Decorating Quick Tip | Decorative Bottle Stoppers

Quick Tip #59: Decorative Bottle Stoppers

December 3, 2020 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

The creative folk at VISI Magazine used copper couplings to glamourise these bottle corks. | Source: VISI

Dani Barbe shared a lovely, not to mention easy, DIY project using rough quartz crystals to create these chic bottle stoppers. | Source: Dani Barbe

Last month Rose spotted a quirky little article on VISI website illustrating how one can repurpose interesting bottle shapes and reinvent the corks. VISI used copper pipe couplings and end-caps to create trendy bottle stoppers. We loved the idea of embellishing wine corks and bottle stoppers so much that we just had to turn it into a decorative quick tip!

#59 A thoughtfully curated and polished bar cart or drinks cabinet can add a considerable amount of character and style to your space. A quick and easy way to dress up your bar cart is to jazz up the wine and spirit bottle corks. While decorative bottle stoppers can be purchased, making your own will add a unique and personalised element. Attached geodes, crystals or glass cabinet knobs to the tops of the corks for a sense of glamour. Copper or steel pipe couplings can make for trendy and contemporary bottle stoppers.

Decorative Bottle Stoppers DIY Tutorials:

If you want to make your own decorative bottle stoppers this weekend, check out this helpful post by Crafts by Courtney which features step-by-step instructions and pictures to make your job a tad easier: HERE

In the mood for a bit of a challenge? Try this stunning and trendy-looking wooden bottle stopper DIY idea by A Beautiful Mess: HERE.

Feature Images Sources: 1 | 2

Decorating Quick Tip | Teacup Turned Light

Quick Tip #58: Teacup Turned Light

March 3, 2020March 3, 2020 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

This beautiful step-by-step teacup DIY project shared by IKEA in their magazine uses lovely contemporary teacups and mugs to create a grouped pendant light feature. | Source: IKEA via this Korean blog via Instagram

Isn’t this gorgeous Royal Albert teacup desk lamp with its brass lamp stand just to die for! So whimsical and pretty. | Source: Cake Stand Heaven via Instagram

Last year we concluded 2019’s Decor Quick Tips mini-series on a high note. We shared several clever tips which illustrated how unwanted picture frames could be upcycled into anything from a quirky terrarium to a lovely jewellery organizer. For those who can recall, the last tip in this series was the fun idea of transforming old picture frames into lovely chalkboards. We love sharing these fun and creative DIY ideas – they are so charmingly off-beat.

And, with that, we think it is high time for another decorating quick tip miniseries! We have sniffed around online and found a stack of crafty ideas about awesome things to do with old teacups. There is enough inspiration to keep us submerged in interesting tips for a good few months! So, without further delay, here is the latest DIY quirky tip in our new “cool stuff to do with old teacups” Decor Quick Tip miniseries…

Using your collections and curated items in a way other than straight-forward display is a great way to add unexpected interest to your space. Are you a lover or collector of beautiful vintage teacups and old china? Well, here is a bright idea on how to take your teacups off the shelf and turn them into a practical conversation-starting show-piece.

#58 Have any old or odd teacups gathering dust on the shelf? Why not transform those old teacups and saucers into whimsical pendant lights and table lamps. With the right tools this upcycling project is easier than you think! Select the teacup(s) you would like to use or, if you do not have any at hand, search second-hand shops to find a variety of vintage teacups and saucers. Choose a sleek and modern cup for a more contemporary look or opt for frilly floral teacups for the Alice-in-Wonderland Shabby Chic effect. The light can be fashioned with or without the saucer. Use a funky brightly-coloured flex and LED bulb for the contemporary pendant or brass fittings and Edison bulbs for the vintage option. Multiple teacup pendants can be grouped together to create an eye-catching feature. You can even turn it into a quirky desk lamp!

Teacup Light DIY Tutorials:

If you want to attempt making your own teacup pendant light this weekend, check out this helpful post by Flamingo Toes which features step-by-step instructions and pictures to make your job a tad easier: HERE

For anyone keen to try their hand at making their own teacup desk lamp, ThreadBanger shared this awesome DIY tutorial video as part of their Man vs Pin series that will help you through the process: HERE.

Images Sources: 1 | 2 | 3

Decorating Quick Tip | Picture Frame Turned Chalkboard

Quick Tip #57: Old Picture Frame Turned Chalkboard

September 3, 2019September 2, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

With a fresh lick of paint, this ornate vintage picture frame becomes the perfect Shabby Chic decor accessory. | Source: HallstromHome via Etsy

The gorgeous classroom-green of the chalkboard paint compliments this vintage gold frame beautifully. | Source: Miss Mustard Seed via Instagram

Let’s get on with the next instalment of our “cool stuff to do with old picture frames” Decor Quick Tip miniseries. As previously mentioned, we dug up a ton of clever and curious picture frame DIY ideas. These inspirational tips are super quirky and playful – perfect weekend projects! In case you missed the first two posts in this miniseries, be sure to check out the previous picture frame tips, “Old Picture Frame Turned Jewellery Organizer” and “Old Picture Frames Turned Terrarium“. Today’s tip actually reminds me of a previous Quick Tip we shared some years ago where a chalkboard was created from an old door.

