Follow These Tutorials to a Cool and Kitschy Macrame Plant Hanger

December 8, 2015 by portofino

Macramé may have originally gained popularity back in the 1970s, but the kitschy weaving craft is coming back in a big way. If you love plants and you’re always looking for fun new ways to display them, you may even want to try making a macramé plant hanger of your own. Here are a few tutorials to help you get started!

Colorful Polyester Rope Hanger [hgtv.com]
With this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make a macramé hanger using only a few colors of polyester rope, a carabiner, and a screw hook. The actual plant hanger itself is fairly simple, but wrapping the multicolored string around the top adds a fun pop of color.

Sturdy Macramé Plant Hanger [lowes.com]
If you’re looking for something that’s a bit sturdier to hang a particularly heavy plant, this is a great tutorial. It uses clothesline instead of the usual yarn or polyester rope, as well as 18-gauge steel wire and a chain ring for added reinforcement.

Mini String Planters [blog.freepeople.com]
For something quicker and easier, this cute tutorial from the Free People blog uses standard yarn that you might already have stashed away at home. This is a fun tutorial to do while you relax in front of the TV, and the finished product is a great way to hang small air plants or succulents in miniature pots.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Aubree Flink

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Apartment Decoration, Crafts, DIY, Home Decor

Clutter Cramping Your Style? Here’s How to Get It Under Control!

August 25, 2015 by portofino

So you might not be the neatest person in the world, but that doesn’t mean that you have to deal with clutter cramping the style in your apartment. There are a number of smart, simple ways to de-clutter your space without spending hours cleaning every day. Here are just a few tips for managing the mess.

Think function, not fashion. Sure, that matching furniture set might look great, but that doesn’t mean that it actually works in the room. Having too large furniture (or even too much furniture) is a surefire way to make a room look cluttered. Downsize to maximize your space.
Create a place for everything. Go through your home and make a note of everything that doesn’t have its own designated space, from the stack of mail to your everyday beauty products. Invest in small bins or drawer organizers where you can toss things to keep them out of sight.
Add shelving. Keep things off of the floor by adding shelving anywhere that clutter frequently accumulates. Add attractive bins or boxes that you can put things in.
Spend a few minutes. Take a few minutes before bed each night to make one final sweep of your home, putting things away and getting organized. Waking up to a tidy house will make you want to get in the habit of de-cluttering.

Clear Clutter and Take Control of Your Life [All You]
Clutter Control in 10 Steps [Family Circle]
25 Ways to Clear Clutter [Style at Home]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Jamesthe1st

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Apartment Decoration, Crafts, DIY, Organization

Three Awesome Craft Ideas for Washi Tape

January 27, 2015 by portofino

Washi tape is beloved by craft enthusiasts because it’s easy to use, comes in a number of adorable patterns, and is completely temporary. If you want to incorporate washi tape into your crafting, here are three fun DIY projects to get you started.

Washi Tape Shelf Edging [Aunt Peaches]
This is possibly the simplest craft project that you’ll ever do. In just minutes, you can make a plain old bookshelf look chic, feminine, or even a bit edgy by simply applying washi tape to the front of each shelf. Just choose the pattern that best suits your design scheme and start sticking.

Washi Tape Switchplates [Crab and Fish]
Improving your home with washi tape is easy, especially if you seek out forgotten decorating possibilities such as updating your lighting switchplates. The hardest part about this project is lining up the pattern so that everything looks uniform, but the process is still incredibly easy—even the most novice crafter!

Giant Geometric Washi Tape Jewels [Curbly]
These giant geometric washi tape jewels aren’t for the faint of heart, but they are a whole lot of fun for fans of home decor with a bit more personality. Make a few jewels in different colors, or use neutral washi tape to create a more subtle effect that still has a whole lot of bling.