And Let’s do Part Three!
Going through my files, I realized I took a lot of photos of Kerry Washington’s Los Angeles apartment makeover I did for the June issue of O: the Oprah Magazine. I did this makeover so long ago, that I forgot about half of the DIY decorating ideas. So, here’s the third and final post on the makeover and this one will be dedicated to the decorating details.
First up, is this fun Linden Street lamp I purchased from JCPenney. What I like about this apothecary style lamp is that you can customize the inside of the lamp with whatever collection you like. Lots of people fill it with shells or pebbles, but I thought light seaglass was the way to go here. On the bottom, I put some white sand and just layered recycled glass chips on top. The seagrass shade added to the “beachy” theme.
Inside the medicine cabinet, I took some chipped teacups and used them as storage holders for small, everyday items. There’s no need to run to the store and buy new cups when you can find a whole collection of great items at stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army for next to nothing. True story: I have a celebrity client (not Kerry Washington) who did not want me to buy her things from the thrift shops, even though that’s where I would find the best vintage glass and ceramic pieces. So, I would shop Salvation Army and then package the finds in a large Anthropologie shopping bag and tell her they were vintage pieces from Anthropologie. She loved them. Thought that was funny….
Here, a JCPenney bookcase was filled with a collection of books. I know there’s some controversy to this idea, but I’ll say it anyway: I arranged the books by color. Purple/Blue, Black, Reds and White (not pictured) on the bottom. It keeps it interesting and makes a statement. For all you booklovers out there, you can hate me. It’s ok.
I still love this idea even though it didn’t make the cut in the pages of O Magazine. I took a simple JCpenney Home Collection pillow and sequined it with steel and brass safety pins. Just pin away and create a starburst. It doesn’t poke you (hello, the word is “safety” pin) and it’s just different. I had fun making it and thought it was a cute idea that only cost $2.
Finally, I covered an entire wall in cork and then pinned a large sheet of unbleached painter’s canvas tarp on top. Here, it makes for a functional and revolving wall of inspiration photos, cards, notes, memos and—-my favorite—jewelry. Just pin all your jewelry up and you can see your whole collection instead of keeping it stashed away in drawers.
And here’s a pic of the whole wall. It’s fun!
danny, have you read these awful columns about you in the phoenix new times?
it makes me sad. and ANGRY!
http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2009/05/danny_seo_column_advice_use_no.php
It’s awesome Danny! I love what you’ve done. great work.
I just glanced at that Pheonix New Times. I don’t really understand how it was really negative. It sounded like they were calling Danny redundant or something, which is strange because the person writing the article didn’t have anything worth saying–I don’t get it. Besides, who would reject getting paid to push something they believe in?
Anyways, the answer to that question, why do they give him a column, would be BECAUSE WE LIKE HIM (–you, Danny, we like you!)
That lamp is so simple, but a great little idea. I couldn’t care less about who profits from my future purchase of one just like it!
There are more articles on the PNewTimes about Danny. read them all!
Looks like you’ve been busy! Great stuff. And always empowering (‘I could do that…’)
No idea what the articles say, because I’m not listening.
(Sticks fingers in ears.) La la la!
Hello from Down Under!
I’m wondering – the cork wall – how thick was the cork that you used? Nifty idea i would like to try in my bedroom (shifting all the junk on to the “sides” heh).
that’s a neat trick for the throw pillow. would love to try it but there’s a shortage of safety pins, i’d hate to part with them. on second thought… maybe it is a good idea to make the throw pillow its pin cushion instead of keeping them in containers that i always forget about – easier to find one that way! thanks!
I’m a booklover and I LOVE the bookshelf by color idea!