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Sarah Rae Smith's Recent Articles
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The $25 Amazon Buy That Cuts Your Painting Time in Half
Painting is one of the least expensive ways to give your space a facelift. But it’s not exactly fun. It’s messy and time consuming especially if you have to do multiple coats — say goodbye to your weekend. Enter this $25 buy, which helps you tackle painting like the pros and shave significant time off the job.
Sarah Rae Smith
Nov 14, 2017
Lowes Welcomes A Major Brand and Only Those Missing Sears Care
Growing up, I remember hitting up small-town hardware stores for quick needs like electrical tape or a pack of screws. If we wanted something fancier, we would head to the local mall and peruse Sears’ bigger selection of pretty tools and yard machines. Despite my mother’s grumbling comments about the cost of lawn mower parts, the tools still all felt so glamorous under those retail lights.
Sarah Rae Smith
Nov 4, 2017
IKEA Came Up With Yet Another Clever Use For Their Magnetic Knife Holders
From the brilliant and clever minds at IKEA.
Sarah Rae Smith
Oct 28, 2017
10 Things to Check Before You Buy a Home
We’ve learned the hard way that there are some very important things that should be checked before signing the papers to buy a new home. Of course, you’ll have a professional do an inspection and look over the place to make sure the home is termite and flood damage free, but these ten things fall into a different category; the immediate to-do list, which is something you may not want to be adding to right now.
Sarah Rae Smith
Feb 4, 2014
How To Clean Your House in 20 Minutes a Day for 30 Days
When I first learned to clean my own place, I thought Saturday had to be an all day clean-a-thon. I didn’t really have a concept of how to balance the work load during the week so weekends could be reserved for larger projects or even you know…fun! Now I clean in 20 minutes a day — every day — and things just seem to take care of themselves. Here’s a glimpse at the schedule I use!
Sarah Rae Smith
Nov 3, 2013
Before & After: From Crummy To Fabulous Faux Bois Concrete Floors
What happens when carpet isn’t an option and your hardwood flooring has been discontinued? Well, if you’re Mandi Grubler, you head to the hardware store and come home with a few cans of paint. See how she schooled this concrete floor into submission.Mandi is always willing to roll up her sleeves and test the DIY waters for the rest of us. This time around, she’s painting the concrete floor in her daughter’s room.
Sarah Rae Smith
Jul 12, 2012
If Only I Hadn’t Already Signed the Lease: 10 Things To Always Check Moving Into an Apartment
Everyone has moving horror stories, but there are just some things you don’t think to check until you’ve already signed a lease. Here’s 10 things that should be on everyone’s “must-check” list. 1. Hallway/Doorway Size: Sometimes it’s easy to get carried away with great architecture lines of square footage, but sometimes (Even if you buy small furniture) things simply don’t fit in awkward hallways.
Sarah Rae Smith
Mar 20, 2012
How To Get the Musty Smell Out of Your Thrifted Treasures
Sometimes things just smell old. There’s no two ways around it. If you’re a vintage or thrift shopper, then chances are you’ve come across this in the past. Baking soda has been known to do the trick for upholstery, but what about items that aren’t made from fabric? Check out this simple trick!Do you have a treasure that smells a little musty? Well Karen from The Art Of Doing Stuff has a great solution.
Sarah Rae Smith
Mar 13, 2012
Before & After: Cast Away Card Catalog Turned into a Marvelous Media Stand
I’ve happened upon several card catalogs at auctions in the past, but truth be told, I could never figure out what to do with them. They’re a little small for CDs and a little low to the ground to do much good, but this family in Portland had grander visions than I.This library card catalog has come a long way with a few simple add ons and is now a practical piece for any home.
Sarah Rae Smith
Mar 1, 2012
Quick Cleaning Tip: Keep Baseboards Cleaner With Fabric Softner
Even though my house might not reflect it sometimes (hey, I’m human too), I actually greatly enjoy cleaning. That said, I loathe cleaning baseboards. Sure to do them right it involves buckets and cleaners, rags and… ugh. Just ugh.Forget all that drama and do this less than desirable task far less with the help of a fabric softener sheet.Remember when we talked about some tricks and tips on taking care of a home with pets?
