Showing posts with label Clever. Show all posts

2011 Clever Halloween Centerpieces Ideas

| Published Friday, April 11, 2014

Use these centerpiece ideas as inspiration for your next Halloween party or as festive additions to your home to add some fright to your holiday table .
i hope you like it .. Enjoy  !!


Halloween Glass Vases 

Glass block vases become one-of-a-kind Halloween centerpieces with die cuts and spooky scrapbook paper (available at crafts stores). To make, use spray adhesive to attach the papers; (spray the back of the paper, not the glass, to avoid streaks). Place sand and tapered candles inside the vase for a haunting glow. 
Editor's Tip: Use clear plastic blocks in lieu of glass vases. Be sure to nix the candles or opt for battery-powered versions.


Black and Orange Halloween Candles 

Wrap decorative scrapbook paper around large orange and black candles to create this simple Halloween centerpiece. An orange table runner makes the black candle pop, overturned black bowls add height to the decoration, and black spiders and white Halloween candies add creepy-crawly fun at the base. 
Editor's Tip: Be sure to keep an eye on how fast your candles burn, and trim scrapbook paper accordingly.


Raven Urn Centerpiece 

You need only a few household items and a little nature to create this haunting-yet-simple Halloween centerpiece. Gather knotted, rustic sticks from your yard or neighborhood to place in a basic urn, and add bits of moss to get the fright just right. Use free clip art to trace and cut out ominous black ravens from construction paper -- the finishing touch for this Halloween centerpiece.


Candleholder Goblets Display 

Thrift-store glasses become centerpiece-ready with a coat of black spray paint. Choose textural goblets for the most detail, set them upside down to spray-paint, and tape a few to preserve the tops. Touch up any edges with a black permanent marker after the goblets dry. Note that after decorating the goblets they are meant for display only. 
Editor's Tips:
Use sand to raise your votives to desired height.
Place the goblets on a black tray or a mirror embellished with spray paint to make the centerpiece both cohesive and portable.


"Boo" Embroidery Hoop Centerpiece

Basic embroidery hoops set a spooky scene at your Halloween table. To make, stretch black costume fabric or lace through the painted hoops; trim extra fabric. Next, spray-paint planters for bases, then add enough florist's foam inside to secure a painted dowel through the middle. Finish with a square of black-and-white patterned paper atop the planters and a hauntingly fun message spelled out in painted wood letters. Hot glue can help secure the dowels and wood letters.


Ribbon Spool Stackers 

Colorful spools of ribbon display equally eye-catching desserts. Place scallop-edge die cuts (available at crafts stores or cut from a die-cutting tool) between the ribbon spools with a touch of adhesive to ensure stability. Top with a decadent treat for a sugary-sweet Halloween centerpiece. 
Editor's Tip: Arrange the spools in a cluster around an accent piece, such as a colorful vase, or in a straight line on a table runner to maximize creativity.


White Pumpkins on Black Stands

Pumpkins painted white and covered in glitter stand out when placed on stark black stands. Use double-sided tape or an adhesive spray to get just the right amount of shine for this glitzy Halloween centerpiece.


Recycled Halloween Centerpiece 

Scrapbook papers and floral accents are all it takes to "upcycle" yesterday's tin cans into a "green" Halloween centerpiece. Standard- and economy-size tin cans work well for this craft, although the more varied the sizes, the more intriguing the display. Wrap with scrapbook paper or add die-cut scenes or stickers as desired. 
Editor's Tip: Keep the cans for next year, or give them away to guests as simple mementos of a frightful night.


Ghost Book Pop-Ups

A stack of old books forms the stand in this spooky centerpiece. To make, cut two basic ghost shapes from pages in the middle of a book, leaving the bottoms attached to their pages. Hold up each ghost with a touch of tape. To complete, use a hole punch or marker to make eyes for this haunting centerpiece.


Chalked Skeleton Centerpiece

Spray-paint Halloween props with black chalkboard paint, then outline them with chalk for frightfully aged flair. Fill the cauldron with a decorative bottle, handpicked beverage, or a tasty Halloween treat.

Posted in , , , | Leave a comment

Clever Uses for Old Furniture 2013 Ideas By Farima Alavi

| Published Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Check out these easy ways to repurpose old home furnishings before you decide to toss them out. From a ladder display shelf to cabinet mantel decor, you will find a way to repurpose many forgotten household items.

