HOLIDAY: Mid-Mod Ornaments, Part 2

My last post showed you four of the ornaments I've been busy creating, and this post will share the last three mid-century modern inspired ornaments that I dreamed up.

Ready for THREE tutorials? Let's dive in!... 

HOLIDAY: Mid-Mod Ornaments, Part 1

My last post showed you a sneak peek of the ornaments I've been busy creating...
this post will share three of the seven I've created, plus a look back at one created and used on the first wreath of this year. My next post will cover the last three ornaments.

One of the ornaments I am sharing today utilizes some existing ornaments already in my stash - I'm zhushing them up with additions cut from the vinyl placemats that I have chosen as my primary material in this year's holiday decor. One of those cut shapes forms the second ornament, and an expanded version is used for the third ornament. 

Ready for some easy tutorials? Let's go!... 

HOLIDAY: Mid-Mod Ornament Wreath

I've been busily crafting unique ornaments using the vinyl placemats shared in my last post. They aren't quite ready for their debut on the blog yet, but I thought I'd share how I used ornaments to create another wreath that embraces Mid-Century Modern style (with a bit of Scandinavian vibes, too) using just ornaments and some ribbon. 

Since we all know that Deb doesn't just use ornaments on trees, I grabbed a few and re-decorated my fabric-covered foam wreath that you saw in my last post! 

Continue reading to see how easy it is...

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

AUTUMN: 'The Life of a Showgirl' Confetti Pumpkin

"Hi! I'm Deb... are you ready to SPARKLE?!"
Let's create the last of my four 'Showgirl Pumpkins'!

'4' has been completely re-done - AGAIN!
She has been bright warm yellow,
white with painted gold kintsugi 'cracks', 
white with brown-tone painted florals, also plain white,
and originally she was a weird orange at the thrift store.

In ALL of her 'former costumes', 4 has been lovely...
but now, she's really ready for the spotlight!

Read More for my easy tutorial....

AUTUMN: 'The Life of a Showgirl' Sequin Pumpkin

"Hi! I'm Deb... are you ready to SPARKLE?!"
Let's create the third of my four 'Showgirl Pumpkins'!

This sparkling glittering specimen was inspired by one of Taylor's outfits,
and I've combined several elements to transform a styro pumpkin
into one worthy of the spotlight!

Read More for my easy tutorial...

AUTUMN: 'The Life of a Showgirl' Graffiti Pumpkin

"Hi! I'm Deb... are you ready to SPARKLE?!"
Let's create the second of my four 'Showgirl Pumpkins'!

Using my favorite decorating tool - paint - 
I glammed up an item I already had in my stash,
which made it a pretty cheap makeover!
The only thing I bought for this was a small bottle of gold glitter glue.

Read More for my easy tutorial...

Autumn: 'The Life of a Showgirl' Sweet SPARKLE Sweater Pumpkin

"Hi! I'm Deb... are you ready to SPARKLE?!"
Let's create the first of my four 'Showgirl Pumpkins'!

And honestly, what OTHER kind of pumpkin
would you expect ME to start with - than a Sweet Sweater Pumpkin?!
Since creating the Originals way back in 2007,
I've come up with many versions of them over the years. 

This one is what I'd term an 'embellished' pumpkin,
because we're gonna' add an obscene amount of glitter to it
(along with a final detail that is SO perfect!) to make it spotlight-worthy!

Read More for my easy tutorial....

AUTUMN: 'The Life of a Showgirl' Pumpkins!

"...so, I wanted to show you something..."
 THIS is my brand new theme for this Autumn's seasonal decor:

With Taylor's new album releasing in just over a month,
I was inspired by her FUN theme + her wardrobe on the Eras Tour
to create some sparkly orange 'costumes' for my pumpkin 'showgirls'...

I've got FOUR fabulous pumpkin tutorials to share with you -
two are painted ceramic pumpkins and two are fabric pumpkins.
(and yes, of course one of them is a Sweet Sweater Pumpkin!)

Here's a quick Sneak Peek:

They're all glittery and sparkly and shimmery 
(one of them even has friendship bracelets!)
and the perfect addition to your autumn decor.
I'll be sharing four posts with four detailed tutorials,
one each Wednesday in September.

