farmhouse may-keover: guest baths

we don't generally think of decorating a bathroom.

(a gut job, remodel, demolition - sure)

sometimes, though, a 'cosmetic' makeover 

completed with some simple decorative accessories is enough...

as part of the process of giving my friend's house a budget-friendly new look,

i spiffed up her two powder rooms with a few basic styling tricks.

continue reading to see a refreshing change...

farmhouse may-keover: dining room & kitchen

go ahead, you can sit and stare at that beautiful view...
i sure did while i was there! 

the view from my friends' front porch is stunning, 
and that's what you see when you look out the bay window in her dining room - 
also visible from the living room. 

today's post shares the things we did to start refreshing her dining room,
and moves into the very simple ways we gave her kitchen a fresh look... 

continue reading for some 'fast, cheap, & easy' decorating ideas!

farmhouse may-keover: living room

i'm structuring this 'MAY-keover' series of posts
as if you are walking into and through my friend K's farmhouse...
first, you saw her grand front porch and welcoming entry hall
(link at end of this post)

today, we'll focus on her living room

and all of the simple changes made that completely transformed it...

continue reading to learn some easy tips for re-styling a room on a budget!

farmhouse may-keover: front porch & entry

spring is here, it's MAY - 

and that means it's time for another budget-friendly DIY MAY-keover series!

this time, i helped a friend redecorate the farmhouse she inherited from her parents.

her Dad built it, her Mom loved it, and now it's hers...

and i wanted to help her express her own style, to make it her HOME.

she's given me permission to share the changes we made with you,

and i know you'll find inspiring and usable ideas!

continue reading to see some of the simple, affordable ways we added style

to this beautiful farmhouse...

diy paper paint chip leaf wreath

as i was preparing to create holiday content for the blog this year,

i sourced some paint chips (paint color cards, etc) as supplies for my chosen theme.

and i want to be perfectly clear about WHERE i sourced them:
i didn't take these paint chips from the displays at the hardware or paint store.
i asked the manager of my local paint store if they had any OLD paint fans
that might not be in use any more (because new ones come out every year)...
and they handed them over with a smile. FREE.
a very happy Deb with arms full of paint fans nearly skipped out the door.

but as it so happens, while i was in the midst of creating decor for Christmas... 
another FALL decor idea hit me. so i stopped, and created this fall decor.
(i endeavor to NOT anger my muse!)

it's so simple, you could make the leaves from any kind of paper -
gift wrap, paper bags, scrapbook paper, wallpaper scraps!

continue reading for more details and the easy how-to...

3 upcycled paint palette ideas

paint.
it's a magical substance that can easily and inexpensively change everything it touches.

want a dark room to seem more light and spacious? paint it a light hue.
want a damaged piece of stained wood furniture to look fresh and new? paint it.
want to create stunning decor in a room without spending a lot? paint a mural or wallpaper effect.

i've been painting things all of my life, and along the way, i've learned a few things...
like supplies for painting & crafting don't have to be new and from the art supply store.
just like in diy home decor, it's easy to upcycle / repurpose household items!

continue reading for my top three ideas for paint palettes...

scrap paper cacti wall art

this project was a really fun one... 

it's one of those 'paper, scissors, paste' crafts that always make me feel like i'm back in school.

simple materials and process combine to create a nifty piece of wall art

that ended up NOT on a wall at all... 

continue reading for the details and a quick 'how-to'!

sweater + pool noodle faux cacti tutorial

the inspiration for these fun and funky faux cacti

began last fall with the design and creation of my Original Sweet Sweater Succulents.

when i recently decided to create new decor with a boho modern vibe, 

succulents were definitely a big part of the design... faux succulents, that is.

so i came up with yet another way to use my bottomless supply of sweater remnants:

pair a sweater sleeve with a simple pool noodle, and you've got taller cacti!

i used the new version in this basket under the side table in the recent guest room makeover,

paired with some of the previous versions (made like my Original Sweet Sweater Pumpkins!).

this is a really 'fast, cheap & easy' craft project to complete using scraps -

continue reading for a simple tutorial to help you make your own...

