GLOBAL EXPLORATION IN DIY DESIGN

10/21/2016

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It was a glorious weekend to look for junk. Well at least that is what their calling it and we all know the saying, "One man's junk is another man's treasure." I hear that! Read more about our DIY globe works of art.

Thrift shopping for old globes for DIY decor

My littlest design assistant hunted down these perfect globes at a local vintage fair Junsktock

Hunting for DIY gold

It was our favorite time of year again for a visit Junkstock, an awesome local Omaha vintage fair. It's main ingredient is old stuff, with a dab of new, a dash of music, handfuls of smiles, a spoonful of yummy eats, a hint of country and a whole lot of FUN. I'm always on the hunt for something in particular for a project and this Fall I was all about old globes. It was a treat to find them all in one place, but there was so much good stuff to take in that we got a little junk-drunk and veered off now and again. But that's where the fun is to be had.

With globes in hand we packed them up and headed back to the house to start turning each one into a unique custom design piece that would be featured in a nursery or kids room. What I love about this project is that the possibilities are endless. That was exactly my problem, I was having trouble nailing down what I wanted to do with these three. This time I was preparing them not for a particular client or room style, rather for an appearance on a local news show, First at Four. The topic was DIY, "Turning Junk Finds into Children's Decor Gems". I wanted to show a breath of styles that might appeal to various audience viewers

Now you may have seen these sort of globe art on Etsy or even at retailers like Anthropologie selling for $150 and upwards to $250. Which makes our DIY costs of about $40-55 a real design steal. All the globes we purchased were around the $20 price point – with the exception of the taller one which we snagged for just $30. There were plenty of similar globes selling for $35+, but when it comes to these sort of projects where you are completely covering an object, the cheaper the better. You do want to to get one that has a surface that is in good condition. Depending on the kind of design you are doing, it's ok if it has raised areas like on land. But if it is raised all over the globe, unless you are covering it with some other material that will hide it you will want to leave that one on the table. In fact, we picked up one of those and you can see what clever way we disguised these "flaw".

The other supplies will run you the cost of some paint or art markers, typically running around $10-$20.

In the end I landed on creating one that could be interactive, one tactile and one more graphic. I also just finished a sweet one for a client that I will share below as well.

Message me

The first globe design was inspired by a modern, Nordic style. We wanted it to be bold, but fresh looking. We also liked the idea of an interactive piece, working back in some functionality. Using a chalkboard paint to recreate the continents allows for a place for notes, messages that can be erased and new ones re-written.

My design assistant inspects his first globe - yep this is a keeper! Purchased $30

Original standing globe begged to be freshened up

Cardboard creates a simply paint booth – spray paint outside or in well ventilated space

Tape up metal support

Spray two or three light coats

2-3 light coats to cover wood

Gold metallic spray paint to spruce up base

Prepped and ready for continent shapes. Wipe all unwanted pencil lines away with a Magic Eraser

Target - Chalkboard Paint, $14.99

Chalk paink allows you to write and erase messages to your kiddos

Write and erase special messages with a chalkboard pen

Chalkboard pens are mess free! Michael's, $14.99

DIY Globe Decor idea chalk message board

The final piece is stunning and ready to be placed in a new home

Express yourself

Do you have a favorite saying? Personal phrase you use often? Or do you simply want to work in some custom color and wording that is inline with your room's design?

Whatever the case the world is your oyster and you can change an old globe to any color scheme and add any wording you like.

This original globe was petite and perfect for a specific client who wanted one just like it they saw on Etsy that cost $175. This one was done for $35, including cost of globe and supplies.

The base and support screwed off making it easy to suspend in the air for spray painting.

A smooth chalk paint look was created with special spray paint. Michael's, $11

The dull chalky finish gives a nice contrast to the metallic gold marker used for the lettering

Use a high quality metallic marker on painted surface, Hobby Lobby - $4.99

Voila! This piece was custom made for a client and her ballet & Parisian inspired room

Fur Sure

When picking out this globe my assistant noticed it had a raised surface all over it. Hmmmm, how could we refinish this one?

Most of the inspiration you find show painting to create a new look. So after walking down the isles at a local craft store I found myself in the fabric department. I thought why can't we create a new texture all together, something soft that might have you interacting with this globe design all together differently – thus the on-trend of faux fur came mind.