. -->
Showing posts with label HOMEWARDfound Decor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HOMEWARDfound Decor. Show all posts

1.08.2022

the yellow bonanza of 2021

DIY,diy decorating,decorating,trash to treasure,up-cycling,re-purposing,color,colorful home,seasonal,Sweet Sweater Originals,HOMEWARDfound Decor,new year,i made that,
i've been enjoying my time offline, tending to some household projects and tasks,
but thought i'd pop in to wrap up the past year in a big (yellow!) bow...
i've had so much fun creating a multitude of seasonal home decor projects
inspired by the Pantone 2021 Color of the Year, 'Illuminating' Yellow

continue reading for a quick peek at what i shared every month of the year!

10.01.2018

creatively speaking...

.
for the past few months, i have posted a quote on social media every Sunday.
the quotes are always about creativity, 
these words of wisdom have been helpful to me while wrestling with some facets of my own creativity...

you see, a while back, i lost my joy in creating. 

oh there was still the undertaking of projects and posting about them online, 
but really it was pretty much just a lot of going through the motions 
and hoping that my mojo would return.
nothing about my creative process was easy or flowing or remotely satisfying.
add in the pressure of keeping up with what's happening on social media,
and the result was complete overwhelm and a shutdown of the creative cycle.

something had to change.
i began to journal and read and spend time in nature, getting away from screens 
that were filled with the results of other people's imagination and creativity, 
taking time to consider what my aching heart was trying to teach me.

and then... an epiphany....
(continue reading)

4.02.2018

Tripping Was NOT in My Plan...

junking, furniture, upcycled, salvaged, diy, home decor, vintage, lampshades, tables
you know those bloggers that create a plan for their blog posts?
like, a three month list of what gets published when - and including what content ?
that must be nice.
i plan my seasonal content ahead, i do - but more often than not 
i find myself putting an unscheduled project together on the fly at the last minute, for one reason or another, 
and it turns out SO GOOD that i just have to share it. today's post is a great example.

oh, yeah, that 'last minute' part? you could add 'by accident' to that, too.
because i nearly had an accident in my studio - and that's how this particular project came about...

continue reading to find out how my klutziness worked in my favor!

3.08.2018

Raid the Garden Shed for Spring Decor!

raid the garden shed for materials to use in your spring decorating - inside and out! homewardFOUNDdecor
Adding a few touches of natural elements to home decor each season
is an easy and inexpensive way to freshen up our rooms
and make everyday life worth celebrating.

there's an easy way to get started on your spring decorating:
head out to your garden shed, greenhouse, or garage,

and raid it for all of the pots and trowels and rakes you can find!
these wonderfully worn elements are the perfect touch for your front porch,
front door, entryway, and INSIDE your home, too!

continue reading to see the many ways you can use clay pots as decor items...

2.22.2018

Capture Spring in a Jar!

one of my most popular pins + posts is my 'beach in a jar' project
 but long before i ever came up with THAT one, i created another: 'SPRING in a jar'!
i'm not sure why i haven't shared them here on homewardFOUND before, but it's time to change that!

continue reading to learn more...

2.18.2018

Salvaged Tabletop Herb Garden

salvaged junk project spring herb garden
you've all heard that phrase 'best laid plans', riiiiight? sigh.

last Thursday morning, as i was loading up my truck to restock the homewardFOUND shop, 
i cut a very deep gash in my finger...
and it was immediately apparent that no bandaid would suffice.
it required a visit to the ER and five stitches, then being immobilized for several days.
as a result, i've been working on things behind the scenes here on the blog
(with one hand. do you know how hard it is to type with one hand?!!!)

much as i don't like accidents, there was that time a happy accident 
became a spur-of-the-moment project: a tabletop herb garden...

continue reading to find out how this happened!

