Pepper Design Blog

20 {Easy!} Handmade Party Favors

Whether you’re planning a kid;s birthday party, winter get-together, Valentine’s Day group dinner or shower, your personal party favor can be a unique and special way to say ‘thank you’ for joining in on the celebration.

These easy ideas from Martha Stewart Living. are as simple (a thoughtful take-away bouquet from wrapping a few centerpiece stems in prepared tissue or plastic baggies with ribbon) or fancy (cardstock cones complete with matching ribbon and monogrammed labels) as your party sees fit.

These vellum wrapped cookies are one of my favorite ideas – wrap up a homemade dessert as if you were creating a mini envelope and add a pretty sticker. Place at the center of all individual table settings for a sweet little touch.

These diy pinwheel baggies are super easy and adorably cute as well – using plastic favor bags from your local craft store, fill with goodies and staple shut by folding cut out round circles over the top edges, wrap a ribbon completely around favor for a finishing touch. Simple! And it’s perfect for a kid’s party or baby shower.

For 8 more creative favors, and the ‘how-to’, follow the jump! Read more »

I *Love* Occasional Chairs

I love occasional chairs for so many reasons… but mostly because they function as a versatile piece of furniture for extra seating, can be as pretty as you’d like and break up the structure of traditional rooms.

Apartment Therapy featured Catherine’s cozy blue home and occasional chairs above.

Whether you reupholster your own find from a local thrift store or splurge on a designer look (get that look for less at Pier 1, which features all four chairs above) incorporating a beautifully upholstered chair into a living, dining or bedroom makes a perfect addition.

How great are these beautiful French provincial chairs featured at Decor Pad? The old-fashioned formality of traditional sitting chairs takes on a brand new meaning when mixed into an eclectic space.

Country Living gets cozy with a linen occasional chair — featured to the right includes the Coniston chair, Chairs 1000 satin chair, and a french beauvoir chair )that’s definitely within budget) from Target.

So lovely! More great looks on every budget to follow. Read more »

In with the Old! New Year’s Refurbishing Inspiration

I am inspired this New Years to find beauty in the old — to embrace the well-worn as well-done and honor the original craftsmanship of ‘outdated pieces’ by providing them a new lease on life. Perhaps it’s a need to downsize, or maybe it’s that I’m not ready to throw in the decorating hat even though I have accumulated more than enough furniture to fill the house.

Refurbishing is clearly the answer! With the unfortunate lack of space to add more ‘stuff’ — I continue my decorating adventures without having to give up previous ‘stuff’.

Ruthie Sommers (spotlighted in December) is an excellent example of a very posh interior designer who regularly scrounges through the thrift store circuit to come up with THESE incredible projects! The room at top (how perfect is that room?) is filled with this sofa (above) and this dresser (below).

Wow! is all I have to say to that. Follow the jump for three more refashions by Sommers. Read more »