Friday, March 30, 2012

Recycled Container Classroom

All I could say when I saw this recycled container classroom in South Africa was "Hurray"! What a brilliant reuse of an old shipping container.





The gathering space and steps on the outside of the classroom are used as the lunchroom and school amphitheater.





It's as good of a learning environment than the rundown schools I attended when I was a kid.





And I could definitely cozy up on this library at the back of the container.






Find out more at TSAI Design Studio.

Seeing this container classroom in South Africa, I was also reminded of the house that Once Upon A Time is building - also in South Africa, also using recycled shipping containers. If you haven't seen this, you must hop over there to have a look - it's absolutely gorgeous. Tell her I said 'hello'.






Until next time...
Mike

Thursday, March 29, 2012

What's That ?! - Recycled

Do you ever look at something and find yourself fixated for a few seconds longer than normal as you think to yourself, "What's That ?!" This week's project comes to us from Afroditi Krassa, a talented designer that is really making a name for herself. It was published in ReMake It in 2010.

Can you see it right away? Can you see what these business card holders and photo holders are made from?






That's right...they are made from recycled yellow pages!

Which reminds me of the bag that I just posted on Facebook a few days back which was made from recycled telephone book pages.

I can't say that I've seen too many projects with recycled telephone books, have you? If you have, share them with us in the comments below or on the Blue Velvet Chair Facebook page.

Until next time...
Mike



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Monday, March 26, 2012

Recycled Toy DIY - A Day's Worth of Inspiration

It's Monday, I'm in a playful mood because the sun is shining in Sweden (finally) - so what better time to feature some fun and colorful recycled toy creations! I don't think it matters if you are old or young - these projects are bound to make you smile.


















































I think this list could go on and on...but it's only a day's worth of inspiration. Perhaps I'll put a larger collection together soon - interested?

Until next time...
Mike



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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Finding Your True Colors

I was trying to match some colors from a picture that had that 'it' feeling when I looked at it. So I did a bit of looking around and found these two super-easy-to-use color palatte programs that I think you'll like to play with. Want to match colors in a picture? Or find the perfect color for your next painting project?

Start with this color palette match program from CSS Drive. It's so simple - you have the option to find the color palette in a particular photo with a quick photo upload, or find the palette for a web page that you like by simply entering the URL. The Palette Generator quickly gets results and even gives you light, medium, and dark shades within the same palette. And as if that's not enough, it gives you a full 49 shade palette with every subtle nuanced tone.




The second program is Color Scheme Designer. Just find the little black dot on the color wheel and move it anywhere around the wheel to get a palette according to the schemes you choose - Mono for similar shades, Complement shades, triad, tetrad, etc. I just had a great time moving around the wheel and watching the real-time color palettes appear.




Now it's time to click on some colors!

Until next time,
Mike

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

What's That ?!

Today's edition of What's That ?! spins me right round baby right round like a .......

Do you see it right away? What these wall posing people are made of?




Here's a closer look.



Did you guess it was made from this?





This isn't exactly a DIY unless you happen to have a CNC router at home to cut out the identical figures. This fun piece of LP art took shape over a couple of months on the wall behind the counter at Renga Arts. The LP people are cut by CNC, then heated and hand shaped into these 'performance' poses.

There are lots more funky junk creations to be found on the Renga Arts Facebook page. Hope over and tell them we say 'hi' from Blue Velvet Chair.

Until next time...
Mike



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Monday, March 19, 2012

33 Ways To Be Inspired With Sliced Wood

Are you ready to try your hand with sliced wood? Here are 33 inspirational ideas to get you going!



Olive Manna



That's My Letter






Country Living via Pinterest





Yellowstone Residence Media Room traditional media room

Worth Interiors



Camille Styles



via Shelterness



BLWF



BHG



Found



 Paula Bertolina via Pinterest



ModernRusticArt via Etsy



postscripts via Etsy



via Shelterness



The Party Wagon



Kristen Presta via Pinterest




via Pinterest



Seakettle



Shabby Love



Party Frosting




wood slice wall art
Modern Rustic Art



wood slice invitations
love lavender



wood slice serving tray
Martha Stewart Weddings



wood slice clock
via Design Sponge




wood slice frames for air plants
Handmadeology



a selection of wood slices
via Dornob



wood slice wall - notice the longer slices used as hooks
Martha Stewart



wood slice coat hanger
Modern Rustic Art




wood slice ball decor
Josh & Main



wood slice vase
Buy.com



painted wood slice art
focuslineart via Etsy




If you are in the mood to decorate with natural wood, don't miss this Pinterest board with over 100 ideas for reclaimed, drift and found wood

Until next time...
Mike

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