AUTUMN Inspiration: October 🎃

🎃 I tend to think of October as being 'Pumpkin Season'... maybe because I love pumpkins so much that I have created so many new versions of them! (Honestly, I am just not into scary / spooky Halloween - at ALL.)

I love the colors and elements that nature offers us in this season, and the ability we have to 'feather our nests' and make them cozy and welcoming for the colder months ahead. One of my favorite fall activities is harvesting natural materials and bringing them indoors to grace our homes before their life cycle ends. And I have always championed that we can diy our own autumn decor to make it exactly what we want, in our favorite colors, that expresses our own special style. 

I've rounded up some fun pumpkin decor ideas, projects, and tutorials below to inspire you this month... and if you'd like to see ALLLLLLL of my autumn diy projects from the past 14 years, they are here!

AUTUMN: Book Page Leaf Wreath + Bonus!

It does seem like Deb's got a THEME going this fall, does it not? 😉 Yep, I'm letting my bookish obsession off the shelf as I make seasonal decor using BOOKS!

This wreath is a new iteration of an idea I have played around with for years: making replicas of leaves out of paper. I pulled out my box of old tattered damaged books again, and worked some autumn magic with them... 

Continue reading for my tutorial on making the leaves and then attaching them to a foam wreath form... plus an additional way to use paper leaves in your fall decor!

AUTUMN: More Book Pumpkins!

Before I continue into this project's tutorial, I have a question for my fellow creatives: Have you ever been 100% certain that you did something, and that there is photographic evidence of that something, and you can actually SEE it in your mind - but can not find ANY of the photos, or the blog post you swear you published, to prove it???? 

As I was posting my last project, a previous one came to mind and I intended to link it as 'Related Content'... but I can't find it. I am absolutely certain that I created this before, and posted it here on my blog and on Pinterest and my facebook page, while I was in my 'Yellow Era'.

I can't find ANY evidence of it. I've searched my computer files, my facebook files, my Pinterest boards, my blog posts (even drafts that never published). ZipZeroNadaNuthin'.

Guys, I have a photographic memory. It is stunning even to me how my brain works visually, and this conundrum has me spinning in circles because I know what I know. I made this same exact project using yellow books, and photographed it on my faux mantel. And yet I can find no tangible evidence of that... 

So I am doing what any somewhat sane but confused creative person would do: I'm making the thing that I thought I had already made. I'm taking photos of the thing, and I'm sharing them here on the blog. (And what do you want to bet that at some point in the not too distant future, those 'lost' photos and blog post are gonna' show up out of nowhere?? I'd bet money on it.*)

Continue reading for one of the easiest tutorials you'll ever see from me....

AUTUMN: 'Bookish' Pumpkins

SO, a funny thing happened as September began...
I had NO IDEAS for new pumpkins. Not a one. Which is entirely unlike me, because y'all KNOW about my love of pumpkins. My muses were still on vacation, I guess. AND THEN... on our delightfully rainy Labor Day Weekend, I stumbled across an idea!

I was re-sorting several boxes of books by size in our garage, and one stack of books suddenly slid sideways onto the floor and formed a half circle. As I bent to pick them up, I saw something... a shape, a whisper of an idea. I sat some similarly hued books aside, kept working on my task, and then brought those books into my studio to try out the idea growing in my head.

Here's a sketch of my idea for a 'bookish' pumpkin:

I had to play around with the books awhile to get it right - after two different iterations, I was finally happy with the result. 

Don't worry, this project is 'temporary decor' - nothing is attached permanently, it's all removable, and no books were harmed in the making of this bookish pumpkin! 😉

Continue reading for my tutorial...

AUTUMN Inspiration: September 🍂

🍂 Easing into Autumn with a palette pulled from nature and inspired by the treasures of the season...

September weather in So Cal is still hot (we call it 'Locals Summer') and the skies are mostly bright blue... yet the light begins to change, the inland nights cool just a bit, and the leaves began to dry out. Sadly, they don't change color. But fall is in the air, and it signals a coming change.

