Friday, June 22, 2012

227 DIY Rope Basket

Today's project is one of those, "Ooooh, I have a great idea!" and "I am going to save so much money!" and "This will be SO easy!" projects.

In the end, I wasn't saying those things so ecstatically or loudly, but I was still really really happy with the end result.

First remember our guest bedroom?


We attempted to use an IKEA Lack side table and decided it wasn't right for the space.  After some additional thought, I changed my mind and decided to make it work {surprise surprise right?}


But something was totally missing.  Something to fill that giant gaping hole staring at you right when you enter the room.

I brainstormed a few options and landed on some sort of basket to hold a few cozy throws for our guests.  I really wanted another rope utility basket.  Have you seen them?  I love.

They offer of softness and texture and something about them just makes me smile.  In fact, I splurged on one during a flash sale last year for the playroom, and it's been really fantastic for the kids.  However, coming in typically between $70 and $100 {or between $40-$60 on sale}, they absolutely are not a guest bedroom budget friendly option.

So I decided to make one myself!


The idea was simple.  I had some extra rope from our DIY canvas bin handles (cotton filler cord found at JoAnn with a coupon or online on Amazon), so it would only be a matter of purchasing some more and wrapping it around a dollar store basket.

So, off to the dollar store I went.  My particular store had a variety of baskets, but for the size I wanted, unfortunately for me they only carried a black option...


But that is what spray paint is for right?


I will save the step by step spray paint process, but basically it was a coat of primer and two coats of matte white, left to cure for two days.  I only worried about the inside since the outside would be covered by the magical rope.

I did a test run of wrapping the rope around the basket.  Based on how much I was able to get around the basket, I figured I would need about five packages of rope total.  I already had almost one full package left from my last project.  I bought six more just to be safe.  At $2.99 a pack, it was already becoming a bit more expensive than I was hoping....

In looking at the rope I made a last minute decision that I wanted to bring in some color.  That the creamy colored cotton rope would be a little bland in the room.  But I was already home from the craft store and ready to get started {and the craft store is over 30 minutes away}... so I needed to think about potential ways to turn the rope a new shade.  The only thing I could come up with was to mix a little bit of paint with water....


The trick to getting the color to stick to the rope was to actually squeeze the rope under the water so it would absorb it.  Then, it was a waiting game while it took a few days to sit out and dry...

I thought stripes/alternating color would be good, so I only colored half of my rope stash.

Once the rope was dry and the spray paint was cured, it finally came time to attach the rope to the basket.  This part was easy peasy but a bit time consuming.


Using a hot glue gun, we just ran the glue and pushed down the rope... we started under the basket lip to get a nice straight starting line.


Then we just kept on going, around and around and around.  Yes, we used the glue along every inch of the rope, just to be sure it would be nice and sturdy since the basket really wasn't {it was only a buck, you get what you pay for}.


It was stacking up oh so nicely!  We continued until the entire thing was covered....  And then added rope around the top as well to give it a nice finished look.


The inside isn't the most glamorous looking, it looks like a white basket with rope wrapped around it.  But once the blankets and throws are inside, it's all good!


I quickly popped it into it's new home.  I adore!



Making for an oh so pretty before and after story!


Total cost for supplies came in at around $20, since I used each package of the rope I purchased.  It also took about four days since I had so much hurry up and wait time for paint to dry.  In the end, not as quick and cheap as I thought it would be, but it was still far less than my inspiration basket and customized to fit my needs so I will check it off as a win!

It also inspired me to look at other basket wrapping options and check out less expensive finish alternatives such as jute and twine...

Anyone else been making over dollar store finds lately?  How about getting halfway through a project and realizing it wasn't going to be as inexpensive as you were hoping, but you loved the results anyway?


227 comments:

  1. Oh I love this so much! Totally pinning so I can do it! :) Thank you for sharing!

    Katlyn xo
    The Dreamy Meadow

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  2. Very cute! And, I actually have this on my list of things-to-do for the summer, but a smaller version. You can tell you put a lot of work into it. Awesome job once again.

    xoxo,
    Kristin

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  3. What a cute little basket!! Great idea! A must do in my book!

