Okay, truth. Pink is my favorite color. And I know I should be over it -- after all, I'm not a little girl anymore. But when decorating my home for Valentine's Day, I get a few weeks of guilt-free reprieve and go crazy with pink! From subtle soft pinks to hot vibrant pinks, this cheery vignette is fit for the LOVEly day.
Read MoreTraditionally, my family has always had a Christmas feast on the night before Christmas, so tonight, the dining table must be merry and bright. For my Christmas decor, glittered pinecones are the stars of the show as they drip from the chandelier above our table. On the body of the chandelier are silvery green leaves and swags of ivory ribbon cradling larger glittered pinecones.
Read MoreIf I've spent the time to find the perfect gift, I want to give that gift the perfect wrapping. And it all starts with the wrapping paper! For a blank slate, I love to use brown wrapping paper...it allows me to create designs directly onto the paper, emboss stamps or drawings, and add virtually any color ribbon or accoutrement I desire. Here are simple DIY directions for wrapping the perfect gift:
Read MoreAs with most things in Nora's Nest, I'm always searching for nature-inspired, glamorous ways of approaching decor and lifestyle. Christmas gift wrapping is no different! This Christmas time, I was inspired by the usual suspects: pinecones, pine-needles, and holly for nature, and glitter, satin, and silver bells for glamour. I've created three lovely gift wrapping ideas to give your Christmas presents an extra punch of natural-glam. Using brown wrapping paper (or brown butcher paper) as a neutral base for all three gifts, the wrapping world is your oyster!
Read MoreI'll be honest: When it comes to vintage Christmas ornaments, I've been both naughty and nice this year. My obsession with these ornaments coaxed me into buying them throughout the year (the naughty side), but the obsession also gives me a collection large enough to spread holiday cheer throughout the home (the nice side). In addition to the Christmas tree, I've adorned manzanita branches, clam shells, and chandeliers with these lovely treasures in every room. So what if I've been a little naughty? I think it's worth it! Spread the cheer in your home this year!
Read MoreI love making beautiful Christmas decorations that can be used year after year. This year, I made glittered star garlands that adorn my antique mirrors, trying to replicate the vintage glass chard ornaments I often find in antique stores. Make these shining stars for a garland, or use them as ornaments in your tree. DIY instructions are below, and may your home be starry and bright!
Read MoreFour years ago today, I married my husband in a winter wonderland wedding. My family, husband-to-be, and I worked for months to glitter five-thousand pinecones, creating Christmas tree ornaments, pinecone wreaths, and table accoutrements for the wedding day. Today, many of the beautiful pinecones adorn our home for Christmas decor, their presence always reminding me of our sparkling, magical moment. Happy 4th Anniversary, Padraic, my love!
Read MoreNothing makes me happier than seeing my family and friends for a Thanksgiving feast -- and decorating for it, of course! Since the turkey is the star of the table show, I like to keep the table scape simple and elegant using natural elements such as leaves, pinecones, and pumpkins. They bring the warm spirit of Thanksgiving to the table while allowing the feast to shine.
Read MoreEven after Halloween is long over, I cannot bear to throw away my beloved pumpkins. Here, I've repurposed them for the holidays. By marbleizing the pumpkins with silver metallic paint, I've transformed them into shimmering jewels fit for November and even December. Gold, bronze, and other similar tones would be beautiful as well. DIY using step-by-step directions below!
Read MoreContinue on my haunted house tour, and you'll see the brave souls who dared to enter...
Read MoreJoin me for a tour of my haunted house before the guests arrive...
Read MoreEveryday household items can become gloriously spooky with a little Halloween imagination. A fireplace screen can turn into a haunted gate using swags of Spanish Moss.
Old books, glass vases, and a decanter can transform into a delightful potion project vignette. A black crock pot becomes a witch's cauldron! Hauntify your house, and you'll haunt your guests for sure!
Read MoreHalloween is drawing near, and what's Halloween without a few skeletons? You can find beautiful paper mache skeletons in arts and crafts markets, clay skeleton heads glowing from a candle within, or even create your own! Arrange them to sit on your mantle, glow on a foyer table, or wait on the front porch to greet trick-or-treaters -- they'll be happily spooked for sure.
Read MoreA jack-o-lantern galaxy is as magical and beautiful as Halloween can get. These gorgeous carved pumpkins were created by Linda Riddle, an amazingly talented artist who lives in Pacific Grove, CA. She covers her front yard with smiling suns and moons; stars near and far. The result is a glorious galaxy of light. I’m in awe of Linda’s work and inspired to *attempt* to make a jack-o-lantern galaxy of my own!
Read MoreCreating your own paper bats for Halloween isn't only a fun craft project; it's a personal touch to your home that can be used for many Halloweens to come. I love all sorts of bats...the bold, the beautiful, the crazy, and the silly. So adults and children alike, make some bats for your home and let your Halloween spirit fly!
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