Handmade Home Decor

Handmade Home: Dusty Rose Decor

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

by Jessika Hepburn, O Happy Day Handmade

If there was a colour associated with these final days of summer it would be a soft dusty rose. The shade is perfect for the time of year when the sun is all golden and syrupy, there is an abundance of fruits fresh from harvest and the flowers are putting on their last big show, for me the colour is both elegance and sweetness, a mix of romance and innocence. Since my other half is dead set against me repainting the rooms to match my mood, I am sharing some home decor items from my covet list instead. But I am still going to look at paint; )

I am so totally in love with Fawn&Forest and all their incredible products that I could probably write enough features for a month if I let myself but instead I forced myself to just choose these four:

1. This sweet cuckoo clock by Decoylab is printed on heavy paper, at only $28 it is a reasonable indulgence for any room! Available in a number of beautiful colours.

2. The Story Mobile from Ferm Living has five gentle figures printed on organic cotton fabric. The mobile comes packaged in an adorable box along with a wee little bedtime story.

3. Dahlia wool rugs from Dwellstudio are made of 100% hand tufted New Zealand wool and are the perfect balance between whimsy and excellent design.

4. This modern four piece retro style Paper Dolls crib set is also from Dwellstudio.

5. Keep summer alive all year round with a rose and caramel cherry blossom wreath from KnockKnocking

6. I will be doing a tutorial at some point about how to make unique embroidery hoop art since I have noticed how popular this style is becoming, but the stunning Chrysanthemum Mandala hanging from CaitlinSainio is beyond my crocheting ability!

7. What says love better then a fuzzy felted dusty rose love bowl from The Fuzzy Monkey?

8. The Lotsa Birdies canvases from Cici Art Factory are hand painted by fellow Canadian, Vancouver artist Liz Clay.

Happy Shopping (or coveting as the case may be)!

Up & Away with hjrd Design: magnetic wall art and free download

Thursday, August 19, 2010

by Jessika Hepburn, O Happy Day Handmade

One of the perks of editing a wonderful site like Oh My Handmade is that I am contacted by many incredible artists who often have unique and creative products that I can covet, and then share with you. This month I was emailed by Helen Riley-Duddin, the New Zealand artist behind hjrd Design. Helen creates the beautiful interactive and magnetic wallscapes featured in this post using upcycled materials like vintage fabric and wall paper scraps. These wallscapes are both art and play, unlike static vinyl stickers they can transform any wall or paintable surface into a dynamic and ever-changing canvas.

“My design approach always reflects the influence of existing elements, whether it be materials or intangible details. My wallscapes upcycle unused or discarded materials by changing their context to appreciate the beauty of their colours and textures – liberating them from their former garments and associations.”

Pictured above: set of 6 heart magnets, building blocks decals, little birdie magnet

Helen has a background in Communication Design and Marketing, she teaches some of these subjects and Interior Design courses at the local college and is also a freelance designer. After becoming a parent Helen was inspired to use her design skills to create “something halfway between art and play” for her own home and her magnetic wallscapes were the fantastic end result.

Helen has also created some adorable colouring pages and has offered OMHG readers a free download of her Up & Away colouring page (pictured below), just click here and colour away!

Come back on Monday and enter for a chance to win the magnetic rainbow decal of your choice (check back for giveaway rules) from hjrd Designs.

Choosing Color Palettes for your Workspace

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

by Renae of Red Parentheses

Choosing colors for your workspace is probably the most important decision you’ll make in the design process. If chosen properly you will feel like you are the best you whenever you walk into your office. Here are some tips to choosing the best color palette for you.

1. Think about your personality. Would you rather walk into a spa or would you rather walk into a luxurious hotel. Do you want to vacation in Tuscany or the Virgin Islands? Simple questions like these will clue you into the type of color palette you should use for your workspace.

When I first thought about questions like these I thought — but I love Tuscany and the Virgin Islands. I don’t want to choose between them! As hard as it is to choose though, you can’t vacation in both places at once. Take your time and pick one that you will enjoy for a few years. You will want to change it again a few years down the road to keep it fresh. So vacation in Tuscany now and the Virgin Islands in a few years, or vice versa.

Tuscany Color Palette

A Calming Color Palette photo courtesy Centsational Girl

2. Decide between warm and cool tones. After deciding on the feel that you want for your space, you need to decide whether you want a warm or cool color palette. Each color has a warm and cool counterpart.

Most folks consider green a cool color, but a warm green palette is quite popular among professional designers. Cool greys are also quite popular and they don’t have to be boring. Just add a pop of color as an accent and then the greys become relaxing instead of boring.

Warm Green Color Palette

Cool Grey Color Palette

3. Are you a neutral? It took me years and years to realize that some of my favorite colors are neutral beiges, sands and tea colors. After all, when asked, who says beige is their favorite color? No one! But now I say it loud and proud. I love beige! It’s such an important color and makes everything creamy, warm and inviting. There is a reason why it is used over and over again in design. It’s one of the most popular neutrals and has stood the test of time.

Warm Neutral Color Palette photo courtesy HGTV

4. What kind of vintage are you? Vintage colors can look fantastic if used with modern designs. Take modern furniture, add a vintage color and you have something quite unique and tasteful.

You can also add a pop of color within a vintage color palette, then your design will have a totally different feel.

Classic Vintage Color Palette

Classic Vintage with a Pop of Color

Dark Vintage Color Palette photo courtesy HGTV

Bold Vintage Color Palette

5. Your own unique color palette. After you have quizzed yourself and looked at colors until your eyes hurt, experiment and decide what you love best. You don’t have to choose a color palette that fits any of the above categories. It took me a couple years to decide what color palette I wanted for my own blog and I know in a few years, my tastes will probably change again. But that is OK. That’s what makes colors great. There is a unique color palette for everybody. The hard part is figuring out what your own personal tastes are.

