Gifts for Mom with a Vintage DIY Twist!

May 8, 2013

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, I wanted to share a few simple gift ideas. DIY of course!

Each one has been created using this vintage upholstery webbing that I picked up from General Salvage.

Vintage Upholstery Webbing

Project #1 – Quick & Easy Planter

You’ll need the following supplies:

  • Large coffee can including plastic lid
  • Modge Podge fabric glue
  • Popsickle Stick to spread the glue
  • Ball of jute
  • Tape measure, marking pen & scissors
  • Upholstery webbing
  • Potting Soil
  • Plant of your choice

Steps to make the planter:

Upholstery Webbing DIY PlanterThings to note:

  1. When you cut the webbing, allow the length to overlap slightly. I discovered the webbing shrinks as it dries, so my ends pulled away from each other leaving a bit of a gap once it was dry.
  2. The Modge Podge will bleed through the webbing, so try to wipe it off as you go.
  3. Placing the lid on the bottom of the tin is for added protection against rust spots being left on surfaces where the planter will sit.

Last step… Plant it up!Vintage Upholstery Webbing Planters

I planted lavender, but you can plant up anything you wish. :-)

Webbing Upholstery DIY PlanterProject #2 – A Stand for Mom’s Magazines!

You’ll need these supplies:

  • Old knitting stand frame (you can usually thrift these)
  • Hardware for assembly (save the old, but you will probably need extra screws)
  • Doweling (you decide the thickness based on your frame, *images 5 & 6 below)
  • Wood stripping (3/4″ x 1/8″) *images 9-12 below
  • Paint (for frame and doweling)
  • Modge Podge
  • Upholstery Tacks *images 17 & 18 below
  • Chain (I repurposed chain, *images 13 & 14 below, from the moss basket hanger I used for my DIY Capiz Chandelier)
  • Decorative wood stripping, stained or painted (mine was repurposed from the knitting frame, *image 17)
  • Upholstery Webbing

Steps to make the magazine rack:

Webbing Upholstery to DIY Magazine Stand 600px

A few things to note at this stage:

  1. Checking that the doweling fits is really important; I actually sewed one of mine a smidgen too tight, and had to redo it. Imagine if the project was all finished except for sliding the doweling in!
  2. If you intend to paint your doweling, now is a good time for that.
  3. The reason you Modge Podge your webbing ends (*image 7) is you’ll be attaching it to the frame with screws (*image 9-11), and this reinforces the webbing.

This project is a little more involved, but still not a huge undertaking. The next set of steps are easier if you have a helping hand, a drill and some patience!

Upholstery Webbing to DIY Magazine Stand

The last step I took was to do a light black paint wash on the inside strips of the stand.

Upholstery Webbing to DIY Magazine Stand

And voila, an old knitting stand repurposed into a chic new magazine stand for Mom using vintage upholstery webbing !

DIY Magazine Stand - Upholstery Webbing

What do you think? Are either of these projects tempting to try?

My Mom taught me a lot about repurposing things. She was pretty amazing at taking something tired and old, and making it look like new. She didn’t hesitate to roll up her sleeves and tackle a project, and she was never daunted by the scope no matter how big or small. I’m grateful for the things she taught me, and I miss not being able to ask her ‘how to’ questions as I undertake my own projects. If she didn’t have an answer, it wasn’t long before she came up with one. That’s just the way my Mom was… I miss my Mom. Mom, this one’s for you! xoxo

Thanks for stopping by!

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Photographs by Sheila Zeller

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Guest Post: Decorating With Bottles Of All Sorts

April 22, 2013

Today I’m excited to introduce my guest, Mari from Arcadian Home! If you haven’t shopped Arcadian Home, you really need to pop over. There is inspiration and eye candy galore. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

Thanks so much for joining sZinteriors today, Mari!

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Hello, everyone! It’s wonderful to be here with you at sZinteriors with a guest post from Arcadian Home blog. It’s an awesome place to find lots of interior design inspiration including beautiful home decor ideas from oval wall mirrors to lovely lighting for the foyer and much more.

