Pepper Design Blog

Weekend Project: DIY Wallpapered Bookshelf

I’ve been mulling over my living room bookshelves recently… and am suddenly inspired to add a modern Jonathan Adler-esq wallpaper print to cover the back of the shelves. Here is some inspiration that might inspire you to take on a weekend project as well!

Canadian House & Home stripped kitchen cabinets to reveal neatly stacked dishes and a vintage print (via Centsational Girl).

These white bookshelves with Orla Kiley wallpaper from design*sponge is one of my favorite examples a bookshelf backdrop (above).

Whole Latta Lovely and All About You features various color combinations in the same or similar floral prints for a fun variation (below).

What about fabric? There are so many options to choose from… cutting templates (out of foam core, balsa wood or mdf) to fit the back of your shelf and ‘upholstering’ the board is a great option that can be replaced as often as you’d like. For a more direct application, fold fabric edges in (for a makeshift hem) and use colorful pushpins to pin fabric to each corner. I love this Taxi Leaf Stripe in Yellow print from Timeless Treasures

For a smaller commitment (isn’t this perfect for the office or guest room?) Apartment Therapy shares a tutorial for lining a bookshelf in this black and white paisley print.

Four more ideas plus a quick How-To after the jump! Read more »

Event Inspiration Board: {Teal, Fuchsia & Lemon}

Welcome back to PDB’s second event decor inspiration board challenge. This is a little opportunity to share my favorite ideas for events emailed in by PDB readers! See round one (delightful green & grey bridal shower) for the start of it all. If you’d like to submit a party request – check out the About PDB page for email information! With so much going on over here in blogland, I’m hoping to step it up a notch to feature several more reader inspiration boards each month.

{Here’s the breakdown for today’s challenge}

EVENT: Bridal shower in April

THEME: Teal, fuchsia & lemon yellow

BUDGET: Under $200 for 20 guests

This shower was especially fun to pull together – my only criteria was to involve rich and colorful shades that made for a light-hearted and fun palette. With oh-so-many colors that fit that description, it was difficult to narrow down the choices… but I kept gravitating back towards a teal, fuchsia and lemon theme that at first glance appeared too bold and drastic… but I love the end result!

My suggestions:

DECOR: I love the look of these simple teal vintage vases featured on Style Me Pretty {you’re sure to find a thrift store similar look, even in a clear or white variety} filled with single bunches of tulips and roses. The yellow poms are perfect as well! These raffia drink stirrers by Martha are the perfect addition to a signature pink grapefruit cocktail {see below}. While Lollipop Events & Designs has nailed an ideal pattern for chair covers (it fits each of our colors!) I would be equally happy tying in a similar remnant strip as a table runner. I love Amy Butler’s coreopsis pattern {bottom of post} as another option.

WHAT TO SERVE: With our budget in mind, let’s keep it simple! Scheduling a shower at 3pm, for example, implies that you’re serving appetizers only and that guests should eat lunch prior to arriving. Give these Honey Fruit Tartletts and Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms a try, along with a fruit and aged cheese tray with labels that match your raffia drink poms. A dessert bar is sure to win the hearts of all – these cupcakes by April Reed are pure eye-candy, but also offer delicious diy inspiration. Rock candy, lemon drops and homemade sugar cookies are dessert buffet options that fit within the color scheme. Use your extra vintage thrift store finds as containers or simple white platters and plates. A small and classy buffet is perfect for a shower!

Oh that was easy! I hope you enjoyed this quick breakdown and that the next time you’re looking for great baby or bridal shower ideas, you’ll give teal, fuchsia and yellow a try. Can’t wait to see the final event!

Cost breakdown:

-Table linens: $40 (neutral table cloths and remnant diy runners – no need to sew! try an ironed hem – in a patterned fabric)
-Centerpieces: $40 (vintage vases with mini bouquets of fresh flowers)
-Appetizers: $50 (tartletts, stuffed mushrooms with a fruit & aged cheese platter)
-Signature drink: $30 (pink grapefruit cocktail with handmade raffia poms)
-Dessert bar: $40 (candy, cupcakes and cookies)

GRAND TOTAL: $200

For more shower inspiration check out the ‘Entertaining’ button up there in the left hand sidebar, or click here. Happy Tuesday!

Favorite Fabric: Heather Bailey

I found this beautiful collection by Heather Bailey (shared by All Things Lovely) and thought it would be an ideal addition to PDB’s Favorite Fabrics (see the right hand sidebar button for the entire list to browse). If fabrics with names like ‘kissing booth’, ‘porch swing’ and ‘sugar mallow’ don’t make you smile, the country chic-meets-retro prints most definitely will.

Her latest line: Nicey Jane, is a feminine kickback to all things your grandmother probably loved (you might find yourself reminiscing about a window treatment or two!).

I’d adore a quilt made out of big patches of her entire collection.