grocery store flower + herb bouquet

welcome, August!

this last month of the summer season always slows me down. 

i find myself taking more walks, reading more books, just enjoying the 'now'

instead of constantly planning and making lists for all that is coming in the future...

and isn't that what summer is all about? being in the moment? enjoying life?

i take it easy when it comes to decor, as well. take flowers, for example... 

combining a grocery store bunch of mixed flowers with a handful of fresh herbs from my garden, 

i quickly created a stylish and fragrant late-summer bouquet!

continue reading to see my easy tips...

easy canvas awning valance

we decided that the window treatments in our home would be simple and coordinated -

nothing heavy or complex to make the rooms feel closed in.

so white wood blinds went up first for privacy and sun control 

then simple side panels made of canvas dropcloths that fall from floor to ceiling,

adding softness to the hard edges.

when it came to the kitchen window, i needed something different.

and though i STILL haven't found the vintage metal awning i really want for this space,

i came up with a solution that gives the window style in the meantime...

continue reading to see how easy this faux awning valance was to make!

why i planted pvc pipes in my yard...

when we designed our backyard, we had to work with some limitations
(as all design projects do)...
turns out, 'planting' a few pvc pipes on our raised bed slope solved one!

continue reading to see my easy DIY solution...

wood ladder easel

in a recent post, i shared this 'found and foraged flag' project.

what i didn't share was the way i've chosen to display that flag art in my office:

on a ladder. oh, but it's not just ANY old ladder! 

continue reading to see how i modified it in just two easy steps... 

a found & foraged flag

you know, i love decorating with red white and blue
just as much as the next patriotic American... but... 

what if i don't want to use red and blue in my home, 

and want to stick with white + warm neutrals?

well... i found a way to do exactly that, and still have a focus on the flag for the Fourth of July!

i was cleaning out the garage (which may just be a summer-long project, i tell you...)

and found a bunch of materials left over
from when i closed the homewardFOUND shop last March.

when i looked at the weathered white fence pickets,
and the blue-ish zinc metal scraps, i saw a flag.

 so i got busy assembling it on the workbench...
and that metal in the top photo isn't what you think it is!

...continue reading to see how i made my own faux zinc!

turning the tables...

seems like every day, i see a photo on social media of tables made from wood cable spools.
it's kind of the 'orange crate' diy decor trend of the 70's reborn!

i've STILL not seen anyone do with them what *i* do with them:
pair the wood spool top with metal bases from other tables. 
because, you know, i always have to do things differently than other people!
we have quite a few variations on this theme at home - 
... continue reading to see what i've created!

diy headboard to a-door...

in my book, making do with what you already have simplifies life,

and certainly beats buying more stuff...

when we moved into the new house, i had two choices:

use the same old wood gate as a headboard,

or come up with something new.

i chose 'something new' - but of course i didn't go out and BUY a headboard!

keep reading to see what i did....