DIY – Francois et Moi

Easy Buttery English Toffee for Holiday Gifting

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Deliciously decadent and easy buttery English toffee recipe perfect for Holiday gifting + tricks and tips for a foolproof batch. Nine days to Christmas and the great cookie bake is on! I’m teaming up with a few designer blog friends for a holiday cookie recipe swap, so be sure to check out all the deliciously decadent recipes linked at the bottom of this post! We’ve been making a baking list, and checking it twice. Among our family holiday cookie favorites are Spritz cookies, pepparkakor ginger snaps, wreath cookies, and homemade caramel. Homemade caramel is what we usually make for friends and neighbor gifts, but this year we’re taking our caramelized sugar one step further (or 50F degrees higher) and doing buttery English toffee. What Exactly is English Toffee? What sets English toffee apart from American toffee or buttercrunch? In a word–almonds. English toffee, in addition to chocolate, usually incorporates almonds. In this case, we’re toasting our almonds prior to sprinkling them on top, which really maximizes their flavor. Tips for Toffee Success Candy-making sometimes gets a bad wrap for being hard to make, but if you’ve made caramel with me before (or even if you haven’t ), you’ve got this–I […]

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Treehouse Utility Bathroom Scope & Progress

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 21:29:19 +0000

From the humble ‘before’ to the tile + drywall progress: A look at the renovation of the Treehouse’s utility bathroom so far, including sources! The Not-So-Lovely Before: Over at the Treehouse, my parents have been renovating the utility bathroom, a room that is a combination of bathroom + laundry, and here are a few views of what the room looked like before. As you scroll through, you’ll see it was in rough shape. Yikes! It’s the bath on the lower level, and I think the previous owner did some of the finishing work themselves, but never *quite* finished. There was 12×12 beige ceramic tile that my mom has already demo’ed, but the ceiling over the laundry was never put in nor any sort of solution to conceal the water heater from view. The shower had a comically high big step up, so we’ll be addressing that as well. In case you’re just stopping over, The Treehouse is my parent’s home, which is located on a lake just outside of the Twin Cities. The home itself is perched on a hill making their 3 back decks feel completely nestled up in the tall juniper, birch, and oak trees that surround it. […]

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How to Turn Vintage Furniture into a Vanity

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 12:45:00 +0000

From thrifted desk to functional bathroom sink console! Here’s an in-depth look at how we turned an old, $40 piece of furniture into a vanity. Dreams really do come true! I’ve been fantasizing about turning a vintage piece of furniture into a vanity for over a year, and we finally made it happen! Not only is repurposing vintage furniture as bathroom vanities more cost effective than buying new, it’s also gentler on the planet. What was in this bathroom was a cookie cutter vanity, that I’m assuming was a quick band-aid for putting the house on the market. It’s served its purpose ok over the last 7+ years. However, the drain doesn’t work, the melamine wrap is coming off, and the back of the cabinet had been cut away inside, exposing the water lines, so as I mentioned in my bathroom progress post, every morning I’d wrestle with the pipes when reaching for my hair dryer. Last Fall I found this desk on Facebook Marketplace for $40. I love the classical details, the wood knobs and the shelf below. For the preservationists among us, don’t worry. This isn’t a precious antique. The drawer boxes (though dovetailed) are constructed of soft-ish […]

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Main Floor Bath Scope & Progress: Phase 2

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 19:57:29 +0000

A look at the main floor bath scope & progress as Ken and Erin add wainscoting and turn a vintage desk into a bath vanity. Mood board with sources! We’re digging into phase 2 of our main floor bathroom update, and it’s going to be good! The previous owner made some quick band-aid updates to this bathroom like a molded plastic surround in the bath/shower, and a cheap melamine vanity that I’ve always wanted to update. This bathroom has kind of limped along the last 7 years, and now we’re turning it into a space we love. The goal is to preserve and enhance the original 1930’s bones, all while creating a functional space that fits our style. Last year you may remember, we replaced the plastic tub surround with tile, and now we’re moving onto the other side of the room. We’re addressing the sink, and also adding wainscoting and trim while we’re at it. When you do the work yourself, sometimes it has to be done in chunks, and that’s okay. That’s life! Typically, I do separate blog posts to introduce the ‘before’ space, design direction, progress, featured DIY projects, etc. But this time I’m wrapping several blog […]