Today, we’re going to take a look at decorating with bottles of sorts. From clear glass to brilliant cobalt blue, the vintage bottle is at once versatile and charming as a collection or a single perfect piece. Please enjoy!

Thanks to Sheila for letting me stop by for a visit.

~ Mari

Bottles in Decor

Two large green bottles can be seen in a living room bookcase filled with antique books, coral, seashells and interesting found objects. Shelves are also a great place to display collections of smaller bottles.

Bottles in Decor

A white vintage mantle looks so pretty with a collection of green, blue and clear glass bottles—made even more interesting by choosing each bottle in a different size. It’s such a fresh look for spring or summer.

Bottles in Decor

Vintage medicine bottles and other drugstore-related boxes and containers line the shelves in this white kitchen. What a clever idea to create a little theme by displaying the medicine bottles just below the pharmacy sign!

Bottles in Decor

A collection of mostly pale blue vintage glass bottles looks pretty on a thick glass floating bathroom shelf. How cool is the idea to hang a framed photograph of a contemporary meets rustic bathroom in a vintage bath.

Bottles in Decor

Colorful glass bottles march along a shelf above a built-in desk in the living room of this newly renovated 100-year-old home. Modern pendant lights are hung above the dining table and in the living room.

Bottles in Decor

A large fat glass bottle is a perfect decorative object for this coastal living room dressed up in a watery blue and soft tan color palette.

Bottles in Decor

Blue green antique spritzer bottles draw the eye to the top of a rustic white paned-glass cabinet. Blue canning jars hold white tulips on the table. It’s a lovely combination that ties the room together nicely.

Bottles in Decor

An interesting mix of vintage and contemporary bottles is just right for this eclectic outdoor dining room. I would love to see twin Mid-Century buffet lamps on either end of this washed wood sideboard. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

What do you think of these bottle decor inspirations? Leave us your comments below and visit our blog for more home decor and lighting inspirations!

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Bedroom Makeover Update

March 22, 2013

Well, I’ve been working away on our bedroom makeover (introduced here), until progress suddenly ground to a halt. A lot of the parts and pieces are collected, and some DIYing is underway, however this week I was bitten by a nasty cold… All.Week.Long. :-| So frustrating.

Here’s a little peek anyway.

This is part of the palette that was already in place, and won’t be changing (read more here, here, and here), so it became the jump-off.

Duvet, Drapes, Quilt Rack

You might remember an area rug was part of the new plan. These are the options within the rug budget that made the shortlist, and I’ve since chosen one.

Rug Potentials

Which one do you think I chose? I know, two very different textures, two very different looks!

And you might remember, I showed a long, low MCM dresser factored into the plan. Well, I kind of became a ‘Used Finds’ junkie, scouring the ads like a daily habit, week after week with little to no luck. And then finally one day, there it was!

Used Victoria - MCM Dresser, Mirror & Highboy

{Used Victoria}

A DIY option (at least for me), but definitely along the lines of what I had in mind. This came as a package deal with a mirror and a highboy, because the seller wouldn’t split the set apart. But for the price, it’s a deal that’s hard to beat since they are Honderich pieces c. 1960s, and nice thick walnut veneer.

TIP:

Did you know the veneer in older pieces is much thicker than now-a-days, therefore a better option to sand? And the base wood tends to be of a higher quality than what you get now. Something to keep in mind if you’re looking for a used find. I say, the older, the better!

Here’s a look at my workshop right now. Notice my other Used Find in the background? Hint: the doors are removed.

MCM Dressers & Cabinet Makeovers 033

Since so much of the space depends on the MCM dresser, I’ve been working on it first, even though I had the glass door cabinet before it.

The top is fully sanded and complete, and this is where I left off when the retched bug decided to take over. GRRRR. So frustrating. Oh, did I already say that?

MCM Dressers & Cabinet Makeovers 047

It feels like the cold is starting to break, so I’m hoping to get the sanding finished up this weekend. You can see I have the the finicky areas left, and I still have the drawer fronts to do. And I’m dying to get my hands on the other Used Finds cabinet, too! These pieces will have completely different finishes, and I can’t wait to get the pretty party started!