Sarah Rae Smith
Feb 15, 2012
Before & After: Old Trunk to Out of the Ordinary Filing Cabinet
In the past I’ve tried several times to turn an old trunk or camp box into a filing system. Sure they work and I had things inside to keep all my papers and accessories organized, but I was missing out on some serious structure that makes it all truly come together. Check out this great before and after that makes this thrifted object into a serious piece of office organization.
Sarah Rae Smith
Feb 3, 2012
Hide Awkward Electronics With Oversize Art
The cable for my building comes in a weird location half way up the wall in the kitchen. It’s awkward and problematic. If I would have seen this cool project a few years back I might have been inspired to do something about it before now. Don’t hate the problematic wires and modems, embrace them — oh yeah, and cover them up with giant artwork!Back in 2009 (that’s like a decade in cat years!) over at Mamamekko, this great oversize artwork was featured.
Sarah Rae Smith
Jan 6, 2012
Before & After: Old Chairs Turned Ornate Frames
Before and after makeovers are always rather shocking right? It’s always some sad piece of furniture that gets a new paint job or rework to be a brighter, bolder, more modern form of itself right? They’re always so cool. This one is no different except the after photo of these chairs — well, how do we say this — they’re not even chairs anymore.We checked in with Brooke over at All Things Thrifty where this simple chair with busted caning was in need of a makeover.
Sarah Rae Smith
Dec 13, 2011
Small Project: Sprucing Up Inside the Cabinets
Tackling the smallest projects in my home always seem to create the most happiness. Sure giving a room a new coat of paint is exciting, but most of us live with some silly repair need for far too long, so when it’s finally fixed, it’s like this marvelous miracle. So today, I’d like to talk about the area under your sink. Did you know it could make you happy? Oh it totally can.
Sarah Rae Smith
Nov 29, 2011
Before & After:Worn Out Shell Chair Gets Party-Ready
Not all mid century fiberglass chairs are created equal. Some aren’t made by a big name designer and are literally just plain old chairs. So what do you do when you come across one that’s looking a little run down? Click through to find out:We stopped in over at Aesthetic Outburst, where there’s been a recent chair makeover. They were in need of something with a little pop and thus the chair was painted gold and given a bit of red to round things out.
Sarah Rae Smith
Oct 25, 2011
DIY Your Own Acrylic Side Table
For those of us who didn’t take plastics class in High School, working with acrylic might be a new skill to learn. It isn’t as tricky as you might think and this is a great project to get you started. It only required a few supplies, all of which are easily gathered from your local hardware store.We checked in with Shelly Leer over at Mod Home Ec and she’s been busy whipping up this acrylic side table project for Indy Star.
Sarah Rae Smith
Oct 11, 2011
Before & After: Floor from Worn Out to White & Bright
Although sanding down and refinishing hardwoods is fun for some folks, I happen to side with these homeowners who would rather whip up a light, bright and clean look for their kitchen with as little pain as possible. Want to see what this floor looks like now?Over at Modern Jane, this kitchen was in need of help and there’s no denying that this kitchen floor looks 500% better and the treatment to it makes things light, bright and beautiful.
Sarah Rae Smith
Oct 3, 2011
5 Completely Free Ways to Make Your House a Home
We’ve talked time and time again about all the little things you can do to make a house feel like a home. You can have warm enveloping lighting, plants for fresh air and fun additions of color, collections and artwork, but that’s not what this post is about. This post is about how to make your home feel like a refuge; it doesn’t have a single thing to do with your decor or the design of your space and nothing costs a dime – it’s all totally, 100% free… 1.
Sarah Rae Smith
Sep 13, 2011
Alex Fulton’s Flirtatious Use of Crazy Color
Name: Alex Fulton Location: Sumner Beach — Christchurch, New Zealand Size: 180 square meters Years Lived In: 5 years this Christmas. A few weeks back I practically spit my drink all over myself trying to get shouts of exclamation out when stumbled upon this home in New Zealand. Although I would have loved to have flown there to photograph it myself, we called in the big guns (aka Li’l Magoolie). This home is so packed with color, you might actually need to sit down.
