Van-Lifers, Full-Timers and Faux Leather

jandofabrics vanlife rv

With more and more people taking to ‘van-lifing‘ throughout the year and ‘full-timing‘ in their RV’s, so comes an increase in DIY upholstery projects. And whether taking to the road to get rid of the cold or to simply experience life on another frequency, when it comes to outfitting and personalizing an RV / van for resiliency, never underestimate the power faux leather / vinyl upholstery has to add a touch of individuality and comfort in a way that is completely transformational!

Face Mask Life Hacks For the Visually Challenged

 

5 Things Novice DIYers Need To Succeed

5 things novice DIYers need to succeed

courtesy andrea piacquadio

 

From struggling millenniums and independent ladies, to seasoned craftsmen and ambitious weekend warriors, over the last several years ‘Do It Yourselfer’s have been growing in numbers. In fact, the once labeled DIY ‘trend’ has become less of a simple money saving notion, and more of an empowering, value-driven movement. A movement inspired by the mindset of self-sufficiency and sustainability. A movement that according to Venveo DIY marketing trend reports,  is here to stay for awhile.  With this in mind, we want to share our list of five things novice DIYers need to succeed as they research, start, work through, and complete their DIY projects… no matter how big or small.

D.I.Y Singing Bell Craft Project

 



Throughout various cultures around the world, bells have historically held a multitude of meaning and purpose. Bells symbolize beginnings and endings. They are rung at weddings, funerals, during meditation and to raise our vibrations. Bells warn us and call our attention. They commence fights and finish them, and alert us of livestock movement. Bells inform us of guests and signal the readiness of palate pleasing nourishment. Simple soundful metal craft for some, sacred singing bell for others, these handcrafted creations have served communities for thousands of years.

MacKenzie Childs Inspired DIY Home Decor

 

Inspired by the whimsical and quirky stylings of MacKenzie Childs, the mixing and matching of complimentary palates with contrasting prints offers a baseline theme to build creatively on in this inspiring layout featuring stripes, plaids, and polka dots in a pastel color wave.

Vibrantly hued accents are like candy for the eyes! Orange and pink polka dots provide a playful contrast to both the granny apple green /white swirls and the black/white stripes. An accent table goes from so-so to so-fun when embellished with rickrack-bordered fabric on top and coordinating print on the drawer facing. A no-sew striped pillow cover offers an added comfort to a seating staple. Accented with black beaded trim, the flirty lampshade in pink/white offers is share of feminine charm. For eye-catching artwork that can be hung on a wall or placed on a tabletop, fuse your choice of fabric onto an artist canvas and applique a flower in the center.

 

The Creative Makings Of A Man Cave

Al Bundy had one in his garage where ‘No Ma’am’ meetings were held on the sitcom Married With Children. Doug Heffernan had one in his garage equipped with a big screen TV, beer fridge, and a couch where Doug and his friends watched football, baseball, boxing, and drank beer in peace away from his wife and father-in-law on the TV show The King of Queens.  The ‘Man Cave’...a metaphor used to describe a male retreat space or sanctuary usually in the basement or attic of a house or in a specially equipped garage where women are banned and the fella’s call ‘home’. A space designated for guys to do as they please without fear of upsetting any female sensibilities of home decor. ‘The last bastion of masculinity,’ as described by Tufts University’s Paula Aymer where “No one is going to make you watch your p’s and q’s, ” according to writer Sam Martin.  Whether all the above or just a room where a man can simply go and unwind from the day in his own undisturbed way, indulge in hobbies, play video games or watch tv with the ‘boys’, the ever cherished man cave varies in design and purpose revealing the most valued parts of each man and more. In Ode to man’s little piece of heaven here on Earth, the staff  at J&O fabrics are sharing a few ‘man cave’ ideas and tips to help recreate them for yourself.

DIY Shower Curtain With Outdoor Fabric

 

 

When we think about Sunbrella or outdoor fabric, we tend to visualize its purposeful and stylish use on patio furniture, awnings, and umbrellas. But what about its use as a custom-made shower curtain? Afterall,  like the acrylic based fibers found in Sunbrella, most outdoor fabrics consist of an equally water and mildew resistant polyester blend that is both durable and easy to clean. While one can use almost any fabric to create unique visual bathing experiences, the use of an outdoor fabric negates the necessity of an additional shower liner for protection and makes available to us some really beautiful designs that we might otherwise not consider.

Coloring Your Living Space With the Color Wheel

color wheel

The color wheel is an invaluable tool that teaches us how hues relate to each other and how they can be combined to create harmonious, cohesive color schemes. Featuring an illustrative organization of colors around a circle, it has become a favorite of designers, artists and do-it-yourselfers looking to revitalize their living spaces. The wheel makes color relationships easy to see by dividing the spectrum into 12 basic hues: three primary colors, three secondaries, and six tertiaries.

  • Primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. These colors are pure, meaning you can’t create them from other colors. At the same time, they are the three basic colors from which all other colors are created.

Ask Netfah: Grandmother’s Cording

Dear Netfah,

I am an artist and do-it-your-selfer from the millenial generation who inherited bags of assorted trim and cording from my grandmother who was a seamstress for what seems like FOREVER! One of my past time hobbies is refurbishing and reupholstering antique furnishings into funky works of art. There is a big project I agreed to do for a client of mine that requires corded scarlet trim around the perimeters of her dining room chairs but I am short yardage of the particular color she wants. I do however, have the same exact color in a lipped version.

Go Green Gina: Fast Fashion vs Ethical Fashion

We are living in the age of fast fashion vs ethical fashion , where textile mills and design houses are now belting out new fashions almost 52 times a year instead of at the standard semi annual rate. Where the fashions are cheaper and the mentality cultivated  in consumers is one of waste. The desire for instant gratification and an embedded, incessant need for the latest ‘in’ thing means once a new trend comes in, the easily affordable fashions are now disposable before they really had a chance to get any wear really. And since the new fashions are more accessible to the masses, what’s the incentive in saving them anyway? Do we really need to over-consume like this to make us FEEL rich or successful inside? And are we taking a moment to even question what the price being paid is on the other side?