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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Easy wall hanging DIY

Today I am sharing a quick and easy DIY!

Inspired by Jeran from Oleander+Palm's "land of nod" project.

Putting the finishing touches to our new work space in our loft, and introducing a bit of fun an color... this wall hanging being one!!

One of the best ways to add some textures to your walls is to use a wall hanging! I have shown you how to make a Macrame wall hanging  before, and I want to try weaving soon, but if you are after a quick fix, this one is for you: It is so easy, you could even do this with the kids! And it takes less than an hour to make!

All you need is a piece of dowel (I've painted the ends of mine), some wool in the colors of your choice and some scissors!

This is pretty self explanatory, but here's some brief instructions:

Simply measure out how long you want your wall hanging to be, and cut lengths of wool, double that!

Use 4-5 lengths at the time, fold in half and loop around the dowel as shown above.

Repeat with each color as you please, until you're happy with the look of your wall hanging!!

Plait 3 pieces of wool together and tie onto the ends of the dowel so that you can hang it up on the wall... 

Trim the ends with the scissors.

 And there you have it a tactile, simple wall hanging to add some texture to your walls!!

I am planning on doing some other types of wall hangings soon....weaving being one of them...so if you are after something a bit more ahem....complicated(?) then please pop back soon!!

xxx
June

DIY paper plant pot

Here's a little 10 minute DIY for you.

I have developed a new-found love of green plants recently, and plan to keep some in our new work space in our loft (God bless them, they know not what fate awaits...LOL)

As this is a rather new development, I am not really kitted out with stacks of beautiful plant pots...and in an attempt to save some money (I cant believe how expensive a nice plant pot can be....or maybe I have very expensive taste???) I decided to just make some out of paper to cover those ugly plastic ones that come with potted plants!

All you need is paper (I used wallpaper lining, which you can pick up cheap in any DIY shop....but any thick paper will do) scissors and tape! And something cylindrical to use as a template: I used an old gift box for wine...perfect size!!

meassure roughly how tall you'll need your pot-cover to be,add enough to cover the bottom and then cut the paper to size . Make a small fold at the top then "Pretend" to wrap up the wine box, taping it in place around as you go!

Then I pulled the paper "pot" off the wine box....

....and crumpled it up before placing my plants inside.

If you are thinking: What's going to happen when you water the plants?...I would suggest that you take the plants out before watering, and place a yogurt lid in the bottom of the paper pots to catch any drips after!

I think they look rather nice, don't you??

...and cheap as chips to make!!
xxx June

Our new work/play space in the loft

reveal...

Summer is nearly over....Boy does time fly!! We are on our usual "last of the summer" break in Norway at the moment...its becoming a bit of a tradition! And we'll be here until the penultimate day before its time for Little Miss Moo to get back to school!!

Its a good thing then, that we managed to finish turning our messy ,dumping ground of a loft into a work and play space, where LMM can sit and do her homework and play with her friends..... and where I can retreat to do my projects and blogging....saving our "new" kitchen from the mess of my creativity!!

So, here's what the Loft used to look like!!

It really was a mess!!

It took me, and my little "helper" 2 days to clear the mess and get all our stuff organised in the eaves....

With that done, it was a case of giving our damp damaged walls a lick of paint (more on that later...), and lay down some new flooring,( I chose to put down cork tiles, as I wanted a floor I didn't have to be too precious about...this is after all supposed to be a functional work space...besides : they were cheap!!) before I could implement my new work space design....

....and I hope you'll agree:  The transformation is quite remarkable!!

It is now a very functional space where we can all spend time: For both work and play!!

I made the double desk going all along the far wall from a piece of laminate panel from  Wickes and some Oddvald trestles from IKEA, and it's perfect for the space!! Little Miss Moo can sit and do her homework whilst I do my blogging work, allowing us to spend time together at the same time as we can get on with our own stuff!! 

...and its also perfect for when little Miss Moo has friends around, as there is plenty of space for everyone to sit and do some drawing or crafts...

And keeping all our craft and art supply's handy in an IKEA Raskog trolley is a great way to promote creativity! 

If you like the "I will survive" plant basket, I will share the stencil template with you all soon!

I love how the painted brick wall turned out....and on one side of the desk, I've created a little collage of inspiring pictures and some black and white family pics...I love the "Don't grow up...it's a trap" washi tape from Tiger...

I've also, true to my plan of introducing some more plants into our home, added a couple of succulents (they are easy to keep!) I've made the paper plant pots myself, and will show you how in my next post!!

I've used my jazzed up natural basket from Bodie and Fou as a bin...I just placed a cheap paper waste basket inside!

I used a couple of Ribba picture ledge's from IKEA to display some art work, above the desk.

And on the other side, I've created the perfect spot to sit and do my blogging!

I've used my new House Doctor vases to house my pencils and brushes, and my new faded clipboard from An Artful life studio to display current projects...The textured wall hanging is an easy DIY I will show you very soon!

Also note Little Miss Moo's artwork, proudly displayed on the picture ledge above!

The Ranarp spotlights are also from IKEA, and I love the hint of industrial feel to them! 

The space underneath the trestles is perfect for my hoards of interior magazines...I've simply screwed a piece of wood to the base to create a shelf there!

And the old filing cabinet has also had a makeover with some DIY stencils, that I will share with you all very soon!

I purchased this futon on e-bay for £20....

...creating a nice place to relax with a magazine and a cup of coffee!

The "side-table" is just a big storage basket with a tray placed on top, making it  very functional, as I can simply carry my refreshments up to the loft on the tray, and place it on top of the basket, which also obviously provides useful storage for odds and sods...

Here's the view from the other side of the room, with my old upcycled bedside tables, now used as storage for papers and other office essentials, like the printer...and of course my DIY wire mesh display wall where I can hang up inspirational pictures  to create my mood boards !

I already had the wicker storage baskets, and as luck would have it, they were a perfect fit for the bedside tables! 

The origami paper table lamp was a bargain in the sales from habitat.

And of course, Arthur - the plant ,fits perfectly in this spot to add a lush touch of green!!

Already this "new" room in our house is improving our lives...We spent most of the time up in the loft in the few days we had before flying to Norway....Little Miss Moo would just disappear up there and I'd find her getting creative with either drawing ...or in this case: some balls of wool:

And that in itself means that I can get on with my own stuff as she now knows where all her art supplies are, and that she can go upstairs when she feels like it, and get creative!!

This is possibly the best improvement I've made to our house so far!!

Its a fun and creative space, a retreat where we can get messy (both LMM and me!!) without having to pack everything away at the end of the day!!

And it also looks great...I hope you'll agree!!

Just goes to show, with a little effort, a small amount of £'s and a bit of imagination, using the spaces in your home to it's full potential will improve your lives, as well as your home!!

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