Vote for Lorie! And join the linky party!

See this pretty little thing?

One of our sistas from our blogging community, Lorie from Be Different, Act Normal is trying to win it.

Do you know how close she is?
She's running neck to neck with only ONE other site!

How can she win?
She needs the most comments on her post! So in celebration of a friend needing a helping hand, I'm holding us a little




<center><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2009/09/laundry-room-linky-party-for-lori.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Funky Junk's Laundry Party" src="<a href="http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/signmakergirl/?action=view¤t=laundrybutton.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/signmakergirl/laundrybutton.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>"/></a></center>

At the end of this post, you'll see a place to vote for Lorie, and please do it quickly. Deadline is Oct 2!! (you can vote more than once too! Anonymous voters will be disqualified)

Then add your own laundry link to join the party! If you don't have a laundry room worthy of pics, feel free to post a fav laundry themed gaget you enjoy. Or another laundry themed pic from the net. But if nothing else,  please just vote for Lorie and just spread the word.

So, let's get this party started already! Here's mine...

You may have already seen my laundry room bookshelf idea. In celebration for Lorie, I've taken a few more pics. The room is so not ready for a final reveal, so don't worry if yours isn't either!

Here's the only storage I have so far. A $20 bookshelf scooped up from a garage sale. And I love it!

No shelf is complete without something pretty to gaze at of course!

And let's not forget about pretty storage. If it's going to show, may as well make it fun to look at. Baskets give such an earthy natural texture and are never out of style.

Meet the dynamic duo! These are Sears Elite H5T's, about 2 years old now. And I adore them! And the deep cranberry colour, just so fun to look at. I smile everytime I see them. Yeah, it's true laundry love, what can I say... and I want Lori to dream of something similar soon!

Such a sorry pic... but what laundry room wouldn't be complete without a lamp? The basket on the left is a catch all for whatever I find in pockets. The pad on the right is so laundry baskets don't scratch the top of the machine. I have a plan of action for the tops and along the back, but it's not ready yet.

The detail on this thrift store $8 lamp is really gorgeous! It's metal too. And nope, I did not paint it. I love the blackish brown it is.

And my newest pride and joy? The antique ironing board I found about a week ago! I hate to cover up the wood because it's just so woodsy unique! You know... my thing with wood...

Now, your turn! First, right click/new window on the link below to vote for Lorie

RIGHT HERE.

Next, link up those cute laundry room posts of yours! Please be sure to visit other links and leave comments!

Linking rules:


1. Before linking up, please click on your post TITLE. Copy and paste that title ulr from the address window into the McLinky url area. The address should not show just your home page address, but rather, should have an extention that specifies your title within it. This will enable your links to travel back to the right post. I'll be deleting any links that are simply home pages, so please try again if you see yours missing.

2. On your blog, please link back to this page somehow so you can bring your readers back to the party. One easy way is to simply grab the laundry button made for you. Here's how...
- copy the scroll address, go back to your post, select Edit HTML, paste it in your post, go back to Compose to check it or continue writing your post, click publish. Yes, it is just that easy.

Whoohoo! Let's do it! Show Lori some major laundry room spirit by linking up AND voting! Good luck Lorie!

Yup, I'm bringing the woodtones back!

I just had to share my latest find. I'm in love...

I found this mirror at a thrift for a whoppin' $10. When I first glanced at it stacked tightly along with others, I felt it may be abit too feminine for my home, but snatched it up anyway in case it worked for a future client.

But as soon as I placed it on the massive mantle on the fireplace, it was ALL MINE. I am in LOVE with the detail work and the gentle curves of the mirror itself. The woodtones pick up the hardwood flooring and woodsy surroundings. It's perfect just the way it is.

Imagine... in a blog world so full of whites, you think I may bring wood tones back in style here?!?

Here's why I am not on the white spray paint bandwagon with the mirror....

Nope. I'm a totally funky woodsy rebel once again. The woodtone HAS to stay. Simply because it's perfect.

This post is shared with A Soft Place To Land's DIY DAY, Sept 28 2009 and Reinvented's Trash to Treasure Tuesday, Sept 29 2009.

Defining your Passion - Week 4

Finding your Niche

Welcome back!

First of all, join me in celebrating that I finally made a real button! Just goes to show, if you perservere towards your passion, you CAN do it! Thank-you, thank-you very much! Oh please... the applause is killing me. Have a seat and let's begin! And if you feel like using the beautiful new button (html version located on my right sidebar) on your sidebar while the series runs, that would make me smile BIG!

