creative use of recycle empty Coffee Can

Coffee cans: neglected design classics or purely utilitarian? One lamp designer swears by the former, and came up with this DIY coffee can pendant lamp shade design made from three of the shiny silver containers. Brew a fresh cup and get started on yours! – ReadyMade

Make a secret hideaway for your little treasures. An oil painting (or any artwork with a wide frame) swings open on hinges to expose a storage area for jewelry, keys ... any small valuables you want to conceal. – Design Sponge

One cool Craigslist find plus a dose of DIY creativity equals ... this sweet little bathroom vanity. I just love the fresh, vintage-modern vibe of this dinged up secretary after its makeover. Nice job, guys. – Made2Create

Two kids in a cramped Paris apartment. The architect's advice? Build up and create "a house in a house." Instead of an ugly room partition, this airy kids' room now boasts upstairs and downstairs sleep and play areas, one for each child. I'm enchanted ... although the absence of an upstairs safety rail is making my toes curl! – Dwell

Blogger Karla shares her latest DIY success story. Commiserate as her first attempt at adding an adhesive decorative backing to her kitchen cabinets totally bombs ... then rejoice as she saves the day with an inexpensive Hallmark product. – It's the Little Things That Make a House a Home

Love glam? Look and learn as two small chests (bought on clearance, bargain hunters!) are refinished and utterly transformed with aluminum leaf. According to our instructor, Jenny, it's not as hard as you might think, although the prep and application process is a tad time-intensive. – Little Green Notebook [via Beach Bungalow 8]

Calling all DIY'ers and fans of the DIY Network show Man Caves. Enter the Ultimate Man Caves Sweepstakes competition now and every day through February 26 for a chance to win $50,000 in cash. Just think of the man (or girl) cave you could create with all that spare change! – DIY Network

Don't know about you, but I love to get inspired by looking at photos of other people's houses. Just for fun, take a peek at the Top 10 Celebrity Houses of 2009 and see how you do on the quiz. – Hooked on Houses