The Evolution of a Living Room - Part V (2 of 2) - Build an Ottoman

If you are just joining us for the tour, check out these previous visits with the renovation and evolution of our living room.

The Evolution of a Living Room - Part I - Where we started

The Evolution of a Living Room - Part II - Where we are now

The Evolution of a Living Room - Part III (1 of 2) - The details

The Evolution of a Living Room - Part III (2 of 2) -  The details

The Evolution of a Living Room - Part IV - The 'wall of windows' transformation

The Evolution of a Living Room - Part V (1 of 2) - How to build your own ottoman

Today we continue and finish up building that ottoman. Honestly, I'm sure my tutorial is as hacked as the building process itself, so do ask questions if you want to try it yourself. I'll be happy to give some virtual guidance.

So there you have it. I know that if we fiddled our way around and got the results we did, you too can build your own ottoman. 

Still to come as we finish up our living room tour:

The Evolution of a Living Room - Part VI:  How we upcycled our sofa

Until  next time...

Mike

The Evolution of a Living Room - Part V (1 of 2) - Build an Ottoman

If you are just joining us for the tour, check out these previous visits with the renovation and evolution of our living room.

The Evolution of a Living Room - Part I - Where we started

The Evolution of a Living Room - Part II - Where we are now

The Evolution of a Living Room - Part III (1 of 2) - The details

The Evolution of a Living Room - Part III (2 of 2) -  The details

The Evolution of a Living Room - Part IV - The 'wall of windows' transformation

Today we begin a tutorial for how to build your own ottoman. We did it (with limited skills in building and in sewing) - so I'm absolutely convinced that you can to. 

See the full pictures of the ottoman in this earlier post.

Still to come as we finish up our living room tour:

The Evolution of a Living Room - Part V (2 of 2):  How to build your own ottoman

The Evolution of a Living Room - Part VI:  How we upcycled our sofa

I'll finish up the ottoman tutorial tomorrow so tune in if you've already started plans for your own. If not - make sure to check back anyway because I'll also be posting the usual recycled and repurposed inspiration to get your creative juices flowing.

Until next time...

Mike

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Ottoman DIY

We finally did it! A full year after we built the frame, we actually finished the oversized ottoman for our living room.  Spoiler...it's not recycled, nor is it repurposed.

Why did it take a year? Well, that's how long it took me to finally commit to a fabric and find the right legs. When my Swedish man helped build the frame last year, we actually had a fabric to put on it...that was too short to go all the way around - this despite being on the phone with my husband while at the fabric store to get the measurements from him to be sure. Does that ever happen to you? Doesn't he realize that fabric can't be returned if it doesn't fit? And my first intent to recycle legs from a piece of thrift store furniture flew out the window after several months of searching. Do you know how hard it is to find turned wooden legs in the land of clean Swedish design? It's 1 year worth of hard! So I finally found a nice small business in Scotland with crazy good prices and had a box of legs sent over.

The poor thing sat dejected on piles of books in the middle of our living room for 1 year! And let me tell you, when you have two kids under the age of 10 who seem to believe that our living room is their own personal gymnastics facility, those books didn't have a chance. We were constantly lifting up the ottoman to restack those books underneath. 

Does it kill me that I wasn't able to get some recycled or repurposed features in it? Sure. But I also know that my design style is a funny blend of second hand, new, and repurposed. And when I look around at the furniture pieces in my living room, this is the only new piece...and we made it! It's not even store bought. We got exactly what we wanted - an oversized ottoman that could serve as a coffee table, extra seating, a foot rest for everyone who visits, and a gymnastic vault for the kids.

I love it! BUT...I don't think it's actually done yet. I'm actually toying with the idea of painting a design on the fabric. The pattern choices are marinating in my brain and we'll see if anything comes of it. I'm thinking darker blue swirls or square-ish shapes 'stamped' on with a DIY screenprint-style stamp on recycled styrofoam a la The Meta Picture. What do you think? Do I dare? I have some extra fabric to try some sample work beforehand, so that reduces the risk a bit.

Interested in making your own ottoman?  I'll tell you how we did it later this week.

