Shed Makeovers

Continuing with my theme of backyard getaways, here are two shed hacks that make ordinary storage sheds custom. I'm a little obsessed with this idea and all the creative opportunities there are. I actually went to a large shed retailer and walked around thinking about the possibilities. Sadly, my backyard is not cut out for a shed. The ideas below showcase two key elements, doors and exterior additions, that can boomerang into lots of variations.

Doors!

Folding doors, French doors, purple doors, doors with windows, you decide. Just not those flaps sheds usually come with. Paint the inside white or another light color and decide on a style or theme. This one is East Coast Beach but you could do French Country,  Mod, man cave,  romantic, butterflies, fishing, you name it. Extra touches might include curtains, a back window, and a tiny garden or more potted plants outside. If you have access to electricity, you can really go wild: a mini fridge, lights, disco ball, fans...

Exterior Additions

I love this one. The pergola and the stone path are the magic transformers and it even looks a little Chinese. Bonus: Leave the original wide doors on the side and you can still park big stuff like your ride-on mower inside, if you must. A variation on the pergola would be a less airy, more substantial covered porch or even a screened porch with a hot tub inside.

Upcycled Glass House

Obviously, this never was an everyday shed but it's so beautiful and green that I had to include it. It's made completely from old windows and doors. 

[Photos: Thank you to pinners and houzzers.]

3 Backyard Rooms

If you live in the Northeastern United States, then you know that this time of year is pretty glorious. It's when you move the long-underwear and wool hats to the far, far back of the closet and ... set up your outdoor living room! If you haven't had one before, treat yourself right and create one. Outdoor rooms mean drinks in the garden with friends, zen escapes, and lazy living — or anything else that makes you happy.

For me, a backyard room's a unique space with a little privacy that brings indoor comforts out. To start decorating, find accessories typically used inside (rugs, picture frames, pillows) and arrange them in a space that's defined (or use them to define the space). Choose pieces that are weather-friendly (ie. outdoor rugs) or that you don't mind seeing acquire that special been-outdoors-all-summer patina. 

Here are three takes on the backyard room that might inspire you:

1. A room for two.

This is so simple. There's no construction; a corner is all you need. The room "walls" are the sides of the deck and the umbrella is a summertime ceiling. I love the idea of sinking the umbrella into a beautiful pot with plants spilling over the edge. To make this even more room-like, add a little table for food, art on the walls, a small outdoor rug, and votive candles along the top of the deck walls. 

2. Room with salad.

Upcycle wood pallets to build an outdoor room complete with a garden on the ground AND on the wall! Paint the pallets any color you like. Red isn't for everyone. This plan is cool for either a rural or an urban setting.

3. Raised-bed room

 The shape of this outdoor room echos the squares of the raised beds for a formal sort of getaway. High walls with openings for a doorway and windows provide drama and privacy. Take a nap inside and no one will even know you're there!

[Photos, top to bottom: apartmenttherapy.com, rus-des-relookeurs.com, homesaura.com. Thank you!]

Get Some Air (Plants)!

Although Tillandsias (air plants) remind me of some of the hair in Dr. Seuss' books, they're also modern, elegant, and definitely worth adding to any living space. As if that weren't enough, air plants don't require soil to grow; just soak them in water once a week and you're done. Easy.

So how the heck do you decorate with a spiky, curly, no-dirt plant? A few ideas ...

 Nestle them in with dirt-loving plants (on the table) or mount them on a wall.

Set up a table-scape. No messy soil or florist's foam.

Highlight just one in a jewel-like terrarium.

"Plant" them in smooth stones.

...or walk down the aisle with an air-plant bouquet!








[Images top to bottom: Marthastewart.com, apartmenttherapy.com, air-plants.com, jldesigns.blogspot.com.
Thank you!]

3 Ideas for Stair Flair

Some people live in houses built with dramatic Gone-With-The-Wind staircases or modern, cantilevered, glass steps. Most of us, though, live with standard-issue stairways that are — yes! — a great decorating opportunity. Step this way and turn standard into stellar ...  

1. Add color!
Bold color, shiny lacquer color, or just a band of color like a faux runner. 

2. Customize the details.
Nautical hardware and rope spindles will transport you to your yacht or beach house
or lobster boat (you choose) every time you climb the stairs.

3. Decorate the risers.
The sky's the limit. Maybe words, maybe numbers, waves,  dots, or rows of decoupaged apples or a little puppy running up.  I'm not sure how well it would stick, but you could also try adhering
strips of left-over wallpaper.



