Forest Glam DIY

Last night I whipped up a bit of forest glam DIY.

I don't know about you, but sometimes the only time I have to finish up projects is late in the evening...which means all my photos are either quite dark, or washed out with flashes. I really must work on that! Of course the fact that it starts getting dark here now at 3.30 in the afternoon doesn't help! Long summer days mean short winter days in Sweden.

Back to the glam. As different bits of my 1970s home get renovated, I'm ready to start adding my own touch of funkiness here and there. Our kitchen has been done for a while, but I got a sudden burst of DIY inspiration to splash a bit of personality on our run-of-the-mill spotlight lamp from IKEA.

So I grabbed a few curly-cue branches that I had sitting around and set them up on my run-of-the-mill spotlight lamp from IKEA.

OK...I'm starting to feel the forest glam love...but it's still missing something. Of course! Antique crystal bits!

I got these at a thrift-style market in Copenhagen, Denmark, when we 'went abroad' (all of a 3-hour drive from where we live) to visit Tivoli at Halloween. They are old crystal bits from chandeliers...when they had candles instead of lights. The round cup area catches dripping wax...and the little wire rings usually held little crystal drops - like the one in the photo. I originally bought them thinking I would use them in a mosaic wall hanging that is starting to form in my mind, because those little cups look like flowers when you hold them upwards. But alas, they find a new home now as the showstoppers in a forest glam lamp dressing.

I have some round glass baubles that match Lulu (our dining room chandelier) that I'm thinking about adding as well. But honestly, by the time I got these up and some photos taken, I was just too tired to think about it more, let alone get out a tripod so that my night photos wouldn't be so blurry. Something for me to contemplate. To bauble, or not to bauble, that is the question.

For now I'll just be happy with my little touch of forest glam.

Until next time...

Mike

Stumble this post

Also linked up at:
Tip Junkie
DIY Showoff

Lamps - Recycled and Redesigned

Amy at Four Corners has gone and done it again. She re-creates the most beautiful recycled and redesigned lamps...and they are just too delicious for words.

These kinds of posts are all about the eye candy! Amy, you've outdone yourself! And you inspire the rest of us re-designers with your generosity to share 'how you do it'. 

Inspired to try your own version of a Four Corners Design recycled lamp? Hop over for Amy's 'how to do it' post. 

Until next time...

Michael

Stumble this post

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

Stumble this post

Light Up The Smile - DIY Chandelier

It may not light up your room, but it will certainly light up the smile on your little princess! This chandelier is made entirely from easy-to-find recycled items.

What you need:  1 paper towel roll, 2 cereal boxes, 1 lg plastic soda bottle, black paint, and some paperclips.

You'll find a detailed tutorial over at Jellyfish Jelly. She even gives an easier version for smaller hands to make their own. I tell you what...I actually had to do a double-take to see that the crystals were from the plastic soda bottle. What a great DIY party decoration idea. Or in the corner of your little princess's  bedroom. Would you put it anywhere else in your house?

Until next time...
Mike


Stumble this post

DIY - An Extra Mannequin

Looking for a DIY project for that extra mannequin you have hanging around? Natasha from Punkartkaitsi just happened to have an extra mannequin on hand...and she recently made a fabulously funky corner lamp. This new blog from Greece shows promise for the world of repurposed arts and crafts so be sure to have a quick peek.

And yes, that whimsical hat on her head is a...strainer.

Until next time...

Mike

Stumble this post