Recycled Chop Sticks

When I visit museums I love to spend time in their gift shops. They have some of the most interesting designs for home decor. Yesterday, I visited the Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History in Pittsburgh, PA (wonderful museum!) and saw the foldable basket made from recycled chop sticks.

Ingenious!

And available online! Here.

It's All About Sharing

We all love to receive comments and I like it when they lead to interesting follow through. Here are a couple of examples that have evolved from my book page projects recently.

First Babs from Upstairs Downstairs wrote that she too had made leaves from book pages but had never thought to color them. I followed the link back to see her project and I found this lovely arrangement she created for her door using book page leaves.

Source: Upstairs Downstairs

I love the natural colors and combination of materials. And if you follow my blog you know I have a weak spot for branches. I have made the leaves with both paint and brilliant colors and leaving them natural. I love them both.

And I just received a photo in my e-mail from Colleen out in Oregon. She had e-mailed me requesting permission to make book page leaves and flowers like these for her library's fund raiser. She sent a photo of the flowers she made to help and the display at the sale library.

Hope it helped the cause. I, too am a library supporter (but not opposed to using old books in craft projects!)

Keep sharing, folks!

Previous Posts of Interest

• Book Page Leaves- Natural
• Book Page Birch Leaves • DIY
• Book Page Maple Leave • DIY
• Book Page Oak Leaves • DIY
• Book Page Autumn Leaves
• Thinking Leaves Again
• Fall Leaves Indoors

©2012 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Little House Love

I have always been drawn to little houses - I mean the small, collectible type. Combine that with my love of Nordic design and you'll understand why these following three links got pinned by me.

First, these Baltic Birch Plywood clocks. You can leave out the toy white soldiers- those are definitely not my style! But the house silhouettes - Yes!

Source: Sven Stornebel • via: The Designer Pad

Next this doorstop- absolutely minimal yet so functional.....

Source: West Elm

And then a row of cottages as simple shelves, most effective when arranged as a neighborhood on the wall.

source: Nordic Blends

Previous Posts of Interest:

• Nordic Influences
• Home Is Where the Heart Is
• Heritage Inspiration

©2012 AshbeeDesign, Marji Roy

Branch Antlers!!!!!!

Those of you that have been following me for awhile will know my love of using branches in décor and might even remember my disdain at the current trophy head trend.  This photo appeared in my Pinterest in people I follow yesterday. It was pinned by Shannon Acheson of {aka}design blog fame. (I follow the blog she writes with her husband Dean daily).

Source: Rue

I love these faux antlers! I would classify them in a grouping with my Frolicking stick figures....

or my red dancing sticks......

Simple twigs - artistically displayed.

Check out my Branch Themes series which links to many of my posts about using branches in décor.

And here are some links to my posts about heads! Some are definitely laugh worthy! 

• Headings Popping Up Everywhere!
• Ready to Rant on Heads and Horns
• Antlers Onward
• Deer Overload
• Over The Top • Tapestry Stag

I still dislike the head phenomenon but branch antlers? I could be persuaded.

©2012AshbeeDesign, Marji Roy

Birch Branch Triptych by John Oman

I have been exploring many possibilities with branches this year mostly because we had so much tree damage from the October snowstorm. The supply is plentiful. I do love using branches to bring the outdoors in and have found many ideas in this area that excite me.  I was especially taken by this example that crossed my pinning this week.

It is a triptych of frames highlighting a birch branch. It is created by John Oman and he has a variety of branch concepts for sale in his Etsy shop here. I first saw this one presented in a vertical orientation but when I explored further, I found it for sale on Shabby Apple and it is display in a horizontal orientation.  

I am not sure which I like best but I expect the final wall location can best dictate the direction.

My branch series just keeps growing. If you like incorporating branches in your decor, both in and out of doors be sure to check my theme page on Branches and my Pinterest board as well. I keep adding to them.

Update: The artist, John Oman just sent me an email saying the piece is meant to hang horizontally. Question answered! Visit his shop for some other creative birch tree possibilities.

Previous Posts of Interest • The Branch Series • 2012

• Branches in Fiber Arts
• Branches • A Coat Tree • Literally
• Branch Motif in Doors
• Branch Like -Shelving
• Branch Lighting
• Branches • Reshaped! 
• Branches • In Bed!
• Branches • Stacks of Sticks
• Branch Whimsy
• Branches • Birch Centerpiece
• Branches • Sliced
• Branches is the Round • Wreathes, Etc.
• Branches Framed
• Putting Branches to Use • Shelf Supports
• Putting Branches to Use • Branch Hooks
• Red Dancing Sticks • DIY for the Winter Garden
• White Winter Branches
• Start With a Branch
• Collecting Branches and Twigs
• Winter Branches • A Source of Inspiration

©2012 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Clothes Pins

The laundry room project continues. I am still working with the Design Center to find the best cabinet solution.  I don't want to pay for custom cabinets so we are trying to find the best solution for my crazy space with out having to pay for modification charges. It is a challenge.  In the mean time here are some ideas I have collected using clothes pins.

