Frames and Plates

Eclectic Bedroom design by Omaha Photographer Jonnie Andersen

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http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

http://www.houzz.com

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

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How to Upcycle Glass Bottles

I have been eyeing off this upcycle project  for some time now but have never known how to achieve a clean cut when cutting the bottle in half. I have tried the 'flaming rope' method but that left very jagged edges and the bottle was not salvagable. After doing some intense googling I found Dan Rojas, a green earth activist with amazing and easy DIY videos, and he taught me through the world wide web just how to achive a clean cut. 

The video can be seen HERE and in it Dan demostrates how to use the G2 Bottle Cutter (a seriously good investment for those interested in upcycling bottles).

Now if the above image didnt make up your mind view those below and I am sure you will be itching to try it yourself!

cheapcrafting.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/smallstump/

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homemade-modern.com

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Get That Look #2

Credit: www.homelife.com.au

If you are anything like me, then you are still experiencing some serious heart pain from the death of Patrick Reid in Australia's most loved drama series Offspring. I must admit that during the latest episode I used many many tissues and had to re-apply my make up afterwards, and I am sure that I am not alone! So to honour Patrick I have decided to do another 'Get That Look' feature on the interiors of offspring. This time I will be featuring Geraldine Proudman's house (as I have already featured Nina & Patrick's abode) and all of its quirky personality.

Now as you may know, Geraldine has a very loud and bohemian personality and this is directly reflected in her home. As a retired architect Geraldine has only slightly modified her gorgeous Melbourne heritage home to include large windows in the living/kitchen areas which brings lots of natural light into the home and brings a glowing look to the yellow walls of her living areas. The walls are aged and chipped with mementos and photos taped in eclectic arrangements around the room and the floors are covered in vintage carpets. Geraldine has embraced the 'organised chaos' style of living, with piles of books and crockery spread across her living and kitchen areas and has brought the outside in with various pot plants in and around the windows.

If you would like to achieve this look in your own home then I am here to help! The following post will share with you some carefully selected upcycled/reclaimed/handmade products that will have you on your way to having a delicious bohemian home like Geraldine's.

1. Upcycled herb spoons by Handmade At The Homestead
2. Hand painted pot plant by Birdsnests For Hair
3. Pottery mugs from Sunbird Pottery
4. Hand made lamp shade from Patturn
5. Mason jar trio by Tutus And Tattoos
6. Upcycled tumblers by Twice Drunk
7. Wooden serving tray from Sunlab Productions
8. Upcycled wine barrel recipe stand from Winestains Barossa

1. Reclaimed timber dining table (seats 8) by Triple R Tables
2. Upcycled cushion from Collecting Feathers
3. Storage basket from upcycled materials by Been And Done
4. Vintage boucherouite rug from Fossik
5. Recycled timber coffee table by Milkcart
6. Reclaimed wooden crate from Hiatus Vintage
7. Handmade bulletin board from Kraft4Kids
8. Upcycled teak dish from ELCdesigns
9. Upcycled blanket ottoman by Flaunt Design
10. Driftwood clock from Jan Dickers Ocean Art

Whimsical Upcycle Inspiration

pinterest

Inject a touch of whimsy into your home with these awesome upcycling ideas.

Get That Look!

news.com.au

Hey friends! If you've been a keen watcher of Channel Ten's Offspring like I have then I bet you're constantly swooning over Nina and Patrick's house. In today's blog post I am going to show you how you can replicate their style using reclaimed woods, vintage and retro items and better yet, what you already have!
Now ofcourse it would help if you just happen to live in an old coat hanger factory, but it is certainly not esssential. Make the most of your windows by dressing them with wooden blinds, long draping curtains in whites or greys or better yet, dont dress them at all (if privacy is not an issue for you). Walls should be kept simple with exposed brick work and a colour palette of white or grey for a concreted look, however this should be done on few walls as darker colours will make your rooms look smaller, where as whites will make your rooms bright and refreshing. Since the industrial look is what we are wanting, any rustic crates, boxes, equiptment or furniture you can find or might already have would look fantastic in your new industrial living areas. If you are in desperate need of some key pieces then I have put together a short list of must-haves that can be seen below:

