One funky guest room/play room reveal

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There's a 3rd bedroom upstairs that my son and his friends utilize. Not only is it a spare bedroom, it's also the perfect little getaway at the end of the hallway for all my son's treasures, fit for a young Hawaiian, princess or even Santa.

At the end of the hallway, you're met with a deep cranberry coloured wall, beckoning you inside.

And what a perfect backdrop for this 3d replica vintage sign happily greeting you at the door!

Covered and see through storage bins keep the toys clean and organized...

... in this floor to ceiling storage system. The unit was left in it's natural pine state for added lightness to the room. Galvanized storage holds Nintendo, dress up clothes and super heros. The unit itself diffuses the deep red feature wall, creating the perfect hit of color and interest for an otherwise neutral color scheme. All the storage bins wear felt stick on sliders to protect the genuine hardwood flooring.

On the wall opposite the storage area, is a twin bed, framed up with an old authentic convenience store sign I found in my own local town. For free. :) A random mix of  unmatched pillows (including a couple authentic sandbag covers) flank a wall, bringing out the colours of the room. Simply placing the pillows in a daybed format flips the bed into a sofa of sorts.

The wall beside the daybed holds a colorful mix of musical instruments, ready to toot or strum some happy tunes!

Every hook is different, adding to the eclectic fun.

What better way to display life's proudest moments by finding a couple feet of deep red wall just begging to get into the action!

A glazed empty frame adds just enough importance for this trophy.

Never underestimate the usefulness of a fancy curtain bracket for a mini shelf system.

A true spare bedroom/playroom just wouldn't be complete without a special nook for whom you choose to morph into for the day!

Staged for the Christmas open house, even snacks were abundant for hungry musicians at play.

The twin sized daybed was a thrift store find in very rough condition. A little reno work adding some board and batten treatment on one end and a simple coat of white paint for the base cleaned it up well. The incredibly deep drawers (entire width of bed!)  were coated with black for an interesting contrast.

While the signboard indeed sets the tone for the room, the collection of pillows and red wall actually came first!

Luckily, in the previous room where the sign lived, the faded orange letters were repainted in the same deep red wall tone, then glazed over with the taupe wall color. A nice big denim pillow tones down the reds and anchors the room with just enough varying interest.

The end result is a casual and fun space that holds a young visitor's attention for many hours!

_______________________

Paint colors - Cloverdale Paint, Canada

red - 43057

taupe - bamboo beach

Storage system and all bins - Ikea

Other decor items

- thrift store finds, sandbags from the hardware store, sign from local gas station bone yard, toys ranging from baby to current so all little visitors have something to play with. :)

Other full room makeovers are HERE.

Sat Nite Special #7 brings you ~ how to cut metal!

So who's all in with that title?!? (crickets) The theme is anything goes as always! So please don't run away quite yet. I have reasons for my (lack of) sanity. :)

If you're new here, kick off your shoes and join in! This weekend's theme is anything goes, so feel free to post a project of yours, past or present that you're proud of so we can clap along with you!

Party starts at Fri night and ends Sunday 11pm, so you have all weekend to join!

I LOVE to highlight inspiring posts, so make sure you check back after the party to see if your blog is in lights. :) And I have some exciting news for you... starting next weekend,  I have quite a nice lineup of giveaways starting up, so make sure you work hard next week so you have something to link up again. :)

Alrighty then! Oh, everyone and their dog will be excited about this tutorial! Ready? You're going to learn ... (this is my alltime fav subject!)....

HOW TO CUT METAL CLAD SIDING.

Yessiree, only here on Funky Junk Interiors, will you learn such a diverse education! Let us begin.

Why would you want to cut metal you ask? Well, that's easy! If you desire...

... metal clad siding backed armoires...

... or a painted metal clad siding enhanced headboard, this is so the lesson for you!

What to do

1. The right gear.

Grinders

My buddy Dan loaned me his two grinders. One is housed with a cutting disc, and the other... I can't remember the right term... sanding disc? You don't NEED two grinders, but it's helpful if you do so you don't have to change the blades back and forth.

Leather gloves

Grinders are dangerous and metal is sharp, so leather gloves are a must. Longer ones reaching up your arm are best.

Safetly Glasses

You don't want to risk your eyes, so play it safe.

Hearing Protection

I can't remember if I wore them at this time, but it's a good idea to do that. Get the type that look like old style headphones. And get good ones. Mine were around $45 and worth every single dime. I have others that are cheap and there's no comparison.