[Photo credits: Top: yasminelizabeth instagram.com. Middle: prettystuff.tumblr.com.
Bottom: imgfave.com. Thank you!]

DIY: Paper-Bag Spring Wreath

My place needed some Spring spice and thanks to maryjanesandgaloshes.com, I found the perfect crafty solution. I love the fact that this wreath is made from paper lunch bags. It makes me grin every time I see the wreath.

To start, I nixed the suggested foam wreath form and made my own from cardboard. Then I glued on flowers made from circles of paper lunch bags. (This took forever, I must admit. Lots of time to think about all the bag lunches I ate in elementary school.) To finish, I cut out and glued on blue and yellow butterflies — plus some I cut from sheet music I printed.

Flower technique: Put the eraser end of a pencil in the center of a paper circle and gather the sides of the circle up around the pencil to make a flower. Glue each flower onto the cardboard back. Go to maryjanesandgolashes.com for more details.   

One-Color Makeovers

So here's my beach house. Kidding. I wish!

The thing about this place is the way that turquoise shutters and porch ceilings add instant Caribbean charm to an all white home. Personally, I would weave in one more color so the look is less stark. Coral? Yellow? Green?  It's a transformation that anyone could do with any color and in any space. I'm thinking about trying it in my little sunroom.  

 How about a little color on that white car cover, too!

Red Redo: The fabric wall panel is a great alternative to wallpaper since it's easy to remove.

                                                         [top photo: onenuttygirl.com, bottom: blimi.eu. Thank you!]

Eco-Friendly Fireplaces

More and more, it seems that while cozy wood fires in the fireplace may always have a place in peoples' hearts, they won't get a place in their homes. That sounds a little sad but it turns out that (Go figure!) many people prefer fire sources that are more energy efficient and carcinogen-free.

And there are some beautiful options. Do they make me want to curl up next to them with my Kindle? Hmmm. My first reaction is "no," but I won't pass judgment until
I've actually tried it.

This sleek EcoSmart Fireplace is fueled by denatured ethanol. Move it around to any location in your home.
 It makes a great room divider.

[Photo source: EcoSmart]

A flue-free, natural gas option that radiates zen.

[Photo source: greendiary.com]

Crocheting Fever

Here I am doing a photo shoot on my floor again (bottom pic). I had to share my new crush on crochet. It started when I saw the sweet necklaces, below, online. Next thing I knew, I had a huge pinterest board of ideas for even more crocheted necklaces, lacey scarves, owls, and even bike wheel guards. After a trip to the store for a hook and yarn and a little how-to help from youtube, I made the slightly wobbly yellow flowers and heart below. Next, a necklace!  

This has a button clasp in the back. 

Love the leaves.

Hey, Mom. Look at this!

                                               Necklaces from creativeyarn.blogspot.com.

This year, everyone's getting ...

There's a gift-making workshop in my dining room. The table is covered with tiles and cork and I'm having a blast trying different coaster techniques. 

I think of coasters as little bits of room jewelry that can add a personal detail or a spike of color to your coffee table or living-room side tables. I'm customizing each set, which will also make them great conversation pieces. For instance, I'm giving my brother map coasters that show his favorite surfing spots.

Note: All of these are made with bottom and top coats of Mod Podge plus a sealant. The tiles have felt on the bottoms.

Top: Silver seagrass coasters.

Yep, tinsel! Years ago, in an un-green moment, I bought tinsel and with this project, I can upcycle the leftovers. 

Tip: If you try this, lay the tinsel pieces down on the Mod Podge in a group and then 

adjust the individual strands.

Middle: Classic map coasters.

Cork circle + paper maps. Easy.

Tip: I used maps from AAA but you could also print maps from the web.

Bottom: Rock-and-roll coasters.

I printed images of bands (Wilco, here) and put them onto white tiles from the 
hardware store (16 cents each!). 

Tip: Choose images with similar colors so they work as a set.

 

Time to deck the mantle!

Decorating a mantle is an excellent opportunity to get creative and make a still life that sets a mood in your home. Have fun with it! The mantle in my house is a giant, ornately carved beauty from the early 1900s and it's a great stage for decorations.

Here's a little mantlescape inspiration:

This is a fantastic Hannukah mantlescape. It's got a simple, elegant color scheme and the chocolate coin (Hannukah gelt) garland is a fun touch.

[Source: houzz]

Can you tell I like white? Here's a pretty, wintery look. The jar full of silver balls and the small figures add interest and the snowball /pom-pom garland is a good texture contrast to the hard objects above it.

[Source: pinterest]