50 Projects: 52 Weeks (23. The Blue Light Special)

Repurposed from a stand-up cheapie metal lamp, I pulled apart the cord and shade, bought a can of spray paint in an almost Grecian Blue, spray painted the light and hung it upside down. Voila! $3.50 for the spray paint and now we have a sweet pendant lamp.

Thinking Outside the Box: All Terrain Cabin and Portable Homes

I am a bit weary always having to think about rent, bills, pets, space, cleaning, moving, etc...I am beginning to think that, if I crunch the numbers, living out of a pre-fabricated home or shipping container would actually SAVE us money in the end. I don't want clutter anymore. I am beginning to think about the prospects of living simply and [what if] Steve and I move around a lot. [What if] we work internationally but want a "home" to come back to. [What if] it could be shipped internationally. [What if] we could make it entirely modular and it would be possible to put it on a train from Colorado and move it back to Wisconsin, just in-case. 

I am also weary of thinking about plans for the future. When it comes down to it; I want to be a sustainable designer and visionary. I want to prove that I can think outside of the box, like this company did (purely conceptual, but it's GORGEOUS).

It's called the All-Terrain Cabin (by BARK):

It's a 20' ISO Container Frame.

Imagine the freedom and flexibility of it.

I am going to consider this as an economic and timeless investment piece. More info on how to build your own shipping container home can be found here. I've also compiled this list:

Cargotecture 

FabPreFab Comprehensive List of Projects

Contained Mobility a BA Arch Project

More Amazing Homes

And one of my faves: the Port-a-Bach

Organic Seed Growers & Trade Association v. Monsanto

Please read this ARTICLE and pass it on or repost it. I am grieved that we are already losing precious heirloom seeds because they are wiped to extinction by America's mega-corporation. Please don't let it happen. I am so glad 270,000 Organic Farmers are taking a stand against Monsanto; let's support them any way we can! 

50 Projects: 52 Weeks (20. Repurposed File Hanger Plant Stand)

Another one in the books for repurposed. My friend Elizabeth pointed out that the metal frame is actually a file-hanger (I had no idea). $1 at ReStore. The glass? Free from Freecycle. 4 silicone feet for the glass? About another $1. 

$2 for a great plant stand or garden table. I have a second one outside which would look GREAT with a chaise lounge and an umbrella drink and a good drink. Just like the entryway table, in small spaces, glass helps keep the space looking open and uncluttered. A heavy table would look out of place in such a small apartment. And the glass draws the eye outside to enjoy the fantastic Colorado weather.

Another tip? Buy tropical starter plants. $2.99 for 2.5" pots (the ones in the photo were replanted). It saves a lot of money and they are already growing strong. Happy planting!

Favorite Small Spaces

What if you could live beautifully and comfortably? In 130 SQ FT? Could you do it? This little home is designed by Jay Shafer of Tumbleweed Tiny Houses. It redefines simplicity.

The Fencl 

Inside it's GLORIOUS

Sunny. Open. Smart.

Could you do it? Could you declutter and live simply?

Could you let the outdoors become more important than what you own inside?

The bedroom.

And how about this place? It's by Reclaimed Space and is chock full of fun things to look at. Nothing is new. It's all discovered. It's eclectic. Very eclectic. 

Pieces of Home

A view with a room.

Orange Poppies

Branches! I love branches!