Tie back your hair

My hair is long so when I work, it's always tied back. Allow me to show you what all the chick metal cutters are wearing this season...

Yes, you too can look this good. I'm also doning my 20 yr old Y&R t-shirt. (I've met a few of the cast back in the day but that's another story) Nothing spells hotter than this! (yes those are safety glasses overtop my reading glasses. D.O.R.K... actually, you can now get safety glasses with built in reading lenses, so I'll be on the lookout. Two sets of glasses are uncomfortable.)

2. Metal, preferrably abit rusty for that chic warm against cool theory of course.

- measure it up

3. Get ready to cut by elevating the metal.

I was taught to elevate the metal abit simply by placing a 2x4 down first on the ground. BEST advice ever!

4. Just Cut It.

It's a little scary at first, but once you know what to expect, it cuts like butter with a good blade. Look how straight that is. Done totally free hand by following my line. The sparks this makes are soooo perdy.

Most grinders come with a safety guard. I've used one with and these without, and I have to tell you I much prefer the ones without. You can simply do more with them. You just have to be more careful.

5. File it

Go over the cut edge with the sanding disc. Metal is super sharp and you want to dull those edges.

Now that you know this wealth of knowledge, I totally expect all (one? none??) of you to go forth and cut you some!

Seriously, knowing how to cut substrates of all different mediums simply builds up your card file of knowledge in order to create things. Every day I learn something new like this, I have to go right out and do it again. I'll be downright dangerous when I know it all.

There are other ways to cut metal as well. HERE is the post where I cut down steel rods with a chop saw. I've since also cut down metal rods with one of these grinders too, so they come in mighty handy if you don't have a chop saw handy.

Do you like tutorials on stuff like this? Learning new things rather than simply viewing show and tells? I have some exciting news on a new series starting, so be on the lookout for that announcement in the very soon upcoming future. :)

Ok, on to the party! A few rules...

1. Please link up to your post, not your blog. (post, then click on your title and cut that url)

2. Please put a link in your post that leads back to the party so others can see what's up!

3. I'd like to suggest putting in your blog title and project description.  ie: Funky Junk Interiors - how to cut metal. As the numbers grow in the party, this info is helpful for those seeking certain types of posts, hence, you will get more hits!

4. This party is geared for DIY type projects we can all attempt to make ourselves. Items for sale may be listed IF they are made by you and include a tutorial or attempting to make them is self explanatory. For advertising rates, please inquire at signmakergirl@hotmail.com. Thanks!

Happy weekend inspiration to all!

Are you storing, or staging?

We as homeowners, are always running around cleaning up our 'stuff'. Seeing socks strewn down the hallway or towels on the floor, is given 'stuff' that we don't want to see and feel better when it's out of sight.

But then there's the stuff we DO want to see. Our pretty stuff.

I've long thought I was abit of a packrat. Not in the decor sense though. I've always enjoyed putting out just enough to make me smile, but then the overflow, I never had the courage to give it all up. You know the stuff I'm talking about.

I tried when I moved. I got rid of lots of stuff as I was attempting to utilize every square inch in this home at one point. No boxes in sight was my ultimate goal! Loads of stuff got stuffed into garbage bags and taken to the local thrifts. But how many times did I go through those bags before they left the curb... countless. The bags were always smaller going out than my original intent.

Now know, I'm talking about an era before I knew I wanted to decorate. Wasn't decorating something everyone just did because they wanted their home their own? Thinking that way, I felt discouraged knowing I had too many boxes taking up realestate. Onlookers would wonder why why why would I hold onto so much.

But now I know why.

Staging my home for this Christmas show requires stuff. And a whole lot of it. What pops into my head, I wish to see it on display, for I know it would look wonderful! However, that hasn't transpired this round. I've been making do with what I had on hand. Decorating in this manner is alot tougher than going out and simply picking up what you think would be perfect for THAT spot. You have to make it work. And that alone pushes your creativity off the map (not a bad thing) but stalls you timewise (that part bad).

Knowing I'll be having other town wide open houses and shows has brought new perspective on my collecting methods. I'll now watch for that perfect wintery coat for the front entry. Or that perfect seasonal throw blanket that would soften the edges of the sofa.

Now I know, my stuff is no longer simply stuff. People, we are talking business here! Those boxes upon piles of other boxes is now known as, 'staging accessories.' And they're a must!