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  4. So cute! I adore the texture. Now, to find an excuse to make one myself... :)

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  5. I love it! Thanks for the idea. I wish I had time for everything to dry. So if I attempt this, it will take nearly 2 weeks to complete :)

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  6. this might be one of my favorite tutorials of yours so far! So cute & functional - I will definitely be stealing the idea for my son's new big boy room...mine might be gray & white. Love!

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  7. Every project I start is always forethought as "quick and easy and waaay cheaper than buying pre-made!" And almost everytime I've been wrong. I say almost because the second time I attempted no-sew roman shades, it was much easier.

    I bought a thingy of twine about a year ago and have been wanting to wrap it around some random glass vase, but haven't yet. I have a feeling though that it could be my first "quick and easy and way cheaper than those that I saw at Target the other day!" (hello, dejavu!)

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  8. Adorable! I had to laugh though that a 30 minute drive to the store would take too long, but waiting days for rope to soak was OK. I would never have the patience for that. LOL. I do think your gorgeous color is way better than any color you would have found at the store. :)

    ❤Jodi from...
    ★★The Clutter-Free Classroom★★
    Helping Teachers Get Organized

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    1. I agree that is totally funny. I guess I meant it was too far to drive back just to purchase fabric dye, so I opted to use something I had on hand... :) Glad I did too since the colors seemed to be just right.

      xoxo,
      Jen

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    2. What may have made it a little less expensive would be to use the big chunky yarn and if you can sew, it would not take much to make a pretty liner for it. Just some ideas...Mary

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  9. I love these DIY functional furniture things! Nothing is more satisfying than knowing you need something for a room, and then making it.

    Awesome basket and VERY lovely room. I bet your guests don't ever want to leave that tranquil space.

    Have a great weekend!

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  10. Super cute!

    Thanks for the inspiriation =)

    I recreated a photo wreath I saw on Pinterest. My plan was to make one for my mom, grandma, mother in law, and myself for Mother's Day... the tutorial made it look so easy!

    Well... after printing pictures, buying ribbon and the Styrofoam wreath it took about 2 hours and $18 for one. ONE! No way I was making 3 more.

    So I kept the one I made for myself and hung it proudly at my desk at work =)

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    1. Oooh, that has happened to me too! At least the intentions were good, lol! :)

      xoxo,
      Jen

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    2. I had seen a pool noodle taped together is a LOT cheaper than buying those foam wreaths at the craft store. Just an idea maybe next time....

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  11. That is some serious ingenuity! I'm totally inspired!! I might have to try this!

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  12. oh my gosh i love this!!! You are so patient too, whenever I start a DIY I always want to finish it THAT day to get the instant gratification haha. hopefully I can muster up some patience and tackle this project

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    1. Oh, we could be sisters. I am the same way and get really antsy to get things done right away, my husband often has to keep my excitement and overly optimistic "it will be so quick and easy" attitude in check, lol.

      xoxo,
      Jen

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    2. I realized I'm two years late with this post. I also suffer from instant gratification. Especially when using spray paint. Need to learn to to thin layers and then keep added after they've dried. :)

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  13. cute cute cute!!! We are SO on the same wave this week!! I just made a trivet by doing the same thing with sisal (posted it this week!), and then made a bowl with the leftover (posting next week!) I love this multicolored basket with rope though, so super cute! What will we do next?!?! ;)

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    1. Haha, that is too funny! Off to check out your project now, I just love everything you do!

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  14. You have the best ideas! Love it!

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  15. Brilliant! You always know just what a space needs (for both aesthetics and function), and I love that your home gets transformed gradually and with patience and thought. Question: did you cover the bottom of the outside of the basket with rope, or did you stop when the sides were all covered? Probably a minor detail, but I was just curious. Thank you! Anita Y. in Southern California

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    1. Hi Anita!

      I just went down to the very bottom of the sides, I skipped the bottom since I just didn't have enough rope left, but considered it and it could easily be done in the future.

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  16. So creative!! Just added this to my ever growing list of DIY projects.

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  17. that's so fab! i think i might be doing that one of these days too :) staining the rope with paint & water was a smart idea too!

    i am such a fan of yours!

    anyway jen, can i have your organizing opinion on my garage? the url add is this: http://smart-momma.blogspot.com/2012/06/part-1-garage-attack.html

    would really appreciate it..i am also open to anybody's organizing suggestion too...

    thanks!

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  18. what a GREAT idea! I think i'm going to use this for a client project I'm working on!! Thanks fort he DIY!