Are you working on any projects right now? Any makeovers to do?

Thanks for stopping by!

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Photographs by Sheila Zeller unless otherwise stated.

 

 

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Tired of Ho-Humming Along!

March 8, 2013

Well, it’s been a pretty busy last few weeks over here at sZinteriors. For quite a while now I’ve been scouring the USED ads, thrifting my little heart out and just plain visioning in search of makeover pieces for my project ‘to do’!

Here’s a little heads up on what’s got my attention:

Floor Plan - Labelled Layout

Yah, I’ve had enough ho-humming along. Time to move out the pieces that aren’t working, and move in ones that will. This layout is what I have in mind. You can see from the floor plan, we don’t have a lot of options for furniture placement, but that’s okay. We don’t own this home, so will do with this space what we can do!

Here’s one piece that’s just come along…

Glass Door Cabinet - Used VictoriaAnd a look at it right-side up!

Solid Oak Glass Door Cabinet

It’s solid oak with old brass hardware. You can’t really see in this photo, but the bottom of the legs are wrapped in brass – dipping with the real thing!

I have plans for this piece. Oh yes I do! So today I swapped my vehicle to the good outdoors, and set up my workshop in its place to get started.

There will definitely be more to come, but I have to get on with the grunt work first. That would be sanding. I so don’t enjoy the sanding part!

What are your plans for the weekend? Doing anything fun?

Thanks for stopping by!

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Photos courtesy of Used Victoria ad

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Back to the Renaissance: A Day of Learning

January 23, 2013

On the weekend I had the pleasure of joining the group, Renaissance Women, to learn a new craft to me, but one that has been mastered for years!

We spent the afternoon in Leola’s Studio at Whippletree Junction learning how to dry felt, wet felt, paint and paper weave, and how to weave a rag rug! Now I have to say, I’ve had time to reflect, and if I was to do the dry weave project again, I would approach it so differently. You should have seen some of the incredible creations of the others.

And if you ever thought wet weaving to create those felt balls was easy… well, can I just say, patience is a must in order to succeed! I have a more sophisticated respect for the art behind their creation now that I’ve given it a try.

Here’s my little wet weave ball…

Tell me you can see a red heart, not just a blob! And I thought I’d get 3 balls done. Who was I kidding?

The really cool thing Leola did was have each of us weave a section of the same rag rug as we tried our hand at working the loom. I love that this rug is symbolic of a group of women working together to learn crafts from the past in an effort to keep the art of them alive! I was very grateful to be a part of this, and that the DIYer in me was fed with learning something creative and old, but new :-)

At the end of the day all our names were thrown into a draw for one lucky winner to receive this very rug! And the crazy thing I still can’t believe is somehow my name was pulled out of the hat! Not a rabbit, but my name!

I was blown away, super excited, and a little in shock.

Isn’t it hard to believe this rug was created by the hands of over a dozen women? 13 sets of creative hands working on one project. I love how cheerful it is, the colours and variations, the solo chevron stretching toward the middle… I think it speaks to the sharing, caring, cooperative nature of the group.

The rug had to be cut off the loom, and most of the ends still have to be knotted and trimmed. Leola patiently showed me how to knot off the ends, and now finishing the rest is up to me!

Leola's Studio - Cowichan Valley

A special thank you to Leola for her patience and guidance while never losing her wit! To Heather, founding member of Duncan’s Renaissance Women for inviting me in, and to each woman in the group for making me feel welcome.

For a collection of photos from the afternoon, you will find an album on Renaissance Women’s FB page. You can even ‘Like’ the page if you like! ;-)

Thanks for stopping by!

Photographs by Sheila Zeller

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Pillows by Dezign

December 6, 2012

This is not a sponsored post, but I was thrilled when Pillows by Dezign offered me a choice of any one of their designer accent pillows to review! Who doesn’t love fabrics by Kravat, Robert Allen, Schumacher… to name a few.

And I’m not kidding, the pillows are gorgeous! There are so many options… linen, velvet, outdoor fabric in colours and patterns galore.

I was torn trying to decide which way to go.

