Show off your Holiday Cards in Style with this DIY Branch Holiday Card Display

Show off your Holiday Cards in Style with this DIY Branch Holiday Card Display

Every winter, it’s the same story. I get a handful of thoughtfully selected, lovingly written cards for the holidays…and, I have nowhere to put them.

Tacked on the fridge with the grocery lists and unpaid parking tickets? Jammed on a shelf between the dusty knick-knacks and piles of unopened mail? Ok, my house isn’t THAT disorganized (most of the time), but I’m sure you feel the pain of receiving beautiful mail and having nowhere to display it.

This year, I decided to take matters into my craft-loving hands and make a simple, pretty DIY branch holiday card display. It only requires a few basic supplies to make, can be made as small or as large as you want, and will make your home smell like a pine tree, which is obviously the best reason to make your own. Keep reading to see how to make a DIY branch holiday card display!

DIY branch holiday card display

Materials

DIY Branch Holiday Card Display

Step

DIY Branch Holiday Card Display

Cut a piece of cord to hang your branch, and tie the cord to the branch at two points.

Step

DIY Branch Holiday Card Display

Attach string to the branch to hang the cards. 

If you receive lots of cards for the holidays, simply scale this project up with a larger branch and more string!

Step

DIY Branch Holiday Card Display

Trim all the string ends, then hang the branch (Command hooks are great for temporary projects like this!). Attach the cards to the string with mini clothespins.

Finally, tie beads to the ends of the strings so they hang straight.


And that’s it! Now you can see and enjoy all that lovely holiday mail for the season.

DIY Branch Holiday Card Display

DIY Branch Holiday Card Display

DIY Branch Holiday Card Display

DIY Branch Holiday Card Display
Don’t forget to pin this project to Pinterest!

Where would you hang your branch holiday card display? Do you have other ideas for showing off your holiday cards? Let us know in the comments!

Fall Refresh: 10 Ways To Add Texture To Your Living Room

Fall Refresh: 10 Ways To Add Texture To Your Living Room

Fall Refresh: 10 Ways To Add Texture To Your Living Room #decor
Photo: New Darlings

September is a transitional time of year… the kids are going back to school, the weather is getting cooler and the landscape is changing. Which means that it’s a great opportunity to give your living room a refresh too. One of the best ways to do this is by adding texture – so take a cue from Scandinavian decor and add some beautiful layered texture to your space this fall.   

Fall Refresh: 10 Ways To Add Texture To Your Living Room #decor
Photo: Styled With Lace

1. Add Faux Fur

Toss a faux fur throw on chairs and/or sofas to add some depth to your furniture as  Lacey has done. Not only will your space look more inviting, but it will feel extra cozy too. I love the Tejn from IKEA… it’s affordable and super versatile.

Fall Refresh: 10 Ways To Add Texture To Your Living Room #decor
Photo: Sita Montgomery Interiors

2. Layer Your Rugs

Do you have a jute rug in your living room? Add a smaller patterned rug on top as they’ve done in this modern farmhouse style living room, leaving a couple of feet of jute showing on all sides. You might also consider an irregularly shaped rug for the top layer, like a faux animal skin rug. 

Fall Refresh: 10 Ways To Add Texture To Your Living Room #decor
Photo:  Meagan Floris

3. Swap In Chunky Blankets

Put your thin summer throws in the closet and add a couple of thick, chunky blankets to your space. Drape them over the arm of the sofa, hang them on a blanket ladder or put them in a basket. Don’t you just want to climb underneath the one in the image above?

Fall Refresh: 10 Ways To Add Texture To Your Living Room #decor
Photo: The Heathered Nest

4. Add An Accent Wall

Set aside an afternoon to paint a textured accent wall on one side of your living room. We love this denim technique, but there are all kinds of different textures you can achieve using only paint. Just hop on Pinterest and search “textured wall painting techniques.”

Fall Refresh: 10 Ways To Add Texture To Your Living Room #decor
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

5. Beef Up Your Window Treatments

If you don’t have window treatments at all, adding curtains is a surefire way to add some serious texture to your living room. But even if you do, you could always add blinds or decorative shades. Check out  what a difference it makes. 

Fall Refresh: 10 Ways To Add Texture To Your Living Room #decor
Photo: McGee & Co.