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  19. Where did you find the white coverlet on the bed in the "after" pictures? I've been looking for something like that for a long time! Thanks!

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    1. Hi Blue!

      It was from HomeGoods sometime last year.

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  20. Love it! And the idea to color the rope with watered down paint is a great one.

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  21. i love love love love this!!! just pinned it and plan on making 2 of these for our living room. you are awesome, as always!

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  22. love it! and love the color you did, so lovely!

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  23. Great idea and it looks so pretty. I wonder if you could get a large cheapie plastic planter to wrap the rope around. It might be a little sturdier, but more expensive. And for a brighter rope color, maybe use liquid Rit dye? At any rate, this is awesome and I love the look and texture! Great job!

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    1. That is a great idea! Near me, at least, plastic planters are on sale from their already cheap prices (the kind that are made to look like terra cotta). They might be slightly different shapes but I think they'd be a good option.

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  24. OMG Jen you always amaze me. I HEART this project. It's gorgeous!!! Thanks for sharing. Overall, it was a cheap project. :)

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  25. Seriously you are amazing with all your DIY's and organizational skills!!

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  26. oh my gosh - this is GREAT!! I've been loving all the rope baskets, but like you said - they are so expensive.

    Can't wait to hit up the dollar store for some baskets to cover :)

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  27. This is such a great idea! I've been trying to figure out creative ways to store scarves and belts and this would look great in my bedroom. Time to get some rope... :)

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  28. Holy camoly!!! (sp?) I can't believe you did this yourself! SO great!!!

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  29. Really fabulous! You are so creative and have way more patience than I haha!

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  30. Thank you so much for sharing this idea! I'm trying to figure out where I will put mine once i make it! I seriously love it!

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  31. I have to say this is so cute. I'm going to have to make a few myself.

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  32. Cute - I love it!

    Mackenzie
    http://mylifebeingmarried.blogspot.com

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  33. That's a really good money-saving solution. Great job!

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  34. Oh fabulous! It looks great on your side table!! WTG~

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  35. Where did you get that Fab blanket?

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    1. Hi Crys!

      The blue duvet was from Pottery Barn about two years ago, they only have the swatch online now: http://www.potterybarn.com/products/painterly-paisley-bedding-swatch/?pkey=e|Painterly%2BPaisley|1|best|0|viewall|24||1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-

      The white coverlet and shams were from HomeGoods last year.

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  36. So much fun! Almost worth buying a similar night stand for :-)

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  37. Great idea! You could also line the inside of the basket if you are really motivated and willing to spend a little more money. That way it doesn't look like a basket with rope around it on the inside. Just an idea that popped into my head when I read that part. :)

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    1. Absolutely! I just decided that I was at my budget threshold for this project, lol.

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  38. This is so cool and looks so easy! I'll have to try it! :)

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  39. Beautiful! From Dollar Store to Showroom piece!!!

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  40. I think it looks very, very nice! Great job! It's frustraing when it's a hurry up and wait project, but it seems to have been worth it.

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  41. So beautiful! I love the calm cool coastal look! I loooovvee it!

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  42. Very cute!
    Had a few questions for you:
    * Your guest room looks completely different - different bedding; different lamp; different mirror - do you utilize in your house in a different area or just replace?
    * when you say "we" - are you meaning your assistant or your hubby?
    :-)

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    1. Thank you!

      The duvet bedding is actually the same, however, I swapped out the blanket to a coverlet we already had and brought up a throw pillow from our Master Bedroom {since I am on the hunt for something different down there}. Most items just get moved around the home or are inexpensive finds {like that lamp, only $9 from a thrift store!} I did splurge on the mirror {$25 from HomeGoods} since I stole the other one from the guest room and put it in our kitchen. :)

      And yes, "we" is my Mr. and I. He is always around to give me a behind the scenes helping hand. :)

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  43. Oh my, I absolutely LOVE the basket idea!!! Yes, it's easier to go and buy one, but this is so much more personalized and pretty to look at!
    This will definitely be the next project on my to do list!!!

    Vera :)

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  44. I love this! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  45. Love it!! and where did you get your blue/green bedding from???? It's exactly what I've been looking for!

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    1. Hi Anne!