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Exploring Vintage Furniture Turned Bathroom Sink

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Sun, 30 Oct 2022 18:51:08 +0000

A quick-study on the trend of turning vintage furniture into a bathroom sink. Plus, unique and vintage-esque bathroom countertop ideas to steal! I’ve been enamored with the idea of turning an old desk into a bathroom sink in our small 1930’s main level bathroom for over a year now. Currently there’s a big box, cookie cutter vanity left from the previous owner. You can see a peek at the current vanity here. Suffice it to say it’s not my favorite, so as I scheme on old-furniture-turned-sink console ideas, I’ve corralled them all here for a quick-study on the “trend”. I use the term ‘trend’ loosely though, because I don’t actually see this as being trendy. To me, it’s a classic look that has longevity. See more ideas on my Bathroom Design Ideas Pinterest Board–it’s where I’m storing all the ideas inspiring me for this bathroom! Okee! Let’s get down to brass tacks. Here are a few of my favorite examples of vintage furniture repurposed in the bathroom. Trisha Troutz Marie Flanagan Dio Media Trisha Troutz Marianne Simon Design Boschner Design Writing-Desk-Inspired Backsplashes While we’re at it, let’s talk about the writing-desk-inspired backsplash. Many old writing desks have a low-slung wood […]

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DIY Textural Art

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 11:42:19 +0000

Channel your inner ‘artiste’ with DIY textural art! Use a tile trowel and modeling paste to create minimal and chic large-scale art in an afternoon. I first became infatuated with textural art two years ago after discovering the work of artists like Krogh Andersen. It has such movement and visual interest, all the while feeling minimal and chic. Last year I picked up some modeling paste, pulled out a trowel, and began experimenting with troweling paste into 3D art. However, I didn’t document a minute of it, because frankly I wasn’t sure it’d turn out. But much to my chagrin, it did turn out, and I LOVE it! So I’m back at it partnering with Handy Products to create another piece–this time with a very detailed tutorial, so you can make one too with confidence! What Type of Paste Should I Use? Flexible Modeling Paste: I use Flexible Modeling Paste because it trowels nicely without looking clumpy like joint compound sometimes can. It comes pre-mixed and takes the guesswork out of finding the right consistency. The paste is true white in color, and it can be mixed with acrylic paint if you want to add an element of color. Mixing […]

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Repairing Pottery with Kintsugi

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 02:36:22 +0000

Got a broken dish? Learn Kintsugi, or golden joinery, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery and embracing its imperfections. Recently, A reader on Instagram inspired me to try Kintsugi when she recommended repairing my ginger jar lid this way. I taught myself with this coral plate and will repair my broken, more complicated ginger jar lid is next! This isn’t true Kintsugi. Kintsugi kits are much more expensive and involve several additional steps. However, the essence is the same: repairing what’s broken and celebrating the imperfections with golden joinery. I’ve tried a few different methods involving clear epoxy as well as adding gold mica powder to the epoxy, but neither gave the look I was after. JB Weld Epoxy Resin was the ticket! Here we go! Supplies: Broken Dish JB Weld Epoxy Resin Toothpick Cardboard Square Liquid Leaf Paint (Gold leaf paint is not food safe, so the result is more decorative.) Art Knife or Box Cutter Painter’s Tape Small Paintbrush, size 0/2 1. Glue the dish back together using epoxy resin. Apply with a toothpick and work quickly as it sets up pretty fast. 2. Once dry, carefully use a craft knife to scrape off excess epoxy that […]

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DIY Kids Art Display

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 12:00:22 +0000

Create a dedicated space to display your kiddo’s art with this large DIY kids art display wall complete with a custom stenciled graphic unique to your family! Today is an exciting day. I’ve been dreaming of a kids art display wall since the day Sylvia started pumping out art projects by the easel-full. Studies show displaying your kids art empowers them by building confidence, developing sense of self, and encouraging creativity. My idea was to create a French-inspired ‘Galerie’ that plays on our last name, Francois. In terms of materials, cork was an obvious choice for a kids art display wall, but I chose it especially for this project because it’s very fast growing–an Earth-friendly rapidly renewable resource. This particular cork is ¼” thick. It comes in a roll and though it has mixed reviews on Amazon, it arrived here in one piece and worked great for this project. Large format projects like these keep you on your toes. Literally. From stenciling the cork graphics, to mounting the 3’ x 5’ cork sheet and backer board on the wall, to painting the picture frame trim, you’re always moving. And that’s why I’m partnering with Handy Products to bring you this […]

