DIY Archives - Emily A. Clark

Hand Painted Abstract Walls

Aug272019

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that I’m getting just the tiniest itch to change up the wallpaper in our kitchen. It’s not that I hate it; I just really like change and you know, it’s kind of my job. And while I like a bold pattern, I do feel like it’s limiting me in some ways.

For example, we have the patterned blue couch in the adjoining living room and every time I think about layering in a patterned rug or different pillows, I start to get dizzy. So I’ve been thinking about something along the lines of a more neutral abstract pattern, especially since I came across this paper several months ago:

This pattern started my wheels turning. The price did not. So I went on Pinterest and found lots of similar examples of hand painted walls. I feel like I started seeing this a lot after Kelly Wearstler’s staircase made its debut.

Kristin also did a really fun wall in her living room several years ago and I found a few more interesting takes here:

Ultimately, I like the pattern below best and would opt for lighter lines drawn on top of a darker shade but nothing too bold in contrast. I also like that you can scale the size any way you want to fit your space–and taste. It’s a great trick for a smaller spot like a nook, entryway or powder room.

At this point, I’m just pondering but it always helps to throw your idea out for everyone’s (differing) opinions. ;)

Creating a Simple Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Oct292018

If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year (or just want to set a pretty Fall table), I’m sharing a simple centerpiece you can throw together in just a few minutes, using items you may already have around the house.

I always like to start with a dark table cloth. It’s an instant dramatic backdrop for whatever you later on top–and works great with everyday white plates.

I started with an inexpensive garland I picked up at Target. (It’s no longer available on their site but I linked to some other pretty Fall options near the bottom of the post.) I like to run it the width of the table so that hangs down and so that it doesn’t get in the way of place settings at the ends.

The garland was a little sparse, so I tucked in a few magnolia branches. (You could really use any green from your yard or just buy some filler at the grocery.) I then strategically placed apples and pears for more Fall color.

I finished up with a couple of taper candle holders. So simple and you can actually leave everything in place while you eat and converse across the table.

Here’s the quick step-by-step process:

See more of our dining area and the lighting update we recently did here.

Our (DIY) Kids’ Backyard Theater

Jun122017

We now have a neighborhood theater—in our backyard.

This project was the brainchild of my eight-year-old and my dad after a conversation that went something like this:

SHE: I really wish I had a stage in our backyard where I could do plays.

HE: I’ll build you one!

Ask Granddaddy, and you shall receive.

My dad sketched this out and built it one weekend when they came to visit. (My parents don’t sit down when they come to see us. Can you tell??) He constructed the stage and the “marquee” and left the rest up to me.

We used a mossy green paint for the background, and I customized it with wood cut-outs from the craft store that I spray painted.

Then, I headed to IKEA for the fun stuff. Their children’s section had exactly what I needed to create a colorful prop basket and (ready-made) costumes from the LATTJO play collection for our “productions”.

I’ve teamed up with IKEA once again as one of their brand ambassadors for this project, and I love that it fits right in line with their democratic design philosophy of “life at home” and creating a playful atmosphere. Truth is, you can drag your kids to every activity and event that comes along, but sometimes, it’s just the most fun to be at home and PLAY.

It’s also an amazing thing to see something that sparks their interest more than a screen. Imagination is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? We’ve seen a few plays, several talent shows and some gymnastic demonstrations, complete with popcorn and tickets. I have this grand idea in my mind that we’re going to have a Christmas carol sing with a bunch of the of the neighborhood kids. Can you picture it?! (We’ll see how that all works out once December rolls around. . .)

I used red RITVA curtains; the 57″ length worked perfectly and they’re only $14 for a pair. I also added the SOMMAR reversible outdoor rug and picked up one of these striped toy bins for prop storage. I picked up a variety of stuffed toys for the “props”–big and colorful! The best part is that they’re machine washable so they can easily be cleaned if/when they get dirty outside.

And of course, you have to have an audience. I added a couple of outdoor FALSTER benches (with colorful pillows) for seating. They’re aluminum; I love them! As you might expect, some audience members are less enthusiastic than others.