PopBetty

A Love Letter to Pop Culture

D.I.Y. Inspiration: Trompe-l’œil Clothing

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D.I.Y.-Inspiration-Trompe-lœil-Clothing

Some awesome trompe-l’œil pieces to inspire your own projects:

  1. Vika Gazinskaya’s Spring 2012 Scribble Jewels.
  2. Flower Boy Ramyun Shop promo pics (not sure who the designer is–anybody know?).
  3. Vintage leather patchwork skirt (sold), from Lethilogica aka I’m Revolting.
  4. From the Moschino Cheap & Chic Pre-Fall 2012 collection.
  5. Hermes tie dress, photo by Gordon Parks.
  6. Mark Stevens-Ellis button bow shirt, first seen on Style Bubble.
  7. Big Bow Canvas tote bag, $24, from Soraam on Etsy.
  8. Milly Trompe l’Oeil Bow Sweater Dress (sold out), from ShopBop.
  9. Crewcuts sequin sweater (sold out), from J. Crew.
  10. Bonjour Bag by Jump From Paper.

D.I.Y. Idea: Tree Branch Hanging Rod

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D.I.Y. Idea: Tree Branch Hanging Rod

From left: branch clothing rack idea from Love Aesthetics; branch clothing rack from Apartment Therapy.

Long ago, I posted on D.I.Y. decorating ideas that use tree branches. Here’s one more idea: suspend a painted branch from the ceiling for use as a clothing rack. I’ve seen three versions so far, two of which are above. Here’s the link to the third, which has the most detailed tutorial I’ve seen, and here’s a variation on the idea: a tree branch curtain rod. It’s a simple and inexpensive project, with striking results.

Halloween Week: Spooky Coasters D.I.Y. Project

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Spooky coasters header (2)

When I saw this Guinness ad campaign, I knew I had to try a D.I.Y. version because, well, look at it:

Guinness Halloween coasters

Cool, right? The campaign originally ran in Romania as a low-budget way to promote Guinness during Halloween. It was a success.

I decided to copy the ghost coaster (without fingers, as the material I used, cork roll, isn’t suited for detailed cuts), and then design one or two coasters of my own.

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Halloween Week: Autumnal Options

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Not everyone wants spooky, Halloween-specific decorations. People who consider Halloween a one-day holiday and people with conflicting religious beliefs may prefer more neutral seasonal options. The following decoration ideas are dual purpose: suitable for Halloween without being restricted to it. They’re also not scary, a bonus for households with small children and easily unnerved adults (ghastlier options will follow, of course).

Note: Almost of all of these are D.I.Y., and if you click on the link you’ll get a recipe or tutorial.

Bronze & Gold Decorations

Bronze gold autumnal

My favorite type of autumnal decoration uses and mixes warmer metallics, like bronze, gold, deep orange, even purple. It’s a rich and elegant look. Credits row by row, from left:

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Industrial Bookshelf Inspiration

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PopBetty - Industrial Bookshelf Inspiration

Clockwise from top left: photo by Douglas Friedman, for Domino; pipe bookshelves via Lark & Linen; French industrial shelves, $799 from Wisteria (no longer for sale); bookshelf stairs from Locati Architects & Interiors; industrial closet shelving by D.I.Y. Diva (includes tutorial); sconce bookshelves, 2 for $139.00 from DirtyBils. All images via Pinterest (click through for specific credits).

Lately, I’ve come across striking examples of industrial shelving. Something about dark metal piping and rich-colored woods hits me square in the gut, and luckily, it’s a look that can be recreated without too much money or effort. See the links above for great retail options and D.I.Y. inspiration/advice. Not pictured, but also helpful, are these D.I.Y. industrial shelving instructions from iVillage.

P.S. There’s less than a week left to enter the Mad Men: The Illustrated World giveaway. The contest closes at 12:00 AM September 28th, and the winner & October’s giveaway book will be announced later that day. Thanks to all who have entered so far!