I’ve walked out of my house without my keys or sunglasses more times than I care to admit this summer. I’d love to hang one or two of these small slivered marble hooks near my front door as a last minute reminder to please grab me now lest you regret it later.
Nashville, Tennessee’s Drew Tyndell manages to combine painting, sculpture, and collage into one explosion of incredible art. The puzzle-like end result shows off his skills in graphics and woodworking, as well as a killer mastery of color usage.
You know the drill… you’re in the middle of sudsing up in the shower when inspiration strikes. You’ve figured out the elusive answer to a work brief, nailed what kind of landscaping design you’d like in the backyard, or even solved climate change (here’s hoping). But by the time you step out of the tub *poof* it’s gone. The most fantastic ideas happen when you’re inspired, so why not have a place to write them all down?
Trying method‘s latest and greatest product – foaming body wash – inspired me to come up with a solution. The scents and bubbles wake up my senses and get my creative juices flowing (the ruby orange is my favorite scent of the four available – it’s so summery and refreshing!). So a modern do-it-yourself shower memo board that would both give me a spot to brainstorm and match up with my minimal aesthetic seemed like just the ticket.
Materials:
• 2 – 8 x 10″ pieces of plexiglass
• 4 – 8″ lengths of quarter inch thick wood (varnished or not)
• strong adhesive (I used Gorilla Glue)
• painter’s tape
• white craft paint
• small paint brush
• self-adhesive velcro
• dry-erase marker
Begin by taping off one of the pieces of plexiglass with the painter’s tape, about and inch on both top and bottom. You could also get more creative and mark out individual boxes, lines, etc – make the space work best for how you tend to process and think. I taped past the edges which helped to anchor the plexiglass in place while I was painting.
It’s best to apply several thin coats of craft paint instead of one thicker one. To achieve the opacity I wanted took three coats with about thirty minutes of drying time in between each. Make sure and pull off the painter’s tape before the last layer is dry, it will help keep the edges crisp and clean. If you get any smudges just use a cotton swab or your fingernail to to fix things up.
Plexiglass is notoriously difficult to drill through, so I opted for a heavy duty adhesive instead. I placed a thin line of adhesive about 1/4-inch from the edge of both the top and bottom, then placed the second piece of plexiglass over the first to cover my newly painted surface. In order to get a really tight seal I placed a few heavy coffee table books on top to act as a clamp, then waited for an hour or so for things to dry thoroughly.
Attaching the wooden edges to top and bottom was just as easy. Once again I spread a thin line of adhesive along the edge of each piece, then placed them so that about two thirds of their width was on the plexiglass and the rest hung off. Then again I set a few large books on top and allowed everything to dry. You could stop here, but I opted to add a second set of wood edges to the backside by repeating the process.
There were lots of possible ways to attached my brand spankin’ new memo board to the shower wall once I was finished. I could add an eye hook and use a suction cup or command strip, but I went with… velcro! Self-adhesive pre-cut squares couldn’t be easier to apply and they allow the board to really stay in place while writing on its surface. (And rest assured, I checked to make sure they survived the humidity and also came off the wall relatively easily!) One went on the four corners of the backside – both sides of the velcro stuck together at this point – then I positioned it on the wall and pressed for about 30 seconds.
I attached a dry-erase marker the same way, with velcro so it’s always handy when I need it.
I’ve used method‘s products in my home for years, their hand soaps and body washes favorites. I love that all of their products are naturally-derived and never tested on animals, a big plus in my animal loving household. These new foaming body washes are super moisturizing and smell amazing. They also manage to add a fun dose of color to my otherwise neutral bathroom. Head over to Target to try them for yourself now through October!
method Foaming Body Wash is sold exclusively at Target now through October 2015. This post is sponsored by method. As always all words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush going!
Posted In behind the scenes, house and home, living, make it, sponsored post
I’ve been loving summer, but it’s no secret that I have crisp fall days on the brain. Lieke van der Vorst‘s illustrations of the outdoors, intimate gatherings, and cozy homes perfectly suit my mindset with their warm tones and patterns.
