Well we have come to the final session of our first Design Camp and this week we are going out with a bang.  It’s all about getting bang for your buck, that is!

In honor of this topic, I wanted to reference some of my favorite DIY before and after posts from some of my favorite bloggers.  These are projects that I think truly got a ton of bang for their buck and should go down in the DIY hall of fame!

1. Vanessa DeVargas’s Green Campaign Chests in Lonny Magazine (via Little Green Notebook)

Is this not the most gorgeous make-over you have ever seen?  We don’t even need to see the before to know how spectacular the after is.  But thanks to Little Green Notebook blog, we can see a before and after of a similar makeover of campaign furniture.

2. David Jimenez Floorcloth

I had a design teacher in college who was mad for floorcloths. She made her students make them each semester, which was great fun. If mine had turned out half as gorgeous as this one by David Jimenez, I would still be using it today.  Makes me want to run right out and by a piece of canvas! Here’s a great how-to from HGTV for making beautiful floorcloths.

3. Chevron Stripes on the Wall

And speaking of Chevron, how about putting it on your wall? Take a look at this how to from Apartment Therapy. And thanks to Design Sponge, here is everything you need to know to paint this great zig zag pattern on your wall.

4. Eddie Ross’s Secretary makeover.

Possbily my favorite DIY of all time is this lovely makeover of an antique secretary by the talented Eddie Ross.  So many of us have this very same secretary and to think it could go from Drab to Fab in just a few steps.  Eddie Ross, you are the DIY King and we love you for it!!

5. Desk Makeover a la Tobi Fairley Interior Design

I am quite fond of our very own desk and chair makeover for a recent showhouse.  It turned out really lovely and we are excited that the final result of this room will be revealed to you very soon in the October issue of Traditional Home Magazine.

So go ahead, make the DIY leap and get some real bang for your buck.  Not only are make-over’s like these economical, they are even more gorgeous and interesting than if you purchased something new.

And while you are at it, take a look at the inspiration boards from some of my design campers and my staff in the post below.  They might just inspire you to create not only a DIY project, but build an entire room’s design around it. And while you are there, please take a moment to vote for your favorite camper board and staff board.  The winners get a fun surprise!