From The Inspiration Files: Why Not Make These?
I have a pretty insane “inspiration folder” on my desktop all organized by category, and it’s high time I shared a peek at the items in my “Make This” folder. We love all of these projects because they’re truly DIY (read: you don’t need a soldering iron or a degree in woodworking to accomplish them) but they all look luxe and high-end upon completion (read: not like you stuck things together with a glue stick and some velcro). So without further ado, some projects we’d love to take on one day (when we’re not slaving away on our little basement makeover, planning a bathroom redo and brainstorming a nursery).
This first idea comes from the ever fabulous Design Sponge. We love the simple look of industrial clips hung on tiny nails to decorate an entire wall (especially when it’s painted a vibrant color like this- try Benjamin Moore’s Sesame for a similar look). We also love that they stuck with simple black and white images to keep things sophisticated and almost Alice-In-Wonderland-chic. You could just stare at the wall for hours…
This next DIY idea hails from none other than Apartment Therapy, and we love the stain-a-bunch-of-drawers-a-bunch-of-different-colors idea. You could even pick up the little sample pots of stain to save money. Of course it might be hard to find a piece with quite this many drawers, but any dresser or chest from a thrift store that’s solid wood can be sanded and modified with a little stain gradient effect like the awesome example below.
And we love this cozy cottage idea (also from Apartment Therapy) which just happens to be an old window (you can pick them up at thrift stores or shops like the Habitat For Humanity ReStore on the cheap). Add a few layers of chalkboard paint on the panes and you’re good to go. We love that the divided nature of the window creates little zones for different functions (like a box for a shopping list, a box for love notes, etc)- and hanging an inexpensive bar from Ikea under it offers up even more form and function.
This papered desk via Design Sponge is also pretty darn spectacular. We love that nearly any old desk can be reinvented with a fresh coat of paint (which can be antiqued a bit with some sandpaper) and some wallpaper applied to the top and even inside the drawers for a sweet little surprise. And covering the desk with a custom cut piece of glass or plexiglass for added protection and longevity is surprisingly inexpensive (just look up a plastic or glass company in the phone book and call for a quote). In fact, here’s an old $15 desk that we transformed with paint and a $30 piece of plexiglass for a little girl’s room a while back.
When it comes to art, we love whipping up our own “masterpieces” (as demonstrated by this post, this post, this post, and even the prints in our shop). And we were smitten with this gorgeous abstract piece from Lonny magazine since it seems like something anyone can do (even though it was probably trés expensive). Just grab a giant canvas from a craft or art supply store and pick up some cheap acrylic paint in the two colors of your choosing (it would be just as amazing in gray-blue with a creamy yellow stripe or in navy with a nautical red stripe). Don’t forget to leave that rough white “frame” around the edge and to keep things feeling loose and sketchy – no perfectly straight lines needed here (thank goodness).
This inspiration actually comes from H&M (yes, the clothing company) who introduced a housewares line a while back (and we loved what we saw). Again, the canvas art really caught our attention, and we loved that anyone with a canvas and a Sharpie could recreate something gleefully loose and sketchy (how great are those simple bottle drawings for a kitchen or bathroom?). Plus you can use a pencil and lightly sketch things out until you’re ready to put Sharpie to canvas for the finished product.
And last but certainly not least are these blingy little shells from Ruzzetti & Gow (via Turquoise Chic). They run anywhere from $100 to $1700 bucks (!!!) but we’re betting that a can of silver spray paint could give you the same effect for far less (tip: you can also try “hammered silver” spray paint for a less-shiny-but-still-metallic finish).
So what do you guys think? Did anything get your DIY motor running? Which project is your fav of the bunch? And while we’re on the topic of easy and chic make-it-yourself ideas, what are some other undertakings that you have on your to-do list? Do tell.
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Comments
Hey Lisa,
Here’s a post all about how we organize our desktop (and our magazine tear sheet) inspiration images: http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/10/email-answer-inspiration-wrangling/
Hope it helps!
xo,
s
I love those silver shells- so easy! We collected some sand dollars from Ocean Beach in SF that are special to us, and could use a special treatment like that silver paint! :) Thanks, and congrats on the proverbial bun!
Isn’t the internet great, without it we wouldn’t be able to bounce ideas like this off each other.
Here’s my inspiration from your inspiration:
Photo 1: I bet some charity shop old books would be useful for this idea, taking pictures and graphics from botanicals or whatever takes your fancy.
Photo 2: I see someone beat me to it with the faux-front drawers idea. I actually saw a lovely set of drawers at the weekend, where the entire front was trompe l’oeil painted/stained as a drawer front with hand gilted fake handles. The actual drawers came out from the sides instead, with sweet recessed handles!
Photo 3: You know what looks even nicer than IKEA grundtal chromed bars and costs a fraction of the price? Copper pipes used for plumbing! You can even trim them to the perfect size.
