Orange and Blue Harvest Party

Posted by Kelly Porter

This time of year, many parents are gearing up for big Halloween Parties. I've also discovered that many other parents are planning Harvest Parties, but it's not always easy to find party ideas and decor for the latter. So, in the post I'm sharing my Harvest Party Dessert Tables, set against a backdrop of orange burlap.

The colors were inspired by a vintage, hand-printed quatrefoil pattern that I used to design the Party Printables. I love using orange and blue together. For an autumn celebration -- when warm hues dominate -- using blue is an unexpected surprise.

I made the candy topiaries by hot-gluing candy corn to a styrofoam ball {this took about one large bag of candy corn for each topiary, and tons of hot glue sticks}. I left a bare patch at the bottom of each ball so I could perch them on top of large Saratoga water bottles, which are cobalt-blue and so pretty!

One last idea: these mini-birdcages are $1.00 {yes, one buck!} at Michael's. Fill them up with candy or whatever you'd like, and give them as gifts.

If you think you're running out of time to host a Harvest Party, keep in mind that it's a celebration of the Fall season. Set your date for sometime in November -- and candy will be on sale!

You can find the printable tags and labels seen in this post at my new Color Shop on Etsy.

Kelly Porter, designer and publisher of Color Sizzle, is a featured contributor.

Creating A Colorful Dorm Room

Posted by: Kelly Porter

{kohls.com}

If your son or daughter is returning to college or headed there for the first time, you may have discovered that their 'home-away-from-home' is not so homey. Dorm rooms are famous for having basic furniture, bare floors, cinder block walls and harsh lighting -- but don't worry! Colorful college-living essentials are widely available at affordable prices, and these items can bring style and warmth to even the most uninspired dorm room. With just a splash of color and a little creativity, your campus-bound child will feel right at home.

{pbteen.com}

 Teen/Dorm bedding

Thanks to social media sites, such as Facebook, students get to "meet" their roommates even before arriving on campus. This is a great opportunity to coordinate colors and bedding prior to arriving at school. Bed coverings don't have to be an exact match, but the colors and/or patterns should be similar in order to ensure a harmonious look.

{oprah.com}

Don't take dorm decor too seriously. The result should be casual and fun. For example, oversized bold patterns and brightly-colored curtains helped to transform this dorm room {above} from drab to fab. Bright hues are also a fun choice for storage and seating:

{walmart.com}

{I love this electric blue sofa from walmart.com}

{target.com}

Also, don't forget to lay the groundwork with an amazing area rug. This can be the starting point for your room's entire color scheme, and it will be very much appreciated on cold winter mornings.

{styleathome.com}

{area rugs available at target.com}

A funky lamp is also a nice way to add a bit of flair and personality. Lamp lighting is also a refreshing alternative to the glare of fluorescent ceiling lights.

{jcpenney.com}

If your child is residing in an off-campus student apartment, you may want to check and see if painting is permitted. Even painting just one accent wall can really make a space more inviting, and it's an easy Saturday project.

Above, designer Brian Patrick Flynn used rich colors to transform this University of Georgia dorm room into a cozy retreat. Below is another great painted space from IKEA.

If painting isn't allowed, there are many other artistic ways to add color to the walls. Check out this "Post-It Wall" {below} that two roommates created in their dorm room.

{Now that's using your imagination! From loveyundergrad.com}

Also consider using removable wall decals. With all of the colorful and unique choices available, your child is sure to find a design that perfectly suits his or her taste.

These washable 'white board' decals {above} from dezignwithaz.com, are as practical as they are pretty. Below, these retro mod ovals are available at the Design Dazzle store.

Dorm decor has certainly come a long way since I was in school... I remember bringing identical blue bedspreads with me to Howard University as a freshman so that my roommate and I would have matching beds. We taped pictures from fashion magazines to the walls and covered our bookcases with contact paper. That was considered pretty impressive back then. Now, decorating options are way more creative and widely available, so take advantage of them. Your son or daughter's dorm room is an important part of the college experience. Make it colorful!

Kelly Porter, designer and publisher of Color Sizzle, is a featured contributor.

Girls Bohemian Bedrooms

With a fun mix of colors and cultures, creating a Bohemian Bedroom could be the perfect way to bring out your child's unique personality.

Bohemian spaces are a blend of modern, vintage and global-ethnic furnishings. This look is casual, free flowing and can take your child beyond the expected design boundaries.

As our world "grows smaller," tribal textiles and other ethnic accents are becoming the focus of the Boho style. This gives us the opportunity to teach our children about other cultures, countries and traditions.

Color is also an important element to this style. Vibrant hues such as pink, red, purple and sapphire can be paired with calming earth tones to create a balanced space.

Also, don't forget the art of display. Jewelry, hair accessories and favorite clothing items can be artfully arranged and hung on pretty hooks or hangers.

{headband from etsy; hair tie from etsy; bracelets from nakimuli}

{earrings from novica; boho bag from jcpenney; sandals from amazon}

In designing a Bohemian space, your child will enjoy mixing, matching and layering...and you just might be surprised by what she comes up with. Read more about the Bohemian style and tribal textiles in my Living Style column {in July} at the Sherwin-Williams website, Stir.

Kelly Porter, designer and publisher of Color Sizzle, is a featured contributor.

additional photo credits: fawn galli; gorgeous shiny things; you frivolous mommy; french atmosphere; alkemie; three little jewells; domino}

Colorful Children's Easter Table

If you're looking for a last minute Easter Table idea for the kids, this colorful setting may be the just the thing!

With splashes of primary colors, orange and a tiny touch of pink, this Easter Table is fun, bright and simple to create. A pedestal-bowl filled with dyed eggs makes a great focal point for this setting. I purchased mine at a thrift store!

For the place cards, I took a photograph of one of the melamine plates {from Target}, minimized it and typed each child's name over top. Then, I inserted each card into a small tray filled with gumballs.

The plastic 'candy carrots' are filled with jellybeans {Wal-Mart}.

And, of course, extra jellybean jars are always appreciated.

Great colors and sweet treats are always the perfect recipe for a children's table. Happy Easter!

Kelly Porter, designer and publisher of Color Sizzle, is a featured contributor.

Cool Colors For Glam Rooms

While many teen girls enjoy vibrant, warm colors in their rooms, there are others who prefer cooler and more subtle hues.

Colors such as gray, soft blues and greens, and muted purples all work well together to create a very relaxing and elegant space.


Gray is a wonderful modern wall color, but if you find it to be somewhat drab, you can always add pops of more vivid colors such as red, orange and yellow -- just to add a bit of energy and balance to your teen's bedroom.

Since many teen girls are into the 'look of glamour,' I've included this inspiration board {below} that includes elegant furnishings and super serene colors: black, silver-gray and purple.

A soft, silvery wall color can really set the tone for a peaceful bedroom -- which isn't a bad idea for teens. Between school, friends, technology and extracurricular activities, even our children can get a little frazzled. So, here are some of my favorite paint picks from Sherwin-Williams:

{Celestial, Mystical Shade, Ash Violet, Daydream, Vesper Violet, Quietude}

Inspiration Board photos from: girlsthemebedrooms.com, lampsplus.com, lampselect.com, blisslivinghome.com, smartfurniture.com. All other photos from decorpad.

Kelly Porter, designer and publisher of Color Sizzle, is a featured contributor.