Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Better Late than Never...
Hurrah, I have pulled my finger out!
On other blogs, the Pinterest Challenge ended more than a week ago. On this blog, I clearly dance to the beat of my own drum.
Kudos to my friend Linzi who put me to shame by completing two projects she found on pinterest (in about half the time it took me to even start mine.)
She made meringues from scratch as well as a headband for her adorable daughter out of a t-shirt! Very impressive. Martha, watch your back...
My project, inspired by the photo below, ended up being so simple I'm slightly embarrassed about taking so long to actually...well, do it.
I have a never ending supply of water colour paper stashed in storage around our flat (read: behind the sofa and dining room table), as well as loads of paint, so this project was easy as well as cheap. Free in fact.
I drew a few guide lines on my paper and wrote this Swedish poem free hand (translation within link). No, I don't speak Swedish, but I do understand a bit of it (especially after a few drinks) Skål. See?
I used to do loads of calligraphy, so as I painted the words I tried to write as loosely and unstructured as possible (without being messy), so that it didn't look too formal.
I placed it on the floor next to the frame as it dried, but after a few minutes I decided I really liked it there as a part of the fireplace vignette.
Unlike other "art" projects I have tried my hand at, this was quick and painless. It was completed in about 15 minutes flat, and you know what? I LOVE it.
I will definitely be doing this again in the future, possibly on a super huge, over sized canvas, similar to my inspiration photo.
On other blogs, the Pinterest Challenge ended more than a week ago. On this blog, I clearly dance to the beat of my own drum.
Kudos to my friend Linzi who put me to shame by completing two projects she found on pinterest (in about half the time it took me to even start mine.)
She made meringues from scratch as well as a headband for her adorable daughter out of a t-shirt! Very impressive. Martha, watch your back...
 |
| Photos | Linzi Knowles - Belton |
My project, inspired by the photo below, ended up being so simple I'm slightly embarrassed about taking so long to actually...well, do it.
 | |||
| Photo | Alisa Burke |
I have a never ending supply of water colour paper stashed in storage around our flat (read: behind the sofa and dining room table), as well as loads of paint, so this project was easy as well as cheap. Free in fact.
I drew a few guide lines on my paper and wrote this Swedish poem free hand (translation within link). No, I don't speak Swedish, but I do understand a bit of it (especially after a few drinks) Skål. See?
I used to do loads of calligraphy, so as I painted the words I tried to write as loosely and unstructured as possible (without being messy), so that it didn't look too formal.
I placed it on the floor next to the frame as it dried, but after a few minutes I decided I really liked it there as a part of the fireplace vignette.
Unlike other "art" projects I have tried my hand at, this was quick and painless. It was completed in about 15 minutes flat, and you know what? I LOVE it.
I will definitely be doing this again in the future, possibly on a super huge, over sized canvas, similar to my inspiration photo.
Sunday, 15 July 2012
Fashionably Late
I have been very naughty.
I'm not quite finished with my oh so simple Pinterest Challenge project. In fact, I've barely started.
Not only have I had a busy week, but I have been quitehungover poorly most of the day.
I will post it in a couple days, but in the mean time hopefully I can distract you from my laxity with pretty pictures.
I came across this beautiful boutique hotel whilst searching for accommodation for an upcoming holiday to Turkey. I love the mirrored subway tile, it's very "of the minute". Enjoy!
For more, go here.
I'm not quite finished with my oh so simple Pinterest Challenge project. In fact, I've barely started.
Not only have I had a busy week, but I have been quite
I will post it in a couple days, but in the mean time hopefully I can distract you from my laxity with pretty pictures.
I came across this beautiful boutique hotel whilst searching for accommodation for an upcoming holiday to Turkey. I love the mirrored subway tile, it's very "of the minute". Enjoy!
For more, go here.
Wednesday, 11 July 2012
Trending in Design: #The African Juju Hat
Have you ever wondered how the first person to smoke marijuana decided it was a good idea? What on earth could have possessed someone to take a plant, roll it up, light it and INHALE?
Perhaps there was some sort of huge out of control farm fire that resulted in everyone in the surrounding area feeling rather relaxed, lethargic...and hungry. And they all liked it?
Now you're probably wondering how spliff talk is relevant to design trends. My bewilderment about the first weed smoker is EXACTLY how I feel about the Cameroon Juju Hat craze.
Who was the first person to put this hat on a wall and call it decor? And who saw it and copied it? Because it is EVERYWHERE now.