They come in 3 styles, the classic throw pillow, a lumbar, or a bed pillow, and with either polyester fill or down/feather blend. Custom pillows is an option, too!

I was seriously crushing on a large lumbar pillow, but with some family input, finally decided on this gray 20×20″ down/feather. It just so happens I’ve been wanting a pillow for my MCM inspired chair, because like so many chairs of the modern era, the seat is quite deep.

And not just any pillow would do. A lumbar pillow wouldn’t really provide the full back support for a comfortable sit, and the pillow fabric couldn’t be too slippery. Down/feather relaxes the pillow a little more, and that’s what helps it stay put. I’m not a karate chopper with my pillows, but if you wanted to you could!

 

 

I love the deep, rich colours of this pillow against the cognac of the chair…

And this is just one of many in the mix.

With their user friendly website, Pillows by Dezign makes sourcing easy and customizing fun. And did I mention, they make decorating affordable, too?

For you my special readers,

Pillows by Dezign is offering a 15% discount off your total order.

All you have to do is provide this coupon code,

SZIPROMO

when you place your order.

Visit Pillows by Dezign here!

Thank you Pillows by Dezign!

And thank you for stopping by!

Photographs by Sheila Zeller

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Shou-sugi-ban… I’m in Love!

November 27, 2012

Shou-sugi-ban.

The ancient Japanese technique of charring wood to preserve it for use as exterior siding. Traditionally, Japanese Cyprus was used, but now we’re seeing this technique applied to cedar, and other woods. We’re also seeing the wood being utilized in new and interesting ways beyond exterior siding.

I first learned about shou-sugi-ban on HGTV’s Kitchen Cousins, and fell instantly in love. No, not with the cousins! With the distinct and unique look of the wood.

Here’s a close-up.

Delta Millworks on Houzz 

The wood is carefully charred, doused in water and cooled. Once cooled, it’s brushed to remove the dust and loose debris, and then cleaned, meaning washed and dried. The shou-sugi-ban can either be finished with a natural oil or left as is.

Anne and the Architects

Why would you want to do this? Well, its cool factor, for one! But actually, the charcoal barrier preserves the wood, and is fire, rot and insect resistant!

Cast Architecture Blog

Here are a few examples of shou-sugi-ban in action.

Colin Conces Photography

Such a great panel look without the nastiness of paneling!

This siding is an example of how the wood silvers once it’s brushed, cleaned, and oiled.

Orchard House Blog

And here you see how it looks cladding a fireplace.

Shou-sugi-Ban.com 

I can’t tell if the wood has been oiled or not. What do you think?

I love this table top burner.

Brasa.co

And the irony behind it and the fireplace… you know, charred wood as a feature where fire burns brightly ;-) But seriously, isn’t this burner pretty awesome?

And these stools speak for themselves. Cool, plain and simple.

Urban Now Design / Nicholas Wray Photography

 Designed by Steve Hamm and Don Wroth of Urban Now Design, in their words, they “Like to create cool stuff, plain and simple.”

I’ll leave you with this last piece, a table by Materia Designs.

Materia Designs

This is a great example of blending ancient technique with modern design, and topping it off with a little vintage statement… did you guess the table top is made of reclaimed barn board? Hemlock, actually.

I know. What’s not to love?

I’m thinking a shou-sugi-ban headboard would be pretty cool. But, I do wonder how long it takes for the the charred smell to disappear!

So how about you? Have you heard of shou-sugi-ban before? Do you love it… or would you rather leave the charring back at the camp fire?

Thanks for stopping by!

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IDSwest 2012: A Final Tour Through the Show

October 3, 2012

Now that the buzz has died down a bit, I thought I’d do a photo tour through the show with you! And seriously, this is just a snippet of IDSwest this year. But you know how it goes. It’s hard to see and do everything! Even so, this post is photo heavy, so you might want to grab a coffee, and settle in for a bit!

Up first are the whimsical Chickadee bird houses designed by Trevor Coghill and Nathan Lee of Contexture Design.

Chickadee Bird Houses

This exhibit features the prototypes designed for the Chickadee! If you’re loving them, the Chickadee bird houses are slated to be launched in time for Christmas.

