Saturday 14 April 2012

Decorate: How to refurbish old photo frames



















You will need:

1 x can of Montana 94 spray paint in matt finish; 1 x cutting mat; 1 x ruler; 1 x craft knife; 2 x sheet of Canford card; 1 x roll of masking tape; 1 x hammer; nails; used newspapers; photo frames (up to four with these materials)



















The old photo frames were sourced from charity shops, with all of the other supplies from www.cowlingandwilcox.com. A mid-grey tone of paint was chosen to cover the existing brown and gold frames – if you select a pale shade you may need to coat the frames in primer spray paint first. As a contrast to the grey framing, Canford card in turquoise and pale blue was used as mounts.

Separate the glass and card that sits in the frames and set to one side. Using your newspaper to protect your working area, lay out the frames. If they have metal claws that hold the glass and card in, pull them out so that the frames sit up off the newspaper, as this allows you to spray the sides properly.



















Shake the spray paint continually for a minute, then spray each of the frames in a thin coat of the paint, taking care to do the corners and sides. Leave for half an hour and then touch-test the first frame you sprayed – if it is dry, repeat the process. Once you have an opaque coat of paint, turn the frames and repeat on the back until you have the same finish.

Using the card or set-aside frame backs as templates for your new mounting, masking tape them to your Canford card, then place your cutting mat underneath and use the craft knife and ruler to cut out. Polish the glass that you removed earlier, place your photos on the mount card and fix the backs on to the frames.

Then it's time to grab your hammer and nails, and cluster-frame away.




Tuesday 3 April 2012

Trend: Salvaged lighting

Words by Emma Kay


Utility light fixtures have become a firm favourite amongst interior designers and householders alike. From table top to ceiling, this edit will illuminate your home.
Dramatic effect: for statement lighting that will be sure to inspire envy in your friends, try grouping these 50s Leipzig helmet lights, to add drama. (h) 64cm x (d) 36cm, £740, www.trainspotters.co.uk

Are you being served: give your hallway a touch of 1930s elegance with these department store opaline lights. (h) 36xm x (dia) 30.5cm, £180, www.skinflintdesign.co.uk
 
Be bold: if a pop of colour is required to balance a grey wall or two, these giant Czech down lighters in cherry red fit the bill. They can be sprayed in any RAL (metal paint) colour for orders of six or more. (h) 89cm x (d) 53.5cm, £460, www.trainspotters.co.uk













Anglepoised: if you've been searching for precision spot-lighting for your walls, look no further. This 1930s machinist's work light by Invisaflex has a brushed aluminum shade and black lacquered arm. (l) 90cm at maximum projection x (dia) 13cm, £320, www.skinflintdesign.co.uk 

Assembly line: minimalist hallway lighting doesn't get much more utilitarian. These communist-era bulkhead lights with prismatic glass were discovered unused in a Polish factory store room. (h) 30cm x (w) 17cm x (d) 15cm, £245, www.trainspotters.co.uk

Linear thinking: if graphic lines are your cup of stylistic tea, try this 1950s industrial fluorescent tube lamp with polished aluminum casing. (l) 1.58m x (h) 23cm x (d) 19cm, £POA, www.elemental.uk.com  

















Your name in lights: wooden letters seem to be atop every fashionable home's shelves these days, so dare to be different with 1950s illuminated shop signage. You can even group meaningful ones together to act as a personal installation art. £POA, www.elemental.uk.co.uk

Loud and clear: add interest to any living-room surface with this huge 1960s brushed aluminium German table lamp. Laterally adjustable, it has been rewired with black elephant braid cable. (h) 49cm x (l) 27cm x (dia) 39cm, £320, www.skinflintdesign.co.uk

Copper top: sprinkle some retro charm on to your desk space with this articulated vintage lamp. Created by Mark Beverton in the UK in 1950, it has a beautiful and rare copper base and shade. (h) 109cm x (d) 20cm, £1440, www.elemental.uk.com


Sunday 1 April 2012

Published: Are You Sitting Comfortably?, Project Magazine, March 2012

Set Design & Chair Edit by Emma Kay
Shoot Direction by Georgina Hodson
Photography by Beate Sonnenberg