Not into the traditional orange and fall decor? Me either. That’s why I love these DIY Blue and White pumpkins, or if you prefer the fancier term, these DIY Chinoiserie pumpkins.
Chinoiserie is the “imitation or evocation of Chinese motifs and techniques in Western art, furniture, and architecture, especially in the 18th century.” It’s also making a huge comeback in home decor right now. A somewhat new style called “Grannychic” or “grandmillennial” is making the rounds on Instagram and in magazines. Chinoiserie is a huge part of that style as is floral, patterns, and a few antiques mixed in.
Before I get into the DIY I will start with a bit of a warning. All of my DIYs here at Pretty Simple Ideas are always….well pretty simple. This one, however, takes a little practice. Decoupaging is an art, not a science. That being said, it is also very forgiving and meant to look a little hodge-podge. My recommendation is to buy a handful of mini pumpkins at Trader Joe’s for 59 cents until you can get the feel of the material. After a few attempts, I think you’ll feel a lot more confident.
How to Make DIY Blue and White Pumpkins!
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DIY Chinoiserie Pumpkins Materials
*While Amazon is the easiest place to grab white fake pumpkins, also check Lowe’s or Home Depot or even your local thrift store. They must be white however since the color will shine through. If you find orange ones you could always give them a quick spray paint.
How to Make DIY Blue and White Pumpkins
1.) If using smaller white pumpkins, cut your napkins into strips before gluing on. If you’re using larger pumpkins, like I did, cut the outside corner of the napkin off as well as a slit in the middle to fit over the stem. Many pumpkins you buy come with removable stems. If so, take it off before starting to decoupage.
Oh, and decoupage is simply gluing pieces of paper onto something! It sounds like a children’s craft but it’s a really gorgeous form of art.
2.) Using your foam brush, paint the pumpkin generously section by section, and lay on the paper. Gently tap and press it into place. If it tears try to take that piece off and start with another. If it’s a small tear you can always lay another napkin on top and press it into place.
The good news is even if it looks messy the next day it usually smooths into place beautifully. Trust me!
3.) Use the foam brush to smooth out as many wrinkles as you can – gently of course.
4.) Move onto the next piece until the entire pumpkin is covered.
Let it dry overnight and the next day admire your beautiful DIY chinoiserie pumpkin!
Do you love DIY blue and white pumpkins as much as I do? Let me know if you give this a try!
P.S If you loved this you might also love these DIY fall magnets!
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OMG these are so gorgeous and chic! I need to make them
this is so pretty! I love the blue and white version of pumpkins instead of traditional orange.. Very creative.
Me toooo
They are absolutely fabulous! What a creative and cool idea for an alternative pumpkin.
Such a nice idea, these pumpkins look amazing. Love your creativity.
These look super stunning and elegant – a welcome break from the orange overload. 🙂
Agreed. hahaha
I LOVE this idea! I was just talking to my husband about some teal pumpkins I saw because it matches the color scheme we have on our table! I can’t wait to share this idea with him!
you could totally do this with teal napkins!
These are so cute! I’m definitely going to try this at home sometime this fall, since I love chinoiserie – especially blue and white chinoiserie! These pumpkins came out really nice and I love that it’s budget-friendly! Thank you for sharing!
I hope you enjoy!
These are absolutely lovely! I can’t wait to try and make one!
Now these are pumpkins I would not mind hanging out in my home until winter.
What a beautiful project! My grandma has always had Blue Willow patterned plates and this really reminds me of them. Thanks for sharing!
Aww yes!
These are the most beautiful pumpkins! I absolutely love the intricate blue design. It’s so stunning. You did an amazing job with this DIY!
thank you so much!
These are gorgeous! I am always looking for fall decor that is more classy than rustic, and this style is exactly that. I will definitely be trying this out!
Wow! I love these so much. I have been looking for some decor ideas this fall and these are perfect.