I love this simple wreath idea from the Budget Wise Home Blog. I might have to make one for in my laundry. I am getting ahead of myself for sure.

source

These two beauties in large scale would be fun to have but it looks like they are originally from Pottery Barn and now only available by chance.

source

And my last link is not at all applicable to the location but absolutely made me smile and is theme appropriate.  I saw this on Design Milk a couple of weeks ago. Early in my blogging life I posted about how I enjoy playing with scale in decor. I think it is a great way to add whimsey with style.

source

 Bench design by Baldessari e Baldessari of Italy.

Have a great day!

©2012 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Birch Tree Nursery

We are currently waiting patiently (well, maybe not so patiently!) for the arrival of our second grandchild. Our daughter, Karen and son-in-law, Jared's baby was due yesterday, June 3rd. On Saturday, we drove up to Boston bringing them lunch and distractions. On this trip I remembered to take a photograph of the nursery. Karen and Jared set it up themselves (with a little painting help from us - Benjamin Moore 055-697 Scenic Drive) but her design ideas came from inspirations on my blog. Back when I first started this endeavor, I learned about wall decals. Although designers in the know seem to snicker about them, I thought they were a great solution for high visual impact, low cost and changeability. Karen especially liked the birch tree decals and knew from conception that the nursery was going to incorporate them.

The soon-to-be new parents do not know the gender of their baby, but they also know they will be leaving this condo in a year or two. The goal was a nursery design that was not gender specific, or even babyish, but something peaceful and relaxing.

Karen started on Etsy and found many decal makers and many birch designs she loved.  Her favorite designs were those that went to the ceiling, and because her ceilings are much higher than normal, she needed a designer that would make them a custom length. Combining flexibility and design style led her to EvgieNev's shop. Karen was able to order a contemporay style birch tree, in her needed height with a bark/bird color combination of her choice.

She was very pleased with the decals, although attaching them to the wall was a bit cumbersome and tiring for an expecting lady! The end result is a beautiful room, just waiting for a new baby. Tonight is the full moon..........


Previous Posts of Interest

• Birch Bark as a theme
• Snappy Tree Decals
• A Photograph Starts and Idea

Sharing This Post at the following Link Parties

• Simply Sensational Tuesday
• Whatever Goes Wednesday
• aka design
• Transformation Thursday
• House of Hepworths
• A Creative Princess
• At The Picket Fence
• Kathe with an E

©2012 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Putting Branches to Use • Shelf Supports

If you have been following this series you will have started to gain an understanding of how widespread the theme of branches is in home decor. If you're just arriving, click back on the links at the end to see my other branch posts.

If you have a source of trees and branches, there are so many creative ways to use them in the home. Today, I'll share a collection of applications in which they have been incorporated as shelf supports. I was amazed at the variety.

via

First, a simple addition of a birch branch to a partial box.  It elevates the simple shadow box to something so much more. This could be an easy DIY project if you start with an orphaned drawer and cut off one side.  Imagine using an old drawer with beautiful dovetail joints in the back corners? This is one from a collection of birch shadow boxes available on Etsy from Urban Plus Forest.

via

I am loving this shelf unit crafted into a window corner catching the light for a collection of plants. The integration of the branch into the shelf design is stunning.

via

Live Wire Farm makes shelf brackets from branches. Very simple, rustic yet still tasteful.

via

This construction is quite funky, clearly located in a urban loft. Bringing a little country into the city I do believe.

via

This one is a combination of the above two designs and I love the multi levels dictated by branch location.

And over on Etsy I found this series of shelf/shadow boxes that are unlike everything else.  In fact the branches are fabricated but oh, I love them so..... They are created by Teresa Audet.

via

via

Previous Posts of Interest • The Branch Series • 2012

• Putting Branches to Use • Branch Hooks
• Red Dancing Sticks • DIY for the Winter Garden
• White Winter Branches
• Start With a Branch
• Collecting Branches and Twigs
• Winter Branches • A Source of Inspiration

©2012 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

New Twist on Stump Table

This is a stunning way to highlight the timeless beauty of tree rings.  This cyprus stump is set to peak through the table top.  I love it.

It is a blending of nature with contemporary simplicity.

• via Houzz
• Available from Provide
• Created by MTH Woodworkers

Previous Posts of Interest:

• Stump Endings
• Upscale Stumps
• Stump Inspirations
• Stumped
• Tree Ring Cutting Board
• Tree Ring Rug

©2011 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Nordic Influences

My Swedish heritage is showing again. I was absolutely taken by this Nordic design when I saw it featured on Houzz.

It is a contemporary twist on an old design. It is flexible, can be repositioned and it folds flat for storage. Love it!  Available in the States from here.

Previous Posts of Interest:

• Centerpiece #2 • Winter Ice
• Exploring Stone Accessories
• Simple Valentine Centerpiece

©2011 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Snappy Tree Decals

I have blogged before about using decals for decorating.  I wish my home had endless walls because I would love to decorate some with decals. This fairly new concept allows an inexperienced designer to experiment with wild ideas. Get a decal, apply it. Like it? Live with it. Grow bored with it? Change it. Hate it? Peel it off. It would have been such a great solution to my daughters' rooms as they grew up.

