This living room is a fine example of how to get dip-dye walls right. The dip-dye effect on the walls is used to the advantage of the rest of the scheme: the concentration of the hot pink colour at the bottom of the walls draws the eye down and anchors the other elements of the space. This works well here because it stops the high ceilings from making the living room feel sparse and uninviting. Notice how the other key pieces in the scheme, such as the sofa, coffee table and armchair all exercise restraint when it comes to pattern. By keeping these pieces fairly simple it lets the dip-dye wall take centre stage and doesn’t compete with it. Rather, the walls act as a stunning backdrop to the other parts of the scheme. Small flashes of pattern can be introduced through accessories like trays and cushions but keep them to a minimum for the most stylish results. What do you think of this dip-dye space, friends? Do you have any similar finishes in your home?
// Photography by Krusto
The other day I decided to make an envelope cushion cover out of this IKEA PS bedding and thought it would be fun to document how I did it. That said, before I kick off this post I have to preempt it by saying that I’m by no means a sewing expert but more of the dive-in-and-have-a-go type of crafter! Here are the steps I took to make the envelope pillow cover (this is for a square pillow):
1. Measure and cut a piece of fabric that is one inch bigger than your cushion insert on all sides (to allow for the seam). I.e. A 12 x 12 inch cushion insert would require a 13 x 13 inch piece of fabric. This will be the front on your cushion.
2. For the back piece you need to make it longer to allow for the envelope close at the back: the width is the same as the front (13 inches) and the length is four inches longer at 17 inches. The back panel should be cut at 13 x 17 inches. Once you’ve cut out the back panel, then measure it in half and cut it down the middle lengthways.
3. You now need to hem the long edges of the two back pieces of fabric. To do this, fold the hem over towards the back of the fabric a quarter of and inch and then an other quarter of an inch again. Iron it down and pin it in place before you start sewing.
4. As you sew the hems be sure to do as close as you can to the edge of the hem to hold it down properly. You now have both back panels hemmed and ready to attach to the front piece of fabric.
5. Place the front piece of fabric down (pretty side facing you) and then place the two back panels on top of it (pretty side facing down), being sure to line up the edges with the front piece of fabric and that the hemmed edges are facing each other in the centre and that’s where the envelope opening will be. The other edges will be inside the cushion cover and so you won’t see those edges. Once in place, pin the pieces together and sew all the way around, leaving the space between the two hemmed edges open so you can place the cushion cover inside.
6. Once all the edges are sewn together, cut out the extra fabric on the corners of the cushion cover (being sure not to cut through any stitching) as this will give you neater corners when you turn the pillow the right way out.
7. Turn the cushion cover the right way out and find the middle point on the top part of the envelope fabric at the back. Place your button into the centre and draw a line the length of the button.
8. Set up your machine with the correct button sewing fittings and follow the manufacture instructions of your specific machine.
9. Cut out the centre of the button hole and then sew the button onto the piece of fabric behind the longer envelope fabric. Again, follow the instructions in the manual of your specific machine to do this.
I’m really pleased with how my envelope cushion cover turned out! Have you made anything for your home recently?
// Photography by Will Taylor
It’s certainly not everyday you receive an email from the folks over at Martha Stewart Living asking to if you would like to collaborate with them. Yep, I totally did a kitchen dance! The team asked me to pull together a gallery that showed 20 ways to add colour to your home this summer to inspire their readers to get hooked on hue like Mr. Bazaar! I’m really proud of the results because the majority of the snaps and ideas are my own pictures and styling. They weren’t taken in a studio with a team of twenty analysing every minute detail, but rather they are real, achievable and (hopefully!) inspiring ideas for embracing hue in your own home. I hope you like the gallery and if you do, you can find more colour ideas on the new Pinterest board I’ve just started called, Add Colour To Your Life.
// Photography by 1. Matt Cant | 2. Simon Watson | 3. Martha Stewart Living | 4. Will Taylor | 5. Will Taylor