Sarah Rae Smith
Aug 22, 2011
Before & After: From Breakfast Bar to Storage Space
Remember when every home we saw on HGTV was being renovated with a breakfast bar? They have their place for sure, but they don’t really lend much in the way of design as far as storage or even looks go. Many homes, rentals, and apartments have them, but did you know that overhang of countertop can be doing more for you? Want to see what this space looks like now? Should I keep asking silly questions?
Sarah Rae Smith
Aug 18, 2011
10 Things Every First Apartment Should Have
Although the internet existed when I rented my first apartment, it was mainly chat forums and wasn’t exactly full of the helpful information it is today. Ready to move out on your own for the first time? Here’s a check list to get you started. Old pro? Add your basics to ours and help out those moving newbies!1. Kitchen Basics: The important things that might top this list might be a can opener, sharp knife or wooden spoon.
Sarah Rae Smith
Aug 12, 2011
Before & After: The Pretty Painted Sofa Makeover
A few months back I busted out some fabric spray paint and painted a pretty chevron on my carpet. Although the looks are alright, there’s a new trend sweeping around the internet that will most likely yield better results. See that sofa up there? It’s about to get painted — with house paint.Over at Fabric Bliss a vintage sofa was purchased for the small price of $45. It had great bones but those flowers just had to go.
Sarah Rae Smith
May 23, 2011
From Junk To Funk In Donna’s Handmade Home
Name: Donna WilliamsLocation: British Columbia, CanadaSize: 1800 square feetYears lived in: 5 — owned If you compare DIY to karate (stay with me now), then Donna Williams would be a 10th degree black belt. This single mom is a “Pallet Princess” from the North who isn’t afraid of power tools or realistic timelines for home improvement projects.
Sarah Rae Smith
May 9, 2011
Before & After: From Shelving To Sensational Seating
Oh IKEA, where would our homes be without you? You offer us one product and the world turns it into 100 new designs and custom pieces for their home. This room is no different and this window area is about to go from drab to chalkboard fabulous!They’ve been busy getting organized at Repurposed Playground and although this transformation is similar to ones we’ve seen in the past, there are a few ideas to glean from this set-up that are perfect for any home.
Sarah Rae Smith
May 5, 2011
Back To The Old House With The Smiths
Name: Jason, Meridith, and their two kids, Wylder and ArloLocation: Clinton, OklahomaSize: 3,000 square feetYears lived in: 1.5 When you think about the state of Oklahoma, hip loft living isn’t usually what comes to mind first. Well, this family isn’t exactly cookie-cutter and they’ve done some serious renovations to make their home top notch. Even though we’re in the middle of showcasing our smallest spaces, this one is anything but.
Sarah Rae Smith
Apr 28, 2011
5 Inexpensive Table Covers For Your Next Party
Although parties in general don’t appear to cost a great deal on the surface, you can quickly $5 yourself to death. Try saving a few pennies with these options for table covers that you very well might already have in your own home!1. Sheets/Blankets: Sheets and blankets are the easiest place to start looking for inexpensive table coverings. Most homes have a set for every bed in the house and swiping something colorful, or even just white is an easy fix that doesn’t cost a cent.2.
Sarah Rae Smith
Apr 25, 2011
Holden’s Fresh & Frugal Hideout
Name: HoldenAge: 8 monthsLocation: Marin County, CaliforniaRoom Size: 150 sq. feet Holden’s home in California is full of love and adoring parents who are willing to scour the ends of the earth for a bargain to pull together a great look. This room is full of thrifted and even a few free finds that make it feel light, bright and playful — oh yeah and there’s a super cool cow on the wall!
Sarah Rae Smith
Apr 7, 2011
Before & After: From Concrete To Faux Wood Flooring
What happens when water invades your living room and you have to take the carpet out? Well in this case you do great things while staying within a budget. Curious to see what this boring concrete floor looks like now?Over at the blog TwentysixFiftyeight there’s been some serious transformations happening. After having to remove the carpet in their home due to some unforeseen water issues, Merritt and Cris were left with a slightly uneven, yes solid concrete slab.
Sarah Rae Smith
Mar 10, 2011
Before & After: IKEA Gets a Wallpaper Treatment
In cities that have an IKEA, their furniture is found in many homes. While there’s nothing wrong with this affordable option, that doesn’t mean your pieces have to look like those everywhere else in your city. Check out what these BESTA cabinets after Kris was through with them! Kristina Klarin isn’t one for plain and boring. She is all about making a splash with color and these cabinets were slightly lack luster before she got a hold of them.
