Project: Shredded magazine strips to wallpaper

Interesting recycling use of old, saved magazines. Expand on the idea using recycled newspapers, old greeting cards, wrapping paper, colorful junkmail, past IKEA catalogs, maps. Think up your own creative way to reuse/recycle colorful articles which would otherwise be headed to the trash bin.



instructions posted at decor8 (fresh finds for hip spaces - and a new link I'm adding to my blog)

Shredded Bliss 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. Locals: There's a Blick across from the new West Elm over by Fenway Park, they have it.).

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 highly suggest picking up a copy.


And another clever idea ....

And here's another cool project that is totally animal friendly and easy to create in an afternoon. Use white linoleum, cut it into the shape of a zebra rug, and paint the black stripes yourself.




So, guess will need a plug for the book then - Budget Living: Home Cheap Home