Grooving On DIY Graphics

July 28, 2010 erin

In case you haven't noticed, it's high summer and things are moving at a rather leisurely pace here at DC headquarters. I'm too busy with BBQs and pool playdates to do any hard hitting entertainicles right now, but I did manage to scrounge up a few delightful tidbits for you -- our loyal readers. If you saw yesterday's post about Karly's curtain project, then you know that a little DIY graphic goodness can make a gigantinormous difference. Let's check out some other ideas for simple, punchy projects. Behold:

Eye Spy

While I don't really want to think about how much work it actually took to paint that floor, I am seeing some definite, cheap possibilities for radical change. Is this not the best idea ever for crapoflaging those hideous screenprinted tiles that seem to run rampant in otherwise nice homes? I am wondering how durable the finish would be, though. Does anyone have experience painting tile?

Stylehunter

Step one: find huge, cheap gold frames. Step two: paint your own shapes or cut up a big piece of fabric and frame. Step three: steal those lamps. heh.

LA Times

Sure it's a little voyeuristic, but at least you'll never be lonely in bed again. As I recall, this fabric was created with digital imaging and then sewn into a coverlet. There are so many digital service bureaus out there now that I'm sure there must be some reasonable options for printing your own fabric masterpieces.

Nicolas Matheus

A couple of graphic touches can make a big impact in a neutral space. It would take three seconds to have those shapes cut out of MDF and paint them up all 80s Memphis like. The settee is a relatively easy upholstery job that could be done on the cheap with Ikea fabric, and y'all know I'm nothing if not hot for the cheap and easy.

Andrea Ferrari

Dudes, I will be knocking this idea off someday. I can't afford Fornasetti's stunning Nuvole wall mural, but I can have my own images printed by Design Your Walls. I actually flipped this image into a mirrored pattern much like the one above and then had it printed as wallpaper, which was really easy to do and relatively inexpensive. Think I might try some different images and see what I can come up with.

You know... after I finish BBQing and swimming.

Curtain Progress

July 27, 2010 karly hand

Last week I posted my scribble curtain inspiration and promised to make headway on said drapes over the weekend. Guess what? I did it! Unfortunately, projects that used to take an afternoon now span several days: carrying a baby in your belly makes you sleepy and decidedly less agile. Go figure.

I apologize for the craptastic photo, my camera has gone kaput and I had to shoot these with the camera on my phone. And, no, I haven't bothered downloading any radical filter apps.

Anyhoodle, above is curtain #1. Measuring in at 9' high and 12' wide it took about an hour to paint.

And here is curtain #2, which took about 30 minutes (I got a real rhythm going by the end).

Now, in normal, un-impregnated life I would have painted these, sewn tabs on the backs, mounted a curtain rod and hung them up all in an afternoon. As it stands, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this entire project to be complete by the end of next weekend. When it is, I promise to find a real-honest-to-god camera and take some decent pictures for you dudes.

xoxo

Double Birthday Across the Sky!

July 25, 2010 erin

Do you remember how, when you were a kid, your birthday was THE MOST MAGICAL DAY, EVER!!!!!!!!? The celebration of the day you were born was powerful enough to stop the rotation of the earth and make ice cream cakes fall from the sky. It wasn't just about the presents, either (although they were awesome). It was about some cosmic marker of time -- a critical acknowledgment of the evolution of self. Dude, why be 9 when you could be 10? Sadly, the day after your birthday just became the 364th day until your next birthday, but that's part of what made The Big Day so special. Magic can't happen everyday, but when it does...