      The blue duvet was from Pottery Barn about two years ago, they only have the swatch online now: http://www.potterybarn.com/products/painterly-paisley-bedding-swatch/?pkey=e|Painterly%2BPaisley|1|best|0|viewall|24||1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  46. I use those dollar store baskets for laundry! They are great for quick trips back and forth from the laundry area. The basket is such a great idea!!!

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  47. Excellent tutorial! I love the colour palette of your room. Very pretty:)

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  48. Shirley said:
    I love this idea. Thanks for sharing.

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  49. wow, you are a smart cookie! I'm pinning this idea!! :)

    (p.s. I really need to make friends with spray paint. I wish I had a garage to use it in though...)

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    1. I use the garage when the weather isn't awesome, but just go out back for the most part. :)

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  50. Where did you get your headboard? Or did you DIY it?

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    1. Hi Kristal!

      The headboard was a DIY long before my blogging days. The hubs and his dad built the frame and I upholstered some MDF to create the insert.

      xoxo!
      Jen

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    2. Hi Mary Kay! MDF is a type of pressed wood. Any wood would do, I just went with MDF because it is typically less expensive and was being covered anyway.

      xo!

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  51. This is an amazing idea! I never would have thought of that. Great Job Jen! This basket is great. I am always impressed with how you work color into your home. I used to be an all neutral PB girl but I am slowly starting to work color in (much to the hubs' delight). Though sometimes I think adding color still scares me! Thanks for always inspiring me to keep trying and get it right so it looks great.

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  52. Great idea! Baskets are so expensive and this is a great way to get the color you want!

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  53. That is so pretty! I love the color combination! By the way, is the bottom of the basket left as is, or did you cover it with rope too?

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  54. You are AMAZING and I love this idea. I may actually give this a try!!!

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  55. You always know exactly how to make a space even prettier!
    Lovely!

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  56. Yes! I totally want to do this! Thank you!

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  57. Hi! This looks so awesome. You did a great job :D Just wondering where you got that cute little frame sitting on the night stand?

    Thanks!

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  58. Very creative way of having an organizer. I think we can also try this at home and maybe add some designs as well.

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  59. I am inspired! Thanks, Jen:)

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  60. This is definitely one of my favorite projects you've done! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Must try! :)

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  61. I love this idea Jen! So creative! I like to wrap things with jute twine all the time and rope would be another great alternative!

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  62. That is BRILLIANT!!!!! I love how custom it looks with the alternating color. You are so clever and crafty!

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  63. This is pure genius!!! What a clever DIY, I have to try this. Thanks for the inspiration, you are amazing!
    Xoxo
    Claudia

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  64. That looks fantastic, Jen! I like yours a lot more than the one from the store! I've done something similar, but never thought to dye the rope. Do you think the paint would come off if it ever got wet?

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  65. Okay... love this! Have been wanting a rope style basket for my bedroom to put laundry in but you're right at how expensive they are. Fantastic :) Thanks!

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  66. I have to be the oddball and say that I like the inside, too, with the basket showing. You are such a clever Organizer. Love everything you come up with.

    Keep writing...

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  67. Brilliant idea, and I have just such a cheap, plastic basket ..... looks like I have myself a project! Thanks for sharing.

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  68. This is beautiful--I love it! Of course, I look at the hot glue gun pictures and am traumatized by the memory of me burning myself with one the one time I tried to use it (I was 7). Really limits my DIY capabilities.... :)

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  69. LOVE! This is such a cute idea!!

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  70. When I was a kid my mom used to make rag wrapped rope baskets. They weren't too hard...bet they would be really cute now if you made them with modern prints instead of the country ones that were in style at the time

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  71. I think $20 for that beautiful basket is AMAZING! I also think that your guest room is nicer than most hotels I've been to. It makes me sad that your guest bedroom is prettier than my main bedroom! If only I could hire you to beautify my home.

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  72. Great project, looks fab in your room! I love your craft ideas and recently put a spin on your armoire 'Pinterest pinboard' by covering a corkboard in some old denim, using the jeans pocket for extra storage - I thought you might like to see http://tidyawaytoday.wordpress.com/

    Love reading your blog, by the way!

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  73. What if you lined the inside of the basket with fabric? You could use an old sheet to keep the cost down. Just an idea if you want to give it a more finished look.

