DIY Thursday: Wire Baskets

I have begun to think about how I am going to decorate my new apartment, I have been on the hunt for DIY's that will fit into the modern industrial look I am going for. And, I found one! This is a tutorial for how to make you own wire basket.

tutorial via It's Just Me

Materials

• canvas covered baskets with a wire frame 
• hardware cloth
• needle nose pliers 

1.  Start with canvas covered baskets and remove the canvas, so you are left with just the wire frame.
2. Measure the hardware cloth by measureing the baskets height, width and depth          (remember to leave extra room so you can fold around the corners)
3. Take your needle nose pliers and bend the cloth over the sides of the frame. Bend the two larger sides first, then bend the two smaller sides. 
4. Check the sides one more time to make sure there are no sharp edges sticking out, and your done!

 tutorial via Four Corners Design

This tutorial essentially produces the same type of wire basket, however the instructions are a bit more detailed.

Hope you enjoyed it!

How to Style: Wire Shelves

These wire shelves are a must in small apartments. This versatile piece offers both form and function: sturdy shelves whose height you can adjust to fit your belongings accordingly.

FOR A LIVING SPACE

 

1. These shelves are wide and deep, so use baskets, woven boxes, and magazine files to store small items, clothes, and clutter.

2. Think multifunctional, especially if you live in a small space or studio apartment. In our example, the shelves serve as 1 part closet, 1 part entertainment center, and 1 part dressing table complete with jewelry, perfume, and make-up brushes.

3. Keep items you use less frequently on the top and bottom shelves.

FOR A KITCHEN

1. Smaller appliances that often take up precious counter top space can find a home here. Think toaster oven, blender, espresso machine, microwave, etc.

2. Lay a cutting board, marble board, or tray to allow storing of smaller items like flatware, food items, or salt and pepper shakers. Display your flatware in mason jars instead of hiding it away in a drawer. (Our advice: save drawer space for less attractive items like aluminum foil and plastic wrap.)

3. Hide the less visually appealing items at the bottom (pans, pots, etc.) and place pretty dishware on the shelves that are eye-level.


I will be putting a version of this in my kitchen in about 3 weeks so stay tuned!

Etsy Finds: Maps

1. Boston Typographic Transit Map Poster $25
2. Boston Metro Subway Map $10
3. Massachusetts Watercolor Map $20.89
4. Chicago Laser Cut Map With Minimal Shadowbox Frame $70.00
5. NYC Map of Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan $30.00
6. Paris Map Pillow $55.00
7. Customized Map Paper Cut $65.00
8. Antique Map Watch $69.32
9. Two Countries Map Pillow $53.06
10. Boston Map Coasters $34.00

Design Style: Elements of a Shabby Chic Interior

Shabby Chic has no particular style, but it is defined by slip-covered sofas and distressed furniture, along with antique pieces, old-fashioned patterns and romantic, feminine touches.  It balances elegance with old and worn, through the use of distressed wood tables, soft throw rugs, vintage accessories and pastels fabrics.

The goal of a Shabby Chic room is to invoke the feeling of comfort and relaxation.


1. Soft Delicate Colors

The usual accent colors in a Shabby Chic room are soft whites, muted greys pale pinks and faded greens. But you can throw your on colors into the mix as long as they are muted, light or washed out. Remember that you are going for a gracefully aged look!

2. Combine Patterns and Colors

Combine stripes, checks and floral fabrics to achieve a warm and inviting look. You don't have to follow traditional rules of combining prints, but for easiest mixing keep the background color the same.. typically white or ivory. Then choose one color to repeat in almost every fabric, such as a soft green or pale pink.

3. White Painted Furniture

Almost any piece of wooden furniture will fit into a Shabby Chic interior if it's painted white. Collect pieces from flea markets, garage sales, Etsy and Craigslist. Spray with white paint, sand of the corners, sand off the corners and rough it up a little, to give that aged look. You'd be surprised how a coat of pain transforms a dark dingy chair or table.
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Quirky Apartment Find: Organic Shadow Chandelier

 Source

This chandelier designed by Hilden & Diaz projects a 360 degree shadow of trees and roots onto the walls surrounding it. 

I think it is a bit creepy but very very cool at the same time. Unfortunately I don't think this sculpture is for sale, but with this Lumen Oil Candle, you can choose from five different types of shadow projections. Also, the Homestar Aurora Planetarium projects thousands of stars in a circular pastern on your ceiling, and it is waterproof! 

DIY Thursday: The Mason Jar Herb Garden

Claire Zinnecker a blogger for Camile Styles (currently one of my favorite blogs) did a tutorial back in 2011 on a Mason Jar Herb garden and I HAD to share it with you.

Materials 

• old wooden board or a 2x4 from home depot
• mason jars
• pipe clamps
• triangle ring hangers
• stainless hanging wire
• picture hanger
• chalkboard paint & chalk
• brush
• hammer, nails and screwdriver
• herbs

1. Space mason jars evenly on wooden board, and mark placement with a pencil in order to design and measure around.
2. Tape off rectangles on board, and paint with chalkboard paint as pictured above. This way, you can switch out herbs and change their labels accordingly.
3. Paint pipe clamps gold, and secure to wooden board by hammering a nail through the small holes in the pipe clamp.
4. On back of board, nail in ring hangers and tie on hanging wire.
5. Plant herbs in mason jars.
6. Place mason jars into pipe clamps and tighten with a screwdriver.
7. Nail picture hanger into the wall, and hang your herb display!

