24 Nov 2010

Easy curtains

P49

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

P43

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

Hanging herbs

P24

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

(download)

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!