Decals are on my mind again because of a sale going on at fab.com of decals from the Canadian company ADzif. Several just made me smile. I love these trees. Don't have room for a Christmas tree? Get one of these and tack ornaments on it!

Or just the leaf. Imagine a row of these.

Reality is my walls are precious space. I live in a passive solar house with large windows and an open floor plan so there is limited wall space. And I have a growing collection of art including my husband's sculptures so no space for decals. Although maybe the upstairs bathroom could use a few!

Previous posts of interest:

• A Photograph Starts an Idea
• Birch Bark as a Theme
• Art in the Bathroom? Absolutely!

©2011 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Stairs - Spiral Stairs I Can Afford

I did an extensive series of posts on beautiful staircases. Reality is that most of us with stairs in our homes will not be altering them much.  They are an integral part of the house and not where we start redesign.  Yesterday, in the mail came the Signals catalog (amazing I still get some print catalogs when all my buying is online!) and I saw this item....

A beautiful architectural model of spiral stairs.  I love it as a piece of decor and it is the only way I will get beautiful stairs in my home.

It is available from many sources online - just search on Architectural Stair model.

And to continue the dream this beautiful spiral staircase also crossed my screen....

via Trendir

It is in a home located in Poland and design by Damian Cyryl Kotwicki.

Previous Posts of Interest:

• Ribbon Stairs
• Stair Railings
• Storage Stairs
• Stairs as a Geometry Lesson
• Continuing with Stairs
• Creative Stair Design
• Other Wooden Stairs to WOW Me

©2011 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Odds 'n Ends • Balloons!

Some decor just makes me smile.  Balloon decor fits into that category.  Light, airy and whimsical. I love these lights....

via Design Milk

It is the best example of a great way to deal with "the cord"! It being the string is such an integral part of the design that there is no need to find a creative way to disguise it.  It belongs there. From HaoShi Design.

Looking for a little more color?  Check out these hot glass balloons available in vibrant colors from Uncommon Goods.

They are available in five brilliant colors and are hand blown by Robert Kuster.

But the balloon style that many of us remember so well is from the animal balloon sculptor that was always at the fair, the circus or Quincy Market.  Check out this balloon style bookend from Chiasso.

It is always good to be able to include some fun in your decor. Nothing like causing smiles to create a home.

Previous Posts of Interest:

• Odds 'n Ends • Piggy Toes
• Odds 'n ends • Coffee Filters
• Scrabble Influences
• Making a Splash

©2011 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Wood Clamp Shelves

If you have ever worked in a wood shop you'll recognize the inspiration for these shelf brackets. They are based on the design of the common wood clamp used in furniture making. They have been modified slightly so they can be screwed into wall studs and create a very industrial chic shelving system.

I would like to see them with a beautiful reclaimed wood plank for the shelf and sets of three staggered on a large wall.  

via BLTD • Better Living Through Design

Previous Posts of Interest:

• Industrial Chic • My Way
• Shelf Happy :-)
• Desktop Beauties
• Shelf Design Explosion • Many funky Ideas

©2011 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Deal on Pears

A while ago I did a series on pears. At that time I had bookmarked a silver pear available from Home Decorator's Supply.  I liked it - a lot. But I had finished my posts on pears so it just sat in my Evernote files.  This morning I got a regular email from Home Decorators and that pear was on a big special WITH free shipping. Bingo. It's mine. In fact I ordered three - two small and one large.

Looking forward to finding a nook for them.

Previous Posts of Interest:

• More Pear Possibilities
• Pear Pondering
• Pear Passion
• Designing with What's at Hand

©2011 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Ampersand Again

No sooner do you blog about a topic than a truly stunning example of the same appears.  I already posted about the beauty of the ampersand in decor but none of my examples were as stunning as this one.

via Coroflot

What I don't understand is how it can be called a spring steel chair. Sculptural accessory, absolutely but not a chair.

But take a moment and study it.  I expect it would be fairly easy to figure out the flat shape this is created from and try a sample in a heavy black paper. Yes! A stunning simple sculpture for next to nothing and toss when your decor changes.  I'll have to give it a try.

Previous posts of Interest:

• Folded Book Art
• Terrific DIY Idea for Letters
• Lettered Pillows
• Vintage Letter Press
• Wall Letters
• Ampersands in Their Glory
• Scrabble Influences
• Alphabet Soup

©2011 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

Words • Folded Book Art

Several years ago I was given a beautiful old book , dogged eared, tattered, and re-purposed into a geometrical folded work of art. I saw this example of the same craft and new it fit into my letters in decor series.

These are created by Isaac Salazar as a side project and he sells them through an ETSY site, Book Of Art. His designs are becoming more complex and you need to put your name on a waiting list for the next available book. He also has a flickr account with photos of past projects here.

Previous posts of Interest:

• Terrific DIY Idea for Letters
• Lettered Pillows
• Vintage Letter Press
• Wall Letters
• Ampersands in Their Glory
• Scrabble Influences
• Alphabet Soup

©2011 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy