Recycled Herb Garden Wall

What a delight yesterday when I popped round to see my friends from FROG and their new recycled herb garden wall. What a great idea to use old secondhand pots, pans and kettles. They have even rigged up a simple irrigation system.

How cute is this kettle?

Just in case you are wondering who FROG is? If you live in the Fraser Coast region and eat organic fruits and veggies, then this is where you go for you weekly organic veggie box.

Thanks so much Celine and Liam.

Have fun.

Recycled Fabric Cushion Ideas

I have a project on currently where we are using fabrics and rugs from Mexico to make cushion covers for a lounge area. Have a good look in your cupboards for those old blankets and throws. Instead of throwing out your old clothes why not recycle an old woolen knit jumper or a pair of jeans. You can even use an old rug. 

Here's a few ideas to get you started...

Vintage Sari material can also make great cushion covers like this one made by The family Love Tree.

An old Turkish Kilim can also make a great cushion cover like this one from The Family Love Tree.

Turn an old woolen jumper into a cushion. DIY idea from Brassy Apple and a great tutorial here.

Cushions made from hessian by Home Life. 

Vintage dollies can also get a new lease of life with this idea from Detailed Design via Etsy.

Now for some denim...

Recycled denim seat cushion idea by Barbie Shukster at Ecouterre.

Strips of denim and hem offcuts also make a great idea by Detailed Design via Etsy.

Leftover fabric remnants from Cloth Fabric. Read more here.

Gather those old jeans and create robust cushion covers, great for kids rooms. Ideas by Ashbee Design and a great mix of tutorials here.

FORE MORE RECYCLED FABRIC CUSHION IDEAS TRY:

Recycled patchwork cushion ideas

Ethnic cushion style

Recycled patchwork cushion ideas

Sometimes it just pays to hoard...

Have fun.

Patchwork Pattern Throw

I have been gathering quite a few fabric samples these days with the various project I have currently on.

What to do with them after I finish using them for sample boards? How about a patchwork pattern bed throw like this one by The Purl Bee. These are made from squares of felted wool fabric, but you could also use upholstery fabric, old denim or even an old chunky knit jumper. 

If you click here The Purl Bee have also got a great tutorial on how to make this amazing throw.

This may be my solution to covering up more tired sofa...

Have fun.

Pink & Orange Cushions Fabrics

These are from Instyle, Warwick Fabrics & Mokum

I had such a fun day yesterday rummaging though a few upholstery fabric showrooms in Brisbane. 

I am looking for fabric swatches to make a mixed selection of cushions for my very white outdoor seating area. 

I have always had in mind a pink and orange theme, mixed with Moroccan and Indian patterns, but using fabric sample off cuts and smaller fabric pieces. The trick here is to find fabrics that are OK to use outdoors and will not fade with sunlight. 

Tip 01: 

Pinterest comes in quite handy here if you are searching for inspiration or a colour theme. I keep mine on boards labelled by colour so that I can refer to them later on.

my inspiration from my
 Colour :: Orange Pinterest Board

inspiration from my
 Colour :: Orange Pinterest Board

Tip 02: 

It is always a good idea to lay your fabric selections over the intended furniture so that you see how the colour and pattern works with the style of furniture. This also applies if you are reupholstering an old piece of furniture.

Will update later on my final selections.

Have fun.

Recycled Burlap Coffee Sack Ideas

Last weekend I went to see a cafe that I designed called Kiva Han in Mermaid Beach. 

I am quite excited about this project as there are many interior design elements that are recycled, reused leftovers or adaptations. I will post in detail later this week about the design and refurbishment.

They roast and grind their own beans on site, so while I was behind the roasting area I was able to grab some of their used coffee bean bags. They smell great! All I need now is to decide on what I shall recycle them into; cushions, outdoor bench seating or a couple of ottomans?

image via Houzz

image via Better Living Through Design 

Have fun

Eclectic Natural Style :: San Giorgio Hotel, Mykonos, Greece

I know the San Giorgio Hotel has been written about already but as I have been focused on eclectic and natural design styles, this hotel lovingly combines both the '60s bohemian life with a down-to-earth natural approach.

For me I just love the palettes of white, simple textures and the use of colour through furniture and decoration. They achieve this look by...

• Exposing and painting the existing timber ceiling.
• Using mosaic floor tiles.
• Mixing rough plaster wall finish with polished plaster floor and built in joinery.
• Playing with filtered light with sheers and pendants.
• Decorating with natural finishes, local crafted weaves and textiles, recycled furniture and eclectic decor.

images via San Giorgio Hotel

Now if I lived back in the UK, this would be on my top 10 places to stay.

Have fun

Recycled Kitchen Island Benchtop

I love going to the Eumundi Markets on the Sunshine Coast and stumbling across something new.

Last weekend was no exception when I came across Neale from Bushblocks.

Neale makes timber kitchen island benches from locally sourced recycled timber, door locks and door knobs! 

The surface can be made from Australian Eucalyptus which holds one of the highest anti-bacterial tannin content of any hardwood in the world and great for being used as a chopping board. He also fits a small removable flush mounted metal bin into the surface for collecting your veggie scraps!

These tables would make a great addition to any country kitchen.

Have fun.