HOLIDAY: Mid-Mod Holiday Wreath

Welcome to my 2025 holiday theme!

After spending a week out in Palm Springs soaking up the mid-century modern vibes, I was inspired to create Christmas decorating projects in a fun 'Mid Mod Holiday' theme!

Created with simple materials, clean lines, and a monochromatic color scheme, they're all easy to create, and all of them utilize an item that you can easily find... as a matter of fact, you've seen this material before! My last pumpkin creation of fall was painted with green leafy motifs, inspired by the shape of the leaves in this pattern:

It's a VINYL PLACEMAT! From Dollar Tree!

They cost just $1.50 each. I bought 18. (See them online on the Dollar Tree website - but they aren't sage green as described, they are a minty green) You can also see other patterns and colors that might work for you here! [Not an Ad]

I've been cutting and bending and gluing them into various decorating elements, and I hope this series inspires you to give a new material a try!

Continue reading for details and full tutorial...

HOLIDAY: 'Mid-Century Modern' Inspo

 

A week ago, I was searching for something on my retail design blog, and found an old post featuring the lovely vintage book shown above. Since I spent last week relaxing out in Palm Springs (and doing some vintage shopping + thrifting!), I thought it would be fun to share that post here before I jump into this year's holiday creations...

Way back in 2007, I found the book shown above at the glorious Goodwill outlet in Seattle, which means I paid about forty five cents for it! I just love old books - the illustrations and covers are true art.

I began flipping through the book right there in the store, and was captivated by the holiday decorating ideas that were popular back in 1953 when this book was published. Since I never know WHERE inspiration is going to take me, looking back at the past often jump-starts new interpretations of those ideas for my own creations.

Sadly, this book and many, many others left my possession back in 2011 when everything about my life changed in an instant. I sure wish I had a copy now!

Edited to add: OK... I am WEAK, people. Immediately after typing that paragraph, I got online to search for a used / secondhand copy of this book. I searched Half Price Books - no luck. A seller on Etsy HAD one, but Deb is cheap and is NOT paying $35! So I checked ThriftBooks, and they had it for just $15! I immediately ordered - and it arrived *just* before I left for Palm Springs!

 


I've now poured over the book to pull more fun inspiration for you! Ready for an inspiring time warp?!

Continue reading...

Published! Country Sampler Farmhouse Style Winter Issue

November has just begun - and this is the perfect way to transition into Holiday content!

I just received the new Holiday/Winter issue of Country Sampler's Farmhouse Style Magazine in the mail, and one of my past projects is included!

Back in January of 2023, I shared my yarn-wrapped glass vases here on the blog, as part of a series of winter-y home decor elements created with loopy white yarn.

Last fall, Susan Wagner at Annie's Publishing asked me if they could include my vases in this year's Winter issue... since it's always fun to have my projects available to people who haven't discovered my blog yet, of course I said yes! 

If you are visiting homeward found decor for the first time because you saw this project in the magazine, Welcome! And thank you!

Continue reading for more photos, as well as links to my original project tutorials...

AUTUMN: Cathrine Holm-Inspired Painted Pumpkins

It's a bit hard to believe that this is the LAST pumpkin design for this year!
I've had fun coming up with new ideas for you.... including this one.

The inspiration for them came from the green placemats seen in the photo.
When I found those in the dollar store last month,
I fell in love with the leafy elements in the print -

and planned on using them for something ELSE!

Then I looked again, and realized why I like it!

Continue reading to see my inspiration for this project + tutorial...

AUTUMN: Faux Tree Bark Pumpkin

One of my lovely long-time readers messaged me recently,

asking if I am planning to share any specifically Halloween decor ideas this fall.

I replied privately, but will share with all of you that no, I am not.

I'm just not into Halloween anymore, even the 'cute' side of it.

Back in January 2024, I decided to focus on creating for seasons not holidays

and my content has reflected that. Yes, I DO create for Christmas!

(The 'Holidays' are the fifth season and there's no escaping it!)

My fall content focuses mostly on pumpkins (IYKYK) and leaves, 

and on bringing the beauty of the season indoors

 to enjoy from September through November.

Today's project is a new way to replicate nature: faux tree bark.

I've had fun experimenting and coming up with techniques

that you can do to re-create my project... continue reading for my tutorial!

AUTUMN: Make 'Bumpy' Pumpkins With Loopy Yarn!

I've been so dang busy lately, I haven't been able to to create ANYTHING...
but when I found a hank of loopy green yarn in my stash, I had an idea,
and in a matter of minutes two elements became pumpkins -
so here ya' go, friends!

Continue reading for an easy-peasy tutorial that will help you
make a fun version of 'warty pumpkins' using loopy yarn...

AUTUMN: 130 Pumpkin Ideas from Deb!

 
Looking for DIY pumpkin decor inspiration and tutorials?
You've come to the right place - it's Pumpkin Season at hwF! 

CLICK HERE
to see every single one of the 130 different pumpkin posts 

that I have shared here on the homeward found decor blog - since 2012!

You'll see my most recent designs inspired by Taylor Swift:

You'll find past gatherings of greens, oranges, whites,
(which I just can't get to pull up together... sorry)
  yellows, tropi-FALL, and neutral pumpkins

that I have painted, collaged, covered in fabric, glued stuff to, 
and of course made using thrifted sweaters... 

including my top three original pumpkin decor tutorials,
with my Original Sweet Sweater Pumpkins:

Enjoy perusing my posts for new ideas and techniques
to help you create pumpkins that fit YOUR style and YOUR home decor!

Happy Fall, Y'all! 
~ Deb