up with a messy line or two, wait until the paint has fully dried, use a straight edge and pencil to make a crisp line, and then fill in using a small brush.
3. Dress up display shelves. Paint the backs of a set of box shelves in pastel hues for a touch of spring color. Or, for a quicker change, choose a pretty paper (scrapbooking paper or gift wrap works well), cut it to fit and affix it to the back of the shelf with double-sided tape.
Tip: If painting, remove your shelves from the wall and lay them flat to avoid drips.
4. Make floral cones. Roll rounds of kraft paper embellished with your own doodles (using paint or markers) into cones and secure with colorful washi tape to make mini bouquets perfect to send home with party guests or to bring along as a hostess gift.
Tip: To protect the paper and help the blooms stay fresh, wrap the stems in damp paper towels and place inside a small plastic bag before inserting in the paper cone.
5. Plant a teacup garden. Put old, chipped teacups to new use by transforming them into mini planters. Before planting, you’ll need to drill a drainage hole in the bottom of each cup. Use the saucer to protect your table from water. Planted with pansies or other small flowers, these teacups would look sweet grouped on the dining table or just about anywhere.
Tip: Stock up on single teacups at yard sales, flea markets or thrift stores, and plant them to give as hostess gifts all season long.
6. Repurpose cans as herb planters. A few quick taps of a hammer and nail into the bottom of a clean food can is all that’s needed to rescue these recycling-bin staples. Plant the cans with fresh herbs and keep them in the kitchen window so you can easily snip a sprig to add to a dish. For a personal touch, brush on labels made from chalkboard paint before planting.
7. Reorganize the pantry. A neat, well-organized pantry makes preparing meals easier and prevents repeat-buying of ingredients simply because you didn’t know you had them. Remove everything and clean the shelves, tossing out expired food and spices. Pick up some baskets and bins, and use these to sort your pantry goods into categories (baking, breakfast, snacks, spices).
Tip: To make your new system easier to keep up, choose bins that are easy to see into and label them clearly.
8. Paint old furniture in bright new hues. Give your kitchen stools, dining chairs or an old desk (or if you’re feeling brave, your kitchen island) a bold new look with a lick of colorful paint. Always paint in a well-ventilated area (preferably outdoors), and take time to prepare the surface by sanding, cleaning away the sanding dust and priming.
Tip: Use a good-quality paint brush (not a foam brush) and paint big flat surfaces using long strokes.
9. Embellish a chandelier with flowers. Reminiscent of Polish paper craft chandeliers known as pajaki, made from colorful tissue paper flowers, this project would be a fun and festive way to decorate for a party — and pretty enough to leave up for the rest of the season. Attach artificial flowers to the frame of your chandelier with floral wire, being sure to avoid the bulbs (material touching the bulbs is a fire hazard).
10. Give plain candlesticks a dip-dyed look. Revive a tired wooden candlestick by painting the entire piece white and the lower portion a bright spring hue. Clustered in the center of your dining table or on a tray, they add a cheerful spring touch to any room.
Variation: You can create this look with other accessories too. Try it on a woven basket, bud vase or even a picture frame (remove the photo and glass first!).
11. String up lights in the backyard. Flicking on strands of globe string lights over the patio or deck creates a more festive atmosphere for parties or everyday. Be sure to hang them high enough so that your tallest friend or relative can walk below them without bumping into a strand.
Tip: If you don’t have an outdoor outlet, hire a certified electrician to install one with the proper safety features.
