diy details

After of a sweet little flower shop renovation. Love the contrast of the wood & white laminate flooring, & the vein of mirrored tile that seams them together. The dark, rough-hewn molding juxtaposed against bright white & the pendant lights made from exhaust fans are simply wonderful.

from here

the little things

We recently painted our small bath - outdated, moldy wallpaper finally sent us over the edge. What a difference the littlest details make!

The only before pic we have is quite murky & grainy, but besides the encroaching floral wallpaper, you can just make out some of the first things to go shortly after we moved in: the plastic knobs with screen-printed citrus fruits bedecking the lovely corner built-in, white plastic outlet covers, lucite green toilet seat with suspended dried flowers floating about inside, & the faded light-blocking paper window shade. Brushed nickel knobs, ceramic outlet covers, a plain white wood toilet seat & mattress- ticking blind stepped in to freshen things up. Left as-is was the gorgeous woodwork (maple that was handcrafted by local Estey Organ woodworkers, from what we've been told) & original fixtures from the 30s.

I love how clean & fresh & bright it feels now, & how the wood stands out with the lettuce-y green walls.

lit up

A simple & dramatic DIY project that requires glue, scrap paper cut into long strips, an old paper lantern, & nothing more. I love how in the topmost photo the lady in the small portrait appears to be gazing up at it with admiration.

from here

the writing's on the wall

I am fanatical about type & fonts, with a love for old letterpress, preferring traditional modes of typeset & printing & the tactile result when print is approached as craft. In the past I have been known to paint a favorite poem in the corner of my bedroom from ceiling to floor, so it wended its way down the wall in a tiny column I could read every day; I hand-lettered our wedding invitations myself, & printed them on hand-made Japanese paper that was packaged with the help of a wonderfully game friend who wielded hot sealing wax & a brass stamp like a pro. Fonts have found their way into my scrimshaw work, & old books have long been a source of inspiration for my artwork. I love seeing the hand in things, & the very personal end result when there are visible clues to the process involved.

I am smitten with how this undulating wire quote unwinds along the wall, like a train of thought. Time to get out the pliers & wire cutters...

& the workspace itself isn't too shabby, either!

from here

books by their cover

I love these hand painted covers by illustrator Frank Chimero. A wonderful way to personalize & gussy up cloth-bound books minus their dust jackets.

from here

weekend DIY

you may have surmised that I like books.

This DIY illustrates how to make custom hardbacks out of old paperback books. Elegant & easy, you can turn your whole collection of trade paperbacks into a very French-looking white-spined library.

from here

weekend DIY

Here's a fetching little lamp that is simple & modern, from a woman whose fabric designs I've long admired & lusted after. As illustrated here, her work in wood is absolutely stunning as well.

how to here via here

weekend DIY

This spunky little table is made from an old door; I like its simple construction, & the sunny yellow legs set at a jaunty angle lend it such personality.

how-to here via here

weekend DIY

Here's a weekend DIY I did a few years ago, a pair of Swedish mid-century dining chairs whose original tweed upholstery was far too nubbly & tempting for the cats to keep their claws off.

before

After treating the wood & covering up scratches, I reupholstered them with bleached linen on which I'd printed a hand-drawn twig pattern in a deep slate blue. I am happy to report that the cats have since left them alone for the most part, except to nap on during hot, humid days.

after

weekend DIY

I love this shelving unit, both for its clean, industrial lines, & the fact that it was made from reclaimed barn wood. Practical for West Coast folks & those who live in earthquake zones, too, as it is screwed into the floor & ceiling for extra stability, & perhaps for those, like us, with rambunctious felines, who seem to think all structures exist for their enjoyment.

from here, via here