6. Layer Throw Pillows

Throw pillows are a great way to experiment with texture and pattern… there are plenty of affordable options available, so you can mix and match different styles without blowing your entire paycheck. Try combining textured pillows (cable knit, faux fur, etc.) with patterns as they’ve done  here, making sure to vary the scale.

Fall Refresh: 10 Ways To Add Texture To Your Living Room #decor
Photo: Gravity Home

7. Just Add Books

Do you have lots of books laying around? Perhaps you’re like me, and you have boxes of them wasting space in your basement? Use them as texture! Add them to existing shelves, orienting them both horizontally and vertically or even as risers underneath interesting objects. Check out more ideas here.

Fall Refresh: 10 Ways To Add Texture To Your Living Room #decor
Photo: Ina + Ilia

8. Experiment With Interesting Materials

Rattan is popular lately, and velvet is a very tactile material that can elevate a space. Distressed wood and jute are other good options. If you’re in the market for new furniture, consider these sorts of items… or you can start with accents for a smaller financial commitment.

Fall Refresh: 10 Ways To Add Texture To Your Living Room #decor
Photo: New Darlings

9. Add Natural Elements

Plants are a great place to start… add a large potted plant in one corner, and put a couple of smaller ones on a bookshelf or end table. Live edge wood, crystals and floral patterns would work well too. This living room from New Darlings has many of these elements.

Fall Refresh: 10 Ways To Add Texture To Your Living Room #decor
Photo: Alyssa Rosenheck

10. Add More Lighting

Lighting might not be the first thing you think of when you’re trying to add texture to your living room, but it can really add a new dimension to your space. The key is to vary your light sources… make sure you have at least three different kinds, i.e. floor lamps, table lamps, ceiling lights, candles, etc. 

How do you add texture to your living room? Feel free to share your ideas in the comments section!

The 100 Best IKEA Hacks of All Time

The 100 Best IKEA Hacks of All Time

100 Best IKEA hacks of all time.

We’ve rounded up one hundred IKEA hacks that prove you can have champagne tastes on a beer budget. Each of these hacks illustrates the power of transformation – basic warehouse pieces are cleverly altered in beautiful ways that make them feel custom. This round up has me feeling like Aladdin on a magic carpet ride – so come along with me! I can open your eyes, take you wonder by wonder, over, sideways and under on a magic IKEA hack ride. All hacks are listed in alphabetical order by their original IKEA birth name. 

ALEX

IKEA Hack ALEX - filing cabinet
Sugar & Cloth
IKEA Hack ALEX - desk DIY
A New Bloom
IKEA Hack ALEX desk
The Lifestyle Directory
IKEA Hack ALEX storage unit
Full Time Fiesta

ALSEDA

IKEA Hack ALSEDA ottoman
Curbly via Mormorsglamour

BESTA

IKEA Hack BESTA credenza
Sugar & Cloth
IKEA Hack BESTA credenza
Petite Apartment – IKEA hacks
IKEA Hack BESTA
A Beautiful Mess  –  BESTA IKEA hack TV console idea (entertainment center)
IKEA Hack BESTA
Place of My Taste
IKEA Besta cabinet hack
The Vintage Guru Shop – IKEA cabinet with vintage legs

BILLY

IKEA Hack BILLY
The Makerista
IKEA Hack BILLY
IKEA Hackers– built in book case
IKEA Hack BILLY
Golden Boys & Me IKEA hack DIY kitchen island

BORBY

IKEA Hack BORBY
Thou Swell
Note: we tried to find all of these and make sure they’re still available on IKEA.com. Some models have been discontinued, but you can usually find a similar item to substitute.

DOKUMENT

IKEA Hack DOKUMENT
IKEA

EKBY

IKEA Hack EKBY
Teste De Lengo
IKEA Hack EKBY
Nalle’s House
IKEA Hack EKBY
Houzz

EKORRE

IKEA Hack EKORRE
Sarah Sherman Samuel

EXPEDIT

IKEA Hack EXPEDIT
Amy Krist
IKEA Hack EXPEDIT
Honey Bear Lane

FAKTUM

IKEA Hack FAKTUM
IKEA Hackers – platform bed with storage

FAS  

IKEA Hack FAS
IKEA Hackers – table lamp

FIRA

IKEA Hack FIRA
Curbly

FJALKINGE

IKEA Hack FJALKINGE
100 Layer Cake-let

FOTO

IKEA Hack FOTO
Lulus – floor mirror 
IKEA Hack FROSTA
Design Sponge

FROSTA

IKEA Hack FROSTA
Coroflot
IKEA Hack FROSTA
Vtwonen
IKEA Hack FROSTA
Apartment Therapy

