So I decided to try and make this stencil and test it out on my walls and here’s the result. I printed a brocade stencil pattern on four sheets of paper. Then I placed strips upon strips of clear packing tape covering the paper front and back with some overlap. Then I took to the exacto knife. It was definitely time consuming to get all the details just right. I used a four inch foam roller to apply the paint on top of the stencil. It is important that the roller be almost dry. Too much paint can get in the way. This would probably be faster with four hands, but if you’re doing this by yourself (as I did), then just use masking tape to hold the stencil in place while you apply the paint and then move it as necessary. I feel like the bedroom looks fresh and new and it actually feels like I’m on vacation in a hotel somewhere. You might also notice that the chair rescue turned new shaggy black stool is now a shaggy black side table. It is almost nest like with that round light on top.
Modern Interior Design
Category Archives: DIY Alert
Wallpaper Stenciling DIY
Chair Rescue
One of my old dining chairs broke, so I took off the broken seat back and ended up with a stool. I decided I wanted it to be black and textured, so I cut triangles out of a black suit fabric and used a glue gun to attach to the seat.
IKEA Chairs Hack
I got these new dining chairs at IKEA for about 20 each. I painted the legs red and I feel like it makes them look like something different and original. IKEA meets DIY equals awesome in my book. For more IKEA hacks, visit IKEA Hacker.
Coffee table update
I have had this creation in my back pocket for some time now. I was hoping that these table covers were still made and sold. They are not, but this creation by an LA designer is something I always come back to in my mind. I think this concept translates well into various interior design possibilities. If you’re crafty, some fabric and fabric paint can transform your old coffee table into a modern work of art.
Vintage Luggage Finds Modern Expression
Walking by the Louis Vuitton store at the Century City mall, their window display caught my eye. I love the idea that you could even take a shoe box, paint it white, and then add the details of an old suitcase. And voila, you have cool, modern storage that hearkens back to days of old.
Wallpaper to Wall Stencils
Wall paper is such a huge trend, but it is a one that, at times, requires a huge budget. This dilemma begs for an alternative such as this – wall stenciling! When browsing for decorating ideas for my sister-in-law’s new Seattle abode, we stumbled upon Cutting Edge Stencils on Etsy. I love the selection and [...]
Speakers Book Shelf?
Boombox has captured my heart in more ways than one. Watching this insanely popular SNL short on hulu, the speakers wall caught my eye and sparked an idea for a fun book shelf. What if you stacked old speakers in a haphazard fashion, attached them to your wall, and hallowed some of them out creating spaces to store your books.
Tree Stump Seats
If you are stumped for novel seating ideas, here’s a sure winner. I wish I thought of it myself. Putting wheels on the old tree stumps is to make them convenient, mobile and usable as a seating alternative. Or how about those tree stump chairs with tall backs. I would love to see a few of those on wheels at the heads of a dining table. If you are going to attempt one of these yourself, make sure you address the questions of creatures living inside the stump and splinters hurting people who will sit on them. For bugs, the ideal thing to do is to find a lumber kiln and ask them to “bake” the stumps. This will extract moisture and kill any bugs they may contain. Also I’ve heard that after a tree is cut, the stumps that were located closest to the ground tend to have the most bugs. After this you want to strip the bark, sand it and seal it. One sealing option is epoxy. It would be fun to paint them different colors too.
Felt Coffee Table
I’ve been feeling rather “feltified” lately and with good reason. I’ve been an appreciator of felt for a long time (flashback to the beginning of the blog), but only recently have I started playing with it.
This is a fun coffee table idea. You can just build a wood box and use spray adhesive to put your felt around it and then put a glass piece on top. I kind of like this for my living room which has not had a coffee table for some time because I have been wanting something with texture and something different from wood or leather or fabric. I will have to determine the right dimensions. I really like the dimensions of these tables.
Chalk Paint DIY’s
Still need some last minute holiday gift ideas? Running out of money? You can buy a can of chalk spray paint or buy a can of chalk paint and go to town on some fun items around the house. Or you can actually gift a can of chalk paint and a bucket of chalk. And here’s some chalk wall eye candy for their inspiration.
