Happy Monday! I’m excited to introduce a new monthly DIY series that’s approachable, inspiring, and a lot of fun.
I just returned from the SNAP conference where I had the pleasure of speaking on a panel with two talented friends, Kate of Centsational Girl and Mandi of Vintage Revivals. Both of them create jaw-dropping DIY projects effortlessly, and I’m always amazed by their creativity.
That’s exactly why I’m launching a series designed “for the rest of us.”
What I love about decorating is finding inspiration and adapting it to my home, budget, and skill level. The DIY part is the area I’m most eager to improve.
We all see beautiful rooms in magazines, blogs, and on TV and wish our spaces looked that polished. Design isn’t just about professional expertise or a big budget—often it’s about taking a source of inspiration and making it work in your own home.
That’s the idea behind the monthly series called Ditto DiY.
Starting in May, nine diverse bloggers will each recreate a project or design element inspired by a single photograph selected by my talented designer friend Darlene Weir of Fieldstone Hill Design.
My home’s style could be called eclectic northwest coastal—natural textures and warmth, hints of the sea, a touch of old-world charm, and some modern lines. I love many styles and pulled elements from all of them, which landed me at this blended look. If you’re new here and want to see examples, check out my home tour on my site.
Along with Darlene providing the inspiration photos, the bloggers taking part in Ditto DiY 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 participant’s blog to learn about their personal style and decorating strengths and struggles. This group brings a wide range of tastes and abilities, which makes the project so inspiring—and you can join in, too.
Here’s the plan: On Monday, May 6th, all nine bloggers will reveal their Ditto DiY projects. Darlene will share design tips for using the featured element in your own home and will present the inspiration photo for the next month. The most exciting part will be seeing how each blogger interprets the same image in a different way.
After the first month, you’ll be invited to participate. Starting the first Monday in June—and on the first Monday of every month after—bloggers can link up their projects. If you don’t have a blog, you can share your photos on the Ditto DiY Facebook page.
Be sure to check back on Monday, May 6th for our first Ditto DiY reveals. Now, here’s this month’s inspiration:
{ditto} DIY
This month’s Inspiration:
A chic painted tray and vanity vignette from the home of Nina Bergsten, photograph by Marcus Lawett.
The {ditto} DIY Challenge:
Create your own painted tray and vanity vignette.
Designer Thoughts:
“Study the image and be inspired by its sophistication and simplicity. Attention to each detail contributes to a balanced and beautiful vignette.”
I’m off to find a tray to paint—join me and see how it turns out next month!
What is your biggest decorating challenge?