Sarah Rae Smith
Feb 24, 2011
Before & After: A Beautiful Bathroom for $439
Making over an area like the bathroom can seem like a small project. At first it feels as though only a few things will need refreshing or changing out — but often once things get started it seems as though everything must go. In this bathroom highlighted on This Old House, everything received a makeover from hardware and fixtures to lighting and paint — all for $439!
Sarah Rae Smith
Feb 23, 2011
A Baby Bachelor Pad With A Bit Of Blue
Name: IkeAge: 18 monthsLocation: Austin, TXRoom Size: 180 sq ft. We’re lucky to have very spacious bedrooms for a house built in the 60s. Too bad I can’t say the same about our closets… A name like Ike commands a certain amount of presence. You picture a young man with sophisticated tastes ready to conquer the world. This room put together by his mother Erin is just that, a regal and elegant space to be a kid.
Sarah Rae Smith
Feb 8, 2011
Before & After: The $70 Bedroom Makeover
Many of us have often stared at the pages of magazines, wishing we could have a designer look on a dime. Those that actually make that dream come true are usually willing to roll up their sleeves and do things themselves. When it comes to this bedroom that couldn’t be more true — the new look includes an amazing handmade ruffled duvet cover, headboard and more!Over at Kiki Creates, there’s been some action in the bedroom (hubba hubba!
Sarah Rae Smith
Feb 7, 2011
Repair Cracked China with Milk!
Unless you drop your china and it shatters into a million pieces (which is usually my luck), it probably only suffered a small crack from a fall or mishap. Instead of just waiting for the day it inevitably breaks for good, try giving it a milk bath. Yup, your china is getting a day at the spa!Curious about how it works? The idea is simple. You place your cracked piece in a pot and cover it with two cups of milk (or more if needed). Next, heat over low for an hour.
Sarah Rae Smith
Jan 10, 2011
A Trio of Hanging Beds For A Room Shared By Three
Names: Jeremiah, Samuel, and Augustine Ages: 6, 4, 2 Location: Texas Awhile back we featured a room that took all of us here at Ohdeedoh by surprise. Jaws were dropping, we were forwarding the link as fast as we could to friends and family — we were flat out amazed. We’ve since gone behind the scenes and today you can see more of this room filled with color, hanging bunk beds and the opportunity for extreme fun!
Sarah Rae Smith
Jan 7, 2011
5 Simple Ways to Make Your House Less Depressing
It’s a proven fact that our home plays a significant part in how we feel emotionally. Although if not kept up it can make us physically sick, it can also make you a little down in the dumps. Having a healthy space is key and aside from participating in the Apartment Therapy Home Cure, you can check out these ideas on lightening the mood at home!
Sarah Rae Smith
Dec 1, 2010
7 Places To Hang A Stocking Other Than From A Fireplace
Although we haven’t conduced an official study of how many folks have a fireplace and how many don’t, we’re going to guess that more people are looking for creative ways to hang their stocking during the holidays than not. We happen to be part of that crowd, so without further ado, here’s 7 festive ways to display your stockings!1. Ladders: Vintage, worn or broken ladders are easy to come by at estate sales, auctions, antique stores and Craigslist.
Sarah Rae Smith
Nov 29, 2010
10 Little Things To Do Before Guests Come Over
There’s nothing worse than being at someone’s home and not being able to find an extra roll of toilet paper when it’s needed. Check out our list of things to do before company comes for 10 ideas that will help make your guests’ stay memorable for all the right reasons. Over the years there are little things we’ve noticed while attending parties (and hosting our own) that make guests feel more comfortable while they’re in your space.
Sarah Rae Smith
Nov 19, 2010
Tips For Hosting Parties For Families With Children When You Don’t Have Any
I don’t have children, but they weave their way into my life in many ways and are always welcome in my home, especially when we entertain. But how do we retain our sanity? Do we baby proof the space? Is there a box of goldfish crackers stashed in the back of our pantry for just such an occasion?
