Kitchen cupboard update: DIY diamond cement cupboard knobs

...DIY diamond cement cupboard knobs

My kitchen makeover is nearly complete....just adding the finishing touches!

Today I want to show you how I've made these Diamond shaped cement cupboard knobs to update my kitchen units! They are easy to make, (if not a little time consuming) and adds a modern twist to my new look kitchen!

The only hard part of this, is to fold as many paper origami moulds as you need!!

I have even made you a downloadable PDF pattern.

You will need:

My downloadable PDF diamond  pattern

Glossy cardstock

Scissors

Scalpel

Tape

Rapid setting Cement (or concrete)

Water

Plastic container for mixing up the cement

 mixing sticks

Drill with suitable drill-bit

Clear spray varnish

2 part epoxy adhesive

Screws

 

 Download the template here

MAKING THE PAPER ORIGAMI MOULDS 

# Print out the template on glossy cardstock (You can adjust the size on your printer if needed, but I think this size was perfect for my kitchen cupboard knobs) Print out as many as you will need.

# Cut out the templates

#Use your scalpel to carefully score (take care not to cut through the paper) the perforated lines to make the folding a LOT easier!! (this may be easier to do before you cut out the templates)

#Fold (I forgot to put perforated lined on the little "disk" that goes on the top of the diamond, so please remember NOT to cut this part away, but fold it)

#Tape the diamond shape together using small strips of tape....The little "flaps" go on the outside!! Make sure you cover the whole diamond with tape: this will strengthen the paper mould and help waterproofing the paper!

Depending on how many you need, this process will take some time....so get comfortable, put some music on and make yourself a coffee!!

 

When you have finished making all your paper diamond moulds, give yourself a pat on the back!! The hard work is done....the next step is easy!!

MIX AND POUR ...

Mix up your cement in a plastic container...aim for the consistency of yoghurt: Not too runny, but still pourable! Carefully fill each mould with the cement mix....work quickly, as the rapid-setting cement sets fast!!  Gently tap each mould as you go, to shake loose any air-bubbles from the surface!

After a couple of minutes you will need to top up each mould to make the back of your diamonds level, as the paper will soak up some moisture from the cement mix, causing the level to sink a little!!

Use your mixing stick to carefully skim off any excess cement-mix!!

Leave to set according to the instructions on your cement mix!

# The cement mix I used set within 20 minutes! I then peeled all the paper off, revealing my diamonds!!

#Whilst the cement was still in this early stage of curing (and still quite soft) I drilled a hole in the middle at the back of each diamond (taking care not to drill all the way through). This is for the screw to attach to the cupboards, so choose a drill-bit with a similar diameter as your screws!!

(I used the old screws already attached to my kitchen units, left by the old hardware, but you can of course buy new ones if they are no longer present)

#Use your scalpel to shave off any lumps and bumps on your cement diamond...especially at the back (as you'll want your new cement diamond cupboard knobs (hi hi...that word gets me every time: childish, I know!!) to sit flush on your kitchen units!!)

Now leave them all to fully cure overnight!!

To seal the surface of your cement diamonds, I used a clear spray lacquer....but a watered down PVA mix will work as well!!

ATTACHING YOUR NEW CUPBOARD KNOBS 

 I used a two-part epoxy adhesive to attach my knobs(...there I go again!! get a grip June!!LOL) to my kitchen cupboards! Epoxy adhesive is great for  creating a strong bond between different materials, in this case cement and a metal screw!!

Mix it together, and drizzle some in to the hole in the back of your diamonds, then screw them onto your cupboards!!

Its no secret that I love concrete and cement, but I REALLY  love how these look in my new style kitchen!! I love the modern Diamond shape and  think they go perfectly with the metro tiles/grey grout combo!!

 Here's a sneaky peek of my new look kitchen:

Looks nice and fresh, hey??

I had never done tiling before, but I am very pleased with how it's turned out!! All the hard work is done now, I even resurfaced the wooden workbench (post coming soon!!)

So now it's just the FUN bits left, like lighting (See my previous post here ), accessories and other details left!! So the big reveal is coming soon!!

I hope you like my Cement diamond cupboard knobs (Alright...that's enough now!!)

Any questions, please leave a comment below!

xxx

June



Been thinking about kitchen lighting...My pick of the best industrial style spotlights

...My pick of industrial style spotlights

So, I'm halfway there with the kitchen redecorating, and have started thinking about the finishing touches. As the budget is super tight on this one, I am having to prioritize!  Most pressingly we need to sort out the kitchen lighting!! Good task lighting in the kitchen is essential, and as most of our spotlights are not working, and the ceiling spotlight is both ugly and out of order, this is one thing we need to spend some money on!!

I really have my heart set on industrial style lighting in my new look kitchen...

So, I have been trawling the web for the best of industrial style spotlights, and thought I'd share my finds with you in this post...

Ranging from the outrageously expensive (I admit it: I am a hopeless dreamer!!) to the affordable budget options (Hello reality!!)

From the top:

Authentage Vitrine Fleure Square 4light ceiling light , £452,59 and

Authentage Comete 4 Light Ceiling Spotlight, £609,88 Both from wayfair.

Valencia ceramic 3 spotlight ceiling plate £70,- from John Lewis

Dar osaka 3 spotlight plate £67,50 from affordable lighting

Vitemolla triple ceiling spotlight £40,- from IKEA

  I adore that boxed in spotlight at the top from Wayfair, but it is (unfortunately) way out of my price range...I was hoping to find some mid range priced spotlights to show you, but found nothing that took my fancy( go figure??) However, there was loads of affordable options to be found, and I eventually whittled it down to the last 3: I love that ceramic spotlight from John Lewis, but not sure whether it is "industrial" enough for me!!?? I think I am going to go for the Dar Osaka spots as they fit the style I want, but also have the same shape as our current (defunct) ones, saving me repainting the ceiling!! I had to include the Vitemolla frim IKEA, as it is right on the mark style-wise and such a great price!!

I love scouring the internet for things, but end up spending far too much time doing it....hopefully you might find this round-up of industrial style kitchen ceiling spotlights useful and inspirational....maybe saving yourself some time online in your search!!

I will be back at the weekend with a little kitchen DIY!!

xxx

June

Kitchen spotlight update....

give a girl some spray-paint....

Remember my post here about choosing the right ceiling spotlight for my new look kitchen??

I had my heart set on some industrial style ones!

In the end I didn't go for any of them...

....because I found these from B&Q at a bargain £35!!

They had that right look with an industrial feel....

....OK, so they didn't have the right finish: That brass look wasn't quite what I'd had in mind!!

But then I remembered my own advice in my post decor and furniture on budget : "a quick makeover with some spray paint can change the look of a bargain buy to fit with your decor!!"

This instantly sprung to mind...

DOH!!

So I decided to take my own advice and set off to acquire my bargain kitchen spotlights!

MAKEOVER TIME!!

As I am going for shots of black and copper in my new look kitchen (See my full reveal on Saturday)

I set to work , armed with spray-cans, in the said colors:

I masked off the outside of the lights...

And sprayed the inside of the shades copper..

...when the copper had dried, I masked off the inside of the shades, removed the previous coverage on the outside and spray-painted the light fitting matte black!

And, voila: The transformation was complete!!

The perfect ceiling spotlights for my new look kitchen!!

I have used spray paint a lot in my kitchen makeover to tie in the details....

...never underestimate the power of spray paint: It really can transform the look of just about anything!!

Get ready for the Full reveal on Saturday!!

xxx

June