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The Pinterest Challenge Project

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Today is the day! 

I am so excited to finally be able to see this day actually happen.  Yup, after months of pitching, discussing, planning, videotaping, emailing, and actual project tackling, today is the day to celebrate the amazing inspiration that is Pinterest and the fact that we got off our bums and did something good for our homes.  And to think that this whole thing began with a little chat on the floor when Sherry came to visit and ended with HGTV’s Design Star saying she was in 🙂  Crazy.

If you have no clue what I am talking about – click here and watch the video.  It explains what we are up to and how you can get in on the action.  Oh and just so everyone knows – Pinterest has no idea we are doing this…we just thought it would be fun to use it as a tool for great inspiration. 

As for my project – here’s what has been happening on my Pinterest boards lately:

A whole lotta mirrors.  And my favorite just happens to be that first one – the one by the fabulous Kristi of Addicted 2 Decorating.  After finding her blog and seeing her tutorial on how she made her Apartment Therapy inspired decor piece, I pinned that bad boy and began planning on how I could make my own.

I’m not gonna explain how I did this step-by-step…only because Kristi already did a wonderful job doing that.  Instead, I wanna show you what I did different.  Like for one…my shims were 1 inch wide and needed to be only two inches long.  That was part of my plan.  So I rigged the miter saw to have a board clamped to it acting like a guide – all I had to do was push the shim all the way up to meet the board and WAHLA!  two inch cuts.

And let me tell ya…there were lots of cuts needed.

Then I played around with patterns.  I have always liked basketweave backsplashes – you know, with subway tile – so I figured that it would also look pretty darn cute surrounding a mirror too. 

And as you can see, I didn’t use MDF…but instead some particle board that I got for 51 cents in the clearance bin at Home Depot. 

After glueing, waiting, jigsawing and sanding – we have this beauty… 

Oh and you may notice that my edges are slightly more refined than jagged ole particle board (that tends to splinter really bad)…it’s all thanks to veneer edging.

This stuff is amazing.  And yes, I have plans for the leftovers…

All I did was use my regular old iron to adhere it to the edges and cover up all those imperfections.  If only my makeup stayed put that easily.  of course, the idea of ironing concealer onto my face isn’t ideal.  but permanent concealer might be worth it.  beauty is pain people.    

Then came time to stain.  I wanted it to be rich and masculine looking…so I opted for MinWax’s Dark Walnut. 

At first I wanted to make something for our guest bedroom…to put something over the bed…

But after I made it, I loved it so much that I wanted to enjoy it for myself.  Why give it to guests who will enjoy it maybe once a month when I can keep it for myself and enjoy it everyday, right?!  I’m nothing if not completely selfless…

Oh and Jeremy?  Yeah – he loves it.  We both agreed that it looks good with the dark sidetables and the lighter bed (it just wouldn’t have worked with the darker bed in the guest bedroom…sometimes chocolate on chocolate only works when it comes to ice cream…or bacon). 

But the real WOL (woah-out-loud) inducing factor of this piece is the interesting texture and finish.     

So there you have it folks – my first Pinterest Challenge project complete! 

Be sure to check out my fellow Pinterest Challengers:

Sherry @ Young House Love

Emily @ Style By Emily Henderson

Lana @ Making a House a Home

And how did you guys do?  Did you tackle a personal project?  Was it something that you pinned?  I’d love for you to share! If you participated this past week in doing your own spin on something you pinned and you blogged about it, just click on the little blue button below to link up your Pinterest Challenge project. Can’t wait to see what you did! Who knows…maybe next time it will be someone else’s next project inspiration!



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  6. It looks gorgeous, Katie! Great job! Thanks for the Pinterest Challenge – it did motivate us to actually DO something with the ideas we have pinned and the lawn Twister was a huge success at our party! So fun!

  10. Hi Katie –

    Your mirror turned our fabulous and looks so great over your bed! Thanks for coming up with this great idea for a Pinterest challenge. It motivated me to make that fairy garden for my kids that I dedicated a whole Pinterest board to.

    You da bomb!

  14. You win! I checked them all out. I LOVE YOUR MIRROR! YHL’s chandelier is a close second :).

  15. It looks so good Katie Bower. So good in fact, I felt it was necessary to use your whole name.

    I love it , and just think YOU MADE IT. And let me tell you, it looks like something that would have to be PURCHASED for a bunch of $$ dollas. Yep, dollas.

  16. Wow! I am super impressed. I really like how you changed the original inspiration piece to make it your own with a different pattern and color. It’s beautiful!

  19. Looooove it!!! And as Paige earlier commented “Looks very expensive.” and so not DIY! Good job!

  23. Looks great!! How do you find the time?! Makes me feel like a lazy lump for not taking part in the challenge! Next time 

  24. That’s gorgeous! I love it! It looks like an expensive designer mirror.

    I made two projects… but I’m too busy this morning at work (gee, the nerve of my boss, making me work instead of blog), so the post will have to wait until lunch.

    Can’t wait to show off the hubs and I’s handiwork!

  28. Oh my goodness Katie! I was swooning over the mirror you pinned a day or so ago and began thinking “CAN I DO THIS?!?!” Your version is even more awesome! I have tried to get back to work but all I can think is I can’t wait to make one of these for us! Imitation is the best form of flattery right?!?!?!

