Tuesday 15 July 2014

Part I - Missouri Botanical Garden!




On the 4th of July we decided to drive the two and a half hours south to St. Louis and go to the Missouri Botanical Gardens. We had been there before but it was at least 11 years prior. Our area had a cool front that came though so the day was beautiful.

Founded in 1859 by Henry Shaw, the botanical garden is the oldest in continuous operation in the US!


This huge blue glass chandelier above

Tuesday 8 July 2014

She had me at HELLO!







This

 sweet

 dresser



 had

 me 

at

 Hello!





I did not need a dresser, nor did I need another project, but just look at it! How could I pass this up?






Actually, it started out like this below. Yes, the paint was peeling and a knob would not stay in and the back decorative piece was missing...but





They said that it was a family piece that came from England and it's solid

Amparo Museum. Puebla | Mexico.

One evening during our trip to Puebla, Mexico in December last year we walked the beautiful cobble streets to reach Amparo Museum

This historical museum is housed in two 17th & 18th centuries colonial-era buildings.

This not-to-be missed historical museum has a permanent collection that traces Mexico’s development over its history. It has the most important collections of pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern art in Mexico.

The collection contains jars, figures, steles, altars, sculptures and utensils, from the Teotihuacan, Zapotec, Huasteca, Totonac, Maya, Olmec, Chichimeca, Mixtec and Aztec civilisations.

After taking in the fascinating information of Mexican history in the museum, we reached the top floor of the colonial building and were blown away by the beauty of this historical town.

The top floor of the Amparo Museum which has a roof top cafe is done up in a uber modern style with huge glass walls which almost seem to frame the colonial buildings of Puebla.


The setting sun cast an orange glow on the cathedrals and colonials building surrounding the museum.

We sat down with our cups of warm beverages to take in the beauty of this historical town of Puebla, listening to the evening chimes from the church bells.


 

Looking down from the roof top cafe at Amparo Museum.

If you find yourself in Mexico. Do make a trip to Puebla and Amparo Museum, you won't be disappointed!

(Images by Arch)

Thursday 3 July 2014

Inspired Sign!




I have this blog to, not only show you transformations,


But to INSPIRE you!


Because YOU can do it too!


Recently, I was inspired by Claire at The Rustic Pig with her ironing board Welcome sign.

All I really needed was an old ironing board. So I patiently waited for one to come across my path.

GOD always provides!






This was a really quick and simple project with a WOW result. I

Trash To Treasure Decorating

What can be more satisfying than reusing and recycling!!!
To me it feels great when I give new lease of life to stuff that is no longer useful or has become trash. So what do you need to turn that trash into treasure!! Well it's just a creativity and imagination. It not only saves money but gives new life to an old & dying objects.
Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Use old furniture: You can upcycle or repurpose your old furiniture in many ways.
Turn headboard into a nice outdoor bench with some carpentry work. Old door can be used as a wall panel that has sconce fit on it and can be placed either side of the bed. Making shelves out of old door is a very smart and useful way to reuse.

Old Door Turned Into Bench, Shelf, Wall Panel
Image Source: 1. Via 2 Via, 3 Via
Cable spool can be turned into a nice breakfast table. Just give it a fresh coat of paint and put glass cut in circle shape on it.
An old table can serve as a dresser you just need to add a mirror and drawers.
While old dresser can be used as a bathroom vanity.
Worn out furniture can easily be given new look by painting them in some new color.
Sometimes replacing old upholstery with new one gives a whole new look to the place.
Sewing machine works well as a desk or nightstand. Old ladder can serve as a towel hanger in bathroom. A photo frame can be used as a tray.

Repurposing, Recycling
Image Source: 1 Via, 2 Via, 3 Via

Use Old Crockery & Utensils: Are you bored of your old kitchenware then repurpose them and you will start loving them all over again.
Old teapot makes a very beautiful planter grow succulent in it and it looks lovely placed on center table. A wonderful way to transform teapots is to make a bedside lamp of it. Stack teapots or some cups then install shade and wiring on the top of the stack. Needs some skills though.

Teapot Lamp and Planter
Image Source: 1 Via, 2 Via, 3 Via
Empty mason jars (Jem/jelly jars) have umpteen number of uses. Use them as votive/candle holder, vase, pen/brush holder, chandelier and liquid soap dispenser.

Recycling Ideas
Image: Mine
Spoons bent and nailed on a wooden panel can serve as a tea light holders and create warm and welcoming ambiance. Whereas forks bent and nailed can work as hooks. Colander can make a very beautiful pendant light. Paint those big old metal trays and hang them on wall to work as magnetic message board. 
If you are not using your frying pans/skillets then think something different paint them, drill a hole in the center and install clock mechanism it will make a lovely clock for your kitchen.

Repurposed Spoon, Colander, Tray, Frying Pan
Image Source: 1 Via, 2 Via, 3 Via, 4 Via

Use old Clothing: Before donating your old clothing wait a minute and think you can turn them into fabulous home decor items.
Make a beautiful cushion cover out of old shirt or embroidered kurta.
If you have some fancy and colorful cloth then you can cover old photo frame with it to give it a totally new look.
Several old colorful fabrics sewed together can make a beautiful quilt. A rag rug can also be woven with these fabrics for adding instant drama to your room.
Old shawls or duppata can be turned into an eye catching wall hanging by adding some beads or stones.

Some other stuff: 
There are many other objects that can be turned into something useful and beautiful. Use old newspapers to weave a basket or tray to keep on center table. You can make newspaper wind chime to hang in garden or make coasters to surprise your guests. Cut 8"-10" broad stripes of newspaper, roll them with the help of round thin stick and glue the end. Now start weaving until your desired shape ans size is achieved. Paint it in acrylic color of your choice and then apply varnish. It looks same as wicker basket and strong enough to hold some fruits, flowers of light home decor accessories. For complete tutorial on newspaper tray click here and for newspaper wind chime click here

Newspaper Wind Chime, Decorative Tray, Coasters
Image: Mine

Empty soft drink cans can be reused or upcycled in many ways like as a vase, pen/brush holder, planter, wall sconces and candles.
Old tires painted in bright colors make beautiful hanging as well as garden planter. One more use is turn it into ottoman with little creativity, put hardboard or ply on one side and attach legs on the other side, glue twine or rope all around it.
Even coconut shell and plastic bottles can be turned into a hanging planter.

Recycling
Image: Mine
Have you ever turned some drab into fab.....do let me know. Would love to see it or may be you will be featured here on 3D :)))
Everything around you has more than one purpose. Use your imaginations and creativity to create best out of the waste. Happy Decorating!!

Thursday 26 June 2014

For the love of pavers!





When something gets in



 my Hubby's head,



It's got to be done!



Whatever IT is!!





He has an attraction to old street pavers...









Hubby has been collecting these old pavers with words on them for a few years. His plan, to use them to build a patio. We have a cement patio, so no, not there. He was thinking out at the back of our yard under a tree where we have a swing on an

Monday 23 June 2014

Fourth Of July Decor





Ready for the Fourth of July!












These parties I love to link up to or check out my Blog Parties tab

Monday

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch

Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple 

Motivate Me Monday @ It's A Ginger Snap 

Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage Making The World Cuter @ Making The World Cuter 

DIY'ERS