CTS 101: Mad scientists & their kittens

Because We Can, a California-based Design-Build Studio led by interior designer Jillian Northrup and her husband architect Jeffrey McGrew, was recently tasked to turn an under utilized room in a private residence into a highly functional and inspirational place to work from home. To say that they fulfilled their mission is a bit of an understatement. Besides turning the room into a Mad Scientist's Home Workshop, they also created what Northrup calls “the fist step to greater cat mobility throughout the room”.

The Cat Transit System, or CTS for short, travels over desks and around three of the four walls, giving the family cats the ability to sneak through the room, whilst spying on its human occupants through intergrated viewing ports. Don't you just love the attention to detail? We sure do!

Blooming rainbows & multicoloured roses...

No, they're not photoshopped! They're 100% real and easy to create.

 Believe it or not, because the method utilises the flower's natural ability to draw water up via the stem, all you need to achieve this look is a selection of white roses and some water and food colouring. The method can also be applied to other flowers, especially white chrysanthemum and carnations!

Want to learn more about the oh-so-simple technique? Then visit Design Bloom and watch the provided tutorial. Click here to jump straight to the video tutorial. 

Here’s a bright idea! Convert an old light bulb into a vase

Give used light bulbs a new lease on life with this great do-it-yourself project from ReadyMade. 

You’ll need:

• Leather gloves
• Safety Glasses
• Needle-nose pliers
• A hammer
• ¼ inch Allen wrench
• 3/32-inch aluminum welding rod

Instructions:

• Put on leather gloves and safety glasses (consider going outside since this process involves breaking glass).
• Peel off the contact at the base of the bulb using the needle-nose pliers (see photo below).

• Crack the black glass at the base of the bulb by tapping it lightly with the hammer. If this doesn’t work, try sticking one of the jaws of the needle-nose pliers into the hole of the black glass and twist while applying a little pressure. it requires some persistence, so keep at it.
• Insert the 1/4-inch Allen wrench into the glass tube inside the lightbulb after removing black glass (see photo). Apply some leverage to break the glass inner tube; a different size key may be necessary depending on the brand of bulb.

• Pull out the innards of the bulb through the hole you’ve created with the pliers. if the hole is too small, make it bigger as you did in step 4. The filament and attached glass may need to come out in a few pieces if they are too large (shown in photo).

• Create a stand for your new vase using the 3/32-inch aluminum welding rod, available at your local hardware store. Sculpt your stand to your own design, or mimic the one in the pictures—a square base with one end of the wire coiled around the metal part of the lightbulb.
• Insert your favorite flower, water, and enjoy!

Another brilliant solution to your storage problems!

We absolutely love this Antique Wooden Ladder Bookshelf from Naturally Cre8tive. Not only is it an excellent example of how good repurposing can look, but it’s also an ingenious use of space.

You can purchase the bookshelf from Naturally Cre8tive’s online Esty store (click here to go shopping), but why not have a go at creating your own version.

DIY Decor: A Book Lampshade

From ideas, one of our old favourites comes this novel approach to lampshade decor. 

You will need
• an old book
• cardboard (for the guiding page)
• craft knife
• glue gun
• pencil

Dinner Party Décor DIY: The Chalkboard Table Cloth

If you’re looking for a fabulously creative way to make your mark this festive season then keep reading. Below you’ll find a wonderfully easy tutorial from the ladies at Hey Look, a great blog filled with DIY guides and party inspirations, that’ll lend a bistro feel to your fun-filled evening. What are we talking about? Well just sit back and discover how to create your own Chalkboard Table Runner.

Firstly you’ll need a piece of oilcloth cut to fit your table. Then it’s some blackboard paint and a brush or paint roll. Paint the cloth carefully - make sure not to use too much paint, otherwise the runner will be too stiff when dry. Just use enough paint to cover the cloth entirely. Hang it up to dry overnight then you can lay it out on the table, scribble on your menu or some greetings to your guests. 

Storage space a problem? Here's a brilliant idea!

When we found the above image on Well Done Stuff! it was filed under the heading brilliant idea, and we have to agree. We just love the idea and think hanging deck chairs like these would look especially cool in a beach cottage or home by the sea. It's also an excellent idea for small flats where space is a luxury.

Spooky Décor for Halloween

With Halloween less than a month away we’d thought we’d share some of these wonderfully spooky decorations for your home. 

Make a statement with this silhouetted stairway from Martha Stewart .

Reused and recycled: A classy pumpkin made from Consol Jar lids via Simply Klassic Home.

Click here and learn how easy it is to create these eerie chicken wire ghosts that are perfect for the garden.

Visit Disney's Spoonful.com for spooktacular pumpkin templates.

Another haunting idea from Martha Stewart.