Originally published on my blog, decor8, on 1.16.07
I found a fun and inexpensive DIY project in the Budget Living “Home Cheap Home”book last night (it’s amazing what you discover when you sort through your bookcase). I’ve flipped through it so many times and never came across page 139 until it nearly hit me in the face last night as it flew off the book shelf, landing with DIY project, Shredded Bliss, looking straight up at me. This is the coolest and cheapest project ever, and I’m imaging it’s a bit challenging and fun to boot. If you don’t have the book (shame on you!), I’ll insert the instructions from the book below.
HOW TO:
Grab all the magazines you’d like to incorporate into this project, issues you won’t mind sending to the shredder, that is. Find a shredder that creates strips (try Staples where you can find them for around $20) and feed your colorful pages through it. Collect the strips that appeal to you the most, that work within your desired palette and the ‘look’ that you’re going for. Grab a narrow paintbrush and apply a craft glue to the back of each strip (Budget Living suggests Delta Sobo from Dick Blick.
Place the strips in a pattern on a dry, clean, smooth wall and allow them to set overnight. The next day, brush on an even coat of clear sealant. Let that dry overnight and viola! You’ve just given your walls a facelift for less than the cost of one roll of wallpaper. Budget Living shows it in a bathroom, but with the moisture factor to consider, I’d suggest this project for a small office space, entry way, guest bathroom (no shower/tub), or just for one wall – behind the bed or your work area, for instance. If you have a galley kitchen, this would look great on the back wall. By the way, Home Cheap Home is loaded with excellent projects, the focus being on use what you have vs. constant spending, so I highly suggest picking up a copy.
TIP: Can’t do this to a wall? Buy a big canvas at your art store and create your own fantastic art by applying the same instructions above!
