inpired by: pallets & fancy tables

am totally in love with the use of pallets (aka skids) in design...  when i spotted this beautiful wall made of recycled pallets over at the always-inspiring blog poppytalk, it got me thinking...  rather than doing a wall (my new landlord might not approve!), i'm going to take the same idea and build a table!

as far as a table design goes i'm undecided.  i could go quite lo-fi and basic, or i could gear up a notch and try something that looks a little more challenging...  i think the pallet shape lends itself quite well to this table that i've been coveting: the simple & functional table/desk belonging to textile designer lotta jansdotter. i do so love all that lovely storage space - not to mention her other decorating tips for small-space dwellers!

something like this will be perfect in my new space - i'm moving house tomorrow!  even in an apartment of a respectable size - 800-900 square feet and two bedrooms - finding adequate storage is always on my radar.

and there are pallet ideas for every ability and space, not to mention budget. pallets can be found many places for free or nearly free - they seem to make the perfect building material!  i might have to try these other ideas too:

rustic glassware shelves 

toddler bed

more pallet shelves

outdoor coffee table

a gussied up version

and this amazing pallet house is a concept project designed to be transitional housing for those in need. i think the basic idea would translate well to a treehouse. oh, for the want of a tree to call my own! i'll have to tackle that whole matter after the table comes to fruition!

now, to find some pallets, post haste...

giving the tree the trim

we have just a small tabletop tree - one that's about 3 feet tall and not very realistic at all. we don't have room for a bigger tree (not without moving a chair into the hallway!) but i like it small anyway. one of the best things about a small tree is how easy it is to decorate! a small handful of decorations are enough, along with two strands of tangled lights.

i dug out some silver ornaments from last year - little balls and three sparkly glass owls that were hidden in a box marked "breakable hooters". and this year we changed things up a bit and added some new ornaments. there are some white and red acrylic squirrels and birch birds from lovably and some handmade felt smiling creatures that i whipped up.

i made these for my table at portobello west and thankfully had some extra leftover since i didn't make any specifically for us! these are my favourites of the collection - mitten, snowman, gingerbread house, matroyshka and polar bear. they're lovely soft wool felt, with embroidered faces and stuffed with a little organic cotton filling.

i love the tree this year - it makes me smile. happy holidays all - hope they're filled with good cheer and love.

lovely pinecones from lovely design

i was delighted this morning to see that sharilyn of local favourite lovely design has just issued a second, limited edition run of her beautiful conifers of canada and beautiful leaves of canada posters. they're hand-screened on coasterboard and measure 12" x 16".

i've had my sights on the pinecone poster for ages and am really looking forward to getting mine, framing and hanging it in our home.