2.05.2018

Tutorial: Faux Spring Blossoms

make your own faux spring flowers from paper with this tutorial from homewardFOUNDdecor.com
i don't know what kind of weather you are dealing with, my friends, 
but it's so hot here in SoCal that Mother Nature is reeeeeeeally confused...
the question seems to be 'to bloom or not to bloom' 
because it's not quite clear whether it's late winter, early spring, or full-blown summer.
(Olaf the snowman would love it here right now!)
in other areas, some of you poor souls are dealing with BELOW ZERO temps!

for those of us who are looking for some evidence of spring, i have a trick to share:
forget nature. make your OWN spring blossoms!!!

continue reading for my easy tutorial...

2.02.2018

Have a Heart!

happy february, everyone!
five years ago, i shared a project here on the homewardFOUND blog
that began with a simple wood moss-filled garden planter.
 click here to see the planter-turned-door wreath post

i found another way to use that wood planter:
i decided to re-create the look of a floral heart using PAPER!
it was simple enough to cut petals and leaves and spirals out of old sheet music + school paper,
to fold and bend and twist them into shape, gluing them along the way,
and then to tuck them into the chicken-wire of the planter.

these flowers are so simple to make... just remember your kindergarten 'cut & paste' skills,
maybe even enlist some kids to help!

continue reading for more details...

1.22.2018

Mannequin Shenanigans!

 i'd like to tell you all a little story...

i posted a gorgeous photo on my Instagram two weeks ago,
one that i saw online and saved and EGREGIOUSLY did not save the source from
(if you know it, tell me and i'll add it here and on IG).
that photo was a gorgeous shot of vintage mannequins:
i know. i drooled, too.

i covet these, i'll admit it. i've spent my life in the visual merchandising field
and i have whispered sweet nothings to forms like this for decades.
(no, they have never come to life like Emmy in the film 'Mannequin' ;) ) 

i've just never been able to afford one. so instead, i made my own 'version' of one:
you can make one, too, with my tutorial: diy mannequin made from a tee shirt 

however, that didn't really 'do it' for me, but i had other things to take care of.

fast-forward to two weeks ago, and the posting of the image, and then...
two days later, i was on facebook and happened to see something in the sidebar:

a marketplace ad listing for a mannequin. in my neighborhood. for thirty dollars!!!

i gulped, clicked the image, and contacted the seller.
"yes it's still available" - even though the ad is four days old.
when can i come pick it up? how about first thing in the morning?! (it was 11 PM)
and that's exactly what happened... i drove five minutes from my house
and picked it up the next morning.
and she is gorgeous! 
she's not vintage, but i added something to her to make her look a little bit vintage... 

continue reading to see what i did!

1.19.2018

How a Toolbox Helped Me Get Organized!

rusty metal toolbox upcycle home decor
 i just purchased this very usable rusty big ol' metal toolbox
from Kara at LuLu Belle's Junk Trunk at Needful Things Addiction - 
the store where my homewardFOUND shop is located.
(hazard of the vintage industry... we buy each other's stuff!)

admittedly, i bought it because of the patina and color. it's my thing!
but i knew that with all the compartments and shelves inside, 
it would come in handy in my studio/office.
so i brought it home, sat it down on the floor, snapped a few photos... and saw THIS:
i see faces in inanimate objects
lord, i need help. i'm so Disney that i see animated faces in everything.

ANYWAY....
as i was sitting at my desk on the computer, i needed something.
and when i went to get it, i couldn't find it. frustrating, right?
well, it was office supplies. and my office supplies are all over the place - 
as in, not in one place but in many drawers and buckets and shelves.

talk about an AHA moment!
continue reading to see what i did:

1.16.2018

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!

1.12.2018

Ready to ReDecorate!

rustic industrial farmhouse salvaged home decor
it's a new year, and new things are soon to be 'in store'!

this new year has me filled with new energy... how about you?!
i've had a bit of recalculation in my head about what i want / need hwF to be,
and much of that is coming from the responses that the shop and merchandise in it
have been getting from you - my readers and customers (my HOMEees!)