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DIY Radiator Cover Plans

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 20:08:53 +0000

Want to build a radiator cover? Learn how to create a beautiful, pre-war inspired radiator cover with our downloadable radiator cover plans! Well it’s been 2.5 years since we made this radiator cover for the foyer, I’m FINALLY sharing plans on how to create one yourself. Omg. Finally! I can’t tell you how many inquiries I’ve gotten about this project and so I’m really happy to finally get them in your hands! This is an intermediate to advanced project that requires some experience with building furniture. I’ve noted our dimensions, but of course, adjust them to your radiator size or if you don’t have radiators, perhaps build this cover as a table that gives the illusion of an old radiator in your space. We had to get a little (ok, alot!) creative, with the trim pieces on this piece. Ken spent weeks (I’m not exaggerating!) looking for a curved hardwood piece for the corners before finally going with MDF. If we could’ve done hardwood we would’ve but we’re not in the business of steam bending wood. This is the curved MDF piece we used. The radiator cover only uses 10″ total of curved or radiused corner moulding. However the only length […]

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How to Make: Scissor Arm Wall Lamp

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 17:42:16 +0000

Looking for a bedside reading lamp? Make this easy scissor arm wall lamp. In this post you’ll find a step by step guide for creating your own chic sconce! When Sylvia moved into a twin bed, we said sayonara to her rocking chair due to lack of space. Old homes. Tiny rooms. What are ya gonna do?! Without the chair, we now read bedtime books on her bed and needed a reading light. The analog scissor arm of this wall sconce feels playful, while the general concept of a reading light feels a bit ‘grown-up’. Sylvia loves that she can stretch and move the light on her own, and even turn it off from her bed. Ah, it’s the little things in life. Isn’t it friends? The scissor arm frame ($20 bucks!) and socket are from Amazon. The twisted fabric cord is from etsy. I found the shade thrifting and added a pleated floral fabric and yellow bias tape with hot glue. Down the road I’d like to add an on/off switch to the cord, but for now we’re keeping it basic! Let’s make this sconce, shall we? Supplies: Scissor Arm Lamp Frame Twisted Cloth Cord with Plug-in Light Socket – […]

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DIY Star Anise Wreath

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 03:14:42 +0000

How to create a festive star anise wreath using a metal clothes hanger, hot glue, and whole star anise spice. Hint: it’s easy and fast to make! This week’s hygge-ly craft is an easy and fast star anise wreath made with a metal clothes hanger! Supplies: Wire clothes hanger Whole star anise Wire cutter Hot glue gun Floral wire (optional) Velvet ribbon Bend hanger into circular shape. Press kinks into table surface to smooth. For a smaller wreath, cut hanger wire with wire cutter & twist ends together. Use floral wire to secure, if necessary. Attach star anise with a dab hot glue on the back. Tie a velvet ribbon bow on the neck of the hanger. More Holiday Crafts DIY Window Candelabra Made from Scrap Wood Easy Pear and Cedar Centerpiece How to Make a Nordic Origami Star

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DIY Window Candelabra from Scrap Wood

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 13:29:36 +0000

Celebrate light amidst Winter’s long nights with a DIY window candelabra inspired by Scandinavian tradition. Make this project affordably using scrap wood! When it comes to holiday decorating, my style usually comes to life in two ways: Bringing the outdoors in. Celebrating my Scandinavian heritage through handmade decor and crafts. I’ve been wanting to light our front window with a candelabra since we bought this old house 6 years ago. Window candelabras or adventsljusstakar in Swedish, are often used for Advent or to bring a welcoming glow during long winter nights and are common across Scandinavia. Window candelabras are an investment cost-wise though. I love this candelabra from Star Trading and a few other online retailers, but with shipping from Sweden, the cost is over $100 smackers, and I’m not sure it would get here in time to enjoy for Winter Solstice. I was pulling into the garage one afternoon and spotted our big stash of scrap wood collected throughout the year. At that moment it dawned on me; I could make a candelabra pretty darn affordably using scrap wood! My candelabra has a few tweaks, it’s smaller in scale to proportionally work in our windows. It has a curved […]

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