And if you are like me, you enjoy peeking into other's houses to see their design style. So I thought I would also create a post this week with a little tour of our living room, including some 'before' pics when we moved into the house over 3 years ago. Our remodel process is slower than I'd like, but I'll start posting some mini tours so you can have a peek around. 

Until next time...
Mike



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What's That ?!

I'm looking at the picture, and I'm thinking to myself, "What's that ?!" The site is in french, but I knew the table was recycled and repurposed...but from what?

Ready for this? Repeat after me...a washing machine drum! Made by Isa also has more great repurposed and recycled projects that you'll want to see. 

And it seems as though the French have a thing for washing machine drums. I love this little funky table from Ciloubidouille. Cecile and her son picked up the abandoned stop sign along the banks of the Loire river and used it as the table top - a family after my own heart! Don't miss a visit to her site to see the DIY pictorial. 

After stumbling on these two tables, of course I was curious. I searched for 'un tambour de machine à laver' (washing machine drum in french), and found more drum projects with that sexy industrial feeling to them. This one from Deco.fr has a light installed inside the drum and comes with a fun how-to video. 

I also have to include this little BBQ because it is so deliciously rustic in its natural environment. It's on the french site, Erada, which is dedicated to the village of Erada in Portugal. The author just stumbled upon this repurposed treasure. Check out the site for some lovely pics of this ancient stone village.

This practical drum-turned-fire pit comes from Dr. Qui on Instructables (made in the U.S.?). Since we have nothing but front-load washing machines here in Sweden, I'm thinking the chances of finding an old drum could be pretty good.

Now, back to France. I love this funky column shelf from Adornella - it really adds fun and flair with the little 'doors' that swing open on each drum. It wasn't for sale...because it was already sold before it was finished!

The more you look...the more you find. The possibilities are starting to seem endless. Trash Design Manufaktur in Austria has some great repurposed products for sale, including this modern stool with painted trim. Don't miss the other products on their site if you are looking for inspiration.

Need something a little more country cottage? I think this cute stool via Lara: L'atelier du recyclage artistique is about as close as you'll get considering the material.

First life...cleaner. Second life...illuminator! The originator of this ceiling lamp is not mentioned, but the inspiration comes to us via Environmental Project.fr. 

And these come to us from Bulgarian Alex Kovatchev via Yanko Design. I'm really starting to seriously think what washing machine drum project I'd like to try. Are you tempted yet?

This column lamp from Paul Morini really would be the perfect compliment to any warehouse loft or space. So industrial!

And Laurent Terras gives new meaning to a sunrise ride.

This is the waiting room at a medical office in France. See that kid's table? You guessed it! Washing machine drum! Thanks for the share, L'Art et La Maniere.

There was a great example of an old drum being used as a planter in a veggie garden, but I can't show you that image since it is licensed work by a photographer. But...you can see it here on this Google images page if you look closely for the yellow vegetable.

By nature, a washing machine is quite DIY. However, I don't want to neglect the arts. So, my final project share is this peacock made from a washing machine drum and CDs (amongst a few other bits and parts). It was featured a couple of years back as part of a recycled sculpture show in London.

These last shots aren't repurpose projects, but they are just too good to miss, given the topic of washing machine drums. 

I don't know where this laundromat is located (given the brand of the machines, I assume somewhere in Europe), but a NY pr agency came up with this engaging campaign for Pepto-Bismol. Think "agitated stomach". You can't help but smile. Brought to us via Le198. 

And I can empathize with this this unfortunate cow. I, too, have days where my head gets stuck. Maybe just not so literally.

Have you run across a washing machine drum project lately? I'm really inspired by these repurposed ideas and hope you'll share your find in the comments below.

Until next time...

Mike

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One Idea Sparks Another

I saw this mirror project in a Design Sponge e-mail update today, which then lead me over to Karen's Mosaicworks blog, and it's another case of 'one idea sparks another'.

What I love about Karen's mirror project ...it's OVERSIZED! Not to mention the nice repurpose of wooden rulers. I'm a sucker for oversized, and a big believer that oversized works in any-sized room. Design myth #1: you can't put large pieces in a small room. Rubbish!

What I'm not so keen on is the hefty cost of this project, $350...yikes (disclaimer, that's my opinion)! BUT, the results and pattern are divine! So...don't you think it could also be done with reclaimed wood strips? It might not have the same clean line design result, but I still think it would be divine...and cost effective! Do you have any other ideas of what could be used?

