This serene nursery created by Christine proves two things: First, just because your decorating for a girl doesn't mean you have to douse everything in pink, and, second, a DIY project doesn't have to be difficult to be effective. Take a closer look at the details to see what I mean. 

Gone are the days when your only choices for calendars are plain black and white or the kitten ones found at mall kiosks. Now talented artists and designers are creating calendars that are mini masterpieces worthy of framing. Here are six that I've been dazzled by this year starting with this colorful illustrated one from Erin Jang. I love how much character it adds to the wall.

All right, everyone, let’s do a self-esteem exercise: Wrap your arms around yourself and say, “I like me!” Did that make you feel better? Or just a bit ridiculous? I know. There’s a fine line between healthy self-esteem and, uh, being conceited.

I can’t decide which side of that line many popular décor items fall on. On the one hand, I love homemade things, I love original art, and I love when people creatively take charge of their own environments.
 
On the other hand… well, see what you think of these home-decorating elements that require just a bit too much owner input for my taste.

We all get the itch to change up our home decor now and again, but it's not always possible or practical to replace furniture or to paint the entire house. So let's start smaller with something that we all have: family photos.

But instead of just framing and hanging, think a little differently with these clever ideas for displaying photos in your home. I can't decide which one to try first.

When I moved into my first apartment, I thought it would be absolutely adorable to paint brightly-colored moldings and window frames to offset the plain cream-colored walls. I agonized over hues, hung paint chips everywhere, and finally settled on the perfect combination. The result? Disaster.
 
Sometimes we have creative brainstorms that turn into something interesting, a quirky accent that really works. Other times, we end up wanting to call FEMA. But at least decorating disasters don’t just happen to us. The pros who make stuff don’t always get it right, either.  
 
Here are some design ideas that might look good on paper, but actually living with them? Please, just no.

Autumn has officially arrived and I can't think of a better way to welcome it than with a mug of hot cider and a seasonal wreath hung on the front door. Danielle made one out of yarn and felt with these lovely accents of white and red roses. I'm eating up the mustard yellow color. 

Here are four more great ideas ...

It's time to get cozy and huddle up for the cool weather headed our way. Decorating for fall isn't just for looks, it creates a comfortable vibe in your home as well. You've got your fireplace prepped and ready, now you just need to spice up the place. Fall colors are warm, inviting, and soothing. Before you change the paint on your walls, try a few of these accent pieces in the beautiful shades of autumn.

When I saw bleach-pen art on a craft blog, I knew I had to try it. I mean, who hasn’t suffered through a bleaching disaster that you wished you could turn into a happy accident? In the ‘70s, my older sisters would splash the stuff on their indigo Levis and create a cool effect that went great with their tie-dye shirts. The idea that you can tame the terrifying bleach monster and use its force for good is irresistible.

But could the cleaning agent do more than just make my T-shirts look like I was attacked by a hippie ghost?

The answer is yes. In fact, I took some unused cloth napkins and turned them into little works of art that I think would be equally at home on the wall or the dining room table.