DIY filing cabinet label stencils...Free download!

(+ how to get permanent marker off a smooth surface)

...and a little bonus surprise at the bottom of the post!!

OK...So you all know how my loft into work space makeover turned out (If you are new here, click on the link to see this amazing transformation)... I was inspired by these images of inspirational work spaces, and I especially fell in love with the filing cabinet in the top image...

So in true nostalgiecat spirit, I decided to use this old IKEA filing cabinet we already had, and give it a little makeover:

OK, so its not a gorgeous vintage filing cabinet, but inspired by the one I fell in love with, I decided to replace my husbands scribbled labels with some Army-type stenciled ones...

First problem was: How to get rid off the permanent marker pen!

Using a regular pencil eraser/rubber , I rubbed off most of the marker pen...This is not done in a hurry: have patience: It will take some time, and elbow grease!! The same goes for the next step:

Using some toothpaste, rub the remaining marker pen stain with a cloth/some tissue...

Persevere: It will all come out this way eventually!!

There are other methods of removing permanent marker pen off smooth surfaces (You can find some here ) but I've tried them all, and this was the way that seemed to work best!!

 Anyway...Once I'd cleaned off the old permanent marker on the filing cabinet, I designed these stencils to replace my husbands handwritten labels:

As you can see, I've added a couple of extra labels, that I thought could be of use to you all!

You can download the flipped label designs here and here!

The design needs to be flipped to create the stencils.

To create the stencils, you will need:

Printer

Some sticky back plastic

Scissors

A scalpel

Some tape

A cutting mat

Spray paint

Cut some sticky back plastic to A4 size, and print out the templates on the papered back of the sticky back plastic! (You can of course adjust the size of the lettering on your computer)

Cut out each individual label, tape it down to your cutting mat, glossy side up...

Use the scalpel to carefully cut out the black letters...

REMEMBER its the surrounding sticky back plastic that you'll want to keep!!

TIP: Cut along the longer lines first, and always cut towards your last cut, the smaller cuts can be made by just pressing the scalpel down into the design...this way you minimize the risk of messing up and tearing the surrounding sticky back plastic!

When you have cut out the design, peel off the paper backing on the sticky back plastic, and carefully place it onto the surface....Smooth down, taking care that there are no gaps between the SBP and the surface...

Mask off any surrounding areas if needed then gently spray paint the stencil!

Several lighter dustings of spray-paint will work best!

NB! ALWAYS use spray-paint in a well ventilated area/outside!

When the paint has dried, peel off the SBP , to reveal your new stenciled labels:

It looks a lot better now, don't you think??

It may not be a statement piece, but as they say: The devil is in the detail!!

And it makes for essential storage for Mr's paperwork!

FINALLY....

Here's a little bonus free download for you all:

Click HERE to download the pattern for the stencil I used to make my "I WILL SURVIVE" plant pot/basket, pictured below, and follow the same steps as above!!

Enjoy!

 I am having a little DIY-project break next week, whilst I am planning my living room makeover...but don't worry I have several projects  and useful tips to share with you all...as well as some interesting design news!!

xxx June

Autumn style report

Summer is over...

yup! Sad but true! I hope you've all had a great one!! 

Ours has been one of mixed emotions for some very personal reasons, and to be honest, I am feeling a bit drained...

But summer is now officially over, the long summer days are getting shorter and temperatures are sinking, and with Little Miss Moo starting back at school again yesterday, there is just no denying it: Autumn is here!!

I am always left feeling a bit melancholy after the summer, this year more than most....so I thought I'd indulge in a bit of inspiration-searching on the web...to lift my mood!

And do you know what(?): I am now actually looking forward to getting cosy this autumn!!

There is beauty in all seasons, but Autumn is the one where you can revel in the darkness and for many it marks a "fresh start"...especially in design terms!!

So here's a few of the interior design trends for Autumn that I find inspiring and appeals to me!!

Image via Greige

First...Lets talk color:

A trend I keep seeing popping up for autumn, is black!!

 Not for the faint hearted, I will admit: we are talking black walls!! I have long been a fan of the blackboard wall, but this is one step further! If you have a suitable space (And yes, only a certain kind of space can handle this kind of treatment...) it will add a certain elegance and edge, but at the same time also a cosy cocooning effect to your interiors. Paint the whole room black for maximum impact, or if you are feeling this trend, but not THAT brave, try painting just one feature wall, and add lots of black accessories to suit!!The only  "rule" is (I am not usually a fan of design "rules", but this one agrees with me!!) to keep the paint matte!!This way you avoid that 80's yuppie feel!!

Try "Off-black" by Farrow & Ball for the "right" look!!

