Designing with Mother Nature

So, here we are, once again, not quite Fall yet the holidays are fast approaching.  So many things to do and so much money spent.  Why not use Mother Nature a little bit more in your seasonal decorating to help ease the strain? Before it gets too cold or the first snow flies (let's face it, this is Canada and that could be any time) go for a walk and have a creative look at bits of nature. 

Here are a few quick and easy ideas to help you along the way:

Go on a  pine cone and acorn hunt. This is great for kids too!  Make it a fun adventure. Take a bag, or two, with you and collect all different cones and acorns, in all shapes and sizes. Once you get home you can separate them and use them in so many ways
-large ones, in a bowl, add some ribbon and you've got a lovely display
-spray paint any to match your "theme"
-tie ribbon around large ones to hang in windows or over large pictures, or even take a few with different ribbon lengths, and make a door swag
-smaller cones can even be sewn together as garlands and even painted as desired
-using inexpensive wire all sizes can be wired to hang as ornaments
-wire together small cones, add some ribbon and make some beautiful natural
gift or gift bag toppers
-even out the bottoms of large cones and use as place setting markers for your seasonal table
-get a wreath form and make your own natural wreaths and how elaborate you make it totally depends on your creativity
-glue some around an inexpensive tray (smaller, pliable ones work best for this) and you can make a lovely centrepiece or even a handmade gift
-add some to your mantle or freestanding on side tables for some extra natural warmth
-pick up some scented oils (concentrated) and soak cones in your favourite seasonal scent beforehand to add some lovely  fragrance to a front hall, living room or washroom
 (much like scented candles, try to keep away from dining areas as the scent may conflict or overpower your food aromas)


Grab some evergreen boughs or even bits and pieces.  These can be placed throughout your home, giving not only a lovely smell, but a trek back in time. 
-if you're not into the natural look you can even spray paint the evergreen to match your colour theme.
-tie a few boughs together to create hanging swags. 
-assemble as a garland using wire and ribbon.
-make a "bed"  as a table centrepiece onto which you can place a clear plate with pillared candles
 -and don't forget the outside-your entry way or porch could always use some natural decor

 You can do so much with birch bark, from wrapping candles and plant pots to making small trays and you can even make one of a kind ornaments and tags.   You are only limited by your imagination.....



 Don't forget about twigs and small tree limbs...standing on their own in a large vase, either natural or painted, can be very effective and if you add light, ribbons or other other natural items it can be beautiful.

 Smaller pieces can also be used to make interesting ornaments, as the base of a natural display, or even mixed in among the natural garland draping your mantel. 

                               So, before we see our annual Winter Wonderland ,

                         grab some of  Mother Nature's Fall bounty and be creative.

                                                   Your choices are endless!

Decorate for Thanksgiving-Quick! Easy! No Cost!

Thanksgiving is here and you want to make it special.  All of the  special dishes you're making will, I'm sure, be resounding successes but have you added a touch of fall to the event?  With all of the shopping, baking, cooking and every day life there doesn't seem to be anything time or money  to decorate. Here are a few really easy and no cost decorating ideas that can even be done with kids. All you need is some thread, some scotch tape (or glue if you have time), scissors and some beautiful leaves.  



Go outside and pick up some leaves or, better yet, let your kids choose the leaves.  Make sure you get quite a few to really make an impact.  Once collected, wipe off the leaves and let them dry a little, then gather your other supplies:

F
irst you can make a swag or garland using thread, tape and leaves.  Measure out how long you want the garland to be and cut the thread (I doubled the thread just to make it a little stronger)  








Then place the leaves on the thread in the order you like making sure the thread is on the back of the leaf.  Then start taping the thread to the leaves.










Make sure you overlap the leaves in order to have a continual leaf garland and to ensure no thread is showing







Once you've finished securing the leaves you can then hand your garland or swag and, since it's so light, it can easily be hing by a small piece of tape.  Make a few and hang them anywhere-in doorways, in your windows, around lamp shades or even use them as decorative runners on your table.  You can even back them with some cardboard, salvaged from your recycle bin, to make a wreath. You are only limited by your imagination.

Now, take a look at your table or side tables.  You can make some festive, seasonal centrepieces by just layering leaves out in a circle and placing a glass plate on top.  You can put anything on this plate-a lovely bowl, pictures, fruit etc.  or even a candle (making sure it is a secured tea light, votive or battery operated) You can build out as far as you like, depending on how many leaves you have.  Such a lovely autumn display.  


You can also take a few glasses on do the same but inside the glass instead.  For these it would be better to use battery-operated candles, for safety reasons.  

You can make a real statement by using items you already have and bringing the natural beauty of fall into your home. Don't forget to use individual leaves around your house as well.  These touches will  only add to what you've already done.  You haven't spent any money but you've created something memorable. Keep that in mind for every season.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Sheets-Not Just For Bed!

For anyone who is trying to fix up a room, with limited money and time,  sheets are a great tool. You can still find inexpensive single sheets, in all sizes, colours and patterns at many department stores and a quick trip to thrift shops might even get you some amazing vintage finds.

Try to  change your mind set, think of sheets as just fabric waiting to be made into something else.  I have used sheets in many ways over the years.  When I really wanted, or needed, to make a change,  and didn't have a lot of money to do so, using sheets really helped stretch my decorating dollar.

Sheets are great instant curtains.  They are easy to sew, wash well, hang well and can cover a large area.  And, if you don't sew, you can use iron-on fabric tape or even cut an opening in any existing top seam.  This is a great alternative for people who are on a limited design budget, for a quick and easy change, for anyone in a design "transition", renters who don't want to put a lot of money into their home design, home staging, or for those just starting out.

Sheets can also be used as closet covers,  on any openings when doors  are not yet in the picture or even as shower curtains (vintage patterns are great for this). They can also be used to divide or screen an area of a room into which you don't want a direct view-especially good for bachelor apartments. 

You can use sheets to cover furniture, tucked in for a quick fix or actually draped and sewn to fit.  They can be used as tablecloths, cut to make pillow covers or they can be sewn to make a custom "duvet" cover for that comforter you love that has some wear.

You can add extras, layers, valances, braiding or trims to make whatever you're using the sheets for, a little more dramatic.  You are only limited by your imagination.

So, the next time you're at the store, have a good look at the sheets.  Something might just catch your eye and you'll realize that sheets don't have to be just for bedtime but can really wake up your whole house. Go on, start day dreaming.

Inspiration

Inspiration is all around us, you just have to look for it.

Books, magazines, advertisements, travel, websites, art, nature and even fashion.  You can find inspiration for your design sense or style anywhere. All great design starts with inspiration and all it takes is one small seed from which you can grow a garden.

You see a colour that resonates with you and, from there, your eye starts seeing things that compliment it.  You see a piece of furniture and you are taken with the style.  It makes you want to explore that style even more.  You see a pattern that you are drawn to and you end up picking out colours that work.  All it takes is a spark and from there your choices are endless.  You will find that everywhere you go you will build on your original thought and once you start it's hard to stop.

Even if you're not planning on changing anything immediately you may be thinking of doing it in a few months so take the time to let your inspiration guide you.  Walk through dollars stores, clearance departments, and even thrift stores (I make this a regular event)  Just wander and browse and, sometimes, along the way, you will come across items that will work really well with your plans.  You will be surprised how you will manage to pick up things you would have never thought you could on your budget.  By the time you're ready to make over that room you will have all that you need with no major dents in your bank account.

So, go for a walk.  Keep your eyes open to new things.  Make note of things, colours and styles that you like and let your inspiration take you away.