holiday ornament diy ideas a-plenty.

No matter whether the Christmas season is actually in the air or not, it's on my blog and I'm rolling with it. Mainly because I love the season, am slammed with dollhouse building and could use a little holiday spirit in my life. Plus my mom already has her "holiday theme" picked out and it's driving me nuts that she's ahead of me.

For those that don't know, a "holiday theme" starts with the tree. Unlike my mom, I tend to bypass the Pottery Barn pulled-together tree and head straight for The Christmas Story glittery, tinsel-filled mayhem.

Tacky, yes. A lot, of course. But it a good way.

So this year, like every year, I opt for homemade ornaments. I already have my signature super sentimental ornaments (+grandma) but I like to mix up the arrangement with some new duds from time to time. But what type of homemade you ask? These past few weeks, I've been collecting DIY ornament ideas off pinterest (duh) as a way to gather my thoughts. The good news is that majority of these ornament ideas are relatively easy (read: more likely to actually get done). The "bad" news? Let's just say it's going to be a lot of metallic, a lot of garland and a lot of glitter. Little fake Christmas tree from Walgreens circa 2009, you are going to look ADORABLE.

miss mustard seed

squeeze lines of Elmer's glue on glass bulb and sprinkle with glitter.

martha stewart

stick string in glue and wrap around small balloons

once dry, pop balloons and presto!

martha stewart

these would be cute even just spray painted, i swear!

but if you want to glitter, get hours of your life back by using spray adhesive instead of Elmer's.

aesthetic outburst

pour white paint inside glass ball and swirl around until all sides are covered.

grab puffy paint (or acrylic if you're boring) and paint on the designs.

mary jane and galoshes

you don't have to use maps for this one. cut identical shapes out of desired material.

grab a Styrofoam ball, start from the bottom, secure with a hot glue gun and work your way up.

zakka life

origami birds. ok, ok, these don't have to be glittered - maybe just some scrapbook paper.

elle decor

collect leaves while they're still falling, let dry and spray paint gold.

do-it-yourself

this I would tweak to add a tad more contrast.

tape off half of the pine cone and spraying the tips lime green or red.

bargain hoot

don't forget the garland!

grab some construction paper, holiday scrap booking paper, ribbon, scissors and a glue stick.

michelles journal corner

toilet paper roll slices, a glue gun and glitter

eighteen25

spray with adhesive and start circling 'round the ornament.

this may/may not be harder than it looks.

Purple rain, purple rain.

Today's color inspiration is purple. Eek!

It. Is. Terrifying. Too dark and you live in a cave. Too light and you live in a 5 year old's bedroom. And even if you think you've balanced it just right, you still run the risk of it being too girly, causing boys to vanish completely.

Still, nothing says regal, poised and polished like a dose of eggplant. Or lilac. Or aubergine.

So how do you do it? How do you make your room look like a place to unwind with a cocktail vs. an imaginary tea party? With extreme caution, that's how.

You want tips? You want advice? Well, I have none. Because even I'm too nervous to take the plunge. Because the color is just that scary. But what I can do is show you some pretty handsome rooms that even I wouldn't mind having in my own home. That is, if I can overcome the fear.

The sheer window treatment lets light in without opting for a bare window.

Good balance of light and dark tones.

(my home ideas)

Almost used as a neutral here.

Lots of taupe and gray to counteract with the rich hue.

(apartment therapy)

Again with the neutrals and I'm seeing a pattern of white furniture pairings.

The natural elements of the room compliment the saturated color of the sofa.

Plus, the tufting makes purple (or navy) an obvious color choice.

(my favorite and my best)

I heart this room. Especially all of the dog pictures.

For grownups, the menagerie of pictures help break up the bright wall.

I'd pair with a white, iron bed to keep more sophisticated.

And maybe vary the picture theme.

(ohdeedoh)

Totally works here as an accent. And very inviting - even for boys.

The bright color, opposite on the color wheel helps balance.

(colour me happy)

More of a gray tone works as a neutral.

Animated accessories help distribute focus.

Actually, really liking the wall color.

(elle decor)

Love the pairing with warm wood tones.

