DIY Bike Inspiration

In the spring I’m looking to finish redesigning my bike to suit my personality. Here’s an inspiration gallery of some looks I’m considering.

The Second Bookshelf Attempt

My first DIY bookshelf was a repainted wooden ladder, which was an easy way to recycle something that I already owned. In my first post about DIY bookshelves, I mentioned that our collection of antique apple crates were accidentally used as firewood by our neighbor, and since then I’ve always wanted to use old crates…

The First Bookshelf Attempt

For my first DIY bookshelf experiment, I transformed an old wooden ladder with a few layers of paint and some patterned chevron templates to add an extra bit of flair. I decorated the shelf with some antiques and homemade candles in Mason jars (recipe to come). This was extremely simple, so maybe next time I…

Gardens, Books & Whimsy

“If you have a library and a garden, you have everything you need.” – Cicero I read this quote this afternoon on a sign at the Creamery Cafe in Morristown, NJ, which rang very true with two of my life passions: nature and books. Here are some whimsical garden libraries, book installations, and clever ways…

DIY Bookshelf Inspiration

I’m hoping to build my own bookshelf soon out of reclaimed, recycled or cut wood. Some of the ideas I like below: produce crates, old boats, ladders, birch branches and antlers as decoration. Unfortunately, the antique apple crates my boyfriend saved from his time working at Riamede Farm were accidentally used by our neighbors as…

DIY Wild Flowers

Flowers help brighten any home, and they are free. I use “recycled” bottles as flower vases, like the ones below, and pick wildflowers while hiking or biking (my bike has a great basket). Just bring a pair of heavy duty scissors to trim the stems, since wildflowers have much sturdier roots and stems than store-bought flowers,…

The DIY Office

I am currently working on my first book, and need a creative workspace. I started with a massive simple bulletin board from Staples, and painted the border a darker shade of brown, then added red yarn and ribbon. Retro clock: Village Antiques & Collectibles, Succasunna, NJ Wuthering Heights Box: Homegoods Soy and coconut milk natural candle:…

DIY “Rustic” Bike

When I lived in Copenhagen for six months in spring 2010, bikes were everywhere. They were the way of life. I suppose sustainability and efficiency comes naturally to Europeans. I decided to remodel my mountain bike to fit my personality, and bought simple materials like twine, rust-colored spray paint, wood buttons and leather for the…

DIY Wreath

While organic wreaths made from real flowers are my preferred decoration, this type of wreath has an unlimited shelf life and can withstand weather damage. You’ll need these materials: twine small twigs a metal wire wreath frame Textured Elements burlap decorative flowers plastic garland (I used garland with white flowers) Simply attach the garland to…