Everyone's definition of whimsical varies. For one person, it could be a playful yet elegant bird motif on a favorite pillow, while for someone else, it could be complete Alice in Wonderlandwackiness. Or, like me, you could fall somewhere in the middle. Wherever you fall, it's easy to bring a bit of that magic into your world using items you already have in your home or that are easy to find at thrift stores and antique malls.
1. Even power cables can be cute with a bit of paper and washi tape.
The more we bring tech into our homes, the more our lives become a tangle of cables and ugly power blocks. Some can be hidden behind shelves or televisions, but those that are stuck out in the open shouldn't have to remain eyesores. Use paper and washi tape to turn those cords into cute vines, while at the same time keeping them firmly secured in place.
2. Stack your jewelry like books.
I love this jewelry box that looks like a stack of old books. You don't need to pay top dollar for the look, though. Make one yourself with a few wooden drawer boxes from your craft store, paint, and some vintage knobs.
3. Don't just toss those old egg cartons.
Instead, turn them into flowers and slide them over string lights to create a romantic atmosphere. A little paint and imagination can make any kind of flower you can think of.
4. Who says it's bad to be full of hot air?
Paper lanterns are inexpensive and cute on their own, but they can be a bit plain. With some paint, string, and imagination, turn those lanterns into whimsical hot air balloons and imagine your own 80-day trip around the world.
5. Feel like Sleeping Beauty with a canopy held aloft by friendly birds.
Nothing is more romantic than a canopy bed, and I love this idea of stringing little birds to the ceiling to hold one aloft. If you have the skill, you could make the birds, but you could mix and match plush toys as well.
6. You can't have whimsy without a unicorn!
There are lots of options for a playful terrarium, but unicorns are at the top of that list. Purchase a kit or collect the pieces yourself as you wander the enchanted forests. Personally, mine would have rainbows. Like, a lot of rainbows.
7. Turn animal-shaped honey bottles into vases.
For some reason, plastic honey bottles always seem to be in the shape of bees or bears. Don't toss them when they're empty. Instead, wash them really well and turn them into adorable vases. The tutorial used gold leaf, but you could just as easily use spray paint or decoupage to create your own look.
8. Turn spare or vintage buttons into bookmarks.
With a bit of hot glue and a paperclip, any old button can turn into a cute bookmark. Keep it simple with a classic flat button, or use vintage buttons like in the image below. A bit of felt on the back will cover the glue and protect your pages from getting caught on the back of the button.
9. Pom poms!
Who doesn't love pom poms? They're super easy to make, inexpensive, and feel great between the toes when turned into a cute rug. The volume can be turned high or low, depending on the colors and the size of the rug you choose to make.
10. Bring in the butterflies.
Create a chandelier or mobile with paper butterflies for a romantic touch. You could buy a kit or cut them out yourself. Use heavy card stock in colors of your choice. For some sparkle, you could even add in some vintage butterfly jewelry.
11. Make a trivet from your collection of pretty stones.
Rivers and beaches are covered in stones of all shapes and sizes, worn smooth by the water. When out for your Sunday walks, collect your favorites and make trivets for your kitchen. You just need a sturdy base and a quality adhesive to stick the rocks to it. For larger collections or bigger rocks, you could even make placemats to match.
12. Go down the rabbit hole with a teacup lamp.
For a more advanced project, turn vintage teacups and saucers into a lamp fit for a merry unbirthday.
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