Saturday, August 30, 2003
Q. I am really into recycling, and I want to make some great accessories for my room. Do you have any ideas for me? -- Ken, 16, Miami.
A. Ken, it's great that you are into recycling; there are so many things you can do with items we throw away every day. One of my favorites is a shelf made out of large metal coffee cans. Take 10 of the 1-gallon coffee cans (schools toss out a lot of these cans because they are also used in canning fruit and applesauce) and scrub them until they shine.
Now I like color, so I like to spray-paint mine in different shades of blue. You could leave them silver if you like the way it looks; it's totally up to you. Silver will look more modern.
On the bottom of the can, drill two holes. After you do that, drill the cans into the wall in a pattern that you like. They can hold all kinds of things, but I like putting CDs in them.
Another great thing you can do is make a room divider or modern curtain out of those free AOL CDs you get in the mail. Simply drill a hole in the top and bottom of a CD and attach them together with paper clips so you have a string of about 10. Use two paper clips together so there is more space between the CDs. Seven strings of 10 CDs, and you have enough to make a window treatment. Attach seven eye screws every 6 inches to a 36-inch-long piece of 1-by-1-inch pine. Then attach that to your ceiling.
I like how the discs reflect the sun and cast light all over the room. It may take you a while to collect all of those CDs, but sometimes stores just throw them away, so ask around (also ask your friends and family to save theirs for you).
Good luck, and send me a photo so I know how it turned out!
XNeed help with your room? E-mail your question to markmontanonyc@aol.com. Mark Montano writes "Cool Room," a monthly room-makeover column in CosmoGirl magazine. He is also the author of "Super Suite: The Ultimate Bedroom Makeover Guide for Girls" and an award-winning fashion designer in New York City. For more information about Mark and his work, check out www.markmontano.com.