When I get around to actually doing this DIY, I might change a a few things. Instead of using an old wooden board I am going to buy a 2x4 from home depot and wash it with a dark stain. I think it would aesthetically add to my modern industrial kitchen

Also just another tip: To grow well indoors, herbs need as much natural light as possible. Place them in a sunny spot near a window where they’ll get at least 4 hours of sun daily. Windows that face south or southwest are your best shot at sun, though east- or west-facing windows also will do. North-facing windows are not bright enough.

Shop The Room

I absolutely love this Pipe & Flange DIY Shelving unit from Ascot Friday, and it only cost about $200 dollars to make! I found several great tutorials here, here and here for the industrial shelving unit. But if your not up for this this DIY challenge you can find a similar desk and bookshelf here and here.

Although I think the "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters have been a little overused, I think this print from Art.com is classic and understated. Lets just talk about this Danish walnut desk chair from Etsy, how amazing is it?! It compliments the rustic industrial look very well. And this decorative brass sailboat from High Street Market should be a staple piece on all bookcases. Last but not least, check out this alphabet motif by Anna Larsson. She designed this print for IKEA, which features raised letters to give it depth and variation.Sooo coool!

Just a reminder if you have a room you would like me to shop, just shoot me an email and I will feature it on Wednesdays Shop the Room series. 

Etsy Finds: Monograms

1. 3 Monogrammed Kitchen Tea Towels $27.00
2. Monogrammed Quarter Zip Sweatshirt $39.99
3. 18k Gold Plated Monogram Necklace $140.00
4. Monogrammed Clutch w/ removable chain $24.00
5. Custom Letterpress Folded Note Cards (set of 15) $35.00
6. 16x20 Monogrammed Pillow $68.00
7. Eco Friendly Monogrammed Cutting Board $26.00
8. 6 Monogrammed Cork Coasters $15.00

Solutions for Renters: Adding Color

As apartment dwellers, we have all had that wish, wishing we could just paint the walls, and not get in trouble with the landlord or have to paint them back at the end of the lease. Well I have to say, its time to embrace those white walls. There are so many other ways to add color that don't involve short term painting.

Brightly painted furniture can be just as impactful as color on the walls. Check out this tutorial if your thinking about adding a fresh coat of paint to your furniture.

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Another place to add color is in your window treatments and throw pillows. This will tie everything together.

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And, Yet another option is painting large pieces of wood or canvases the Pantone Color of your dreams!

You can also use washi tape to add fun patterns and accents on walls and doors!

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I would love to see how you incorporate color into your apartment! Send pics!!

 

Throwing an "Apartment" Warming Party

Well, its about that time where everyone starts moving again... I know of so many people who have either just moved into their new apartment, or are just about to. Moving is an exciting but verrrryyy stressful experience. So why not throw an apartment warming party to show off your AWESOME new apartment and all of your hard work? Kinda sounds like a no-brainier if you ask me. I don't know about you, but I love throwing parties, and anytime I have an opportunity to, I will. I have moved 3 times in the past several years and in September it will be my 4th (hopefully this time, I will be there longer than a year). Any who, I am already planning my party and its going to be LEGEND... wait for it... DARY!... hahah sorry, I had to...

Here are some tips to think about when planning your party: 

1. Decide what drinks you are serving.

Serving Sangria is a great option, because you can make several pitchers. I love this Thai-Basil Sangria as well as Martha Stewart's Summer Sangria.

2. Chips, Dips and Hors d' oeuvres

These are some of my favorites: 

1. Mini Caprese Bites

2. Olive, Feta and Chorizo Bites

3. Antipasti Kabobs

4. Kale and Artichoke Dip

5. Marinated Olives & Feta

6. Bacon Wrapped Cream Cheese Jalapeno Bites

A general tip to remember when only serving appetizers is that each guest should get 12 pieces. You don't have to make 12 different dishes (that would be suicide), just make sure everyone gets enough of what you are serving.

3. Don't forget the disposable plates, cups, napkins and silverware!

The last thing you want to do after a party, is wash all those dishes... even if you have a dishwasher... ugh no thank you. Check out Party City, the prices are awesome! I suggest order more than you need so you don't have to buy anything for your next party.   

3. Have Enough Seating

Nisse Folding Chair Ikea $12.99
Spare Black Folding Chair Crate and Barrel $49.99
Hurcules Hinged Metal Folding Chair (4pk) Walmart $69.00
Overdyed Terai Folding Chair Anthropologie $198.00
Pantone Folding Chairs Urban Outfitters $75

Folding chairs are great options when you need extra seating because you can store them away when they are not in use. You can find some really cool folding chairs or thrift and refinish one. I posted several tutorials here.  

4. Set Up the Bar and Serving Area

This is a perfect opportunity to get some use out of that bar cart!

5. Make a playlist

6. Stock up on supplies- toilet paper, paper towels, dish towels and plenty of trash bags.

7. Have Entertainment: The worst thing is when people are bored at your party. Think of it this way, its better have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. I like to be prepared for anything.. that's the planner in me. A deck of cards is a necessity. I also love games like: Apples to Apples, Scattegories and Taboo.

8. Last but not least, notify your neighbors.

And, another checklist, its boring buts its good...Enjoy!

I hope this post was helpful and informative. I would love hear about any parties you are planing!

Etsy Finds: Cat

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Quirky Apartment Find: Urban Wall Shelf

Source

Look what I found!! It would be a great spot to display your small indoor potted plants, vases or artwork. 

I would love to get this, however I know for a fact, willow, my cat, would make it her mission to climb it. That is a disaster waiting to happen.