How to add the button on your sidebar:
copy the info inside the button
open your blog, select customize, select add a gadget
select html option, window opens
paste your info in that window, save
move your new gadget to your desired location
preview, then save! EASY!

Scenario #1

You're about to run out the door to grab an icecream with the kids. (like that's typical eh?) In your town you have two options. One is a hole in the wall store where they sell cheap icecream right beside their plumbing section. Fun times!

Your second option is a highly themed environment with nice tables to sit at, complete with those fans that push that incredible waffle cone aroma around. The cones are more $, but so is your experience. Which one would you choose if you wanted your 1 hour out the door as enjoyable and memorable as possible?

That example was pretty easy, like bad coffee from the gas station vs. a high end coffee house brew.  So let's try another angle...

Scenario #2

Let's say there were two high end icecream stores, however one had an outstanding playground as well as the best coffee in town, complete with decorating mags, (gotcha there) cushy chairs and they didn't rush you out the door. Which one? You know the answer to that one.

That is called niche marketing. When you provide something special that the other guy does not offer, that is your niche. And you're bound to get the business. EVEN if you're more expensive.


Recap -

Week 1 - you've defined your interests

Week 2 - removing obstacles keeping you from success

Week 3 - changes necessary to make your dream happen

Week 4 - establishing your niche


Do you need a niche?

Why can't you just decide to do something and do the best you can and be successful?

Some can get by with that. But just remember, if you do what the other guy does, you embedd yourself in a saturated market leaving you with ALOT of competition. You'll really have to jump some major hoops to get noticed and be successful. In the world of biz, you may have to lower your prices to remain in the game in order to be successful. But that doesn't sound very successful after all, does it?

Finding your special niche in your given passion gives your client a reason to come back to YOU.

So, think about it. If you want to be a decorator, what special talent do you possess that will float you in a different directon from the next gal?

Same applies to everything else in the world. Everything.

Ask yourself:

~ What separates me from the masses?

~ What would draw others towards ME?

~ What can I do with abit of a twist so I'm unique?

~ If I don't have that unique quality, what do I need to strive towards in order to obtain it?

I have a friend that does world class work. There is no one in the world that outputs work quite like his. No one. His stuff is one of a kind and he's able to demand the right price for it. I'm intensly proud that my friend has reached this status. And the masses come from around the globe for HIS work. Germany may have someone in Germany  that does similar work, but instead, my friend in Canada, half way across the world gets the call instead. That says an awful lot, doesn't it? He's got his niche well nailed and he's placed himself in a market of his own.

Ok, now it's your turn.

Please share below in the comments:


1. Name your passion. Next, name what niches you think you possess to make your passionate choice uniquely yours.

If you can't think of any you currently have, list ideas you need to strive towards.

2. Updates!

Please share how you feel about your findings to date. Are you implementing/doing anything about your dreams or still stuck in the wishing stages? Is there anything more I could provide in the series differently that could help you? Critique away!

New upcoming stuff!

Dear ads,

Please start working for me so I have the time and the means to implement all I want to do on this here lil' blog along with my blog friends. I'm far too busy to lead a normal life.

Sincerely and passionately yours...

too excited to eat and sleep and garden and clean the house and even work for a living, but my 10 yr old is still being fed, Mommyhood will always come first, FJ Donna.



Would you like a sneak peek on what crazy fun I'm brewing up?

Interviews from blogsphere!



- Rhoda from Southern Hospitality will soon be here to do a guest interview! I cannot WAIT! If you haven't met Rhoda yet, you are in for a treat. A southern gem with a glorious flare for her thang. I can't wait to ask her what her favorite metal tone is... Ok, I'm totally not going to do that, that weirdness appears to be mine, all mine. But I can't wait to hear what she has to say with some questions I"ll throw her way!


Themed Linky Parties!

- with a twist! The Linky Parties here will have a theme, such as...

Your current fav project?
Best find?
Worst flop?
Best ever post?
Newest find this week?
... plus I'll be inviting you your input for topics! Doesn't that sound like fun?!?


MORE bloggy how-to's

- buttons with scroll bars (yup!! as soon as I make mine, I'll be a pro)
- headlines that grab attention
- how to write good articles
... etc.


Passion Series

- next, on finding your niche
...etc.