GRUNTDAL

IKEA Hack GRUNTDAL
Just a Girl and Her Blog
IKEA Hack GRUNTDAL
Apartment Therapy – wall mirror

HEAT

IKEA Hack HEAT
Curbly – IKEA hack gold wall mirror with

HEMMA
 

IKEA Hack HEMMA
Curbly via Instructables

HEMNES

IKEA Hack HEMNES
The Vault Files

HYLISS

IKEA Hack HYLISS
Remodelaholic
IKEA Hack HYLISS
Proverbs 31 Girl

INBJUDANDE

IKEA Hack INBJUDANDE
Poppytalk

INGO

IKEA Hack INGO
East Coast Creative
IKEA Hack INGO
IKEA Hackers

IVAR

IKEA Hack IVAR
Nur-Noch
IKEA Hack IVAR
IKEA
IKEA Hack IVAR
Nur Noch
IKEA Hack IVAR
Style by Emily Henderson

KALASA

IKEA Hack KALASA
Teste Di Legno

KLUBBO

IKEA Hack KLUBBO
Deko

LACK

IKEA Hack LACK
Hommie UK
IKEA Hack LACK
Triple Max Tons

LAPPLJUNG RUTA

IKEA Hack LAPPLJUNG RUTA
The House that Lars Built

LERBERG

IKEA Hack LERBERG
Weekday Carnival
IKEA Hack LERBERG
Burlap & Lace

LINNMON

IKEA Hack LINNMON + LERBERG
Advice From A Twentysomething  – simple desk
IKEA Hack LINNMON
Curbly – music production desk

LUDVIG

IKEA Hack LINNMON
IKEA Hackers – standing desk

MALM

IKEA Hack MALM
A Beautiful Mess
IKEA Hacks MALM
Curbly
IKEA Malm bedframe hack
Sugar & Cloth

MARIUS

IKEA Hack MARIUS
The Kitchy Kitchen 
IKEA Hack MARIUS
Curbly

MINNA

IKEA Hack MINNA
IKEA

MOPPE

IKEA Hack MOPPR
IKEA

MYSINGSO

IKE Hack MYSINGSO
Kristi Murphy

NORNAS

IKEA Hack NORNAS
A Beautiful Mess – bench
IKEA Nornas table hack
 Kicsihaz – bar cart

OLEBY

IKEA Hack OLEBY
Curbly – simple cutting board

RACKA

IKEA Hack RACKA
A Little Bit OCD

RANARP

IKEA Hack RANARP
Lovely Indeed

RAST

IKEA Hacks RAST
Bliss at Home
IKEA Hack RAST
Hello Lidy
IKEA Hack RAST
Decor 8 Blog
IKEA Hack RAST
Style Me Pretty – campaign dresser
IKEA Hack RAST
Redbook
IKEA Hack RAST
Addison Meadows Lane
IKEA Hack RAST
Hawthorne & Main
IKEA Hack RAST
Midwestern Girl DIY

RIBBA

IKEA Hack RIBBA
Curbly – under bed storage
IKEA Hack RIBBA
Lindsay Stephenson

RORT

IKEA Hack RORT
The Every Girl

SELJE

IKEA Hack SELJE
Curbly
IKEA Hack SELJE
See Kate Sew

SINNERLIG

IKEA Hack SINNERLIG
Curbly

SJOSLEV

IKEA Hack SJOSLEV
Hayley Photography

SKOGSTA

IKEA Hack SKOGSTA
Style Me Pretty

SKOGSVAG

IKEA Hack SKOGSVAG
Farm Fresh Therapy

SODERHAMN

IKEA Hack SODERHAMN
Petite Party Studio

STALL

IKEA Hack STALL
House Tweaking

STAVE

IKEA Hack STAVE
Curbly

SVARTAN

IKEA Hack SVARTAN
A Beautiful Mess

TARVA

IKEA Hack TARVA
In My Own Style
IKEA Hack TARVA
Cheaper and Better DIY

TRADIG

IKEA Hack TRADIG
IKEA Hackers – ceiling pendant lamp

TUPPLUR

IKEA Hack TUPPLUR
Curbly

VIKTIGT

IKEA Hack VIKTIGT
Curbly

VITTSJO

IKEA Hack VITTSJO
Little Green Notebook
IKEA Hack VITTSJO
Style Me Pretty
IKEA Hack VITTSJO
Style Me Pretty – bar cart
Vitttsjo Ikea hack coffee table
Simple Details

