DIFFICULTY Intermediate | TIME 3 hrs

The final sneak peek from Misi Overturf’s self-published Real Easy Decor & DIY book is a bit of haute couture for a dreary little lampshade. Play with different outfits to create a cute collection to show off.

What you’ll need
An old lampshade or two in need of an update
Spray paint primer and colour of your choice
Fabric, fringing, pompoms and wonderful haberdashery finds to dress shades
Scissors
Hot Glue gun
Thread and needle

HOW TO DRESS THE FANCIFUL FRINGE SHADE
1. Strip the lampshade of its fabric and frills.
2. Spray paint the frame with a primer.
3. Once dry, spray with a colour of your choice. This shade was decorated in gloss black spray paint.
4. Spray several light coats to cover the frame evenly, and leave to dry between each coating.
5. Use a hot glue gun to fasten the fringing to the bottom of the frame and add the pompom trim over the edge of the fringe. 

HOW TO DRESS THE LOVELY LACE SHADE
1. Strip the lampshade of its fabric and frills.
2. Spray paint the frame with a primer.
3. Once dry, spray with a colour of your choice. This shade was decorated in a gloss black spray paint.
4. Spray several light coats to cover the frame evenly, and leave to dry between each coating.
5. Place the lace fabric over two segments of the wire frame and cut the fabric to fit the frame’s shape snugly.
6. Use this template to cut two more patterns (this frame needed three to cover the whole shade).
7. Stitch together using a sewing machine, or sew neatly by hand.
8. Stretch the fabric over the wire frame of the shade and tack the edges with hem stitch to the top and bottom of the frame.

TIP
Use a slightly stretchy lace fabric to cover the shade. This allows the fabric to mould to the frame.

You can purchase the book directly from Misi on her website.

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DIFFICULTY Intermediate | TIME 6 hrs

This is the perfect weekend makeover. Sneak peek number three from Misi Overturf’s self-published Real Easy Decor & DIY book is all about the power of transformation. With a few licks of paint and some fairy lights, what was destined for the rubbish dump, has become a beautiful centerpiece!

What you’ll need
An old cupboard
Sand paper 160 – 180 grit and sanding block
Wood filler and spatula
High gloss white paint
Foam roller, tray and paintbrush
Peg board (cut to size to fit the back of the cupboard)
Panel pins
Hammer
Light grey paint
Small brush
Letters printed on A4 paper spelling out CREATE BEAUTY
Clear acetate
Cutting knife
Cutting board
Nails
Fairy lights
Cordless drill
5 mm drill bit
Ribbon (to improvise as a drawer handle)

1. PREPARING THE CUPBOARD
The old cupboard was cleaned up; old varnish was removed by giving it a good sanding with 160 grit sand paper. All previous holes were filled with wood filler, and once dry, given a light sand with 180 grit sand paper for a smooth finish. The old pieces of backing were removed and two new backing boards were cut out of pegboard and slotted in. These were fastened into place with panel pins. The whole cupboard was painted with a glossy white paint.

2. USING THE TEMPLATE
Templates of letters spelling CREATE BEAUTY were cut out of acetate and painted in a very pale colour.

How to do this
1. Print the letters in the desired font and size on normal A4 paper.
2. Lay the acetate over the paper and cut out the letter templates.
3. Place the acetate where the wording will be positioned and paint the letters with a small paint brush on the backing board.

3. ADDING THE LIGHTS
Use nails as indicators to show positioning and push fairy lights through so that they sit snugly in the pegboard. Switch on the lights to bring the words to life.

TIPS
1. If one of the drawer handles is missing, tie a pretty ribbon to the hooks and add a personalised handle.
2. If you struggle to get the fairy lights through the pegboard holes, take a drill bit a size bigger than the hole and enlarge it slightly.

GOOD TO KNOW
Panel pins are designed to fix sheeting material (like pegboard) to furniture. The heads of the pins are easily disguised by pushing them below the surface so they can’t be seen.

FOR A CELEBRATION
The outline of a tree or star can be drawn on the back of the board and the lights can be replaced into the pattern to create a novel theme with seasonal appeal.

 You can purchase the book directly from Misi on her website.

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DIFFICULTY Easy peazy | TIME 1 hr

Sneak peek number two, from Misi Overturf’s self-published Real Easy Decor & DIY book, is a simple solution of blending your flat screen television with your décor. “Don’t get me wrong, she says, “I like tech, but when you dress it up a little, like most things, it looks a lot better. Easy and cost effective, it also won’t damage your television and you can remove it any time you want!”

What you’ll need
Embossed polyurethane cornices
A mitre kit with a saw for light materials
A glue gun with glue sticks
Black high gloss spray paint
A roll of double-sided tape
Scissors

Instructions 
1. Measure the television’s width and height. 
2. Subtract 2cm from each measurement. 
3. Apply these measurements to the inside frame of the cornice. 
4. Cut the lengths of the cornice according to the inside measurements at a 45 degree angle with the small saw. 
5. Saw one corner at a time, then, using the hot glue gun, glue them together and leave to set. 
6. Once the glue has set, give the frame a few even coats of spray paint and leave to dry in a well-ventilated area. Spray the front and the back of the frame for an all-round neat appearance.
7. Attach the frame with strips of double-sided tape to the television.

TIPS 
1. Ensure the remote censor is visible before sticking the frame to the television. 
2. The frame is very light and only a few strips of double-sided tape are needed. 
3. Do not use any other type of glue to attach the frame, as this might damage the television. 
4. Double-sided tape is easy to remove. 
5. Use a soft cloth to remove excess tape when you want to remove the frame. 
6. And finally a tip from the STYLIST’S KIT: a small dab of lighter fluid on a piece of cotton wool will remove stickers and tape from surfaces without scratching them.

You can purchase the book directly from Misi on her website.

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