That's Armoire!

It's my last post from Venice and I've got lots of ideas for getting creative with cabinets!

Martha Stewart, domestic queen, you never fail to inspire me! Here she puts two different cabinets, striped back and painted the same, on top of each other to create a DIY armoire. 

image found here

And here's a lovely tutorial from Fresh Home Idea. It's a step-by-step guide with handy tips to keep us all on track! Have a look at the 'before' picture too... to me the diy effort gives the cabinet even more vintage charm!

image found here.

Now, if you're feeling handy, this might be the project for you! With a full on set of instructions, Ana White guides you every step of the way and literally shows you how to make a corner cabinet from scratch! I'm really keen on this idea... maybe add some patterned wallpaper and vintage door knobs into the mix?

image found here.

Then there is Miss Mustard Seed at Mustard Seed Interiors who has taken a new approach all together and painted the whole wardrobe with black-board paint... a lovely idea for storage to double up as a memo-board in a cafe, for example.

                    

image found here.

And, just for good measure, I've thrown in this image...  The colours, pattern, shapes are all just garishly brilliant!

 

image found here.

I probably wouldn't be able to sleep at night if this was the decor in my bedroom, but I think it would be fun in a dinning room or something. Bold can be quite brilliant!

Welcome to my online sketchbook!

To kick things off I'd like to tell you a bit about me... I'm currently in Venice working at the 54th International Biennale as an Information Assistant for the Karla Black show. I am having a great time and it's such a wonderful experience. On the rare occasion that the gallery is quiet I have not much else to do but think... I've been doodling in my notebook and I have realised that when I get home I really want to pursue my creative skills in the form of my own little business. I want to begin the venture as a hobby at first but work as hard as I can and see how far I can take it.


Although my background is in Fine Art, I have always been drawn to furniture and quirky bits 'n' bobs. I am certainly not afraid of a saw so I want to combine my eye for finding objects with a bit of character together with my creative flair and hands on approach to make one of pieces for the home.


I'll be sad to say goodbye to Venice (I've been here for 7 weeks and only got 2 left to go!) but I'm really excited to get home, get my hands dirty and start making!


Stumbling through blogs and websites I've come across loads of inspiration to get the ball rolling.

Lushlee is a particularly pretty site and although I am keen to source unusual, ornate knobs and handles for up-cycling furniture, it just goes to show that a little paint and some sanding can work wonders!


Martha Stewart eat your heart out.