4 Men 1 Lady

a lifestyle blog about the persuit of bringing beauty to a house full of men.

DIY wall shelves and a giveaway!

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I’ve decided to actually put some real thought and effort in to decorating this holiday.
This year’s theme at my house is “It’s a white Christmas” (would you expect any other color from me?).
One of the questions I ALWAYS get is, “How can you have so much white in your house with kids?”
My reply is always, “White keeps you honest”.
When there’s dirt somewhere, I see it and I clean it up (or just leave it). I don’t like dirt to be camouflaged so I never know it’s there.
On the flip side, did you know that really dark colors keep you honest as well?

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A while back I painted this wall black.  While I love the deep, bold drama it adds to the room it shows EVERY SINGLE SPECK of dust.
You can’t tell in this picture because of bad lighting but if you got up close you’d see it’s covered with a layer of dust and kids hand prints.
Since this was going to be my holiday focus wall I needed to clean it up.
This year I got a little help from P&G products: Bounty Paper Towels, Dawn soap, Swiffer Duster, Febreze and the Home Depot.

Home Depot 4men1lady

First things first…clean this wall.  I first started off by dusting the wall with a Swiffer Duster.
I’ve never been pleased with the results of dusters but I was surprised how well the Swiffer actually trapped and removed dust.
Next I used a few drops of Dawn soap and water and wiped the wall down with some Bounty paper towels.
To freshen up the heavy smell of boys I used Febreze…ah!
Amazing how just cleaning up can make a huge difference.

Next, I measured my wall and went back to Home Depot to collect my supplies.
Any guesses yet as to what I’m constructing?

Home Depot Supplies

I banged the shizzle out of my shin on my pile of boards sticking out the bottom of my cart.  I tried to act all tough in  front of Mr. Home Depot guy but dang did it sting somethin’ fierce!  He furrowed his brow at me when I squatted down and took a picture of my boo-boo.  I’m sure he thought I was collecting evidence to sue or something.

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(Yes, I airbrushed the heck out of my leg. It’s winter…give a girl a break).

Drum roll…WALL SHELVES!
Ikea actually sells the Ribba Wall Shelf which is what I wanted but it was only half the size I needed.

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When you can’t find what you’re looking for…make it yourself!
I bought 2, 1x4x6 white primed boards for $6.34 each.
I then bought 1, 1x2x8 board for $3.07 for a grand total of $15.75 per shelf!
After they were constructed I filled the wholes with a little putty, sanded them down and gave them a once-over with spray paint.

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Next…filling up the shelves with holiday hoopla.

I LOVE the cull pile at Home Depot.  If you ever need any sort of lumber, check there first because you’ll never pay full price.

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When people need a piece of lumber cut down the part they didn’t need will go on to this cart and sold for a fraction.  I found all the lumber for this next project here for under $3.00.

String art

I knew I wanted something big, bold and graphic on the top shelf so I decided to spell out “JOY” using nails and twine.
I first traced out my letter on the board, then hammered nails in to each curve or angle.
The neighborhood stray cat came by to inspect my work.

Bells

For the “O” I simply hot glued my fingers together as well as jingle bells on the a piece of foam.

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Christmas has come to our house a little early!

Christmas wall collage

Myself, P&G and the Home Depot want to help you get your house holiday ready as well.

We’re giving away all the products I used which include a Swiffer 360 Duster Kit, a can of Febreze, Bounty Paper Towels, Dawn Soap and a $200. gift card to the Home Depot!

Giveaway

 

Comments

  2. Ah, Home Depot. What WOULDN’T I spend money on there? We currently have plans to build a table, acquire some new tools, get some supplies to make our home more efficient, as well as lots of other fun plans. 🙂 Love all of your tutorials!

  3. Goodness $200 smackers at HD would be great… our basement hasn’t been painted in 8 years!!! With four monkeys you should see the amount of little holes/dings down there!!! I would love to do a wood wall treatment part way up the walls and then paint paint paint. IT IS TIME. Good luck to everyone.

  4. I just painted a black wall in my house – the dust is yet to settle! I’d spend the cash on a new light fixture for our new nursery 🙂 Great shelves!

  8. Oh my $200 from Home Depot?!?!? I think with that we would build shelves and organize our garage! Not as fun as some other projects but man would I relax with an organized garage!

  9. Love the shelves…and most of all, they’re DIY’ed instead of buying new ones. Stupid question. How did you hang them?

    • Sorry, I forgot to comment also and say if I won the gift card I would be buying major paint, and supplies to re-do my daughters closet. Think shelves, organization, storage, etc

  12. We have been looking at a few power tools for some home projects and I would use the $200 for that!

  14. Super cute! I’m totally inspired by all of the fantastic holiday decorations I’ve been seeing lately.

  15. I use all of these products & would love to have more. &I we even have a Home Depot in my little town.

  17. I have my eye on several fab light fixtures at HD, and $200 would go far in making them happen!

  18. I love the string letters. They are something I’ve always wanted to try but seem to forget about. Thanks for the reminder of a fun project.

