Archive for the ‘DIY’ Category
We bought a new camera a few weeks ago, so now I can finally share some of my DIY’s! First up: a dresser I bought at a goodwill store. This is what it looked like when I brought it home:
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Not so pretty. But it is solid wood and has a lovely classic shape and long legs, which I love.
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I needed it to be a light color that didn’t stand out too much, so I chose one that had the same undertone as my walls. The details are wooden sticks that I picked out of a bamboo place mat (!). I started by drawing the pattern on the front and sides with a pencil, then glued each stick on with regular wood glue. Tape held the sticks in place until the glue way completely dry.
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Using my fingers, I added spackle to smooth out the edges of the sticks.
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When the spackle was completely dry, I sanded it down with fine grain sand paper.
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The plan included another coat of paint, but for now I like the crude look of the plaster. The pulls I got for free at a flea market about to close, I screwed them off of another dresser. What do you think?
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As I promised yesterday, here’s the instructions on how to make your own double framed butterfly display. First, here’s how my frame turned out:
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Pretty cute, don’t you think?
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Here’s how you do it:
You’ll need two identical frames. I used a pair I already had from IKEA.
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Google your way to your favorite butterfly picture. I used this one. Re-size the butterfly image(s) if necessary to fit your frame best. Print as many butterflies you want, then cut them out.
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Remove the glass from both frames and paint the frames. Remember to paint the inside of the frames, as this part will be visible.
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Now put the glass back into each of the two frames and secure them there by lining the glass with a hot glue gun. When each frame has it’s glass secured, fold your butterfly along it’s body to create that natural shape, and glue your butterflies to the INSIDE of one of the frames.
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Glue the backs of the two frames together, and voila, you’ve got yourself a double framed butterfly display!
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You can cover the crack with regular spackle. When dry, sand lightly with fine grained sand paper, then paint the sides of the frame.
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That’s it!
I love the transparent background. See the butterflies to the right? They are real ones. I actually think my printed ones look way better!
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The frame doesn’t need to hang on the wall, it’s very stable and can stand on it’s own. I’m definitely going to be making more display boxes in the future, this was really fun and easy to do.
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–> The best part is that you can frame anything! If you make your own double framed display, I’d LOVE to see it!
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Finally a shot of my hand-me-down piano stool all made over. It’s called a “piano stool” because you can open the lid, it’s originally for storing notes. Since I don’t have a piano, it’s main purpose is spare seating.
I must admit butterfly patterned fabric wasn’t really on my wish list, but it really suits our home. You see, we rent the lower part of a 60′s house. It’s a spacious apartment with a decent garden. The downfall is the walls. The whole apartment is covered in untreated horizontal planks (HATE!!). I’ve been hating on it for a long time, and I’d paint it if it weren’t for the fact that it’s a temporary home. I can’t wait to be a home owner!
Basically our living room looks like a log cabin. So what’s a girl to do? Turn a problem into an opportunity off cause! My solution was decorating in a natural “theme” by using natural finishes and fabrics, animal prints and potted plants. It’s really starting to pull together nicely now, and my inspiration was of cause Pottery Barn! Next step: Adding a bit of glam!
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Here’s my made over piano stool (finally). The frame was in great condition, just in need of a sand down and staining. The butterfly fabric was a steal at a local crafts store. I added nailhead trim along the edge, and picked gold since the detailing on the stool is brass. I’ll have to pick up more nailheads, as you can see I need to add more, it’s a bit scarce at this point.
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This is how it started out. The old fabric was all kinds of ugly. You can’t see it in this pic, but it has these little splashes of gold everywhere. And not in a fabulous way.
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No, your eyes are not out of focus, it’s all due to my crappy camera. I’m going to get a new one, any good suggestions? Anyway, this is what the fabric looks like. Pretty ain’t it?
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These plates by Pottery Barn was the reason I picked the butterfly fabric. Thank you Pottery Barn for all the amazing inspiration!!
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A zebra pillow with a good pattern and a nice price was surprisingly hard to find. And what do we do when we cant buy it? We DIY it!
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This must be the quickest and easiest DIY ever! One white pillow, a magic marker and some black acrylic paint.
The black pint did not come out as patchy as it looks below, it’s just the sunlight that makes it look like that. I’m thinking I might do some more pillow painting, just haven’t decided on any specific pattern yet. Any ideas?
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Easy and cheap!
