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No, really, I’m not obsessed with cardboard. But once I started thinking about cardboard, and how useful it is, and how it’s all over the place, and we usually just throw it away – I couldn’t resist finding more good examples of what we can do with it. Easy, Inexpensive, and Fun Home Decor Idea No. 2 (or 3, or whatever):
Corrugated Cardboard Wall Decor created by Jonathan Fong
That wall looks great! Neutral, strong, geometric, dramatic – take your pick of descriptives. We could all use some version of this! The article even tells how to do it – though I imagine there are as many ways to do it (easily!) as your imagination can come up with patterns.
And if you mess up part of the design, you just cut new cardboard. If your baby scribbles on the wall, you can replace that section (or celebrate her creativity!) If your cat shreds the bottom, so what? Tear up another cardboard box. And reuse the pieces 🙂
And it’s not what you think. At least, if you think it means carrying a box of stuff to wherever you are that day. Nope, this is more of an inspirational piece. These guys have an office with all their furniture (and etc, it looks like) made from cardboard. And it’s fabulous.
The office is in Amsterdam. Is it my imagination, or is there a LOT of inspiration and innovation coming from that corner of the world?
I haven’t tried to post all the pics here – go over to The Fast Company Blog to read the full article. And check out The Little Green Blog which is where I learned about this cool office. Little Green Blog is going on my check-it-a-lot list – there are so many green ideas over here. Not only green – but useful and practical and sensible.
I’m not expecting we’re all going to go out and build our offices out of cardboard. But looking at these pics (and there’s more links to visit for ideas) it reminds me that ordinary materials can be turned into something pretty special. And it makes me want to figure out ways to use cardboard more. In layers, bonded together, cardboard is strong. And it can be – well, you know. Reused, rethought, and recycled 🙂
I’m one of those people who makes stuff. I sew, I do crafts, I make things for the house, etc etc. And I’m fairly knowledgeable about fabric. Felt is a fabric that used to be made out of, well, smushed up wool leftovers. It’s always offered great vivid colors, but it ‘pills’ and frays and it’s not sturdy, so oh well.
But! I have been re-educated here. Not only have I found some great colors in oh-so-useful felt, but it is made ENTIRELY from recycled stuff – even better, from recycled bottles! They’ve made a soft fabric – from bottles. And it’s not expensive!
The colors are clear and vivid – and from what the vendor writes, the fabric does NOT fray or fall apart in the wash. (Old-style felt, forget it, you wouldn’t dare toss it in the washer). And she has it in many colors! And she even has it in this camoflauge pattern!
 Camouflage felt fabric!
Now honestly, that wouldn’t be my personal choice – but lots of people would love it (imagine a pillow made with this felt, sitting on your couch in the den).
I will happily promote this vendor – K and C Supplies on Etsy. She is finding / sourcing / selling a product that is not only entirely recycled, but it’s pretty and soft and nice!
Talk about the best of all possible products. Go buy some!
So first off I should say that I never use dryer sheets. I don’t think we need them (the only thing that ever gets static-y is the few silk things we’ve got, and I’m totally willing to deal with that). I think it is a deliberate Proctor-and-Grumble-ish advertising invention to make us think we need them. And, we have birds. The fake perfume in the dryer sheets is poison to birds (and to us too, only we are bigger).
But a whole lot of people do use them, and think they need them. So I’m just asking, if you buy them, please do reuse them! Turns out there are a bunch of nifty things to do with them. These ideas aren’t original with me – I’ve gotten this handy list from Daily Green Cheapskate over on Yahoo. (Love that name, by the way.)
 A few highlights from the “how to reuse dryer sheets” list:
1. Use them more than once. (Back when I did use them, years ago, this totally worked. They’re good for three-four washes at least.)
2. Anti-static dust wipes (use them to clean your monitor and TV screen – they’re great for that).
3. Pot scrubbers and sink / tub scrubs.
4. Dust-free blinds: Not only do spent dryer sheets make a handy wipe for metal and plastic blinds, but the chemicals in them help to repel dust.
5. Get your shine on: When used as a polishing rag, dryer sheets make mirrors and chrome appliances shine. They’re also great for cleaning windows and other glass.
