Design^Sprout | Your Guide to Green Design

DIY - Wineglass Lamps

Super clever use for extra wine glasses. Go here for complete instructions.

Start your week with a smile!

   Oh, I love to discover new magazines! The Sweedish magazine Sköna Hem (found via Emma's Design Blog) is an absolute wealth of inspirational photos and products. Of course, I don't understand a word of it but we all speak "design" right? The Blog Roll on their site is an inspiring read as well!

DIY - Make those chairs new again!

     Brought to us by the now defunct (boo hoo) Blueprint magazine, is a great idea for rescuing your old, hand-me-down chairs and turning them in to mini, personalized masterpieces!  Who would have guessed a few thrift-store sweaters could be reborn into such chic dining chairs!

1. Cut a sweater apart, working up the side seams and across the shoulders. Trim off the neck hole and sleeves, leaving two squares of fabric slightly larger than the seat of the chair.
2. Unscrew the seat cushions from the chairs. (The screws are usually on the cushion's underside.)
3. Cover the cushions with the sweater fabric, and secure the cloth edges to the underside using a staple gun or small tacks.
4. Trim any excess and reattach the cushion to the chair. Cost: $0 (we like that!!!).

Check out Blueprint's website for 25 Eco Chic tips for your home. Not a bad way to spend an hour!

Pop Stars!

1. Have some friends pop! by for dinner,
2. Pop! the cork on a bottle of champagne
3. Have a great time pop!ping up the 3D images on these adorable placemats from Publique Living.

So cute and made from 100% recycled paper these intricate cut-outs add a clever and whimsical touch to any table. Hmm, I don't need another excuse to throw a party, do you?

New Again!

Reader Dana sent in this beautiful dining room as a great example of mixing old and new. Here, the floorboards are salvaged from an old bowling alley and the roman blinds are made from vintage linen sheets. And although the room is actually quite small, the continuous white allows your eye to bounce around the room making it appear much larger while the stacked magazines offer a pop of color and a fun boho vibe. Below are some interiors that fit with the design^sprout philosophy - proving that you don't always have to buy new - mixing modern and vintage is a fabulous way to express your personal style!