Steven Sabados’ three favourite DIYs that anyone can do

Looking for new and creative ways to bring new life to some of your household items? Spending more time than usual at home might have you searching the internet for simple projects that don't require many materials. Interior Designer Steven Sabados shared three DIYs with us that anyone can do! From hydra-dipping your ceramics to upcycling your old tees, these are sure to keep you occupied for at least a few hours!

NAIL POLISH HYDRA DIPPING

Materials:

• Items to transform (ex. flower pot, small figurines, anything ceramic/porcelain)
• Large disposable container/bucket
• Various nail polishes
• Rubber gloves
• Toothpick

Directions:

1. Collect the items from around your house you would like to transform (anything from flower pots to small figurines). Try and avoid serving ware as this is not food safe and could wash off in the dishwasher. 

2. In a large disposable container (or old bucket), fill half full with room temp water. Keep in mind that nail polish residue will definitely stain the sides of the container.

3. Add a few drops of nail polish into the water using several colours and use a tooth pick to slightly swirl the colours together. The nail polish will start to float on top of the water.

4. While wearing rubber gloves, dip the object into the water where the nail polish is floating and rotate the object to pick up residue of the polish floating on the surface of the water.

5. Remove the object and repeat if necessary. 

6. Set the object aside to fully air dry naturally. Do not touch it while it's drying!

T-SHIRT REVAMP (SHIBORI ART)

Materials:

• T-shirt (natural fibre like cotton or linen)
• Cotton/burlap twine
• Bucket
• Bleach
• Rubber gloves
• Scissors

Directions:

1. Synthetic fabrics may not react to bleach so choose a natural fibre garment in any colour (the darker, the better).

2. Using cotton or burlap twine , twist the garment and tie off sections as tightly as you can. The more tied segments the more intricate the pattern will be.

3. Soak the tied garment in a mixture of bleach and hot water. You can use a 1/2 bucket of water and a cup of bleach. 

4. Remove the item from the bleach when the desired colour is achieved. Do not leave it too long as the bleach may eat away at the fabric. 

5. Cut away all the string ties and wash immediately.

T-SHIRT REVAMP (STENCIL)

Materials:

• T-shirt (natural fibre like cotton or linen)
• Large piece of cardboard
• Stencil (or lace/paper doilies)
• Bleach
• Mist Bottle
• Rubber gloves

Directions:

1. Stretch your dry t-shirt (or any natural fibre garment) over a piece of cardboard then place the stencil onto the shirt.

2. Using bleach in a mist bottle, spray it onto the stencil and watch as the bleach lightens the fabric leaving a faded pattern.

3. Remove the stencil and repeat wherever necessary.

4. Let the bleach dry fully before washing.