We had always thought of bunting as a festive, but temporary, way to decorate for parties and special occasions. But then we came across an image of a garland incorporated into kitchen decor and loved the way it added a splash of color to the space. What do you think?
Bunting may not be for everyone, but we think it works quite well in these kitchens and dining areas:
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• 1 Shown in LivingEtc, these banners are hung a bit low for everyday use, but they're so striking in an otherwise white space. We'd hate to take them down after the party!
• 2 Flickr member syko uses bunting as a colorful and inviting touch in the kitchen entryway.
• 3 We like how the light blue bunting contrasts with the deep pink and provides a visual anchor on such an eclectic wall in India Knight's kitchen (featured in LivingEtc).
• 4 From All About You, here's another example of bunting adding color and interest to a neutral kitchen.
• 5 In lovelydesign's dining area, a simple but eye-catching line of bunting dresses up a curtain-less window.
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• 6 Pink Paper Peppermints shows off her crafting skills with this "spring banner." We think bunting could be a fun way to play with color and pattern for an inexpensive seasonal decor change.
• 7 If hanging bunting overhead seems like too much, try hanging it on the wall like Jasna Janekovic. This could be a great idea for rental kitchens where painting is not allowed.
Want to make your own bunting? Martha Stewart and Joyful Abode have instructions for paper and cloth. We've also seen pretty handmade bunting sold on Etsy.
Related: How To Sew Napkins and a Table Runner
(Images: LivingEtc, Flickr member syko used with permission, LivingEtc, All About You, lovelydesign, Pink Paper Peppermints, Jasna Janekovic)
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It's cheery and sort of nautical - a bit like "dressing the ship" for the captain's birthday. But I always understood it was wrong to keep the ship dressed after sunset. I say keep it for special occasions.
Its kind of like the Tibetan (I think its Tibetan- may be Nepalese) flags people hang up outside. Although I hate it when they fade and start to fall apart and people leave them up.
bkk, that is part of the traditional meaning of prayer flags. they are meant to be hung outside, where the blessings can be carried by the wind. they are made with unfinished fabric edges, and the fading and tattering is a symbol of the prayers being spread about, and of the ephemeral nature of life and material things.