This next exhibit was created by Hatch Interior Design out of Kelowna. This design firm specializes in sustainable interior solutions for the modern work place.

Hatch Interior Design Exhibit

5 interior designers were invited to create 4′x4′ spaces for IDSwest, and this is the space created by Hatch! I’m thinking all you need is a laptop, and you’re good to go, but I’m not so sure about the ergonomics of that stump ;-)

In the background you see the sign for MOES Home Collection.

Want a closer look?

MOES Home Collection Exhibit

MOES is a family owned and award winning home decor retailer. They have been in business for over 20 years, travel the world for fashion forward furnishings, and they source new pieces every week.

And we also had IZM modern furniture featuring their high quality handcrafted pieces.

IZM Modern Furniture

IZM furniture is built to last, to age gracefully, and to stand the test of time.

Back again this year was Salari Fine Carpet Collections with their always popular Salsa Lounge poufs by Paulig.

Knitted Poufs

Don’t you just love their texture and colour? And you have to admit, they bring in a little cozy, too! Salari also launched a new collection of hand-knotted carpets that were inspired by photography. Totally stunning, but sadly I didn’t manage to get any photos of these beauties :-(

And speaking of cozy, how about this Trapper Chair by Identity Apparel’s Home Division?

Vintage Hudson's Bay Point Blanket Trapper Chair by Identity Apparel Home Divison

Identity is a brand stemming from the ideals of what it means to be Canadian.  And this one-of-a-kind chair is made from a vintage Hudson’s Bay Company point blanket. Now how Canadian is that?

The glow of light you see hanging in the background of Identity’s exhibit is actually this!

Identity Apparel - Antler Light Fixture

Antlers. Are they in, or out? Either way, I thought this was a pretty cool feature that totally suited the theme.

And then there’s Montauk Sofa.

Montauk Sofa

Seriously. What’s not to love? I wish I captured the whole grasshopper lounge chair in this photo, but it was super hard take a photo of this exhibit without people walking in front. This was a veeery popular stop!

Here’s a close-up of the walls (and the ceiling)!

Montauk Sofa Exhibit

Did I mention how much I love the Grasshopper Chair? See, there it is again, bottom left!

If you saw my last post featuring Matthieu LeBlanc’s reclaimed wood creations, then you know how much I love his approach to design.

So when I saw these pieces by mth woodworks…

mth woodworks - organic resin in hollowed out stumps

I was totally blown away to learn these salvaged pieces have been filled with organic resin! Isn’t this the coolest eco-friendly idea yet? And if these pieces from mth’s Bloom Collection aren’t enough, what do you think of this coffee table, also from their Bloom Collection?

mth woodworks - Bloom Coffee Table

I am totally loving the juxtaposition of this modern top and salvaged wood base.

ox + monkey. This gorgeous ceramic sculpture is one of theirs.

ox + monkey - ceramic sculpture in acrylic case

Yes, you read that right. This sculpture is ceramic, made to look like torn paper! Can you imagine the work involved? This piece was actually in a clear shadowbox, and I can see why!

I loved this colourful exhibit by Beyond Beige Interior Design. I just thought it was so much fun, and really demonstrated a great mix of pattern and colour.

Beige is Dead Exhibit

And even though I’m not a huge fan of yellow, I thought this light fixture made a perfect statement in this space! If you want to see your space infused with character, there’s no doubt, Beyond Beige can make that happen!

Lighting is always a big draw, and these pendants were no exception. They marked the Robinson Lighting & Bath Centre exhibit, and when I saw them I just had to get a photo.

Duravit - Robinson Lighting & Bath Centre

Don’t ask me what that green horseshoe is on the glass shade! I think it’s just the way my lens caught the light!

But for lighting the real show stoppers were definitely Omer Arbel’s Bocci 28D desk lamps.

Omer Arbel 28D Bocci Desk Lamps

Do you think the fact they lit up the bar, facilitated the ‘stopper’ part? ;-) Well, okay, it might have been the price, too. These lamps were being sold at an incredible price, for the show only, and were available in both yellow and gray.

