Ready for more DIY decor inspiration? Since I covered paint-related projects in the last post, I thought we’d try something just slightly more ambitious today.
First up, I have something special for all you crafty hoarders out there with more paper scraps than they know what to do with.
On the left is a wall collage of paper scraps glued to vintage plaques spray-painted white. Sound tricky? It really isn’t, thanks to Better Homes & Gardens‘ instructions. An assortment of cheap plates in different shapes would do just as well.
On the right, we have a wave of paper doily flowers with thumb tack centers. There weren’t instructions with this photo, but all you need to do is to get doilies of different sizes, fold them into quarters and twist gently to add dimension. Then, unfurl them and pin them through their centers with a brightly coloured thumbtack. Ta-dah!
If you’re looking for something a little easier, what about a garland?
Although this photo didn’t come with instructions either, you can learn how to make a multitude of garlands from A Beautiful Mess. Seeing this when I opened my eyes, I’d feel like I was waking up to a secret party every morning!
Last but not least (and definitely not in terms of production effort) is this amazing textured wall hanging.
Doesn’t it look like something you’d see in a fancy boutique hotel? The detailed instructions can be had over at Signed by Tina if you’re interested in tackling this beauty.
That’s all* I have for you today, but the next installment features found or easily procurable items for those of you who aren’t into painting or crafting, so do swing back around soon.
*Notice that nowhere in this post did I talk about toilet roll art. Sure, it’s cheap, easy and eco-friendly, but believe me when I say it’s in poor taste to display the relics of your bodily functions. Even the ones made of cardboard!
I’ve been giving a lot of thought to decorating lately, thanks to a pending bedroom overhaul, and a majority of those thoughts have turned to art.
For some strange reason, Adam and I never got around to hanging any art in this apartment despite the fact that our last place was absolutely covered in our combined endeavors. Even our dog contributed – we had a huge abstract painting in our dining area that was created by dipping Dolce’s paws and favourite ball in paint, and then playing fetch across the canvas. While I suspect we (dog included) have outgrown those adventurous artistic endeavors, I do love the idea of artwork that’s easy and relatively inexpensive. It goes without saying that it should also make an impact and/or be a conversation starter too.
Here are some DIY art ideas that I’ve earmarked for my own decorating inspiration. Two things you will find neither in my list nor my home? Vinyl wall stickers and anything from IKEA’s print department. I hate to say this, but stickers are not art, and IKEA is not a gallery. However, an even better reason to avoid them is that you can do so much better yourself. Look:
Isn’t this a cool modern piece?
Follow the ridiculously easy instructions at The New Domestic and have your own painted and hung up in a couple of hours.
The soothing palette and organic finish of this piece totally hooked me. Can you guess how the pattern was made?
With potatoes! I kid you not. Check out the instructions at Design Haven if you don’t believe me.
Ditto this cheerful artwork from Oh Happy Day. Who would have thought the ugly potato-stamps we made as kids could have resurfaced as something so pretty? I’m pretty sure my mom would have framed a lot more of my kiddy art if the teachers at school had set us art projects like this.
I hope I’ve gotten your inspiration levels up on an otherwise blah Monday. If you’re as excited about DIY art as I am, stay tuned – as the title indicates, I have more tricks up my sleeves and I’m dying to share!
Top photo via Pinterest.
Is anyone else out there a total Instagram addict? I can’t go a day without it – part voyeurism, part art, what’s not to love?
You’ve probably already guessed this by looking at the photo, but my partner-in-crime Belle and I made our own March Photo-a-Day challenge, and it would love for you to join us!
Save & share this photo with your friends, and I’ll see you on out there. If you’re new to this, just remember to tag your photos with #marchphotoaday so we can all keep connected. Isn’t the internet awesome?
Last Friday, Adam and I drove past the Singapore Philatelic Museum on the way home. We hadn’t planned to stop, but when Adam heard me point it out and mention that I’d been meaning to go there and hunt for vintage stamps, he immediately pulled over and offered to take me. Boy, he’s charming.
We must have just missed Notabilia and her mother, who were also there that day. For an on-topic overview, I suggest reading about the highlights of her visit here. I ended up getting sidetracked and focusing on completely non-stamp-related displays, which means our experiences (though no doubt equally pleasant) were totally different.
So how does one go to a philatelic museum and zone out on the stamps? When one is obsessing over old letters, obviously. The brilliant specimens of calligraphy and wax seals that adorned each of them just took my breath away.