Sarah Rae Smith
Nov 9, 2010
Temporary Window Screens: Inexpensive & DIY
For the last several months my husband and I have had fans in our windows at all times. We had a hard time getting any breeze in them, but because the fans were in place, we hadn’t had a problem with bugs and mosquitoes coming in. As the temperatures dropped this past weekend, we removed the fans and all sorts of creepy crawly and flying friends came in, so it was time for some screens! Off to the hardware store we went!
Sarah Rae Smith
Sep 27, 2010
Quick Tip: Try Crayons On Dry Erase Boards
Although dry erase boards are rather handy tools, we have one problem — the markers. They’re smelly, expensive and easily get lost in sofa cushions. Well good news, you can ditch them all together and use crayons instead. No really!There are a few companies that have caught onto this idea and have started marketing specific products to those parents who would like to give the idea a go.
Sarah Rae Smith
Sep 15, 2010
5 Tricks For Learning To Live With Ugly Wall Color
In all of our travels across the country and all of our rental apartments and homes I’ve only had the chance to paint in a few spaces. The problem is, by the time you’ve spent enough time in your space to get the feel for light and how it effects color — it’s time to move! We’ve lived with some of the uuuugliest walls ever for most of our lives and we’ve learned a few tricks to work around them.
Sarah Rae Smith
Aug 6, 2010
5 Things To Do 2 Weeks Before You Move
Moving is a stressful time no matter how prepared you are for it but you can save yourself a little headache by taking care of a few things in advance. Not only will completing this short list make your move go smoother, it will give you peace of mind that you will make it through, no matter how many stairs you have to climb or how hot it is outside!1.
Sarah Rae Smith
Aug 2, 2010
Place Your Bed On an Angle Without the Awkwardness
Many rooms just mandate a bed on an angle. Placing it against the walls makes the space feel stale and sticking it straight out into the room might take up all of the available floor space. So when we ran across Jonas’ bedroom from yesterday’s Hollywood Regency Homestead tour, we wanted to make sure to highlight that it can be done and the end result is fabulous!
Sarah Rae Smith
Jul 27, 2010
Jonas’ Modern Hollywood Regency Homestead
Name: Jonas Location: Brookside, Kansas City, MissouriStyle: Dutch Colonial Years lived in: 4 On the drive to photograph Jonas’ home, I had geared myself up for the “nice but non-creative” that is usually found in neighborhoods of this age. His home resides just south of Kansas City in an area that’s trying to make a shift from old money to new young blood.
Sarah Rae Smith
Jul 26, 2010
Use Bar Soap To Beat The Bite
If asked to design the perfect world, many would eliminate the presence of the mosquito. We’re sure they serve some purpose on the food chain, but right now, they’re just pissing us off. Every time we turn around we have a new bite! To beat the bite, try a basic bar of soap for quick relief instead of pricey over the counter products.
Sarah Rae Smith
Jul 22, 2010
5 Ways To Turn On Lights When You’re Not Home
One of the best ways to protect your home while you’re away is to appear you never left. Leaving a light on in the front window doesn’t cut it any longer and sometimes you need a little extra believability to help others think you’re still home (though anti-social) while away on vacation.Here’s a few of our favorite choices for making your home a little brighter when you’re away. Do you have a favorite that didn’t make the list?
Sarah Rae Smith
Jul 13, 2010
10 Things To Pack In A Piñata That Aren’t Made From Sugar
So apparently we have piñata fever around these parts. We just can’t help it. They’re perfect for a party, a backyard get together, or could even be a fun way to pick summer chores (who says they can’t come pouring out amongst other things?) for little ones, but sometimes we’re not into all that sugar. Here are a few non-food ideas instead!1. Bubbles: You can find small packages of bubbles (check with wedding supplies) that won’t weigh things down too much!2.
Sarah Rae Smith
Jun 23, 2010
The Bruns Breathtaking Bucolic Colonial
Name: Ken and Lynn-Anne Bruns (plus our 4 kids, 2 dogs & 2 bunnies)Location: Charlotte, North CarolinaSize: 4500 square feetYears lived in: 4 Lynn-Ann Bruns runs a successful design business and has the home of my dreams. It feels lived in, comfortable and is well designed through and through. The Bruns travel a great deal and have lived all over the world – their home reflects a combination of their adventures and great sense of style.
Sarah Rae Smith
Jun 14, 2010