DIY Fabric Covered Books

by RoxanneK, in category How-to, Inspiration, Knock-offs

While walking through Restoration Hardware last weekend and I noticed one accessory repeated throughout the store. Fabric covered books. They were everywhere on shelves, benches, and coffee tables.

Restoration Hardware

I picked one up to check it out. When I opened the cover, I realized they were covered in fabric which was literally just glued to the inside of the covers. These books aren’t for sale in Restoration Hardware as far as I know, I believe they are used as props. Of course, I was then inspired to make my own DIY book covers. I have plenty of books around the house, but I needed to find some fabric. I did not have any fabric samples in neutral colors, but I did find left over drop cloth from the college dorm apartment makeover I did for my daughter. This drop cloth* was the perfect neutral color I wanted for this easy project. I cut the cloth, leaving about 1-2″ extra around the sides.

Using Fabric Fusion (my new favorite DIY tool), I glued the fabric to the inside cover. Be sure to fold the cover over, as if closing the book during this step because the fabric needs to stretch out a little wider when the book is closed.

Do the same thing on the inside of the back cover.

Be sure to trim the fabric well on the edges or it will be too bulky when its closed.

And that’s it! It really couldn’t be any easier. It took me under an hour to cover three books. I love this look so much, I plan on covering some more of them. It looks much nicer than having all the random book covers mixed together on the bookshelf.

You could also tie twine around them to create a little bundle. I used a ribbon that I had saved from a blanket that I had bought. Does anyone else save those ribbons? They are too nice to throw out, I knew I’d use it eventually!

The drop cloth book covers worked well for this, but you could use any fabric that you have on hand. The possibilities are endless! It’s also less expensive than buying those book sox if you need to cover your kid’s school books. These book bundles really make the most versatile decorating accessory!

No time now? Pin it for later!

*This post contains affiliate links, read my full disclosure here*

Jan52015Aug 2 2015

10 Restoration Hardware Hacks

by RoxanneK, in category Knock-offs

Do you love Restoration Hardware? I know I do. But their prices are really up there. What to do? Hack it! I’m amazed at the Restoration Hardware hacks these bloggers pulled off, many are better than the original!

This amazing clock knock-off is from Bliss Ranch. She made this using things she had in the garage and an old clock from her wall. Money spent $0!! Love it!

Jen from The Yellow Brick Cottage did an amazing job of hacking this Restoration Hardware Deconstructed Ottoman (which starts at $895). Featured on Interiors by Kenz.

Rachel from Maison de Pax knocked off this cool Map Of Paris from RH. The RH version starts at $1200! Rachel’s spent a total of $75, and it came out amazing, don’t you think?

Jen from the House of Wood hacked RH’s Printmakers Sideboard. By making it herself. From scratch. Seriously. Jen raised the standards for us bloggers way up high with this one!

Over at Shanty 2 Chic, they also built this Restoration Hardware inspired dining hutch themselves.

AKA Designs loved the look of Restoration Hardware’s Dutch Shipyard shelves. But pricing starts at $1525 (on sale) for one of these, and they needed two. So they made their own at $150 each.

Also, from AKA Designs a hack on this RH Brickmaker’s coffee table.

Have you seen these Fire Columns from Restoration Hardware? My husband and I actually discussed doing a hack on these ourselves. Well, we never actually got around to it but In My Own Style did.

These Stone Garden Spheres from RH start at $200 each. Pam from Simple Details got creative and did a great job of knocking these off!

Shannon from Anythingology is a girl after my own heart, hacking this Rope Planetarium RH chandelier. She spent $50 as opposed to RH’s $695.

There are your 10 amazing Restoration Hardware hacks. Here is my Knock Off RH Orb Chandelier, in case you missed it. You can read how I did it here.

Have you knocked off anything lately?

Don’t forget to enter our Cash Giveaway if you haven’t yet! The giveaway ends on 1/31/15. (Giveaway has ended)

Sep222014Aug 10 2015

10 Amazing Pottery Barn Hacks

by RoxanneK, in category Knock-offs

I love Pottery Barn but I don’t always love their prices. I selectively buy my favorite pieces from there. And since we all love a great knock-off, today I’m sharing 10 really great Pottery Barn hacks.

I really can’t get over how cute this pumpkin pillow is from Beneath the Magnolias. It’s actually better than the original and I wish I could buy this one!

I only recently first came across this cool iPad stand from Pottery Barn which sells for $35. Mamie Jane’s made hers using a cutting board she picked up for $1, a scrabble tile holder & a child’s building block. Great idea!

Inspiring Hearts and Homes made this adorable swing shelf for her kids bathroom for under $10.

The Rubber Punkin made her version of these platters with a simple dish picked up from TJ Maxx.

Corey from Sawdust 2 Stitches shared her hack via Remodelaholic. She turned a simple Ikea media stand into this! Not an easy undertaking, but amazing results!

I have always liked Pottery Barn’s Seagrass headboard. Over at Stripes and Polka Dots Hannah re-created it using a seagrass rug for a fraction of the price! Her version was $75 compared to Pottery Barn’s $340.

This is a great idea if you’re stuck with a medicine cabinet in your bathroom. DIY Design Fanatic shows you how she trimmed hers out with a wood frame.

I have always loved this tiered stand. Cindy Lou Designs customized the size of her knock off to better fit her table.

Everyday Enchanting made their knock off using an old pallet they already had.

Over at That’s My Letter, Jamie made a great version of this Eagan mirror. She made hers larger than Pottery Barn’s, and for around $90 as compared to PB’s $250.

All great ideas! Which is your favorite?

Jun52014Aug 7 2017

Restoration Hardware Knockoff Chandelier

by RoxanneK, in category cheap decorating ideas

Orb chandeliers have been around for a while now. I don’t know about you, but I love them as much now as when I first saw one over at Restoration Hardware. I have been coveting this one for at least a year now.

While shopping in Home Goods one day, I found the inspiration to make my own DIY light fixture. It was in the gardening section and clearance-priced at $12. I knew immediately I wanted to turn this into a light fixture. Of course, I would need my husbands help with the electrical part of this project. He really doesn’t like home improvement projects, but agreed to help out with this one.

Now to figure out how to get a chandelier to fit in there. I visited thrift stores, yard sales, & Habitat For Humanity with no luck. I finally found what I was looking for in a local antique store. Check out this brass & glass fixture from the 70’s. I knew the chandelier part was small enough to fit between the metal bars of my orb.

Next, John disassembled the ugly brass chandelier, which fortunately came apart by simply unscrewing it. Then I spray painted over the brass with Rust-Oleum metallic spray paint in bronze. I used metallic because that was the only finish I could find in the bronze. I did not spray paint the orb itself to match because I liked the weathered look of the orb the way it is. Once it dried, John attached the chandelier to the base with metal brackets called cable straps.

And finally, here is our version of the Restoration Hardware Rustic Iron Orb chandelier.

RH chandelier cost: $695.00 for the small one . My version cost: $27.00. I have seen other versions of this orb at Marshall’s and TJ Maxx . Home Goods recently had one in a beautiful shade of Kelly green. I also found some orbs online, you can see them here and here. You could also simplify the chandelier part and just use a pendant lighting kit for the center. Happy hunting!

You can see my full kitchen makeover here.

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