RedParentheses.com’s Color Palette

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Renae earned her Bachelors degree at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She has three little girls and runs a Stationery business full time and is OMHG’s newest monthly contributor. Check out her blog at http://www.redparentheses.com.

Handmade Home: Inspirational Workspaces

Thursday, July 22, 2010

by Jessika Hepburn, O Happy Day Handmade

Today’s post was inspired by my kitchen table. Mainly because I spent the whole day working at it, since my studio is lost in mess so deep I would need a map and compass to locate the table, and a pitchfork to unearth it. Really, it’s that bad. I made a valiant attempt to organize some of it but gave up and headed downstairs. Needing inspiration I decided to do two things at once, write this post and get myself energized for some midnight cleaning.

It was hard choosing just four of my favorite workspaces but these ones made me want to pin up my hair and get to work making my own space pretty (and functional) again. So if your workroom deserves a sign that says, “Here there be dragons” hopefully these beautiful rooms inspire you to make a change!

1. Blessed Little Nest’s studio space is by far my favourite. It is so full of colour, whimsy and cheer that it makes me want to invite myself over for tea and crafting! I love the general nest theme and I actually planned an entire window display at Nurtured around those bird cards from eeBoo. It’s hard to believe she only paid around $6 at a Goodwill for that beautiful old Singer!

2. I have come across Spring Chick’s creative and modern workspace before via Apartment Therapy, Modish & Ikea Hacker and wanted to share it with you. The big work table was made by bolting together 4 ikea kitchen cabinets. If I had a room big enough to fit it in, while still having room to get in the door, I would be so making this- or “helping” Chris make it, same thing.

3. Red is Best by Kathy Stinson is one of my daughter’s favourite books and this scrapbook room from Two Peas In A Bucket proves that red is best for so many things. I am really excited about the spice rack button organizer idea.

4. A tribute to inspiring spaces wouldn’t be complete without SouleMama’s light-filled and vibrant workspace. This room is simply perfect-it balances clutter and cleanliness in a way I wish I could replicate in my own home. I can just imagine closing the door and letting “art wash from the soul the dust of the everyday (Picasso)”.

Happy Crafting!

Levi and Norah’s Nursery

Friday, May 7, 2010

by Sara Tams of sarah + abraham

I recently came across this beautiful nursery on Facebook when I noticed that my friend, Summer Knobloch, had commented on one of the photos. I contacted Callie Branch, the talented crafty mom behind the photos to ask if I could share them with our readers.

I love the colors and of course all of the vintage and handmade touches! I asked Callie to tell me a little bit about the room and share links to any of the handmade items that can be purchased online. Here’s what she told me…

“We had all of the furniture, we just needed another crib. Luckily, a friend who’s daughter was moving into her ‘big girl bed’, had the exact same crib – so they actually match… a nice bonus!

I couldn’t find bedding that I loved that would work for both a boy and a girl, or if I did, it would have cost close to $1,000 for two sets – not an option with all the formula and diapers in our future (we also have a 6-year-old and a 3-year-old). So I decided I’d just make quilts and banners in fabrics that make he happy – robin’s egg blue, red, and brown, with some yellow and green thrown in. I also made the changing pad cover.

We removed the closet door for easy access to the clothes, and I sewed pom-poms on the edge of the curtains.

The hankie belonged to my grandma – she collected them. I painted the frame red and strung wire across the back to pin the hankie onto. I love having a piece her her in the babies room.”

ROOM RESOURCES:

8×10 I am a Child of God print (on the top shelf in the middle picture in the bottom row), $24 at Persimmon & Pink.

Whimsical birdcage vinyl wall decal, $23 at Wei-Wei’s Babies.

The “doll face” plate on the dresser in the top left photo and the “silly goose” plate in the middle photo are available online for $8.50 each at Jane Jenni Shop.

Handmade Home Decor: Pillows

Friday, April 2, 2010

by Holly Mathis of Holly Mathis Interiors

This time of year we all get the itch to change things up around our home. Of course there is no simpler way than to add fresh pillows. I’m in love with these number ones from Heidi Devlin’s Etsy shop. She is so nice and also does symbols, family names and a feed sack look.

And what says spring more than a nest?? I am so in love with blue lately! I haven’t been this in to the color blue since my ca. 1981 Holly Hobbie bedspread! (read more…)

handmade home decor: Henry’s nursery

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

by Holly Mathis of Holly Mathis Interiors

Few things are more special or can be more of a blessing than preparing for a new life to enter your home. Whether it’s a large room or a small corner, a baby space is special and can bring so much joy to the one making preparations. It can also be stressful because (a) hormones are involved, (b) Mama is tired (especially if there are older siblings to care for), and (c) there are so many decorating choices and ideas out there. It can be overwhelming to say the least. I encourage the moms I work with to do two things – keep it simple, and start early if possible!

When decorating 7-month-old-son Henry’s nursery I knew I wanted to keep much of the “bones” the same from his brother’s room: white furniture, linen colored walls (Laura Ashley Stone 2), and white scalloped awnings. Big brother’s room was more vintage and red… I wanted Henry’s room to have softer colors with a touch of a modern feel. (read more…)

free artwork perfect for a child’s bedroom, nursery or playroom

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

by Sara Tams of sarah + abraham

Feed Your Soul is a free art project that was launched in February 2009 by Jen Wallace of Indie Fixx to help art lovers feed their souls with art in these difficult economic times and to help artists promote their work.

Each month artists are invited to participate and to contribute a print which is totally free and available for download. New prints are added on Mondays as they become available.

Above are a few of my favorite prints that I think would be super cute in a nursery, a child’s bedroom, or a playroom. And they’re all available as free downloads here.