Ombre is a color technique in which colors graduate into each other from light to dark. It’s also a recent color trend for hair, home and fashion.

The ombre technique is a great way to add color to your home in a surprising way. It’s also very calming and welcoming can add a sense of warmth to any room. Ombre can instill a bit of fun into your interiors and depending on how you use the trend, it can come across as sophisticated or as bohemian–it’s all how you style it.

The effect can shift from lighter to darker shades of one color or blend from one color to another color for a more dramatic effect. Creating the effect can be as simple as using 3 levels of gradient (e.g., from white to light blue to dark blue) or can involve many more transitions–all are on trend and stunning. In addition, the transitions can be sharply delineated with clear contrast between the gradients or the transitions from one shade to another can be gradual and subtle.

1. Dollar Store Spring Ombre Vases – take dollar store or thrift store glass vases and paint to these spring-inspired vases.
2. DIY Ombre Art – make your own wall art with some recycled plywood and paint. Use this lovely pink and white piece as inspiration.
3. Ombre Curtains -starting with plain white curtains and some Rit dye; it is possible to dip-dye your own pretty gradient curtains.
4. Ombre Furniture – bring an old piece of furniture back to life by adding some paint and the gradient technique, like this pretty 3-drawer secretary desk from white to hot pink or this peachy-keen ombre dresser.
5. Ombre Stair Railing – one great idea is to create an ombre effect with stairway balusters. What a gorgeous way to add color to your home!
6. Ombre Walls – create an ombre accent wall with this great how-to.
7. Ombre Rug – make a fun ombre yarn pompom rug with this great project tutorial.
8. Ombre Lighting – one idea is to DIY your lampshades using the ombre technique. This project uses yarn to create an on trend gradient look.

Related on Ecosalon

Master Bohemian Style for Your Home with DIY Projects

7 Graphic Patterns For Home Decor You Don’t Know the Names Of—But Will Now!

Oui! 5 French Country Decor Tips for Your Francophilia

Image: UptownHeirloomCo

The post 8 Great Ombre DIY Projects for Your Home appeared first on EcoSalon.

Ten great DIY printed summer shorts you can easily make at home.

Summer time is shorts time. Hot days and warm nights means you won’t have to wear pants for at least another few months. Cute print shorts are all the rage this season, and you can channel that trend without breaking the bank. Just get out some basic tools and make a few of these great summer shorts.

Scarf Print Shorts
This is the more summery version of the pajama pant (which will be all the rage this fall). You can easily make a great-looking pair of scarf print shorts from a vintage scarf and just a few basic tools. Find out how in this simple tutorial from a pair & a spare.

American Flag Shorts
Yes, I know it’s almost been a month since Independence Day, but I am still kind of stuck on American flag motifs (and I don’t think I’m the only one). You can easily make a pair of stars & stripes-inspired denim cutoffs using little more than fabric paint and tape – Ascot Friday will show you how. Show some American pride and wear them while cheering on your favorite athletes in the Olympics.

Leopard Print Shorts
Leopard print shorts have definitely hit mainstream this season, and I understand why, because they do strangely kind of go with everything. There’s no need to shell out big bucks for a pair, though, Cameo Blog shows you how to easily make a pair of these using just paper, an x-acto knife, a fabric pen (and a little bit of skill).

Cheetah Print Short
If leopard just isn’t your kind of print, try another wildcat, maybe a cheetah? It’s a little more unexpected. These ones are even faster and easier to make, as demonstrated by Mr. Kate.

Victorian Shorts
For a more romantic, sweeter take on the printed shorts trend, try making a pair from victorian fabric, following this tutorial from Trash to Couture. There’s a bit of sewing involved, but you’ll base them on your favorite pair of shorts so you can be sure that they will fit perfectly. And you can totally make these from any kind of fabric – the possibilities are endless.

Ombre Dip Dye Denim Shorts
I’ve seen dip dyed shorts on virtually every fashion blog out there this summer. Needless to say, they are very easy to make at home. What we like about these by Fashionotes is that they don’t use bleach (which we all should know by now is horribly bad for both humans and the environment). Pick your colors and start dipping and dyeing.

Fabric Applique Shorts
After seeing this style of shorts with a Mexican blanket pattern, I’ve been kind of obsessed. It’s very easy: pick a pair of shorts that you love (or find them at a thrift shop) but have grown tired of and a great fabric and put them together. This tutorial by Free People shows you exactly how to do it. Again, you can do this with any fabric so get creative.

Tribal Print Shorts
Tribal patterns are very on trend right now, and the great thing is that they are meant to be sort of imperfect, which makes it a great candidate for DIY. These ones by Made in Pretoria can be made in an hour or two, and instead of bleach you can start with a lighter color and use regular fabric dye.

Dip-Dye Star-Studded Shorts
This cool pair combines three hot trends into one pair of (equally) hot shorts – dip-dyed, American-flag inspired and star-studded. What we really love is the flattering placement of the studs, and you can do very easily do just that to any pair of shorts. This video tutorial by Daniela Tabois shows you exactly how.

Tie-Dye Shorts
Oh, how we still love tie-dye, that sweet old wardrobe staple of the free-wheelin’ 60s. This dyeing technique gives you a cool pattern which may be too much for a pair of pants, but are just perfect for a pair of short shorts. This tutorial by The Signature Bow demonstrates an easy way to do this, without resorting to toxic bleach. Peace out.

See Also:

10 DIY Bracelets You Can Make This Weekend

DIY: 10 Things to do With an Old T-Shirt

DIY: 10 Statement Earrings You Can Totally Make

The post DIY: 10 Summer Shorts You Can Make At Home appeared first on EcoSalon.