Pepper Design Blog

Feathering the Nest for Christmas

Our Christmas tree is up and the theme is color, color, color from its tip top down to its toes. But despite my love of firetruck red and lime green around this time of the year, there has always been something pure and classic about white Christmas decor that I’m continuously drawn too.

When I found trees similar to these feathered friends for $25 each I decided that this is a DIY project I can tackle in an evening. That day I stopped by the craft store for feathers, a small container of Elmer’s glue and poster board – totaling in at less than $5 for the whole bunch.

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{Feathered Christmas Trees}

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Materials:
*White poster board
*Stapler
*White feathers (Two .25oz bags worked out to be the perfect amount for me)
*Elmer’s glue (or similar)

1. Cut the poster board into two cone shapes – one small and one large. The easiest way to do this is to roll the paper into your desired cone size and then cut the base and extra corners so that it sits flat. Staple edges together to hold the cone shape.

2. Begin at the base of the cone (to cover up the tops of the feathers as you go) and line paper with a small amount of glue. Lie feathers flat (facing down) against the cone so that just the furry sides absorb a small amount of glue. Work your way up the cone and continue layering until the entire cone is covered. I went back and forth between the small and large cone gluing a layer on each and letting one dry as I was working on the other.

3. Let dry and display. Easy peasy!

I love how simple and classic they look on our vintage sideboard next to Bodie’s black & white puppy picture and a cylinder vase filled with dried white beans and glittery turquoise ornaments.

And can you believe that Christmas is only 12 days away?

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{Deliciously Decorated} Holiday Dessert Tables

There are so many creative {and beautiful} holiday ideas out there that I thought I’d share a quick round-up of a few of my favorite dessert tables.

These buffet-style spreads are full of great DIY projects - from adorable crafts to favors for friends to yummy recipes – that even if you don’t have time to tackle an entire table at your holiday party there’s sure to be an “ah-ha” idea that you’ll love in there somewhere.

For all of the juicy details and plenty of pictures, just click on the link with the theme name to jump out to the original full post.

I love the idea of using a striped fabric or wrapping paper as a backdrop to a delicious spread – and how wonderful are all of the gingerbread details in this “Christmas Candyland” theme design by Bird Crafts and featured over at Hostess with the Mostess?

Below, TomKat Studios shares a whimsical “Let it Snow” dessert table with splashes of bright pink:

Check out the adorable sugar-covered marshmallow men (in the form of skewered pops) on this Christmas Snowman table by Shindig Parties to Go:

Above, WH Hostess (of The Party Dress) shares a “Sweet Treats” aqua and red theme with beautiful feather and tissue paper details.

Below, a “Pink Nutcracker Suite” buffet shared on HWTM by Kate Landers Events makes for a great little girl’s birthday party or even a grown-up girl’s spread before a night out on the town to see the ballet or catch a chick flick!

And that’s the round-up!

Christmas decor is going up in a flurry over here at the Spenla house – I keep wondering what will happen if babe decides to come early (he/she is technically full term now at 37 weeks!) with me amidst rolls of garland, flashing Christmas lights and tiny ornaments as I get the house holiday ready! I don’t think I’d like to come back from the hospital in the chaos that is our living room now…

Home Inspiration: House Doctor

I would very much like to find a store like House Doctor here in the States. These rich jewel tones bring a nice contrast to the usual warm fall colors and I love how they look against a white background and with colorful fabrics.

More often than not I shy away from blues and cool tones in favor of earthy, warm colors. But I’m inspired to mix in some contrast this fall in the form of tinted glass vases, saturated table centerpieces and Mediterranean-inspired fabrics after a quick browse through the collection.

Beautiful.

The little details in the above photo are some of my favorites – handmade box shelves in the background lined in beautiful papers, colorful dishware stacked along side pantry items in this open kitchen setting, a recovered black stool in a bright fabric that pops, hand grown herbs at the ready are both practical and pretty.

No, it’s not spring yet. In fact I’m embracing fall to the fullest over here but I couldn’t help but share a bit of inspiration to mix up your usual palette. Thanks, Decor8 for sharing this great find! While you’re over there, don’t miss House Doctor’s creative blog, too.