When Stephanie from Simply Swider saw an extra-large reclaimed wood frame, she fell instantly in love. Well… in love with the frame not the $110 …

When a friend was in need off a ledge to hold her baby’s video monitor, Jaime from That’s My Letter came to the rescue with a set of crown molding shelves. I love the classic look of this design and think it would also make a lovely faux mantle for those without one.  The beauty of DIY is that it allows you to customize your shelf size to perfectly fit your space… and all for a fraction of the cost of a store-bought shelf!

While rummaging through her scrap wood pile, Shawna from Dakota Creek Chic found a piece of wood she had previously tested with a gray wash stain. She immediately knew it would be perfect for turning into a chalkboard sign like one she’d spied online. This project was the best kind for Shawna – absolutely free! She says, “This could be useful in so many ways, messages to the mailman, asking guests to use a different door. The possibilities are endless!”

Last month I shared the gorgeous new outdoor dining table that Whitney from Shanty 2 Chic built for only $85 using plans from Ana White. Whitney again teamed up with Ana to build benches with a similar sawhorse style for only $20. Yep, you heard right… $20!!! That’s only $125 total for a solid wood outdoor dining set that looks like it came straight out of a catalog. The Shanty Sisters have done it again!

As soon as Sue from Gracefully Restored Furniture saw this mid-century modern buffet, she knew it was “crying out for a good old fashioned wash.” She took her first stab at the process by painting the buffet with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paris Grey, creating a wash with Graphite, and topping it off with some clear and dark wax. With a little distressing, it was finished!