A Punnet Story and Recycling - It's the Little Things

In June, before school closed for the summer, Emily celebrated her summer birthday early in class so she would have her classmates with her. We decided to make brownies and the healthy option was strawberries. These were the best strawberries (from a local farmer's market) I think I have ever eaten. They were barely on the shelves when I grabbed about five punnets of them.

Yes, those are real strawberries and this was how they were displayed which gives you an idea of how perfectly delicious they were. Just for fun, here is a close-up.

But anyway, this post is not about the strawberries but about the punnets - they hold so much that is enjoyed by so many. How many of us take the time to appreciate the utilitarian aspect of the average punnet. They come in styrofoam, plastic basket-like, cardboard, and even felt. These were cardboard. Here they are once emptied.

They were not dirty or wet but looked like they barely had any time to bond with the strawberries before they were swept off the shelves.

The structure of these cardboard punnets was solid and they appeared strong. I decided I had to and needed to repurpose them...aren't we all trying to live more eco-friendly lives? I know I am. Early this summer I was in the process of organizing four desks in the house and thought these would make perfect storage containers - for post-its, push pins or erasers, or other small desk items.

Initially I thought I might use fabric on them but then I found some pretty scrapbooking paper at Michaels  to coordinate with the rooms these desks are in. At 59 cents a sheet I thought "why not!" A sheet per punnet and if I was running short I could use "the good parts" of the NY Times to line the inside. Trying to find an article that did not deal with the economy, politics, natural disasters or terrorism was not easy - I had to settle for ads like this one...

..and this one, which could easily apply to strawberries, green design or Michaels , maybe Mod Podge or even just a good idea!

Here is one of the sheets I picked up at Michaels.

And so I set to work with Mod Podge in Matte and a foam brush. I had no plan in mind in terms of cutting paper to a particular size. These were done on days when kids were home and I felt the need to accomplish some of the mini decorating projects like accessorizing.

Glueing the paper to the sides of the base was not easy given the design and dips.

I cut strips of paper of no particular size. I decided to just wrap over the punnet as I went along.

And here they are now. These look good on the black piano desk.

The punnet does not have perfectly flat sides (part of the design) so there are a few dips here and there. I will try to follow the lines better the next time. Using paper of light stock is best.

From here

to here.

And I decided to do some in blue and orange for Isabel's room; some lilac for Emily.

Isabel is using the one of them as a bookmark holder (she has a small collection) on her nightstand.

I think these were a great idea and the kids are thrilled to be recycling as well as to have another accessory for their rooms. Also it cost me 59 cents and some Mod Podge and newspaper that I already had. What do you think? Do you like how these look? I think these punnets are versatile. In decorating a room, it's the little touches, the accessorizing, that help tie a space together while adding interest.

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Lisa

A Designer's Home in Rio

I came across these pictures of the apartment of Brazilian Designer Alberto de Pinto, located in Rio de Janeiro in a recent issue of Architectural Digest.

The artwork and artifacts throughout the apartment as well as the eclectic mix of styles and bold color choices is what caught my attention. Each room has a lot of interest.

Take a look at the open staircase framed in polished chrome. Sofa by the designer himself.

The artwork makes a bold statement here. The pillows are of recycled vintage leopard coats. Another sofa designed by Alberto de Pinto. 

Gorgeous ocean view serves as a backdrop for this stunning mirrored console. Interesting vignette comprised of various artifacts including an ivory turtle, coco de Mer seeds and books (an easy way to add height and color).

On this sofa in the TV room, the pillows are of antique Indian fabrics; an amazing mirror and I do love the sofa - plush and probably comfortable. Eclectic coffee and end tables, too.

The master bedroom with an enormous ammonite fossil.

An intriguing mix of styles and patterns (which include Baroque and a suzani) against striéd walls in the guest room. 

I absolutely love the Central American maguey-fiber* hand-woven wall hanging in this other guest room. I think this could be my favorite item in the entire apartment. It makes the room.

via Architectural Digest Photos Ngoc Minh Ngo

Do you like any of these spaces? These are the ones that caught my eye. There is more to see here.

