ALL TAPED UP

When it comes to creating art for your home, it can sometimes be a headache. Getting all of the supplies and cleaning up after seem to be more of a hassle than completing the project.  That’s why tape is a great way to add an artistic touch to your home. Yea that’s right, tape! Tape is a great choice for diy art because it’s inexpensive, it doesn’t cause damage to walls or furniture and it’s easy to clean up.

 

By Amanda, butterandothergoodthings.wordpress.com

For this project all you need is painters tape, paint and a canvas (or shoebox top). Choose a base color to paint your surface. After the paint has dried place the tape in any pattern or shape that you want to. Then paint your taped off sections any color you choose. Wait until that dries to peel the tape off and enjoy your new piece of art.

By Kelly, kellyhicksdesign.com

By Maria, mariateorien.blogspot.dk

 

Is using paint still a little too messy for you? Well you’re in luck; tape is also awesome by itself. There are tons of different decorative tapes to choose from. One of the most popular craft tape is washi tape. This Japanese tape is made of paper, very durable and come in hundreds of different colors and patterns. You can find inexpensive washi tape from Cutetape.com and Etsy.com.

To make tape art, all you need is tape (duh), a canvas (or a wall).

 

By Maria, seethatthere.com

 

By Sarah, sarahhearts.com

 

By Liz, sketch42blog.com

 

By Molla, mollamills.com

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SIDEWALK SCORE OF THE WEEK

Find: Bunk Bed Ladder

Location: 11th Ave

I happened to find this ladder on the sidewalk deep in the middle of my Ladder Bookshelf obsession, that or it spawned my obsession…chicken,egg.  When I convinced the boyfriend to help me bring a completely useless ladder home late one night, I was still pretty unsure what exactly it would turn into. Not wanting to let on and risk losing the manpower, I rattled off some vague bookshelf project and started brainstorming in my head.  This ladder belonged to a standard issue set of bunk beds, therefore the wood was a bright laminated pine, with the feet cut at angles to best warrant leaning and climbing. While perfectly reasonable for a bunk bed ladder, it made it almost impossible to keep the ladder upright. After a few trips to Loews wandering around, doing my best not to look like the clueless girl among contractor men, I decided that building some sort of square base would take the pressure off the angled feet and keep it from sliding. In the end I made a very basic square base and will probably add the pads that are on the bottom of chairs to curb any sliding. Bracketing into the wall is also a good way to secure the ladder, but being a renter I don’t really want to go there!

There are a couple different ways to do this project, all involving some manner of the same additions. Below are some ideas for turning this ladder into a functioning piece in your house!

 

Amazing use for a ladder! While my ladder is more “little boys room” than “beautiful design showroom in Norway”, the concept is beautiful and would be a great take on a traditional wall mounted shelf. With the right paint color and items on display it could be a really fun piece in any room.

from Mias Interior

 

In a perfect world I would have a massive sunny house, with hundreds of built in bookshelves and cabinets and would NEED a traditional library ladder. While I am a lifetime away from that, the idea of a library ladder has always been so attractive. Even with a standard tall bookshelf, if given the right base, the ladder could be simply propped up against the bookshelf to mimic the idea of a library ladder!

Ladders from NIBS blog

 

Another slightly more advanced project would be to create a pot rack from an old ladder. If the wood of the ladder sturdy enough, it could easily be mounted and hung from the ceiling to add some charm to a usually standard pot rack. Pot racks in the right kitchen as a fun way to display all your pots and pans and any variation on the traditional style would be great!

DIY Pot Rack from Apartment Therapy

 

I decided to go with a bookshelf/craft “closet”/office organizer. I added a few squares of craft wood to the bottom two rungs to create larger shelves, added a backboard to one for even more shelving and created a square base on the bottom. I painted with the grey paint I had from last weeks table project and went crazy with about 100 ft. of sisal twine to create some texture and add a rustic element. I am SO excited with the end result.  By turning this into shelving, it can be used in ANY room in the house; bathroom storage for towels, bedside table with a funky clip on lamp, bookshelves anywhere, office supplies…the uses are endless!

 

 

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STORE PROFILE: THE GLOBAL TABLE

If you’re looking to add some personality to your dining area, I suggest you swing by The Global Table.  Located in both Manhattan’s UWS and in Soho, this tableware and home décor store offers colorful, stylish and unique items from around the world that will fit anyone’s aesthetic. From colorful and cute mugs to sophisticated and chic utensils, The Global Table has it all.

Vases available in almost any color imaginable are perfect for adding pops of color through- out your space. $18 each.

 

This chic tableware set is a modern take on traditional blue and white Chinese porcelain. $8-24.

 

Black and white panda mugs are the perfect mixture of cute and playful. $10 each.

 

Wooden dishes are great for those of you who prefer natural products.  They are also a great way to give your space an earthy and rustic feeling. Bowl, $80. Utensils, $24.

 

For 52 dollars, this iron industrial styled tea set is a steal. The teapot’s shape and wicker wrapped handle gives the set an Asian inspired appearance.


 
 
 
 
 
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UPDATE YOUR DECOR, NATURALLY

Updating your home doesn’t have to cost a fortune or require a total renovation! One of the easiest and most affordable ways to keep your space current is accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!! Right now, bringing natural elements inside is becoming very popular with the use of various woods, stone and natural fabrics.

Here are just a few of our great finds!

Try out this handmade vase fabricated out of metal and textured wood available at Wayfair.com for just around $34.00.

Natural Home Decor Archer Vase in Brown, $33

 

If you love mood lighting with a rustic feel go for this Large Natural Teak Stump Candle from Lampsplus.com. At 12” high and less than $50.00, buy a few. Everything is better in threes!

Natural Teak Stump Candle

 

For some softer elements, these Jute and Cotton throw pillows make a big statement. Both options are around $68.00 for a set of two at Wayfair.com.

Natural and Black Decorative Pillow, $68 for 2

Decorative Pillow in Beige, $68 for 2

 

Finally, if you love the idea of adding natural elements to your home but crave a pop of color, check out this beauty from Wayfair.com at $44.00. Can’t beat it!

Fire Island Coral Statue

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GET THE LOOK: MAD SCIENTIST CHIC

Halloween is just a couple days away and the northeast is facing Mother Nature’s creation, the Frankenstorm. The conditions are perfect to share a style that I like to call… Mad Scientist Chic!

You can’t tend to your lab table if you’ve no source of light! Add some flare to your workspace with this spectacular gizmo.

 

Be of sound mind and body and hang these scientific posters anywhere you please…

 

I would die to turn this kitchen cart into a bar.  Ikea’s austere metal cart in a playful turquoise is the perfect place for spirits and libations.

 

Contrast your sleek modern furnishings with this antique frame of lifeless beauty. And perhaps you’ll find inspiration for your space in nature’s remarkable patterns.

Control the sands of time with this elegantly faux antique hourglass.

These may give you chills reminding you of high school chemistry class, but I say their look is worth the threat of flashbacks to your days of pimples and braces.

You would be psycho not to adore these colorful skullptures.

So if you’re stuck inside listening to the wind and rain, start shopping for these mad chic pieces with such low prices you’ll SCREAM with delight!

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