Using fabric for small decorating updates

February 19, 2009

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I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to show you all a few more of the quick, cheap updates I've made to our cozy office.

Earlier this week, I showed you the difference fabric made to the bookcase: I've used fabric a few other places in this room too. Ya'll know my hatred for cords. I mean....yuck, scrunched-up-face, HATE THEM.

I fell in love with this desk years ago (I miss you Bombay Company! Sniff.) and love it, but it also shows everything, including the cords:
That box is one everyone needs -- I throw every single random thing in that when people come over. And it serves as my foot rest. :) 

So I got $5 of fabric, squeezed my bootay back in the corner and hot glued the fabric to the back:

Buh bye cords:
I wanted a little more closed storage, and found a little storage chest/ottoman. 

Problem was I hated the fabric:

I covered it with an inexpensive olive fabric I found:
The goldfish are the added bonus you get when you bribe your two-year-old with them so you can finish this ten minute project. (This one really does take ten minutes!)

Viola! Perfect as a side table, ottoman, and to house big toy trucks:

Finally, what do you do when you repaint the whole room and the cushion you bought to match the old room doesn't work anymore?:

Huh. In this picture it matches perfect. Imagine that. 

Anyway...you buy fabric and wrap it around the cushion till you get it sewn!: There you go, each project took less than ten minutes, and what a difference they have made! 

This weekend I'll show you the entire room...I'm waiting on one more project to dry. :)

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February 19, 2009

Comments

  1. KimFebruary 19, 2009 at 10:55 PM

    I've never left a comment before, BUT I just saw that fabric at Joann's yesterday and could get the number for you? I love all your fun ideas!

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  2. SherriFebruary 19, 2009 at 11:06 PM

    Gotta laugh about the goldfish! Love the fabric on the desk, hides perfectly!

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  3. trishFebruary 19, 2009 at 11:11 PM

    That is so clever about the fabric in the back of your desk!
    Also, all of the other fabric touches look very nice. :o)
    Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

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  4. AnNicole@Our Suburban CottageFebruary 19, 2009 at 11:13 PM

    Oh c'mon, you know you just wanted to be fashionably late :).

    I love your fabric solutions! I especially love the cord cover. Genius I tell you.

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  5. AshleighFebruary 19, 2009 at 11:20 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeFebruary 19, 2009 at 11:22 PM

    I love all your ten minute projects. The fabric behind the desk to hide all the wire stuff was great as well as all the others. Anyway, I just love fabric. Hugs, Marty

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  7. AshleighFebruary 19, 2009 at 11:22 PM

    Yes! The fabric covering the computer cords is ingenious. I just found a new desk that I love at Target but was wasnt loving the idea of the cords hanging down and visible. My problems are now solved! The hubs will be thrilled ;)
    The new green storage chest is very cute too.

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  8. CMBFebruary 19, 2009 at 11:26 PM

    I never would have thought to use the fabric behind the desk...what a great idea!

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  9. Journey on! by KelleyeFebruary 19, 2009 at 11:30 PM

    pretty neat stuff there- you always do such good work!

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  10. WendyFebruary 20, 2009 at 12:01 AM

    Fabric behind the desk?? Fabulous!! Okay, so tell me what you do about phone cords!! I HATE the phone cords everywhere in my kitchen.

    The office looks great, and the ottoman, too!

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  11. philben5February 20, 2009 at 12:07 AM

    What a great idea to cover all of the cords in the corner of your desk with fabric. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the inspiration!
    Blessings
    Roxanne

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  12. Jen @ tatertotsandjello.comFebruary 20, 2009 at 12:08 AM

    Great transformation ideas! I love the fabric panel that covers the cord!

    So great!

    Jen

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  13. savFebruary 20, 2009 at 12:19 AM

    thanks for the advice. love the blog.. i think i need to learn to hide cords... seems like i have extention cords everywhere... hmmm.. project anyone?

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  14. ErinFebruary 20, 2009 at 4:14 AM

    genius! i never would have thought to use such a cheap, quick, easy & totally effective way to hide cords. i'm definitely stealing this idea. thanks!!

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  15. DawnFebruary 20, 2009 at 6:36 AM

    Great ideas, Sarah! Thanks!

    -Dawn
    www.lifeateventuallycottage.blogspot.com

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  16. UnknownFebruary 20, 2009 at 7:32 AM

    Great idea, I can always count on you for those! Love the fabric covering the cords.

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  17. jamieFebruary 20, 2009 at 8:44 AM

    I love the fabric panel to hide those cords! So clever! Your blog is full of great things like this and I always enjoy reading your posts!

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  18. Lois ChristensenFebruary 20, 2009 at 9:16 AM

    I absolutely love how you used the fabric to hide the cords!! I have been after my hubby for such a long time to do something with all these cords under our computer desk! I may have to steal your idea!! Thanks so much for the ideas!

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  19. KellyFebruary 20, 2009 at 9:27 AM

    You rock girl!!