A before and after series on a real friend's place! I start Wednesday.

and in between all this, I'll still be creating and posting my own stuffola of course. Nooooo sweat. (cuckooo! boing...  cuckooo!)

Now, I actually have a business to run on the side of all this fun, so I'm going to flash this stuff out spur of the moment when I can get it out there. So you need to just be ready to roll, k? So, to make sure you keep up with all this new riff raff, if you aren't a follower yet, best to jump on that bandwagon.

You ARE utilizing your blogger dashboard to follow your chosen blogs, yes? If no, tell me so I will do a session on that. If you are following your chosen blogs by visiting your blog page itself, you are in for a BIG BIG  TREAT. Following another blog is so the way to go. I couldn't live without that feature.

Anyway, see you Monday AM with the new Passion Series install - Finding Your Niche. It's important!!!

I'm off to play in my garden while the sun shines. May you be doing much of the same. Just remember, your housework will not give up on you. It'll wait... so go on. Play. Guilt free!

Now... here is your chance of a lifetime.  I invite you to let me know what other things you'd like to see on this here funky little blog. All those headings above? I have them written down and I add to the lists so I remember to cover them. So please feel free to add what you desire in the comments and  I'll see what I can do with my little 'ol metal magic wand, other than NOT putting it in the microwave.

*Shazam!*

Blog gets a new gritty outfit - for today anyway.

BOO!

Bet this blog looks a little rough and tough this fine AM, eh? Here, allow me to soften it up abit with a doily...

LOL!! Ah... too much fun. I think the final look came out abit too gritty perhaps... blame it on the background rock music I had going tonite. I'll be doing some tweaking again soon. But at 2:40 AM, it's time to shut'er down. I'm sure you totally understand.

I'm off to slumberland. Hope I didn't scare you off. I'm not nearly as tough as the metal portrays. LOL

And as always, your comments are ALWAYS welcome! A designer doesn't mind critiquing. Even a very tired one. Have a wonderful Sunday!

Metal features ~ You just can't buy this stuff anywhere

Metal. Anyone else love this stuff?

I'll admit, my taste in decorating has a unique twist to it. Which forces me to create rather than buy. Because what's circling in my head simply doesn't exsist on a shelf anywhere in many cases.

And the stairway spindles are the perfect example. I made my own metal spindles for the new staircase because you simply can't buy what was living inside my head and the look I desired to have. The rustic metal is really bringing out the other metal features in the room and that is why this works so well.

What other unique metal features you ask?

The kitchen hardware on the cabinets. I freaked when I found these and had no idea how perfect they would tie in with everything later. Complete fluke, but it was all about trusting your gut and choosing something that spoke back to you. They had an old world rustic and slighly funky feel to them. Little did I know they'd set the theme for the entire upstairs.

The metal topped island. Designed by myself, fabricated by my buddy Dan, it's not only a workhorse, it's beautiful!  The sides are softly curved, edges with large radius corners, which really minimizes the size visually. It's a very large island that you can sit at from both sides, but fits perfectly smack dab in the middle of the open floor plan upstairs. No one stocks stuff like this.

The fireplace encosure I had custom fabricated also by Dan. (this guy's kinda good but I'm not far behind... muaha..) I didn't desire the exsisting square opening so this plate was fabricated to fit, complete with slide out pins so I can change to a gas stove at a later date if I wish. But if that means losing my beautiful riveted metal plate, I'll stay with wood, thank-you!

And let's so not forget the metal corbels holding up the fireplace mantel. Ohhhh yeah. And, the only reason I didn't fabricate these items myself is because there were deadlines galore at the time. The renos were in high gear and I was busy gutting my kitchen, nevermind creating.

So, with those kinds of deadlines gone, I'm back to dreaming and creating with guidance again. And it's a very good place to be!

Some days I think the only one that really gets me is my dog Jenna. I mean, who else hangs around me like a shadow, listens to my mumblings and watches me create and never rebuttles a thing I do? You rock, Jenna. Total support system here.  And just for that, I'm gonna make something metal just for you too one day!

If  ready made decorating just isn't ringing your bell any longer and you're striving to create something that isn't sold anywhere else, create it and make it uniquely yours. This stuff has danced in my head for way too long. It needs to be fabricated and by golly, the more I learn, the more I can and will do! Bring on the power tools!

Be unique, be yourself, and continue to dream and create. Start small with those old doors and windows and work yourself up as you get familiar with tools. And by all means, buy yourself some great tools so you CAN create! (I'll do a post on my favorite tools soon!)