The matte finish helps keep subdued.

(design sponge)

The large window helps keep the room looking light.

Minimal accessories with lots of white balance dark tones.

(style by emily henderson)

Warm up your room without turning up the heat.

With yesterday being so rainy, cold and dreary, I couldn't stop thinking about how nice it would be to warm up next to a fireplace. For those of you who have this luxury, don't let it go to waste.

Aside from providing heat, a fireplace has been known to create a certain feeling, bring a certain tone or portray a certain style. In fact, most designers would say to make your fireplace the primary focus of the room - the grand statement. This can be true in certain cases however, lately I have been gravitating toward spaces that do just the opposite. Placing the focus more on furniture placement and conversation areas rather than displayed objects is an easy way to modernize your space while creating a more relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

Here are some examples of how to keep it relaxed. Keep it fresh. Keep it real.

Use it as a backdrop. The unframed snapshots and mismatched display items keep the fireplace looking casual and part of a larger composition. The lamp and guitar resting on the base offer an invitation to sit down and get comfortable.

Keep it simple. Often times, fireplaces can tend to look more formal especially if constructed out of marble. Displaying a couple key, small objects in an asymmetrical way can dress down the area. Balancing traditional pieces with modern patterns, textures and light fixtures can also help make the space seem less formal.

Give it a purpose. A lot of times, fireplaces are treated like a built-in display case. Streamline the room's design by getting rid of the mantel and frame while using the chopped lumber as a decorative statement. This helps keep the focus on the seating making the room feel relaxed and available for great conversation.

top to bottom: apartment therapy, design*sponge, elle decor

Part Two: The Role Models

The second part when dealing with a room identity crisis is to pick out what you consider to be your "dream [room]". Check out books from the library, flip through magazines or play around on google to find the one (or two) that feels the most inspiring and, more importantly, the most "you".

Focus on one aspect of your home at a time so you don't become overwhelmed. Pay close attention as to what attracts you to this room the most and identify the top three reasons you just can't get enough of it. Is it the color? Is it the way the accessories are displayed? Is there one piece in the room that makes you melt? 

Since all of the photos from the last post (sorry it was a week ago) are from my living room, I'll start with that. 

What I like most about these rooms are their natural elements, attention-grabbing artwork and the vibrant mix of textures and patterns. What do you need in your room?

top to bottom: Domino Magazine, Elle Decor Magazine

Flowers make the room grow... prettier.

Margaret Russell of Elle Decor always says that a room is not finished unless you have something living in it. I definitely agree with this and, with the weather being as amazing as it is today, plants are the perfect topic of discussion. 

Plants are one of the easiest ways to brighten up a room. You can use them fill a corner, add some color or make a room smell fantastic. However, with all of the varieties, a plant could become an overwhelming choice to make and in my case, a little scary.

In the past, I have killed numerous ferns, flowers and palms trying to accomplish this terrific rule of thumb due to my lack of a green one. However, after a few pointers from my mother and a little research on what plants are right for me, I am proud to say that all of my plants are still alive and the maintenance is actually easier than I made it out to be. Here are some basic tips to get started.

1. Get a pot that drains well. There are a lot of pots out there that are cute, however not functional to those that require a planting handicap. Terra cotta pots (with saucer) are great options because they are inexpensive but can still provide a warm, earthy feel to a space. 

Note: If you do go with this option, make sure to put the pot on a coaster or a plant stand so you don't warp a wooden floor or table. Oops.

 photo by back_garage on flickr

2. Plants aren't nearly as thirsty as you think they are. I was so nervous about killing my plants that I watered them everyday. Truth be told, a hearty plant only needs to be watered 1-2 times a week (double oops). If you're still thinking your plant looks a little sad, check the soil to see if it's damp to the touch. If the soil is, then it has plenty of water. If it's not, then bring on the water. Here are some plants I have had recent success with.

 

plants: basil, butterfly

3. If all else fails, just get fresh cuts. Here are some really great options that, if you're lucky, can possibly last for two weeks. Fresh cuts are also great for special occasions or making your day just that much prettier.

                                          flowers: poppies, anemone