A new side of nature unfurls all around me outdoors, and inspires me to bring a touch of the beauty inside to enjoy as decor. Hues of green, brown, tan, and shimmering gold capture the ephemeral light of early fall and set the stage for all that is on its way as the harvest approaches... 

May these ideas and projects inspire you to notice the approach of autumn!

tropi-FALL: faux bamboo painted tiki bar

I recently unearthed some of my VERY old project images from a forgotten online source, and though they are very rough, I wanted to share them anyway... since this project plays a part in my current love of tropical style. 

This isn't a tutorial, folks. I'm just sharing a fun project from my past. I was a decorative painter for a decade, painting murals and faux finishes in homes and furniture for my small retail store. 

Back in 2002, my friend and co-worker at the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Linda, asked me if I could 'revive' an old piece she had in her garage. I went over to her lovely home on Mercer Island to see it...

...and oh, what I SAW!

August Inspiration: 🌴 Tropi-FALL!

I'm never really ready for summer to end... even though our summers here in Southern California have become triple-digit adventures filled with insane afternoon winds and wildfire smoke. I only venture into our sunny backyard before 7 AM and after 9 PM.

Over the past few years, I've found a way to extend my own tropical style summer decor by including a nod to autumn: Pumpkins that look tropical! By creating some with tropical style, I embrace what I call 'tropiFALL' - a slow transition from summer to autumn that will be enjoyed from August 1st through September 30th. Our heat waves last all the way into early October - then the fall decor and pumpkins get their spotlight! (If you don't know this about SoCal, our 'Locals Summer' BEGINS after Labor Day Weekend - when all of the tourists have exited the beaches and amusement parks 😉)

As always, I'm sharing these ideas to inspire you to try new things in your home decor. I hope that even if tropical style isn't your jam*, you'll see some ways to 'bridge' your summer decor with touches of autumn decor - in YOUR style, and your favorite colors...

View these ideas below without thinking you have to do exactly what I do - picture them in different colorways, with different natural materials that will work in your home, with your theme!

beachy summer color palette

In my mind, all seasonal inspiration begins with nature.

The combinations of color that appear in every natural setting on Earth are flawless... consisting of perfectly coordinated shades and hues, contrasts and compliments.

So when people ask me 'How do you know what colors go together?' or 'How do you pick a color scheme?', I tell them to go outside. Literally! Because it's outside, in nature, every season, that you'll find the 'perfect' color...

Case in Point: the photo shown above, snapped at Newport Beach, California. It contains a perfect summer color scheme inspired by nature...

The palette of varied blues, grays, tans, browns, and whites

is crisp, fresh, and perfectly balanced between cool and warm tones, lights and darks.

This palette can be translated into a sleek modern look or a cozy country style, depending upon your preferences.

Here's one way to create rooms around that palette:

Summer Inspiration: The Colors of Summer 💈

The patriotic palette of red, white, and blue has always been a summer staple. Embracing a patriotic / nautical color scheme that lasts through the entire summer season is an easy choice - and I know it's exactly what you are looking for this time of year!

The 'summer season' in the USA begins on Memorial Day Weekend (a 3 Day remembrance of the military troops who have perished in service of our country), runs through the Fourth of July / Independence Day holiday, and culminates on Labor Day Weekend (a 3 Day celebration that honors the working people who sustain our country's economy). 

Today I'm sharing a huge roundup of my home decor creations and projects that are built around this season's traditional patriotic color scheme. They all embrace the relaxed atmosphere of a summer vacation... and I hope these ideas will inspire your own summer decor and entertaining, no matter where you are in the world! 

Spring Inspiration for May 🌼

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May arrives like a favorite guest, bringing gifts of sunshine, warmth, and blooming flowers... evidence of Mother Nature rising from her winter slumber, rested and refreshed, and ready for a garden party. 

Flowers seem to me to be the leitmotif of this month, so today I'm sharing inspired ideas using blooms in your tablescapes, home decor, Mothers' Day gifts, and even in your beverages! 


...and just in case you're looking for 'May Day' floral ideas to create right now, see two versions I've made here and here.

Follow along with me as we see what ideas are blooming this month... 