I used to stress everytime I walked into my basement looking for 'that' thing. Now I maze my way through the riff raff with a smile on my face. Although I don't like all that stuff in my way, it serves a much different purpose. This 'stuff' indeed has a place in this home. And now I have to find a good place for it to call home.

My buddy Dan told me one time my garage is a 'workshop', where I make things, so it's allowed to be disorganized and messy, because it's being used on a constant basis. That allowed me to think differently. Rather than quickly clean up every square inch of sawdust and put all the saws back in their cases, I now proudly have tables set out allowing for immediate use. WAY more productive!

Much like my workshop, part of my basement will indeed need to turn into my staging storage. I'm excited to report I cannnot WAIT until things are neatly stored on shelves so I can grab and run. (and walk)

So my dear decorating friends, the next time someone raises an eyebrow at your storgage area, think differently than they do. It's simply FREE stuff to change out your house now and again. If you decorate, you are a stager. No different than tools stored in the garage! How do you like that theory?!?

How about you? Are you simply storing, or do you use your stuff? And more importantly, where are you putting it?!? ... help...

And don't forget about our weekend party. It's still on starting Fri nite! Theme is always anything goes...

... so hope to see you there!

SNS #6 highlights and show news Wednesday

Once thrift store pants (you heard me right!), now incredible gotta have pillows! Homebody tells you how.

How about a giant growth chart? Room to Inspire goes Pottery Barn!

Lookit these cutie pies! Love where Two Nuts in a Shell is going with this!

Do you fear painting existing brick? Brick Fireplace Redo creates a very inspiring backdrop!

Isn't this stuff crazy awesome?!?

Show Update:

Among my staging and cleaning today, I dashed out to the neighbourhood bank for a moment and just HAD to check out the local thrift store. :)

My eye caught this very unique wreath. It's now hanging from a lamp in the front entry.

It's made out of glass! Isn't this unusual? It has the illusion of ice. And set a very different tone for the entryway. Suddenly, all colour had to be tossed from the room and it was all about white, black, greyish barnwood and burlap. :) I even tossed abit of fake snow here and there on an antique iron board display for the draw tickets. Not finished so no pics yet.

I also finally got a wonderful chance to meet some of the other show participants as I hand delivered some brochures. I really liked meeting them. It put a realism into what's to come! The more I have ready, the less anxious I feel. This is a good thing!

I'm off to catch some needed zzz's. More tomorrow!

SNS #6 highlights and show news Tuesday

Greetings! How about a little morning inspiration for all of you from SNS #6?

Adorable picket fence headboard by Jentility. It's authentic too!!

An old window frame becomes a hairclip holder, by Poplar Porch. Sweet idea!

Isn't this fabulous? It's a decopaged and hand painted picture overtop an old picture by Sleepyhead Designs.

Mustard Seed Creations shows us a glimpse of an amazing Pottery Barn inspired mural. I can't wait to see the rest!

Show Update: I've been busy getting last minute things tied up.

Do you know what this is?!? It's my bedskirt! The brand new one I've had in my armoire for about 2 years now? I had my son help me lug the mammoth king mattress off the bed so I could gitter done! I even ironed it. :) (that's a big deal btw)

Look! The ulgy brass lock is now an ugly rusty looking flat black lock that matches the not ugly at all authentic doorknob on my door headboard! Yay! That brass thing was screaming at me. And the reason I didn't remove the lock is because the screws were rusted in position, and I stripped the screws trying, (arg!!) so here it stays.

Now will you be angry at me for a couple of teaser photos? The above two were so boring! (although exciting for me)

Here's the way my tree looks. I found burlap garland, beefy great stuff! And can you guess what those white things are? Go ahead. Guess. If you guessed white torn up sheets, you are right! I have more secrets to share about my tree too, next week.

Remember my sign headboard? This is how it's looking these days. The playroom is cute! Will share more on that too.  Now the reason for these teaser photos are because I truely didn't have time to do a full photo shoot of all the rooms.  I was busy...

... folding these. Foldfoldfoldfoldfoldfold...

I do have to say. My buddy Dan suggested I pull my tripod out and actually USE it. So I did. And I have to tell you, there was no need to sharpen the pics. I'm sold! So that's why I really have some pics on here. I had to try it out, quick like!

Ok, off to foldfoldfoldfoldfoldfold...