One of the exhibits that caught my attention was Global Surface Solutions. Concrete fabricators out of Kelowna, they specialize in crafting unique concrete surfaces and products suitable for both interiors and exteriors.

Like this fully sealed concrete desk.

Global Surface Solutions - Kelowna

Looove this desk!

And all that you see here including the wall!

Global Surface Solutions - Kelowna

My friend and thrifting buddy, Carol from Carol Smyth Colour & Design was on the inside track with this exhibit! She consulted with this company to help them plan their booth. Check out Carol’s blog article for close-ups of the gorgeous vignettes she planned for them, and for a little more behind-the-scenes scoop!

Also working with concrete, was Sticks & Stones Furniture.

Sticks & Stones Exhibit

Sticks & Stones specialize in custom built furniture that features the contemporary beauty of wood and concrete. They work with recycled or reclaimed wood and materials to create one-of-a-kind furniture designs that are both modern, and functional.

I know the Aya Kitchen designed by Kelly Deck Design has swept the internet, but I couldn’t imagine leaving this star out of the mix!

Aya Kitchen Design by Kelly Deck Design

I interviewed Kelly Deck at IDSwest last year, and if you missed it, you can catch up on the interview here. You will see reflected in this kitchen, the intelligent, timeless design Kelly speaks of!

Would you love to call this kitchen your own?

I know I’d sure love to call the Brent Comber table my own!

Kelly Deck Design - Reclaimed Stump Side Table

Did you notice the gold detail in the crevices?

What I really appreciate about the Aya kitchen is the collaborative effort that went into its conception, and which ultimately resulted in its standing ovation success!

And as we exit this photo tour, I wanted to leave you with a little more of…

Brent Comber Exhibit

A creator of sculpted and functional objects, design environments, and a specialist in designing modern urban forms from ancient sources.

Brent Comber Exhibit

Brent Comber Exhibit

Brent Comber Exhibit

Isn’t Brent’s work incredible?

I hope you enjoyed the show as much as I did.

{UPDATE: The Marilyn Denis Show did a great recap of IDSwest}

{Click here to view}

I’d like to extend a special thank you to Jason & Leonie for once again providing our dlbWEST group with press passes, bubbly and the opening night tour! Definitely a great way to get the show started!

Thank you for stopping by!

Photography by Sheila Zeller

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Moving On: A Set of MCM Light Fixtures

September 28, 2012

This weekend I’m hanging out at the Vancouver Convention Centre where idsWEST is taking place. And tomorrow night I’ll be attending Blend 2012 sponsored by IKEA. Did I mention this is a gathering of the Canadian Design & Lifestyle Bloggers West? Can’t wait to tell you all about it!

But… last week I promised to let you in on a little vintage stop I’d be making along the way. Here’s the story.

My Dad’s neighbours were doing a major kitchen reno, which meant replacing all their light fixtures.

Enter exhibit A .

Mid-Century Modern 3-Pendant Chandelier

This is their vintage 3-pendant chandelier they were replacing.

And its matching single-pole pendant…

MId-Century Modern Single Pole Pendant

The insert image is the pendant in place before the owners took it down.

They also had a matching ceiling mount fixture.

Mid-Century Modern Ceiling Mount Light FixtureAnd…

A set of single pendants that had never been out of the box!

Mid-Century Modern Single Pendant Set

Seriously. The packing tissue was brittle with age!

When I asked what was planned for these vintage beauties, the owners handed the matter over to me!

So without further ado…

If you’re looking for something that doesn’t come along every day, as in this FULL set of matching MCM light fixtures – in mint condition, never been out of the box kind of mint condition, you might want to stop in at Attic Treasures!

That’s where my mystery stop was. And that’s where you’ll find this incredible set of Mid-Century Modern lighting.

Isn’t it fun when a circle like this can be closed? The owners are happy, the light fixtures are off to find another good home, and I got to pop into a store that makes my heart stop! Kinda leaves a smile on my face :-)

Did I mention, it’s not every day something like this comes along?

While I’m away I might be a little slower on commenting back. And I’ll definitely have some blog reading to catch up on! In the mean time, I hope you have a great weekend :-)

THANKS SO MUCH FOR STOPPING BY!

