Mark Montano
Designer, Author & TV Host
Photo Credit: Auxy Espinoza
Around the House
Your projects will be easier and more economical if you have the right tools and materials, many of which are already in your house.
Old Books:
Use the pages to make vintage-looking matting for artwork or photos, to cover lamp bases or to decorate your walls; use the covers for boxes and other projects.
Buttons:
Start collecting buttons! They’re decorative and you can glue them on frames, lampshades, or mirrors.
Fabric Scraps:
Keep scraps from your old clothes. They are handy for decorating a lamp or wrapping a chair.
Nightlight:
An easy way to light a project is to plug in a nightlight to the end of an extension chord. It’s safe and gives off a very nice low-wattage glow.
Popsicle Sticks, Chopsticks and Coffee Stirrers:
Use these to make planter boxes, sculptures, frames—even to decorate a table (you will need lots of Elmer’s Wood Glue).
Holiday Home Décor
November 2010
With the holidays fast approaching, it’s a great time to add decorative accents to your home, especially if you plan on hosting a gathering for your family and friends. You can create a warm, inviting space all on your own, without breaking the bank. All you need to do is get in touch with your inner designer and pick up a few inexpensive materials from your local crafts and home goods stores. Some of these make great gifts, too.
Lace Pillow Made with Hot Glue
Lace is a great fabric—beautiful and easy to work with. Use a piece with a floral pattern. If you’re really adventurous, try using this technique on an old chair that needs sprucing up.
You’ll Need:
1 yard of lace you can cut apart
Scissors
Pillow you want to cover
Dritz Fray Check
Straight pins
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Sewing needle and thread
Here’s How:
- Cut the lace apart to separate the flowers and leaves in the pattern.
- If the lace has an edge that’s rough or may fray, apply Fray Check.
- Carefully open a seam on the pillow and remove the stuffing.
- Lay the pillow flat, arrange the lace pieces where you want them, and keep them in place with pins.
- Use hot glue to attach the pieces to the pillow.
- Restuff the pillow and sew the hole closed.
Yarn-Wrapped Twig Arrangement
This project takes time, but can be relaxing. This unique arrangement looks great in a vase or hanging on the wall.
You’ll Need:
1 skein of yarn, any color you like
Yardstick
Scissors
Twigs or small branches
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Here’s How:
- Cut a length of yarn about 6 feet long.
- Tie a knot with the yarn around the base of one branch and start wrapping upward.
- When you have about 10 inches of yarn left, tie another 6-foot long piece of yarn to it and continue to wrap until the entire branch is covered.
- Dot some hot glue to keep the end in place when you’ve reached the tip of the branch.
- Repeat this process with several other branches until you’ve created an amazing arrangement.
Organza-Square Curtain
This elegant textural drape doesn’t take a high level of sewing skill.
You’ll need:
Basic drape panel
Iron and ironing board (optional)
Pencil
Yardstick
3 yards of organza fabric
Scissors
Sewing machine and thread
Here’s How:
- Lay your drape flat and lightly pencil lines from top to bottom about 3” apart across the entire panel.
- Make 3”-wide strips of the organza by snipping the selvage edge every 3” and ripping the fabric across to the other side.
- Cut the strips in 3” squares with the scissors, and make a ton of them! For an average-sized drape, you’ll need about 26 squares for each length you sew.
- Following the lines you drew on the panel, stitch on the organza squares one after another from the bottom of the drape to the top, arranging them so corners are touching.
- Repeat process until entire drape is covered. Hang the curtain with clips.
Adapted from The Big-Ass Book of Home Décor, by Mark Montano, Stewart Tabori & Chang.
To read last month's Lifestyle feature, Paddling in Pink, click here!