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The peaceful summer nights may be coming to an end but that doesn’t mean you can’t have warm fairy light lanterns in your home year-round. While fairy string lights can be a cheap and simple accessory, the hard part is finding the perfect lantern to show them off in. Don’t worry though, we at Decoist have created a DIY lantern that is simple, chic, and easy to customize to whatever your decor style is!

Take a look at how to craft your own DIY fairy light lanterns and read below for step-by-step instructions, quick product links, and pro-tips.

Supply List:

1. 1/4 cup water
2. 1/2 cup cornstarch
3. Large bottle of Elmer’s Clear Glue
4. Roll of yarn — You can choose whatever color you want! We chose coral color yarn for one lantern, a crisp white yarn for our second lantern, and jute twine rope for our third lantern
5. Balloon
6. Fairy string lights — This six-pack is battery-operated, comes in multiple color options, and has a 7ft or 10ft option depending on the size of your lantern and how bright you want it to be! We chose the warm white in the 7ft length.
7. Large bowl and fork
8. Pencil

Step #1:

Start by preparing your glue mixture. Use a fork to mix 1/4 cup of water, 1/2 cup cornstarch, and the entire bottle of glue in the large bowl. Make sure it ends up with a smooth texture. You want the cornstarch the be completely dissolved and for the mixture to have no white lumps.

Pro Tip: We used Clear Elmer’s Glue to ensure that the color of our yarn didn’t change

Step #2:

Take your balloon and blow it to the desired size. Once it’s the size you’re comfortable with for the lantern, spray the balloon with PAM cooking oil or cover with vaseline. This will ensure that the string doesn’t stick to the balloon. When the balloon is covered, place it on top of a plastic cup with the tied-end facing up.

Step #3:

Unwrap your ball of yarn and submerge it entirely in the glue mixture for a few minutes—we used a coral color yarn, a crisp white yarn, and jute twine rope for our three lanterns. Once all the yarn is covered in the glue mixture, tie one end of the string tight around the top of the balloon.

Step #4:

Begin to pull lengths of the string out of the glue mixture while wiping off any excess glue. Start by wrapping the yarn 5-6 times vertically around the balloon. Once you’ve finished your vertical wrapping, place the balloon back on the cup and spin the balloon as you wrap horizontally, diagonally, or any whichever way you please!

Pro Tip: You might be tempted to switch between vertical and horizontal wrapping at first, but a few vertical wraps to start will give your lantern extra stability. You can also circle the balloon mouthpiece a few times for extra support.

Step #5:

Let the yarn and balloon dry for 24-48 hours.

Step #6:

Once dry, gently poke the balloon through the lantern holes using the rubber eraser end of your pencil. This will help to separate the yarn from the balloon. Once you’ve separated the yarn and balloon enough, then go ahead and POP! the balloon.

Step #7:

Pull out the pieces of broken balloon and then, using an Exacto knife, shave off any pieces of dried glue hanging from the lantern.

Step #8:

Insert your fairy string lights through the lantern and enjoy! These can even be made into pendant light shades. Simply make sure to leave a hole large enough for a pendant kit like this set or four matching ones from Amazon to go through. An Edison bulb will add an extra vintage feel. Then you can hang it over your kitchen table, island, or any room in the house!

Pro Tip: Create a circle with one end of your fairy lights. That will stop them from poking out the other side as you feed the lights through.

These round lanterns can be hung inside or outside, laid on the ground to illuminate a path, or placed on a bookshelf or fire mantle. For extra protection outside, spray the entire lantern with a clear Rustoleum lacquer spray. Share where you decided to place them in your home by connecting with us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

You're reading DIY Fairy Light Lanterns That Perfectly Blend Rustic and Chic, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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There are many different routes one can take when it comes to home renovation. Many in recent times prefer he idea of just adding a rear extension to the existing home while keeping much of the original home as unaltered on the outside as possible. On other occasions a home simply demands an extensive makeover that completely alters its interiors and gives it a whole new, modern vibe. But this gorgeous home in Santa Monica finds the perfect balance between the old and the new as the creative folk from Studio Allen Architects brought restrained modernity to a timeless Spanish Revival style home. The fusion veers more towards the classic than modern and feels just picture-perfect!

Front facade of the Spanish Revival home in Santa Monica that was sensibly renovated by Studio Allen

Many of the original features of the home that give it the Spanish Revival style have been improved while modern ergonomics and shelving has been woven into the mix. Beautiful patterned tiles in the kitchen and around the fireplace bring color to the neutral interior while dark ceiling beams make an impact in almost every room of the house. Classic lighting fixtures elevate the unique style of the home further and a flood of natural light ensures that there are absolutely n dull corners anywhere.

