Star Lights

I took some lights I bought from Ikea and wrapped them around my headboard. 

Really simple and easy to do.

Framed Mirror Project

   I have this huge Martha Stewart craft book that my Grandparents gave me for my birthday. I was flipping through it yesterday and I saw a few projects that sparked my imagination. 

What you will need

-Large picture frame

-Fabric, large enough to fit across the back piece of your picture frame.

-Strong adhesive. I used Gorilla glue.

-Mirror Tiles.

Step One:

-Remove all the plastic from your items.

Step Two:

-Take fabric to your ironing board and iron out any wrinkles you might have in your fabric.

Step Three: 

-Wrap fabric around the back piece of the picture frame

Step Four:

-Lay out mirror tiles BEFORE adding adhesive to the backs of each one.

Step five: Add adhesive one tile at a time making sure to place it directly on the fabric. Press down, don't slide it around. Do that for each of the tiles.

Final Product:

Boxed Cushion Tutorial

The couch I own is of the pleather variety. When I originally bought it I was not thinking of my pet, which is of the feline variety. Tuvan’s front paws are declawed; however his back claws are not, turning them into weapons of mass destruction. He has gone all “Valentine’s Day Massacre” on my couch; so to protect my couch from further damage from public enemy # 1, I decided to slip cover the couch cushions.   

Here is my tutorial on how to make a boxed cushion cover. If you have any questions just ask and I will try to do my best to answer them. So let’s do this thing!

What you will need:

-Fabric (The amount of yardage will depend on how many cushions you are covering. You can Google a yardage calculator to make life easier.)

-Measuring Tape

-Pen

-Cup

-Thread that matches your fabric

-Sewing Machine

-1/2 inch seam allowance

Step 1:

-Lay out your fabric. I use my living room floor to do this because I have more space. 

-The seam allowance is 1/2 inch. I did this because 1/2 inch is easy to find on the measuring tape. Also whatever you come up with when you measure your cushion, you will add one inch to it, half an inch for either side of the cushions seam allowance. With me so far? 

-Make sure you have the wrong side of the fabric facing up, because this is where you are going to do all of your pen marks so that they will be hidden within the seams.

-Using your measuring tape, measure 8 inches vertically. Then using your measuring tape as a straight edge, make a line the width of the fabric. Like so:

And so:

-You will make two of these strips.

-Then you will fold one strip in half

-With your fancy dancy, oh so technical pen, you will then make a line across the middle of the strip. If you are really careful you won't have to do it the whole width. Just a tip from me to you, however if it makes you feel better to draw the line across the width of the whole strip, you are welcome to do it. 

-To help you visualize how this slip cover is going to look, think if an ice cream sandwich :) You have a top and bottom crust and then the middle. 

What would you do for a Klondike Bar? 

-Now, measure the width and length and circumference of your cushion. 

Like So: 

And so:

And so:

(I Did the first step backwards, I already knew that the width of the middle was 8 inches, if you have the same style of cushion it will be similar.) If not that is OK, just measure and this will determine height of your strip. I am assuming that you will read the instructions all the way through before starting this project. So eazy peazy lemon squeezy, no sweat, chill.

-When you know the length and and width and height of your cushion you can take those measurements and cut them out of your fabric, like so: 

(So now you should have a top, bottom and middle to your ice cream bar) 

Now things are about to get technical, so brace yourselves.

Remember that glass cup that is in the items needed? (In my house glasses are for drinking out of AND for projects) I suppose you could use a bowl for larger curves on bigger cushions. 

-Trace around the curve of the glass. DO NOT CUT ANYTHING! This is just to mark out where you will follow with your sewing machine. If you do not have curved edges on your cushion, you can skip this step.

 
And so:

So lets go over what you should have now:

-Top and Bottom? Check.

-Two strips the height and width of your cushion for the circumference to you cushion? Check.

-One strip cut in half down the middle? Check.

We good? Let's go on over to the sewing machine.

-So remember the strip you cut in half? You are going to hem one side of each of the strips with......you guessed it: a half inch seam. Like so:

And it should look like so:

-Now take the strips that you cut in half and slightly overlap the finished edges and pin one side, this will help keep the two sides from slipping.

-Then attach the strip you cut in half and hemmed to the uncut strip like so: 

-Now you should have one long continuous strip. OK, are you good? 

