Pepper Design Blog

Friday Guest Blog Interview: TomKat Studio!

I’m so excited for today’s feature!! Kim, of TomKat Studio, is a true ‘mom-preneur’: she runs a fabulous blog, an adorable Etsy shop and was recently the ‘Mama Power’ feature in one of Arizona’s top city magazines! Even TomKat is derived from her two little ones, Tommy + Kate. So when I asked if she wouldn’t mind sharing her favorite entertaining design & trend secrets… I was so excited for her ‘yes!’

If you haven’t heard of the DIY diva, you must check her amazing style out — I would include her among my favorite inspirations, especially in the paper genre (check out her Etsy site and you’ll know what I mean!). I asked Kim if she would share her recent Halloween projects from a custom dessert buffet (featured in the Houston news! Check out the clip!) as part of our {Halloween Feature Friday Guest Blog Interview!}

TomKat offers daily inspiration for creative entertaining, with a knack for truly adorable children’s parties. Read Kim’s answers to our four PDB questions… and be inspired! Read more »

DIY Dead Floral Centerpieces

So I’m working on a spooky little centerpiece for the Halloween appetizer and dessert table at our party this Saturday and thought I’d try to create dead (as in pitch black dead) arrangements. I think the table will turn out great when it’s all together!

I started with fake flowers from the local craft store and applied a generous coat of black spray paint to each side.

The focal point of the table will be a shadowy branch arrangement — and so I spray painted several long sets of branches to complete the look. Can’t wait to see how it turns out!

How ‘Bout Orange? Rooms Inspired by the Month

With Halloween just around the corner, and orange on the mind, I couldn’t help but seek out some excellent home inspiration surrounding the color. Orange is contemporary, bright (certainly a mood lifter!) and yet it evokes feelings of warmth and coziness in any room — what a perfect (long forgotten & under appreciated by the best of us) color.

Whether you approach it with a bold, this-is-my-color spirit and paint the walls or add a bit of orange glow just for the fall season, you can’t go wrong. How great are these orange-inspired living rooms {above} and bedrooms {below}?

A burnt orange is reminscent of fall leaves… it echos a warm, fire-y coziness and makes you want to curl up all day on a Sunday, newspaper and OJ by your side, in bed. The brighter, pastel shade screams modern and airy — walking into this bright pink and orange bedroom after a long day would wipe all worries away with one big smile.

Working with orange involves a bit of risk… we don’t see it often incorporated in traditional homes. What do you think of orange?

Follow the jump for orange-inspired dining rooms! Read more »