  29. Hi Katie, I’m a new follower on facebook! I’m just found your site through the Pinterest Challenge at Young House Love. I LOVE IT! I’m pretty new to the blogging scene, like two months new. : ) I love linking up to show off projects, what a great way to meet other bloggers. Anyway, just wanted to say hi. And your mirror, is gorgeous!! Awesome job you two! : ) ~ Catie

  30. LOVE IT! Seriously. Now trying to think of where I can put something like that.
    When you said permanent concealer, it made me think of this old What Not To Wear (love them!) episode wherethe lady had black eyeliner tattooed on both the top AND bottom lash line. I thought Carmindy (the makeup chick) was going to cry.
    Vomit

  36. WHOA! Sooo cool! I have had a project like this in mind for a while- even bought the shims a few weeks ago! They’re still sitting in a Home Depot bag somewhere.. thanks for the inspiration, this looks great!

  38. How long did it take to complete this project? Was it definitely a DIY project for someone experienced? It looks AMAZING but I’m worried it would be too difficult for the average gal to conquer. Great work and looks beautiful in your bedroom!

  39. I love what you’ve made. It really looks great in the darker stain I think. It gives off more of a regal chi-chi kind of look ya know? I hopefully will get to get in on the next one. I neglect my Pinterest far too much.

    My best, Lynn
    *I just found your blog and now I will have so many nice things to catch up on. Last night I spent far too much time watching all your house tour videos. Beautiful digs in both places lady!

  43. Thanks for the challenge Katie! it was such good timing. i had decided to FINALLY work on something inspired by Pinterest after pinning for several months. thanks for the kick in the butt to get it done!

  45. Katie, that looks so great! I love the dark stain and the texture. Nice work! And thanks for facilitating the thinking gears to put this project together. Sure, I may have lost sleep, but I am loving my new chandelier! Yay Pinterest Challenge!

  46. Okay, first of all, I’m honored that you used my mirror project as your inspiration, and second, I like yours SO MUCH BETTER!!! 😀 It could have something to do with my recent fascination with/addiction to anything herringbone, but darn it, now I’m going to have to make another one using YOURS as my inspiration!! 🙂 You did such a fantastic job, and it turned out really beautiful.

  48. I love this mirror! It might have to be my next project! Thanks so much for coming up with the whole challenge idea, you girls all rock! 🙂

  49. Oh, I just love how that pattern turned out. I am thinking I might like this for the backsplash in my laundry area. Hmmm…..

  51. This is just gorgeous, Katie. I’ve used the edge banding before (thanks to Ana White) and it’s so much easier than one would expect! I can’t imagine trying to do it on a rounded edge, though… Great job! xo

  55. Did you cut the inner and outer circles yourself, or did you just have your son chew on the wood until it approximated circles? Them some ruff circles yo!

  59. Haha! No, I cut them with a jigsaw (per Kristi’s instructions) and for some reason they look wonky…I swear they are round but I think the iron-on stuff didn’t bend as easily in some places so it looks like that. Thankfully the pictures exaggerrate it a little more.
    xo – kb
    p.s. You should know that we only let Will chew on electrical cords.

  62. I absolutely love it!! I agree with everyone else that it looks like something out of an expensive homewares store. Well done 🙂

  64. love the mirror and am feeling quite inspired! and i also LOVE the comment about chocolate and bacon (that is what you intended right?)….one of my favourite brown on brown combos!!

  66. I’d love to follow you on Pinterest, what is your Pinterest name? I’m searching everything I can think of and am coming up blank. I need to stalk you and you’re making it difficult (kidding!). Could you please put up a link on your homepage to your Pinterest page (I’m sure other people are looking for you too) or do you like to keep your Pinterest private?

  68. Loved it,Britney; I mean Katie! You placed it in the perfect spot. I enjoyed your British accent in the video. You’re a hoot! Thanks for the inspiration.

  69. OMGeee Katie Bower I love your mirror. That stain is just freakin sexy, there’s no way around it. Once you go black…er.. Dark Walnut… Shmanyways. What was your budget breakdown for that project, if you please ma’am?
    Not like you’re busy with life and a huge house and a wedding coming up or anything, but you know what else would be swell is if you’d get a video of cutting something into a circle like that. With a jigsaw, did you say? For those of us who aren’t power tool savvy yet.

  70. haha!
    Actually I think the lack of sideburns are from my awesome wrestling moves. like the Head-Grinder. or the one I call The Sideburn Sander 🙂
    xo – kb

  71. LOVE, Love, love this challenge. I didn’t participate, but seeing everybody’s work is getting me inspired.

  72. Isn’t it soo cool?
    I am overwhelmingly impressed with all the folks that tackled this challenge with us! Blows my mind!
    xo – kb

  73. Good idea!
    The shims were $6, the particle board was $.51, the veneer was $6.47 – the glue, stain, mirror (leftover from our wedding – ha!), and hooks were all free because they were leftovers from other projects – bringing our grand total to….quick grab a calculator…$13. Not too shabby!
    And yes – the jigsaws are awesome. I can’t wait to use it again…I think a video is in order 🙂
    xo – kb

  75. Katie, you and this project are awesome!
    I love how you keep it real and stand up for yourself! 🙂 Take care and keep up the good work!
    Karla

  79. I love the mirror! I am getting so many ideas from the Pinterest Challenge. I’m totally joining up for the next time! I just started reading your blog and am really enjoying it 🙂

  80. Very creative and interesting. Above all, low cost. BTW, what thickness was your particle board?

    Thanks

  81. Great job, Katie! I love your mirror. I’ve seen so many versions of the sunburst and round mirrors & this one really takes it up a notch. love your challenge. I’m in ATL too & hope to meet you one day!

  83. Let’s do it Rhoda!
    And just so you know – I loved your Biltmore/Shaw flooring/HGTV recap post – I was totally green with envy. like a good shade of emerald to be exact 🙂
    xo – kb

  87. So late with this. But I loved your idea but was in the middle of planning a birthday party and vacation and wasn’t able to participate on the exact day. I was using Pinterest to gather ideas for Remie’s birthday and did my challenge on a couple inspiration images when planning her party.

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