What a fun way to lead up to Taylor's album release on October 3rd!
(AND to celebrate her recent engagement to Travis Kelce!)

...even if you're not a fan of Ms. Swift, OR orange,
you can use my creations as a starting point to make your own
uniquely sparkly pumpkins. Maybe in BLACK! Or Green ;) 
(I'm stepping out of my 'Green Era' this month... but not forever!)

We'll get started on Wednesday, September 3rd...
Get ready to SPARKLE here on the blog!

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Tropi-FALL: Square Tiki Pumpkins

It's almost September - and that means it's PUMPKIN SEASON!

Back in August of 2020, I was BORED and came up with this fun idea for making unique tiki-style fall decor. I figured if you can paint on a pumpkin, you can paint something else to LOOK like a pumpkin.

After all, who needs plain ol' pumpkins when you can have TIKI pumpkins?!
(or - and hear me out - Disney character pumpkins or Harry Potter character pumpkins, whatever your vibe is!)

I recently realized that I've never shared them on the blog and since they fit right into my current Tropi-FALL vibe, now is a perfect time to remedy that.

Read More for an easy tutorial plus detail shots....

Ready for Tropi-FALL?!

August? Already?!

Not ready for summer to end? Neither am I!
But I can get on board with a different kind of 'summer into fall' decor...

So in this post, I'm going to re-share a roundup of my past creations that bridge the seasons of summer and fall with a beachy, coastal, tropical, tiki style vibe. I call it 'Tropi-FALL'! (And if you ARE ready for fall, you can jump right in!)

Putting them all in one post gives me a break from having to promote new blog posts each week this month, giving me space to enjoy time with friends at some fun events... because although the hot weather will last into October here, summer isn't sticking around forever. I want to enjoy it! (And yes, I'm testing out this 'one project/one post per month' method to see if it helps me with some things I have been struggling with.) 

Continue reading for a look back at four of my faves...

SUMMER: Tiki Punch!

This one is coming out of the archives, because it's just SO fun and easy for summer party decor! 

Like my last post, this is a paint project - because nothing can change the look of something faster then paint! It's also a pretty inexpensive way to add a fun touch to your decorating.

These Tikis were in Mom & Dad's backyard for over 20 years, and I featured their first 'makeover' as part of my 'Thrifty Weekend Makeover' series here on the blog back in 2016.

Well, we saved those tikis when we moved to the new house, but we didn't think we'd use them... except for a party, maybe. Our decor was decidedly 'wine country farmhouse' in style, and tikis just didn't fit.

When I saw some photos from Palm Springs Mid-Century Modern Week, an idea came to mind for an area of our backyard that needed a punch.

Continue reading for an easy 'how-to'!

SUMMER: repainted thrifted signs

Turning one thing into something ELSE is my 'schtick'. 
Giving something a fresh look so it fits my decor colors and theme is part of that.

My favorite thing to give a 'makeover' to is signs - wood, metal, ceramic, paper, plastic - because I can indulge my love of painting and in just minutes have a whole new item to add to our home.

All of the signs in the photo up above have been given a makeover - simple applications of acrylic paint that completely changed the look of what I found!

I promise that it isn't hard to do - continue reading and I'll show you the before, during, and after of every one of those signs. It's LONG, but you'll learn a lot!

SUMMER: Vintage Sheet Music Wall Art

...........

Creating 'art' isn't as complicated as it often seems... 
Sometimes, it's just finding an item that appeals to you, and hanging it on the wall!

Case in point: Vintage sheet music. In my case, vintage Hawai'ian sheet music.

While at our library bookstore one day, I decided to thumb through the STACKS of vintage sheet music they had ('Vintage' because NOW people use music on iPads!). Lo and behold, I flipped a few books of Mozart and Liszt and found a beautiful green cover with darling Annette Funicello's photo and the song title 'Pineapple Princess' on it!


If you know anything about the 'Mickey Mouse-keteers' or any of the Frankie & Annette teen movies from the 50's, you know who Annette IS. I think she's adorable, and I also think that the Hawai'ian music + Disney history combo is absolutely perfect for our home!

