Paper Jewels

I found another great example of wallpaper-as-art and wanted to share it, especially because there’s an extra bit of food-for-thought here. First, here’s the inspiration photo:

Wallpaper as Art - Inspiration from Style-Files.com

Now there’s a point to all this. First off, this is (part of) a great-looking room (and Style Files is full of inspiration, truly, go look around!) But even more - here’s the bear-with-me idea.

I happen to think this is a great looking vignette. I also think that the wallpaper they’ve used in this pic is totally unremarkable - in and of itself. It’s okay. It’s not fabulous. But the way they’ve used it, as a strong graphic statement, framed AS ART, really does look terrific.

Okay, that’s Idea Number One. It doesn’t have to be priceless art. It has to say something to you, or be a color you love, or whatever. Treat it as art, be bold with it - and it IS art.

Which leads me to my second point. I took the photo from Style Files and fiddled with it - excuse me ladies, it was just to try something out. What I did, was grab what I consider a totally inappropriate graphic from my own files (inappropriate meaning, it ain’t “art”, it’s just a graphic). This particular graphic is of a pair of earrings on my site - and yes, I do think the earrings are terrific (you can find them here). But as wall art? No, I wouldn’t choose this graphic.

But in my doctored-up-photo, I took the earrings image. I copied it a bunch of times - just like you could do if you took any image you liked and made 20 copies at your local copy shop. Then group the images together on the wall (put pasteboard or something behind them if you don’t want to paste directly on the wall) and presto: you’ve got strong wall art.

See what I mean? This isn’t priceless art. But because it is a strong image, and the repetitive idea makes it even more graphically interesting, and because it’s framed on the wall like “real art” - it works. It looks good. It makes a statement.

It costs practically nothing if you use images from magazine pages. Or maps. Or wallpaper samples. Whatever. Use *recycled* images, that’s even better.

Try it. It works.

This isn’t a new idea but I just found a great example of the classic “reuse cardboard containers” Do It Yourself idea:

Recycled cardboard container (this was oatmeal) into good-looking storage

Like I said, it’s a classic idea. Cover the cardboard with contact paper, fabric, recycled magazine pages (yeah, more recycled stuff!) to match your decor. Make a grouping of three or four of them, maybe - really your imagination’s the limit, and more storage is always good

Once again I’ve found great tips - this time it’s 50 Healthy Foods for Under $1 a Pound at The Daily Green - over on Yahoo. (Scroll down the page to find 12 Things To Do With Oatmeal.

There are tons of great tips, and cost-saving ideas over there - all green oriented. Really, check it out!

I’m always looking for paper inspiration and goodies, right? And in my recent quest I found this yummy vintage skirt. The vendor is calling the print, “Paper Roses”, which is how I found it. Serendipity! It’s so fun to find surprises that are as cute as this one - and as affordable

“Paper Roses” Vintage Skirt from kellyemeraldhart at Etsy

Of course once I found her shop I had to look around. She’s got really good prices, vintage skirts and dresses I’m definitely going to check out, and some goodies that I thought were both attractive and really interesting. Take a look at this artwork:

Polaroid into Prints - from kellyemeraldhart at Etsy

She’s taken her own polaroids - and turned them into larger prints. You can buy a pack (as in this listing) or get each one separately for only $2.00! I love the water-color-ish look of them - and the uniqueness - and of course the price!

Original artwork - and vintage pretties - this is a great shop you definitely want to visit

P.S. AND she’s having a sale!

This is such a simple idea I’m crushed I didn’t think of it - but it’s so cool I have to share

I discovered this idea over at Domestically Speaking Blog - there’s bunches of useful info and fun ideas over there and you really ought to check it out.

And this idea is lovely - fun - easy!

Painted Bottles - Do It Yourself

She shares how she made them and it’s worth reading the tips she offers - but basically? You take clean empty bottles, drop in several drops of acrylic paint, put the lid back on the bottle, and shake! Much prettier than painting the outside of the bottle because you get not only the color - you get the shine and gloss of the glass.

Check out her blog - and then add a terrific punch of color to your house with recycled bottles.

