DIY

1960s DIY projects – geometric wall treatment, vertical lanterns

January 12, 2009

1960s DIY projects – geometric wall treatment, vertical lanterns

Here are two quite beautiful DIY projects from the 60s, both found in The Practical Encyclopedia of Good Decorating and Home Improvement, Greystone Press, 1970. Most of what you find in the book is a bit kitschy, but these two ideas seemed brilliant.

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Army blanket pillows, swords into ploughshares.

January 10, 2009

Army blanket pillows, swords into ploughshares.

This post is a personal addendum to our earlier post about a discussion amongst readers of another design blog about whether one designer had copied or “borrowed” another designer’s idea.

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More Furniture in 24 Hours – 4 pieces

January 9, 2009

More Furniture in 24 Hours – 4 pieces

A final post on great DIY furniture from Spiros Zakas’ 1979 “More Furniture in 24 Hours” book. If you want the building plans for any of  these pieces, go to this Flickr set.

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More Furniture in 24 hours by Spiros Zakas – V Armchair

January 8, 2009

More Furniture in 24 hours by Spiros Zakas – V Armchair

A third design from Spiros Zakas’ 1979 “More Furniture in 24 Hours” book. See our first post on this book. Click below to find plans for building this chair or go to our Flickr set for high res versions.

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More Furniture in 24 Hours, part 1 – Space Bench

January 7, 2009

More Furniture in 24 Hours, part 1 – Space Bench

Some of these designs are actually pretty good. I’ll post some more if anyone wants them! I don’t know if that’s Spiros on the cover there, sitting on this Space Bench, or if it’s George Thomopolos, but whoever he is, he’s… groovy.

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The “What’s In, What’s Out for 2009” list thing.

January 4, 2009

The “What’s In, What’s Out for 2009” list thing.

The “What’s In and What’s Out in 2009” lists are starting to appear. Not to be too protestant about it, since environmentalism in its more puritanical moment can make you want to stab yourself in the eye with a fork—a plastic fork—but these lists can get anxiety-provoking.

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On the cheap in NYC

November 6, 2008

On the cheap in NYC

Art and architecture students produce creative DIY interiors on small budgets in NYC. For details see the NYT article. A wire cloud sculpture; a kitchen table made easily from a wood slab and tube legs from Home Depot; hanging wood light fixture made from ply offcuts; small space made larger via a loft bed and storage steps, with a desk surface made by resting a wood slab on two filing cabinets; spare paint used for wall decoration; spectacular chandelier made from plastic bags; kitchen cabinet made with a jigsaw and waste plywood.

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