Decorate-A-Long
I've had so much fun decorating Elliot's room with all of you, but I swear I'll stop soon, very soon. I am just finishing up the last few things. I don't know if you all have seen the animal silhouettes made of vintage wallpaper that have been floating around. I really like the idea of this, but wanted to do something a little less, um, dramatic. I decided to try my hand at cutting out some animal silhouettes of my own, and found a japanese silk-screened paper that I just love. The squirrel will go above the door, the bunny down by the baseboard, and the mouse above a window. I cut them out this morning, and now am just trying to figure out how to affix them to the wall. Any ideas?? I don't use spraymount- that stuff is too toxic for me. I was thinking of just trying Sobo glue (white glue). I thought I'd test some on some scrap paper to make sure the paper did not rip or anything.
And I've FINALLY moved my studio from the guest room closet to our largely unused dining room. Before this, I have been working in the most inefficient of ways, mainly in the kitchen and running up and down the stairs for supplies. I also have had to clear away my projects each time we needed to eat or something. I figure it is pretty much now or never on this since my baby is due in March, and this way I can leave things out and return to it when I get a chance. Also, this space is across from our home office, which makes it convenient in case I need to print or copy something. Pardon the very messy office, we're trying to get rid of some old computer equipment.
My sweet husband ran to IKEA Friday night and got me this large Expedit unit and a tall table for my sewing machine. The Expedit unit will hold my fabric, magazine collection (mainly MSL) and other supplies. I decided to leave my home decorating and apparel fabrics in an armoire upstairs since I don't use them as often. I am also going to add a large tackboard above the sewing table.
So far I just took the leaves off our dining room table and moved four of the chairs to the basement, but eventually I plan to trade this table for our old kitchen table in the basement which has a painted bottom and a stainless steel top. I actually am not hating this table here like I thought I would. Without the leaves it looks sort of desk-like, but I am not sure it would make a very good crafting surface since it has sort of beveled edges.
I am so excited that we finally did this, I can't tell you. I hate having rooms that sit unused, so using it as a dining room really makes no sense for us at this point. We have used this room more in the last 24 hours than we have in the year and a half since we moved in. It finally feels like there is life in there.
i have liked using mod podge, it comes in pints (?) of glossy or matte. there's gel medium too! best of luck! :)
Posted by: cat | 22 January 2007 at 04:07 PM
Love the cut outs - and in a more realistic size. And great work on the dining room make over. I have a craft room, but it becomes the dumping ground whenever we clean, so it reall is more a crap room. I need to get it organized.
And every time I see you banner it makes me think that your silhouette has probably changed a bit. :) Hope this final stretch treats you well.
Posted by: laeroport | 22 January 2007 at 04:11 PM
love the transformation. i think you are going to have a lot of fun with this new space.
the animals look great. i love the idea.
Posted by: christina | 22 January 2007 at 04:11 PM
At the art store, they have sheets of double stick paper -- the kind used to attach posters to poster board -- which I believe is called dry mount. Anyway, it's super sticky and wonderful and non toxic and would probably do the job!
Posted by: Sarah | 22 January 2007 at 04:12 PM
Wow! That looks like a great space to be creative. How nice that he is helping you!
Posted by: Kelli | 22 January 2007 at 04:28 PM
Love the silhouettes. I also love your newly Ikea-fied space. I love the Expedit unit.
Posted by: coronita | 22 January 2007 at 04:42 PM
your animal silhouettes are so darling. have fun creating in your new space. it looks divine.
Posted by: erin | 22 January 2007 at 05:41 PM
i may have to borrow yet ANOTHER idea from you with those darling silhouettes.
gasp! your work space! so organized...and what a rare vision...the sewing machine on an uncluttered table.
Posted by: kristin | 22 January 2007 at 05:58 PM
I wonder if liquid starch would work. I used it on a similar project but I used shapes out of fabric. They were easy to remove when it was time redecorate.
Posted by: sherry | 22 January 2007 at 06:12 PM
I've been wanting to decoupage some animals on the walls of my son's room, too. Yours look great.
How fun that you have your own real space now! It's looking good.
Posted by: Amy | 22 January 2007 at 06:54 PM
The new space looks great. I bet it's wonderful to have a place of your own.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | 22 January 2007 at 06:55 PM
What is that awesome color on the walls. It's like a greyish taupeish. Do you happen to still have the color name. Please email me if you do.
Great rooms!
Posted by: chelee | 22 January 2007 at 06:59 PM
Do you have the color name for the tan walls in those pictures? It is a great color!