Photography by Sheila Zeller

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Rainbows On the Floor

September 7, 2012

Last Friday I was delighted to guest post for Luciane over at Home Bunch. Did you catch this ‘Cool or Fool’ feature? Well, today I thought I would expand on the multi-coloured striped theme of that post. Read on… and warning, this post is photo heavy, but I think you will be amazed at what you see!

Jenna Ration G

Contemporary visual artist Jim Lambie specializes in colourful sculptural installations made from everyday modern materials. And one of his trademarks is applying brightly coloured vinyl tape in patterns of continuous lines to floors, most often of galleries. The vinyl tape Lambie uses is an everyday material, but has the capacity to alter the dynamics of a space. The tape is applied following the shape of the room and its architectural details, transforming it from a soft, quiet area into an energetic and emotionally charged sensory zone. Lambie’s creations often trick the eye, confusing, even disorienting, the viewer. According to Lambie, covering an object somehow evaporates its hard edge, and so the artistry is in creating so many edges that they all dissolve, leaving one to wonder if the room is expanding or contracting…

Would you alter the dynamics of your space in this way? Let’s take a look.

Apartment Therapy

Did you notice, this is the same floor from the first photo? Isn’t it interesting how the perspective changes when you see the whole area compared to just a snap shot of it?

Hirshhorn Museum

Since the tape follows the shape of the room and its architectural details, what do you think the shape of this room is? And even though the photo is straight, doesn’t it look like the bottom edge is cropped on an angle? That’s an example of how the multiple edges can trick the eye.

Apartment Therapy

Notice how the tape curves around the far side of the column, but mirrors the shape of the stairs on this side? This is an example of how the tape is applied to follow the architectural details in the room.

Walyou

Dying to know what’s in this space! Do you think it’s from the same space as the photo above?

Walyou

Here the tape follows the square base of the column rather than the column’s curve. This creates the illusion that the floor is an extension of the column base.

iiiinspired Blog

At first glance, doesn’t it look like there could be a step down on the right?

iiiispired Blog

Even though the square columns are outlined flat against the floor, doesn’t the diamond shape in the middle make it feel like there is a gradual incline to the base of the columns?

Didactic – Richard Cassel

Have you noticed the slight variations in the colour combinations of the designs? Lambie picks the tape colours and layout for each design, but he leaves it up to his assistants to coordinate how the colours are put together within the design.

Walyou

This is a great example of how Lambie’s design can trick the eye. Doesn’t it remind you of a kaleidoscope?

Chic Cham Blog

Imagine applying the tape to a set of stairs. This close-up gives you a better idea of just how intricate the process is. Every mitered corner must fit perfectly or the design will become skewed, especially when you factor the risers into the equation.

Floorcrunch

Can you tell where each step starts and ends? Look closely to the left, and you’ll see…

Joanne Mattera Art Blog

Did you notice this photo is from the same space as the one above it? A lot easier to see where the steps are now, right?

Oh My News

See how the design of this floor leads you to, and emphasizes each sculpture, yet still manages to mirror the long lines of the ceiling?

Well, are you ready to take the leap yet? Want to create a ‘Lambie’ design in your home? What if I showed you spaces you might relate to a little more?

Freshome

Yes, this is a Lambie staircase. But I think it would be easier to paint! How about you?

Freshome

And how do you not get dizzy going down these stairs? Do you think they’d be easier to navigate in the dark?

Freshome

Notice how the base of the newel post is mirrored on the step below it. And see the green in the center of the stairs? That’s the mastery of this application. You have to make sure as you extend the design, you retain the overall perspective of the design. Because remember, the tape is applied by following the shape of the space and its architectural details. In this case, the newel post is an architectural detail.

Apartment Therapy

So, now I’m curious. Do you think it would it be fun to live in geometric colour like this everyday?

I  hope you have a bright, cheerful weekend! And don’t forget, today is the last day to enter our special GIVEAWAY. You have until midnight tonight, and tomorrow we will announce the lucky winner :-)

Thank you for stopping by!

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