Keeping It Simple: Transforming Wood Box Into Ottoman

Antique boxes have their own appeal. Rustic with an old world feel! I love them. So when I wanted to create another seating and storage option in our Coastal Sunroom I decided to transform one of mine. (Yes, I have a few!)

To Keep It Simple, here are the steps to transform any wooden box into an ottoman.

Turn box over and add casters to each corner of box.

Place casters where you want them, mark holes (pre-drill as old wood can split) then attach casters using screws and drill. Note the screws that came with the casters did go through the interior of my box. I used a dremel grinder to remove excess. Be careful of sparks a with the old wood!
Four 2 inch casters. Cost $15.

 

Picture left, Box with casters attached. 

I used a sturdy piece of  3/4 inch plywood for the top.
Make sure the wood just covers the  outer wood edge of the box.

To make lip for inside so it doesn't slide off... measure an inch and half inside on all sides. (This is where you will place the wood piece to keep the top from sliding off.)
Cut four pieces to fit. To attach use screws that don't go through to the top, now adhere with drill. (see next picture for layout)

 To cover, add two layers of batting cut just big enough to fold over back side and staple with powered stapler. I use an 18v Ryobi Stapler.

 Then add, fabric. And staple it as batting above. I used an durable awning fabric!

Completed Coastal-look Ottoman! 

Keeping It Simple: Creating Coastal Valances for Almost Nothing

Curtains and valances can be expensive. So why not make them yourself?
Can't sew? No worries.

I made these "Coastal/Nautical Look" valances for almost free!

Finished valances cover the insulated blinds that push up underneath.

With insulated blinds pulled down.

What you need:

• Faux wood blind slats
  (You know the extra slats you take off of the blinds when they are too long for a window? Yup, those are it. Mine were from Walmart's Better Homes and Garden's Faux Wood Blind collection.)
• Hot Glue Gun
• Glue Sticks
• Burlap (or heavy ribbon or rope)
• Xacto knife
• Ruler
• Tape Measure
• Command  Velcro Strips. I cut these in half length wise to get two out of one. They are the ones that hold 16 lb weight. More than enough for these lightweight valances. 

How to make the valance: 

• First measure your window (Use inside the casing measurement.)
• Lay the three slats together to make up the valance

• Hot glue the burlap over the holes in the slats (the part the string went through)
• Once you have them together as one piece, measure the height, then cut the end pieces to that length with the Xacto knife.

• Lay the tape measure down in front of the three slats and center it to the window measurement.
• Place the shorter slat pieces you cut on each end so the complete the overall width.
• I put a small mark on the slats where the shorter slats would go to complete the valance.
• Hot glue the end pieces on to complete the valance.
• Turn over and place two pieces of the Command Velcro Strips to the back.
• Adhere to the blind or upper part of window. Whichever is closest to the casing, as you want it to appear flush.
• Now the valance is complete.
  To wash, just take down wipe off and put it back up!