DIY Christmas Decorations With Scandinavian Style

Less is more, you guys. I’ve been absolutely drooling over these beautiful examples of Scandinavian Christmas decorations. I just love how simple and stunning these little decorative touches are. Many of the ideas you see here are simple DIY projects that you can complete yourself or with a little help from the fam.  Just check out these pics and get inspired!

For a full tutorial on these and other projects, head over to Apartment Therapy by clicking the link below.

via DIY Christmas Decorations With Scandinavian Style | Apartment Therapy

The Only Bedding You’ll Ever Need

Fact: A good night’s sleep is just as important to overall health as diet and exercise. Fact: Sometimes the only thing that stands between you and a restful sleep is a thin layer of bedding.   So I realized a long time ago that when it comes to bedding, you have to search for quality above all else. Seriously, we spend a third of our lives sleeping. Let’s make it worth it.

I went to DC and I stayed in this pretty fancy hotel. Long story short, this hotel had the most comfortable bedding I’ve ever felt. It was unbelievable. I stripped the bed in search of product tags. It was that serious, y’all. Anyway, the company that produced these incredible bed linens is Pacific Coast Feather Company. As soon as I got home, I placed an order for the pillows and comforters. You guys, you just have to experience this to know what I’m talking about. This is truly the most comfortable bedding you’ll ever own. Best part: it’s affordable and super durable. I mean, think about it, hotel rooms get way more traffic than your bedroom at home, or at least I hope so, and this bedding not only holds up but maintains that level of comfort. Right now they’re having a sale on comforters and pillows. Check it out, you guys! You can thank me later.

Scandinavian Design With a Bohemian Twist

My first love is definitely Scandinavian design. I love the muted colors. I love the simplicity. I absolutely love how practical, functional, and streamlined the furniture is. Most of all, I think, I love the lack of clutter. A place for everything and everything in it’s place, ya know? If I’m being completely honest, I’d have to say that I don’t mind bold colors or wacky furniture as long as there isn’t any kind of clutter. So how do you marry the sleek and functional with your inner bohemian?

Start with a Blank Slate

Paint your walls white. Before you get upset with me, just hear me out. White walls allow you to see your space in it’s natural state. This is a perfect situation if you live in a rental. You can add color in the furniture and the accent pieces you choose without having to paint and then repaint.

Layer Colors

Think of those white walls as a blank canvas. The colors you choose will really pop and create visual interest without compromising the overall streamline look of Scandinavian design. Try maintaining a simple color palette to unify the space.

Use Texture

Chunky knits paired with soft fabrics and jute rugs are really the unifying elements of both Scandinavian design and Bohemian design. To get started experimenting with texture, try draping your furniture with an interesting throw. Don’t fear the sheepskin, that’s all I’m saying.

Personalize the Space

Remember that awesome wood carving you got from that roadside shop in the middle of nowhere? Or that thrift store score? That funky lamp that nobody likes but you. You can put those items on full display! Create a beautiful mantel or a well thought out occassional table. The key is to keep your bohemian items from looking cluttered. Try to keep these items within the same color family and overall theme of your space.

Images: ElleDecor MyDomaine

Colorful New England Farmhouse

While it’s true that I’m totally in love with Scandinavian interior design, I still have a soft spot in my heart for farmhouse style. I have an even softer spot in my heart for farmhouses that aren’t afraid of going bold with colors. So when I saw this amazing farmhouse featured in House Beautiful, I went absolutely gaga. Feast your eyes on this!

Here’s the skinny on the paint colors used in this beautiful home:

Paint Colors
Kitchen cabinets – Stratton Blue by Benjamin Moore
Kitchen walls – Green Ground by Farrow & Ball
Kitchen floor in Carriage Green by Farrow & Ball
Dining room cabinets – Minster Green by Farrow & Ball
Bathroom floor – Tidewater by Sherwin-Williams

Source: House Beautiful

DIY Wall Art Projects That You Can Make This Weekend (Even If You’re Not an Artist)

These art projects are super simple. With only a few items, you can customize your own wall art to anchor your space, even if you sucked at art class!

DIY Abstract Art (Tutorial Here)

This is perfect for the minimalist. Sleek and sophisticated, it looks a whole lot more expensive than it actually is to make!

Painted Boxes Lined With Pretty Paper

Display your lightweight keepsakes inside of and on top of these beautiful storage boxes. Trust me, people will ask where you bought these!

Optical Illusion Wall Art (Tutorial Here)

This really plays tricks on your eyes! It’s a great conversation starter for when you have guests over.

Melted Crayon Wall Art

This is one I’ve made in the past. It can get a bit messy and it certainly doesn’t have the best smell when you’re making it, but if you’re looking for an easy and colorful project, this one is the way to go. Just run those crayons right through a hot glue gun (one that you’re willing to part with), onto a canvas.

DIY Dragon Scales on Canvas

All you need to do for this one is cut out some circles from poster board, glue them to a canvas, and spray paint the whole thing! It can be a little time consuming for a larger piece like the one pictured above.

DIY String Art (Tutorial Here)

This one’s been floating around the internet for a while now, but it never gets old! It takes a little bit more planning out then some of the other projects here, but the finished product is hella cool.

DIY Herringbone Art

I just love how intricate this one looks! Plus you can go all Jackson-Pollock-crazy on the canvas before you get to the masking tape. After you throw some paint around on the canvas, use tape to make a herringbone pattern. Paint over the whole thing in white. Then remove the tape. Voila!

DIY Wallpaper Art

This is perfect for those of us who aren’t always ready to commit to wallpapering and entire wall. Display your quirky taste in wallpaper by gluing it to some plywood and hanging it!