-Take one of the sides to your ice cream sandwich. The seam you just sewed, making one long continuous strip, you are going to place that about 10 inches in from the edge of the top.

-Now stitch half an in attaching the strip to the top, go slow and take your time.

-When you get to your first curve, follow the curve that you traced, slowly, forming the strip to the curve. Like so: 

If you go slowly you will avoid having to rip any seams.You will do the same when you get to the next curve. Just take your time, the end product is the goal, not speed. 

When you get to the corner, leave your needle down and lift your presser foot. You don't want to lift the needle because that is holding your fabric in place. Pivot your fabric, straighten out any bumps in the fabric if they appear. Like so:

-Do not attach the strip all the way to the end, leave a portion un-sewn at the end of the strip, this will get sewn in the final seam once you have added the other side on. 

You will repeat these same steps to add the other side of the cushion. Just chill, you got this.

Your top and bottom should be attached with the strip in the middle. There should be a section where you started both sides of your cushion and the two end of the strip that are not completely joined. Take the two ends of the strip and thew them together. The same way you attached the strips a couple steps back. 

-Sew the remaining sides of the strip to the top and bottom of your cushion. Are you good? 

Now you are going to add the oh so ubber scary Velcro....just kidding. 

You are going to cut your Velcro into three sections, making for a total of six pieces, three top, three bottom. 

-The strip that you cut in half in the very beginning of this arduous journey is the opening for your cushion. Perhaps there is now light at the end of the tunnel?

-Take three of the matching pieces of Velcro and attach it to the right side of one of the strips. You will sew down each piece of Velcro twice, to make sure each piece is sturdily in place. Like so:

     

You will do the same for the other side but on the inside of the strip like so: 

-Flip your cushion cover right side out.

You should have a cushion that looks like this: 

Here is my couch so far. I have one more cushion cover to make.

The only thing I wish I would have done is lined up the strips in the fabric. However, I am satisfied with how the cushions are turning out, and the ultimate goal was to protect the couch from Tuvan's needle claws. 

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial. E-mail me or comment if you have any questions. 

Interior Decorating Final Project

Form 1 PG 3

In the space below, describe each wall and explain the reason or reasons for redecorating the living room you have chosen.

North Wall- Situated in the center of the north wall; that encloses the living room, are three art deco posters in black frames. To the right of the artwork are four chocolate brown shelves staggered. Two of the shelves hold grey frames that enclose art deco post cards.

            

Below the art deco posters sits part of the L shaped sectional. To the left of the sectional; in the corner where the North and West wall meet, is a tripod lamp. Right of the sectional is a plaid chest holding a carved wood lamp. The walls are covered in a flat white paint. Light brown veneer trim frames the lower half of the room. A red, green, blue, orange and brown polka dot shag rug is situated in the center of the room, covering vanilla colored tile. 

            

South Wall- Opposite the North Wall, positioned in the middle of the South Wall is the entrance to the dining room. Centered over the entrance is a wooden Coo Coo clock. Right of the clock is a black in white photo in a black frame. Left of the clock is another art deco poster in a black frame. Below the poster, a black wrought iron wine rack. In the corner of the room sits part of the TV cabinet, set on a diagonal.

East Wall- On the far left of the Eat Wall, are a pair of French doors that lead out onto a patio. Hanging over the doors, a black rod holding light brown silk curtains. In front of the French doors is a light brown leather recliner with a striped throw blanket. A green and brown cat bed sits on the floor next to the recliner. Right of the doors are four black framed mirrors and candle holders, staggered. Right of the mirrors is the cherry colored TV cabinet fully visible. On it sits a black flat screen TV. Five baskets sit on top for extra DVD storage.

West Wall- On the West wall is the hallway entrance. Right of the hallway entrance are two white bookshelves holding DVD’s. On top of the bookshelves is artwork nestled in a white frame, flanked by black and white lanterns.  Right of the shelves is the other half of the L shaped pleather sectional. Resting on the sectional are orange and white polka dot throw pillows. Above the sectional are staggered various paintings. The tripod lamp in the corner is fully visible. 

One of the main reasons I have chosen my living room is redecorate, is because it is one that I have easy access to. It gives me a chance to design my living room how I would want it, if I were allowed to make the desired changes.

In the space below, explain any problem areas in the room.

-Stark, white flat walls give the room a cold feeling despite, the warm furnishings.