Photo 4: Two days ago I found a sheet of acrylic (that’s what we seem to call ‘plexiglass’ over here in UK) for my dining table. The table is made from a nice medium stain wood, and I’d tried everything to keep it safe from the children. Layers of varnish peeled or scratched, and the table cloth just covered up the lovely natural wood grain. it cost me £15 (whats that in dollars?) and it’s transformed the room!
OK that’s enough ideas from me. Please wish me luck over the coming days as I paint my cream (beige beige beige!) living room walls with a lovely dusty dark blue (Bamiyan Blue 89 from Fired Earth), inspired a little by Laura’s makeover here http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/09/reader-redesign-color-me-wonderful/ I’m still coveting her dark wood floor, my own is hand-me-down carpet tiles free from a London bank office clearout!
If any of your readers are looking for old windows, I have a shed full of them from the previous homeowner. They’re free for the taking… just let me know!
I just started my own DIY window pane project using chalkboard paint and wine corks! I didn’t have to purchase any of extra materials because a girlfriend of mine had the chalkboard paint and I had the rest. I’m super-psyched to complete this project. It’s going to look fab in the kitchen.
Love the big DIY canvas! I think I just may tackle this after we get a new sofa.
These are great! I have a blank canvas and two colors of acrylic paint sitting around waiting for me to be inspired – no joke! I think I will totally have to go with that idea – and I will definitely share the results with you. I also have some silver shells like those that I picked up from target over the summer for a much nicer price. As for the canvas pillows, etc – be sure to use a washable marker like a Rub-A-Dub to try to prevent running and fading for anything that might need to be washed one day.
didn’t know what online avenue was best to say that i think ya’ll are on to something :)
even though it’s not white
I’m loving the “clip” art wall and the canvas. It will have to be put on the list. Great post!
Its so funny, I just hung a window made chalkboard in my kitchen!!!!!!!! I got the idea from my grandma because she saved a bunch of windows from HER GRANDMA’s house (before they demolished it). It looks great and so easy! Although it does take about 4 coats of blackboard paint!
The window turned memo board/ chalk board is a good idea. Just the right thing to do with some lying in the studio. When I do it, I’ll be sure to send my link your way.
Oh man. I always see the canvas ‘make your own art’ try to emulate Rothko on Trading Spaces. I cover my eyes because it always turns out so sad.
I’m totally 100% doing that window to chalkboard idea. Love!
WOW! Thanx for the idea about the old windows. I just had replacement windows installed in my home, and have lots of old windows ~ different shapes and sizes. I have a few ideas, but love the idea about the chalkboard. I’ll be making one soon=)
Love your blog…..not sure how I happened upon it, but it’s in my favs now.
Congrats to you, your hubby & Burger on your lil’ one coming soon=)
I’m currently making: fake ikat storage boxes, room divider curtain, ruffled shirt and and and . . . now you’re making me want to do more.
I never thought of recycling old windows like that. I come across so many old windows so maybe I can turn that into a business of some sorts. I’ll give my windows some fancy name such as 3.1, 95, 98, ME, XP, Vista and 7 (because it has 7 dividers).
Acrylic is definitely something we can all try. They’re super easy to use unlike oil, but they dry faster though.
I took on the shells projects, blogged about it (giving YHL proper credit, of course), and love the result. Take a look: http://lifeisartislife.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/silver-shells/
Thanks for the awesome idea!!
Awesome! We love the results. Thanks so much for sharing the link with us so we could see them in all their glittery glory!
xo,
s
I LOVE the multi-color dresser. It gave me an idea! If you have something similar to this, you can creat the look, with some spare wood that you could just adhere to the face of the dresser.
You can even use something besides actual knobs!
I would love to make a painting similar to the one in this post. I’m having a hard time coming up with a color scheme. Our formal living and living room are Lyndhurst Timber. Our dining room (where the painting will be) is a deep red/crimson color. What colors should I use in the painting? I was thinking a black frame, Lyndhurst Timber-ish background, and a red/crimson stripe. My husband would like something that contrasts, but doesn’t clash. Any suggestions?? Thanks!
Hey Grace,
It’s great to tie in some of the colors in the room and the adjoining space (the Lyndhurst Timber-ish tone and a crimson stripe) but you probably want something else to add a bit more dimension and layered interest so it’s not super literal and matchy-matchy. What about adding in a rich cream color with the timber and the crimson? Or a soft sage green? You could also do a warm burnt orange (that always looks great with red and brown tones). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Thanks SO much for your quick response! So we’re thinking of going with the Lyndhurst Timber, a rich cream color, and a warm burnt orange. Using the example you have, any thoughts on which color for which “stripe” – I definitely don’t want the matchy matchy effect. I’m excited! Thanks again…
Either way it’ll look great- really you can’t go wrong! Maybe using the burnt orange as the real “show stopper” (as most of the background) would be great with a cream/tan border and stripe- but of course you could do most of the background in the timber color and just use the cream and orange as accents as you mentioned. Just have some fun and see what you like! The best thing about paint is you can paint right over it if you want to change anything. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
I love the ideas! I have a desk that would look great with some cool wallpaper on top. Another project to add to the list…
How do you organize your inspiration folder? I am always struggling with how to save things so I can find them again!