Covered in Canvas

 while homewardFOUND is generally all about seasonal decor ideas,
sometimes I like to pop in ideas for furniture, too...
all totally do-able projects for you to try out!

this dresser was found on the curb. free.
With lines like the ones on those drawers, I couldn't pass her up!

the case was solid, but the veneer on top and on the drawers was just wrecked.
no amount of putty and paint was going to make her presentable...

she went beyond needing mere 'makeup' into the realm of 'plastic surgery'!

while I was sanding her down, I had a brainstorm...

the dropcloth that she was sitting on in the prep room had some great texture.

i looked at the drawers, and then at the dropcloth, and that light bulb went on:
 cover the entire dresser with a new canvas dropcloth!

dropcloths are a great way to get a LOT of fabric for a ridiculously low price

and they come in many sizes and weights. 

i used the heaviest weight for this project, which covered up all of the 'blemishes' in her complexion.

continue reading to see what i did!

#MAYkeovers Round-Up

As of May, 2014, there's this #MAYkeovers hashtag 'thing' going on all over social media, 

and I thought I'd just jump into the pool with everyone else! I hope you enjoy these...

Here are the links to ALL of my  
Low/No-Cost Makeover / #MAYkeover Projects:

FREE Weekend Makeover 

part 1 . part 2 . part 3 . part 4

Thrifty Weekend Makeover

part 1 . part 2 . part 3 . part 4

Weekend Garden House Makeover

 here

shared online:


Practically Functional | Creativity Unleashed

Backyard Bistro

While it's easy to haul out the plastic lawn chairs and folding tables for summer gatherings,

it's not much harder to pull together a stylish outdoor setting

that you can enjoy every day...

 just think 'Bistro' style, and your back deck or patio

could feel just like your favorite neighborhood cafe'!

By using simple furnishings and accessories that you may already have, 

you can create a welcoming and comfortable dining nook outdoors...

It doesn't take a lot of space, either!
A vintage wood table and two metal chairs snug up to the deck railing here,

just as they would at a trendy bistro!

Dressing the table with a white tablecloth, 

and hanging another as a temporary curtain to block the sun, 

elevates the setting to more than 'picnic' style.

( BTW, the vintage stove in the background has been retrofitted as a bbq,

and the vintage fridge is now a smoker. )

A bouquet of flowers and herbs from the garden finish off this relaxing setting,

perfect for enjoying a late afternoon glass of wine alone or a morning cup of tea.

 Gathering up a few pieces from other areas can easily create 

seating & eating areas on small decks or patios:

On the left, casual beach style is achieved with whitewashed furnishings, 

crisp striped linens and rug, and galvanized metal accents.

On the right, a pretty garden setting is created with white metal lawn chairs and a park bench,

 tucked up to a more modern metal & glass round table.
Accessorize with potted plants and whimsical wire accents,

like a gargantuan birdcage holding a potted miniature rose.

More for relaxing than eating, this area came together in minutes -

 and plastic chairs never looked so classic!

Check out the FREE makeover I did on my brother's front deck here

I snapped this photo at one of my fave cottages at the beach....

which is just out of frame on the left side of the photo.

While the architecture - decking, sunroom window wall, and huge climbing vine-

definitely contribute to the charm here,

it's made up of mostly simple vintage furnishings for easy care:
an old wooden picnic table, some wicker chairs, and a wood table are whitewashed for easy upkeep.
Add a jute rug and a striped umbrella, and the setting is ready to go when you are!

( I often look at this gorgeous area as I walk by, and wonder 

'how many times do people crash their parties?'

because as you can see, it's RIGHT on the public walkway at the beach!
But I'd live there in a HEARTBEAT!)

this content has been excerpted for publication in 2024:

I was named an expert in a Rent. article.
Check out the featured article:

Summer Interior Design: Expert Tips to

Brighten Your Living Space | Rent.

shared online:

Creative Country Mom | Home Sweet Garden Party

Thank you, Brooke, for featuring my post this week on your blog!

Summer's Knocking!

I love changing up the decor on the front door every season!
Lest that sound like a LOT of work and a LOT of storage is needed, lemme' 'splain:

The easiest way to do this is to find a container of some kind to hang on your front door...

like the cute white wire cone-shaped basket shown here.
My Mom actually found this at a thrift store
[the nut didn't fall far from the tree!]

and it is proving to be a perfect way to easily - and inexpensively - freshen up the door decor.

For a fresh spring accent in April, I filled the basket with real moss from the yard 

and faux pink roses that came off of an old wreath Mom had shoved in the garage....  FREE!
A snippet of vintage ribbon and it was done:

Now that Summer is arriving, it's time to refresh the basket.

I went to the dollar store and found everything you see below:
one set of 3 flags, one set of flip-flops, 

1 bunch of red flowers and two bunches of white daisies,

and a red bandana.
Cost? $6.