Perhaps this Black trend appeals to me because it kind of matches my current mood, but I find myself strangely soothed by these dark interiors...however, black walls is not a trend I will try in my home, as our house is quite small and dark as it is...Nope..I'm still a, true to my Scandinavian roots,  white wall kind of girl...

Image via Deco crush

Having an all white interior, makes everything seem bright and airy...and creates a blank canvas that you can introduce whatever colors and accessories that suits your mood to...making your furniture and artwork pop!!

However, an all white interior can seem quite stark and cold...especially now in the autumn!

Scandinavians love All white interiors...perhaps because it creates an illusion of light in the dark winter months. But how do you make an all white room seem cosy?? Take a leaf out of the design obsessed Scandinavians of course...The starkly monochrome Interior trend in Scandinavia is now making way for some softer touches of colour this season, and dusky pinks,peach and mustard tones together with mint seems to be THE colours for autumn!!

Image source: Bolia

Maybe because they blend so well with the grey and petrol shades popular earlier in the year...I am really loving these colours as I think that they will be easy transferable into next season as well!

I mean : who can afford to change their interior decoration completely with every season ??

Other things I am glad is staying on trend for Autumn/winter is  Concrete, metallics and geometric patterns!

The new colour palette almost squeezes even more beauty out of these:

Image source : Ferm living

Graphic and geometric textiles, in the form of throws, rugs and cushions....even a wall hanging ...add some sheepskins and leather for a snug interior fit for a cosy autumn evening... 

Image cred: Tobi Jenkins, found via daily mail

Metallics is having a BIG moment in interiors this autumn...Copper is still going strong, but now it's all about mixing metallics!! And I love this...being a magpie at heart!! It makes everything feel a bit luxe...but now metallics is not opulent in the traditional way: It's made modern and fresh by keeping the shapes masculine and geometric, and by mixing them with other juxtaposed materials, such as concrete or smokey glass..

Image source Hanne Willmann

In fact, mixing materials: the rough with the smooth is a trend I am crushing on big time at the moment....and it seems that the design world is having a moment with sculptural vessels of all sorts: Big ballooning vases, tea light votive s and decorative bowls, geometric shapes in delicate materials such as porcelain...

Image source: Finnsdottir

Stuff like this really excites me...call me materialistic if you want: But I just love beautiful things...even if its only to dream about!! Imagine a stormy autumn evening, wrapped in a cosy blanket, curled up in the sofa with a good book, surrounded by lots of soft and flickering candle light in beautiful votives...THAT spells autumn at it's best to me!!

In terms of furniture, I think the image above demonstrates very well the ongoing trend of old meets new: There is still a lot of love for the mid-century style, and I cant see this trend changing for a while:

Even the new furniture designs coming out, is inspired by the iconic furniture of the 50's :

Image source: Ropke design

And the Danes seems to have this design trend all sewn up: Just check out the new collections from Muuto, Bolia (whicn now by the way SHIPS TO ALL EU COUNTRIES...YAY!!) and housedoctor.

 Key words for the current furniture trends, seems to be: 

Image source Oyoy

...Scandinavian blond wood

It looks fresh and modern, at the same time as it has that nostalgic nod to iconic mid century design, which I love...In particular I've fallen for the range (pictured above) from Oyoy...as it has a slight feel of traditional, old native northern Scandinavian Samii-culture...

Photo cred : Pierre-Jean Verger via Desire to inspire

.....Industrial....

...I love elements of this style...it inspires me and gives me lots of DIY ideas..

Photo cred: An-magritt

And eclectic: Modern with new!!
This is probably the most accessible of the Autumn/Winter furniture trends, as its all about mixing old with new...Upcycling being key to this look!!
This is probably the look that will have the most staying power
,as it lends it self well to, not just all seasons, but a lifetime of home comforts!

Autumn is all about comforts: Good food and a warm and welcoming home!

Autumn is a time to prepare for the dark winter months and lots of level lighting, candles and a roaring fire, will make your home a sanctuary to come home to...The Danish term "Hygge"  is the perfect description for this feeling !

Image from housedoctor

So set the table, invite your friends around and revel in the warmth of your home...

...whatever design appeals to you: make your home a haven this autumn...

I for one, would not object to coming home to a house like this:

Image source: freshome

I know that design  can be inaccessible in terms of price and availability for most people, myself included...but there is nothing wrong in looking for things and environments that appeal to you: It can inspire as well as even fuel your dreams and aspirations..
Design and colours can be very powerful tools to improve your emotional life, and your sense of belonging!
And over the next couple of months I will show you how you can achieve this look and feel for less...through budget buys and DIY's as I am giving our living room a makeover!
But first I am sharing some more projects from my Workspace in our loft..

I hope you found my Autumn/winter style report as uplifting as I did writing it!!
Lets all welcome autumn...a fresh start to a more comfy life!!

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