Posted by: Kristen | 22 January 2007 at 07:23 PM
Love the animal silhouettes + new craft space!
Posted by: sally | 22 January 2007 at 07:57 PM
That's a craft room worth of MS herself!
Posted by: Old Round | 22 January 2007 at 08:40 PM
another vote for liquid starch. it comes off with no damage to the wall when you are tired of it, or when it needs cleaning...
Posted by: gloria | 22 January 2007 at 09:11 PM
great, great, great animals!
Posted by: dorie | 22 January 2007 at 09:17 PM
I like your house! It looks very peaceful and neat. And I second the suggestion for Dry Mount. It's amazing stuff!
Posted by: Liesl | 22 January 2007 at 11:19 PM
Gongratulations on your new work space. Looks great!
Posted by: magfly | 23 January 2007 at 06:28 AM
I'm so excited for you with your new studio space!
Posted by: Sue | 23 January 2007 at 06:58 AM
your new studio looks wonderful! i love the fabric organization too. this weekend we are taking a road trip to ikea... i keep thinking about possible furniture ideas for my study! :)
Posted by: amisha | 23 January 2007 at 10:50 AM
WOW- love the space! and the animals...good job!
Posted by: carol | 23 January 2007 at 02:27 PM
lovely animals!!
Posted by: Patricia | 24 January 2007 at 02:12 AM
i want your house! it's sooo pretty! i love the molding and the clean lines, etc.
Posted by: kristen | 25 January 2007 at 10:37 AM
The animal silhouettes are a great idea.
We just bought the expedit bookcase for my craft room - wish mine was as neat as yours though!
Posted by: rebecca | 25 January 2007 at 11:12 AM
great wall stickers. Try using some double sided tape, it comes in various widths, or some 'jac' paper which comes in an A4/letter sized sheet. You peel the paper off on side, then stick your image on, then peel of the other. I use for smaller things a Xyron machine which allows you to create you own stickers. They come in different sizes. Try scrap booking shops for ideas on adhesives.
We are decorating/renovating too. I've been relocted to the loungeroom and cannot wait to get back to my studio!
Posted by: tiel | 26 January 2007 at 03:43 PM
what is the name of the ikea table that now holds your sewing machine. Its great!!
Posted by: Lynn | 26 January 2007 at 11:11 PM
Congrats on the studio move - I'll bet it feels great!
Also, I ADORE the little animal silhouettes and the wallpaper that you used to make them. What a great idea!
Posted by: Maritza | 27 January 2007 at 05:15 PM
That's the very very exact table I was considering to get for a sewing table - I'm dying to know how you like it. It's a standing work height, yes? And no problem with the cord for the pedal?
Freaking exciting, man, freaking exciting.
Posted by: Amber | 30 January 2007 at 02:39 PM
Wallpaper paste would be my vote for an adhesive!
Posted by: | 31 January 2007 at 07:38 AM
the ikea table is
UDDEN
I just looked it up.
Posted by: Jen | 31 January 2007 at 03:44 PM
hey, i looked for that ikea table, "udden", but i could not find it. am i going about it all wrong?
i am looking for a tall table like that to cut wood on. is it really stable?
Posted by: paul | 31 January 2007 at 08:35 PM
wall paper paste - in moderation of course
Posted by: QueenMum | 01 February 2007 at 12:14 AM
Animal silhouettes are wonderful. I love your home!
Posted by: casapinka | 01 February 2007 at 11:34 AM
hey there,
we just bought the same table for our office/work space at home. the only place for the computer is in the kitchen, so i love the stainless steel.
the table is not really a table at all, but part of ikea's free-standing kitchen collection. it is very sturdy & heavy. we opted to not have the backsplash on ours.
Posted by: meredith | 02 February 2007 at 11:33 AM
I love both the animal silhouettes and your house. How lucky you are to have a sewing room. I've been promised one when we buy a house too...can't wait, neither can my boyfriend, I think he's a bit tired of having a living room that looks like a fabric store ;-)
You have really nice taste, love the colors of your walls as well!
Posted by: Henriette | 06 February 2007 at 05:12 AM
first time here, and i love it. :) wouldn't you know, we are making the very same transition right now with our dining room. it's gone, baby! i am turning it into a game/play room primarily, but it will also have a great niche for a craft table/desk and some organization for all my supplies. i am excited!
Posted by: Lei | 26 February 2007 at 02:31 PM
Hello,
just wondering if you could pass on the paint colors in your home....i love the blue and beige and green in a later post.
thanks so much,
nikki
Posted by: nikki | 27 February 2007 at 08:02 PM