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So I’m always doing these fun DIY projects, and thought why not share them on here?! Last Sunday I decided to do my very own take on the shell chandelier, and here is the result:
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The real thing made from shells looks way better, but I am very happy with how it turned out anyways.
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Here is what I used:
1) An old book with semi stiff sheets cut into circles. 2) Neutral colored thread and a needle. 3) Glasses in various sizes as template for circles. 4) A good scissor. 5) Pearls. 6) Double-sided tape.
You will also need a sheet of stiff cardboard as a frame and a light fixture.
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First I drew a circle on the cardboard using a small bowl as a template. I carefully measured and marked the location of the centre, then measured the size of the fixture that had to fit through and cut it out. If you want to paint the cardboard, this would be the best time.
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I decided to do all the work from the lamp, so I assembled it right away. That way I could control the length and add more “circles” where needed. Slide the cardboard ring 1) onto the light fixture, and twist on the piece 2) made for securing the lampshade (whatever it is called?).
I tied a small bead at the end of the thread and stuck the needle through the cardboard from the top down. In the inserted picture you can see how I sewed multiple times through each circle, that way it won’t slide down.
To eliminate fire hazard I was careful not to let any of the paper or thread near the low heat bulb. Keep adding circles until you are happy with the result.
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I also added a border to the top. It is made from white quality paper and is attached with double-sided tape.
Really fun and easy project, not to mention totally free! I would love to see a colorful version in a kids room.
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Vignettes and tablescapes are those pretty little “landscapes” of beautiful items displayed on every horizontal surface in any professional interior design photo. These little “arrangements” are far from accidental, and could be considered a minor art form in itself. There are so many different opinions on the use of vignettes, some feel they can look too stillife-y and contrived, others think they are a must in any room.
Whether you love them or hate them, vignettes can be of great inspiration for getting the most out of a small space without compromising the overall look of the room.
So where would you create a vignette? The answer is quite simple; literally anywhere! Rearranging the items on your windowsill, mantle, shelves, dresser top or even night stand can have a dramatic effect, and here are some tips and inspiration for creating the perfect vignette.
One approach to creating a vignette is to start with a large background object, like a mirror or a framed picture. A mirror or picture frame can be hung on the wall or placed on the table surface, leaning against the wall. You can even layer it by placing a smaller picture in front of the other. Build the vignette from here, paying close attention to proportion, color and composition.
Two popular compositions are the V and the A -shapes. Lets take a look:
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THE V-SHAPE:
Starting with a mirror or a framed picture, create a V-shape by layering objects. Start with a tall object like a lamp, and add a few fitting accessories with the lowest point being around the centre. We are not trying to create a perfect V here (more like a tilted back L). Below is another example, starting with a layering of picture frames or mirrors:
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Notice how the tallest items are placed at the side of the tallest frame. If it was placed on the opposite side, the overall result would too square, like a box, which we are trying to avoid.
Lets put it to life by looking at some V-shaped vignettes created by the professionals:
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ASHLEY PUTNAM / LONNY MAGAZINE
A simple vignette in the classic V shape. Can you see the V?
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ERINN VALENCICH via DECORATI / MORE PICS HERE
A subtle V-shape vignette created by layering no more that 3 items in front of a framed sea fan.
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THE A-SHAPE:
This basic shape could not be more simple, and still I think it is one of the most dramatic.
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A nice example of the A-shape vignette.
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Two beautiful A-shaped vignettes. See, you can create them anywhere, even on your bedside table =)
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SYMMETRIC VIGNETTES:
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Symmetry looks ordered and simple, and a pretty symmetric vignette is not hard to achieve. Here are a few examples for inspiration:
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CHARLES FAUDREE VIA KATIE DID
A beautiful symmetric vignette. Don’t worry about creating perfect symmetry with all items, it’s enough to have a few main items to create the symmetric frame for the vignette.
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A simple symmetric vignette compliments the amazing eagle console table without overshadowing it.
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Your entryway can be both functional and beautiful at the same time, as proven by Dayka at Life + Style. Her vignette includes a bowl for keys and change, and a basket underneath the console table for paper recyclables. Beautiful and practical!
The best thing is you don’t really need to go out and buy anything, just rearrange what you already have! If you use a picture as a base, you can build a vignette around that color scheme. If you lack a tall item, go out and get a few branches and arrange them in a slim vase. Smaller objects work best in groups or pairs, some prefer to use only odd numbers like 3 or 5 similar items. Your only limit is your creativity!
