Hardware Style: 100 Creative Decorating Ideas Using Materials from Every Aisle of the Home Center Store [Paperback]

Marthe Le Van (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 2004

It’s the most creative how-to book to come along in years, and it’s now at a great price! These 100 great ideas will change the way do-it-yourselfers look at their local home improvement center—and revolutionize home décor. With a layout inspired by the store’s floor plan, this abundantly photographed guide tours all the different departments, from plumbing to hardware, electrical to lawn and garden, suggesting a host of imaginative ways to use what’s on the shelves. Many of the projects take advantage of the latest decorating trend, repurposing, where items conceived for one function are used in an entirely different, original way. With only basic techniques, craft curtain tiebacks from welded chain, transform glass or metal screens into coasters, turn copper plumbing pipe into candleholders, and much more.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Repurposing--using common items in new ways--is "today's most acclaimed decorating practice," according to Le Van, who worked with several designers to create this collection of ingenious projects inspired by hardware. The projects, which include a plumbing parts candelabra and oilcan vase, are organized by the home-supply store departments (electrical, lumber, etc.) that inspired them. Clear, step-by-step directions will guide readers through construction, although some ideas, such as the hardware spice cabinet, involve no work at all--just the pure repurposing of a finished object. High-quality color photographs show off the finished products, pictured in stylish, often lofty interiors that work well with the industrial look of many designs. But readers who like a softer, more refined decorating style will also find plenty of ideas here. Free spirited, low cost, and attractive, these are projects that will suit a wide range of interiors and abilities and will appeal to do-it-yourselfers looking for creative home design. A list of suppliers and project templates close the book. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (December 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579906079
• ISBN-13: 978-1579906078
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #871,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marthe Le Van is an editor for Lark Jewelry. Since 2000, she has written, edited, juried, or curated more than 40 titles. The books she's authored on making jewelry include 30-Minute Earrings, 30-Minute Necklaces, Stitched Jewels, Prefab Jewelry, Fabulous Jewelry from Found Objects, and The Art of Jewelry: Paper Jewelry. Marthe has also served as the editor for all jewelry books in Lark's popular "500" series, as well as the juror for 500 Wedding Rings and the curator for Masters: Gold. She is a member of the Art Jewelry Forum and the Society of North American Golsmiths. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of Fun Ideas, July 4, 2004

By 

Virginia Allain "retired librarian" (Poinciana, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hardware Style: 100 Creative Decorating Ideas Using Materials from Every Aisle of the Home Center Store (Hardcover)

I mistakenly picked this up thinking it would show samples of cabinet knobs for my new house. Instead it takes utilitarian objects like steel pipes or locknuts to make unique home decorations.
Some look arty while others look just makeshift. Some are easy while others require some handyman skills. This really will get you to thinking outside the usual decorating, store bought stuff. I particularly liked the back-to-back fence caps turned into candleholders. The towel bar plus "S" hooks makes a great mug rack, while the upright can light teamed with a radiator grill makes a dramatic light stand for an end table.
Give it a try, for some unique projects.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now I see how shallow I've been..., October 26, 2007

By 

Ma Hen (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hardware Style: 100 Creative Decorating Ideas Using Materials from Every Aisle of the Home Center Store (Paperback)

I've always thought that I'm pretty creative in the home improvement store. My husband usually has to drag me out because I stand there gazing at whatever it is for ages while envisioning other uses. But now I know that I've barely scratched the surface of the great realm of possibilities...I will have to hide this book from my husband, before he hides it from me!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good of kind, September 13, 2011

By 

Mary A. Swaty (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hardware Style: 100 Creative Decorating Ideas Using Materials from Every Aisle of the Home Center Store (Paperback)

For fans of the industrial style. Best if you have your own supply of hardware parts (Hurrah for grandpa and his fifty-years-of-clutter workshop). This could get expensive if you have to buy new. More and better ideas than the similar Home from the Hardware Store: Transform Everyday Materials into Fabulous Home Furnishings.

I especially liked the Pipe Island. It should be scalable for many spaces. But for most stuff, I'll check the local thrift stores and Ikea for similar clean-lined items before trying hardware style.