* i watch what you click 'like' or 
♥ and comment on, both here and on social media.
* i take into account what posts are getting views, and from where.
*i notice what you've been pinning and re-pinning from the blog and my boards.
* i keep an eye on what is selling in the shop - and what isn't -
and i have been asking myself one very simple question:
 "if this thing doesn't sell, would i put it in MY home?"
sometimes, the answer is a resounding 'nope'. and i'm not okay with that.

i loved my initial concept for the homewardFOUND blog AND shop - 
but it doesn't fit anymore. it's not where i am going personally, or as a designer.
so, i'm gonna' change it all up!

<< click 'continue reading' to see what's coming!

1.08.2018

Simple Winter Table

winter, for me, is all about sparkle and texture.
rough with smooth, crystal with wood, tarnished silver with crisp white.
mixing it up wherever i can brings a warmth and comfort to the 'bareness' of rooms
after the holiday overload is gone...

my winter color / texture palette this year is
white, crystal, rough wood, and glowing copper.

the simple tablesetting here shows yet ANOTHER way that i use an everyday item:
my standard white ceramic dishes.
you've seen them oh, about a million times here on the blog - 
i do that purposefully, to show you how
a very BASIC item can be re-imagined and presented in fresh ways each season.

continue reading for more details!

1.02.2018

Welcome 2018 with a Junk Wreath!

2018: project one!
i took down the holiday decor in our entryway and needed to replace it...
admittedly, i've been too busy to even PLAN anything for that area.
but a quick look at what wreaths were on hand turned up two bare reed circles,
and that was all the inspiration that i needed!

tied together with a length of twine, the two reed wreaths are more substantial
(because in art and design, repetition adds strength).
i rummaged through a box of 'odds and ends' and found a slew of things to use
to add personality and interest to the wreath...
what's on there?
there are two tarnished silver cups, some galvanized construction tape, spring, and gift tag. 
an old outdoor faucet, a wire light bulb cage, a tiny shovel, a coffee measuring spoon,
a rusty letter O, a bling-y shower curtain ring, and a champagne cork with cage.
an odd assortment, they hail from miscellaneous sources 
(my old home, my Dad's workbench, gifts from friends, flea markets)
but they all have a connection to my story - and to each other,
which shows up when they are mounted together on the wreath using more twine.

i think they look a lot like a floral arrangement, 
but that might be just my weird sense of design talking ;)
 in any case, they reflect what I think of as a 'winter palette' - 
greys, blacks, charcoals, and varying shades of brown mixed with sparkling glass.
it may not be cold here where i live, but this combination evokes a 'winter-y' mood for me!

continue reading to see where it ended up!

12.31.2017

Take the Party With You Tonight!

it's New Years' Eve!
time to pop the corks, pour the bubbly, and start celebrating!

 i've just got to share this nifty way to transport sparkling wine and glasses to an event -
whether you are heading to the roof to watch fireworks or the ball drop at midnight,
or to the neighbor's place for some revelry,
it's a perfect way to take the party with you!

Click 'Continue Reading' for the tutorial...

12.26.2017

Get Warmer for Winter!

With the approach of the New Year, we all seem to crave a change....
whether it's a personal makeover, a new resolution, 
or a way to make our rooms feel 'not empty' after the Holiday decor & trees are gone.

You'll find inspiration here on homewardFOUND decor!

 I offer posts with ideas for warming up your home in winter
for decorating with a fresh whitewashed palette or subdued neutrals,
and for organizing your office / craft room with style...
you can even get a jump on your February / Valentine's Day decor!
... click on the 'WINTER' tab in my sidebar to find more content
(You'll find ideas for every season of the year by clicking on the links in my sidebar.)


Thank you for coming by to visit...
and may this new year bring you blessings and joy!

12.19.2017

Recycling Christmas!

