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Inspired Idea: Adirondack Desk Chair (not a typo!)

Jul 20, 2010

Today is sunny and mild with puffy white clouds dotting a blue sky and a light breeze blowing through the trees. Stuck inside at a computer? Never fear… clever, prolific, and down-to-earth designer Todd Oldham has tweaked the classic Adirondack chair to make working outdoors just a bit more tempting. And, he shares a complete how-to in ReadyMade Magazine. Maybe you can't whip this thing up in time to meet your next deadline, but in the meantime, seize this gorgeous day. Even if it means getting a neck-ache from working on the grass. —Diane

TAGS: adirondack desk chair todd oldham readymade magazine how to

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Inspired Idea: Wallpaper in Unexpected Places

Jun 01, 2010

With wallpaper making a comeback, you might be tempted to dip your toe into the trend but a little wary of covering an entire room. (Especially if you have ever had to remove the stuff!) Like many good things, a little goes a long way. So here are some fun, simple, and minimal ways to enjoy a little pattern punch without the commitment.

Wallpaper the back of a bookshelf for a refreshing hit of color and pattern. Photo: Ideal Home Magazine.

A couple of sheets create a panel effect, and a focal point, in a room that lacks architectural interest. Photo: Ideal Home Magazine.

Smile when you open a drawer! Just be sure to keep it relatively uncluttered. Photo: anh-minh.com.

Can't decide? Frame the top contenders.

Stairs can be expressive, too.

Add interest to an armoire or a closet.

Petrified by pattern? Confused by color? Just email me. I can help. And rather affordably. —Diane

TAGS: wallpaper in unexpected places drawers stairs armoire closet panel bookcase bookshelf shelf pattern wall paper ideas

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Inspired Idea: Create a Simple Mantel with a Shelf

May 18, 2010

A lot of builder spec homes today have fireplaces, because builders know that fireplaces are important features to sell a home. What they often lack, however, is a substantial mantel to help make the fireplace the focal point that it should be. Short of hiring a carpenter or buying a pricey mantel surround, there is a simple solution that just about anyone can handle as a DIY project.

Photo: mantelsdirect.com

Purchase a shelf that's just a bit wider than the fireplace. (Include the width of any tile or surface treatment if you have it.) Mount it where a mantel should be: 12 to 18 inches above the fire box. Now the fireplace has more presence and can be decorated in a more traditional manner (if that's your thing).

How to Decorate a Small Mantel

My favorite way to decorate a mantel is to keep it simple. Choose one dominant object or piece of art. Then choose no more than two additional items that are progressively smaller in size. For example, a large painting, a potted plant, and a small clock.
Forget symmetry, unless the rest of the room is strongly symmetrical. Arranging a mantel asymmetrically can be more interesting. Throw things off-center.
Empty spaces are okay. Remember, the fireplace itself should be the focal point.
Avoid collections of small items. With a small mantel like this shelf idea, it could be tempting to line it with a bunch of small objects. It won't have any visual impact, and it will give the room a cluttered look.

Having trouble arranging a room around a fireplace? If all you need is help with a space plan and maybe some color selections, my Mini Makeovers are affordable and fast ways to get professional advice. They're just $95 and include a space plan that uses mostly pieces you already own, a color plan inspired by your personal style, and a list of ideas for further improving the space. See examples here. To order, just email me. —Diane

TAGS: how to decorate a fireplace without a mantel shelf mantel hearth ideas improve fireplace on a budget

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Inspired Idea: Bold Walls for Renters

Apr 14, 2010

So you're renting your home and frustrated that the landlord won't let you paint? You don't have to live in a sea of renter-beige or stark white. I was perusing the website of Canadian House & Home and ran across this photo illustrating a brilliant idea. Apply wallpaper or the bold paint shade of your choice to a 4-by-8 sheet of lauan plywood (price at Home Depot today, $10.44) and lean it against the wall. Instant color, pattern and personality, without losing your security deposit. A few more pops of color in the furniture and accessories are all it takes to make this room look colorful and customized.

PHOTO: Kim Jeffery for Canadian House & Home.

Do you have a room that could use a little help? Need advice on space planning, color, and accessorization? The Dwelement Mini-Makeover is perfect for you. It's only $95, and it could be just the shot of inspiration you need to create a space that functions and looks better. See an example here. Ready to spiff up your space? Email me to order. —Diane

TAGS: renter wall color solutions removable wallpaper for apartments rental units temporary color for walls luan lauan painted wallpapered decorating apartment

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Inspired Idea: Posters on Antique Hangers

Feb 16, 2010

As a print designer, I find it hard to resist examples of beautiful graphic art and illustration, and thus I've unintentionally built a small collection of examples over the years. Rather than let it lie forgotten in a box, I decided to create an easy rotating display in my office nook using old wooden pants hangers. This idea is great for kids' artwork, inspiration for art or craft projects, fabric swatches, posters not worthy of a custom frame, the cool vintage ad you sliced from a magazine, even to-do lists.

Clamp-style hangers with wooden planks are designed to clasp the hems of pants tightly, and they work just as well on paper, gripping it without holes or adhesive. Part of the beauty of this idea is that antique hangers utilize a variety of different clamping mechanisms, each one just as inventive and interesting as the next. I collected these four hangers at thrift stores. From left: a rotating clamp that snaps into place, a hanger that tightens with a sliding eye, and a "Prestolock" tension clamp that eases closed and opens with a quick squeeze.

For posters that are curled from rolled storage, clamp an extra hanger on the bottom to pull it flat. Hang them from simple hooks screwed into the wall. Make sure the hooks don't upstage the hangers— they should be small, simple, and blend with the other finishes in the room.

Do you have an Inspired Idea? Have you thought of a clever, beautiful, and inexpensive decor solution? Email me with a photo and I'll showcase it here on Room for Inspiration. —Diane

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TAGS: hanging art artwork rotating display reference inspiration material office wall storage antique wooden hangers pants clamp hangers

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