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.
Even though letterpress is an exercise in texture, I sometimes dream about working in real 3D – by which I mean dabbling in interior or set design. I’d prefer the latter for its dramatic and whimsically impractical nature, but oh. What I’d give to be good at either.
The work of Shona Heath, a.k.a. Tim Walker’s go-to-girl, is not helping these creative longings. I stumbled upon her portfolio yesterday and was just blown away. Then I realized she was the genius behind not only the Vogue astrology shoot I posted a while ago, but pretty much every standout editorial/ad campaign I’ve seen in the last few years.
Aren’t these so beautiful and inspiring? I think I’ve developed serious a design crush.
Admit it – you’re in love too.
Photos from Shona Heath’s Portfolio, here.
I don’t know about you, but all the lingering Chinese New Year decorations keep bringing Zhang Yimou’s Raise the Red Lantern to mind…even though I haven’t seen that movie in many years.
While it’s sad in the way only Chinese movies can be – with somewhat naive melancholy bubbling into latent passion before cooling into despondency and grief – it’s also stunningly beautiful for its transcendental use of red throughout the film. And although I generally attribute my love of red to being a Leo, deep down I suspect it might have stemmed from the memory of stills like this one:
Gorgeous, isn’t it?
Raise the Red Lantern was actually turned into a ballet a few years after it screened, one that I regretfully missed while it was being staged here in 2002. I doubt it’ll ever come back, but the few photos of the production available online are such a beautiful study in black and red that I’m going to keep my fingers crossed anyway.
Read more about the film here.
Maybe a childhood spent collecting seashells has caused a bias, but I am so in love with this clamshell ice bucket idea:
Personally, I’d gild the inside of it, skip the soda, and toss in a bottle of bubbly – there’s nothing in the world that can’t be improved with gold leafing and champagne. Nothing.
Giant glam-it-yourself resin clamshells are available here. Photo from Elle Decor.
For a long time now, I’ve hankered after a dressmakers mannequin for my wardrobe as a fun display idea.
I imagine dressing it up in some seldom-worn but fabulous outfit, or developing good enough aim to rakishly toss a fedora onto it, or draping it in sparkly jewelry.
It’s all very romantic and tempting, and the only thing stopping me (well, besides the price) is that I’m mildly concerned about it being creepy! Is that silly? I just don’t want to have a memory lapse and think for a second that someone’s standing in the corner of my room!
I suppose if I dressed it well enough that wouldn’t happen – I mean, no robber is going to stand there in your evening gown, all the jewelry you own, and a vintage hat, right?
Please, god do not answer that or I’ll never sleep again.
I just stumbled across this amazing zodiac-themed spread in British Vogue and was totally blown away by the styling. Those props and sets are sublime (and I don’t use that word very often).
PS: That’s me, third from the top and on the left. Which one are you?
Photos from British Vogue.
There’s something about paper flowers that make me smile…especially when they’re oversized. These ones from Fanciful Designs are so something I’d use in our window display if we ever opened a boutique.
Someday.
Photos from FrenchBlue.
Today’s obsession: the juxtaposition of beautiful things against distressed walls.
Our raw-concrete bathroom is the closest I’ve ever come to this effect – too bad it isn’t big enough to accommodate a louis sofa or a stack of hat boxes…or for that matter, me swanning about in an evening gown!
I’m really loving these old Kate Spade ads. Aren’t they so fun?
I wish I had the patience (and time!) to make things like these. I’ve never really been into collage or scrapbooking, but I’d consider taking some classes if I got to make stuff like this! Well, once I got a day off from letterpress printing, that is.