And what does it say about me that more than half the images used in this post come directly from my personal inspiration file? Things that make you go "hmmmm".
The feathery West African headdress has become fairly mainstream over the past couple years, though not yet quite in "Keep Calm..." territory.
I love that the hat is a simple way to add colour and texture to a space. What I don't love? The price.
Unfortunately these little beauties start at about £265. If not for that one little fact I would have jumped all over this bandwagon ages ago.
My other options? Well there is the fabulous Abigail Ahern Rasta Floor Cushion which looks similar...
...Except at £628 for the small size, it is too, ever so slightly out of my budget.
I suppose I will just have to admire for now. However if you like this trend and you're not as lazy as I am, there is a great DIY tutorial here, so you can make your own on the cheap!
And speaking of DIY, I have yet to start my Pinterest Challenge project. Yikes.
Perhaps there was some sort of huge out of control farm fire that resulted in everyone in the surrounding area feeling rather relaxed, lethargic...and hungry. And they all liked it?
Now you're probably wondering how spliff talk is relevant to design trends. My bewilderment about the first weed smoker is EXACTLY how I feel about the Cameroon Juju Hat craze.
 |
| Photo | Lonny |
 |
| Photo | Apartment Therapy |
Who was the first person to put this hat on a wall and call it decor? And who saw it and copied it? Because it is EVERYWHERE now.
 |
| Photo | Lonny |
And what does it say about me that more than half the images used in this post come directly from my personal inspiration file? Things that make you go "hmmmm".
The feathery West African headdress has become fairly mainstream over the past couple years, though not yet quite in "Keep Calm..." territory.
 |
| Photos | Design Decor Staging |
I love that the hat is a simple way to add colour and texture to a space. What I don't love? The price.
Unfortunately these little beauties start at about £265. If not for that one little fact I would have jumped all over this bandwagon ages ago.
My other options? Well there is the fabulous Abigail Ahern Rasta Floor Cushion which looks similar...
...Except at £628 for the small size, it is too, ever so slightly out of my budget.
 |
| Photo | Unknown |
I suppose I will just have to admire for now. However if you like this trend and you're not as lazy as I am, there is a great DIY tutorial here, so you can make your own on the cheap!
And speaking of DIY, I have yet to start my Pinterest Challenge project. Yikes.
Sunday, 8 July 2012
Pinterest Challenge
I joined Pinterest more than a year ago and I've been pretty bad at...you know, pinning. I do have a peek from time to time, but I rarely sign in, and every time I do it seems even more complicated to use than the time before. Even my mother pins more than I do.
So I thought I'd pull myself out of this Pinterest slump by joining in the Pinterest Challenge!
The way it works is that you use one of your pins (or anything you've seen on the internet), as inspiration to create...well anything. It could be art, DIY, or even a recipe. Next week, around this same time I will post my project and what it was inspired by, and I can post yours too if you feel so inclined to play along.
I'm having a hard time trying to choose between 2 projects at the moment. One is super easy and quite frankly, probably a bit of a cop out. The other is, lets just say, a little more taxing. I'm going to be totally honest and admit that the deciding factor will be how much spare time I have this week.
So next week? Same time, same place?
And speaking of internet inspiration, I recently stumbled upon this amazing London (Battersea) home.
Prepare for drool. Lots of it.
Eames chairs, concertina doors and whitewashed floors you say? Er, YES PLEASE!
Claw foot tub plant shelf. Genius.
Sigh. A girl can dream.
Photos are all from location agency Shoot Factory.
So I thought I'd pull myself out of this Pinterest slump by joining in the Pinterest Challenge!
The way it works is that you use one of your pins (or anything you've seen on the internet), as inspiration to create...well anything. It could be art, DIY, or even a recipe. Next week, around this same time I will post my project and what it was inspired by, and I can post yours too if you feel so inclined to play along.
I'm having a hard time trying to choose between 2 projects at the moment. One is super easy and quite frankly, probably a bit of a cop out. The other is, lets just say, a little more taxing. I'm going to be totally honest and admit that the deciding factor will be how much spare time I have this week.
So next week? Same time, same place?
And speaking of internet inspiration, I recently stumbled upon this amazing London (Battersea) home.
Prepare for drool. Lots of it.
Eames chairs, concertina doors and whitewashed floors you say? Er, YES PLEASE!
Claw foot tub plant shelf. Genius.
Sigh. A girl can dream.
Photos are all from location agency Shoot Factory.
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
Trending in Design: #Dipped
It was a facebook conversation last week that persuaded me to feature this phenomenon for this week's trend post.