And though I didn't actually know WHAT I would do with this, I handed over the FIFTY CENTS owed and brought her home with me. Just one day later, I decided what to use the sheet music for, and within ten minutes I had new wall art!

Continue reading for a truly simple tutorial...

SUMMER: a tiki birdbath fountain

Nine years ago when we moved into this new house, I created a fun fountain for our backyard using galvanized buckets. You've seen that fountain here on the blog, as well as shared online and published in Country Sampler Farmhouse Style Magazine (past post links are below this post).

Well, after nine years, this spring I was ready for a NEW look - as well as something that fit our tropical decor a bit more than galvie buckets. I had an idea and began collecting the materials I would need, but the main element eluded me. Until one day, I saw something in a facebook Marketplace listing that was the missing piece!

As soon as I had that, I was able to get this project underway. I completed it in April and have been waiting to share this project! I re-purposed a concrete birdbath into part of a fountain in our backyard... along with the relaxing sounds of a fountain, it still functions as a birdbath & watering spot for all of our wild birds. Which makes Deb one happy girl!

Continue reading for my tutorial...

SUMMER: NEW Sweet Sweater Tomatoes!

A departure from tropical decor this week...
Summertime isn't complete without ripe, juicy tomatoes - and I've come up with a fun new Sweet Sweater Original creation that captures their appeal!

Whether you love fresh-grown summer tomatoes in a Caprese salad, on a grilled burger, or just on a plate with a sprinkle of salt, they seem to be the design accent of the season... everyone from Target to World Market to Pottery Barn has tomato products right now.

My idea was inspired by a fuzzy red 'tomato' pillow (more like a giant pincushion) that I saw in the Bullseye's Playground bins at Target - made from red microfleece and felt, it was... cute.

Yet I knew I could make it BETTER. With a SWEATER! ;)
Yes, sweater decor in summertime. I am obsessed!

Continue reading for an easy tutorial...

SUMMER: grass skirt lampshade cover

A big trend in interior design right now is the use of woven materials on light fixtures... rattan, palm fronds, wicker are all showing up in oversized 'basket'-type hanging lights and lampshades:

I love that look, but not the price tags attached. When I read that the Crate and Barrel Kids 'Greta' floor lamp with raffia shade shown above was $249, I created a similar look for an existing lamp in my living room - using materials I already had on hand, of course! 

Continue reading for an easy DIY tutorial that will work on any lampshade...

SUMMER: decorate with tote bags?!

 

When we moved into our house in 2016, I created this feature in our entry hall, using a vintage porch post that had been cut in half lengthwise (Thanks to Don & Peggy at Down Home Antiques!). I collected a selection of various new and old hooks and added them to the wood post.

The pegrack project was published in Country Sampler Farmhouse Style Magazine in fall, 2024. That article shows it staged for the fall issue - I pretty much changed up what's hanging on this peg rack every season. Anything goes, trust me - including tote bags!

Continue reading to see how easily I styled it for summer...

SUMMER: thrifted game as tiki wall art

Summer is finally here, and it's time to get into an island groove!
But Deb, you don't LIVE on an island!, you might say. True.
But we LIVE like we do!

Back in 2020, our home decor theme shifted. Massively. 
We had created a sort of farmhouse/wine country hybrid with small seasonal accents, made by me. But when the Pandemic lockdown was put into place and we had to cancel our summer trip to Hawaii, we pivoted. "If we can't go to Hawaii, let's bring Hawaii to us!" was our mantra... and the shift to tropical decor with a tiki subtheme hasn't stopped! We enjoy it 365 days a year. (Yes, I still add in a few seasonal items - but now, they're ALL tropical!)

Thing is, I know this kind of themed home decor doesn't appeal to the majority of people. It is a bit like living in a Disneyland attraction (that's by design - my grandfather helped build Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room!) and that's not for everyone, so I chose to continue creating & sharing 'regular' seasonal decor projects that would appeal to most of my blog readers.

But life is crazy right now in these United States, and I need FUN! I need HAPPY!
I thought that perhaps you, dear readers, might need more of that as well.

So this summer, I'm sharing a slew of tropical / tiki / Hawaiian style projects that I've already completed here at home. This is your 'peek behind the curtain'!

...continue reading to see how a thrifted 'cornhole' bean bag game became wall art!