One of the best things about the museum is how diligently the curators and exhibit designers underscore the theme of stamps as windows to the past.
The Heritage Room in particular, though largely unrelated to philatelia, paints a richer picture of bygone eras than one expects from a specialty museum – a thoughtful and interactive way of fleshing out the nation’s backstory for foreigners and locals alike. I say interactive because we may or may not have banged on some display drums, paged through an old calendar and manhandled some clogs while in there. I’ll never tell.
After our tour through the museum, Adam and I finally remembered what we were there for and hit the gift store in search of vintage stamps. Remember my distress over the somewhat questionable stamps I sent my engagement invitations out with? Lets just say that episode left me determined – determined – to ensure our wedding invitations didn’t face the same fate. I’d picked out about twenty beautiful stamps before Adam tapped me on the shoulder:
“Honey? Shouldn’t you maybe design the invitations before you buy stamps to…uh…match?”
Charming and smart. Damnit.
Vintage stamps, I will be back.
I don’t know many people who’ve seen Wong Kar Wai’s In The Mood For Love and not walked away completely inspired. Amazing cinematography aside, I’ve always felt that a good part appeal stemmed from its inherently art-house soul: where the story is told by the audience’s ability to read between the lines via colour, music, and silent heart-rending looks from the actors.
Its true genius however lies in its inclusive nature – it never tries to be too smart for its viewers, and so unlike similarly moody films that alienate through affected depth, this film is easy to understand and appreciate.
I could go on forever, but I’ll stop myself here and get to the good part: Numéro China’s homage in this month’s issue. I know you’ve probably seen many magazines’ clumsy attempts to reproduce the movie in photo shoots, but I think you’ll agree this is one of the better tributes paid to Wong’s masterpiece. Enjoy:
Photos via Fashion Gone Rogue.
Maps are wonderful things, aren’t they? All at once, you can be in awe of how large the world is and still be moved by how connected we all are.
Plus, they’re so beautiful as art when the look is done right.
Scale and grouping seems to be the key – small, isolated maps tend to veer the look either country or dorm room, don’t you think?
Yesterday I did something I’d been meaning to for a while and bought a cute little print of a vintage world map for our bedroom. I suspect Adam was actively biting his tongue as this unfolded, since he’d already protested once on the matter when I almost walked out of Restoration Hardware with this beauty in New York. Honestly, honey. I’m sure they’d have shipped it for me.
Isn’t this jewel-toned, Japanese-inspired shoot for Flair great? I love the combination of simple lines and bright solids – and that all the clothes were worn with a pair geta, traditional Japanese sandals.
Stumbling upon this shoot reminded me of my early birthday gift from my stepmother: a pair of black lacquered geta (with bright red and shocking green hanao, or straps) from her springtime trip to Kyoto this year.
I haven’t had the chance to wear them yet, but I’m certainly inspired to now.
More photos here.
I’ve recently developed an obsession with all things retro, which of course has bubbled over and materialized in letterpress form at the studio. Unfortunately it was only for a personal project…but I’d love to see this moodboard come to life for a wedding, wouldn’t you?
What I really love about this moodboard is the contrasts between homey and glam, retro and modern, cool and hot. I could go on and on about this, but I’ll just leave off here and let you (hopefully!) find your own inspiration in it.
(L-R) Top row: Retro dessert buffet from here. Beautiful poppy arrangement from here. Middle row: Photo from here. Stripy staws from here. Bottom row: Photo from here. Glitter Louboutins from here. Red velvet cake bars from here.
Hello sunshine!
Bet you didn’t know a Singaporean could get excited about summer. I never did before I lived in Canada, but years of terrible winters have made me at least try and remember to be grateful for the heat…even if the temperature makes me want to keel over sometimes.
I think what I’m trying to say is: if you can’t beat the heat, embrace it. So here’s a happy, sunshiny moodboard perfect for an informal tropical wedding. Enjoy!
(L-R) Top row: Hibiscus bouquet, from here. Mai Tai illustration by Paul Brent, from here. Middle row: Candice Bergen, from here. Pink wedding shoes, from here. Bottom row: Flower soaps (perfect door gifts!) from here. Peaches and cream wedding cake, from here. Citrus hued decor ideas, from here.
I seem to be mostly past my obsession with pastels, but pink…pink is a colour I will always love. Especially when feathers and stars are involved
I still remember when my mom left me to pick the colour of my bedroom blinds, and realized only when they were delivered that I’d custom ordered my sets in ombre pink. I was seven.
What’s your happy colour?