Colorful use of tiles and pattern for the classic staircase inside the Spanish Revival home

Decorating the hallway beautifully with Mediterranean style windows and gallery wall

Mediterranean style living room of the Spanish Revival home in Santa Monica that has sensibly renovated

Living room of the home with open shelves, closed cabinets and exposed wooden beams

Dark ceiling beams, custom built-in bench with storage and large windows give this dining space a modern Mediterranean vibe

The renovation has been carried out to carefully preserve the original flavor of the house and the floor plan was altered to meet the demands of a more modern lifestyle. Balanced, charming and filled with brilliant yet curated pops of color, this is a renovation that is one-of-a-kind. [Photography: Joe Schmelzer]

Pattern-filled tiled backsplash and a gorgeous blue island bring color into this kitchen with modern and Spanish influences

Closer look at the colorful tiled backsplash of the renovated kitchen

Master bathroom with modern touches of the Spanish Revival home in Santa Monica

Lovely private deck of the house with fabulous sitting space that combines casual with comfortable

You're reading Timeless Chic: Sensible Renovation of Historic Spanish Revival Home in Santa Monica, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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Staying indoors for what seems like an endless period of time can be really frustrating and with no actual end in sight of the Covid-19 pandemic, there comes a time when we desperately want to spend at least some quality time outside the walls of our home. A small picnic on the poolside deck, a refreshing break on the balcony or a little time each evening with your family on the porch can all give you a pleasant break from the routine. But an even more wonderful option is the idea of a fabulous home-cooked dinner that you can enjoy leisurely along with some quality family time while finding complete safety on the rooftop! And what makes this experience truly complete is the perfect rooftop kitchen.

Expansive rooftop kitchen of lavish Mediterranean home with a view to match its splendor [From: South Coast Architects]

Alfresco dining is increasingly becoming common with homeowners across the globe as they try to find connectivity with nature outside while breaking the monotony of daily life. But rooftop kitchens are far less common because they are lot more demanding in terms of resource needed and not many of us live in regions of the globe where we can cook outside for majority of the months each year. But if you do have a rooftop with space to spare and the desire to create a more complete outdoor social zone, then these rooftop kitchens promise to deliver ample inspiration and great design ideas –

A Restaurant Experience

Having an alfresco dining space in the backyard is very different with one on the rooftop for several different reasons. For starters, you tend to have a lot more privacy, especially if there are no other tall buildings around your home. You can also enjoy the wonderful view on offer – views that can range from distant mountains or a beach to brilliant view of the city skyline. Adding a kitchen to this space ensures that both you and your guests (or family) can all spend quality and you will not have to move back and forth from your main kitchen to serve hot delicacies. It makes the whole ‘eating outside’ experience that much more authentic and special.

Beach style outdoor kitchen with a view of the ocean in the distance

Delightful outdoor living space complete with outdoor kitchen, fireplace and a shade that brings Mediterranean touches to it [From: Unique Landscapes and Custom Pools]

Fabulous covered rooftop kitchen and bar with a social zone that matches its style [From: Egue y Seta]

Awesome rooftop outdoor kitchen with a cheerful beach style and a covered dining space next to it [From: Teale Architecture]

Functionality First!

You would want to start off with the basics before you thing about things like styles and materials. First, take into account the water and gas supply lines that you will need for the kitchen and where you can place the kitchen in relation to them. You would also want to ensure there is adequate gap between the kitchen and the actually dining and social zone so that it does not feel too congested. Account for shade, how the kitchen interacts with the other spaces next to it and also if you need protection from rain and snow. Think of functionality before you start picking the dining table, chairs and other cozy seas of the rooftop hangout!

Small rooftop kitchen in the corner with space-savvy design and barbecue zone [From: Rae Duncan Interior Design]

Combine the garden and rooftop dining experiences with the best of both worlds!

Making most of the limited space on the roof with a U-shaped outdoor kitchen with granite countertops [From: Modern Rustic]

Rooftop escape of San Francisco home with small kitchen and barbecue in the corner [From: Studio Revolution]

Styles, Sizes and Features

Once you have the structural features of the outdoor kitchen sorted, it is time to move on to the aesthetic conundrums. Modern and minimal styles are the most popular choices at the moment with a bit of rugged industrial charm thrown into the mix. You can let the dining space next to kitchen also determine its overall style and color scheme. Opt for finishes that will last the test of time and are easy to maintain. A BBQ zone is often a must here and the best outdoor kitchens are those that just become an unassuming part of the picture-perfect rooftop hangout.

Modern minimal rooftop kitchen combines polished exposed concrete finishes with wood [From: kobayashi 401 Design Room]

Rooftop garden with an outdoor kitchen that combines two different experiences [From: Positive Garden]

Expansive rooftop hangout of New York home with a fabulous contemporary kitchen and ample seating [From: NH Design Studios]

You're reading Rooftop Kitchens: Outdoor Dining Experience Served with Style!, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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