Stacks of old books can add character anywhere in your house. They don’t necessarily need to be packed away in a bookcase. I’ve always got a few books stacked here and there, they can help add height when you need it for a display area.
The above is on a dresser in a bedroom.
Below are a couple of rooms by Darryl Carter with stacks of books on display.
I also love how these random stacks of books look next to the fireplace in this room. (image from lonny.com)
If you are considering making changes or upgrades to a kitchen or outdoor space (or any space where food is consumed for that matter), why not use FOOD as your inspiration? I absolutely love watching the masterful work of a chef, not only for what is going to come of it, but for the absolute beauty of it all! Food is gorgeous, simply put.
Say you are a "home-chef" who loves to cook wonderful meals for yourself and family. Most of us home chefs tend to cook with certain ingredients, or in a certain style. Look at the food you love to make, and use those textures and colours of your inspiration. The possibilities are endless – Moroccan, Italian, Spanish, French...
Photos from http://bit.ly/1gEtUqn | http://bit.ly/1e3Rr1N | http://bit.ly/1H5zFTH
I made these cute holiday stockings from repurposing sweaters; it was very easy to do and if you have sweaters you're ready to part with, consider this project. I preferred red sweaters with a festive feel, here's the process I used, and these were featured in Chatelaine magazine. Step 1 – decide what sweaters to use
I didn't use a form, but you could make a stocking shape with some cardboard or kraft paper to follow the shape when cutting.
Start chopping! You can see the shape pretty quickly! Using really sharp scissors to cut through the sweaters helps get through the thicker parts. Then I inverted the pattern and hand sewed them together with tight stitches.
![photo[3]](http://static1.squarespace.com/static/57dd8e37be6594df5a84ae1e/58e5630809e1c4385b0e2af6/58e5632209e1c4385b0e3244/1491428130707/photo3.jpg?format=original)
Turn them from outside in and voila! I loved how the stripe turned out! I used the bottom of the sweater so the top of the stocking would be in a solid red cuff.
Here it is on the fireplace.
The trio together.
And here they are in Chatelaine magazine.
I try to incorporate a few simple, DIY holiday items around this time of year. Here are a couple of my favourites from my own house – very easy ideas and some you can leave up all winter. The sled above is an antique luge that I love leaving out all winter.
Vases filled with inexpensive red balls just add a festive look to tables or mantels. So simple!
I also like to bring in some boughs, cedar, fir or pine and use this in vases around the house too. Just some simple ways to bring in some festive, bright decor.
I like the look of large branches in vases through all seasons, but during the holidays you can easily create a festive centrepiece or display using a few decorations. The image above from House & Home magazine shows how easy it can be. You can DIY a simple display by getting some branches (maybe even in your own backyard like I do!) and find a few decorations to put on them. You can also do a vase with a red bow tied around it. Lot of different options!
I've also done my own version of wool wrapped branches, this is a fave of mine from Domino magazine many years ago. When I made this I wrapped individual branches in cream wool – very easy.
Images: House & Home magazine (top 3) Domino magazine