Home Decor Projects

Teacups have always been some of my favorite things. I save them even when they are chipped and well-loved, hoping to find another use. I absolutely love shabby chic décor and these teacups have been calling to me to make them into something...

Other people in the office can attest to the fact that I am obsessed with getting a tiny house. I’ve been watching the TV shows about tiny houses, doing research on different types and builders, and generally obsessing over tiny houses in my free...

With the Oscars in just a few days, I thought something to celebrate film history would be perfect. I love the old movies that seem to be made on the most fantastically grand scale. “Gone with the Wind,” “North by Northwest,”...

While traveling in England in 2014, I was fortunate enough to visit the Tower of London on the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I and see the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red exhibit. This exhibit consisted of 888.246 ceramic poppies,...

When guests come to town, our family pulls out all the stops to create the best impression. Even when my brother, who knows the day-to-day mess we live in, comes to town, my whole family is cleaning, polishing, and organizing with a mad haste that is...

Recently, I’ve been trying to whittle down my craft stash. I have supplies everywhere — under my bed, in my desk drawers, covering the closet, and on top of the dog’s crate. I even store my buttons in my sock drawer! In an effort to...

New Year’s Eve is just days away — how are you celebrating? I have a tradition of sitting in my comfiest sweatpants and a pair of high heels to ring in the New Year in style. This year, I created something with plenty of sparkle and some...

Growing up in California, I always dreamed of winter wonderlands. We would visit my grandfather in Ohio and we would romp in the snow for hours. With our cheeks red and our fingers blue, we would still refuse to come inside for dinner. Have you ever...

Inspired by Niki Meiners’ woodburned spoons from the cover of Somerset Home Autumn 2016, this project is a fun and simple way to create a heartfelt housewarming gift, or to add a fun accent to your kitchen. The unfinished spoons are perfect for...

If the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, then that first step usually takes me hours — especially when it comes to artwork. I like to ruminate on what it will become before I dive in. I like to think through the process and the...

I am always looking for new ways to freshen up my bookcases. As an English major, I have created quite a collection of books on every subject imaginable. From Jane Austen to Jane Eyre, I love and cherish my books, but I needed a way to artfully display...

Just about everyone I know has gotten swept up in the essential oil craze, and I can’t say that I blame them. Those who have played around with essential oils know that a little goes a long way, so my friends and I are always talking about...

Fall is now in full swing, and it’s time to bring out the pumpkins again! Halloween is just around the corner and Thanksgiving is already on the horizon, so get ready for the season with this simple tutorial for transforming ordinary paper mache...

These darling bud vases can be hung in a window to catch the light and to decorate your home with a spare blossom or bloom. Blossoms and Bud Vases Project Directions: Attach a strip of decorative paper to the top of the test tube with gel medium or a...

This quick and easy watercolor banner can be done in any color to suit your party and adds an instant pop to any décor. The resist paper used for this banner allows the script pattern to burst through the gelatos, creating an effortless design...

Growing up, one of my favorite sections of the craft store was the aisle that held all the unfinished wooden shapes and cutouts. All they needed were a bit of paint, maybe some stencils, and they were instantly transformed. I loved all the possibilities...

These darling milk bottles are perfect for any country chic home. Whether you put a few flowers in them or use them to display your craft buttons, these bottles are a great storage solution with vintage flair. Milk Bottle Bath Salts Caddy...

I’ve been reading “Les Miserables” for the past two years and have been slowly whittling away at this behemoth of a book during roadtrips, vacation days, weekends, and while waiting in line at the pharmacy. After two years of 5 minute...

Ok, so I’ve had a thing for pineapples this past month. It is a motif that is simple to draw, easy to paint, and full of whimsy. For this project, I decided to translate the pineapple motif into a string art pallet canvas for the kitchen. With just...

I was inspired by a favorite necklace to create this canvas. It is made of flattened copper pennies and has touches of blue and turquoise in the beading. This necklace is cherished and handmade, but matches nothing that I wear, so I’ve had it...

We were so excited to rediscover Angela Cartwright’s transparencies that we created a kit with everything you need to create this project on your own. Use the palm trees, or “palmiers” in French, to create a grungy and shabby chic...

And here it is — the reverse side of my PaperWhimsy Houses! On this side, I opted for a glamorous aesthetic. In my everyday life, I often change my mind between being rustic or polished and glam, so these houses are perfect for me and can be...

Sometimes, it’s all about how you view something. A simple change in perspective can make all the difference in mixed-media art. A whimsy is defined as “an odd or fanciful notion” and that is what this canvas is. It is a collection of...

These amber jars are a versatile way to display your homemade bath and body projects. Whether you’re making lotions, homemade hairspray, dry shampoo, or customized perfumes, these jars and bottles have just the right look for showcasing your...

No one would guess that these houses were supposed to be Christmas-themed. The inspiration just wouldn’t come when asked to use greens and reds, snowflakes and pine trees. However, my creative mantra has always been “Do something and see what...

There’s just something about the color pink. It’s feminine, cheerful, sophisticated. It’s one of my favorite colors to work with because there’s so many different effects that can be conjured with the color pink. For this...

When I first saw the artwork by Leslie Sabella inside The Coloring Studio, I knew that I had to transform her feathers into a dream catcher. However, I wanted to create a fresh take on dream catchers and incorporate some of my favorite mixed-media...

For me, a burning heart always bring me memories of Mexico and Frida Kahlo and I thought a niche would be the perfect fit for it, don't you think so? Burning Heart Project Directions: Cover the heart with metallic or iridescent paint and let dry...

While trying to fuse together Ingrid Pomeroy’s postcards and the chipboard masks for a Halloween project, I was struggling to find my artistic perspective. I felt like the materials were perfectly suited for each other, but couldn’t find a...

  Funky and Glamorous – The Dueling Pumpkins Project Instructions: Start by spray painting a small pumpkin wire form with gold paint and allow it to dry. Tear a few one inch strips of muslin and then spray some strips lightly with Frayed...