Hola! Did you have yourself a good weekend? Hope some of you had sunshine. It rained here all weekend. While the rain did put a hold on most of my projects for the weekend, I was able to do some fun things. We went to the Embassy open house on Saturday. It was interesting to see some really well designed foreign embassies in DC. We also sorted through a lot of important papers and I got a start on putting away my winter clothes.
I did play around with an eco-friendly DIY. I spray painted used wine and beer bottles white.I didnt have any specific purpose except to reuse these bottles decoratively. I think they turned out quite nice! Dont you?
I had loads of fun styling and photographing them with Paul. Another busy week ahead of me. I have tons to do before our trip to Argentina next week. Lots of wonderful posts coming your way. A much awaited interview. And a book. Stay tuned.
images: MDH + PDH
Dont start your weekend without taking at look at these eleven pictures from photographer Ellen Silverman’s portfolio. I encourage you to observe the details in each image. Ellen’s skill as professional photographer is obvious. Her crisp, well composed and brilliantly shot pictures have more to tell.
Each image is a source for simple decorating ideas. By observing how the objects are styled, grouped, and arranged, you can learn helpful tips to freshen up your rooms. Start by identifying a focal point in the room. Then using objects that you already own, play around with arranging them differently. Group them by color, material, texture and form {glass jars, vases, bottles, ceramics, plants, books, picture frames, etc}. Mix it up. Decorate. Have fun doing it.
I love the monochromatic arrangement on the mantle. One of my projects this weekend include painting used wine bottles and tin cans white. I’ll let you know how they turn out.
A neat idea for a worktable. The round top must make it easy to roll around the work space.
I hope these beautiful images give you good ideas to decorate your home this weekend. May peace and creativity with your friend this weekend. See you on the other side. xx
Images: Ellen Silverman
REUSE + REPURPOSE
Here’s an easy decorating tip from Better Homes and Garden magazine and stylist Donna Telley.
Cheer up dull spaces by adding fern fronts and single flower stems in assorted glass jars. Flea markets, thrift stores are good sources to score inexpensive jars and bottles. A more budget friendly source – your kitchen pantry. Recycle daily use glass bottles and jars. Mix oil bottles with pasta sauce jars and clean wine bottles and milk bottles to create an assortment. A selection of varying shapes and sizes creates an attractive cluster.
I remove labels by immersing the jar/bottle in a pot of boiling water and soap. Scrub label and sticky residue away using a dish brush. For more stubborn spots BHG recommends using an adhesive remover, which can be found at your local hardware store. Let them air dry.
Fill jars/ bottles with warm water and place flower stems and foliage. Viola!
images, MDH, BHG and Matthew Benson
I am a big supporter of products that you are handmade, reused and or recycled. I find a use for almost everything around me. Vegetable boxes, tin cans, wine bottles, corks, brown bags, etc. I mostly save a lot of these for holiday gift wrapping purposes. ( You should see the look Mr. Mochatini gives me when I say “oh please don’t throw that away I can use that for something“. Ice cream sticks make excellent plant tags. nd what about cookies in the clear vegetable box with some handmade wash cloth, olive oil in wine bottles, tea light lanterns from tin cans, I could go on. But I want YOU to. Which brings me to this week’s contest.
I want to see gift wrapping ideas in which you have handmade, recycled and reused materials. I am not looking for perfection here, just simple and creative ideas that you come up with to gift wrap. They don’t have to be from this holiday season, or limited only to recycled or reused materials but have a hand crafted quality to them. Feel free to submit as many as you would like. At least one picture, and list of materials used is required.
Entries will be accepted until midnight December 19 EST. I will announce the winner that weekend.
Winner will receive a Pashmina or Silk Shawl from Nimli. I will ship the prizes internationally too, so to all my readers from around the world, don’t be shy.
And have a great weekend.
I’m an obessessive recycler and reuser. I find a use for everything around the house. From wine bottles to tin cans to zip locks to produce packaging. Once we have moved to our new home and we are not living out of boxes, I promise to post my ideas. 
For my readers who have been inquiring about reusable lunch bags after my post on Martha Stewart’s DIY lunch bags, I wanted to share this post from Apartment Therapy’s sister Ohdeedoh (the sister that features home, design, children). You can download a pattern from Spool Sewing for $5 or order an entire kit for $22 that includes the pattern, outer and lining fabrics, interfacing and velcro from them.
Aren’t these so fun? I find them a good size for sandwich, fruit, water, yoghurt and more…The bright colors, cheer up my packed lunch. When I remember to pack one that is! What do you carry your lunch in?
PS: if you would like a reusable lunch bag, but don’t have the time to DIY, Mocha Design Store can send one to you. Email me your requirements!
images from Ohdeedoh, original post here.
