All posts tagged: HOME DECOR

A red robot ornament made of polymer clay.

My Christmas tree is filled with aliens, robots and monsters

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Let’s be honest: the way you decorate your Christmas tree says a lot about you. It’s like a glittery, pine-scented personality test — without the pressure of multiple choice. Some people go for elegant, color-coordinated themes with perfectly spaced ribbons and matching metallic balls. Others throw on everything they’ve ever owned since childhood, creating a nostalgic mosaic of memories.

As for me? I fall somewhere in between — equal parts sentimentalist, craft junkie, and intergalactic oddball.

A Christmas-decorated fireplace.

Create a little magic in your life this Christmas with simple, elegant and inexpensive decor

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It’s that time of year again — the season when we’re all gently nudged (or not-so-gently shoved by department store displays in mid-October) into believing in magic. The magic of snowflakes and cinnamon, twinkle lights and nostalgia. The magic of believing we can transform our homes into cozy holiday wonderland — armed with nothing but a roll of ribbon, a staple gun, and a cup of cocoa.

And I say, let’s lean in.

Scarecrows for fall.

Scarecrow Shenanigans & Fall Porch Vibes: My love for autumn lawn decor

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Okay, I’ll admit it: when it comes to holiday lawn decorations, I tend to go a little overboard. I’m not quite on Chevy Chase’s level in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” — no full-on electrical grid shutdowns here — but I do love to bring a little seasonal magic to my yard.

Whether it’s pumpkins, scarecrows, or monsters popping out of the bushes, there’s just something satisfying about making your lawn look like it stepped out of a Pinterest board… with a twist.

A fall scene featuring pumpkins.

Falling for Fall: Creative Ideas and thrifty tips to cozy up your home this season

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As any good seasonal decorator knows, once Halloween bows out, fall takes center stage — and it happens fast. One day it’s skeletons and spiderwebs, and the next, everyone’s already sipping cider and talking about Thanksgiving turkeys.

You see, when I moved back home to tackle a master’s degree in journalism, I had to put nearly everything I owned — enough to fill a three-bedroom house — into not one, but two storage units. And there my belongings sat: boxed, stacked, and tucked away like buried treasure. Alongside my couches and cookware were my beloved Halloween decorations, collected and curated over many years.

A creative vanity created by a crafter.

Yard Sale of the Vanities: Treasure hunting in Coffeeville

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A while back, I was driving through Coffeeville on my way back from Jackson, and I stopped at a little spot that is usually very busy on the weekends with people who set up yard sales. In the past, I lucked-up and found a lot of vintage jewelry for sale. This time, I had a similar experience.

I’ve stopped there a few times in the past and, on more than one occasion, scored some gorgeous vintage jewelry — necklaces and earrings that feel like they have stories of their own. Think rhinestones, costume gems, and clip-ons that would make any retro-lover’s heart skip a beat.

The steps of creating a spring wreath.

Crafting Calm: How I made a $1 thrift store wreath into a springtime favorite

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There’s something about crafting that quiets the noise of everyday life. For me, it’s more than a hobby — it’s a form of therapy. Whenever I’m creating something with my hands, especially something for my home, I feel a deep sense of peace and purpose.

One of my favorite simple DIY projects is a spring wreath I made a while back for my front door. It’s a cheerful, earthy piece that brings a pop of seasonal beauty to my porch — and the best part? It started with a $1 thrift store find.

A wooden bed with peacock wall art above it.

Sleeping in a Treehouse: My whimsical bedroom makeover with a vintage peacock theme

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For more than 20 years, I’ve had what could best be described as a “tree bed” — a headboard and footboard crafted entirely from real tree branches.

I bought the bed in Ripley, Mississippi, and though it’s a little rustic and wild, it’s held up beautifully over the years. If you use your imagination, it kind of feels like you are sleeping in a treehouse every night.

A flower picture.

Thrift Store Transformation: Giving old art a fresh new look

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One of my favorite things to do is browse through thrift shops and weekend yard sales in search of overlooked treasures — items that might not catch everyone’s eye but have the potential to become something beautiful with a little creativity and effort. There’s something deeply satisfying about giving old things a second chance at life, especially when you can personalize them to fit your space and style.

That’s exactly what happened with this latest find: a pair of framed floral prints. At first glance, they weren’t anything special — classic flowers with a soft purple background that just didn’t match my current décor. But I saw their potential. I knew with a small investment of time and paint, I could turn them into something that would perfectly complement my bedroom.

A cross-stitched picture of the state of Mississippi.

How I saved Mississippi

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As I was browsing the aisles, something caught my eye — a hand-stitched piece of art in the shape of Mississippi. Since I collect all things Mississippi-shaped, I knew I had to rescue it from thrift store obscurity. Even better? It was only $1.

As I was browsing the aisles, something caught my eye — a hand-stitched piece of art in the shape of Mississippi. Since I collect all things Mississippi-shaped, I knew I had to rescue it from thrift store obscurity. Even better? It was only $1.

A group of vintage birds.

From Purse to Paint: How a 1960s Enid Collins handbag inspired my cabinet makeover

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I’ve always had a soft spot for quirky vintage treasures — especially if they sparkle. And one of my absolute favorite retro obsessions? The whimsical, jewel-studded box purses of the late, great Texas designer Enid Collins.

If you’ve never fallen down the Enid Collins rabbit hole, be warned: it’s a delightful trip. Her iconic 1960s wooden handbags — playful, hand-painted, and bedazzled with rhinestones — are tiny, portable works of art. Each design has this charming, cheerful energy that just makes you smile.

A "Mad Men" party with guests dressed in vintage-style clothing.

Jackson fans go retro for ‘Mad Men’ finale

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The “Mad Men” madness has officially made its way to Mississippi. Jackson residents Michael Busbin and Brian Kendrick are such big fans of AMC’s hit drama that they bought a retro home in northeast Jackson inspired by Don Draper’s mid-century cool.

“It already had grass cloth wallpaper and a living room rock garden — total ‘60s vibes,” Busbin said. “We’ve updated it a little, but kept the vintage charm. We love pieces like Eames and Panton chairs — anything that feels ‘Mad Men.’ It’s how we like to live — cool, relaxed, and a little nostalgic.”

A news article about the popularity of bottle trees featuring a multicolored bottle tree.

Why bottle trees are making a colorful comeback in Southern gardens

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Rick Griffin, a Jackson landscape architect, grew up seeing bottle trees on trips between Ocean Springs and Vicksburg. Fascinated by their charm, he built a 10-foot bottle tree in his own yard, calling it a symbol of fun and individuality. “It’s about being a nonconformist,” he says.

Once dismissed as kitschy folk art, bottle trees are now booming in popularity across the South, especially in neighborhoods like Fondren, where urban horticulture expert Felder Rushing has documented a sharp rise in their numbers. Rushing believes this trend reflects a cultural shift toward more relaxed, expressive outdoor spaces. “For a long time, lawns had to be perfect. Now, people feel freer to add personality and history to their yards,” he explains.

The revival of bold wallpaper.

Retro Revival: Bold wallpaper trends bring the ’70s back in style

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Remember the 1980s trend where every other house had wallpaper borders running along the tops of walls? Whether it was apples, country ducks, hunting dogs, or (yes) drunk roller-skating clowns, you couldn’t walk into a home without seeing some kind of whimsical or cheesy print staring back at you.

What you may not know is that wallpaper — and especially those quirky borders — quietly disappeared in the 1990s when sleek, modern decorators declared war on anything that wasn’t a smooth, painted wall. For years, “updated” meant stripping down to neutral colors and bare surfaces. But as with many things in design, what goes out of style always finds a way to come back.