I'm totally ruined. I can't walk in a store with retail stuff any longer. I tsk at the prices, then go to the nearest thrift, pick up my newest treasure and go home and play and make that trinket look like a million bucks. I'm now stocking for those other than myself so I can build up some unique pieces when the need arrives.

(Storage?!? What storage? But that's another story.)

Anyone else out there like me? Do you have this crazy stuff circling around in your head that you have to get out? Or is it really only Jenna and I in this together after all?!?

P.S. Just WAIT until you see what I do with my shower surround... ho ho hooooo....

Improving Your Blog - add a signature!

Have you considered adding a signature to the bottom of your blog writeups?

Funky Junk Interior's

 Improving Your Blog Tips

to date

While personal sigs aren't mandatory by any means,  my interpretation is that they add a small personal touch from the blog owner in an otherwise very online atmosphere . Plus they look kinda cool to boot! So, wanna try? Read on!

How to add a free signature to your blog

1. Go to http://www.mylivesignature.com/

2. Select CLICK HERE TO START. (I suggest to register. If you mess up, the code online expires and you lose your sig if you don't register... ask me how I know!)

3. Select which kind of signature you'd like. (created online, handwritten or scanned)

I used "using the signature creation wizard". This selection offered a TON of choices - then click NEXT STEP.

4. Make your font choice - then click NEXT STEP.

Tips:

~ make sure you go through all the options in the boxes. Upon first glance, I didn't realize the additional boxes held more fonts. Cool! And write down the number you like. I used that reference more than once when my stuff crashed!

~ think of the tone of your blog. Mine happens to be on the funkier side of decorating, so the font I chose is slightly funky gritty #57. :)

5. Choose your size - then click NEXT STEP.

Tip

~ not too big is my motto. Bring up your blog window, then that font choice window and view them together. Select a size that matches your blog content, as if you've hand written it after. You want it to appear like a signature at the end of your post, not a blaring blinking LOOK AT ME sign. I chose #2 for mine.

6. Choose your background and text colours.

To match your blog colours, go to:

dashboard/layout
fonts and colours
text colour? link colour? click on your decision
copy your hex code into the sig (ctrl v and c didn't work for me)

~ preview , then chose NEXT STEP

TIP: the colours didn't match when I used the hex code so instead, save yourself the grief and....

* click the background box to change that colour - colour selection box appears, wing it!
* click the text box to change that colour - colour selection box appears, wing it!

Then select NEXT STEP.

7.Set the slope. (coooool...) I chose #3. Then select NEXT STEP.

8. There it is! Now, save this page in your favorites so you can hang onto the coding for future referencing to other applications. Glad I did this because my next click was fatal and page read expired! I simply retrieved it under my favs.

- select WANT TO USE THIS SIGNATURE?

- select GENERATE HTML CODE

8. GENERATING HTML
- select first option unless you want more info with your sig (I like simple myself)

9. Check preview box. If you don't see your sig, START OVER. If you do, yay it worked! Copy HTML info (by selecting all the text in the box to highlight, hold ctrl, hit c to cut)

10. Go to your dashboard / settings / formatting

11. Look for POST TEMPLATE BOX. Click on that box, and paste your info in. (hold ctrl, hit v)

Click on save settings. Now, each time you open a new window to post, you'll see your sig in that box. You need to manually move it lower and post above it each time. A little bit of babysitting involved, but I think it's worth it.

12. Scream, throw roses my way, and dance a little siggy jig! You've done it and it's sooo cute!

Now go tell all your friends where you got this incredibly brilliant EASY tutorial from and brag about your shiny new cute siggy! (actually, I want to know if you do it because I'm coming over to peek!) And may my instructions have been much clearer than most, because I had to do this only 4x. Won't even tell you how long it took, you KNOW how that stuff goes... but you're all worth it! Here's to further beautifying blogland!


Edited to add: I'm lovin' the shout outs! Thanks soooo much! If you want to take over that mouse/checkerboard button to your post, it's very easy!

Lesson #2 ~ Adding that checkerboard button to your blog post


1. Right click on the checkerboard pic within this post, and select properties at the bottom. Hold Ctrl hit c to copy.

2. When you go to do your post, where you add your picture, the screen will ask you where you want your pic from.. Select WEB, paste the info there, done!