They’re also recommended as sort-of-sachet. Put one in your glove box or underwear drawer so you can smell that creepy sweet scent for ages. (Can you tell I don’t like the smell? Yeah.)
Check out the full article here.
And for even more super useful info on how to go green easily, go to The Green Cheapskate Blog. There are TONS of good ideas there.
And it’s fun. And you’ll feel good about it 🙂
Talk about Do It Yourself – and original art ideas – and using low cost items to make a fabulous decorating statement! This is such a great inspiration!
It’s also made with paper coffee filters. Now that’s what I call DIY with style.
Giving credit where it’s due: this is from The Haystack Needle, and believe me there are tons more good ideas there.
Check this out!
I think it’s lovely – of course you can run with that idea and try all sorts of shapes and configurations… and it IS rethinking, it is low cost, it is truly DIY….. just a super idea!
I saw the most amazing creation over at Ecofriend.org. This building is a teahouse, very much in the tradition of a handcrafted Japanese structure – but this one is made entirely of recycled paper.
Now this time I’m not suggesting we should go build our house out of recycled paper – at least, not without an engineer’s knowledge of materials and how to adapt them to building techniques. But I do suggest that we could all be inspired by this structure.
One, we can learn – or remember, because we already know it – the all-important concepts of reuse, rethink, recycle… and “rethink” is a real important part of that trio. Take a look at some of the stuff you’re about to discard. Some of it can have a new life. Some of it can have a very COOL new life. 🙂
And if a building out of recycled paper isn’t in your immediate future – what about an ottoman or footstool, built with “bricks” you made yourself of paper? Or… well, you’ll think of things. Unleash your Mad Creative Scientist and make something for yourself!
Now this combines several of my passions – paper (natch), recycling and even more important RE-USING… also art, making your home comfortable and attractive, DIY-ness…. lots of good stuff.
This article from Sunset.com shows an example of re-using old CD jewel cases as “frames” for your art:
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Used in multiples, they make a great graphic statement. And you can use a common theme – pics of your friends? landscapes? alien bugs? you name it – or all images in blue, for example. Truly it can be tailored to exactly what you like, or what you want to say.
And of course the graphics you use can be recycled, too. Gorgeous flower pics taken from old magazines? old pattern images?
How about cutouts from your kids’ drawings? Talk about a special, personal, and way fun decoration for your kitchen or alcove? I love that idea 🙂
I found a wonderful artist on Etsy who does lovely paper work – check these out!
You can buy these in kit form and assemble them yourself, or have a custom bouquet made for your wedding. They’ll never wilt, they’ll always be beautiful, and they are artisan made. I haven’t talked to the artist, but I bet you could work it out where she was using recycled papers, too.
Gorgeous *and* eco friendly!
It’s amazing the things you can find on the web when you start looking around. I found a beautiful armoire, see the pics, which was made from two bookcases – and it’s entirely do-able!
She found two matching bookcases on Freecycle! so these are even being recycled and reused – and they were free! The bookcases are hinged together with piano hinges, clear plexi is added to some of the shelves to keep things in place, and the drop-down desk is hinged too.
And look how much organization and storage she’s got inside!
So useful but equally as important, stylish and decorative. You could use any sort of paper to decorate the outside – make it shoji style, add a mirror, you name it.
Talk about inspiration! You can check out more directions on Ayoska’s Blog. Lots of green ideas there too 🙂
Okay, it’s not recycled paper – you know I like to recycle my fave medium – but it’s definitely recycled, and it is definitely art. Take a look, this is gorgeous!
This gorgeous display – wall art – cascade – was created by Michelle Brand via Green Design Girl.
I’m not suggesting you should copy her – but be inspired by her? Definitely. Can’t you see this in front of a window? or adapted to become, oh, the ‘door’ of a cabinet? (come on, work with me here). There will be ways we can take this inspiration and use it. If nothing else, hang it in front of a window.
(Don’t buy all those bottles though. Enlist everybody to save them for you.)
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Coolness
DIY
Eco friendly
Gardening
Home Decor
Indie / Design
Thrifty
vintage
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