Easy DIY Toy Car Storage Jars

STYLISH, AFFORDABLE WAY TO STORE TOY CARS

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RevUpF8 #CollectiveBias

Today’s DIY is all about finding stylish ways to display and contain toy cars. My son’s love of cars was revived last month when we introduced him to the latest Fast & Furious™ movie. So, of course, he was thrilled when he discovered toy replicas of Dom Toretto’s car and the climax scene of the movie. However, we had reached capacity on car storage in casa de Mangold. Maxed. Out.

Stored here: Fast & Furious™ 5 Pack Vehicle Assorted

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Big Boy Room Reveal

Colorful, eclectic Boy Bedroom

When we moved into this home two years ago, one of the first rooms I decorated was my son’s.  It’s where inspiration struck first, and I had so much fun creating custom framed engineer prints, pallet art, and industrial pendant lighting. I loved everything about it, and declared his room, “done.”

However, he has since graduated to a bigger bed…which required new bedding…and while I was at it, I decided his room was missing color, and elements that better reflect his personality. Since he’s a little bigger now, he deserves to have a new big boy room to go with it!

My design style, if I had to describe it,  is an eclectic mix of colorful, vintage and updated traditional. Today I’m going to reveal his colorful / preppy / rustic /  vintage big boy room. Hopefully, this will give you some inspiration on decorating your son’s bedroom and try some of the same things too!

Big Boy Room Reveal: Decor for the Book Worm. | Five Marigolds #birchlanekids

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Our DIY Fixer Upper Reveal

Part II: SHIPLAP, BARN WOOD and beams…OH MY!

I’m so excited to have my friend, Alicia Bertram of Berties Build on a Budget, guest posting today to share Part II: Our DIY Fixer Upper Reveal – her family’s incredible story of building their dream house, and turning it into a custom home using creativity, inexpensive resources, and lots of elbow grease. To hear how they built their own home, and the crazy sacrifices they made to get out of consumer debt while they did it, please hop over to read Part I of their story!

Last week, I shared how our family built our own home, nail by nail, all while making some incredible sacrifices to get out of consumer debt. This week, I’m excited to share with you the pretty part of our journey – that is, our DIY Fixer Upper reveal!

Pinterest is a girl’s best friend.  Am I right!?  I knew I wanted to put special touches in most of the rooms but also knew I had to keep our budget in mind at all times.  The most important thing I could do in the planning of our house was to first decide how I wanted the house to FEEL.  Our last house was dark, choppy but cozy.  The dream I had for this space was bright, open and airy.  A space that you walk in and just take a deep breath.  Cool tones, light wood floors, clean crisp lines and simple.    

So here’s what we did:

Entryway:  Summer of 2015 we went out to my parents farm where we pulled approximately 500 square feet of barn wood off the barn.  It now covers the ceiling of our exterior entryway and also our range hood.  We also turned an inexpensive antiqued decoration into a light fixture!  

Fixer Upper Reveal: Shiplap and Barn Wood, Oh My! | Five Marigolds

All Photos by Licia Marie Photography

  • Barnwood: FREE
  • Decoration: Purchased 5 years ago and I think it was $10 on sale!

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Christmas Chic Girl’s Bedroom

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy Bedroom Suite

This year I’ve started getting into the Christmas spirit early. In the past I’ve been a traditionalist – no decorating until after Thanksgiving! However, I have a little girl who loves the decorations even more than I do. So, after years of her asking, I decided this year I’d decorate her bedroom for the first time. And hey – it’s on the second floor so *technically* I’m still in the clear, right?Christmas Chic Girl's Bedroom | Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy Bedroom Suite theme, with pastels, sparkles and sweets.

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Reversible Upcycled Kitchen Sign: Self Serve Only!

It’ s been awhile since I’ve shared on the blog. I ran out of steam there for awhile, but I’m back with a project I’ve been planning for some time, and finally got around to: my self serve sign for the kitchen.

We’re slowly but surely making some changes to our builder grade home, like a new back splash that we love. Still, I thought the kitchen needed a little more character.DIY Upcycled Self Serve Sign for the Kitchen | Five Marigolds

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Children’s Artwork Display for Less Than $5

This is one of my favorite projects to date – also the easiest and least expensive: the children’s artwork display located in our Family Command Center  – otherwise known as the mud room.