(via The Jealous Curator)
Posted In create, illustration
I grew up sleeping in my aunt’s hand-me-down single canopy bed – or my can of peas bed, as I referred to it until I knew better. While I loved it at first I eventually began to despise it, and at the age of 10 was gifted my very own brand new cherrywood daybed. When I got older my mom and stepdad got a more modern metal version of a canopy which made me change my opinion on my old nemesis. And lately I’ve been noticing more and more canopy beds that I’d be more than happy to welcome into my own bedroom for a second chance at happiness.
I’m new to the world of collagraphs, but if others suck me in half as much as the work of Tessa Horrocks I’m hooked. Her Pebbles Are Great series is particularly appealing because I have little rock collections and cairns randomly scattered around my home. (Now I demand you run to the nearest creek or beach and collect your own!)
(via The Jealous Curator)
Posted In create, mixed media
There was one main thing on my summer bucket list and that was to visit Kennywood, one of the oldest and most beloved amusement parks in America that’s located just outside Pittsburgh. Founded in 1898, Kennywood is home to several wooden rollercoasters and was even designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
I lost count of the number of times I’ve visited the park, but the last was back in 1999 the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of college. Since then a few rides have said sayonara while others have taken their place. I was anxious to reacquaint myself with the place.
So a few weekends ago me along with eight members of my family headed to Kennywood for the day! Naturally it was one of the hottest days of the summer, which seemed appropriate. We baked in the sun – under our sunscreen, of course – from 11am until the park shut down for the night at 10:30.
The carousel above is over 100 years old, the wooden platform and hand painted horses make it beyond magical.
Not everyone was able to ride every single ride (back injuries, inner ear issues, fear of heights – the list goes on), so we spent a good part of the day separating and regrouping. My ride partner was my 29-year-old cousin who was just as ride-focused as me (yeah, you can tell we’re related).
I made sure to make a stop at my favorite eatery for some cheese-smothered Potato Patch Fries, one of those foods that’s become an institution within the park. And then I ate them so fast I didn’t even snap a photo – the HORROR.
We rode the fastest coaster in the part in the front seat. My mom was seated directly behind me screaming the entire time, as one does on a rollercoaster, and I laughed so hard that I had tears streaming back to my ears! My eyes were even closed because I thought my contacts might slide right out.
I was brought up on county fair and amusement park rides, both of my parents love them. Whenever someone is freaking out in the middle of one I’m usually the person sitting next to them, it must be some sort of unspoken law of nature. While riding the Black Widow (above) the teenage girl seated next to me lost it so bad that tears and snot were pouring out and her long hair was plastered to her face. She kept telling her friend she was going to pass out, while her friend held her hand and said that everyone was looking at her. Yeah, she totally didn’t care and bolted as soon as the ride was over and the harnesses lifted.
Amusement parks at night are ten times better than by day, and I was immediately taken back to walking around Kennywood as a teenager with whatever boy I liked at the moment. Those were the days, man.
Bear by Georgiana Paraschiv // Face by Tuesday Mourning // Doxie Dog by Corrie Wessman // Howdy Lasercut by Ben Barry // Piano Chords Canvas by The Arminho Creative Studio
Moon Icon by Sycamore Street Press // Safety Pin by Jennifer Ament // Sign Language by Hammerpress // Some Things Take Time by Anna Tovar // Watermelon Paradise by Anek
Posted In create, graphics, illustration, painting, paper goods, prints
This week on Design Crush:
Fill my kitchen with the ceramics of Elnaz Nourizadeh and call me when you’re done.
In love with the structural bags in Candamill‘s fall 2015 collection.
Lucy Williams‘ architectural collages are so intricate it hurts.
Ondu pinhole cameras are wooden, handcrafted, and on my wish list.
This month’s PGH Maker Profile is a good one on tin artist Worker Bird.
Sleek and modern jewelry from Metalepsis is beyond perfect.
I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of Carson Ellis’ Home.
Lindsay Stead’s Collection Quilts are sure to be heirlooms.
Lindsay Stead’s Collection Quilts are made in small batches, maintaining the quality and integrity that her work is known for. Lindsay works closely with a group of quilters in rural Ontario to produce these heirlooms. Each quilt is designed personally by her then made by a group of women who have handed down, through generations, their knowledge of quilting. The result is a collection of modern quilts with traditional roots that you’re sure to love and cherish. You can grab your own in her shop, at Steven Alan’s home store, or in Toronto’s Mjölk.
