Martha Stewart Living In

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Martha Stewart Living In

• Presented by
• Heather Murdoch, Residence Director, IWU
• Matthew Damschroder, Director of Residential
  Life, IWU

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Decoupage anything!

• You can decoupage anything with anything (boxes,
  bottles, shelves, tables, etc.)
• If youre using large pieces of paper, have
  something to smooth bubbles
• If using varied sizes of paper, start with large,
  work down to small
• Add rubber stamps or paint for accents
• You cant mess this up, you can always redo it

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Decoupage products

• Mod Podge Gloss Lustre by Plaid. 16 fl. oz
  available at Michaels for 5.38
• 1 Polyester sponge brush available at Michaels
  for .33
• Kids Crafts Frame available at Michaels for 1.99

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Upholstering chairs

• Choose a fabric that coordinates with your living
  space. The fabric need not be intended for
  upholstery. A 3/yd calico will work fine and
  allow you the flexibility to change your mind
  frequently.
• Remove the seat from the chair, typically by
  removing several screws. Remove the former
  covering, keeping foam and backboard for later.
• Lay out your fabric and place foam seat side down
  on top of it placing backboard atop this. Trim
  fabric to about three excess inches on each side.
• Turning fabric under to avoid fraying, pull and
  staple fabric to center of one side, then its
  opposite, the adjacent side and its opposite.
• Keeping fabric taut, staple your way to the
  corner. Form a corner by folding the fabric
  under as if you were wrapping a present. Place
  several staples at the corner to ensure it is
  held tightly.
• Re-attach seat to chair. Repeat regularly.

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Fabrics on cabinets and table tops

• Uses the same process as the seat cover we just
  saw.
• Choose lightweight fabrics, particularly in a
  space where cooking will be happeningyou dont
  want a fabric that is going to pick up smells or
  collect dust.
• Maintain with warm water in case of splatters and
  Febreeze regularly.

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Painting and borders

• Neutral colors are a good choice
• You can always add white to create another shade
• Look for fun and/or new painting tools (dont pay
  big bucks for them)
• Always remember plenty of drop clothes and
  cleaning clothes
• Practice different looks on poster board

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Tiling and grouting a tabletop

• Select and prepare the table. A fresh coat of
  paint to the legs and sides may be a nice touch.
  At a minimum, wash the surface to be tiled and
  allow to dry completely.
• Brush thick coat of adhesive on surface and allow
  to become tacky.
• Once tacky, arrange tiles, stones or shards in
  desired pattern.
• Let adhesive dry for 12-24 hours.
• Work grout into cracks with grout floater or
  spreader tool (or credit card) until surface is
  smooth and level.
• After 20-30 minutes, wipe off excess with damp
  sponge in smooth, flat manner so grout between
  tiles is not removed.
• Allow to fully dry. Polish surface to remove
  residue.

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Tiling/Grouting products

• Glass marbles (typically found with the fake
  flowers) available at Michaels for 1.89 per bag
• Small wood tray available at Michaels for 3.99
• Make-it Mosaics Adhesive by Plaid. 4 fl. oz
  available at Michaels for 2.99
• Mosaic Tile Grout (premium, non-sanded) by Mosaic
  Mercantile. 16 fl. oz available at Michaels for
  12.99

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Accenting your space with greenery

• Pick greenery (or Flowers) that look good
  together, ie., similar hues, shapes, seasons,
  etc.
• Select things you like
• Buy only in your price range
• Secure foam
• Develop an image in your mind of the shape you
  like to create
• Insert pieces reflecting the desired shape,
  starting with largest pieces
• Its best to work in odd numbers
• Begin to fill in, using pieces of decreasing
  size, working on the arrangement in a circular
  motion
• Never throw out scraps
• NEVER try to fix the arrangement once you have
  placed it somewhere in your home

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Basic plant selection and care

• Financial
• Competitive
• Progress

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Swags

• Swags can be as simple or as elaborate as your
  taste dictates
• Start with basic greenery (or eucalyptus)
• Select ribbon and flowers/ fruit that will go
  with your base leaves
• Secure bow with floral wire ribbon
• Secure additional flowers or fruit with floral
  wire or hot glue
• Avoid the desire to place pieces in the swag
  symmetrically
• You can easily add pieces of fabric to your swags
  without the ability to sew. You need only to
  know a basic running stitch.

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Window treatments

• You can create darling fabric swags over required
  university curtains or blinds.
• You will need a piece of fabric approximately 30
  longer then your window, two small nails, and two
  rubber bands.
• Baste unfinished ends, treat with fray check or
  use a pinking sheers to cut fabric so that ends
  do not fray
• Place nails in upper corners of window
• Use rubberbands to gather fabric at window
  corners and secure to nails
• Gather fabric so it puffs (hiding rubber bands)
  and drapes in a way you like.

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Weaved wonders

• Buy baskets when on sale
• Spray paint can cover a multitude of sinsyou can
  change the color of the basket or just embellish
  it
• Baskets can hold ANYTHINGtheyre great for
  gathering up odd junk or making decorative
  statements

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Tips for your budget

• Once you decide on a budget, stick to it! It may
  take a little more creativity, but you should be
  able to find what youre looking for in any price
  range be patient
• Get to know an area craft store. Familiarize
  yourself with their sale patterns and shop
  accordingly
• Drop into a favorite store regularly you can
  find the most amazing little treasures in
  clearance baskets
• When you move into a new space, consider how
  recycling/ reinventing certain pieces can
  completely change the look of a room