Woman creates clever feature wall in her kitchen using £12 frog tape

Amidst the coronavirus lockdown, many individuals have found themselves seeking creative ways to redecorate their homes. With essential purchases like paint and wallpaper being less accessible, some have turned to more unconventional methods to spruce up their living spaces. One such example is Leanne Cusack, a mother who successfully transformed a bathroom wall into a remarkable brick feature wall using only masking tape and paint. Leanne shared her innovative DIY project on her TikTok channel, 'Mum at Number 51', humorously noting that she decided to 'jump on the bandwagon' to revamp her bathroom. The process began with her meticulously applying horizontal lines of masking tape to the wall. She then carefully measured and applied additional pieces of tape to create the rough outline of individual bricks, effectively creating a stencil for her design. This precise application of tape was crucial for achieving the desired brick-like pattern. Once the masking tape grid was in place, Leanne proceeded to apply a fresh coat of paint over the entire wall. The paint adhered to the exposed areas, while the taped sections remained unpainted. After the paint dried, she carefully removed the masking tape, revealing a stunning and realistic brick effect on her bathroom wall. The contrast between the painted 'bricks' and the underlying wall color created a striking visual appeal, mimicking the texture and appearance of a genuine brick wall. Leanne expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, stating that despite the time-consuming process of applying the masking tape, the end result was well worth the effort. Her transformation quickly gained traction after she shared it in the 'Mrs Hinch Made Me Do It' Facebook group, where it garnered widespread admiration from other DIY enthusiasts. Commenters lauded her creativity and the impressive quality of her work, with many expressing their amazement at what could be achieved with such simple materials. This project highlights a growing trend of resourceful home decor during periods of limited access to traditional renovation supplies. It demonstrates that with a bit of ingenuity and patience, it is possible to achieve significant aesthetic changes in a home using readily available and often inexpensive materials. This method offers a cost-effective and accessible alternative for those looking to refresh their interiors without undertaking a major renovation. The success of Leanne's project further illustrates the potential for masking tape to be utilized beyond its conventional uses, serving as a versatile tool for creating intricate patterns and feature walls, inspiring others to explore similar creative home improvement endeavors. #HomeDecor #DIYProjects #MaskingTape #FeatureWall #HomeRenovation #BudgetDecor #CreativeHome

The author, a first-time homeowner, embarked on a DIY project to transform a sterile, all-white hall bathroom in her 1950s ranch-style house in Birmingham. The primary goal was to infuse character and color into the space, particularly because it is a frequently used powder room for guests. A full renovation was not feasible, so the focus was on surface-level changes. Initially, the author considered wallpapering the room but found it to be outside her budget, even for peel-and-stick options. As an alternative, painting was chosen, but a solid color wash was deemed insufficient to achieve the desired maximalist effect. Inspired by an Instagram friend, the author decided to paint vertical stripes on the walls, aiming to create the warmth and visual impact of wallpaper without the higher cost and complexity of application. The project involved painting two-inch vertical stripes using Benjamin Moore’s Regal Select Waterborne Interior Paint in Satin/Pearl in Delaware Putty. The author selected two-inch stripes to ensure a noticeable impact while remaining manageable, aided by the availability of painter's tape in a similar width. The process began with marking a two-inch stripe using a tape measure and a pencil, though a straight ruler would have been more precise. A spirit level and pencil were then used to draw a vertical line from the top of the tile to the ceiling, along which FrogTape Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape, 1.88 inch, was meticulously applied. This step was repeated until all stripes were marked and taped. A paint roller was utilized to apply the paint for an even coat, with a brush used for touch-ups around fixtures like the medicine cabinet and light. After the paint was dry to the touch, the painter's tape was removed, followed by minor touch-ups with a small brush. The entire project took approximately two full days of focused work, which was less time than initially anticipated. During the project, the author made a few shortcuts and encountered a learning experience. One shortcut involved not applying a fresh base coat of white paint before starting the stripes, relying on the existing white walls for the alternating white stripes. While this saved time, the author later suggested that a fresh base might have improved the overall finish. Another shortcut was not sampling paint colors, a common recommendation for DIY projects, instead choosing Benjamin Moore’s Delaware Putty based solely on online images. Fortunately, this particular color choice worked out as desired, a humorous irony given past experiences. A significant mistake occurred when the author ran out of FrogTape halfway through the project. Instead of driving to another store that stocked the specific 1.88-inch FrogTape, she purchased a different brand of tape from a closer hardware store due to mid-project fatigue. This alternative tape lacked FrogTape’s paint-bleed technology, resulting in noticeably less sharp and clean lines on the stripes applied with the inferior tape, highlighting the importance of using quality materials. Nine months after the completion of the weekend paint job, the author expresses satisfaction with the outcome. The hall bathroom feels warmer and more inviting compared to its previous sterile appearance. While acknowledging that the DIY work is not flawless and might not appeal to everyone, the project successfully fulfilled the desire for a powder room with personality. The author also notes that guests occasionally compliment the “wallpaper,” a testament to the success of mimicking wallpaper's aesthetic with painted stripes. This project demonstrates that significant aesthetic improvements can be achieved through careful planning and execution of DIY painting, even with minor imperfections, ultimately creating a personalized and welcoming space. #DIYHomeImprovement #BathroomMakeover #InteriorPainting #VerticalStripes #FirstTimeHomeowner #PaintProject #HomeDecor #PowderRoom #FrogTape #DesignTips

