17 Dec 2010

Christmas decor

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Christmas at our house once again, and I've been on a hot pursuit of modern, cheap, easy diy decor ideas. I say 'modern', but I'm a traditionalist at heart. Surely it's possible to be both!?

Having searched high and low I've finally found the inspiration I need. Brown paper, silver ribbon, clay pots and little candles. It's perfect.

22 people for Christmas lunch. I'd love for us all to sit at the table / tables and truly feel like it's Christmas time, but I can't really afford to go all out with flowers / decorations / fancy serviettes etc.

So.....Home made Christmas crackers made of brown paper, tied with silver ribbon and filled with chocolates....small clay pots, each with a miniature candle and covered with bark chips along the centre of the tables....gifts, all wrapped in the mandatory brown and silver....grass placemats....ham, turkey, roast potatoes, fresh vegetables, mmmm.

I like this.

9 Dec 2010

Fun artwork

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I've always wanted to create a piece of artwork to hang in my home. One day I will produce a painting, but right now that challenge seems quite far off. This wonderful piece of artwork, however, seems simple, quick and fun to create.

I can choose an appropriate colour scheme for the particular room and make it unique with lettering or wording at random places. A little touch of metallic paint may give it a classy feel too.

But, this is the question...would I actually hang this style of artwork in my home? Perhaps in a bathroom? It would best be suited to a rustic farmhouse style home or a modern simplistic room. Neither of which I have.

On the other hand, the process of creating something fun like that may just be worth the time. Hmm, I like it.

29 Nov 2010

Old books

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I've often contemplated whether to throw out my old books or not. I can't see myself ever reading them again, but for some reason find it extremely difficult to part with them.

They are all old and stained, but not quite old and stained enough to have that classic antique look or feel.

Here, as I sit packing boxes, I once again find myself pulling out these 'treasures' from the back of a cupboard only to find another suitable cupboard in our new house to hide them. How bazaar.

But then.....I came across this idea. These books have been covered in old nautical maps and make a wonderfully simple decor statement.

The last time we moved house I threw out all my old 'National Geographics' maps. What a fail. But really, how difficult can they be to find? If it offers my old books a new purpose its got to be worth it. It will make me feel better about keeping them too. I do like this.

26 Nov 2010

Ottoman

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We're moving into a new house this week and I've been dreaming of what to do with the different spaces. I would so love to have a formal lounge with bovine leather couches, and then a tv lounge with more casual furnishings.

I saw these ottomans and thought they'd be perfect for the latter. I REALLY don't like pink, but a deep red or olive green, even a soft gold or bronze would do quite nicely.

They seem easy enough to make. And are multi-functional (is that a word?). Footstool, side table, chair/seat, even a coffee table. I've seen similar ottomans with a glass sheet on top that easily transform a simple footstool into a classic coffee table.

This is very practical and, I think, will be amongst the items at the top of the list to make after 'the move'. I don't really need coffee tables or side tables, but extra seating and foot stools will always be handy. Ummm, yes, I do like this.

24 Nov 2010

Colour scheme II

Mail

Another colour scheme I've found :-
Charcoal
Grey
Green
Cream

Lovely rich tones. A bedroom perhaps?
I've been trying to decide on a colour scheme for my bedroom for months. Could this be the one?

Cream walls, grey bedding and curtains, charcoal headboard, green and charcoal accessories. Will go super nicely with dark wood furniture. Mmmm...I like this

24 Nov 2010

Easy curtains

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I'm always stumped when it comes to bathroom and kitchen curtains. Frills are not my favorite, and lace.....well it would have to be a very soft lace. Blinds, I could live with, but they don't add much character.

When I saw this picture I wondered why I hadn't thought of it ages ago. Simple, inexpensive and creative.

It would still require a careful choice of fabric. I wouldn't want it to look like I've just draped an old rag over a wire. I think a fine linen would do quite nicely.

I wonder if the same idea would work on slightly larger windows? Not sure about that.

A friend used her table cloths from her wedding as window drapes on larger windows. She got fancy clasps and clipped them to hoops. Simple and classy.

I'm leaning towards natural linens for curtains. Yes, I like this.

23 Nov 2010

Stone heart

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A year ago I made this heart. I was doubtful at the time that hearts would remain a fashionable decor accessory for much longer. But, here we are, 12 months later, and everywhere we look we see them.

I was inspired to make this one by a picture I saw in an old Home magazine. With the recent trend to mix modern and rustic, this particular heart could hang in a variety of different settings. I need to get a little chain for it, though, if I want to hang it anywhere.

Should I make more? Smaller frame, perhaps? Smaller stones? Stones that are all the same colour? Fill it with something other than stones? Hmmm...knowing my luck, I'll make a whole lot more and they'll disappear from the decor world forever.

12 Nov 2010

Colour scheme

Mail
I've decided I like black, brown, silver grey and a hint of powder blue together.

Where can I use that?

12 Nov 2010

Hanging herbs

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Having always grown my own herbs (or tried to), I found this hanging herb box such a novel idea. The many things I like:
It's a great space saver
It's a practical height - like having an eye level oven
It can go either indoors or out (hanging from the eaves)
It is practical but also a wonderful design feature - it can replace the need for artwork on a wall.

Some design ideas:
I can create any feel I like; a rustic feel with old used planks hanging on rope, a more contemporary feel like that in the picture, or even place mirror over the front and sides hanging on chromed chain. Instead of one large box, I could make 2 or 3 and put them at different levels

Nothing nicer than home grown herbs and veges.

Important things so remember:
Herbs need sunlight
Some kind of drip tray will need to go on the inside
The base will need to be secure enough to carry the weight.

Hmm...I like this

11 Nov 2010

Wire chandelier

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I found this delightful chandelier in an overseas mag. It's quite delicate and made from a most unexpected material: barbed wire.
It was designed by artist Tove Adman who was inspired by the "post-Berlin Wall reunion of the east and the west."

I could buy it for $588 from the Scandinavian Design Center OR I could play around with the concept and come up with a creation of my own, or several in different shapes and sizes.


Battery operated LED lights would provide on opportunity for mobile chandeliers. Hmm...imagine an outdoors formal dinner setting with delicately rustic chandeliers hanging on nearby tree branches. I like this.

Megan Shepherd's Space

I think, with much uncertainty, that I would like to use this blog as a personal record of all the DIY / decor ideas that I come across, that in one way or another cause me to dream, be inspired, be intrigued, or open my eyes to the wonderful world of creativity and innovation around me.

Why am I uncertain? Well, I guess I fear that this would simply be a neat way of organizing my ideas, but in the long run have no actual impact on me getting down and making them happen. Then again, it could be exactly the starting point I need to get going.

Only one way to find out....do it!