VURM

IKEA Hack VURM
Curbly – simple indoor herb garden
What Should You Do This Month? Throw a Backyard Solstice Party to Celebrate the Start of Summer

What Should You Do This Month? Throw a Backyard Solstice Party to Celebrate the Start of Summer

Backyard Solstice Party

While many Americans think that summer starts on Memorial Day, it officially begins on summer solstice, usually June 21 in the Northern hemisphere. The longest day of the year seems like the ideal excuse for a party, so here are some ideas for a backyard celebration of midsummer. And if you don’t get around to throwing a summer solstice party, there’s no expiration date on these outdoor party ideas!

For these summer solstice party ideas, I wanted to spotlight some of the things that are better in summer than any other part of the year. So I’m sticking with a theme of seasonal produce and flowers, accented with white lights and candles. You can keep it simple, or you can go all out with DIY projects if you’ve got the urge.

The Food

Grilled pizzas are a great way to showcase summer produce, and it would be fun to let people pick their own toppings.

This beautiful heirloom tomato and grilled vegetable salad is perfect for those tricky party guests who don’t eat meat, dairy, or gluten (and if you plate it this nicely, it might entice everyone else into eating more veggies.)

A summer solstice party wouldn’t be complete without berries. This summer berry cake is a showstopper.

Another option is this Swedish midsummer cake. Or you can always keep it simple with a classic strawberry shortcake. Adding edible flowers makes almost any dessert look midsummer-worthy. (Here’s a long list of edible flowers.)


The Drinks

If you want to go the cocktail route, making up batches of drinks saves you the trouble of bartending during the party. Strawberry rhubarb sangria, made with sparkling wine, sounds light and refreshing.

For a more savory cocktail, try cucumber-lime-infused gin and tonics.

Don’t forget the non-drinkers in the crowd. Sparkling lavender lemonade or thyme lemonade sound like lovely options.


The Decor

These herb napkin rings are simple and organic, and probably smell wonderful, too.

Solar-powered Mason jar lights are a charming option, and practical if you don’t have easy access to outdoor outlets.

DIY floral ice buckets are a gorgeous way to keep your wine cool, and double as decor. Make as many as your freezer can handle, and scatter them throughout your yard, or use them as table centerpieces. For a much simpler variation, freeze fresh herbs and edible flowers into ice cubes for drinks.

Strings of white cafe lights are perfect for that evening fairy-light ambiance.

String lights

Go all out with a handmade floral chandelier. Bonus points if you grow your own flowers. If you’re not feeling quite so ambitious, just pile your tables with vases overflowing with flowers from the store.


The Entertainment

Whether you turn it into a drinking game or not, giant Jenga is nearly always a hit at outdoor parties, and is the only entertainment you’ll need at your summer solstice party. With some 2×4’s, a saw, and some sandpaper, you can easily make your own giant Jenga set. You can always buy a set if you’re not inclined to make one.


Summer solstice party ideas
Share these summertime ideas on Pinterest!
Scandinavian Home Interiors Six Different Ways

Scandinavian Home Interiors Six Different Ways

Scandi home style goes from strength to strength, appealing to our appreciation of clean lines, airy living spaces, and our need for daily practicality. This collection of inspirational Scandinavian home designs explore six different ways of personalising the aesthetic. We start with a cream and serene elegant apartment where indoor plants meet natural wooden elements. We follow up with a colour spliced Scandi interior, which employs pink and teal accents to lift and personalise neoclassical surroundings. Beige, grey and teal decor colours home number three, whilst design four resides in the minimalist monochrome domain. We finish up with a classic Scandi style black and white contrast, and a book lover’s home with a quiet mezzanine workspace.

Recommended Reading:  5 Decor Themes That Explore The Breadth Of The Scandinavian Style

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