We bought a home in a late 1920's building on the north side of Chicago. This meant we got a few things that just go with the territory ... a huge entry way, a very long hallway, a fireplace surrounded by built-in bookshelves and insanely creaky floorboards. And red walls - thanks to the previous owners, not the vintage. Since the entrance "hall" was so large, we actually had to make an effort to decorate it. And by happy accident, we squeezed quite a bit of vintage into the corner, for very little outlay. O'Keeffe painted D.H. Lawrence's faraway tree in 1929. The photograph on the table is of my partner's grandparents, snapped in downtown Chicago in the '30s. The old check/cheque printer was made by "Paymaster Systems" of Chicago and is ... old. And apparently cost $112 in its day! And then we threw in a cheap sunburst mirror and old books. We like it enough that we haven't changed it in almost 5 years.
We bought a home in a late 1920's building on the north side of Chicago. This meant we got a few things that just go with the territory ... a huge entry way, a very long hallway, a fireplace surrounded by built-in bookshelves and insanely creaky floorboards. And red walls - thanks to the previous owners, not the vintage. Since the entrance "hall" was so large, we actually had to make an effort to decorate it. And by happy accident, we squeezed quite a bit of vintage into the corner, for very little outlay. O'Keeffe painted D.H. Lawrence's faraway tree in 1929. The photograph on the table is of my partner's grandparents, snapped in downtown Chicago in the '30s. The old check/cheque printer was made by "Paymaster Systems" of Chicago and is ... old. And apparently cost $112 in its day! And then we threw in a cheap sunburst mirror and old books. We like it enough that we haven't changed it in almost 5 years.
Repurpose: Old hanger + burlap = A storage Jewel
in burlap, jewelery, jewellery hanger, jewelry storage, Metal, by Candice
Ingenious jewelry hanger? I think so. It's simple. It's smart. It makes an old wire hanger useful. I love it, and it's all I'm featuring today. Get the how-to from The Letter 4.
Upcycle: Neon spring ... really?
in upcycle, by Candice
When I think neon, I think the image above. A bright, fun upcycle of beer bottles, but it also makes the 80's teen in me cringe... a lot. Is it really necessary to bring neon back? It's a fairly intimidating trend ... I'm really not ready for another go round with giant neon hoop earrings, shocking socks, hot pink belts and day-glo lipstick. Yes - lipstick. Wow.
Upcycle: Spring is sprung, the grass is riz...
in decor, globe upcycle, magazine butterflies, Paper, pinwheels, seasonal decorating, sheets, spring, by Candice
Signs of spring are popping up everywhere around here! Sorry for the super-seasonal focus, southern hemispholks ... but you have to understand that the American Midwest is a place where people are so generally deprived of super sunny weather, we get a little high when it finally arrives. Even more so, this South African transplant right here. So I cannot resist the fun, whimsical, colorful spring projects and upcycles I'm seeing everywhere. The globe re-do above makes me a little home sick (hello Cape Town, Durban, Grahamstown) ... get the how-to at My Sister's Suitcase.
Upcycle: Woodgrain contact paper re-do's ...
in contact paper, decor, faux bois, redo, remake, upcycle, Wood, wood grain, woodgrain, woodgrain contact paper, by Candice
Chicago is so warm and sunny right now ... it's summer in March! I want to string a hammock under a tree and drift through the days. It will probably snow in April, but for now I'm staring at all the dull, grey/black/teal things in my closet. Blagh! So ... the hunt for (re) fresh, floral ideas begins.
Refab@home: New Weekly Feature!
in decor, decorating, my doodles, Thrifty Thursday, by Candice
If I could take you on a tour of my home, I'd proudly point out every thrifted, upcycled, alley-scoured and hand-me-down item. I like stories ... so I enjoy being surrounded by things that have some history and tell a story. BUT, I'm not about to try a blog-style home tour - I don't have the photographer chops for that. And, a toddler has invaded my home, so there are far too many messy toddler piles everywhere. However, I would like to share shoes, jewelry, corners and favorites ... things I love that might inspire you... and that I can actually photograph. So, in tried-and-true blogger tradition, I'm creating a weekly feature. Thrifty Thursday posts will be dedicated to the various thrifted corners of my home and my closet.
I am in awe of the craft, resourcefulness and colors in these products. The how to (via Supercyclers) is limited ... but I'm featuring it anyway because it's an amazing way to take one of the ugliest objects on earth and transform it.
If you're a tiny, imagined being like Arrietty (or any other "Borrower" or "Little"), you trade in thimbles. Really - where would you be without them?? I stumbled upon this pic on Flickr recently and was entranced. So I went hunting for Thimbalina re-do's for you.
I recently featured Mielie, a South African company creating amazing woven art, objects and acessories using old t-shirts and knit-fabric overruns. The post got a huge response, so here are a few more fun ways to repurpose old t-shirts! First, the hip chevron mat from The House that Lars Built.