I wrapped the bandana around the foam already in the cone basket,

then stuck the flags and flowers into the foam.

I shoved the flip flops between the bandana-wrapped foam and the back of the basket,

and hung it all on a nail in the screen door.

Fast. Cheap. Easy.TM
... and at the end of summer, it will be filled up with fall leaves and a big ol' foam pumpkin.

From the dollar store.

Because cheap does not mean tacky! 

Yet because it's so inexpensive, 

it's no big deal to throw it all away - instead of storing it for a whole year.

Looking for more 'Fast, Cheap & Easy' ideas for your Memorial Day Weekend decor?
Check these past posts out:

                        Custom Water Bottle Labels                             Easy Bandana Pennant Banner

                Coke Carton Picnic Caddy                                            Game Board Placemats

Vintage Bottles as Flower Vases

shared online:

Cupcakes & Crinoline | Project Inspire{d}

Creative Country Mom's Garden | Home Sweet Garden Party

Tablescape Contest Winner!

Last July, I created a tablescape in the dining room of my brother and sister in law's home,

as part of a whirlwind three-day Weekend Makeover of their house. 

And when fashionista tableware designer Rosanna Bowles of Rosanna Inc.
announced her 7th Annual Tablescape Contest,

I sent in photos of what I had created - along with the fun story of my makeover ambush!

I found out on Thursday morning that my design was a finalist.
And Friday night, when I clicked into facebook, I saw the update: 

My design tied for third place!

Along with our entries, we had to share a story about the tablescape...so I did.
And Rosanna is sharing it on her Table Talk blog.

[I didn't realize that the WHOLE story I sent in would be published,
as it's a bit more personally revealing than I have been publicly. But that's ok.
Perhaps it will serve as an encouragement to someone who reads it...]

I am so honored to have been chosen by Rosanna and her employees...
[I also really miss being able to shop her fabulous warehouse sales in Seattle!]

Here are a few more photos of my tablescape

 In this post, I showed you how 'the Judy's' used a plain pine board as a centerpiece base - 

I did the same thing on this table, using a white wood shelf that was sitting in the garage.
Clear glass vases filled with sand, shells, and a candle now stand out from the dark table.

 Click to view the dining room in this makeover project

and ALL of my 'Weekend Makeovers'

 [I'll have new ones soon!]

_____________________________________________________

Order Sweet Sweater Pumpkins HERE - now in FIVE colors, including PINK!

 for more decorating ideas for every season,

  visit the HOMEWARDfound blog 

and these social networking sites:

Subscribe to HOMEward Found Decor by Email

Summertime Blues: DIY Party Decor

It doesn't take a lot of work or money to put together beautiful decor - 

and these simple decor suggestions for a summertime party will help you do it in style

without spending a lot...

Let me share a few tips and photos with you
from one of my own summer dinner parties in my yard:

Greet your guests with style:
This pretty floral arrangement sits on a table just inside my front garden gate...

It's where the appetizers and wine were served as guests arrived,
so I wanted to set the tone of the party right at the entrance.

The color scheme is established with the appearance of blue hydrangeas,

tucked into a collection of enamelware pieces. 

The vintage enamelware buckets and dishpan with lid stayed out on the patio all year long, 

changed up with various flowers and fruit/vegetable displays to suit the seasons.

Having go-to containers for quick decor changes is a smart idea for easy decor.

continue reading to see more easy decor ideas!

FREE Weekend Makeover: Part 4

Welcome to the final post in my
week-long four-part series:

How to refresh, restyle, and redecorate without spending a CENT -
  by using what you already have!

Today's final reveal is the Master Bedroom and the upstairs Hallway,
two areas where it didn't take too much work to bring color and life to the rooms.
Remember, everything you see in the photos was already here - 
I just needed to help it come out of hiding!

 The Master Bedroom

Before:
The walls are soft mocha, the bed is a sculptural black iron, and the other furnishings are black wood.
A perfect neutral palette to start with.

The deep red pillows and tablecloth just made this room feel dark when combined with the black -
not to mention that this is the hottest room in the house
and red is not a color that cools you off in the summertime!

Note that the bamboo window blind stops mid-wall... it covers a small square window,
but every time I looked at it, it felt like an old air conditioner was hidden behind it!

After:
The fabric hanging on the bed is a printed cotton tablecloth,
which I found brand new in its bag in the living room buffet drawer.
[I should have ironed it]
Along with adding color and pattern to the room, 
this softens the look of the bed - which is all angles.

continue reading for more of the tour...