I first came into contact with Iro-Ivy when she entered a few of her beautiful creations for our crafty Christmas post. She won a little gift from us and was offered the chance to guest write a post about something she designed herself. And here it is:
Indecisive?
Short of money?
But still eager for good design?
...hmmm....there might be some help here.
This is the reading corner before
First of all, I'm referring to the above personality characteristics only as short term traits, like when going through a period of change in our lives. Then maybe every single penny that can be saved is important and worthwhile! Should we cut down on our wishes? Definitely not! Actually it's an opportunity to get creative!
Wallpaper samples are up!
As for the indecisiveness issue, here is how it goes: let's say you really want to wallpaper a wall.... you order samples.....you stick the sample on the wall to try and imagine how each would work in the space. And of course depending on their darkness / lightness and the various patterns, they will give to the room a totally different look, depending on what you choose...But ...oh my!...almost all the samples you chose are so nice and would work so well in the space!....so now what do you do? I'd say simple mathematics:
Eight Ikea Ram frames all in a row
1. Costs of covering the desired wall with wallpaper > not ordering wallpaper at all!
2. Possibly living in a rented apartment = wallpapered wall stays with the next tenants when you move out, probably making them very happy, coz you have great taste, BUT the time and money you invested is gone!
So what's next? ...well how about staying with wallpaper samples and we decorate with them instead? Yes? ...but off course yes!
A lick of white paint...
Framing them as pieces of art, can give a very nice tone of interest to the room. In addition, you get to look at every one of the wallpaper designs you so much loved all the time!
Nearly there
As for the framing issue, here is something to be cautious, too, as frames can vary in prices quite a lot! No need to be downhearted, as the simplest and cheapest wooden frames can be transformed into stylish ones, with a brush, some paint, a little bit of time and lots of motivation!
Tada!
So, the costs of the overall project presented here were as low as €33.
To be more exact:
-> 9x Ikea RAM frames ( €2,99) = €27
-> 9x 0,50 cents ( cost of every sample ) = €4,50 ( + 2,50 for shipment if you order online)
-> white paint and brushes always exist in the cellar so I didn't have to spend for that, am sure though that it's not a great expense!
The good thing is that these frames stay with you and can follow you wherever you go, not to mention that you can add a new design if you like to refresh the grouping.
Beautiful... But wait - it feels like something's missing...
As for the overall creation of this cozy reading corner, except from the interesting patterns of the different wallpapers, a little bit more was needed....some surface area where books and magazines can be temporarily put while someone is reading, also a place to put a cup of tea and a small plate of cookies and of course, place for a reading lamp and a few carefully chosen objects to brighten up the total space. I chose a pot of seasonal flowers (there are hyacinths now) and a favorite object, such as the vintage, wooden deer, which belonged to previous generations of my family. Candles are also added, as their light sweetens up the artificial light used at night.
In the last picture, the addition of the long shelf can be seen, which made it possible for all of the above to find their places. Now the little table is free to be pulled close to the chair, when for example, we want to use our laptops sitting in the corner...
The finished product. For now at least!
Last but not least, have you noticed the...unexpected addition of the wooden bowl on the top right corner of the grouped wallpaper samples? Well, this place was intentionally left "blank" as I didn't want to make a perfect rectangle, avoiding the overall outcome to remind of a wallpaper shop catalog. I waited and waited until something was found. The bowl used is one I adored from the the first sight! It is put there to calm the austerity of all the rectangles with its friendly uneven circles, which are actually slices of tree barks. More over, two of the wallpaper samples display trees, so these dissimilar objects are brought and connected together through their common theme: nature! And of course the natural tone of the wooden bowl also corresponds to the fabric of the lampshade.
So, creating a cozy, stylish space can take place even when some indecisiveness and shortage of money is involved. Motivation, vision, ability to make it happen and some patience are needed though!
That was pretty inspirational: A great big thank you to Iro-Ivy, who did such a fantastic job at walking us through her creation - great tips too! Do you know what? I think we'll have her back!
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