Spin Art, Lampshades, Record Bowls………..

I’m taking a break from my alphabet series to fill you in on some projects I’ve been working on for the guest/music room.  I have been trying to come up with some unique art and I found a post on Blue Hydrangea about spin art and I knew that was exactly what I needed.

I wanted to make the art on records since it is a music room and Mr. Stitches is a DJ.  After a trip to the thrift store to find an old turntable was a bust I remembered that my son had a spin art machine when he was little and found it in his closet (he never gets rid of anything) A couple of washers, a pencil and some super glue and it was ready to spin a record.

My friend Eva and I put it inside a cardboard box so it wouldn’t splatter all over my kitchen.  This reminded me of when I was little, my Dad worked for IBM and we did this at their family picnic every year.

Here they are over the bumblebee yellow buffet/dresser.  My Dad is going to help me cut some picture molding to make a frame to go around them.

Today I covered the lamp shades with Trina Turk’s Sunglasses print in a very dark grey. If you want a tutorial, Janell has a great one at her blog Isabella and Max.

I ordered this Live What You Love print from made by girl and put it in a $10 frame from Big Lots and used some of the roman shade fabric for the mat.  I’m trying to decide if I should paint it white……. what do you think ?

The record bowl was super easy.  I just put it on top of a bowl and let it melt in the oven for 3 minutes.  It’s probably toxic, not recommending you do it ! But I have seen them sold in gift shops for $40.00.

I found the little bedside tables on Craigslist and covered them with the headboard fabric.

I was going to say I need some guests but I just found out my niece is coming today !

I’m linking to Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage.

J is for Jabots

The ABC’s of window treatments

I had a really hard time coming up with something for the letter “J”.  Jabots and Jackie Von Tobel was the only thing I could think of and since I have already done a post on Jackie ………. jabots it is !

According to WFCP jabots are additional pieces of a top treatment, often shaped like a tie, cone, or cylinder, which are used between and over swags as decoration.  I use the term jabot interchangeably with cascades, which are often seen on the sides of swags.  The first summer I ever worked in a workroom I’m pretty sure I called them “jags and swabots”

I’m not sure who made this but the picture above is from M’Fay, where you can order patterns for window treatments.  It’s a nice simple tail.

The zig zag shape is accentuated when you add fringe to the edges and I highly recommend it.  These are both lined on the back with the main fabric.

 

In the bedroom below, designed by Armando Guereca,  a contrasting plaid fabric is used on the back of the jabots.  Notice there isn’t a fringe but they did use a solid bias banding on the edge.

                        Image via Window Dressings

                                              Image via All the Best

This 1962 photo shows Jackie Kennedy’s dressing room in the White House.  The jabots are about one-third the length of the overall treatment, which is another pleasing length. 

There’s your drapery terminology for the day !

I is for Ikat

The ABC’s of window treatments

Ikat is a type of fabric that uses the Far East method of warp printing on textiles and is very popular on upholstery, draperies and pillows.

I’ve used this Ikat fabric by Robert Allen, pattern Kathandi, color Cinnabar.  Another one of those projects that I wish I had taken pictures of but I didn’t.

Highland Court has beautiful Ikats as part of their Marakesh Collection.  I wish I had a place to use this one.

                       Image via Cote de Texas

A pink Carlton V Ikat is used on the drapery panels, chair and pillows, what a sweet room !

                                                Image via A Punch of Color

Another option is to use the Ikat on the walls and make coordinating window treatments and bedding in solid fabrics.

Or you could keep everything neutral and use a punch of Ikat on the rug, like this one from CB2.

My friend Sally at Divine Distractions just did a post on Ikats and she has some lovely examples if you would like to see more.

Are you a fan of Ikat ?

H is for Headboards

The ABC’s of window treatments

Upholstered headboards are not window treatments but bedding is something that I make so I’m going to include them in my alphabet series. 

I just finished the headboard for my guest room, it’s covered in a pvc fabric and has nickel nail heads that measure 13/16”.   There’s a close up of the fabric in my Fabricut post.

The mirror over the bed was made from a sculptured sunburst I found at Home Goods and spray painted silver then added an automotive mirror from Auto Zone.

I thought I’d share some of my favorites with you.  The headboard below has a simple curved shape and tufting.

                                                                    Image via Decor Pad

I thought this shape was really unusual, it’s simple but has a big impact.

                                          Image via Deco Pad

My friend Sarah at StoriBook Designs is getting ready to make this headboard with scroll cutouts, can’t wait to see hers !

                                                      Image via House Beautiful

This one has a very gentle curve and two rows of contrast cording.

                              Image via Lotus Blue

Fabrics can be solid, geometric or floral, there’s a shape for every fabric design.

                            Image via Serena and Lily

This is an upholstered bed that I’ll be making for a client next week, I’ll post pics once it’s finished.

To see more of my headboards and instructions, go HERE

I’ll be posting over at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday.

G is for Grommets

The ABC’s of window treatments

Grommets are a popular heading for drapery panels, valances and shower curtains.  They can be made of brass, nickel and plastic and come in many finishes to match your rod. 

Barry Dixon used organic linen to make grommets panels for this living room.

                                                Image via Traditional Home

Jonathan Adler used grommet panels as a bed treatment and mounted the hardware to the ceiling.

The panels in my study are made with black grommets to match the black wrought iron rod and finials.

If you want to use grommets outside make sure they are made of brass so they don’t rust.

                                       Image via Jaqlene

                                 Image Sunbrella Mist

If you are going to try these I have 2 suggestions……

1.  Always use an even number.  I plan on 8 per width of fabric.

2.  Have a big strong man with a big sledge hammer because it takes 150 lbs of force to set the large ones.

Or you could just send me your fabric and I’ll make them for you !