1. Dining table made by Michael Hayes Furniture using recycled timbers.

2. Photo frame made by Mulbury  using recycled timber.

3. Industrial coat hooks by Mulbury using recycled materials.

4. Cushion by Medwin and Mcgarry made from pre-loved denim.

5. Distressed dining chairs by Rustic Boutique made from pre-loved chairs.

6. Chalk board bottles by NAKEBA using vintage bottles.

7. Industrial step ladder from Old New House.

8. Vintage rolling pin from Epoch Co.

9.  Upcycled lamp by Red Zebra Designs using old books.

10. Storage basket by Been & Done made from old coffee sacks.

11. Hand painted pot plant by Birdsnests For Hair.

1. Vintage kantha quilt from Fossik.

2. Original 24 inch acrylic painting by ELCdesigns.

3. Upcycled jewellery display hanger by Ayliss made from repurposed wood and old knobs.

4. Upcycled teak dish painted with acrylic paints by ELCdesigns.

5. Hand made 'Be Brave' cushion by NZFINCH.

6. Bedside table by GHIFY made from repurposed woods

7. Upcycled metalic glass bottles by NAKEBA.

8. Vintage alarm clock from White Space Vintage.

9. Repurposed wood table lamp by BRZ wood DESIGN.

10. Vintage AM/FM radio from The Fox And The Spoon 

Ofcourse all credit to this gorgeous home goes it its real-life owner Adriene Strampp a Melbourne artist who's work can be seen above nina's sofa in their living area. If you are interested in purchasing one of her master pieces you can fin her here.

Pretty Eclectic Inspo Using Thrifty Finds

Upcycled Shelf Ideas

http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com

Todays post is super short with a lot of pictures. I am always looking for cool ways to display my things and I am just loving these inventive upcycled shelving ideas and I am sure you will too!

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http://dishfunctionaldesigns.blogspot.co.nz

lisaroyblog.blogspot.com

http://www.casasugar.com

http://www.psbydila.com

Instagram Challenge #1

@aliceintheeve - I love this simple vignette made from a vintage garden chair,watering can and jar. Inspired!

Today is the day! It is the first official blog entry for our instagram challenge: #livingthriftyaustralia !
This week we have had a great and inspiring responce from people all around the globe and it has truely touched me to see that there are so many environmentally concious and style savvy people out there. So without further adeu, the pictures in this post are my favourite from this past week (in no particular order) and there were a few more then five that stood out, so here are my 7 favourite, I hope you like them as much as I do!

@sheiiybeiiy - I love this thrifted office setting, simple and stylish. (Drooling over that old kitchen hutch!)

@fawnandfiligree - I love this use for old crates, such rustic charm!

@aliceintheeve - I am inlove with the idea of using old corigated iron as a splash back in your kitchen!

@birdiebirdie_ - I am looking forward to seeing the finished resto project!

@treehouse_girl - Love the look of thrifted plates all clustered together!

 

@mariessmak - This retro side board is to die for!

DIY Decoupage Tray

Todays DIY is a super easy one, all you need is a blank tray (mine I have previously spray painted white), various coloured tissue paper and a decoupage finish (I used Royal Coat). For my tray I decided to attempt an 'ombre' effect with pink/orange but you could do practically anything.

Step 1: Ensure surface is clean and dust free

Step 2: Using a flat brush, spread small amount of decoupage finish on suface of tray

Step 3: Cut circles of tissue paper and press firmly down to ensure they have stuck, with no air bubbles

Step 4: Paint layer of decoupage finish on top of paper

Step 5: Repeat until finished.

'Ombre' effect

My tray is now in its new home on my studio desk, holding all my jars willed with paint brushes and pens. Where will yours live? This project took me only an hour so if youre looking for something quick and effective to do, then this is it! (Time excludes painting the tray)

Instagram!

ELCdesigns

Today I am posting a little feature on my art/design business ELCdesigns.
My main objective is to create beautiful homewares and fashion pieces by using pre loved items to be as earth friendly as possible. My best sellers are dishes in the 'Triangle Holiday' range, they are teak platters in different shapes circa 1970 that I have painted to give a new lease on life and bring a pop of colour to any room. I also sell jewellery made from beads I find in thrift stores and hand made polymer clay beads and I am currently working on a range of tote bags and cushions usig my signature pineapple fabric and pre-loved bed linen.