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  74. Darling!! Thanks for the tutorial :)

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  75. I found your blog a month ago and I can't stop coming back... it's actually part of my daily routine hahahahaha....

    what a GREAT idea... It looks so nice the basket... Was it really hard to do... I really want to it and place it in my bathroom...

    love from: www.mycolorfulnest.com

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  76. I would love to see your home tour updated with pics of all your rooms changes! Love your blog and follow regularly! Thanks for opening your home for everyone to see!

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    1. You ready my mind! I was just thinking that a good update is in order!

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  77. I actually like the one you made better then the store bought one. ( Don't get me wrong, that one is pretty too.) I am in love with the one you made and I plan on making a couple myself. I don't think 20.00 is really bad at all. Thanks for the tutorial and idea.

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  78. You can always go to home depot or lowes and buy ripe by the foot. I thinks it's like 0.23 cents a foot or something like that. A lot more affordable

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  79. This basket is just darling. I'd really love to make a few of these for our place. Thank you so much for sharing this!!

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  80. Spray paint flakes off of plastic baskets terribly I'm afraid. I'd recommend lining your baskets so the contents don't get spray paint bits all over them.

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  81. Love the idea of wrapping a basket in rope. It turned out great!

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  82. VERY cute! I wonder how it would look if you took the rope, flat braided it, THEN glued it to the basket

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  83. Very clever! What a great idea! If you'd like to snag another one they are for sale in all different colors on Joss & Main right now for $27!

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  84. Good call with adding the colored rope. Now it totally matches the room. I love it!

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  85. Wow, looks SO great. The colors are wonderful!

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  86. So cute! Great idea. Fits into the room perfectly!

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  87. Come on! This is so darling. I never would have thought of this. Especially the painted rope bit. It looks so beautiful in there. Really envious of that duvet as well. So pretty.

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  88. This is soooo cute! I am in the process of making a MUCH smaller one, but I like this one a lot better! I think I am going to have to do this!

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  89. I have a "dry cleaning" hamper I've been wanting to dress up lately. I had planned on sewing a liner until iI saw this! I love it - such a cute idea and I'm able to bring in texture to the room at the same time!

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  90. Jen I love the colors in your guest bedroom. What is the paint color that you used? I think it would be the perfect color for my bedroom!

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    1. Hi Sarah!

      It is Behr's Burnished Metal. I love love the color! :)

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  91. This is such a great idea and can be used in so many ways! I can't wait to try this at home. :-D

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  92. Wow!! How beautiful! I like your basket much better than any I've seen in fancy magazines :)

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  93. I really love how this basket looks! What a clever idea, especially the color blocking!

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  94. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  95. Gorgeous! Great idea! In fact, I love the whole look of the room. Could you tell me the name of the wall color? Thanks!

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    1. Oops! Just noticed you answered my question above! Sorry! Thanks!

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  96. Hey Ken!
    Just wondering where you got the round frame sitting on the night stand?
    Thanks!

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  97. I have had this idea pinned for a while and wanted to get started on it. What type of rope did you use? I am having trouble finding some that seems soft enough and not so much like the rope used in elementary-gym-rope-climbing days.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Miss Jessie!

      I used a cotton rope from JoAnn. I found it near the window treatment isle.

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  98. What a great idea! I've actually been needing something to store some blankets in our family room in and this will do just the trick! I can't wait to start! Great tutorial!- Angie

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  99. This is so cute and I think that your basket looks way better than the expensive one! I had to double check the pics to see which was the knock off at first! way to go! pinning this right now :)

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  100. Just an idea for your next basket, put a canvas bag on the inside to hide the plastic basket. but amazing idea!!! love it, i am definately going to be doing this.!!!

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  101. For the inside- get a piece of cheap blue and white fabric-a paisley or toile, gather it up and glue to inside and then it's perfection!!! A great job - well done!

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  102. Awesome idea! Is that a plastic laundry basket or is it metal? I can't tell from the photos. The result is gorgeous!

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  103. Hi Jen!

    I am a brand new DIY in my new home. I've always been crafty but not as serious as I am now! I tried this out and posted my in progress photos on my new blog.

    You have inspired me so much with me tiny little fixer-upper house!

    hippytiedye.blogspot.com

    I also linked to this post and your blog. I want to make sure you get credit as my inspiration!