-Vanilla colored tile is all but practical. It is a magnet for dust bunnies and dirt.It is cold in the winter.

 -Curtains covering the French Doors do not make use of natural light, and are not accessible due to the brown leather recliner that sits in front.

-The layout of the room is not desirable, furniture pushed up against the walls, instead of making full use of the space.

-Not enough efficient storage. (Central storage for all DVD’s would be desirable.)

  

Form 3 PG 3

What new design elements have you decided to use in redecorating the living room? Design elements include line, form, color, texture, pattern, and light.

Carried throughout the room, geometric elements and straight lines have been used. The color scheme for the living room has been pulled together using the “Bunta-Lilly Pad” Lovely Clover Patterned Fabric for the couch upholstery. The pattern of this fabric has the geometric elements, the diamond shape clovers, and the straight line of the woven texture. In this fabric there are brown, green, tan, and teal.

Sensation –Color 170 Microfiber Engineered Suede; is soft green suede used for the armchairs. The same color of green is used in the couch upholstery; it does not have a geometric pattern or crisp straight lines. This fabric acts as a neutral fabric to soften, and tone down the space.

“Autograph-Bistre” Script Woven Fabric; a mocha colored fabric with tan script. “Teresa-Pecan” Faux Linen Textured Print on Cotton, a light color fabric with a diamond weave. Both fabrics are used for throw pillows on the couch and armchairs. Both colors are found in the main couch upholstery fabric.

“Sake-Cream” Finley Textured Décor fabric is a tan fabric, with a slight shimmer to it. This fabric is paired with “Voilage- Bone” Pretty Ivory White Sheer Fabric, a white sheer, airy fabric with a tone on tone plaid pattern. The texture in the latter pattern makes up for how see though it is. Both fabrics allow for natural light to stream in through into the room when drawn open.

“Chocolate Chunk” is the paint color chosen for the walls. This color is warm and inviting. The dark solid color does not reflect very much light (which is perfect in a Home Theater, for which the room is intended).

 “Fischer” Wall Paper, is composed of teal, gold, and tans with a slight shimmer. This wall paper is displayed in white trim panels, placed at intervals on both the west and east walls, this helps to break up the dark color of the walls. The geometric shapes and line of this wallpaper match with that of the upholstery fabric.

Symphonic 3 ¼ straight grain wood flooring in “Leather” is laid horizontally. White coved crown molding with recessed lighting encloses the ceiling. Thick white trim is used for the baseboards

What new design principles have you decided to use? Design principles include balance, proportion, scale, and unity.

Unity is achieved by using the same color palette, geometric shapes and crisp lines throughout; as well as the same curving lines of the couch and wingback chairs. The scale of the furniture now fits the size of the room. Panels on the walls make them appear to be taller, taking advantage of the high ceilings. Furniture and wall coverings are evenly distributed, balancing the space.

How will these design elements and principles help to meet your client’s needs? That is, why did you make the changes? Remember that your changes should meet the function of what the room is used for.

In using these design principles, my goal was to create a cohesive space that does not distract from the rooms intended purpose, a home theater. Because the room is located in the heart of the house and sees a lot of traffic, I felt that it needed to be dual purpose. Mainly a theater room, and occasionally a sitting room for guests.

Form 6 PG 2

Describe the advantages of the window treatment you’ve chosen.

The advantages of boxed valance curtains:

-Adds a great formal and architectural style to the room

-Because the curtains are now projected away from the wall, the patio doors are now accessible.

-The boxed valance hides all of the drapery hardware.

-Heavy drapes block out the light when drawn closed.

-Natural light filters into the room when the drapes are drawn open.

Explain why you’ve chosen the treatment.

This type of curtain is ideal for a home theater. The boxed design of the valance allows for layering of both heavy and sheer drapes. Heavier drapes block light from entering the room, and can be drawn close for movie watching and privacy. The lighter sheer fabric still allows natural light to enter the room, and still allows for a certain degree of privacy.

Form 7: Elevations PG 1 North Wall

Explanation of Changes:

Before: North Wall- Situated in the center of the north wall; that encloses the living room, are three art deco posters in black frames. To the right of the artwork are four chocolate brown shelves staggered. Two of the shelves hold grey frames that enclose art deco post cards.

