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Houzz Tour: DIY Glitz and Glamour in Sweden
Swanky Decorating on a Budget is Artist Tina Sindahl's Passion
Hello there! I'm Erika Ward, Owner and Principal Designer of Erika Ward Interiors. It's my greatest pleasure to inspire you to live well, to live in style, and to extinguish the myth that style and budget are mutually exclusive. Read more about my design philosophy and my work at http://www.blulabelbungalow.com
Hello there! I'm Erika Ward, Owner and Principal Designer of Erika Ward... More »
Artist and blogger Tina Sindahl is a woman who knows what she wants, and when she doesn't find it, she makes it. Sindahl and her boyfriend took on a two-month renovation that would have left an average couple void of inspiration or energy to complete the decoration of their home in Norrköping, Sweden. But that was when Sindahl really put on the ritz and glitz to create a residence that would be the envy of the neighborhood. On her blog, Signed By Tina, she catalogs her inspiration for the home and also provides tutorials on her various do-it-yourself art and furniture projects.
You may find a bottle of glitter here, but there is nothing frivolous about the home's design. In this interview, Sindahl discusses her sources of inspiration and provides tips and advice for anyone who desires to create this look and make smart choices during renovation.
You may find a bottle of glitter here, but there is nothing frivolous about the home's design. In this interview, Sindahl discusses her sources of inspiration and provides tips and advice for anyone who desires to create this look and make smart choices during renovation.
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EW: Every room of your house contains something you have made or customized in some way, and in very good taste. Could I dare say creativity is one of your strengths?
TS: I love being an artist and finding inexpensive decorating solutions is my passion. Here in my bedroom I wanted it to design something masculine enough for my boyfriend to feel comfortable and something a bit feminine for me. I upholstered the headboard in brown velvet and of course trimmed it in upholstery nails. I made the cornice as well.
TS: I love being an artist and finding inexpensive decorating solutions is my passion. Here in my bedroom I wanted it to design something masculine enough for my boyfriend to feel comfortable and something a bit feminine for me. I upholstered the headboard in brown velvet and of course trimmed it in upholstery nails. I made the cornice as well.
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EW: The dressing room looks like the lounge of a swanky hotel. Is your style of dress similar to your home?
TS: I wish! I am daring when it comes to interior design but when it comes to my style I tend to keep it classic. Our dressing room is over the top but I think its a great room to go overboard in. A dressing room is a dream for many so why shouldn't it be all that?
TS: I wish! I am daring when it comes to interior design but when it comes to my style I tend to keep it classic. Our dressing room is over the top but I think its a great room to go overboard in. A dressing room is a dream for many so why shouldn't it be all that?
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EW: Aside from being an artist are you also a photographer? Love your black and white photos!
TS: Yes, I am an artist, and I just love to submerge myself in art. I love working with mixed media, as I think it gives art another dimension ... vinyl and glitter are some of my favorite media. We also have a lot of photographic art in our home. We have made self portraits of ourselves that hang on our living room. The rest of the photographs actually come from an American artist.
TS: Yes, I am an artist, and I just love to submerge myself in art. I love working with mixed media, as I think it gives art another dimension ... vinyl and glitter are some of my favorite media. We also have a lot of photographic art in our home. We have made self portraits of ourselves that hang on our living room. The rest of the photographs actually come from an American artist.
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| EW: What are some of your favorite places to shop for home décor?
TS: I absolutely love ZGallerie. They have so many stylish pieces for a really good price. I also buy a lot of second hand and antique pieces which I love to enhance or alter to suit our home. |
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EW: Your vinyl artwork is a very clever idea. What was your source of inspiration?
TS: I saw a purse once with this type of pattern. It immediately caught my attention and have been in love with the pattern since. I make a lot of vinyl art and people are crazy for it. It is also versatile as you could use other materials to get the same effect, like paper. See how she does it.
TS: I saw a purse once with this type of pattern. It immediately caught my attention and have been in love with the pattern since. I make a lot of vinyl art and people are crazy for it. It is also versatile as you could use other materials to get the same effect, like paper. See how she does it.
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| EW: I understand that your bathroom renovation was completed on a tight budget. How did you stretch your funds to create this showstopper?
TS: Instead of replacing the tiles, we painted them. We also added glitzy details like the Swarovski crystals on the towel bars and upholstery nails on a base cabinet from Ikea. |
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EW: When did your obsession with upholstery nails begin?
TS: It began when I saw a nailhead cabinet online. It was a designer piece with a price tag to match. I really wanted this cabinet, but overpriced furniture really annoys me so I decided to make my own. It is almost identical to the one I saw and it cost almost nothing. I took an IKEA cabinet and hammered away. It actually is one of my favorite pieces today.
TS: It began when I saw a nailhead cabinet online. It was a designer piece with a price tag to match. I really wanted this cabinet, but overpriced furniture really annoys me so I decided to make my own. It is almost identical to the one I saw and it cost almost nothing. I took an IKEA cabinet and hammered away. It actually is one of my favorite pieces today.
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| Swavorski crystals turn an ordinary towel bar into precious metal. |
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For Sindahl, creating her own artwork gives her home a more personal feel and provides an affordable way to add high style.
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| EW: How long did it take to complete your renovation?
TS: The whole flat has been renovated, floors, ceilings, walls, fittings ... everything! The structural work took two months. I worked in the flat all day, and my boyfriend came after he finished work. We then finished the decoration after moving in, so it has been a work in progress and it still changes. |
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Glass and lucite makes the dining room virtually invisible while emphasizing the openness of the space.
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| EW: Your kitchen went through a remarkable transformation. No one would ever believe that pine cabinets ever existed here. Bring on the shine, baby! I love the reflective quality of the backsplash, too.
TS: We initially wanted to install a large mirror, but opted for this chrome mosaic tile instead. My boyfriend loves it. |
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EW: What input did your boyfriend have in designing your home?
TS: He helped me with the structural work, but I'm afraid that I totally took over the design. I did all the planning, but we always went through the details together before we went ahead.
TS: He helped me with the structural work, but I'm afraid that I totally took over the design. I did all the planning, but we always went through the details together before we went ahead.
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| EW: What do visitors say about your home?
TS: I haven't heard any bad comments, it has all been good. I understand it may not be ideal for a family with small children, but for us it is perfect. It's fabulous if our home can inspire others. Visit Sindahl's blog, Signed By Tina. See more photos of her home here. More Houzz Tours: Soho Loft Shows the Warm Side of Modern Tour a Seductive Loft in Milan |
Ideabook updated on March 15, 2011.
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I've been thinking of using stainless steel tiles for my kitchen backsplash but don't like the idea of the fingerprints or possible dents. Chrome mosaics- what a great thought! Thanks for this and all your other gorgeous ideas.