winter projects around the house

15 January 2015

I have been away from my blog for a bit longer than intended. I am in full 'combat January blues' mode, so I am setting myself small projects for when it's Daddy day (we alternate the childcare duties daily). 
Don't know if it's just me, but my mood is effected by lack of light AND my environment, so if it's all messy (which it is 90% of the time because I hate housework) it really gets me down, so both together could be a bit of a disaster for me. 

Since Xmas finished, I have been cleaning and re-arranging things in the house to make it feel less cluttered. Toys are a major factor these days. Our littlun is really into them all, so I'm happy to keep hold of most of them during this time, so I invested in some storage boxes and Ikea tubs with wheels on that slide under tables and such. We are teaching our littlun to tidy things away after playing, and she really appreciates a tidy room as much as I do.

Our Kiddo's room is very small, and it tends to just accumulate so much on the floor so it looks like a bomb went off in there. So I decided that would make a good little project for me to focus on.
Of course one thing led to another and I started thinking about new pictures for her wall, and um...a new curtain! I found this bed sheet (above) in the Zara sale and thought it was too nice to put on the bed. I also purchased a moon poster from Germany. 

I'm too lazy (and slightly worried) to have a big glass poster frame in the Tot's room, so I decided to make a wooden poster hanger, I'm really pleased with how it turned out so I will make some more for around the house.



I found a plain wooden box on Ebay, and thought I could snazzy it up a bit with some casters and an upholstered lid. The wood on the bottom was too thin to screw on the wheels to I added some batons to attach them to.


They were a bit boring grey, so after some Pinterest inspiration, I sprayed them neon pink!

Not it's intended use, but y'now...


 Her mobile is still going strong after two years...



 ...I also made a sort of book stand/blackboard out of a plywood off-cut, it was £5 at b&q, I masked out a house shape so she can draw rooms and things on it. There are little shelves to hold chalk and a duster.

I painted this old storm lamp that we found in a flea market years ago. It was a rusty coppery colour metal, now it is pale grey and looks completely different.




I switched the bed around and now it feels much bigger in there. Also no toys taking up floor space hooray! To be very honest with you, I wish this was my room, shhhhh!!!







Job done.


 ...neeeext!



29 comments

  1. I love that poster, it's so cute. You always think up some really unique projects!

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  2. I say this everytime, Artemis you are so clever! Love Pehr's room. Perfecto!!! Lou x

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  3. I wish this was my room too!!
    You are so clever and creative, I love the box with the neon pink castors and the Betsy fabric and I love the bookstand (so simple, yet so clever!).
    And I just adore this moon poster, it's in my bedroom too..

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  4. Oh I wish it were my room too! So pretty. Pehr is so lucky to have you as her mom.

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  5. I love that poster too - I bought it for my sons room from that amazing shop The Hambledon in Winchester! Just wondering where that log cushion is from? I'm trying to create a woodland-ish room for his 'big boy' room!

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  6. Hello Artemis, I have just popped over to your beautiful blog after being pointed in your direction by Vanessa @ Cocoa Rose - I am so glad I did ! Such a lovely little blogspace - I shall be back to visit lots,
    Kate
    www.justpootling.blogspot.co.uk

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  7. Does Pehr like her room? Can i move in if she doesn't? Anyway, you are not alone with the lack of light/cold/messy house thing. I suffer from a major case of creativity block during December and January. And a messy house, which happens most of the time, triggers it even more. We should move to some sunny place during winter, like rich people in old times used to do!

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  8. Anonymous15.1.15

    I wish that was my room too ;) Where did you get that log looking pillow?? Love it!


    Wendy
    http://www.splendidlysimple.com

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  9. It could be my room too ;) Amazing!

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  10. What I love most is how natural it looks, I'm not a huge fan of plastic toys, this is fab :) xxx

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  11. gorgeous room! wonderful ideas! if you don't mind my asking, where did you get that nice thick rug from!? x

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  12. Everything you make is soooooooo beautiful. I read today in the paper that children do virtually nothing in school in the way of handling stuff and making things: I think it's even more important for parents to provide it at home but it's the children whose parents dont/can't who need it most at school. I can't do links but it was Libby Purvis in the Times the other day.

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  13. Anonymous15.1.15

    I was just about to write "everything you touch is absolutely beautiful..." but now I see that Hemstitch beat me to it. I just love everything you set your hand to. It's incredible.

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  14. Compliments compliments! I am also going to compliment! I was waiting for your new post with impatience and checking out daily...Well once again, reading your post was exciting! You created something funky, cute and original! Really nice, thank you for sharing!

    PS: Can I ask, how you made the lid on the wooden box? And also....in France, we can find already made wooden poster holder just like the one you made, it is true that I quickly try to find some a few years ago here and did not managed, do they not exist?

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  15. Gosh, I could quite easily curl up and snooze in that bedroom, love all your makes x

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  16. Looks great! Love the moon poster and the storage bin with wheels! Good job, mom! I too used to get a bit blue during January until I started to think of it as the perfect month to do nothing but "hibernate"....like your favorite woodland animals! It has a slower pace after all the Christmas rush that I now enjoy. It's the perfect month to get my home in order, knit or sew, read, watch Netflix, etc. before the spring rush of whipping the yard back into shape, planning a garden and all that.
    Peace Joy Hope

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    1. Couldn't put it better myself. For years and years I feared Jan Feb and March due to SAD and depression. My husband drummed into me that every season is special and it has started to sink in. I read Glennie Kindreds book "Letting in the wild Edges" and she points out that we are meant to wind down in January, It's a time to relax and recharge your batteries. But also a time to appreciate the raw beauty of the landscape and trees and to make plans for the coming spring. I too love crafting so much and it keeps me happy on a winters night.

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  17. How lucky Pehr is to have two incredibly creative parents, her bedroom is delightful. I love the Zara fabric and the bookstand/ chalkboard idea is a triumph.

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  18. Makes me wish my girls were this age again so I could decorate.. Love those curtains.
    Ours had Noah's Ark... bold primary colours. At least they learned their animals from the wallpaper.

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  19. Still love Your blog and i have recommandation for you: the book on tidying up by the Japanese author Marie Kondo. Very fun to read and inspiring!

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  20. of course, as always, i love everything! beautiful home!!! did you purchase the poster on the hanger or get one for it?

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  21. just realized you mentioned the frame, sorry! thanks again for the wonderful post!

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  22. Anonymous21.1.15

    So wonderful! Just makes me smile :)

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  23. Her room is adorable! Love it all.

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  24. Thank you, Artemis.... I've just been reading your Christmas posts, through to the most recent. Whenever I think the world has gotten too tacky/garish/made-in-china, I look at your blog to feel inspired by the things you have made and your sense of style. Thank you for sharing your world, work and family with us so generously. I'm taking some inspiration from you as I think about some new house projects here.

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  25. Thank you, Artemis... I've just been reading your Christmas posts through to the most recent. Thank you. Whenever I feel the world has gotten too tacky/garish/made-in-China, I like to turn to your blog for inspiration from the things you have made, your sense of style and lifestyle. Thank you for sharing your world, work and family with us so generously. I'll take a bit of inspiration from you as we tackle some new (old) house projects here.

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  26. I wish this is MY room!
    Totally awesome.

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  27. I love that room! I really like your style it is so calm and clean. All the unique little touches make it so special. x

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