DIY TOILE PUMPKINS ARE AN EASY CHINOISERIE DECOUPAGE PUMPKIN IDEA
DIY toile pumpkins are an easy craft project.
In a few simple steps, you can create beautiful blue and white toile pumpkins that are chinoiserie chic!
Pumpkins here, pumpkins there, pumpkin decor everywhere!
Well … it is the autumn season, now isn’t it! Everybody this year seems to be going absolutely nuts over faux pumpkins, in particular the Pottery Barn terracotta pumpkins.
It’s almost as frenzied as when everyone discovered white pumpkins a little over a decade ago and they were an essential element of fall decor.
Honestly … I don’t get the hype over these Pottery Barn terracotta pumpkins, especially the black terracotta ones, which aren’t even black. They are a truly horrid shade of gray.
I cannot count the number of my fellow bloggers who are posting dupes of these ugly creations using Dollar Store pumpkins all over the Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest. I know you’ve seen them.
Yuck.
Calm down people and get ahold of your witch hat. These pumpkins are hideous. And do you know how heavy they would also be? Not to mention really messy to make.
No and just no.
WHY DO PEOPLE LIKE THESE UGLY POTTERY BARN TERRACOTTA PUMPKINS?
They look like concrete blobs because, well, they basically are concrete blobs. And at night they wouldn’t add a lot of glamour to your outdoor display. In fact, they wouldn’t be visible at all. Because they it’s dark and so are they.
These monstrosities are just gray, dreadful pieces of concrete sitting there on your front porch. Worse yet are the people who are bringing these abysmal creations inside their homes. Wouldn’t they scratch your dining room table? Don’t they look like cinder block?
It is true these nasty and ugly creatures are no longer available at Pottery Barn. But don’t believe the rumors that the original terra cotta Pottery Barn pumpkins are selling for upwards of $500 on Poshmark.
I checked. There are none listed (although Gus the Ghost from Pottery Barn, who is actually quite fetching, seems like a very popular lad). There are a select few Pottery Barn terracotta pumpkins on eBay, but there are no bids. Because the prices are sky high. And again, these things are UGLY.
DISCOVER TOILE PUMPKINS … THESE ARE TRULY WORTH THE HYPE!
But the other day, a vision of pumpkin loveliness popped into my Facebook feed. It was a pumpkin that exuded elegance, sophistication, refinement and was actually pretty. It was everything that Pottery Barn Terracotta pumpkin nightmare was not. Just look at the beauty and glamour of this toile pumpkin from Grandin Road:
Everyone is crazy about blue and white decor right now. Whether it’s framed as blue and white or chinoiserie chic, it’s one of the most classic and timeless styles in interior design. And these little pumpkins are an excellent fall accessory. Ones that you will undoubtedly use year after year. They are truly beautiful additions to your seasonal decor. Blue and white seems to be a new fall color palette many are embracing. Kudos to that crowd!
After I finished my admiration, I looked at their price tag, $29.50 per pumpkin. Granted, it’s not exorbitant. But you can’t just have one of these beauties. You’d need at least three for a proper display, possibly even five. And I’d definitely want some larger pumpkins and other toile pumpkins of varying sizes (which I didn’t see on their site).
So I searched, toile pumpkins. These gorgeous (and larger) pumpkins showed up from Ballard Designs. But they were even more expensive at $95.20 a pop. That’s on sale! They are normally $119!
Needless to day, those blue and white beauties could quickly get a little bit expensive. Really quickly. But hold on …
BEAUTIFUL TOILE PUMPKINS ARE AN EASY DIY PROJECT!
Similar to my fellow bloggers who are slathering concrete patch onto Dollar store fake pumpkins, I have the best DIY toile pumpkin dupe that you are going to love. You’ll have all of the beautiful blue and white chinoiserie pumpkins your heart desires and are simply the perfect addition to display in your living room. You won’t even have to worry about whether or not there is free shipping or delivery time, because you’re making them yourself.
They add a touch of glam when it comes to fall centerpieces, mantel displays, sideboard displays and look great when paired with other elements of fall décor. I love how they look with these blue and white vases.
And yup. I made them. And you can too. You’ll be the envy of all of your concrete pumpkin friends.
Want know a secret? They were so easy to make. You don’t even need a hot glue gun. This wonderful idea is one of my favorite DIYs. Here’s how:
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SUPPLIES YOU NEED FOR DIY CHINOISERIE PUMPKINS:
Two ply cocktail napkins with a simple, blue and white pattern
White acrylic craft paint
Mod Podge
Gold acrylic paint
Sponge paint brushes
Plastic or styrofoam craft pumpkins
Scissors
HOW TO MAKE DIY TOILE PUMPKINS:
I recommend using small pumpkins for this craft. It will make the project a lot easier and it will help it turn out better at the end. Also, there is debate over using a styrofoam craft pumpkin versus plastic pumpkins for this decoupage project. I didn’t notice any advantage in one over the other. The only difference was their size and price.
First, paint the pumpkins white with a good acrylic paint. They may require two coats. I like to start on the right side of the artificial pumpkins. You’ll want to let your painted pumpkins dry completely before gong on to the next step.
Also, don’t be tempted to use real pumpkins for these decoupage pumpkins. It will not work and your craft project will turn into a moldy mess before the new year.
Next, peel the plys of the paper napkins apart. Note, you do not want to use patterned tissue paper for this project. It is too thin. Cut a small piece of the pattern to apply to the top of the pumpkin after the white paint has dried.
Carefully paste the napkin to the pumpkin by gently painting a coat of Mod Podge on top of the napkin. Be careful, the napkins are tissue thin and tear easily.
Keep applying the Mod Podge all around the pumpkin and carefully press out any wrinkles that may form with the paint brush. I found the sponge paintbrushes to be the best tool for this job.
You don’t have to cover the bottom of the pumpkin unless you want to.
Once the Mod Podge has dried, paint the pumpkin stem with metallic gold acrylic paint for a final touch of elegance.
That’s it! It’s as simple as I promised and such a great touch to any fall tablescape!
HOW TO STYLE TOILE PUMPKINS:
You don’t want a ton of colors thrown into the mix. Keep your color scheme or color combination simple. Limit it to three or four at most. That’s what I did with this tablescape. My color palettes for this decorative pumpkin display are limited to blue, white, gold and pink.
A simple, small pumpkin placed on the center of the plate is a great place card holder for each of your dinner guests. I love how the pink just pops against navy blue.
If you have more of a country living style or Southern home, these pumpkins would look fantastic in a dough bowl with some burlap leaves.
These pink velvet pumpkins also add a sophisticated texture to this tablescape as well. You don’t even need a sewing machine to make these cute pumpkins, which are an easy craft.
If you liked this pumpkin craft, you’ll also love this no carve pumpkin idea. It’s also a Grandin Road dupe. The fabric pumpkins don’t take a long time and are a good idea. This mummy treat tote which is also easy to make.
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