I wanted plenty of space where the children could hang their artwork and good grades with pride, without that messy cluttered look on the fridge. It also needed to be really flat to the wall, since the area I’d designated is in a space the width of a hallway.

Mud Room Family Command Center DIY Kids' Art Display | Five Marigolds Mud Room Family Command Center DIY Kids' Art Display | Five Marigolds

Here’s how I did it:

  • Buy these eye hook screws and wire at the hardware store for less than $5 total (or spend a few extra bucks and shop Amazon at the links above if you want to save a trip to the store).
  • Drill holes into the wall where you want your eye hooks to go. Screw the eye hooks into the wall by hand.  Then, wrap your wire around one of the hooks a few times. Stretch it to the other eye hook, pulling and straightening as you go. Wrap it around that eye hook 2-3 times and cut the wire.
  • I already had these cute little inexpensive clips on hand, leftover from Eve’s party favors.They work great for holding the various art and school papers the kids bring home.
  • Voila! Children’s art center complete in 20 minutes and for less than $5.

Mud Room Family Command Center DIY Kids' Art Display | Five Marigolds

As for the rest of our family mud room command center, it’s still a work in progress. I have dreams for this space!

Mud Room Bench Storage | Five Marigolds

Mud Room Key Drop | Five Marigolds

I found that sign at the thrift store. I think it was from a hotel long ago. I just love it!Mud Room Family Command Center Key and Mail Drop

What do you think of my low-tech art center for the kids?

Sources:

  • Rug, Homegoods (similar here and here)
  • Basket, Mary & Martha (similar here)
  • Door Paint, Sherwin Williams Tidewater
  • Walls, Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
  • Drawer Pulls and Knobs, Restoration Hardware
  • Key Hook Sign, thrifted (similar here, here,  here and here)

Free Girl’s Room Nursery Artwork Printable

I’ve always loved this book by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak, and all of my kids have, too.

I love you Through and Through Free Printable Artwork | Five Marigolds

It’s hard to believe this little ‘ol blog is more than two years old now. I created it shortly after my third baby was born as a creative outlet for my craftiness. Today, my baby is a toddler and will be transitioning into her “big girl” room soon!

Recently, I converted the design I created for Baby ‘Belle’s baby announcement to create this printable artwork for her current nursery / soon-to-be big girl room.

Vintage Sophisticated Floral baby girl birth announcement | Five Marigolds

When I see this hanging in her room, it reminds me of the baby she was, and of course these sweet words I want her to remember always.

I love You Through and Through Free Printable Artwork Download | Five Marigolds

In celebration of the two year anniversary of my blog, I’m making this art available by free download to my readers! If you take the time to print this for your sweet little girl’s room, please take a moment to tell me about it below. Even better – share your snap with me! I love to see my artwork in your homes!

Download the Free Printable here.


In addition to the fab blogs in the right sidebar, this was also linked up at Tatertots and Jello,Savvy Southern StyleLive, Laugh RoweNap Time Creations The Turquoise Home,Tidy MomElizabeth and Co. Vintage, Chica on a Shoestring and The Scoop.

Bring Life and Personalization to a Neutral Family Room

I recently posted a photo of our family room on Instagram and got lots of notes asking me about the space. I had friends tell me it looked like something out of a magazine. What a compliment!

Neutral Family Room with Bold Pops of Color | Five Marigolds

I was really surprised by the reaction I got, though. The truth is, anyone can make a space look amazing in just one photograph. Our home is a work in progress. Most of our home is not decorated. I finish little areas of a room and wait to finish the rest of the space as inspiration strikes me. That means there are uglier areas of the room that don’t get shown in photos – like the comfortable, oversized, slightly worn leather chair the corner where it doesn’t quite fit. The lamps that don’t quite match but that continue to live on in the room until I find the perfect lights that fit my budget.

I’m not very confident as a decorator, so I just go by my gut feeling. If I put a rug in the space and I find that I don’t feel comfortable, it’s not the right fit for me. If I put a wild throw pillow on the couch and it makes me want to sit down and enjoy the space – it was the right design choice for me.