By Farima Alavi


Oversized, Vintage Message Board 

Don't turn your back on an old mattress. Hang a mattress spring on the wall for a one of a kind, oversized message board. Donna of Funky Junk Interiors cleaned the rust from the spring with a wire brush and treated it with a clear overcoat for a vintage look. Simple clothes pins hold up messages, and hangers keep other everyday items at hand.


Cottage Style Display Shelf 


When you think an item has no functionality, think again. Melissa Michaels of The Inspired Room placed a small, brightly colored stepladder on the wall to function as a display shelf and eye pleaser. The weathered finish on the ladder paired with crisp white frames on the adjacent wall gives the room a classic cottage look.



Playful Kid's Dresser

If you don't like the look of an old dresser, update it with a bright color. Janell Beals of Isabella & Max Rooms painted a forgotten dresser with bright pinkish-red chalkboard paint for a playful look that works perfectly in a kid's room. The dresser allows kids to use their imaginations by drawing or writing anything they want on it, keeping the walls safe from any unexpected drawings.


Salvaged Home Office

This home office is filled with items from the junkyard. Sawhorses make up the legs of the desk, a wood pallet works as the desktop and an old ladder provides the framework. Donna used a garage storage unit and wood pallets as back support to create an industrial style shelving unit to maximize storage space. Fill the shelves with vintage-inspired objects to finish the rustic look.


Practical Antique

A piece of old, unused furniture can become functional again with a little creativity. This Hoosier cupboard, popular in the early 20th century, was sitting in a woodshop for years. With some refinishing and paint, Janell Beals turned it into a practical home office desk. The crisp white cupboard against the black walls makes it the focal point of the room. The cupboard drawers allow for an abundance of storage space, and the size of the cupboard provides plenty of room for office equipment. "The piece not only adds to the design of the room but holds great memories as well," she says. Hang framed memorabilia to add to the timeworn look.


No Damage Here

Damaged furniture doesn't have to be thrown away. Marian Parsons suggests hiding imperfections on furniture with decoupage. She used aged sheets of music to hide imperfections on this neglected dresser, while also giving the all white bedroom a shabby chic look. Other items great for decoupaging furniture are maps, book pages, letters and postcards. "The treatment will hide gouges, water marks, missing veneer and other signs of abuse on furniture," she says. Decoupaging furniture will also add dimension and distinct style to a room.


Bright, Bold Focal Point

Sometimes a fresh coat of paint is all a piece of furniture needs to breathe new life into a space. Melissa Michaels painted this once dull coffee table into an eye catching royal blue color. "The unexpected pop of color is a fun contrast to its otherwise traditional lines," she says. The bold color makes the table the focal point in this mostly neutral living room.


From Tired to Stylish

Even the smallest, most outdated items can be repurposed with a little love. Marian Parsons updated a tired wood frame with decoupage using aluminum foil, antiquing glaze and polyurethane spray. The gold finish gives the framed chalkboard a contemporary, stylish look that works great resting on a dresser or hanging on the wall.


Wallpaper Table

Turn to unexpected materials to freshen up old furniture. Will Taylor of Bright Bazaar used scraps of old wallpaper samples and some paint to transform this dining table into a work of art. The different patterns and colors make the table a versatile piece of furniture that fits any room and style.


Posted in , , , , | Leave a comment

2013 Clever Halloween Centerpieces Decorating Ideas

| Published Monday, March 24, 2014

Halloween is the perfect time to add some fright to your holiday table. Use these centerpiece ideas as inspiration for your next Halloween party or as festive additions to your home.

By Caitlin Berens


Make a bewitching centerpiece with black and orange pumpkins.
Carve out a large pumpkin to hold a vase. Spray paint your pumpkins with a black matte finish paint. Once dry, scrape away the painted surface in lines or in the form of a sunflower or another design.


A smiling jack-o'-lantern becomes the perfect Halloween vase when you place a container of water and flowers inside. A simple carving (or scraping) that forgoes the typical wide mouth will help the inside container stay hidden. Use a white pumpkin and orange flowers for extra pop.


Use rugged old cabinet legs as eye catching bases for this Halloween gourd display. Elevating some gourds and leaving others on the table, as well as varying the size of gourds, adds quirkiness to this Halloween centerpiece.

Editor's Tip: Tie ribbon onto the bases in knots or bows it you want to inject color to this neutral centerpiece.


