Adhesive Backed Tile DIY {EAsy}

This peal and stick tile update DIY project turned out so stinkin' cute! My daughter was looking for an affordable way to tile her kitchen back splash. With two dogs, a cat, a bunny, and a toddler running around, she didn't have a lot of time or energy for messy grout projects, and she needed to be able to drop everything in an instant, if the baby cried.

She went online to do some research, and found peel and stick tiles (check the bottom of this post for affiliate links to similar products). Her builder grade kitchen had basic drywall back splashes, and she wanted something more attractive and easy to clean.

She was able to do her entire back splash in one afternoon!

She ordered a brand called Smart Tiles, that came six 12" x 12" tiles to a pack. She needed two packs for her project.

The dimensional tiles seem to be a vinyl type of material, and are very thin.

You can see how flexible the tile sheets are.

The tiles are designed so that the pattern interlocks from tile sheet to tile sheet.

My daughter found the instructions to be very easy to follow. It couldn't have been easier. Start by cleaning the wall with a good degreaser. Next, use a level or chalk line to create a guideline. Then, measure and cut. A utility knife and metal ruler make it easy to create perfect cuts. Cut out holes for outlets before installing the tile. Finally, fold back half of the paper backing and carefully align the tile. Once you are happy with the placement, press into place, while peeling back the rest of the adhesive backing. Rub your hand across the tile sheet, to make sure you have good adhesion.

The finished result was beautiful.

There are so many different tile patterns and colors available -- I seriously plan to try this in my own kitchen!

If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy this post about decorating with a brown sofa.

If you enjoyed this tutorial, please subscribe to House Revivals in the sidebar, so you won't miss the fun projects we have scheduled. Find us on Facebook, too, so you can catch all the "in between" stuff, and see what I'm working on daily on Instagram. Feel free to link today's post to your favorite social media sites.

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Amanda

Furnish Your Home With Free Stuff -- Beautifully!

The holidays are right around the corner, and many of us are thinking about sprucing up our homes, in preparation. With tight budgets, the task can feel a bit daunting, but it doesn't have to be. You don't need a lot of money to create a beautiful home. In fact, sometimes you don't need any money!

This morning, a quick scroll items being offered up for FREE on Craigslist turned up scores of awesome stuff.

Cassette Tape Shelf to Gorgeous Tray!

When I brought an old cassette storage shelf home from the Goodwill Outlet, I think my husband thought I'd lost my mind. What in the world did we need that for?

Well, I love trays, and I was pretty sure this little shelf could be transformed into a unique and useful decor piece.

Make Your Own Mixed Media Business Cards

I was shopping in a local Seattle thrift shop a few weeks ago and found a package of printable business cards. In my mind, the line between art supplies and office supplies is blurred, so I grabbed the business cards and brought them home.

I shared in this post on how to create your own mixed media master board, that I sometimes use master board to make business cards. I decided to treat the business card sheets as if they were master board substrates, and use them to create... wait for it... business cards!

Annie Sloan Toy Chest Makeover

Today, I am sharing a toy chest makeover using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. This project was done by my dear friend, Jami, for her granddaughters to use when they come for visits.

Jami started with a nice, but dated, oak cedar chest.

How to Weave a Pretty Seat

I popped into a Goodwill the other day and found the cutest little bench -- that is, it could have been cute. If it had a seat.

My husband has a running joke about my love affair with "broken chairs". We've moved broken chairs half-way across the country and back again.

How to Draw and Paint When You Don't Have Time

I love drawing and painting, but sometimes my own perfectionism, tedious techniques, and a busy schedule, keep me from indulging more often.

This is why I was thrilled to discover Lindsay, The Frugal Crafter's video tutorials a few months ago.

This Beach House is Getting Curb Appeal

Our beach house renovation is starting to move forward again!

Last year we renovated the last of a half-dozen decks.

Because this deck is ocean facing and subject to harsh elements, we bit the bullet and had custom stainless steel hangers and stainless screws installed.

My Favorite Projects and Posts From 2014

Okay, I've already shared your favorite House Revivals posts of 2014. Now, here are my favorite posts!

In 2013, I was dealing with a copyright (copyfraud) bully, and decided to share a bit about my experiences and research in What Crafters Need to Know About U.S. Copyright Law.

How to Make Artist Trading Cards With Recycled Materials

Have you tried making artist trading cards? It's a fun concept, where you create tiny little works of art in a 2 1/2 inch by 3 1/2 inch format. As the name suggests, the cards are meant to be traded.

If you go to any art or craft store, you will find chipboard or grunge board artist trading card (ATC) blanks. You can even find blanks made from watercolor paper and other art papers!

Materials to Use for Mixed-Media Art

Have you ever looked a piece of mixed-media art, or an art journal, and wondered how on earth the artist thought to use the materials they chose? The options are endless!