Here are the design tips I follow in my home:

  1. Start with high quality, neutral furniture This means a great neutral couch with clean lines, a high quality rug and furniture in the space. Keep the colors neutral so they can last – both in structure and in design taste –  for many years. Like all things in life, when you get the foundation right everything works much better!
  2. Bring in texture In our home, we add lots of texture with mixed leathers, deep rich woods and distressed reclaimed woods, too. It means sleek cool mirrors and hard metal vases and decor juxtaposed with wild flowers and dried wild grasses. We use fabrics with varying textures, too – but they must always, always be comfortable and soft! Make sure your throw pillows are filled with down, too. They will look 100% better and will be more comfortable, too.
  3. Add pops of color For me, this means bold colors and patterns, as you can see with our throw pillows. I love all of these colors and patterns, and somehow when I mix them all they come together perfectly to me.
  4. Personalize This is my most important design rule. Nothing makes an environment more sterile than lack of personalization. I like to decorate with lots of pictures. Some I keep in their frames forever for nostalgia. For our main wall, I use updated family photos every year.
  5. Keep it versatile One of my favorite tips when buying mats and frames is to buy square or symmetrical frames, and have the mat cut to the size of photos you plan to use. Here’s why this is genius: if your favorite photo this year was portrait – oriented, inevitably you’ll one day have a favorite that is landscape – oriented. Instead of buying a new frame and re-hanging the photos on your wall to fit, you just turn the frame on its side, and you’re in business. See how I have examples of both portrait and landscape photos on my wall?

Sources:

  • Sectional: Carson’s Furniture
  • Ottoman: Restoration Hardware (old) similar here
  • End Tables: HomeGoods (old) similar here
  • Lamp
  • Pillows, similar: animal print, black/white geo, floral pillow made with Robert Allen fabric
  • Throw: HomeGoods (old) similar here
  • Wall Monogram: HomeGoods (old) similar here
  • Wall frames and mats
  • Rug

Which Hardware? Boy Bathroom Progress

I’ve been working on Dub’s bathroom from some time now. My vision keeps changing as I find little treasures here and there, and it’s becoming kind of an eclectic hodgepodge instead of a well thought-out theme. I guess that’s about perfect for a boy’s space, right?

I’d started out planning to use this artwork I designed (check out the free printables), but then remembered the vintage Star Wars metal art I’d picked up at Hobby Lobby awhile ago and thought it would be fun to frame it for this space. I bought custom mats and framed them with Ikea Ribba frames.

Vintage Star Wars Boy Bathroom Art | Five Marigolds

I wasn’t sure what to put above the towel rack, but when I was out thrifting and found this Wax & Polish sign, I just had to have it!

Vintage Star Wars Boy Bathroom. | Five Marigolds

I love the crisp clean lines of the gray walls and white frames against the rustic barn wood vinyl floors and vintage finds.

Vintage Star Wars Boy Bathroom | Five Marigolds

Now I’m on the hunt for cabinet hardware. I’d really had my heart set on using these utility pulls from the hardware store. I just love this look. Unfortunately, they are just a little wide for the cabinet trim so I need to find a new option.

Which pulls do you think would be the right option for this space?

 

  1.  These are a shorter version of the same utility pulls – they are only 3 3/8″ inches, but would fit the width of our cabinet trim.

Utility Pull Hardware for a Boy Bathroom | Five Marigolds

2.   Or these more modern and streamlined pulls?

Utility Pull Hardware for a Boy Bathroom | Five Marigolds

 

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

 

Source list:

  • Paint: Sherwin Williams Gray Screen
  • Rug: Target
  • Star Wars Comic Tin Art and metal basket: Hobby Lobby
  • Frames: Ikea Ribba

 

In addition to the fabulous blogs listed on the sidebar, this post was linked up at Remodelaholic.

 

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please review my full affiliate disclaimer in the sidebar.


Proverbs 31 Canvas Wall Art for Girl Room

DIY Large Wall Art + verses for the bedroom

When we moved into our new home, we dedicated it with bible verses for each room of the house. I’ve been dreaming of this Proverbs 31 canvas wall art  for Eve’s bedroom for some time now, but when I recently realized I already had the materials, I got moving.

I had a thrift store canvas that I’d previously tried (and failed) to artistically repurpose, so I painted it using a paint sample I already had on hand. Besides the price, the best part of repurposing a canvas is that you get fabulous texture under your new creation.

I used my Silhouette SD to cut the verse onto clear contact paper. I make so many mistakes that I’ve found this to be a cost saving way to use the Silhouette. I used a slightly imperfect font that would give me grace should the painting not go as I hoped.