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  104. Oh my gosh!! Your basket is stunning!! Way nicer than the store bought one!! That whole room looks gorgeous as a matter of fact!!

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  105. Hi. I loved this basket the moment I saw it. I ordered some rope on ebay (20 yards at 7mm thick) but it is not enough to cover the basket. In total I paid $19 bucks for it. I am so disappointed because I have been so eager to start this project for our new nursery and I have to postpone now. So I was wondering if you could tell me where and what size rope you purchased? It would help me out alot. Thanks!

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  106. Advice on rope....go to a local habitat for humanity store. Seriously. I got a 50ft pack of rope for a $1.15 and if you have a membership card (it's free) or bring your own reusable bag they will give you 10% off! Seriously!

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  107. Love this idea, love the bedroom as well, it all works great together

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  108. Do you know how many yards of rope you used? Or at least how many yards were in one package. I found some rope at Hobby Lobby for sale by the yard and I'm not sure how much to buy. Thanks!

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  109. What color paint did you soak the rope in? It's beautiful. LOVE your blog. :)

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  110. Beautiful project. As for the inside, you could line with fabric to cover the plastic basket. The gluing seems most boring, did you consider carpet glue or carpet tape. Both will add to the total cost, BUT would make your life easier.

    It takes a TRUE DIYer to turn a $1 basket into $20 of material and days of work for what you could buy at Walmart for less; HOWEVER, we would not feel the pride of creating such a beautiful item.

    Excellent Job. (perhaps you'd like to put your skills to decorating my Cat Tree project ;-) )

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  111. Came across your blog recently. Really love how this project turned out. Awesome job (and I love the colour palette as well). :)

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  112. Turn it upside down and it's a lampshade :)

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  113. I love this tutorial! WOWEE!

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    Replies
    1. I did this with goodwill rope and a giant movie theater cup. I use it as a vase. This turned great on a larger scale.

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  114. Awesome, love it ... will definitely do something like this .. not sure if I will paint the rope of do it in natural but will do it!!! :D Thank you so much for sharing!!!! :)

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  115. Hi, I'm new at the whole organizing, and I was wondering if this will work as a toy Bin also. The one I have is all busted up, and trying to figure something else out is not working to well. I Love the way it came out and it is so Beautiful. See I have 2 boys and if it would work what colors should I use to give that Masculine Look. :-D Coming from my Husband. Lol

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    1. I think the basket could work great for kiddos and toys. And most colors would look great, blues, grays, greens, reds....

      xo!
      Jen

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  116. Absolutely stunning!!! I would have throught it came from Pottery Barn or Pier 1. My son uses a small basket like that in his room, I bet I could do his favorite college football team colors.

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  117. Hi Jen,

    I read through the comments & even tried zooming in on your bag of rope. =-) However, I couldn't find where it said, nor where you answered this question. So, here's hoping you'll answer it this time. =-)

    How much rope did you use all to gather, or how much was in the package, since you said it took about 6 or 7 packs????? Also, do you know the width of the rope you used, as I find it comes in two widths.


    Thanks bunches & Great blog!!!

    Jani

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    1. Hi Jani!

      So sorry, it's been so long since I did this project, that I don't recall total rope yardage or thickness, I no longer have the packaging.

      Again, so so sorry. It may be best to over purchase and return what is not used so you are not having to make multiple trips to the fabric store. Also, it may depend on the size of the basket you end up using.

      Thank you!
      Jen

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  118. I love your basket. Thanks so much for the great tutorial. It looks so classy...I'll be making this next weekend.

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  119. LOVE this!!! Can't wait to recreate something similar in my home!!

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  120. OMG! You are genius! Amazing!

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  121. What kind of paint did you use? What color was the paint? I like this color. Also about how many yards of rope were needed?

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  122. Amazing Idea!! Thanks so much for sharing!!

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  123. I'm totally pinning this for my new house!

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  124. Love what you did. Would also make a cute magazine holder or catch-all for the stairs!

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  125. Brilliant idea! I'll be making some of these to hold the kid's toys. Thank you.

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  126. How did you connect the rope sections so that it came out so nice? Did you tie them together and hide the knot on the inside or carefully cut the ends and glue together? It came out so beautifully and I want to make it.

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    1. I just used a little extra hot glue and pushed them together as seamlessly as I could. You can still slightly see the connection points, but I think it is part of the character ;) xoxo!