What else did I find when I hopped over to Karen's? She works with mosaics! The heavens open, I stretch out my arms, lift my head towards the sky and (in my head) sing out with a soprano high C. Which brings me back to where this blog started...with one idea that sparks another. Now my head is spinning with the inspiration from Karen's mosaic images. What a good start to the day!

Until next time...
Mike



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On Twigs and a Song: Repurposed DIY Chandelier

There is nothing that makes my heart sing more than a beautifully made repurpose. In this case, it was B.E. Interiors with repurposed twigs (free from the local forest), resulting in a spectacular knock-off.

The inspiration:

The result:

Can it be possible that the knock-off is actually better than the original?

B.E. Interiors is a new blog that actually started within days of my own and for one of the same reasons...Miss B.e.e. needed a creative outlet for a new life-cycle. That's enough to make me feel bonded from the very beginning! If you haven't yet stumbled upon her incredible and enviable DIY furniture and decor, do take the time to hop over and have a look around. I promise you'll end up staying a while - and you'll enjoy every minute of your visit! Tell her I sent you.

Until next time...
Mike


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DIY Chandelier From Mystery Parts

Beautiful chandeliers, right? Do you see what they are made from?

How about now?

Still not sure? Try this!

Did you guess bicycle parts?

The lamps are designed by Carolina Fontoura Alzaga. Thanks to Trendhunter 'rockstar' Jordan for finding these and posting.

Until next time...

Mike

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Simple, Beautiful, Repurposed, and Organic - Wood DIY Projects

I'm a sucker for organic repurposing, which is why I think this vase made from birch bark is simply beautiful. It would be the perfect table centerpiece for an engagement or wedding party.

New Hampshire Woods Creations

see tutorial here

Of course a log end table like this cutie on legs could be the perfect place to set my hot chocolate during the cold dark winters of Sweden. And isn't that chair just divine?

The Art of Doing Stuff

I've shown you this wall piece in a previous post, but it certainly deserves a place here among this 'repurposed and organic' theme. What I love most is that these little slices are repurposed...they were first used as placecard holders at a wedding reception.

Apartment Therapy

I wouldn't mind having a small path somewhere in the garden like this delightful sliced wood walkway.

Domesticated Nomad

This heart makes me want to run to the forest right now and start picking up sticks.

Turning a House Into a Home

I love the idea...but have no idea how they were able to get the tops of these logs so even. I'd also be too tempted to throw them in the fireplace on a cold evening.

Pinterest

There's something a bit dark about this wall sculpture, but I like it!

Calder Clark Designs

We're seeing more and more reclaimed wood walls out there. It's the perfect modern-day paneling for your home.

img fave

The list could go on and on, so we'll stop here today. As my husband always says (when we miss doing or seeing something), "It gives us something to come back for"!

See you again soon.

Until next time...
Mike


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20 Repurposed Headboards That Wisk You To Dreamland - DIY

I've got headboards on my mind! More importantly, I've got repurposed headboards on my mind as we continue with our it's taking forever bedroom remodel. So I thought I'd share 20 of the most inspiring repurposed headboards that will wisk you right into dreamland!

Bees Knees Bungalow

- aged oars -

Dreamy Whites
- antique doors - 

Better Homes and Gardens
- framed photography -

House Tweaking
- reclaimed boards - 

Better Homes and Gardens
- antique windows -

Shelterness
- antique metal fence -

In My Own Style
- curtains and crown molding -

Better Homes and Gardens
- fence gate -

DIY Network
- shelves -

Better Homes and Gardens
- vintage scarves -

Better Homes and Gardens
- antique fireplace mantle -

Source: Unknown
- antique fireplace surround and mantle -

Apartment Therapy
- IKEA mirrors -

Kara Paslay Designs
-corrugated tin-

Brabourne Farm

- tree trunk and branches - 

aka design
- wood strips -

Fab Rehab Creations
- 2 frames -

Do It Yourself
- letters -

Which one is your favorite? Have you seen other unique repurposed headboards? Leave a comment and share the creative inspiration!

For more inspiration, check out my Pinterest board.

Until next time....

Michael

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