* maguey fiber is yielded from leaves of the Agave Americana plant, used for making rope, matting and so on.

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Lisa

A Couple of Thank Yous

Fall has come around at full speed and has brough with it many busy days. Therefore I have recently had less time to catch up on blog reading and to share all that I have to write about but I am getting there. Let me not delay any further in separately thanking the Evie Group and Tiffany of Living Savvy.

Last week I had shared the  Spun Lamp with you. A stunning new product  by  the Evie Group, Australia. If you did not get an opportunity to read it, go here. My post was shared by the Evie Group on their Facebook page. Thank you so much! Let's hope we see their products in the U.S. very soon.



Tiffany of Living Savvy  recently awarded me with the Versatile Blogger Award. I have been enjoying her posts on many design-related projects including some on reupholstery and spray painting...a true versatile blogger herself. Tiffany has really been supportive during these past four months since I first started my blog. Thank you, Tiffany!

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Lisa

A Favorite Thing and Decorating a Teenage Room

Isabel's room has been gradually coming together. The color on the walls went from Benjamin Moore's Cotton Candy to Behr's Premium Ultra Plus in Harmonious - a calming medium blue which was a joint decision after we tried three swatches in similar toned blues on the wall. 

We thought this color together with orange tones would be a perfect color palette for a (then) soon-to-be teen. Relaxing yet fun and modern.

After searching for some months I came upon the Eva Rug from Ballard Designs. With the warmth of a wool rug but actually made of polypropylene this rug is easily maintained and stain resistant and perfect for such a room. I loved the damask pattern and color online and ordered a sample before ordering the item itself in a 5' x 8.' It is so soft underfoot and we love it in the room. It has a vibrant color with a few streaks of red in it.

It fast became a favorite thing and I am so happy I bought it. She will grow with this rug and it can subsequently be used in any number of spaces; it is so versatile because of its pattern and coloration. It adds a perfect pop of color.

 

Can you catch some of the red in it?

I also ordered curtains from Saffron Marigold in Morning Dew for the room.

These look amazing; another favorite item. Do you like the choices so far? I will share pictures with you soon so stay tuned.

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Lisa

How I Created Loops on the Pillow Covers

I have been working on the no-sew pillow covers I wrote about here and here. I had left them with ties made of ribbon and they looked pretty but I was not entirely sold on the slight gaping.

So I debated buttons or some type of decorative metallic clasp (a way to bring metal into a space). A couple of weeks ago Joann's opened a store about ten minutes away (I had never been into one and was so excited). I bought some jute for one project and some scrapbooking paper  for another as well as these simple but beautiful turquoise buttons. Out went the no-sew pillow concept! (This is about easy stitching though). 

If you recall, this is what the ties looked like.

Family room throw pillows are generally (supposed to be) subject to some misuse (at least, mine are) and can, quite literally, be thrown about during kids' parties, pillow fights and similar high energy moments. Ties become undone and these ties are of  polyester ribbon, making them more slippery and allowing them to become undone more easily.

So after much thought I decided to make loops for the buttons with the glued-on ties. A simple solution and the covers would still look pretty. I first used some heat from the stove to (very quickly and very carefully) heat the exposed end of the ribbon to prevent unravelling.  I then proceeded to twist the ribbon like this.

and looped the free end through thus creating a twisted, knot-like loop

and pinned it to the inside of the cover thus creating a loop. I still needed to stitch it to the fabric.

I did a simple back stitch with some coordinating pale blue embroidery thread I have had for many years. I had contemplated a chain or a cross stitch for a brief moment but decided to keep it simple. See the blue stitching on the outside?

And here is the loop. I love the look of it.

And now I have to do something similar on the opposite side of the covers to incorporate the new buttons with the ribbon already in place.

Will share that with you shortly. Do you like how the pillow covers are looking so far? I am loving them.

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Lisa