Weekend DIY Project: Wallpaper a Room

Irwin Weiner ASID - We're asked so many do-it-yourself questions, that we thought it would be a good idea to share with readers some of our favorite DIY videos each Friday, in a regular "Weekend DIY Project" feature. To begin the series, let's tackle one of the most popular DIY chores, hanging wallpaper. The first thing to realize is that you need to prep the wall first. I've been involved in some projects where old wall surfaces glaringly show every hole, blemish, and rough spot through beautiful wallpaper. So prep first. If you need to remove old wallpaper (not covered in the following video), look into that, then use this video to guide you through wall prep, measuring your rolls, matching patterns, applying paste, hanging the paper, and so on. 

As we say on Design2Share, "knock yourself out!" and good luck. And if your weekend projects are too much for you and your family to handle gracefully, by all means throw in the towel and call a professional to give you expert help. That's what we're here for.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

Go to This Old House for How to Hang Wallpaper step-by-step advice.

Go to Ferm Living (from the folks who brought us this great DIY video), and check out their home goods ... and their bold Wallpaper collection.

And check out the huge assortment of imaginative designer wallpaper at The Wallpaper Collective.

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3 Furniture Stripping Tips and Design2Share's DIY Rules

Irwin Weiner ASID - If you're Ron Hazelton, home handyman and DIY expert, purchasing and restoring an antique dresser from a flea market is an easy-peasy snap. But you or I may have a few problems with project details. After all, in the do-it-yourself world, it's important to learn shortcuts and best practices. I found one of Ron's great, short-and-sweet tips videos on how to get stripper out of small details and recessed areas. He demonstrates three different ways to remove stripper "gunk" from hard-to-reach places, and I must say ... he makes me want to go out and find an antique door this weekend so I can try out one of his techniques. And one of them really does involve kitty litter!

The DIY rules here at Design2Share are simple: If you can have fun and enjoy a home remodeling or redecorating project - or in this case, furniture refinishing and restoration - and you can do it within a weekend or a short series of weekends or weekdays, then KNOCK YOURSELF OUT and tackle that do-it-yourself project. We wouldn't dream of stopping you. But if you won't enjoy the process, if there's a remote possibility that the project will drive you and yours nuts, and if the task at hand is too complex, then it's not a do-it-yourself assignment.

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Many DIY Steps to Faux Painting and Distressing Furniture

Irwin Weiner ASID - Are you a do-it-yourselfer? I can barely spell "DIY," but I can wield some power tools masterfully and hang a mean picture or wall accessory! Perhaps it was the fascination with things I haven't done before that attracted me to this video demonstration of the different steps to distressing furniture. I can see this technique applied to new wood floors (well, maybe not all the steps, but certainly some of them), kitchen cabinetry, and picture frames. This might be something I take up in my dotage and set up a home shop in the basement and crank out gifts for friends and family. So if you see some DIY distressing in your future, try the techniques in this Designed & Made Custom Workworking video.

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Plan Perfect Playdates for Your Kids

Megan Gates - There’s no doubt that playdates are beneficial to kids. No matter how old your children are, playdates encourage sharing, taking turns, and socializing with others. But when it’s time for you to host the playdate, it can be challenging to know what to do! While there’s no need to throw a party-like atmosphere, a little preparation can go a long way.

There are a few things you’ll want to handle prior to the playdate to ensure that you get started on a good note. First, make sure your child puts away any toys that he or she doesn’t want to share. You may also want to place a few activities within reach for the kids, such as those that encourage them to play together. Good examples include arts and crafts, puzzles and board games. And of course, make the playdate suitable for the ages of the children. If you’re inviting a toddler, 45 minutes is adequate. Even older kids can get overtired, so limit the playdate to 2 hours or less.

One of the best places for a playdate is outside! Not only do you minimize a messy house, but being outside always seems to make kids play better. Don’t think you need to arrange an outing at the park, either. Open up the sandbox, play a round of catch or drag out the soccer nets. This fall, it's fun to

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