A plain white platter becomes a Halloween centerpiece with a handful of scattered miniature pumpkins and fall accents. The nonlinear look is key with this decoration, so assemble pieces randomly along the platter for an effortless, relaxed look.


Wrap decorative scrapbook paper around large orange and black candles to create this simple Halloween centerpiece. An orange table runner makes the black candle pop, overturned black bowls add height to the decoration, and black spiders and white Halloween candies add creepy crawly fun at the base.

Editor's Tip: Be sure to keep an eye on how fast your candles burn, and trim scrapbook paper accordingly.


Fashion papier mache into flickering mummy like candles. Begin by wetting plaster cloth strips (found at local crafts stores) and wrapping them around a small inflated balloon. After the paper hardens, pop the balloon and cut a small hole in the bottom. Place the mummy form over battery operated votives and sit atop a glass candlestick for a frightening display.


Create a kooky cast of characters for your dining room table. Use orange, black, white, and green spools of thread for the mini monster bodies. We used black felt cutouts for the eyes and mouths for most of the creatures. Repurpose old jewelry boxes with scrapbooking or wrapping paper for fun pedestals for the spool monsters.


Glass block vases become one of a kind Halloween centerpieces with die cuts and spooky scrapbook paper (available at crafts stores). To make, use spray adhesive to attach the papers (spray the back of the paper, not the glass, to avoid streaks). Place sand and tapered candles inside the vase for a haunting glow.

Editor's Tip: Use clear plastic blocks in lieu of glass vases. Be sure to nix the candles or opt for battery-powered ones.


A stack of old books forms the stand for this spooky centerpiece. To make, cut two basic ghost shapes from pages in the middle of a book, leaving the bottoms attached to the pages. Fold up each ghost and secure with a touch of tape. To complete, use a hole punch or marker to make eyes for this haunting centerpiece.


Miniature jack-o'-lanterns make a big impact when arranged on footed cake stands and displayed on a vintage tray. Place battery-powered candles inside each hand-carved pumpkin, and let your guests enjoy the glow.


Basic embroidery hoops set a spooky scene on a Halloween table. To make, stretch black costume fabric or lace across the painted hoops; trim extra fabric. Next, spray-paint planters for bases, then add enough florist's foam inside to secure a painted dowel inserted in the middle. Finish with black-and-white patterned paper atop the planters and a hauntingly fun message spelled out in painted wooden letters. Use hot glue to secure the dowels and wooden letters.


You need only a few household items and a little nature to create this haunting yet simple Halloween centerpiece. Gather knotted, rustic sticks from your yard or neighborhood to place in a basic urn, and add bits of moss to get the fright just right. Use free clip art to trace and cut out ominous black ravens from construction paper the finishing touch for this Halloween centerpiece.


An old typewriter spells out a warning message for your Halloween guests. Load a torn book page in a computer printer and spell out your message (a test run on basic white paper ensures you won't waste your favorite page). Tuck the final note in a vintage typewriter, and tell your guests they've been warned!

 Editor's Tip: For extra fright, drape a skeleton hand across the keys .


Scrapbook papers and floral accents are all it takes to upcycle" yesterday's tin cans into a green Halloween centerpiece. Standard- and economy-size tin cans work well for this craft, although the more varied the sizes, the more intriguing the display. Wrap with scrapbook paper and add die cut scenes or stickers as desired.

Editor's Tip: Keep the cans for next year, or give them away to guests as simple mementos of a frightful night.


Spray paint Halloween props with black chalkboard paint, then outline them with chalk for frightfully aged flair. Fill the cauldron with a decorative bottle, handpicked beverage, or a tasty Halloween treat.


Nuts, pumpkins, and a large candle dress up a small woven mat in this simple-yet-sophisticated Halloween centerpiece. Fallen leaves tucked into the display add natural fall flair to the decoration.

Editor's Tip: For a more kid-friendly decoration, use candies, painted pumpkins, and a battery-powered candle so curious fingers don't find a flame.


Simple white dishes display multicolor pumpkins in this elegant Halloween centerpiece. Use footed bowls, small plates, and candlesticks at varying heights to create an eye-catching display.


Use a large, tall pumpkin to create this picturesque Halloween centerpiece. Stuff a variety of flowers, fillers, and greenery in a vase inside this simple, hollowed out pumpkin. 

Editor's Tip: To add a bit of festive fun, tuck tiny Halloween decorations, such as plastic spiders or spooky stir sticks, into the arrangement.

