thrifty and handmade interiors: a peek inside my living room!

Since I've started this blog, I've had quite a few conversations with various people than went somewhat along the following lines:

stranger: Hey, I read you're into making/thrifting/upcycling* (*choose one) things. Cool! I also like making/thrifting/upcycling!
me: "Glad you like it!"
stranger:  "yeah... but you know... I never know what to do with those thrifted/upcycled/handmade things. I mean, I like it when other people have these creative houses, but I like a classier/simpler/different style for my own house.

Despite my complete lack in skills to paraphrase a conversation, I actually do hear this sentiment quite a lot; People who think that incorporating hand-made or thrifted items in your house inevitably leads to a vintage, hippie-like style with loads of color and obvious crafts everywhere.

OF COURSE IT DOESN'T!!! There are a lot of possibilities to have a interior that doesn't involve any retail without making it look like your house is a dependance of your thrift shop. In order to show that, I thought it would be nice to give you a little peek inside my own humble abode, where practically all items are made, thrifted or ( in most cases) a combination of those two.

Today's edition: Our living room.

kintsugi, the beauty of being broken.

Kintsugi ( or kintsukuroi) is a Japanese tradition of repairing broken pottery with gold. The idea behind this method, is that breakages are beautiful in themselves because they are part of the history of an object. This history, with all its flaws and lines, should be displayed rather than being disguised. 

My experience with western culture is that we are very reluctant about showing imperfections lines or history in all areas of our lifes. We are ashamed of the lines in our faces, our clothes must show no wear and tear, giving a guest a chipped tea-cup would be insulting, etc. Everything needs to be as good as new. I also often feel a bit ashamed for the fact that almost everything that I own is in some way second-hand.

Kintsugi - closely linked to the Wabi-sabi worldview- shows us a new refreshing perspective: that of showcasing flaws and history. I think we can learn a lot from this perspective. Therefore, when I broke one of my favorite plates -ironically one of the very few that was bought at Ikea instead of at a thrift shop-I decided to try my hand at Kintsugi. 

DIY: Cushion case becomes Shoulder bag (2)

People who know me, know I am a bit of a hamster. Not that I sport a particularly furry face, or smell like sawdust ( at least, nobody has told me yet..) but I do like to carry things with me. I have done this since I was a little girl: making little "survival kits" that I carried with me. Nowadays, my survival kits have become a little more suburban, consisting in sketchbooks, pencils, books, a water bottle and so on. And since my cheeks won't stretch that far, I always need a bag to take all those things with me.

A week ago I posted this bag that was made from a cushion cover. But actually, that bag was only the first version of a bag that I made. Today, I show you how to transform a cushion cover in fairly easy steps into a nice shoulder bag!

DIY: Cushion case becomes shoulder bag.

You'll need:

- a cushion case made from sturdy fabric with a zipper (Mine was an old cover from Ikea, size 50x50)

- a piece of carton, approx. 25x40 cm. 

- a piece of fabric, approx. 25x40 cm.  

- Duct tape or something alike. 

- something that can be used for straps. (fabric belts work really well) 

-sewing equipment. 

Level: fairly easy.

A while ago, I was making a handbag. While I was fiddling with zippers and side-panels, I thought: "Isn't there an easier way to make something like this?"

Of course, there are many tutorials on very simple tote bags or envelope bags, but I wanted a nice bag. With a zipper. And nice fabric. That was suitable for work and could carry some weight. And then I had an idea.

Cushion covers!!

IKEA HACK: Geometrical cat basket made from a lamp shade

materials:
- a JOXTURP lampshade from Ikea (€1,99)
- Glue ( I used all-purpose glue)
- tape ( I used a strongish kind of masking tape)
- if your cat is very fat: an extra lampshade or a piece of carton to cut an extra panel from.

optional materials:
- some thick, non fraying fabric to clad the inside with + sewing equipment
- paint/sharpies/pencils for decoration

level: easy

If there is anything in the world that our cat, Broen, loves more in the world than sleeping and bullying our other cats, it's boxes. He doesn't just like boxes, he LOVES them. Most ardently.