  19. I really love the black wall. I’m trying to find a design for my focal wall. Everything turned out great!

    Happy Holidays.

  26. I love that silver bell wreath, so cute! I would definitely buy new door handles and electrical outlets and switches….boring, but oh-so-necessary.

  29. What an awesome contest! I would love to get a new ceiling fan for my bedroom. I live in Fort Lauderdale and it is HOT! 🙂

  31. The shelves look great, and easy! I have an empty wall that needs somthing, and I think this just might work. Thanks!

  32. I have a black front door and I have never been able to get it clean. You gave me some good suggestions. Thanks!

  36. I’ll be spending the gift card on materials for a new closet. We have a 3rd baby coming in March and a serious lack of organized storage for clothes so I need to build a new closet or two so I can get my clothes out of our 2 year old’s room.

  38. That Home Depot gift card is calling my name… A mini master bath make over is in my future…

  40. I am actually moving cross country during the holidays so this gift card would be perfect to help me out!

  42. We just moved so my projects are endless at this point. I think I would start with my daughters room, as she still has not felt at home just yet. Thank you for this opportunity!

  43. Oooooh – I love these shelves! We have a similar wall in our house, and I’ve been trying to figure out which kind of shelves to put on it. I love the little lip on yours – keeps everything corralled! Once the holidays are over, I’m totally doing this! Thanks for the great idea, and the generous giveaway.

  46. I’m not sure what I would do with the money yet. I don’t think I would have a problem finding something however 😉

  47. These are all some of my favorite cleaning supplies! I would love a gift card from Home Depot!

  50. Beautiful shelves! I have a large blank wall space in my apartment that I’ve been meaning to fill – shelves would be perfect. And a $200 gift card would be just the push I need to get started.

  55. I’ve been saving, saving and re-saving for-ev-er for a kitchen spruce up. This would be so helpful! Love the JOY and laughed about your hotglue comment.

  61. I’d fix the ceiling in my bathroom. And clean up the mess with the other products when i’m done.

  68. Looks amazing! Love the simple elegance. Fingers crossed for the gift card. My ancient outdoor lighting could stand to be replaced.

  70. We always buy our Christmas tree at Home Depot, so I’d spend money on that. Plus some shelves for above my desk. I was going to buy some pre-made, but now am inspired to try to build my own. I’d probably buy some supplies for my gourd art, as well (sanding papers, stains, sealants, etc.)

  72. Oh the list for Home Depot is long! I’d start with a little copy cat JOY holiday project and them move to paint and a light fixture 🙂 muc joy to you and yours 🙂

  76. My house sure needs a good cleaning about now. With the furnace running all the time, dust abounds!

  77. Oh WOW!! Home Depot, my favorite store, I will be trying to repaint my basement so I’d love to use it to pay for paint and supplies!
    happy holidays to all!!!

  80. Loveee this!! the boo boo tho painful was worth the final result! Great job! what is the wall/paint color behind your new shelf?

  92. love the impact! we could really use some closet organizers in our home, so i’d be using that gift card for those.

  98. actually i love ur project and if i won i would duplicate it and see if it looks as good as yours that is just amazing

  100. I’d probably buy some paint and some plants…and, after seeing this, some supplies to make some giant yarn letters. 🙂

  103. My husband and I just built a new bed but ran out of money to make the side tables. So that is what I would use it for plus some other little projects that we would love to do but never seem to have the extra money to do them.

  108. We’ve been thinking about building our kids a bunk beds and this money will help get the supplies!

  112. I would use the $200 HD card to buy my husband materials to install wainscoting in our living room.

  113. A new vacuum. My 5 year old Dyson just bit the dust. I can’t believe it. I thought Dyson would be my last vacuum purchase ever.

  117. I actually think I’d save mine til spring and splurge on plants for my garden! Your wall looks great! I’m jealous of your carpentry skills!!

  118. Love the wall and all the creative ideas! I would buy paint and probably a new light fixture for my office.

  121. Ooohhh, some new lights for the master bedroom and some wood to frame out my last bathroom mirror.

  124. I love those shelves, just what I need above my couch!! But how did you hang them to the wall? Just a drywall anchor and screw in a few places along the shelf? I really want to make them!

  126. If I won I would definitely put the winnings towards a new washer and dryer. We just closed on our first house yesterday (EEK!!) and are saving our pennies for some fancy front loaders.

  127. I’d unfortunately buy a dehumidifier or something boring, but I’d love to buy something fun!!

  133. I would use it towards a small reno on my bathroom that is in great need! Thanks.
    Also love the star. What did you use?

  137. Home Depot rocks! I’d love to win this gift card and get a tile cutting saw so I can finally start the bathroom floors here in our first house. White linoleum, your days are numbered!

  138. I’d use it to buy my husband more of the tools he needs for woodworking. He loves to build furniture from reclaimed wood, etc. but the tools are so pricey, this would be a huge help!

