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DECORATING WITH CHALKBOARDS

There’s no better way to stay eco-friendly than using a chalkboard in place of paper for endless note taking. With all of the products on the market as a result of our collective ecomania, I’m surprised there isn’t a wider selection of chalkboard devices out there. Below, some innovative ideas for using chalkboards in the home.

1. With a chalkboard headboard, you could have a place to write down those ideas that pop into your head on sleepless nights…

…at six feet wide, this chalkboard will fit perfectly behind a full mattress. Paint the frame black for dramatic effect.

Quartet Reversible Black Melamine Chalkboard, 4 x 6 Feet, from $229

2. Priced under $10 a roll for this chalkboard contact paper, the diy possibilities are endless. Top an old coffee table with it for a new look, cover old cupboards, or tack it up on your walls.

Chalkboard Contact Paper, $8.45 for a 18" x 6' roll

contact paper ideas:

3. Perfect for nauseating love notes, this heart shaped chalkboard is a great buy for those who don’t like that chalkboard-y look.

Giant Magnetic Chalkboard Heart, $36

4. A large green chalkboard framed in wood feels very old school and a bit steampunk. This one from Amazon is a possibility, although your best bet might be a true vintage flea market find.

Green Chalkboard 48" H x 60" W, $88

5. Have an old throwaway fridge? This is a nifty project for adventurous diy’ers with non-rental refrigerators.

go here for instructions on how to do it.

For another chalkboard idea, you might also like our previous post on the chalkboard painted walls of director Roland Emmerich.

DIY: TERRARIUMS

Terrariums are so hot right now. Unfortunately, pre-made ones cost more than a pretty penny and don’t exactly travel well. The good news is that they are a VERY doable DIY project. Order everything online and make your own on a Sunday afternoon. Get inspirated by these whimsical versions made by Brooklyn-based Twig.

Instructions:

Choose whether you’d like your terrarium to be mossy, like most of the ones by Twig, or if you’d like to feature succulents (the layering and care differs). Once you’ve decided, making your own terrarium is a matter of simple addition. Take a glass container and add:

rocks + dirt + succulents or moss + sand+ a bit of flare

You can go as crazy as you’d like in choosing your glass receptacle, but this 1 gallon jar from Crate and Barrel looks handy for beginners (i.e. removable lid, wide opening for placement purposes) and it’s just $11.95.

Gallon Jar with Lid, $11.95

Don’t have an actual backyard to forage for rocks/dirt/sand in? No problem, thanks to the interwibble. Get Polished River Rocks for $2.99.

POLISHED RIVER PEBBLES 28OZ BAG MIXED COLORS, $2.99

Soil for Cacti & Succulents…

Hoffman Organic Cactus & Succulent Soil Mix 10 Quart Bag, $9.99

…and Desert Sand.

Good Earth Organics 14302 Desert Sand, $5.78

It’s advisable to get your moss or succulents at a local greenhouse, but if the trip proves to be too daunting, you can also order online. Try some Living Moss…

Living Moss, $4.49

…or 3 Succulent Plants in Clay Pots.

3 Plants in Clay Pots, $19.99

For flare, pepper in a tiny motorcyclist or postman by ordering model train people.

City People, $9.50

If you’re opting for succulents, layer as followed:

1) Put a layer of rocks on the bottom (several inches)

2) Cover the rocks with soil (half the height of the rock layer, give or take)

3) Place the succulent roots in the soil

4) Add a moderate layer of sand around the succulents for a protective top layer

If it’s mossy terrain you seek, layer as such:

1) Put a layer of rocks on the bottom (several inches)

2) Cover the rocks with an inch or two of soil

3) Arrange the moss over the soil and press down firmly

Care Instructions:

Give the terrarium several hours of direct sunlight each day. For succulent-based terrariums, water every few weeks. For moss-based versions, mist the moss with a water bottle every day. As your terrarium will have no drainage hole, avoid over watering in either case.

FIVE EASY STEPS TO A HAPPY HOME

Every time I enter someone’s home, I notice a trend of decorating mishaps. The most basic rules of simple interior design are often overlooked, but with my easy five step program you’ll be on your way to creating a space that you love.

Step 1: DECLUTTER!

This is always my #1 rule for creating a good living space. If minimalism doesn’t come naturally for you, check out this post on Apartment Therapy, How to Declutter Your Home. If you’re still not convinced, check out Martha Stewart’s 100 Reasons to Get Rid of it, which gives some very helpful resources that make it easier to part with your stuff.

If you have a lot of junk that you simply can't part with, think of smart ways of organizing it into a pleasing display.

Step 2: PAINT!

You’d be amazed how much good a fresh coat of paint will do you. You don’t have to do anything fancy here, any shade of white will instantly refresh your space and make it look like new again. If you’re feeling lucky, however, there are many resources to help you choose the right color for your style.

The Latest Color Trends in Paint by Home Depot offers the latest color palettes and samples for inspiration.

Step 3: DON’T LET SMALL SPACES GET THE BEST OF YOU

Small spaces and studios are some of my favorite places to work with because they’re less overwhelming, less space equals less stuff to buy to make it look good. For more ideas, see Apartment Therapy’s Big Book of Small Cool Spaces. I will be writing about small space solutions in my future posts so stay tuned!

This small bedroom pulls off a minimalist uncramped look.

Even a closet-sized bedroom can look this good!

Step 4: ACCESSORIZE

Never understimate the power of accessories. The right pillows and throws can transform the simplest of sofas, for example. See more posts under the ‘accessorize’ category for ideas.

West Elm has a great selection of reasonably priced eco-friendly accessories.

Step 5: LIGHTING

The fixtures that you see in a lot of apartment rentals and new homes are usually the ugliest standard fixtures the owner could find. Often overlooked, a simple upgrade makes a big difference. Another solution is keeping the overhead light switch off at all times and using a few floor and table lamps to light the apartment instead. A well-lit space is a happy space. Stay tuned for my special lighting post coming soon!