Each year in December, it seems that festive decor sightings increase as temperatures decrease. Perhaps you’re not in the habit of hanging up Christmas lights, ornaments, or tinsel the day after Thanksgiving. You can still participate in the festivities by enlisting the help of winter inspired wall art—and bonus: you can display these pieces year-round without disapproving looks from neighbors!
This piece is a sepia-tone photograph of snow covered London. The square framed canvas comes in several sizes to suit your available space—ranging from 12″ to 32″ square. “Walk in the Winter Snow, London” is available at topix for $195.
This abstract take on a frosty sunrise would brighten up any modern room. Measuring 12″ square, the matte print is signed, titled and dated by artist Mandy Budan. “Abstract Landscape Sunrise” is available at budanART for $38.
Support local artists and check out this painting by Cheri Simmons! The 7″ by 5″ oil on canvas features seven spindly trees amidst a cool color palette. “7 Blue Trees III” is available at Smart Deco Home for $75.
These two paintings provide an interesting contrast of graphic pop art and a traditional oil medium. Sold as a pair, the 12″ square “First Snow” paintings are available at Madame Palette for $80.
This stunning abstract oil on canvas incorporates colors of a winter sunrise. Measuring 37″ by 50″ and sold unframed on heavy duty stretcher bars, the original painting is available at Furiousdreams for $3,200.
It’s not uncommon to display a calendar in your home. Conventional calendars feature a different photo or drawing each month, often corresponding in some way to the specific month. When we happened upon these interesting designs, we knew we had discovered modern works of art. Combining design, visual interest, and functionality, these calendars would definitely be a statement piece for your foyer or home office.
A genius concept by designer Oscar Diaz, this Ink Calendar progresses through the month by gradually absorbing ink each day. The ink moves slowly enough to “print” the date each day and provide a more tangible sense of time. The ink color varies—throughout each month—according to a color temperature scale, for example, December features dark blue ink, whereas spring shades include greens and summer shades are red and orange.
This Unraveling Gregor Knitted Calendar is simply an unraveling scarf printed with each day of the year. While the delicate nature of the calendar may not be the most child-friendly calendar, the process of unraveling each new day seems very symbolic.
Created by NOTHING | dESIGN GROUP, this yellow and white Calendar with Vase adds a touch of simplistic femininity. The minimal white backdrop gives you the option to choose your own flower arrangement, the calendar “art” becomes completely customizable.
While not the most essential piece of furniture in your living room, a coffee table can bring together a room, create a more furnished space, and provide a sense of comfort and personal style. There are endless shapes, sizes and styles of coffee tables, and choosing one will depend on your tastes and available space. Consider these Friday finds a starting point:
The Strattura Oval Coffee Table features a modern, structured silhouette. Combining pressed elm wood and brushed stainless steel, the sleek table measures 15.7″ high by 55.1″ wide. The Strattura is available at Smart Deco Home for $289.
The Industrial Scissor Lift Table is a reproduced 20th-century American factory lift, made of iron-finished sheet metal, industrial casters, and a turning wheel to adjust height. The lift table is available at Restoration Hardware for $1,995.
The Driftwood Coffee Table provides a nautical, rustic accent piece—featuring a solid piece of driftwood and a durable glass plate. Measuring at 20″ by 34″, the driftwood table is available at I.O. Metro for $499 (on sale from $799!).
The Rams Head Coffee Table comprises a pair of gold sprayed metal rams’ heads and an elegant glass top. We’re unsure whether this is an original 20th century piece, it appears to be in “very good original condition.” The rams head table is available by Talisman at 1stdibs.
This Pallet Jack coffee table is easily reproducible (and customizable) with a used pallet and a few cans of paint. We thought we’d include it for all of the DIY buffs out there. See the full tutorial at Tres Chere.
While Thanksgiving is a holiday of traditions, we think this roundup of bright and cheery tablescapes will provide you with fresh ideas for this year’s Turkey Day decor. Often associated with warm earthy colors, Thanksgiving is centered around family, food, and of course, gratitude. Why not show your appreciation by amping up the traditional tablescape with colorful accents, cheerful flowers, and chic details?
Incorporating fuchsia will instantly glamorize a Thanksgiving table. Gorgeous flowers can add pops of color as well, which can be striking against black and white accents throughout the decor.
Many seasonal vegetables are inherently colorful. By enlisting the help of a variety of foods, you can add even more festive color to the table—whether the food is meant to eat or simply to look at!
Seasonal shades of orange can be both elegant and quirky. For a more subdued effect, stick to darker tones such as rust, gold, and brown. For a fun, bright tablescape, opt for lighter shades of yellow, orange, and cream.
We couldn’t resist sharing this “Grateful Mod” tablescape by Hostess with the Mostess. We realize this retro theme isn’t for everyone, but it’s definitely a light and refreshing take on Thanksgiving decor.
