3.29.2021
be a good (repurposed) egg
3.15.2021
flower embellished lampshade
and i don't just mean in vases and pots...
adding spring-fresh style with little effort.
3.01.2021
dollar tree vase makeover
when i saw these two funny little bud vases at Dollar Tree,
the sunshine yellow caught my eye.
the bottom half of them were not at all my style, however.
i bought them anyway!
it's so easy to give store-bought items a quick makeover...
a few artful dabs of paint quickly remedied the problem,
and these vases now fit my palette and style perfectly.
continue reading for the before and after...
2.22.2021
a warm welcome
color offers warmth and a happy welcome this utilitarian area.
by incorporating a few soft touches, some interesting textures and elements,
and ways to tackle the detritus that often gathers here in this 'drop zone',
it's gone from a pass-thru area to one we notice and enjoy a bit more.
as usual, i didn't spend a cent to restyle this area -
i shopped the house and pulled a new look together for nuthin'!
continue reading for some simple decorating tips...
2.15.2021
snowbuddies!
2.12.2021
more embellished hearts!
'junk makeovers' of an old glass heart-shaped dish and another heart-shaped tin.
and one of those includes an easy-peasy way to add glitter to ANYTHING!
a tiered tray (made by stacking white dishes from the kitchen!)
holds a pretty yellow and white assortment of hearts - with a touch of gray -
and i love how cheerful it is in my studio 'photo spot' by the faux fireplace.
enjoy my last Valentine decor post!
continue reading to see a few 'before' and 'afters'...
2.08.2021
bee mine scrap wood sign
in this third of three related projects...
a small piece of scrap wood found in my garage became this cute sign,
which could hang on a wall or sit on a tiered tray or mantel.
paired with my last two projects, it forms a sweet vignette on my mantel.
2.05.2021
diy decorative honey pot
those were created as part of an entire 'story' for my mantel...
in this post i'm sharing the second element, a honey pot -
and the easy, clever way i made that honey look SO realistic!
2.01.2021
create a valentine's day buzz!
now that it's February, i'm taking the Valentine's theme a BIT further...
1.29.2021
'house of love' salvaged sign
[if you're not old like me, you may not remember that song from the 90's,
recorded by friends (who later married) Amy Grant and Vince Gill.
it's an earworm, so if you want to hear it, there's a link after the post!]
this project is a re-use of something i first created last January -
i've just changed it a bit and added to it. i love re-making old projects!
continue reading to see the before/after...
1.25.2021
diy paper hearts wall art + garland
the freebie hearts cut from magazine pages and other scrap paper in my studio
have also become wall art and a mantel garland.
this is a really easy way to add a fun seasonal touch to your home
using what you have on hand already
(that's really been my Modus Operandi through this whole pandemic)
1.22.2021
scrap paper heart wreath
(i almost broke a drawer in my studio because it was overloaded with heavy magazines.)
so when my brain comes up with an idea for using said scrap paper
(usually at 3 in the morning)
i have a stash on hand that i can dig into, and it costs me nuthin'.
and you all know how i love making art & decor with everyday stuff!
in December, i shared a wreath like this made from old Christmas cards cut into circles.
this time, i cut paper into heart shapes - you could certainly make a heart-shaped wreath, too!
i even brought out a piece of paper that is one of the most valuable i have:
vintage. Disney. and i CUT IT UP. yeah, call me crazy.
but it's my fave part of this wreath!
1.18.2021
diy floral painted hearts
in keeping with my current infatuation with the Pantone Colors of the Year 2021,
i've decided to adapt them to fit this sweet holiday!
eternally optimistic Illuminating Yellow and soothing, cozy Ultimate Gray
pair up with white in this painted diy project,
while the floral designs impart a romantic, country-fresh, sort of boho vibe.
the inspiration for this technique was inspired by two projects from last fall...
and by something of my Mom's that has always been in my life.
continue reading to see what inspired the patterns AND the before shot!
1.15.2021
winter tablescape + diy candle wrap
since my focus for this new year is 'create . decorate . celebrate',
i'm making a concerted effort to do little things for myself more often
in 'celebration' of life and home.
and setting a pretty spot to enjoy it!
cultivating this one habit is an opportunity to step away from the computer
and enjoy some nutritional food, nice music or the sounds of birds outdoors,
and moments of gratitude a few times each day.
we should make the effort even if it's 'just' for ourselves. we're worth it!
1.11.2021
optimistic outlook in my office
at the beginning of a new year, color can energize us and our work spaces.
to help organize and cheer up my work space.
by curating not just the color palette but the amount of items in each area,
my office functions better. i have what i need every day at hand.
items i use less are stored in easily accessible areas, and don't overwhelm the space.
and honestly? this happy sunny yellow color affects my mood. (most days).
so if simply bringing in a new color to my space can do all that, i'm all for it!
1.04.2021
getting cozy for winter...
in my studio (my 'decorating laboratory'!),
i'm finding it very easy to get whole new look using what i have here at home.
maybe you're not into the 'color of the year' palette,
let me show you how to pull together a whole new look using what you already have!
continue reading for some simple decorating tips...
1.01.2021
celebrate home!
(originally by Kenny Loggins, and recently covered by Josh Groban)
that includes these lines:
"Come on and play my music, Let's turn on the love light in the place...
Please, celebrate me home...Play me one more song that I'll always remember,
And I can recall, Whenever I find myself too all alone, I can sing me home."
not feel imprisoned in, not tolerate, not begrudgingly accept... but celebrate.
express gratitude for the home we have, enjoy the time spent there, really live there.
celebrating our homes, if you will.
helping us to embrace and enjoy where we live our lives in simple ways every day.
12.29.2020
color your winter decor
my house looks so empty after the Christmas decor is down.
honestly? i struggle with the whole 'winter wonderland' look...
i live in the desert in Southern California. it's cold here, but not snowy.
and i need color. the monotone snowy look isn't my jam anymore.
recently, a thought came to me:
12.21.2020
rainbow paint chip table runner
are built on top of this rainbow-hued runner.
made from paint chips and freezer paper and a glue stick. SO easy!
and right about now in the holiday season....easy is good.
continue reading for the super-simple 'how-to'...
12.18.2020
colorful holiday tablescapes
it's completely socially acceptable to love cute decor and cute wrapping paper
and watch all kinds of cute, animated movies and tv specials.
let's just take that idea and use it to fuel our imaginations
when it comes to creating a merry and bright tablescape!
continue reading to see two versions of a colorful tablescape,
along with a few 'table tips'...