{Pay and Display} Our House

All I can say is that the Boy has done well. He takes his time, but then it all comes out beautifully - even with the wackiest of my ideas! So here are some of the things you will now find on our walls.

This map is the vintage map I believed I talked about in September - we bought in a flea market in France, so beautiful with striking colours. Yes that big yellow blob is Paris. No I could not bear cutting into it, but I think it is beautiful in new frame (all painted by M - in the freezing garage, bless). We negotiated a bit on what should be included, I am a south bank girl, M wanted to see Montreuil (where his Grandparents lived at some point), I wanted to see St-Germain-des-Pres because we went to a wedding there. However we agreed we wanted the legende on the side, which is the most vintage part. Voila, a much less bland guest room!

This is a controversial one to include. I added this Ferm Living wall sticker whilst M was away, and he took an instant dislike to it. Except that everyone who came to visit likes it. It remained.. I think it has grown on him. Isn't it beautiful?

Finally the racket has been bought at a bargain price on Ebay and has made its way to our house, and soon on the wall with all my dangling earrings. I may need another one, this was a bit of a squeeze. From inspiration to implementation...

What do you think?

Are you excited about tomorrow, yes the giveaway is still happening tomorrow. Not sure today's post gives you any clues about what it will be but it does, to a certain reflect my style, it is for your house, but you don't need your partner's help to make it happen... All to be revealed tomorrow!!

{Artist Inspiration} - Tom Fruin and scraps

New York artist Tom Fruin used 1,000 reclaimed scraps of Plexiglas for his Kolonihavehus that takes its name and inspiration from Copenhagen’s ubiquitous kolonihavehus - a modest garden shed intended to provide state workers with refuge from the city’s cramped living conditions.

This really jumped at me - first of all for the use of geometrics - but also the colours and the fact that this is made of scraps. A lot of blogs are looking at how to use scraps ... although I still wonder how to define scraps (I suppose it depends how small or big your scrap project is, and how much patience one has).

For some patchwork inspiration do check Rachel's blog Stitched in Colour for the Scrap Attack project but check out also the Compost Quilt over at Completely Cauchy - one of my favourite quilts! (added later... I just realised there is a scrap attack Flickr Group for much more inspiration)

For some knitting inspiration, check out the scrappy lengthwise scarf by Zona Sherman. There are some beautiful versions of this project.

So what do you define as scrap, and what do you do with them?

Alexis Mabille inspired

Hello my lovelies! Hope all is well for you ... So unless you have been on another planet, you know that this week is Paris Fashion Week, and yes I decided to pay a bit more attention this time - 1) because I am French and I used to live in Paris - and I love to hear where they are hosting the shows; 2) because my favourite brands are presenting their SS2012 in Paris (Celine, Givenchy, Stella McCartney, Vanessa Bruno...). But what caught my eye as well is the Alexis Mabille collection, it is really young and fresh and I KNOW there is a DIY project there.

I love the men shirts turned tops and the use of sleeves as belts (100% upcycling) - I mean that is genius right? The first outfit is TOTALLY wearable at an evening work do - even now at this time of the year. I really like the combination of the flower pattern and stripes of the second outfit, so cool for the summer days. Third outfit, again, show more shirt upcycling alternatives - it can be a top or a skirt... So time to raid your husband, boyfriend, partner wardrobes... or local charity shop!

This inspiration is coming at the right time for me as I decided to think about the Buy Nothing New Month initiative..

So the aim is to buy nothing new in October, with the exception of essentials (food, drink, medications, hygiene products) and borrow, swap or buy secondhand whatever you need (they also mention get fit and repair...). You just buy nothing new. This particular initiative is Australian, but I am sure that you will find ways to apply it wherever you are..

So I may have to change my daily web browsing routines to new websites such as ebay and gumtree... and check out again these charity shops and other flea markets... Plus use some of the yarn and fabric that has been sitting for a while in my hobby room. I am actually quite excited about this!!! I will let you know how I get on.. By the way if you have done something similar in the past, let me know, I would love to hear your tips!!