The polka dot trend started out on the fashion runways and has made its way into home decor. While polka dots are timeless, they do drift in and out of popularity. If the idea of brightly spotted furniture doesn’t appeal to you, maybe these Friday Finds will. We like these distressed dots in muted and neutral colors—what do you think?
This Hand Printed Linen Drum Shade (in Dot) features water-based sky blue ink on 100% pure natural ivory linen. When lit, an earthy stone-blue color appears—suitable for many color schemes. The shade includes a 15-foot cord and measures 14″ by 10″. The drum shade is available at PrintingGrounds for $150.
The Seduto Arm Chair (in Charcoal) is a versatile living or dining chair featuring a dark gray dot pattern. The distressed spots tone down the sleek straight lines of the chair legs, providing a balance between retro and modern. The Seduto chair measures 33.5″ in height and is available at Smart Deco Home for $279.
This 18″ Sand Spotted Ikat Pillow Cover features a blend of silk and cotton in a dotted pattern. The inconsistencies in the printed spots—a result of natural dyes and handmade processes—are a charming feature of the understated pillow cover. The luxurious pillow cover is available at Furbish Studio for $45.
And just in case you do like bright spots, we found this set adorable polka dot coasters. Retro and playful, the ceramic coasters feature a cork backing and a waterproof varnish. Each tile is a 4.25″ square. The set of four Worn Out Polka Dot Coasters are available at LittleCoasterGnome for $13.
Wine lovers and DIY buffs will love this roundup of ideas featuring wine corks. Even if you don’t drink wine, you can buy reasonably priced recycled corks on Amazon, or ask friends to start collecting them. While there are many ridiculous wine cork projects and tutorials floating around cyberspace, incorporating one of the following eco-friendly ideas into your own home would add a touch of character. Perhaps the most appropriate places would be a home bar, a wine cellar, or a dining room—but we trust you to decorate responsibly.
The brilliant red and purple hues scattered through this wine cork monogram add to its wow-factor. The sheer size of the letter makes it a standalone piece—great for a wine cellar door or large wall. A similar effect could be achieved by using fewer corks or even by creating a pattern with the different colors.
As the holidays approach, wreaths tend to step into the seasonal spotlight. What better way to show your love of wine by creating a wine cork wreath? The earthy tones and burgundy ribbon allow this wreath to be festive rather than gaudy or overdone—you could even display it year-round!
This stunning work of cork art was created using plywood, mastic, construction adhesive, and polyurethane. The glossy polyurethane provides a finish not often associated with the matte texture of wine corks. The end result is a beautifully textured wall hanging that would be a great addition to any room.
This set of hexagonal coasters is made of recycled wine corks and a cream colored cotton ribbon. They’re finished with a traditional flat cork bottom to protect surfaces and aid in traction. You can buy the Honeycomb Wine Cork Coasters from LizzieJoeDesigns for $15.
This set of coasters brings a slightly different aesthetic to the table. Each coaster is made from four wine corks cut in half and secured to a cork base for stability. You can buy these Wine Cork Coasters from Corkey Creations for $13.
If you’re blessed with a large dining room, you may want to invest in a buffet server. Servers are especially appropriate around this time of year, with Thanksgiving and the holiday season approaching.
With classic lines and a traditional cherry finish, the Broyhill Color Cuisine Server features two doors, five drawers, a pull out shelf, and an adjustable wine rack. The server is available at Wayfair for $979.
The Contro Sideboard would provide sleek contemporary appeal to any modern dining room. Featuring a glass top, pressed wood, and high gloss lacquer, the server is very versatile in terms of placement and use. The Contro Sideboard is available at Smart Deco Home for $969.
The Swank Server can be used as a buffet server, a sofa table, or a statement piece for any room. Available with custom sizing, inset patterns, finishes and table top options (such as wood, glass, and tile), the Swank Server features a swanky asymmetrical art deco motif. Contact Brushaber Wood Design at (800) 461-6658 (ext. 2926) for pricing details.
The Grand Rococo Server would be perfect for a French country cottage or any shabby chic style room. Feminine details such as the sumptuous corregated edges and the distressed demure stripes give this buffet server an elegant twist. The Grand Rococo Server is available at Cottage & Bungalow for $2,097.
The Portland Server, backed by artisan craftsmanship, features cherry and maple veneers, multi-toned dye, lacquer, and varnish. “Eastern influence, modern aesthetic and adaptable functionality” come together to produce a stunning piece of work—perfect for a contemporary dining or living area. Contact Phi Home Designs at (800) 461-6658 (ext. 2251) for pricing details.
Scrabble tiles have made quite a name for themselves in the DIY and home decor blogosphere. As an iconic and nostalgic way to display a personalized message, there are endless ways to incorporate America’s Favorite Word Game into your own home. We wouldn’t suggest all of these items in the same room, but fully encourage you to dabble in the Scrabble trend!