I LOVE changing up my color schemes each year, 
combining ornaments in new ways
and mixing what I have to get a whole new look...
(see more of this year's 'Ombre' tree - on the left - here)


How about you?
Do you experiment each year, or do you stick with the 'tried and true' favorites?!
What are your favorite colors for your Christmas Decor?

the mission statement of HOMEWARDfound decor
is basically 'work with what we already have' (or can get CHEAP)
and is born out of my love for making things over -
so I rethink, reimagine, redesign, recycle, and reuse everything I have all.year.long.

continue reading to see some of them!

12.12.2017

homewardFOUND decor is on Insta!

I'd like to invite you to follow my NEW homewardFOUND decor account on IG! 

I'll be sharing all of the hwF shop news over there
new handmade and vintage products that are headed to Room #1, 
changing displays, upcoming events, *special offers* ðŸ˜‰ and more! 

Don't miss a thing at https://www.instagram.com/homewardfounddecor/

(you can still follow me as @debiwardkennedy, too -
I'll continue to share all kinds of inspiring things there)

12.05.2017

ombre' gradient Christmas tree

this year's Christmas tree in our house is OMBRE'!
the ornaments are all of the SAME ones we used last year: 
i used all of the colored balls & figural ornaments and fabric poinsettias.
i didn't use the ribbon or the clear glass or paper ornaments that we used last year.

it's a completely different look for the tree - and we didn't spend a cent on it!
the ornaments used are white, ivory, gold, pale copper/rose gold, copper,
orange, tan, brown, and bronze.
i like the way the color gradient is dark at the bottom - like the floor -
and light at the top - like the ceiling.
it seems to make the tree feel even more grand and statuesque.

so.... now let me tell you the story of this theme!
that's LAST year's Christmas tree...

i had fun creating paper ornaments and pulling together a new look 
for the first year in the new house - 
which was a more neutral palette than my Mom has ever had on a tree before. 
we pulled gold from her holiday decor stash, 
and white, ivory, and browns from my holiday decor stash, 
then we bought some new ornaments to add to the mix - copper and orange.
(orange is our accent color here at home)
it all came together beautifully in a lush, full decor style - see more of it here.

well.... me being ME, i just can't do the same thing twice. ever.
.so as i was thinking about this years' tree, i remembered a tree that my friend Michael created
and shared on his blog Inspired by Charm last year: 

now, i love that idea! it's fun, it's happy, 
and from a design standpoint, it's a standOUT idea.
but it isn't ME. ...however.....

i realized that if i took all of the ornaments we already HAVE (sounds familiar, right?!)
and used them in gradient bands on the tree, 
i could replicate the idea without using the same colors. 
make the idea my own, so to speak.
which is what i hope the ideas i share here will do - 
inspire you to tweak them so they work for your style, your life, your home.

so, i showed that photo of Michael's tree to Mom, told her about my idea,
and asked if she was game to TRY it - with the promise that if it looked horrible,
she could tell me that, and I'd UNdecorate the tree and re-decorate it another way.
she agreed.

so I did it. and it worked!  (and Mom LOVES it!)
(i am also happy that i don't have to dismantle it and redecorate)


a side-by-side comparison:
Michael's tree is cone-shaped, while ours is a skinny tree - so ours looks kinda' funky.
i wish i had larger ornaments on the bottom part, but all in all i am happy with it!

i wanted to share this project with you so that perhaps you will 
look at the holiday decor elements and tree ornaments you already have 
and be inspired to think about them in a new way...

maybe doing an ombre' tree is not your thing, and that's fine.
perhaps using only one color, or a new combination of colors, 
would be a fun way to make things feel 'new' at your house 
without spending anything!

12.03.2017

homewardFOUND holiday shop

 I've been extremely blessed to have found a HAUL of vintage and handmade holiday goods
that I am thrilled to offer you in my homewardFOUND shop this month...
as a matter of fact, I ended up with SO MUCH STUFF that it wouldn't fit in Room #1!

 so shop owner Stephani came up with Plan B, and I worked some magic! 

(click on 'read more' to see what I did....)