Design^Sprout | Your Guide to Green Design

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!

DIY - Let's make our own toys!

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!!

   There's something about this day that reminds me of being a little girl and the magic each hour held. When my brother and I were in trouble (which was fairly often, sorry mom!) and not allowed to play with our toys, we'd spend hours making up games or creating our own entertainment from random household objects. Some of my favorite memories are of the laughs we would have with every horrible failure and fun you couldn't possibly buy with every success.

   On this Earth Day I thought it would be fun to re-visit some of those times and expose our children to the pride and ownership that comes with creating - rather than simply consuming. This foam core doll-house is super-easy and kids can really get into the decoration! Have them design the wall paper and furniture or turn the whole thing in to a super-hero lair with trap doors and secret rooms.  After all, aren't we all little kids at heart? At least the lucky ones.

   Get instructions for making these adorable, crocheted Harry Potter dolls here. I'm told she keeps selling out but if you e-mail her she'll put more for sale on her Etsy site darncatcrochet.

Felt blocks are easy, safe for the little ones and can help improve your juggling skills! These funky robots can be made from blocks your kids have outgrown.

 

  Who doesn't love a flying sock pig? It's not you is it? I didn't think so.

TGIF - Why buy art when you can make your own!

    Today while I was browsing through my inspiration photos it dawned on me how wonderful and personal they all looked while gathered together. What was once a hodge podge of magazine clippings and photographs now seems to make a cohesive statement about me - my design sense, wanderlust and love of handmade. Not to mention lending a bit of insight to my scattered mind! 
     Plus, there's no need to go out and buy expensive artwork - the things you have are perfectly lovely (and green!) on their own. Just add creativity and poof - instant masterpiece! Below are some of my favorite "wall collages".  Hope they lend a bit of inspiration to your day!

     Take a cue from artist Lisa Congdon and choose similarly toned art and colored frames for a pulled-together look.

 

     Mixed media lends a funky boho vibe (of course it helps when you have that fantastic Wassily chair to play off of!). Or, think outside the box (in our case, the wall) like Etsy artist Bees in my bonnet and scan your favorite old photos to use as wrapping paper or stationary.

     Try and use different scales of frames and prints for a more interesting and chic look. This look is adorable and eye-catching because of the mixture of soft colors and fun art work. Try and combine flea market finds with more personal items for style that's uniquely you.

All inspiration photos above an below were found via Flickr.

 

DIY - Recycled newspaper wall treatment!

     Tired of the Sunday times cluttering your coffee table? It's so easy to turn that trash-bound paper into a beautiful (and free!) wall treatment. Just mix solution of one part Elmer's glue to 3 parts water and you have a removable and non-toxic glue. Check out my new favorite blog Fab Green for more step-by-step instructions.

Silhouette Fever

I  definitely have  a thing for cameos lately - although they're all over the place I love their simplicity and they'd be so easy to make yourself. These custom, digital, pregnancy cameos from SimpleSilhouettes on Etsy are totally creative and unique. What a great shower present!

Stick it to 'em!

     Just because you live in an apartment, there is no reason you have to accept the mental-institution white  your landlord decided to force upon you, right? Well, certainly not anymore! These cute tile tattoos by UK firm Mibo, are cheap, removable and guaranteed to get you back your deposit. PS - Their tea towels are pretty cute too.