Wednesday, March 14, 2012

For the Birds - Spotlight on Brian Carlisle

The latest issue of Artizen Magazine is out and my interview with the brilliant Brian Carlisle starts on page 50.



I became a fan of Brian's work the instant I first saw his creations over at JunkMarket Style where he's a regular contributor. Make sure to check out his interview, and I'll let the beautiful images of his work below speak for themselves.






















If you want to catch Brian to snatch one of his fabulously funky recycled creations, you'll find him hanging out here:

And don't miss that article where you'll find more great photos of Brian's creations.

Until next time...
Mike










A Day's Worth of DIY Inspiration - Recycled and Repurposed

I just love today's collection of recycled and repurposed DIY inspiration. 


via House Trend Furniture



Studio Hergebruik



Say it fast 5 times...recycled seatbelt belt
2012 Architecten



with a nod to industrial style, this lamp is made with recycled spoons and a pan
Garbage



one of the best pieces of art I've seen with recycled magazine pages 
Marang Studios via Flickr



recycled sweater slippers are here just in time for Easter
Merriment Design via Instructables



This necklace from recycled Barbie bits freaks me out a bit
Margaux Lange



Wholman via Instructables



this recycled bottle cap floor was a hit on the BVC Facebook page recently
Best of Remodeling



NY Times



This pencil collection wall art would take care of overpopulation of the leaded kind
How Now Design



I, too, want a window full of these recycled plastic lid columns
Praeterita



Of course recycled Dutch cookie tins belong in a tree!
via Recylart



Pipapiep



Perhaps these inspirational ideas seem extra special because it's an extra special week! We hit 1 million page views this past weekend. And today we hit 2,000 Facebook friends in our community. Know what else today is? The 1 year anniversary of Blue Velvet Chair! Join me in a virtual toast to the BVC blog - past, present, and future!




Until next time...
Mike 



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Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Finding Your Home Style



I was reading the latest Swedish issue of IKEA Family live magazine and stopped on the article featuring artist Dan Bennett who has a new poster design picked up by IKEA. I always wonder how much they change the "live" magazine contents from region to region. Does your region have this article in the latest issue?

What has filled my mind all day were his words about using art to create a sense of history in your home. "I have kept a number of pieces over the years that remind me of people, places and emotions. They decorate my living space and keep my personal story at the front of my mind. They tell me where I have been and how I arrived at this place in life, while also guiding me into the future."

That strikes a cord with me. And helps to explain why I am so passionate about having personal 'things' lying around, on my bookshelves, on the walls, etc. They somehow connect me to my entire life, past and present. I absolutely appreciate the calmness of a good minimalist design, but I know I could never thrive in that environment. I think I would feel as empty as the room itself.





Then I was scanning my blog roll at Bloglovin' and stopped on Diane's post at Home Sweet Homemade. She was also talking along the lines of creating style emotions in your home. She remembered some good advice about choosing 5 descriptive words to define the feeling you want in a room. Hope over to have a quick read.

So now I'm left thinking what those 5 words would be for my entire home. Do you know what your 5 words would be?

Until next time...
Mike

Recycling with Chevron

Did you seen these cute little DIY chevron earrings over at Alisa Burke's place last week?




She made three different shapes from shrinky dink plastic and a white Sharpie paint pen. I think they are just adorable.

Wanna make them recycled? How about making your own fused plastic from plastic shopping bags. It's so ridiculously easy - I've even done it with my 10-year old son (the fusing, not the earrings). Here's a really easy-to-follow video from the Etsy lab for making your own fused plastic.









Now think of all the possibilities! Bags, pouches, funky wall art - are the cogwheels on the right side of your brain churning yet?

Make sure to hop over to Alisa's blog to see how quick and simple it was to put together those earrings so you can make a pair for yourself.

And if you are still feeling the love of a good chevron pattern, I've got a Pinterest board with nearly 100 inspiring chevron DIY examples showing you how to pump in some of this graphic goodness - including bold as well as subtle examples. Personally I'm a subtle chevron enthusiast - but I sure do appreciate those that go bold!

What's your take on the chevron design? Still going? Or has the trend fizzled?

Until next time...
Mike


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What Can You Do With... Recycled Sinks?

It just takes seeing one picture to make me ask, "What can you do with...". This time around it was a recycled sink.


Georgia Peachez



These stairs made from recycled sinks are in a Dutch vegetarian restaurant
Arwen Willemsen



kitchen sink and counter make an excellent drum for your spontaneous Carnival parade
Richie Wisbey Collection



Even the desert appreciates this old wash basin and bidet repurposed as planters
Kevin Collins



Build your next office with recycled sinks exterior
2012 Architecten




A recycled sink garden fountain will keep the birds happy this summer
Make Mine Mosaic



Crenk



iVillage Garden Web



And if you don't plan on recycling a sink anytime soon, don't forget to be creative with your sinks at home!


Benjamin Bullins via A Green Living



via Salvaged Grace


So now my question is..."What will you do next time you find a junk sink?"

Until next time...
Mike



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