A while back I saw this Ballard Design Knockoff that Thrifty Decor Chick did. I knew I wanted to do the same thing for my dining room as soon as I saw it. I have been wanting/needing a circular saw ever since my old one broke. So off I went for supplies at Home Depot with my coupons in tow. I was able to get this beauty for only $30.81! Then I found these 3 pieces of scrap MDF at the Habitat for Humanity Outlet for only $6.
Time to get busy. I had to have my assistant hubby help me cut the wood. I don’t have a workbench so we rigged something up and he helped hold it while I cut. Trusting man he is! I cut 9 12×12 squares and then spray painted the edges brown. Then I pulled out all of my scrapbook paper and started laying out ones I liked. I’m telling you I must have laid out 50 sheets in several different arrangements before I found the one I liked. I used this spray adhesive on the wood and the paper and put them on each piece. Let me warn you, this stuff is strong so be sure you get it where you want it, because once it’s down, it ain’t comin up! One sheet was not straight so I had to peel it off and do over. Luckily I had another of the same print.
The hardest part for me was figuring out all the wall spacing and measurements. I wanted it to look straight and be spaced apart correctly. The Thrify Decor chick used her nail gun. I so wish I had one of those babies. It would have made life easier. But I bought these and used a “spacer” to attach them to the back of the boards. Then I measured out the walls for my screws. I HATE this part. I am horrible at measurements and making sure it’s all level. The pic on the left is the Ballard Design inspiration piece. The right is mine. I LOVE IT! Not sure if I love it more because It was so cheap or because I did it myself! I could trim it out but I think it’s ok the way it is. Plus that would be A LOT of extra work. Who has time for that?
Ballard Designs: $199.00
Mine: Less than $25.00
I didn’t count the saw….it’s an investment in future projects Wahhhaaa!
My dining room before AND after. Oh…the valances on the windows are table runners….shhhh….dont’ tell anyone!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow! That’s what I’m talkin’ about! You ARE crafty and it turned out really cute. I bet you’re proud of yourself!
Love ya,
Aunt Debi
Hehe…I kinda am! Thanks!
Decent.
Super cool! Looks great. Always nicer when you have some input for the design. Great job!
That’s beautiful!!! I’m inspired and now I may have to try my own! I don’t have much on my dining room walls and it looks like your before pic. haha
Karen, those are awesome! I admire your skill with the saw, too. Very nice. Nice choices on the paper/decor style too
I love the idea! They turned out beautiful!