PS Once again, this could be great for brides. Use silver or white paint on the inside of the bottles, and add real or silk flowers, as centerpieces for your reception tables. Or make a big grouping of the bottles, in your wedding colors of course, to add drama to any table. You’ll think of more ideas than I have - and you’ll be adding a personal (thrifty) touch to your wedding!

A bucket, you say? Now wait, it is MUCH cooler than you’re thinking.

If you’re like me, you always need places to PUT things. You need to get more organized. You don’t want to spend a lot of money but you want whatever it is that’s doing the organizing, to look good. And you’d be thrilled to do it yourself - if you just knew how.

So take a look at this absolutely terrific burlap “bucket” - container - catchall - magazine holder - tote - you name it:

DIY Burlap Bucket or Tote - PDF Instructions from Designsmayamde on Etsy

Think how many ways you could use this. In every room - in colors made to coordinate and look good with what you’ve already got. You can do it yourself. You could use all kind of great recycled fabrics!

And she offers online help if you need it!

No, really, I’m not obsessed with cardboard. But once I started thinking about cardboard, and how useful it is, and how it’s all over the place, and we usually just throw it away - I couldn’t resist finding more good examples of what we can do with it. Easy, Inexpensive, and Fun Home Decor Idea No. 2 (or 3, or whatever):

Corrugated Cardboard Wall Decor created by Jonathan Fong

That wall looks great! Neutral, strong, geometric, dramatic - take your pick of descriptives. We could all use some version of this! The article even tells how to do it - though I imagine there are as many ways to do it (easily!) as your imagination can come up with patterns.

And if you mess up part of the design, you just cut new cardboard. If your baby scribbles on the wall, you can replace that section (or celebrate her creativity!) If your cat shreds the bottom, so what? Tear up another cardboard box. And reuse the pieces

In my eternal quest for pretties for my home - that are attractive, useful, moderate in cost (or, well, cheap) - and bonus points if they’re paper - I found these goodies. Yum!

Just look at these wonderful colors!

and

These fabulous photos/prints/wall art can be found at Urban Design at Artfire. Her work is super affordable, she has lots of offerings, and you can see how talented she is. And her studio bio says she’s only been doing this for a year or so - I mean, wow!

Okay, you want to spruce up your place, and you want it to be (1) easy, (2) affordable, (3) great looking, and did I mention (4) easy?

You really should check out the vinyl wall art - stickers for grownups! at Savvy Gal Designs on Etsy.

Like this fabulous graphic:

These are great for renters - easy to apply *and* to take down.

Personalize your space! Not only can you apply them vertically or horizontally, you can choose your own color. Go for it!

I saw the most amazing creation over at Ecofriend.org. This building is a teahouse, very much in the tradition of a handcrafted Japanese structure - but this one is made entirely of recycled paper.

Now this time I’m not suggesting we should go build our house out of recycled paper - at least, not without an engineer’s knowledge of materials and how to adapt them to building techniques. But I do suggest that we could all be inspired by this structure.

One, we can learn - or remember, because we already know it - the all-important concepts of reuse, rethink, recycle… and “rethink” is a real important part of that trio. Take a look at some of the stuff you’re about to discard. Some of it can have a new life. Some of it can have a very COOL new life.

And if a building out of recycled paper isn’t in your immediate future - what about an ottoman or footstool, built with “bricks” you made yourself of paper? Or… well, you’ll think of things. Unleash your Mad Creative Scientist and make something for yourself!

Now this combines several of my passions - paper (natch), recycling and even more important RE-USING… also art, making your home comfortable and attractive, DIY-ness…. lots of good stuff.

This article from Sunset.com shows an example of re-using old CD jewel cases as “frames” for your art:

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Used in multiples like this, they make a great graphic statement - and even more special is that you can use a common theme - pics of your friends? landscapes? alien bugs? you name it! - or, maybe a similar color - all sorts of images in blue, for example. Truly it can be tailored to exactly what you like, or what you want to say.

And the graphics / pics you insert in the cases can be recycled, too. Gorgeous flower pics taken from old magazines? old pattern images?

How about cutouts from your kids’ drawings? Talk about a special, personal, and way fun decoration for your kitchen or alcove? I love that idea!