Digital creator and home decor enthusiast Sarahli Wilcox introduced a "genius" storage hack on TikTok in August 2022, which involves building small shelves and concealing them behind mounted art frames. This DIY project garnered significant attention for its dual-purpose functionality and affordability, costing approximately $30. The process begins with selecting picture frames, which can be upcycled from existing items around the house or acquired from secondhand stores like Goodwill. Wilcox then prepares these frames by removing old paint or varnish, filling any imperfections, and then either restaining or repainting them. The next step involves constructing a backless cabinet and shelves, using a brad nailer and wood glue for assembly. Finally, the cabinet and frame are joined together using small hinges, creating a functional yet disguised storage unit. In a follow-up video posted in January 2023, Wilcox demonstrated how she utilizes these hidden cabinets to store various items, including medicine, essential oils, and to conceal a doorbell box. The versatility of this hack has inspired numerous suggestions from other TikTok users. For instance, some proposed using it as a secret spice cabinet in the kitchen. Others envisioned it as a memorial idea, providing a discrete space to keep mementos behind a picture of a loved one. The hack was also suggested for creating a "secret altar" for practitioners of witchcraft or as a practical solution for parents to store their children's art supplies, keeping them organized and out of sight. One creative individual even adapted the idea to create a whimsical "little fairy door," transforming the functional storage into a decorative, imaginative element within their home. This project exemplifies how online platforms like TikTok serve as a hub for sharing innovative and accessible DIY home decor ideas, fostering a community where creativity inspires further innovation. Wilcox's original idea has clearly resonated with a wide audience, demonstrating the appeal of clever, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing home solutions. #DIYHomeDecor #StorageSolutions #TikTokHack #PictureFrameStorage #CreativeStorage #HomeOrganization #ThriftyDecor #HiddenStorage

Creating a stunning gallery wall is an effective way to personalize and enhance a living space, though the process can seem daunting due to various decisions regarding artwork selection, arrangement, and placement. Susan Tynan, founder and CEO of Framebridge, offers expert advice to simplify this home decor venture. She emphasizes that gallery walls should be seen as evolving collections rather than static displays, encouraging individuals to build them gradually and incorporate a variety of pieces, including sentimental items like framed scarves or antique plates, to tell a unique story. The founder suggests thinking of the gallery wall as a narrative of personal experiences and memories, referencing an example where a two-story gallery wall was created for Cary Sherman, CEO of the Recording Industry Association, filled with framed photos, records, and magazine features chronicling his career. A common mistake Tynan highlights is hanging art too high. She advises treating the gallery as a single large piece of art. If placed above furniture, the bottom of the lowest piece should be eight to ten inches above the furniture's top. For empty walls, the center of the arrangement should ideally be about 57 inches from the floor. Establishing a color palette is crucial for a cohesive look. If starting from scratch, a unifying element such as a specific color scheme or art medium can be chosen. For existing collections, consistency can be achieved through framing choices, opting for similar colors and tones in frames, such as a mix of white and silver or natural wood, even if textures and widths vary. Tynan notes that silver and gold, or silver and rose gold, can be mixed effectively, but gold and rose gold should be avoided together. To simplify the layout process, Tynan suggests using Framebridge’s gallery wall kits, which include life-sized hanging guides. Alternatively, a DIY method involves cutting newspaper shapes matching frame sizes and arranging them on the wall to visualize the final display. For an organic look, which allows for easier expansion, laying out pieces on the floor beforehand is recommended. It's important to maintain a consistent spacing of two inches between each piece to ensure the arrangement appears intentional and cohesive, regardless of its size or future additions. This approach helps demystify the creation of gallery walls, making it an enjoyable and less stressful home decoration project. #GalleryWall #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #ArtArrangement #FramingTips #PersonalizedSpace #SusanTynan #Framebridge