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  127. I absolutely love it.. I cant wait to jump in and create some beauties of my own.. and dont mind if i do.. n i will definitely share with you what you hv inspired me to do.. coz i am in absolute dire need of some storage bins.. Lets just hope i will be able to do it as well as you did.. coz I am terrrrrrrible at DIYs :)

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    1. Love that pun, you are going to jump into it:D

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  128. I love this idea and will forward it to my daughter and daughter in love and young friends. I will also try it.
    Many thanks for sharing.

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  129. Nice basket. I've made a similar one using the poly rope and a saudering iron to fuse the poly together, but yours looks much softer.

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  130. hi! Just stumbled across your website and love it! I just started some DIY projects and I wanted to rope a basket. Out of curiosity, why do you mix paint and water to dye the rope and not just use paint? Also, does the rope harden after you dyed it?

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    1. Hello!

      I was aiming to get the effect of a dye without having to drive to the craft store to purchase it. So, I improvised and thought that paint would add soft color, while the water would help it absorb into the rope vs. harden on the outside of the rope. It seemed to work great! The rope did not harden, which was exactly what I was hoping for.

      xoxo!

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  131. Even though it cost more than you planned, $20 for a great storage basket is still a total score!

    Might have to hit up the dollar store on my way home... the one near my office always has tons of different sized bins/baskets!

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  132. Didn't read all the posts, so not sure if someone said this already, since you are handy with a glue gun, get some fabric and hot glue it on the inside of the basket before you adhere the rope on the outside. I am going to make this basket! I knit and always need a place for blankets!

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  133. Love this basket!! It turned out so cute. I think I might need to make on now ;) I am going to include this in my Favorite things friday! Thanks www.hawthorneandmain.com

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  134. Great way to decorate that space. I've been thinking about a rope project of my own. You've inspired me to get going and try! Thanks :) Found you at Thislewood Farm.

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  135. Absolutely love this! SUCH a brilliant way to get the look for less! Can't wait to share it this Friday with my favorites from the week at www.makingitinthemountains.com!

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  136. I want to try this but think I will try braiding some of the kids favorite out grown tee shirts and glue them around a basket will let you know how it works

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  137. Did you coil the rope on the bottom of the basket or just end it where it would touch the floor when set upright?
    Also, I'm thinking I could use fabric glue & muslin (or something) under the last row of rope on the inside for a liner!

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    1. I just stopped at the floor level. And the liner is a great idea!

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  138. First timer blog reader. You are genius! Thank you!

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  139. Such a practical idea! In the first photo, did you make the white flower petals that are behind the wall mirror?

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    1. Yep! They were cut from white poster board and slightly folded to give the petal effect. xo!

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  140. Great work!! I have been looking for something like this for Hubby!! I honestly think it looks better than your original inspiration basket, Thank you so much for sharing this!! :)

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  141. I like your version better than the one that inspired you. Great job and thanks for sharing the idea!

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  142. Where did you get the rope from? Or what type is it so I can buy something similar.

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  143. I just stumbled upon your Blog and I love your organizing ideas! This basket is so pretty and I think I will try it. It will go perfect with my Beachy Coastal theme for my new house. I might make a fabric liner and attach it with velcro.
    I am an artist and sell my digital images on Etsy.
    https://www.etsy.com/shop/pattiescreations

    Hugs
    Pattie

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  144. Great project! And I so so love the colors of your bedroom. This is my favorite color this spring!

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  145. Fantastic! And seems worth the money!! Thank you!

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  146. LOVE this! So creative! I truly enjoy your site. You do a great job and give very detailed instructions to make it easy for others to duplicate.

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  147. Hi! I have a question, where do you get the cotton cord rope from? I just bought the basket today because I love this idea and I looked for the rope at Michaels but it was $10.00 for not very much :( So I was wondering where you got this from?

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    1. Hi Chelsea! I agree - that is not a great price. I used a cotton rope from JoAnn. I found it near the window treatment aisle.

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  148. Hi! I love this project! I was wondering what size (width) cord you used. I am trying to see if there may be a less expensive option on Amazon like this http://www.amazon.com/Darice-1971-15-Macrame-50-Yard-Natural/dp/B00114M3T0/ref=pd_bxgy_60_img_z but I am not sure if it is wide enough to look nice.

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