Proverbs 31 canvas art | Five Marigolds

After spending way too long placing the many pieces of contact paper on the canvas and lining it up just so, I spray painted it with my favorite Rust-Oleum metallic gold spray paint.

I was worried it would get under the contact paper. but as long as I made sure the paper was adhering around the letters I had absolutely no trouble.

To build the frame, I used a similar technique as with Dub’s  big kid room wall gallery, but I used wood that wasn’t quite as deep, since I wanted this particular frame flush with the art.

I used Minwax stain in Early American, which is lighter IRL and gives it the right amount of color and rustic vibe.

Proverbs 31 Canvas Art using clear contact paper and Silhouette SD. Stain is Minwax Early American. | Five Marigolds

I debated (and am still debating) taking a tiny bit of wood stain on a rag and dry rubbing the canvas for a subtle shabby chic look.

I’ve also considered dry rubbing a tiny bit of the white paint over the frame very lightly for the same reason. But, at this point I’m afraid to ruin it!

Proverbs 31 Canvas art | Five Marigolds

I’m so happy with how this Proverbs 31 canvas wall art  turned out. I love the contrast of metallic gold and ivory against the rustic frame, and the sweet reminder my little girl will wake up to each day.

I’m already dreaming of how I might create a variation for Belle’s room 🙂

Additional bible verses that would be great for the girls’ bedrooms include:

God is with her; she will not fail. Psalm 46:5

He fills my life with good things. Psalm 103:5

I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 134:14

He calls me beautiful one. Song of Solomon 2:10

She is far more precious than jewels. Proverbs 31:10

Proverbs 31 Canvas wall Art.. | Five Marigolds

Details:

  • Lamp – Anthropologie (old)
  • Curtains – Simply Shabby Chic
  • Quilt – Handmade by grandma 🙂
  • Paint color – Behr Seed Pearl

Interested in more upcycled DIY Wall art? Check out my other projects here:

DIY Canvas Wall Art for Baby Nursery: I Love You Through and Through | Five Marigolds

I Love You Through & Through Paired Canvases

DIY Engineer Prints for Big Boy Room | FIve Marigolds

Framed Engineer Prints Wall Gallery

Industrial Boy's Bedroom Design. | Five Marigolds

Monogrammed Pallet Art

DIY Chalkboard Art with Rust-Oleum Chalkboard Paint | Five Marigolds

DIY Chalkboard using Garage Sale Frame

 

Review: Target Brookline Counter Stools

When I was shopping for stools for our new home, I wanted something that looked sophisticated, yet was comfortable and fairly inexpensive. I found what I was looking for in Target’s Brookline Counter Stools in Sandstone. But, buying furniture online is tough, and there weren’t many helpful reviews on this particular product – so I’m sharing mine here.

Target Brookline Stools Review | Five Marigolds

Price – The major reason I bought these stools was the price. They were the most inexpensive upholstered stools I could find that were available at counter height.

Target Brookline Stools Review | Five Marigolds

Color – Online, it was difficult to tell what I’d really be getting, but I’m happy with the neutral, slightly greige color to these stools.

Target Brookline Stools Review | Five Marigolds

Comfort – There is really no way to test these stools out. They have samples of 1-2 colors at my local target, but you can’t take them off the shelf to sit on them. So this was a gamble, too.  Overall, these are reasonably comfortable stools, with a nice cushion on the seat and back.

Durability – With three kids ages 2 through 7, I needed these to be fairly durable. I knew choosing a neutral upholstered chair would be a test on even the highest quality furniture, which is why I chose the least expensive stools that fit the style I was going for. That way, even if we destroy these, I reasoned I would learn my lesson with less to lose. My husband put these chairs together quickly and easily. If he found that one wobbled, he simply adjusted it until it was level. We then taped off the wood legs and I sprayed  two coats of Scotchgard over the next several hours.

Getting it done: I used painter tape and a garbage bag to protect the wood legs from the Scotchgard.

Getting it done: I used painter tape and a garbage bag to protect the wood legs from the Scotchgard.

The kids sit on these stools for breakfast, drawing and doing homework, but we don’t eat all of our meals here. However, they have had their fair share of food smears from sticky hands, and so far they’ve wiped clean every time, even if it takes a little fabric cleaner for the extra ground-in, dried messes.