This adorable set of pillowcases spelling “COZY” would be a sweet addition to a sofa, a guest room futon, or a quirky master bedroom. The 12″ cases are made of heavyweight decorator fabric and the letters and points are cut from high quality wool felt and sewn in place. You can buy these from Dirtsa Studio on Etsy or attempt to make your own.
Although the seller of this 8×10 white Scrabble tile print is on vacation, we think you could easily recreate this wall art. Whether you hang it as a monogram or a sentimental word, the project would be as simple as A-B-C: print, mat, and frame!
This crossword of kid-friendly words would be a cute way to personalize a nursery or playroom. To reduce confusion and increase literary awareness, recognizable objects have been substituted for number values.
These Scrabble Letter Mugs are a fresh alternative to a monogrammed mug. Sip in style with these cream color coffee mugs, each with its coordinating point value.
These Scrabble tile coasters are so creative and completely customizable. Since they’ve already been sold on Etsy, we think a thrifted box of Scrabble and a couple hours on the weekend would produce a similar effect. We love the drink references in these coasters, but you could substitute names or other themed words as well. We recommend using a similar method to the creator (MadeByMarcy) of these drink-themed coasters: secure the pieces with E6000 glue and spray them with a sealer for water resistance.
Floor lamps not only bring light into a room, they can instantly become a focal point or a statement piece to an otherwise empty corner. We thought we’d shed some light on this week’s fabulous finds: floor lamps!
Measuring almost 46″ tall, this Weave Floor Lamp features a cylinder tweed-like shade (made of Textilene fabric) and provides a cross-hatching effect when lit. The four-pronged base is made of bronze-plated steel. The Weave Floor Lamp is available at Crate & Barrel for $149.
This 68″ Citrine Floor Lamp includes beautiful brass-plated steel with a travartine marble base. The textured linen hardback shade features a painted brass overlay to complement the luxurious lamp. The Citrine Floor Lamp is available at Smart Deco Home for $516.
This intriguing sculptural lamp creates an optical illusion from any angle. The Cyclone Floor Lamp measures 63″ tall and is made of American black walnut, laminated waterfall Shoji paper, and stainless steel. The floor lamp is available at Rocket Age Lighting (on Etsy) for $1,950.
This made to order Tall Faith Lamp features an elegant flower design. Illuminated tissue paper (available in several colors) provides an organic and feminine accent, while the beaten copper base keeps the lamp grounded. The Tall Faith Lamp is available at Radiance for £295.
We were stunned to hear this glamorous lamp was made from a Target floor lamp, Coca Cola bottles, and duct tape. Check out her “glampsformation” at Matsutake—and let us know if you attempt a similar project!
In line with the many styles of home decor, it seems that kitchens can adopt an even wider range of personal style. Many country kitchens enlist recurring themes such as roosters, apples, or even the Italian Bistro-themed fat chef. Other kitchens feature novelty themes like lighthouses or beaches, and still others rely on a theme color.
Red and teal together are often reminiscent of retro kitchens, seen here in this collection of photographs. Red and teal may not be a popular choice for modern kitchens, as it’s undoubtedly a bold color combination.
You still can, however, achieve a vintage-inspired kitchen by mixing throwback accents in with your modern day decor. We like this smorgasbord of pretty prints and sunny pastels—a feminine spin on farmhouse vintage.
By customizing your kitchen with vintage finds and antique treasures, you can create a personalized space that pays homage to the era of your choosing. We’ve discovered a few decorative accents that just may be the perfect portal between then and now.
If you find a collection like this one or just a few mismatched pieces, you should snatch them up! Vintage enamel (or tin) bulk containers are simply charming, and can be used for storage, decor, or both.
This easy D.I.Y. from Kara Paslay Designs transforms a vintage flour sack into a cute kitchen curtain. We’re so inspired by the brilliant creativity of this project—think of all the vintage fabrics you could use for similar ideas!
These “Giant Fat Owl Salt and Pepper Shakers” are perfect as a kitschy kitchen accent. Measuring at 4.5” tall, the shakers are no ordinary seasoning set. The set is available at The Getup Vintage Clothing’s shop for $15.
An old breadbox is a must-have for any farmhouse kitchen. Who knew the vintage classic could be so stylish when paired with feminine details and delicately labeled tea canisters? Whether you use a breadbox for bread or not, we think it’s the perfect solution for an empty kitchen nook.
While a little more antique-like than retro, these Lovin Spoon Pulls are simultaneously quirky and elegant. The spoon handles would serve well as an accent to a quaint cabinet, lone drawer, or special box, but we wouldn’t recommend installing a kitchen-full of these spoon pulls.
Do you have any vintage accents in your home? Send us photos!
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