DIY

Colourful DIYs and design hacks on a budget -Moto Design school with Motorola.

motologo (white)I am honoured to have been picked by Motorola UK to be one of their industry experts at their Moto Design school launched today in London.

As I couldn’t make the physical pop up event, I have produced content here and on social media to run alongside it.

Hope you will enjoy the design hacks I have prepared below.

I have decided to show you how I would inject a bright and happy style into a home with a few simple steps, on a low budget.

Moto fireplace blackThis is my fireplace at home. It is not usually this pared down, but for the purpose of this post, all things colourful were removed.

Here’s what I did: Paper -Bunting-from-recycled-wrapping-paper-DIY-for-Moto-Design-school-Little-Big-BellI have injected colour instantly by creating these paper buntings, recycled from leftover gift wrap.

It’s really simple to make, all you have to do is fold the paper to create equal rectangular creases. Then cut out lengthwise two rows and fold them together. Using the creases as guide, cut out triangles of equal size. The base of the triangle being where the fold is. Wrap each triangle around some string and glue together.Colourful-bunting-made-by-Little-Big-BellA bright injection of colour don’t you think?

I have also placed a freshly cut Hydrangea from my garden into the vase and styled with two postcards.

Being a lover of colour, I couldn’t just leave it at that. So here’s what I did:Embroidery-hoops-colourful-DIY-Moto-Design-school-Little-Big-BellI bought some relatively inexpensive embroidery hoops and inserted some of my leftover colourful fabric into the frames.Simple-DIY-style-with-embroidery-hoops-decor-feature-photo-and-styling-Little-Big-BellThe hoops were then grouped together to create a colourful vignette on one corner of the mantelpiece.How-to-style-a-fireplace-with-DIYs-colourful-styling-and-photo-by-Little-Big-Bell-LittlebigbellHere’s the finished look. Colourful at a budget. Colourful-fireplace-by-Little-Big-BellWhat do you think?Accent-colours-to-shelf-Little-Big-BellNext, is the creation of this colourful shelf.

I bought a pair of relatively inexpensive ledge shelving from |kea in white. I didn’t want the white of the shelving to melt into the neutrality of the background, so decided to paint the front a bright yellow accent colour.

I usually style with colour instinctively and dare I say, I’ve never used the colour wheel. But for those who want some guidance on the best colour combinations, then do take a look at my post here about the colour wheel.

Here’s a possible trick for you. Find a colourful object or print that you find aesthetically pleasing, extract the colour palette and use it as a template for your decorating.

Analysing in retrospect, I can see that my styling has a similar colour palette to talented Rachel of Pencil shavings studio’s print, which I have placed as the centrepiece on the wall.

How-to-style-a-shelf-Little-Big-BellWhen styling a shelf, there are some important steps to follow:

1. Always vary the heights of the objects you are using but in relative proportion to one another. In other words, don’t place a towering high object next to a mini accessory, otherwise the flow of the decor will become lost.

2. Another important factor is to vary the texture of the objects you are using. Here, you can see me using the shiny surface of a plate, the rough texture of paper in the card and wood, both coloured and natural.

3. If you are using small objects to decorate, don’t leave the wall between the shelves bare. Tie the two shelves together with prints that pull the colour palette together.

Colour-at-home-Little-Big-BellLove how the yellow accent colour makes everything else pop with vibrancy.

Moto-Design-school-styling-a-chair-Little-Big-BellHere’s the third tutorial:

Upcycle a second hand chair with a coat of chalk paint. This chair was painted for me by my friend Louisa of Westegg interiors, but you can do similar by yourself at home.

The wonderful thing about chalk paint is that you can apply it direct to furniture without having to do any major preparation to the surface . Finish off with buffing on some wax, and then polishing with a dry cloth to protect.

The chair is such a versatile piece of furniture. For those who have limited space, the chair could be used as a side table.

Here’s 3 fail safe ways to style up your chair:

1. Use books with pretty coloured spines. You can use the colour wheel again if you need guidance on colours that sit harmoniously together. Pile them up in order of size.

2. Ensure one of the decorative accessory has the same colour as the book to draw the collection together.

3. Always add a ‘green’ element, like a small potted plant.

4. Make sure at least one of your decorative accessories sit vertical to the books. The effect is lost if it is low lying and horizontal only.

Styling-lessons-Little-Big-BellHere, I have tied together the elements of ombre shades, in the pot and plate.Moto-Design-school-easy-styling-tips-Little-Big-BellAdding a bit of texture such as the wrapped cord around the plant pot adds visual interest.Upcycled-painted-wine-box-Moto-Design-school-Little-Big-BellHere’s another cool and easy DIY I came up with. It’s an upcycled wooden wine case carrier, made into a shelf for display.

I got hold of some free sample paints to create this two colour effect.

Just tape around where you want the divide to be, paint one section, let it dry and remove tape.

Then carefully apply another length of tape over the painted border. I use washi tape, so it doesn’t peel the paint off. Paint on the second colour, let it dry, remove tape and all done! Using the handle strap of the wine case, the box shelf can then be hung on the wall.

So, what do you think? Moto-Design-school-DIY-hack-Little-Big-BellHere’s DIY number 6 on a limited budget. Creating a pop of colour on your desk.

I bought an inexpensive cardboard photo frame from Cass Art and using brightly coloured Duck tape, I created this colourful frame. It only took a minimum of 10 minutes to do and adds instant happy colour to your space.Fabric-paint-placemat-Little-Big-BellFinal DIY! Make colourful polka dot placemats for the home. This is a really simple one to do. All you need is white cotton fabric, cut to equal rectangular shapes.

Get a round wooden ink stamper or just use any round object. Paint on some fabric paint and get stamping. You can see me in action on Instagram doing this.

Let it dry. Then cover with a light cloth and iron over with a warm iron to set the paint. The placemats can be washed in the washing machine with no issues of ink running after that. I used Dylon fabric paint.

Colourful-placemat-DIY-hack-Little-Big-BellI have styled the placemats with my new Marimekko dinner set. Isn’t it cool that the plate and mug colours matched the placemat?

Goodness! As I’m writing this I have just realised how much of a creative overdrive I’ve been in, whilst preparing these design hacks.

Hope you have all enjoyed the DIYs, if you do try these out at home, do tag me on Instagram @littlebigbell and @motorola_uk to show us and use the hashtag #motodesignschool.

Happy day!

( All DIYS, design hacks, styling and photography are by Geraldine Tan of Little Big Bell. The Moto Design school is a sponsored event).

4 Comments

  1. Loving these display ideas, my favourite is the fireplace with the cool neutral grey background with the fab prints and colour popping out in the accessories, love the embroidery hoop idea!

  2. Fab post! I’ve popped it on my Budget ideas for renters pinterest board 🙂

    x

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