#57 Have some old or unwanted picture frames gathering dust somewhere? Think twice before you throw it out! Rather repurpose that vintage frame into a fun and functional chalkboard for your home. It takes minimal effort and supplies and would be a quick and easy weekend DIY project. All you need are a couple of unused picture frames, a backing-board, and your choice of chalkboard paint. Your frame can be an ornate vintage thrift store find or something cheap and contemporary from the local bargain shop – paint it, distress it, or leave it natural – whatever suits your decorative style best. Now all you have to do is replace the glass pane from the picture frame with a similar-sized board painted with chalkboard paint. Et voila – a lovely upcycled chalkboard for your daily to-do list, recipes, grocery store needs, or just for some pretty decorative scribbles.

Images Sources: 1 | 2 | 3

Decorating Quick Tip | Picture Frames Turned Terrarium

Quick Tip #56: Old Picture Frames Turned Terrarium

June 25, 2019June 24, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

Some dollar store picture frames transformed into a bright and happy terrarium. | See the DIY steps here: The Nest

A selection of old wooden picture frames turned into a lovely Shabby-Chic mini greenhouse. | See the DIY steps here: Country Living

Today we continue our “cool stuff to do with old picture frames” Decor Quick Tip miniseries. As I mentioned in our last Quick Tip post, we found a stack of clever and unusual picture frame DIY ideas. These tips are so quirky and playful – perfect weekend projects! In case you missed the first part in this miniseries, be sure to check out the previous picture frame tip, “Old Picture Frame Turned Jewellery Organizer”.

#56 Looking for a quick and budget-friendly weekend craft project? Why not recycle some spare picture frames into a lovely new home for your indoor plants. To make this faux terrarium you will need a selection of picture frames – it can even be cheapies from the local “China” shop. Spray-paint the frames in your desired colour and let dry. Use a glue gun or a drill and screws to fix your painted frames together to form the “walls” and pitched roof of your mini greenhouse. Pop the finished terrarium over your choice of potted plants and position close to a sunlit window. Your new picture frame terrarium will also double as a stunning decorative feature.

Follow the DIY instruction linked in the individual image captions or watch the video below…

Images Sources: 1 | 2 | 3

{DIY} Fabric Covered Letters via IDEAS

October 16, 2013February 9, 2018 Design Monarchy2 Comments

We found the cutest DIY project on the IDEAS Magazine website and we just had to share it with you. These fabric covered letters will look smashing in a nursery or kids bedroom. It seems like an easy little project that will also give you the opportunity to get rid of leftover pieces of fabric. I’m sure you can also try the same trick with wallpaper samples, scrapbooking sheets, or beautiful gift wrapping.

You will need
• polystyrene letters
• fabric remnants
• pencil
• set of compasses
• ruler
• needlework scissors
• modge podge
• paintbrush
• cutting mat

See the original DIY post on the IDEAS website: here

{Click on the images to enlarge and view the step-by-step instructions}

1) Cut a fabric square a few centimetres larger than your letter.

2) Place the letter on the fabric as a mirror image and trace the outlines of the letter with a pencil.

3) Measure the thickness of the letter with a ruler or measuring tape. Our letter measured 15mm.

4) Place the pencil in the compass and measure 15mm then set the compass accordingly.

5) Place the point of the compass on the pencil outline of the letter on the fabric so the pencil is 15mm from the edge. Follow the line of the letter with the compass point and draw a pencil line 15mm right around the letter.

6) Cut out the fabric along the new outline that you have drawn.

7) Paint the right side of the letter with a layer of modge podge.

8) Turn the letter over and stick it in position on the wrong side of the fabric inside the lines.

9) Turn the letter over and paint another layer of modge podge over it, then leave it to dry for an hour or two.

10) Cut notches in the fabric at the corners and curves.

11) Paint a coat of modge podge on the sides of the letter and stick the fabric in place, smoothing it down with the paintbrush. Leave to dry.

12) Once the modge podge is dry you can turn the letter over and trim away any excess fabric that sticks out at the back with your needlework scissors.

13) Paint a piece of fabric with modge podge on the right side and leave to dry. Now cut the fabric into 15mm strips using a rotary cutter.

14) Stick the strips around all the edges of the letter with modge podge and leave to dry.

Sunshine Lemons

April 5, 2012 Design Monarchy2 Comments

By Marica

I was browsing through Etsy searching for some Easter inspiration when I stumbled upon these adorable digital designs by Sunshine Lemons (adorable name too)! The brainchild of Louise Sanders, Sunshine Lemons specializes in digital scrapbooking paper sets and party printables that range anything from labels, gift tags and greeting cards, to cake toppers, coaster designs and paper bunting (you just need a little imagination).

Shabby Chic Bunting - Sunshine Lemons - The Design Tabloid (1) — Super pretty Shabby Chic bunting printables! This set can be purchased through the Sunshine Lemons' Etsy shop.

This is an excellent resource if you are one of those crafty DIY humans. Furthermore, the extreme cuteness-factor in Louise’s designs makes for perfect kids party decorations and invites.

Another exciting little fact about Sunshine Lemons – she’s from Durban. And you know how I LOVE to find new South African creatives – especially on Etsy!

You can also download this awesome digital Easter freebie (below) from Sunshine Lemons’ website: here… Boy, I love freebies!

Free Printable - Sunshine Lemons - The Design Tabloid (1) — You can download this adorable Easter printable from Sunshine Lemons' website...

As inspiration and to wish you all a happy Easter, here is some of Sunshine Lemons’ beautiful digital designs – all available for purchase on her Etsy shop: here