This dresser from Erika at Retropolitan is such a beaut it’s hard to believe it was once a MAJOR eyesore. Like nasty peeling paint, tons of scratch and dents, and just plain old ugly! But Erika worked a miracle using some spray paint and wood veneers. The beauty of using veneers is that even a beat up piece can have a smooth, flawless wood finish without the grueling process of refinishing. And here’s the evidence to prove it!

Anthropologie’s colorful flower vases have caught the eyes of many DIYers. I have seen vases embellished with jewelry to achieve the same look, but this is first time I’ve seen a paper flower that’s just as pretty as the inspiration! Melissa of The Happier Homemaker shows how simple it is to make the chrysanthemum with just some snipping and rolling. Attached to her painted dollar store vase, it’s the perfect focal point for spring!

While looking for affordable accessories for her master bedroom update, Steph from Building This Nest came across a colorful butterfly shadow box from IKEA. At $14.99, it was hardly expensive, but Steph knew it would be simple enough to recreate without a trip to the big blue store. Steph used an Xacto knife to cut out her butterflies, drizzled them with craft paint, and then popped them into a shadow box. I think this would make absolutely darling wall décor for a little girl’s room too!

Christine from Pure Joy Events has a passion for planning kids’ parties and finds Anthropologie’s window displays to be a great source of inspiration for her backdrops. I have been known to find creative uses for paint stirrers so it’s no wonder this ombre paint stick design caught my eye. Christine created her beachy backdrop by painting large paint stirrers and them simply sticking them on the wall with painter’s tape. How cute is this for a surf-themed birthday or pool party?

I have said time and again how much I love the possibilities with stenciling, and Melissa from 5 Foot 12 Creations totally drives it home with her ikat console. I mean… wowzers! With a small paint brush and plate of craft paint in hand, Melissa completely transformed an IKEA console into a trendy piece of furniture that is sure to spark lots of conversations. It’s no wonder Melissa’s cabinet was one of the faves in the Creating with the Stars knockoff round!