SPRING terra cotta pot garden 'totems'

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This isn't a secret: Deb becomes obsessed with POTS in springtime! I've waxed poetic about my collections here, they are the very first thing I look for at thrift stores and yard sales, and you'll find projects using terra cotta pots for every season of the year here on the blog.

I recently saw an idea on Pinterest and thought I'd give it a try... using plain old terra cotta plant pots to create 'garden totems'. It's a simple project that works as art AND a way to store unused pots in style:

This style is made with all the same size pots. Mine use varied sizes because that's what I have on hand - and that's my favorite way to decorate.

Follow along as I show you just how easy this one is...

Spring Inspiration for April 🍃

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'April showers bring May flowers'... after we've done a LOT of work in the garden!

Working in the yard or garden is an activity that we garden lovers can really 'dig in' to in April. Whether you've got pots of herbs on your kitchen windowsill or a full herb, veggie, and flower garden in the back yard - or anything in between - enjoying the relaxing pastime of growing plants is inextricably linked to springtime. 

Even if you aren't a gardener or plant lover who loves having dirt under your fingernails, you can still bring the beauty of a garden into your home as Spring decor - with art, books, fabric printed with flowers, and faux foliage and florals.

I'm sharing some garden-inspired ideas for this month, along with something to help with your spring cleaning enthusiasm, and a few new publications to inspire you. I hope that you'll incorporate the garden aesthetic into your spring decorating and activities... enjoy!

SPRING Easy Crepe Paper Leaves

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Spring cleaning gets me into trouble...
I unearth things I have forgotten about, the Muses jump into action with ideas, and the next thing you know, Deb is busily crafting something instead of cleaning something. Anyone else out there fall victim to this malady?! 

As I pulled a box off of the shelf in my studio closet, a roll of bright chartreuse green crepe paper fell on my head. (The Muses are not concerned with niceties when they want my attention.) I sat it on another shelf, turned around, bumped a small branch lying on the closet floor - and the roll of crepe paper fell off of the other shelf to land right next to the branch. I kid you not! 

The unruly Muses put an idea into my head, and I gave up on cleaning to give that idea a tryout. It worked, was FAST, and so I'm sharing it here in this unplanned blog post! (It's the first day of Spring, which I assume is why the Muses are in action)

Continue reading to see how to bring a touch of spring to your decor in a jiffy - even if the trees aren't budding where you are...

SPRING: A Portable Potting Table

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You just never know what you can do with a piece of junk!

I found a vintage wood ironing board really cheap about a year ago at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in my area. I happily forked over FIVE DOLLARS for it and hauled it home, knowing that I would come up with a plan for it eventually. 

Even before I had a plan for how I would USE it, I knew how I wanted to spiff it up: Paint, of course... so I painted it. Last year. Since then, it's been folded up and leaning against the wall in my studio, only pressed into service - pun intended! - when I set it up to help store the elements of last year's holiday projects while I was photographing them. 

I recently began working on our backyard, doing all of the spring cleaning and prep for new plants - and that's when I decided that it would work splendidly as a portable potting table! And it couldn't have been easier...

Spring Inspiration for March 🌱

D is for Daffodil. And Delight. And Deb!
This month, in honor of my birthday, I'm sharing some of my favorite things about Spring with you...

I've included a lot of references to flowers to get you into a springtime mood. I'll be picking up some bunches of daffodils and a basil plant at Trader Joe's, as well as wandering through some plant nurseries and garden centers, selecting annual herbs for our garden. 

There's also some beautiful music, a few inspiring quotes, a candle that I can smell even when it's not burning, a sip of something delicious, places I love visiting in springtime, and of course a few decorating ideas and tutorials to help you bring spring inside your home right now... 

WINTER | SPRING: Easy DIY Yarn Nest

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After Valentine's Day, some people leave their red and pink heart decor up until the end of the month. Others remove theirs and bring in spring decor. Which do you do? I didn't decorate for Valentine's Day this year, but wanted to have something that bridges the 'winter to spring' season we are in right now...

