Happy Monday! I’m excited to introduce a new monthly DIY series I think you’ll love. I’m already having so much fun planning it!
I just returned from the SNAP conference where I had the pleasure of speaking on a panel with two of my talented friends: Kate from Centsational Girl and Mandi from Vintage Revivals. I admire them both — not only for their creativity, but for how effortlessly they produce stunning DIY projects.
Watching them work sometimes leaves me speechless. Their skill and imagination are inspiring, and they’re a big reason I wanted to create a series that feels accessible to more of us.
What I love about decorating is finding inspiration in things I love and translating them into my home on a budget and with limited DIY skills. DIY is where I feel the most challenged.
We all look at magazines, blogs, or design shows and wish our homes could look that polished. Great design isn’t just about expertise or money — it’s about taking inspiration and adapting it to your space and abilities.
That’s the idea behind Ditto DiY, a new monthly series.
Starting in May, nine very different bloggers will each recreate a project or design element inspired by a photo chosen by my designer friend Darlene Weir of Fieldstone Hill Design.
If I had to name my home’s style, I’d call it eclectic northwest coastal — a mix of natural warmth and texture, hints of the sea, a touch of old-world charm, and some modern accents. Truthfully, I just love many different things, and that combination felt right for our house. If you’re new here and want to see what I mean, you can view my home tour.
Along with Darlene providing the inspiration photos, the participating bloggers include:
Ruth @ Living Well Spending Less
Cindy @ Skip to My Lou
Jen @ Balancing Beauty & Bedlam
Edie @ Life in Grace
Rachel @ Surviving the Stores
Karin @ Trophy Mom Diaries
Lauren @ I am THAT Lady
Kelly @ View Along The Way
Melissa @ The Inspired Room
Visit each of these talented bloggers to learn more about their personal styles and decorating strengths. We’re a diverse group with different challenges and tastes — and that’s what makes this so much fun. You’re invited to join us!
Here’s the plan: On Monday, May 6th, all nine of us will reveal our Ditto DiY projects. Darlene will share design tips for incorporating the featured element into your own home and will present the inspiration photo for the next month. The exciting part will be seeing how each of us interprets the same image.
After the first month, we’ll invite everyone to participate. Beginning the first Monday in June (and every first Monday after that), bloggers can link up their projects. If you don’t have a blog, you can share photos on the Ditto DiY Facebook Page.
Be sure to check back on Monday, May 6th for our first round of projects. For now, here is this month’s inspiration and challenge:
{ditto} DIY
This month’s Inspiration:
A chic painted tray and vanity vignette, from the home of Nina Bergsten, photography by Marcus Lawett.
The {ditto} DIY Challenge:
Create your own painted tray and vanity vignette.
Designer Thoughts:
“Study the image above and be inspired by the sophistication and simplicity of this design. The careful attention to each detail contributes to a beautifully composed vignette.”
Now I’m off to find a tray to paint — can’t wait to see how this turns out. Check back next month for the results!
What is your biggest decorating challenge?