Below the art deco posters sits part of the L shaped sectional. To the left of the sectional; in the corner where the North and West wall meet, is a tripod lamp. Right of the sectional is a plaid chest holding a carved wood lamp. The walls are covered in a flat white paint. Light brown veneer trim frames the lower half of the room. A red, green, blue, orange and brown polka dot shag rug is situated in the center of the room, covering vanilla colored tile.

After: The large brown L shaped sectional that was situated under the art deco artwork has been replaced. Four wallpaper panels are placed at intervals on this wall. A smaller couch in “Bunta-Lily Pad” Lovely Clover Patterned Fabric, has taken its place and is now situated in the center of the room facing the north wall.

Tucked into the ceiling is a projection machine, and screen that can be brought into use by simply pressing a button, and concealed when not in use. Below the projection screen is a console that holds all the electrical components. The shag rug in the center of the room has been swapped for a beige and brown swirled New Zealand, wool, hand tufted area rug.

-Carpet: http://search.kravet.com/Kravet-Carpet/Senado-Ecru-400/CoverInformation.aspx

Form 7 PG 2 South Wall

Explanation of Changes:

Before: South Wall- Opposite the North Wall, positioned in the middle of the South Wall is the entrance to the dining room. Centered over the entrance is a wooden Coo Coo clock. Right of the clock is a black in white photo in a black frame. Left of the clock is another art deco poster in a black frame. Below the poster, a black wrought iron wine rack. In the corner of the room sits part of the TV cabinet, set on a diagonal.

After: Because the south wall is a rather awkward with the entrance to the dining room being right in the middle, this wall would serve best for storage. On the left side of the wall is a combination of custom built white vignette cabinet with matching white shelves stacked on top. The cabinet is built over the duct work that sticks out of the corner, with a removable panel for maintenance. Shelving then extends over the doorway until it reaches the corner where the west wall, east wall and hallway entrance meet. Soft, warm under cabinet lighting for displaying books, DVDs, and knick knacks.

Shelves: http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=87301

Form 7 PG 3 East Wall

Explanation of Changes:

Before: East Wall- On the far left of the Eat Wall, are a pair of French doors that lead out onto a patio. Hanging over the doors is a black curtain rod holding light brown silk curtains. In front of the French doors is a light brown leather recliner with a striped throw blanket. A green and brown cat bed sits on the floor next to the recliner. Right of the doors are four black framed mirrors and candle holders, staggered. Right of the mirrors is the cherry colored TV cabinet fully visible. On it sits a black flat screen TV. Five baskets sit on top for extra DVD storage.

After: Boxed valance curtains in “Sake-Cream” Finely Textured fabric and “Voilage-Bone” Pretty Ivory White Sheer fabric replace the light brown silk curtains that impeded traffic to the outside patio. To the right of the curtains are two wall paper panels done in “Fischer”.

Form 7 PG 4 West Wall

Explanation of Changes:

Before: West Wall- On the West wall is the hallway entrance. Right of the hallway entrance are two white bookshelves holding DVD’s. On top of the bookshelves is artwork nestled in a white frame, flanked by black and white lanterns.  Right of the shelves is the other half of the L shaped pleather sectional. Resting on the sectional are orange and white polka dot throw pillows. Above the sectional are staggered various paintings. The tripod lamp in the corner is fully visible. 

After: Accented on the dark chocolate wall are four accented wallpaper panels. Below the panels is a slim white lacquered end table with a shelf underneath. The top is a mirrored surface to help reflect light within the space. Being reused in the space is the carved wood lamp placed in the center of the mirrored end table. Flanking either side of the end table are two green wingback chairs, done in soft green micro suede with nail head trim.

-End Table: http://search.kravet.com/Kravet-Slim-Rectangle-Side-Table-Mirro/OT431M-1-400/ItemInformation.aspx?ResetCrumbs=true

 -Chairs: http://search.kravet.com/Kravet-Victor-Chair/HC401-400/ItemInformation.aspx

Room With A View Update....

 Here is anH update on my progress.

Here is what I started with

This is what I have now. 

Room With A View

     I have always liked the idea of a cabin secluded in the woods. With large open windows looking across the landscape. At night, curling up by the fire with a warm cup of coffee and a good book.

   My current project is what I think a bedroom would look like in a cabin like that. This is a picture of what I have so far. Once I am finished there to be a headboard made out of the old books. Stained glass bedside lamps. A large woven wool rug with reclaimed hardwood floors. Bookshelves, fireplace, seating area, and a magnificent view.