  139. I found you via Debbie at Tattered Butterfly & I’m so happy! What a great Blog & love this project! $200 at HD! Wow, I would use it for supplies to update my little kitchen & paint! Oh how I need to paint evey wall in my house!!! Best-Crystal

  140. I have been wanting to make a custom bookshelf for a narrow space and my husband is finishing up a bench with storage for our entry way that will need to be stained so I would be getting supplies for those projects!

  141. I would purchase some wood trim for a project I want to do and some ORB.

    Love your wall, turned out beautiful~

  143. hmm, $200 bucks at home depot… i’d spend it on an air compressor for my husband, he’s been drooling over a big 60 gallon one so he can use air tools for all my projects

  148. We would use it to continue to upgrade our house- new bathroom sink I swooned at today would be nice.

  149. I live in a white house too! I can’t imagine it any other way. Contrary to what many believe, I think white is really easy to live with. That said, I’m always open to trying new cleaning products.

  153. I’ve been wanting to build an island for my kitchen since we moved into our current apartment over a year ago. It’s a supre cute apartment but we have about 6sq ft of counter space :-/ I’d use a $200 gift card to buy lumber and tools to get ‘er done!

  161. I would love to retile the kitchen with some plain subway tiles. And extra cleaning products would assist my ocd’s.

  162. I’d spend it on landscaping – my yard is in desperate need of some love!

    I love your project! It looks amazing.

  163. LOVE LOVE LOVE those shelves! Why didn’t I ever think about that! Those dang shins hurt something fierce when they get hit!

  164. I’m soooo needing to build storage in our play/craft room. We moved to a new/older home in June and Hime Depot is our go-to resource center. Love them.

  165. You’re amazing — so creative! Love the wall, esp the JOY letters.

    We need a backsplash — the HD card would buy us some nice tile! Hoping….

  169. Michelle,
    This is gorgeous. I have the word “JOY” also over my fireplace this year, but not as Grandiose as yours. Wonderful Job.
    If I were to win I’d fix some closets (need Shelves) and buy paint for the bathroom & stairwell.
    CONNIE

  172. 200 smackaroos?? That would really help with our built in shelving project!! Love love love your blog and your style! So. Much. Inspiration!

  179. Sandpaper and polyurethane! We’re going to tear out the carpet and refinish our hardwoods this coming year.

  180. Home Depot! We are always updating our 1950s house so where to start — either wood, paint, or electrical tools.

  181. Your shelves and christmas decor is absolutely awesome!! I love it all. I would use the gift card for a medicine cabinet and wood paneling for a long hallway.

  185. Love Home Depot! I would use the gift card to put a new ceiling in our living room….ours is cracked and falling down. Thanks for the chance!

  187. If I win, I will be able to start my kitchen makeover project! I bought my house a little over a year ago and every time I seem to save up some money for the project something comes up and it just gets pushed back. It would be nice to finally get to start it and make this house more my home!

  194. Thanks for the giveaway! I think we’d spend the money on light fixtures for a future addition we are planning.

  197. I would use the $200 toward supplies to build my kids new age appropriate play tables & display shelves. We’ve gone from toddler/ knee/floor play to bigger kid needs. LOVE your joy sign! As always your stuff is about the best things since scones, honey & butter!

  198. I would use the gift card for either a new window to replace the broken on in the guest room or replacing the drop down attic door and ladder that droop and have cracks.

  200. If I win, I would use this money to keep my home stocked in household supplies for the next few months. I am currently unemployed (or funemployed as my family has been calling it in order to keep things positive), so $200 would go a long way 🙂

  206. What would I get if I win? An exterior light fixture for the barn. Swiffer duster refills (love them). New bathroom vanity. The list could go on and on.

  209. I won I’d spend the gift card towards a new freezer. Definitely help for stocking up for the holidays! Thanks for the great giveaway!

  210. We’re starting a remodel on our small master bathroom so a Home Depot gift card would definitely help. I’m loving the book ornaments!

  218. Hmmm, $200 at Home Depot. I am in the middle of making my dinning room beautiful! I would spend it on stain ( for my massive dinning room table that I just spent 3 days sanding down) paint for the walls, some really pretty curtains…. the possibilities are endless!! I love Home Depot!!

  219. We need work done in our big bathroom, we haven’t done anything to it and we’ve been here 6 years.

  224. I use it to buy a rug for our living room and some supplies to get our back porch finished!

  225. I would use it on stuff to fix up my house. Maybe some new counter tops! Thanks so much for the chance to win! XOXO

  226. I would use the gift card to put new trim in my house. We ripped it out FIVE years ago with the intentions of replacing it but life happened and we just have had the finances to fix it!

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Hey there! I’m Michelle; I’m an Passionate DIY’er and in constant pursuit of how to bring beauty to my house full of men (3 boys + 1 hubby). Stick around and see what I’ve got up my hard-working sleaves!

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