Before

These homeowners wanted to infuse their room with character and improve overhead lighting. They also desired a more family-friendly space so they added a homework desk. Earthy colors and vivid patterns provide a cozy living area that they will enjoy for years to come.

Play Off Patterns

Neutral grass-cloth wallpaper adds visual depth to the room’s focal wall. On the floor, layering a black-and-white rug with a jute rug creates a similar effect. The bronze ceiling fan cools the space and provides sufficient general lighting. To create the family portrait, the homeowners used spray adhesive to secure a large photo to a sheet of plywood. Then they painted leftover pieces of grass-cloth and used spray adhesive to attach them to the plywood for a frame border.

A stain-grade panel stained and glued to two large planters creates a unique coffee table.

Bright Stripes

The sofa’s accent pillows were painted with brown and cream-colored zebra-look patterns. To create your own version, use a pencil to draw the designs onto outdoor pillows, and use a small brush to paint the stripes with your favorite interior paint color in an eggshell finish.

Mirror, Mirror

African landscape is the inspiration behind a pair of bamboo-bordered mirror tiles. To make, cut six 12-inch pieces and six 9-inch pieces of bamboo. Use a hot-glue gun to attach the 12-inch pieces to opposite sides of the mirror tile (three on each side), and then cover the remaining two sides with the 9-inch pieces. Use the hot-glue gun to attach a large self-leveling picture hanger to the back of the mirror.

Study Station

The painted cabinet opens to reveal a custom-fitted sliding workspace that’s just right for the entire family. Bracketless shelves above the desk offer a spot for mementos. In keeping with the textured appeal of the space, bamboo Roman shades pair with deep red curtains to create rich, layered window treatments.

Make It

Custom Cabinet Workspace

 

General Instructions

Label and scribe to fit all parts. Use wood glue and brads to attach all parts unless otherwise specified.

 

Step 1: Remove the faux drawer front, and set aside. Cut 1- x 2-inch boards (actual size 3/4- x 1-1/2-inch) to fit the interior dimensions of the base cabinet. Attach the boards to the interior approximately 1/2 inch below the faux drawer opening. The boards will serve as cleats for the sliding work surface.

Step 2: Cut one piece of 15/32-inch-thick pine plywood to fit the interior dimensions of the cabinet. Attach the pine plywood piece to the top of the cleats inside the cabinet. Cut a piece of 1/2-inch-thick birch plywood 1/2 inch less than the faux drawer opening and with a depth that fits the cabinet’s interior dimensions. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, attach the top parts of two under-mounted drawer slides to the pine plywood piece, and attach the bottom parts of the slides to the birch plywood piece. Place the birch plywood piece on top of the pine plywood piece. Test the alignment of the slides, and adjust as needed.

Step 3: Cut and attach a piece of 1/2-inch-thick birch plywood to the top of the cabinet. Attach 1/2- x 2-inch trim (actual size 1/2- x 1 1/2-inch) to the edges of the top. Use hinges to attach the faux drawer removed in Step 1 to the sliding work surface. The hinges should fold inward to allow the drawer to become an armrest when the desk is in use.

Step 4: Prime and paint the finished cabinet, allowing each coat to dry. Attach hardware to the doors and drawer.

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