I've been getting back into mixed media projects lately, and shared this art journal guest book this summer.

Art journals and art canvas backgrounds can be made from just about anything! I save all my paper towels from other paint or ink projects for use in mixed-media projects. Simply dry them out and stack them with other supplies.

If you like to sketch while talking on the phone, or as a way to unwind at the end of the day, or to pass the time while waiting to have the oil changed, save those doodles and drawings in a file to add to your mixed-media journals.

Simply cut out around your sketch, and glue them into your journal or onto your mixed-media canvas. Other great materials include book pages (they don't have to be in English), scrapbook paper, and children's books. I love using vintage book pages, because it gives great background texture. You can always dry brush a bit of paint over your background to tone it down, if you need to.

Game cards are great for backgrounds or letters and words can be cut from the cards and added to your art.

Vintage ephemera adds a unique touch. I love this buttonhole technique brochure found at a local Goodwill Store.

Keep on the lookout for vintage greeting cards, as well!

Vintage wallpaper is amazing, as are vintage clothing patterns. Use the envelope or use the tissue or the instructions from inside!

Occasionally, a sketch gets developed a bit more -- in this case, I was experimenting with a set of oil pastels from Daiso Japan. Daiso Japan is like a Dollar Store, but everything is $1.50. I was pretty impressed with how well the oil pastels performed, considering the price!

Art and journaling doesn't have to be expensive. You don't need to run to the store for all your materials. You may find exactly what you need in an old box of letters or in in your recycling bin, or on the notepad next to your phone. What do you have in your art stash?

How to Convert Your Antique Double Bed to a Queen Bed

I recently posted about our antique bed makeover, but I forgot to share something really important -- how we convert our antique beds from double, or full-size, to queen size.

It can be very easy and affordable to convert most beds to queen, depending on the type of rails you have and how they are attached to your head board and foot board.

An Antique Bed Makeover

Months ago I shared that I was preparing to paint our old antique bed..... and then never shared another thing about it!

We had this lovely old waterfall style bed that we loved, but it was looking kind of tired, and had some veneer damage.  In the condition it was in, it's value was largely sentimental, so refinishing didn't make sense. Besides, the bed lives in our beach cottage, and we were ready to lighten things up a bit with pretty paint!

Pinwheel Art, Sunburst Art, and Star Burst Art

Pinwheels, Sunbursts, and Star Bursts, oh my!  I am loving the DIY pinwheel art trend. How about you?

It's simple and graphic, and can easily be adapted for your project. Choose the medium that works best for you, and be inspired by these creations!

Painting Interior Doors Black

Sometimes all it takes it just a bit of black to make a space feel more sophisticated.  In the last few years, painting interior doors black has been gaining in popularity.

Painting doors black can be just the right thing to add a little contrast and interest to an otherwise boring hallway, and it can certainly add a feeling of elegance, without seeming precious.

Trestle Table Inspiration for Your Home

Trestle tables are all the rage right now, but paying full retail for a brand new table might be more than your budget can handle.

If you have your heart set on a trestle table, but need to confine your search to craigslist and second-hand stores, it can seem a little disheartening! Badly damaged tops, and 1970's styling and finishes can be hard to overlook, but if the table is structurally sound, maybe all it needs is a face-lift!

Five Reasons to Shop at a Thrift Store Right Now

Seriously! You need to go RIGHT NOW!  Well, read this post first, but then GO!  Thrift stores are amazing places. Yes, you have to sift through a lot of junk, but the results can make it worth your while -- especially if you love a $700 chair, but only have the budget for a $7 chair.

Lots of items that are donated to thrift stores are very high quality items, and with a little refurbishing can look fabulous in your home.  Some items are perfect just as they are!

High Chair Makeover

Several months ago I found this little wooden highchair at a local thrift store.  We do a lot of entertaining at the beach house, and our guests often include babies and toddlers, so a good sturdy highchair has been on our list of things to get.

When I saw the price of this highchair, I knew it was coming home with me.  Are you ready for this?  It was $4.99!  I loaded that baby into my shopping cart!

A Little Seattle Tudor

I recently did several paint consults for this little Tudor. This was going to be a big project -- repainting the entire home interior, plus plaster repairs. Basically, this meant that over the course of a few weeks, my client was going to have to move his furniture around over and over again, and move some of his belongings temporarily into storage. As you can see, however, repainting was long overdue!

(I suggested addressing the light fixture while we were at it.)

{Inspired} Ideas for Pretty Painted Beds

In a couple of days I'm heading back to the beach house -- hopefully to paint some bedroom furniture! For inspiration I've been scouring catalogs, websites, and furniture stores. I don't know about you, but I love color. I have these conflicting voices in my head, saying "paint your bed a cheerful pretty color" and "paint your bed a safe color"....  Guess which voice is winning?

I know, I know, it's been two years since the major part of our remodel, and I am still working on finishes and furnishings......