How-to Hide a Window Air Conditioner

Perhaps you are like me and own an older home that has yet to receive the blessing of central air.  And, if you are even more like me, you have a clunker of a window air conditioner in one of your living room windows.  The year round kind because it takes up the entire window cavity.  So ugly in the seasonable months, but oh so refreshing in the hot summer months right?  (It's still ugly in the summer months, let's be honest, but that cool air feels so good you find yourself noticing it's hideousness less and less).  What to do, what to do?!  Lets take the first word of the product name, window.  What do we use to cover a window?  Curtains!  Yes!  Use some curtains (buy, make, borrow) and a curtain rod to cover the ugliness that is your window air conditioner.  Hang the rod several inches above your AC unit; to the ceiling if you like.  Be sure the rod brackets are set out several inches to the side so you can push the curtains open and away from the AC when need be.  Depending on how far the AC sticks out into the room, you may need to get adjustable brackets. Otherwise, the curtian will "bump" over the AC.

I happen to have another identical window next to the one my AC is in.  If you have this as well, use one long rod* to cover both windows, and use 4-5 curtain panels.  You can slide the panels open on the window while leaving the panels shut over the AC.

Have fun with the fabric.  By doing so you can add a lot of color / texture / softness / richness / etc to your space.  You can even extend the fabric further down the wall if you like for a designer look.

*You can link several smaller rods together to make a long rod by taking the end pieces off and sliding them over and into eachother.

If you want something a little more modern -- Ikea has panel curtains that hang and move on a track system.  Go to http://www.ikea.com/ and search "window panel".  There are several different colors, patterns, and styles.  They all use the KVARTAL hanging system.

Creative Ideas

http://www.lowescreativeideas.com/

You can sign up to receive Lowe's Creative Ideas For Home and Garden and Lowe's Creative Ideas For Woodworkers.  They come in e-mail and magazine format.  I have found a lot of inspirational ideas in both!

How-to Match Colors

The title of this could be talked about from a number of different angles. I'm choosing to go the route of, how to make sure what you are buying matches your wall color. Simple. When you paint your house, keep the paint color samples clipped together in your purse. It will spare you time taken to return your purchase and you will know immediately if what you are buying matches!

How-to Make Photo Frames Match

Perhaps you're looking to make a photo wall, or you have a handful of old frames that don't all match one another -- or both. Four words -- Spray paint. Thrift Store.

When my husband and I got married between the two of us we had a number of mismatched frames. I wanted to make a photo wall in our hallway using classic black frames. So I purchased a can of flat black spray paint, took a drop cloth and headed outside. Now what was once about 15 mismatched frames that I wouldn't have dreamed of arranging together all match nicely.

If you're wanting to make a photo wall but do not have the plethora of frames necessary, head to some second hand shops and see what frames they have. Most second hand stores have plenty to pick from. Then pick up some spray paint and viola.

Generally frames are a bit pricey, especially the ones that have nice secure means of holding the photos in. If you're looking for just one or two frames, the cost might not put much of a dent in the wallet. But if you are looking to do an entire wall, the price can add up quickly.

A can of spray paint generally will not cost more than $5, and the cost of a second hand frame is along the lines of $.50 - $1.

How-to Update Your Comforter

Duvet covers are great. They come in all kinds of beautiful fabrics and are a great way to change the look of your bedroom. The problem that I always seemed to run into with them -- they are so darn expensive! A nice duvet will run you in the neighborhood of $80-$150! Granted a couple of pillow shams are included in the set, but honestly how expensive can it be to make a sham? My solution -- make your own! It's very easy so long as you know the basics of using a sewing machine.

In the pictures below I used a couple of flat bedsheets and some ribbon to accent as well as tie up the bottom. But you can get creative and, depending on your level of skill in sewing, use different fabrics and patterns. Additionally sheets can come in an array of patterns.

In my example I simply sewed together a couple of flat bedsheets (sheet size should match the bed size) leaving a foot or so in the middle of the bottom to insert the comforter. I then sewed ribbon ties on the sides of the hole and then used decorative ribbon to accent the duvet. I adhered the ribbon using iron on fabric adhesive which seemed to work rather well, however sewing it in place will hold it in place for quite a while longer I'm sure.

This duvet was for a full size bed. Total cost -- about $20. Total time -- about 3 hours.