3. To add a link back to the tips series and this blog attached to the picture, first click on the headline of my post. Cut from the address. (hold ctrl hit v)

4. Go to the pic in your post, select it, hit link, paste code in, done! I promise to figure out a proper button dealy soon, but look what else you learned how to do? Nice!!

Now... isn't mine cute?!?

Crazy awesome stair case/rail project - Part 1 (with video!)

Do you like my stairs? I can't wait to do a total before and after on these guys. They've had a long hard life. But my friends are showing up this week to help me out.

What I really wanted this post to be about was the fact that I ME YES MOI made the new spindles myself today.

My desire for livin' on the edge didn't stop at this project. Although black wrought iron spindles would have been the cat's meow, I desired a more industrial look to tie in with surrounding metals in my house. So I paid a visit to my buddy Dan's and he set me up at his shop today.

Dan lives 5 minutes from me and has mentored me for a few years now on how to use tools and build stuff. But I still have a lot to learn. He showed me what was possible with pencil rod steel and a chop saw. I was sold. So....

A tutorial video on how to make your own stairway spindles!

starring... ME

Disclaimers:

1. Filming was done from my crappy photo camera, not a movie type.
2. It's my first time so whatever.
3. Don't let the 'good' hair fool you. This chick is green.

ACTION!

Defining your Passion - week 3

On Change

(Click HERE to capture entire series)

My old cel phone totally croaked and I was without for about 2 weeks. It was time to go shopping.

At first, I had planned to simply stay with the same 'ol and find a new battery. However the battery was as expensive as a new phone, plus hard to find being an older model. So I allowed my eyes to wander towards something new and scary. It took me all of 5 minutes to make the decision. It was time for a change.

I didn't go into the change lightly. I had thought about it for quite some time. I was frustrated with the old technology not being able to take me where I wanted/needed to go. Fate offered me the perfect excuse to make the change. But it still took a leap of faith. It was still hard to do!

And boy oh boy, has this thing tested me in all things electronics. While it's easy to use, setting it up to talk to the web has not come easy for me. I strugged for quite some time until I realized, what I was doing was NOT working. I needed to change my strategy and call on someone that DID know what the score was with this doodad. He had me going in a few minutes. I suffered on my own for nearly 2 weeks. Wow.

Are you seeing abit of a pattern here? I resist change to a degree. While at times it's an exciting leap in a new direction, along with change comes new learning curves. And learning curves can cost money and eat up a bunch of time.

But think about it for one moment. If you are implementing a new strategy in your life, how will you ever get there if you don't make some changes to incorporate your new direction?

A friend's quote - "Be today what you wish to be tomorrow."

If you've been implementing the series, you now have before you quite a list of things you enjoy doing. And it's my bet, something on that list is staring you down hard. You're fighting the possible due to the change in your life that would have to occur if you moved forward on it.

So, change your thinking. Make a change!

Look at your list or think of something you'd love to be doing but are resisting. And think of the changes required in order for you to fullfill your next step. I challenge you to write them down.

If you don't change your strategy now, you won't progress in this. Ask me how I know.

Change. It's so hard yet so easy. Yet the only way to change things is to change.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Instead of homework, I'm going to ask for your participation on the spot in the comments.

1. What is that one thing you so very badly would like to do?

2. What changes do you have to implement in order to make it happen?

Don't overthink it right now. Just wing it and comment right away. It's my gut feeling that we all know what we love, but we are simply holding ourselves back. Putting it into words may help bring reality to your situation.

Join me in the comments! I'll be adding mine too. :)

Quick 10 min storage solution for the laundry room

I've been busy this weekend! My laundry room recieved a little badly needed love and I'd like to show you one small snippet of what I came up with.

I currently had no storage. The room had been gutted, floors redone, new washer and dryer, the works. But it was an empty room with just the washer and dryer. As much as I wanted to purchase cupboards of some type, it isn't in my budget, so creative I had to get once again. So I went to visit my ever expanding storage center (garage) and decided to try...

... the bookshelf I had sitting there, waiting to be used. And I love it so much, it's going to stay! Got this baby for $20 from a local garage sale about 6 months ago. Those pretty curvy lines along the top really make the piece look pretty and feminine, the perfect touch for a laundry room!

Here's a shot a little farther back just to give you a better visual of the room and why the shelf works.

One day I'll do a full reveal when it's complete. But the moral of this short happy story is, don't overlook bookshelves for storage of ANY kind in ANY room.

