Showing posts with label diy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diy. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

You Light Up My Life.....

I've been looking for lampshades to go with a pair of lamps I found this past weekend and getting frus-ter-a-ted. If I find the right size and shape, it's not the right color. Plus paying $60 or more for lampshades for lamps I paid $6 for is hard for me. What's that saying - you can't have your cake and eat it too? Maybe. This could turn into a diy project. 


HGTV
On HGTV's website there is a great tutorial on covering a lamp shade with fabric. I think this may be a good option for me if I can't find what I'm looking for. 

Of course I can't stop looking, even after I find what I need. (I think there's a name for that.)

Southern Living
I think this coffee cup lamp is just as sweet as can be.

Tip Junkie
OMG - this photo lampshade is so neat!

Interiora
Although there's no tutorial for making this lamp, I love the idea. It would be so cute in a boy's room. Snag an old toy like this at a garage sale and spray paint it all one color. It could be rusty or paint peeling and left as is too. Buy a cord with a socket like the one above and you're set to go. (To be on the safe side a lamp like this would be for a child that is old enough to understand that a lamp like this can't be played with.)

Tip Junkie
These diy outdoor lights are simple and inexpensive. I could see a whole bunch of these used for an outside party - ambient and festive!

The DIY showoff
How cool is this lamp? What a great use for old rulers that have a nice patina or good graphics on them!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Tree Stumps

What could be cheaper than free and rhymes? A tree - tree stump to be exact. While walking my dog Friday night I spotted a downed tree cut into big chunks. As soon as I got home I asked my husband to help me and we picked out two. I'm going to use them for plant stands on my deck.



I want to place mine on our deck, like these. But I have two tree stumps and want to fill in with planters and flowers. I'll show pictures in a later post, still need to buy my plants.




I've done this with a tree stump in my yard, planted daisies in it. Makes that tree stump you didn't remove look like it was intentional.




There many ideas online for tree stumps. And why not? A tree stump table can add a lot of interest to a room or a nice contrast to contemporary furniture. I've picked out some ideas that are more simple, no whittling or chain saws required. 

An obvious choice other than a plant stand, is to use a stump as a side table. I think I'll let mine dry outside for a season or two before using inside. Here are some nice examples.









The painted bark on these tree stumps adds a bit of style.




These tree trunk tables(or stools)look like they could walk away!



According to the site "No trees are cut to make these tables. They are created from trunks salvaged from lumbering activity or trees that have fallen naturally. Each piece is cleaned without chemicals, then kiln-dried for four or more weeks. After lengthy sanding and hand-polishing the log is coated with a non-toxic sealant and a locally produced bees wax to then receives its legs. Wrought-iron or chrome legs are specifically selected for each table."




Find a bargain on some stools on Craigslist and use this idea. Metal legs would add a nice contrast. Some sanding, stain (optional) and varnish would be in order. These would look nice around a pub height table.




Ok, I guess I lied about no whittling, but aren't these vases charming? I especially like the succulent in one. I think this could be accomplished with a drill and the right kind (hole boring) of drill bit.



Add a clock kit to a tree slice and you've got a stylish clock! I like the way the white clock hands look, but a bright color would be nice too.






For some upscale ideas and a tutorial, check out Nesting Place.
They have several nice ideas.

Do you have any ideas for tree stumps or slices? I'd love to see comments about your ideas!


This post is a part of Thrift Share Monday with Apron Thrift Girl
and Wicked Awesome Wednesday with Handy Man, Crafty Woman