Posted in , , , , | Leave a comment

Clever Storage Solutions for Small Bedrooms 2014 Ideas

| Published Thursday, March 20, 2014

Small bedrooms present decorating and storage challenges. Here are our smartest ways to store everything from shoes to jewelry in your short on space bedroom. you'll love these ideas to try in 2014! 

 I hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring to you ...... Enjoy it !!


Bedside tables with shelves work best for storage purposes. This simple but hardworking nightstand offers a tabletop surface for a lamp and a collection of decorative elements, a drawer to corral smaller items, and a lower shelf that holds reading materials.


If you don't have the luxury of a bedside table, create a storage-packed floating shelf by installing a closet shelf upside down beside your bed. The small shelf takes up no floor space yet offers an ample surface for an alarm clock, reading material, and decorative accents.


When square footage is at a premium, this space-saving alternative to a bedside table is perfect for a bookworm. Cut a small section out of the wall between the studs, finish the opening with drywall or wood, and outfit it with shelves to store books and decorative elements. Hang a wall-mount lamp beside the bed for a well-lit reading nook.


Create unexpected yet convenient bedroom storage using objects usually reserved for the kitchen. Frame your bed with kitchen cabinet components to fashion a niche. Fill the upper cabinets and lower drawers with clothing or accessories. Top the upper drawer with a slab of wood to serve as a pull-out nightstand.


Narrow furnishings add a surprising amount of storage and display space in a limited footprint. This bedside console table offers plenty of surface area for showing off collectibles and other possessions. A lamp sheds light on the bed for reading after overhead lights are turned off.


Create a work of art while keeping your jewelry safe and tangle-free with this chic jewelry display. Purchase a plain picture frame and attach decorative hooks to the backing to create a place for favorite pieces. Place the frame on the top shelf of a tiny shelving system, and fill the rest of the shelves with pretty glassware to store small items, such as rings and earrings.


Put your jewelry to work as eye candy with this clever and decorative display. Use a store bought jewelry tree to corral earrings, bracelets, and necklaces on a dresser or tabletop. A napkin holder spray painted to match the jewelry tree creates the perfect resting place for a small clutch.


If your bedroom has less than standard height walls, don't despair. As this bedroom proves, you can stash a lot of stuff along a short wall and still add some decorative elements. A long, low built in offers ample surface storage, while drawers and open shelving below provide space to stow clothing, books, and more.


In a small bedroom, it's important to embrace every inch of square footage. Take a cue from this attic bedroom and tackle a corner oddity by incorporating a small built in bench. The bench makes use of potentially wasted space below a window to create a cozy reading nook.


Small bedrooms necessitate creative storage solutions. Make the most of your limited space with a storage laden headboard. This headboard features padded lift up panels that shield from view everything from extra blankets to cozy sweaters. Plus, when the panels are closed, the ledge on top of the headboard offers a place to set bedtime necessities and decorative items.


Creative storage solutions turn this charming bedroom into a calm and tidy haven. A low shelving unit stands in as a footboard and provides a spot to sit as well as stash stuff in closed drawers. A narrow wicker vanity along an empty wall offers storage space for beauty supplies, while a nearby basket holds seasonal accessories.


Decorative storage boxes are a pretty accent atop a dresser and also provide space to stow away those little items and keepsakes that are so easy to misplace. Stack various-size boxes to create visual interest.


Modular systems aren't reserved for spacious closets. This tiny yet tidy closet is organization central, decked out with useful modular closet components. A row of open shelves along one side houses bins filled with delicates, swimwear, and other small items. A closed upper cabinet and lower drawers offer space for bulky folded items. Clothing racks flanking the cabinet unit increase the storage capacity of the small closet.


Even if you don't have the luxury of a built-in closet, you can have the functionality of one. A freestanding closet system like this one allows you to dedicate a wall of your bedroom to efficient storage for clothing and accessories. Either leave the unit open to allow your wardrobe to take center stage, or cover the unit with fabric that coordinates with your bedroom decor.


Use a large basket or laundry hamper to corral shams and throw pillows at bedtime. When you go to crawl into bed, toss the pillows into the basket and drift off to sleep, knowing you won't trip over pillows in the morning. Plus, you can place extra blankets at the bottom of the basket.


Posted in , , , , , | Leave a comment
Powered by Blogger.

Interior design, interior decorating, interior decoration, interior designing ...