What is this phenomenon of which I speak?
Why, paint dipping of course.
In my opinion, this works best when the "dipped" to "undipped" ratio is about 1:4 (2:3 also works), as this does not visually break up the piece of furniture too much.
And its not just furniture folks. We're talking everyday household items too.
Fourth of July style anyone?
Don't get me wrong-- this certainly a great way of sprucing up or perhaps injecting a bit of personality into a piece of furniture, however I believe this one fits squarely into the "burn bright burn fast" camp.
Of course I could just be a dipstick (see what I did there?) for dismissing this to the fad pile. Who knows? Maybe we will be seeing this effect for years to come.
For now, just enjoy the view.
What do you think about paint dipped furniture?
*If you recognise the last photo and remember the source, please let me know so that I can credit it.
What is this phenomenon of which I speak?
 |
| Photo | The Sweet Beast |
Why, paint dipping of course.
In my opinion, this works best when the "dipped" to "undipped" ratio is about 1:4 (2:3 also works), as this does not visually break up the piece of furniture too much.
 |
| Photo | Apartment Therapy |
And its not just furniture folks. We're talking everyday household items too.
 |
| Photo | Anthropologie |
 |
| Photo | Etsy |
Fourth of July style anyone?
 |
| Photo | Centsational Girl |
Don't get me wrong-- this certainly a great way of sprucing up or perhaps injecting a bit of personality into a piece of furniture, however I believe this one fits squarely into the "burn bright burn fast" camp.
Of course I could just be a dipstick (see what I did there?) for dismissing this to the fad pile. Who knows? Maybe we will be seeing this effect for years to come.
For now, just enjoy the view.
 | |||
| Photo | House to Home |
 |
| Photo | The Brick House |
 |
| Photo | Say Yes to Hoboken |
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Photo | House to Home |
 |
| Photo | Living Etc. |
What do you think about paint dipped furniture?
*If you recognise the last photo and remember the source, please let me know so that I can credit it.
Sunday, 1 July 2012
Drip Drop "Art"
For the last 3 or 4 months I have kept a huge Ikea frame hidden behind our dining room table. I kept meaning to buy a piece of art so that I could hang it above the TV, but procrastination prevailed. I never found anything meaningful or affordable enough and then I kinda forgot we even had the frame. Out of sight out of mind.
Then I saw this post over at the 700 experience and thought maybe I could put my own spin on it. I had seen something similar a while ago here, and it was doing major rounds on Pinterest, but to be honest it looked like hard work and that it would create a right mess.
Suddenly, I had a brief genius moment!
I decided I would be superlazy creative and try it with watercolour.
I started in a rather organised manner. I sketched out perimeters and marked even spaced circles where I would start my "drippings", before filling in the blanks when they were dry (as I didn't want the colours to bleed and read as muddy).
I carried on this way for quite sometime and before I knew it I was two hours in and it still looked like this:
At this point my boyfriend raised his eyebrows and said "I don't get art", which loosely translates to "That looks like ----".
Still, I soldiered on, becoming more temerarious with the brush as time went on, until finally it began to look like this:
Several hours, two water bowl changes and fight with the aforementioned Ikea frame later, I was finally done. (FYI, the frame won - I ended up ever so slightly breaking it.)
I hung it landscape, cuz I'm capricious like that.
Although it took much longer to complete than expected, I'm happy enough with the result to leave it be until I find something better to replace it.
Then I saw this post over at the 700 experience and thought maybe I could put my own spin on it. I had seen something similar a while ago here, and it was doing major rounds on Pinterest, but to be honest it looked like hard work and that it would create a right mess.
Suddenly, I had a brief genius moment!
I decided I would be super
I started in a rather organised manner. I sketched out perimeters and marked even spaced circles where I would start my "drippings", before filling in the blanks when they were dry (as I didn't want the colours to bleed and read as muddy).
I carried on this way for quite sometime and before I knew it I was two hours in and it still looked like this:
At this point my boyfriend raised his eyebrows and said "I don't get art", which loosely translates to "That looks like ----".
Still, I soldiered on, becoming more temerarious with the brush as time went on, until finally it began to look like this:
Several hours, two water bowl changes and fight with the aforementioned Ikea frame later, I was finally done. (FYI, the frame won - I ended up ever so slightly breaking it.)
I hung it landscape, cuz I'm capricious like that.
Although it took much longer to complete than expected, I'm happy enough with the result to leave it be until I find something better to replace it.
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