When I come across a great decor idea, I like to share it with others. Not only are the following ideas fantastic, they inspire us to think outside the box when it comes to home decor. I can't take credit for the following ideas but I definitely think they are worth sharing.
If you're looking for a unique shelving idea, why not use old hard-cover books as shelves? Use L-brackets underneath each book to attach them to the wall. A shelving display of three or more 'book' shelves can make a great focal point in a library, den or home office. Display small decorative items such as bud vases on these interesting shelves.
That rickety old ladderback wooden chair you have sitting in the garage can be repurposed into a lovely towel bar with shelf for the bathroom. Remove the wooden legs, then saw the chair seat horizontally, leaving about a five-inch strip at the back of the seat. This will leave you with the ladder back with an L-shaped ledge. Hang the item upside down on the bathroom wall. The bottom of the seat will act as a top shelf and towels can be hung from each rung below. Paint the item in a distressed white to add to the vintage appeal.
Another great idea for the bathroom is to use a small, vintage suitcase as a medicine cabinet. The lid of the suitcase acts as a door. Simply install shelves in the suitcase and attach a mirror to the 'door.' Attach the cabinet securely to the wall.
You can also use vintage suitcases as accent tables by installing wooden legs on the bottom. These tables can be used both for storage and display.
Turn vintage tennis rackets into decorative wall mirrors by having mirrors installed in the racket opening. These would be great fun for a bar or sports-themed bedroom.
Use some old Lego pieces to help you organize and store your keys. Use one large flat Lego piece (or glue several small pieces together) attached to the wall as your key-hanging board. Drill holes in smaller, individual Lego pieces and thread each of your family's key rings through one of them. You can then attach your keys to the wall hanger with ease by simply snapping the small Lego piece on your key ring to the board on the wall. Use different colours for different keys or for different people.
Blue mood for 2013
It's OK to be blue in the coming year. In fact, it's encouraged. That's because blue is the hottest colour for 2013, say the experts at Dulux paint.
More specifically, dark blue will be all the rage, they say. Think dark blue jeans infused with violet, purple-tinted deep sapphire or the mysterious depths of the ocean.
"Next year's standout colour can best be described as a robust, intriguing blue with a purple tinge," Martin Tustin-Fuchs, brand director for AkzoNobel, the maker of Dulux paint, said when announcing "inspired violet" (90BB 09/186) was the brand's 2013 colour of the year.
"It's a colour that emits a feeling of tranquility and stability in the midst of our increasingly hectic lives," Tustin-Fuchs said, explaining people today are busier and more connected to technology than ever and, as a result, are looking for a refuge at the end of the day.
Studies conducted by AkzoNobel globally show blue is the most popular colour worldwide, identified as the favourite colour of more than half the world's population and the colour least disliked by most cultures. In home decor, popular blues of the past few years have been lighter shades, more reflective of the sky. The blue of 2013 is both bold and glamorous, making a striking fashion statement, Tustin-Fuchs said.
Dulux paint offers these suggestions on how to add this new hue to your decor.
Make room: Besides calming us, deep blue is said to extend our sense of time and increase productivity. This makes it a good choice for home offices in addition to bedrooms, family rooms and living areas. It also works well in smaller spaces, such as bathrooms and vestibules, creating a luxurious or intimate mood.
Mix and match: Because Inspired Violet is such a dark shade, it is highly versatile and can be combined with most other colours. It pairs especially well with saturated brights, citrus colours, warm neutrals and other blues, purples and greens. Dulux paint suggests sapling yellow (50YY 51\519), castle rock taupe (10YY 41/083), still waters blue (90GG 28\133) and Napa Valley green (90YY 35\304) as top combo picks.
Light up your life: A room enveloped in deep blue is brought to life by the colour's soothing and elegant feel. For those less adventurous, this hue also adds sophistication when painted only on an accent wall or striped around a living area. For best results, choose a space with good natural light for your indigo blue walls.
Be natural: With its richness and depth, indigo blue is best painted on the walls of rooms decorated with wood or leather furniture. Considered a cool colour, blue is warmed up when accessorized with natural objects, browns and tans.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
