Growing up, Rebecca Propes never imagined that her love of design would develop into a successful career. But after working jobs that didn’t feel right, she went back to school to rekindle her passion for design. Nowadays, Propes is found DIY-ing one-of-a-kind pom-pom stockings, re-imaging master bedrooms and sharing DIY advice with her social media followers. We spoke with the NBC “Making It” semifinalist to learn four helpful tips from the expert maker, designer and DIYer.
Discover your personal style
No matter the piece, Propes’ bold style shines through. “If there’s a color that you absolutely love, try to find ways to incorporate it into your space,” she says. “It doesn’t have to be an entire wall or your sofa, just add splashes of it throughout. When you design around something you love, your want of continuous change diminishes and you become more content with your design choices.”
Focus on the finishes
“Take your time with the finish work because that’s going to make or break a DIY project,” says Propes. Whether it is adding the final coat of paint, or adding an accent pillow to a newly upholstered couch, focusing on the finishes elevates a project.
Stay inspired
Flipping through the latest home decor catalog or walking through Ikea showrooms is a great way to stay inspired. Finding inspiration from a beautiful bookshelf and re-creating it at home is the perfect way to make it look like something purchased instead of created. Not only does inspiration come from other designs but, “inspiration comes from everywhere. Fruit at the grocery store, kids playing in a park, or even the texture of a tree trunk,” says Propes.
Learn from others and start small
There is a right and wrong way to put furniture together. So, starting small and setting project goals is the best way to learn. The internet is full of tutorials educating others on different types of materials, applications and power tools. Browse hardware store aisles and research what each power tool is used for to gather some basic design knowledge. “There’s never a good time to start. It’s like how there’s never a great time to have kids or get married. I feel that way about DIY projects: you just have to do it. You have to dive in,” Propes adds.
Stay up to date with Propes’ latest projects on her Instagram @rebeccadiy
This story appeared in the AZ Foothills Home & Design, Best Places to Live issue. Read the full issue here.
