apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I covet that clock. Anyone know where it's from?

sorry to be snooty, but they're actually called "magazine butlers" and those ones look a little ghetto.

I don't know why anyone would go to the trouble to do this. The original cardboard butlers are already printed with cute patterns.

And yes, I am going to throw the word "butler" around whenever I can.--snooty or not.

the clock is a kate spade, covet no more. if it is no longer available at her site, you can check ebay... cheers.

@MomlovesMod -- thank you for answering jwba's question about the clock! I love it as well.

he he he... butlers!

I grew up with that lamp on my bedside table, but mine had a pom pom shade. I'd forgotten about it, but I sure loved it.

If you look at the pictures closely, you can see air bubbles under the sticky papers covering the magazine holders. This is always the problem if you try to cover cardboard objects yourself. If you can live with the unprofessional look, you can do it yourself.

There are a lot of similar products available that are nicely covered. The trouble is the expense.

When I was last in NYC, I noted that Kate's Paperie was covering various sizes of cardboard boxes with your choice of papers. I can't afford their prices, but their professionalism is perfection.

There is a surprisingly high degree of craftmanship in a paper-covered cardboard box. Whether it's designed in advance in factory production or it's carefully done box by box by hand, it's there.

I think these are pretty cute! I wouldn't lay them out on a table with the magazine side out like this, but that's probably just to show the project... simple, easy, great for teens rooms, etc....

down here in the ghetto we use them un-papered … :-P

think that if i wanted a different pattern than the ready ones are, i would make them from scratch - enough cardboard around. and if you put in the effort, you can do them fine - takes a try or two at first, i guess, but it is not rocket science. it can be a fun project.

Sorry but they don't look good. A little nursing-home-crafty ...

It's quite possible to cover cardboard with paper and not have any air bubbles, ripples, or creases. The trick is to spread the paper very evenly with white glue (I use an old credit card) and then let it sit for a couple of minutes so that the paper has a chance to absorb moisture from the glue. This causes the paper to expand. You get bubbles and ripples when you put the paper on the new surface while it's still expanding.

The other thing you must do to get neat, professional results is to use a separate piece of paper for each side of the item you're covering. On some surfaces you will wrap half an inch of paper around the corners and the rest will be cut to fit (minus a bit to allow for paper expansion).

These are same techniques used when hanging wallpaper.

Hey jwba, it's not yellow, but this clock is on sale today in black at One Kings Lane for $25.

aw.. Blueprint and Domino...

Well for those of us that would like the streamlined look of many identical magazine BUTLERS, but can't afford the $20 leather ones, this is a great suggestion.

I am in the middle of a similar project with both the BUTLERS and photo boxes myself (and I'm ridiculously un-crafty!!). I am using fabric - takes about half a yard per box or BUTLER. It is actually really easy to avoid any bubbles. I iron well, then use Elmer's spray glue lightly on the exposed surfaces. Then I use a hot glue gun to cement the inside seams, and a few finger burns later, it's done :)

Honestly, they look great, and the ones above would too if it weren't for the mistake on the bottom of the right BUTLER.

One of the advantages to covering these is that they can end up sturdier, especially if you use something hearty like wallpaper.

I would love to know where that lampshade is from...anyone have some insight?

The wallpapered magazine organizers in this post are the best I've ever seen: http://stylenorth.ca/blog/2009/05/do-it-yourself-wallpaper-makeovers/