Overall, we’ve been happy with these chairs. I hope this review helps anyone else who is on the hunt for new stools for their home!


*This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclaimer in the right sidebar. Thank you for your support!

Big Boy Room Custom Engineer Prints

engineering prints = Inexpensive large wall art

Engineer prints are a great way to design a boy bedroom, bringing custom touches through large photo prints on a budget.

I’m very slowly beginning the process of decorating our new home, and focusing on the areas where inspiration strikes me the most. Dub’s room is the one I have the most concrete vision for, and I knew exactly where I wanted to start when I saw this idea for engineer prints for a boy’s room.

I immediately set out taking images of the things most important to Dub. He loved being able to be a part of it in this way.

He loves Legos, video games, and the Wilson brand holds special inside meaning for us

I was able to order the engineering prints online by sending  the images to the FedEx Kinkos copy store.

I ordered 18×24 engineer prints. DIY Engineer Prints for Big Boy Room | FIve Marigolds

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Family Growth Chart for less than $15

We recently made the decision to sell our “starter” home and build a new home that better accommodates our growing family. We bought this home just months before our wedding, had three babies here and many, many precious memories as a family. We’re ready for the next chapter, but this sentimental mom is feeling a bit emotional about it, as well.

The moment we signed the papers to build our new home I was immediately motivated to take on a project I’ve been meaning to for a long time – make a family growth chart that we can take with us – wherever we go. Our former growth chart was done the old fashioned way – with pencil on the wall of our kitchen (that I still can’t bring myself to paint over even since I’ve made this beautiful new chart).growth chart2

I’d once tried my hand at an embroidered chart that was supposed to be  cute and charming, but didn’t end up looking quite as polished as my inspiration. I also  found that I was too lazy to embroider once a year. My laziness factor is high.

So I moved on to those cute reclaimed signs I’ve seen all over Pinterest.

I started with a 3/4″x7″x8′ piece of cedar lumber that I purchased at Home Depot for less than $9. First, I enlisted Dub to weather it for me. I gave him chains and a hammer and let him have at it. I stained it with leftover stain that I used on our stairs for our garage makeover.

From there, I had to get measuring – my least favorite part. Our family is really tall, so I cut my board to 6′ tall and painted 1′ white stripes using leftover paint from the garage makeover. These are some terrible progress photos, but you get the idea.

Family Growth Chart for Less Than $15 | Five Marigolds

I actually liked the way this looked when I was done, but I went ahead and sanded it to give it a more distressed look.Family Growth Chart for Less Than $15 | Five Marigolds

Family Growth Chart for Less Than $15 | Five Marigolds

Then, I used my silhouette to create the measurement marks. I barely use my Silhouette but I used it for this, figuring it would make the measuring much easier for me. I measured it on the computer, cut it out on the Silhouette and then used transfer paper to stick it right on the board without having to re-measure.

Family Growth Chart for Less Than $15 | Five Marigolds

I’m super happy with the way that it turned out! I can’t wait to hang this measurement chart in our new home next year. I can see keeping this chart in our home forever, and measuring little grandbabies someday.growth chart2_1

Postscript: after completing my chart, I stumbled upon this cute version by Handmade Charlotte

growth-chart6-handmade-charlotte-powerofpaint-dot-net

If I had to do it over again, I think her way of painting the numbers would be a lot cheaper and easier. However, I’d still want to make the measurement marks so that I could tell visually exactly how tall the kids are. Everytime they get measured they want to know EXACTLY how many feet, inches and centimeters tall they are. Because that matters to 4 and 6 year olds.

What do you think? Do you have a family growth chart in your home?


(Very) Small Spaces: Shared Girl Room

Baby #3 is on the way  soon(!) and the nursery is officially done. We live in a 3 bedroom home with cozy (aka ridiculously small) bedrooms which meant lots of creativity and organization.
I tried my best to create the illusion of space with monochromatic touches of taupe and pink with gold accents against white.  We used a pink and taupe toile in the bedding for both girls and carried the colors throughout the room. Here is a mock up:shared girl room3
I’m certainly no designer (clearly!) but because I had such a hard time finding decor ideas for tight quarters, I’m posting mine for all of you out there with small spaces.
Tiny Spaces Shared Girl Room
Do you like how I kept the overstuffed toy box in the shot? That’s just me keeping it real.