When I had a storefront for my biz once upon a time, I installed a tall bookshelf by the front door that held the coffee pot, a whole shelf for classic mugs along with books for browsers.

I've also used a bookshelf BEHIND the sofa from my past house and opening the doors on each side. It looked really cool.

Don't overlook the use of a good bookshelf to provide many different solutions to virtually any room in your home!

Have you used a bookshelf in a unique location?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This post is shared with Reinvented's Trash to Treasure Tuesday Sept 22 edition. Thanks for the fun party, Kimm! And at A Soft Place To Land's DIY Day, Sept 23 edition.

Improving Your Blog ~ add a Link Within

NEW! Welcome to Improving Your Blog, the newest feature you'll see semi regularly on Funky Junk Interiors! Due to your overwhelming response, let's learn how to make those blogs work better and get prettier!

There's a new direct link on the right side bar if you wish to revisit any of the tips already covered. Keep tuning in to learn how to improve your blog yourself! So let's try something new today, shall we?

Installing Link Within

What is it?

You'll see a new feature I just learned how to add today. It's called a Link Within which looks like this...

How it works

The Link Within picks up keywords within your post, and links up like minded posts with thumbnails attached. This feature encourages visitors to further investigate your blog which in return creates more browsing interest and higher page hits. To me it simply resembles a welcome mat  to invite viewers inside. I personally enjoy this option and visit it frequently. Want one too? Read on! It's EASY!

How to Install

1. Scroll down under this post, right click on the LINK WITHIN text, right click, then OPEN IN NEW WINDOW. (now you can continue to read this post AND load your widget)

2. Enter the info the page asks... then click GET WIDGET!

3. This part baffled me just abit so I'll explain it ABC style. Where it says click install widget, click THAT INSTALL WIDGET greyish box. (I was looking everywhere else for that command which didn't exsist!)

4. Add Page Element window opens - select ADD WIDGET.

5. Your widget will now appear on your blog in the sidebar. You simply drag it to your desired position, hit preview, then save. Done! Your widget window is super self explainatory from here with good screen captures to help you.

I'm going to be completely honest here. I can't see the best corrolation between the topics the widget chooses vs your current blog post at times. Then other times it works. There are other ways to tweak this feature (other than using Link Within)  so you can pick and choose your own tags for improved matches, but this was a good start and it IS kinda cool regardless.

Now, aren't you glad you did that?!? Let me know how you made out!

How to build your own barnwood shutter

This is a really great solution if you have a little window that needs some extra love and you don't desire your traditional window treatments.

1. Trek off to your backyard wood pile.

Please tell me you have one of these. They are musts! I collect old fence boards, shake shingles etc. Just remember to remove the nails before storing it for safety's sake. This, my friends, is called STOCK.

2. Select the lucky chosen dream boards.
 
These are old fencing boards that I got from a neighbor out of their own backyard wood pile.


TIP: This wood is notched with tongue and groove so they can scooch up nice and tight.


3. Mark the measurement you desire on your wood.

Measure your window from top to bottom including your moldings, and also figure out a good width.



4. Just cut it.




5. Attach your Z on top of your base.
 
a) Look for more wood to create your Z frame. Start with a small piece that runs across the top. Screw it in. I like how that cross piece has a stamped word. Incorporating oddities like that simply makes your little shutter all the more uniquely yours.


b) Under that first cross piece, lay out your next piece on an angle. Loosely position your bottom cross piece but don't attach yet. Mark the angle for your angled piece and cut, upper and lower. Note how I figure out angles. No fancy whatevers here. Ruler on top, draw, done.


c) Attach the angle first, THEN your last piece so the fit is perfect.


6. Screw your cute little rustic shutter to the wall.
 
My cheat sheet method? I used really long screws, and when I screwed the shutter components together, I didn't go all the way. So once I held the shutter against the wall, I simply continued and screwed them right into the wall. No extra screws to litter up my lovely wood with! Add hardware too if you have it. I just had a little hook on hand but you can bet I'll be searching for more!



TIP: When I cut the wood to size, I ensured the cut pieces were on top so I could hold onto that natural wear right where you'll see it. And now the fun part...

Decorate!

What was once a poor sad lonely little window at the far end of a room...

.... now wears loads of charcter and rustic charm.

UPDATE!

I found some old fabulous hardware!

Perfect.

Have you done anything out of the norm for a window treatment? 

I'd love to hear about it!