    I had this great idea....you can move in with me and be my roomate and I will give you total creative control over decorating my house. Sound good?? LOL

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  20. AnonymousFebruary 20, 2009 at 9:50 AM

    Love your pesky cord solutions!

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  21. Jennifer RichinsFebruary 20, 2009 at 10:33 AM

    Lovin' it! Thanks for posting such great ideas.

    So, when you covered the ottomon with the olive fabric, did you remove the old fabric, or did you just staple over the old stuff? Or hot glue?

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  22. ShannonFebruary 20, 2009 at 10:33 AM

    Love all of your 10 minute projects!! All the fabrics you pick out are so pretty.

    Thanks for the shout out. :) I can't wait to see your curtain!

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  23. ChrissyFebruary 20, 2009 at 10:39 AM

    I have never left a comment. But, I love your blog and all your ideas. You are so inspiring!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. JillFebruary 20, 2009 at 10:52 AM

    You never fail me! My mind is now boiling over with visions of fabric and glue! I NEED to de-clutter my spare bedroom, buuuuttttttt... I'd rather glue! :) Hooray for cheap, easy projects!!!!
    ~Jill

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  25. Lazy Mom LeslieFebruary 20, 2009 at 10:57 AM

    Great projects as always! Fabric makes such a huge difference!

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  26. aliannFebruary 20, 2009 at 11:24 AM

    Love your cord covering solution. We have way too many cords showing around here and I need to get busy with some solutions. Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  27. TardevilFebruary 20, 2009 at 12:41 PM

    Please tell Knittingnirvana (or however it's spelled), that I had my master bath painted chocolate brown, and have never looked back. I'll post photos if she wants to see. It looks SOOOOOOOO much that builder's beige that was making me want to puke E-VER-Y SINGLE DAY!

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  28. Free Art PrintablesFebruary 20, 2009 at 1:45 PM

    Thanks for answering my question! *sigh* I'll have to love that fabric form afar! MY bath is Choc brown too and I love it! It's so rich looking!

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  29. AnonymousFebruary 20, 2009 at 3:01 PM

    My cheapo cord-hiding solution is duct tape. I just tape the cords to the backs of table legs, bookcases, etc. Fabric is a MUCH prettier solution!

    ReplyDelete
  30. knittingknirvanaFebruary 20, 2009 at 3:22 PM

    So, I am happily reading along and then all of a sudden you are talking to ME! Very good points! Thank you!!

    I'll be informing my husband tonight that it is 2 to 1, oh no wait Tardevil makes it 3 to 1.

    ReplyDelete
  31. knittingknirvanaFebruary 20, 2009 at 3:22 PM

    So, I am happily reading along and then all of a sudden you are talking to ME! Very good points! Thank you!!

    I'll be informing my husband tonight that it is 2 to 1, oh no wait Tardevil makes it 3 to 1.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Girly StuffFebruary 20, 2009 at 3:40 PM

    I like how you hid the cords!

    You are so busy and productive. You must take vitamins! Is that your secret?

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  33. Valarie LeaFebruary 20, 2009 at 4:22 PM

    Love the fabric to hid the cords! I hate hate hate cords!

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  34. UnknownFebruary 20, 2009 at 4:48 PM

    All your fabric is great! I love putting fabric in rooms. Instant art and color.

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  35. Rachel LundyFebruary 20, 2009 at 8:24 PM

    Great idea to glue fabric to the back of the desk! My computer cords drive me crazy.

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  36. DanaFebruary 20, 2009 at 9:15 PM

    Everything looks great! I like your style...

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  37. AmandaFebruary 20, 2009 at 11:44 PM

    I love everything! What a great idea for hiding cords!

    And thanks for the bookshelf backed with fabric idea. I'm going to be attempting it on my own very soon! Wish me luck!

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  38. MeredithFebruary 21, 2009 at 2:43 AM

    I especially love that you use the word Grody. I thought only me and my Aunt Shelly said that! You are awesome!

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  39. Precision Quality LaserFebruary 21, 2009 at 2:45 AM

    Love the creative concealment for the cords! Awesome! When I finally get a grown up computer desk I am going to remember that little tip!

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  40. Jules from "The Roost"February 21, 2009 at 9:47 AM

    Great idea's with fabric! :)

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  41. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2009 at 8:29 PM

    You are a genius! I ~LoVe~ the idea to drape fabric to hide cords. I am SO doing that!
    Thanks so much!
    Rebekah

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  42. UnknownFebruary 22, 2009 at 8:55 AM

    The fabric covering the cords is genius!

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  43. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2009 at 4:33 PM

    *Love* the idea of fabric behind the desk!! I may steal this for my son's bookcase!

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  44. The NesterFebruary 22, 2009 at 6:25 PM

    nice work TDC!

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  45. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2009 at 9:04 PM

    Clever! Clever! Clever!

    ReplyDelete

If you have a specific question I will do my best to answer you back here!

You can find our paint colors and links to items at the "Our Home" tab at the top of my site.

THANKS so much for reading!