DIY: Taking the Guess Work Out of Picture Hanging

Okay, so maybe you already know this, if so, just ignore this post. I can't remember where I first heard about this method myself, but I thought I'd share for those of you who are as of yet uniformed. This is especially helpful when hanging groups of art together.

1) Measure the size of the frames you want to hang and cut pieces of craft paper to the exact size of the frames.

2) Using masking tape, place the cut pieces of craft paper on the wall in the location you want to hang the pictures. Then adjust until you have the exact spot where you want to place the wall art. 

This step is great because you can play around with the wall position of the various pieces of art until you find the perfect spot and can actually see exactly what it will look like before you've hung a single picture.

3) Measure and mark the top middle of the craft paper with a vertical line.

4) Measure the distance from the top of the frame to the top of the hanger on the back of your frame.

5) Take that measurement to draw another line at the top of the paper. This time draw a horizontal line.

6) These two lines should cross. Where they cross is exactly where you want to hang the picture. Take a nail and hammer and tap gentle to create an indentation in the wall where the two lines meet.

7) Now you can take down the craft paper, hammer your nail into the indentation point and hang your picture. Simple. And no unnecessary holes in your walls! Tada!

Your Secret Garden

Love this idea for an amazing outdoor dining experience

Well, its mid-February and I know its not just me, we're all feeling the winter blues and dreaming of sunshine on your skin, the great outdoors & gardening. The good news is that just a month and a half and it will be SPRING!!! So to help banish your winter blues I've complied a list of some of my favorite outdoor gardening/yard ideas. You know, its never to early to begin planning your outdoor projects, so let me help you get started:

For lounging under your favorite trees

There are yards and then there are yards. I like a yard to feel private and lush, like in one of my favorite childhood books: The Secret Garden....

Private modern paradise & great idea for rectangular back yards

Vertical succulent garden; could also do this with herbs.

Lounge about all day

Add a little deck & garden out your patio doors

How about a sod couch?

Or a garden on your table?

Even small outdoor rooms can be colourful, dramatic & inviting

 Even small changes can make a big impact. It doesn't have to be expensive or over the top. Let's not overlook the drama and visual impact a few large potted plants can make. A good tip is to try to create smaller, designated, intimate spaces within the larger yard space, like you would in a house. And most of all have fun with it, play around, experiment, after all it's your secret garden!