This week has been filled with cold, windy, wet, rainy days here in So Cal, with a few 'sunbreaks' along the way. It feels very much like Winter, but I'm still hanging on for springtime to arrive soon... and I love using nests in my spring decor. So I chose to create a cozy 'wintery' nest in the easiest possible way!

Continue reading to see how insanely FAST & EASY this project is, along with some tips on how to style it...

Winter Inspiration for February 💗

February has become synonymous with romance, love, hearts, Valentines, and cupids. While we're still in the depths of winter, the focus on 'love' brings hope and warmth, guiding us toward connection.

I recently learned something about this month's history, and it led me to an expanded understanding of what the end of the winter season has to teach us... but I still don't get why February isn't pronounced the way it is spelled!

Continue reading for what's inspiring me in this last month of winter... 
(links included for your convenience, they are not paid ads)

Why It Matters to Me to Speak Now

Life is NOT normal in the United States of America anymore, 
and I can't pretend that it IS.

I can't craft my way out of this overwhelming fear or decorate my way out of this daily anxiety. I can't post uplifting quotes any longer, or draft a blog post to 'inspire' anyone. That worked for me in 2020 during the pandemic shutdown... but it won't work now.

Before I attempt to share anything else here, I am compelled to share my thoughts on what is happening. 

You don't have to agree with me, but I have to speak up about this. Now. Here.

Because at this point, staying silent seems like complicity and consent. And I most definitely do not consent to the direction our nation is heading. 

There are many reasons why I am sharing this now. Keep reading to find out one of the most important ones... saved here on the blog in a permanent page. If you wish to know how I feel, and why, click to read more.

~ Deb

NEW Sweet Sweater 'Sweetie Pies'!

May I present my newest Sweet Sweater Original creation? 

Say Hello to the 'Sweet Sweater Sweetie Pie'! TM 

I've been thinking about this project for a LONG time... decades, actually. The idea was originally inspired by the art of Mary Engelbreit, resulting in a 'Sweetie Pie' chair that I painted to sell in my shop. (My tiny shop was located next to a pie bakery, and my friend the owner LOVED this chair!) A client saw the chair, bought it, and then requested the same art on a cabinet she already had:

Way back then, I thought of making little felt or sweater pies to coordinate with this theme... a great idea, I just never got around to making any. Until recently, when I discovered a positively CUTE find that made me think 'Oh that is the PERFECT prop for the pies!!!' It was this cute lil' container (it holds lip balm) at my local DAISO store that kicked me into gear:

I purchased two of them and then hustled across the street to the craft store to buy some red pompoms - I already had everything else I needed at home. With February on the horizon, I thought I should share it in time for you to make your own versions for Valentine's Day decor!

Follow along with me as I finally make a ''Sweet Sweater Sweetie Pie'...

Winter Inspiration for January 🕯

Hello, my friends... I hope the new year finds you well!
I'm currently enjoying these rare rainy January days by embracing a slower schedule - filled with reading, journaling, refreshing the house after the holiday season, and considering ideas for future projects. Rather than rushing around making plans and exhausting myself, I'm finding this new approach fills me with much more joy!

Isn't that what we all hope for in January? Energy for a fresh start? 

How nice it is to be able to choose for ourselves just how we will embrace that in our own lives - and as I shared in my last post, I'm listening to Mother Nature and my own energy cycles to make that 'fresh start' one that isn't fueled by expectations and habits that just don't work for me anymore. For instance, I've made the decision to change my habit of creating 'one project per week' content to share here on the blog.

Instead, I'm going to be publishing a post the first week of each month, sharing the things that are currently inspiring me... something I've changed or created in our home, resources I've discovered that I think you might enjoy, books, quotes, music, scents, places I've visited, even a simple recipe once in awhile! You'll still see a full-on project tutorial occasionally, and posts sharing my content when it is published in magazines. 

My hope is that sharing bite-size doses of inspiration at the beginning of each month will encourage you to enjoy the seasons in truly simple ways, inspiring you to join me in embracing the art & craft of seasonal living (not just seasonal decorating) all year long.

Continue reading to see what's inspiring me this month!