I’ve been sharing lately how much I enjoy hosting the occasional party alongside my home décor projects. Today I’m combining those two passions to present three DIY ideas that work beautifully for a celebration and then translate directly into long-lasting home décor. The concept is straightforward: create party elements—photo booth backdrops, textiles, party favors—that are stylish for an event and functional enough to keep using in your home for years.
For this series I partnered with V8 to produce a two-part project: first, a detailed DIY tutorial for each party-turned-home-decor project; and second, a full party reveal showing these pieces in action. Those party photos and additional ideas will be shared tomorrow. The collaboration celebrates V8 Veggie Blends (a convenient way to get one full serving of vegetables per glass) and V8 +Energy (a refreshing energy drink powered by natural green tea).
Tomorrow I’ll share the party itself—complete with an edible table runner and more creative touches—but today I’m excited to walk through three timeless DIYs: a large woven photo booth backdrop that becomes wall art, naturally dyed linen napkins that brighten everyday meals, and rose-gold wire baskets upgraded with leather handles for stylish storage. Let’s get started.
DIY Photo Booth Backdrop Turned Everyday Wall Art
This is my favorite project of the three. To introduce a tactile, natural element we created a large woven wall piece that served as a photo booth backdrop for the party and now functions as a statement art piece. We used more than 100 yards of cotton piping to create a textured, oversized weaving. It’s a labor of love, but the result is striking and versatile.
After the event, the piece looks fantastic hanging above a sofa, in an entry, or anywhere you want a bold textile focal point. If you prefer color, you can dye the piping before weaving for a customized palette.
Materials
- Cotton piping in various thicknesses (about 100 yards total for an approximately 4 ft x 8 ft panel)
- Chicken wire (2 ft wide by 25 ft long)
- Scissors
- Wire cutters
Instructions
1. Cut the chicken wire into two panels roughly 8–10 feet long using wire cutters.
2. Prepare the weaving elements. We used three techniques:
- Tassels made by teasing apart half of a 9–12 inch piece of cotton piping, leaving a solid “tail” at one end. Attach by weaving the tail through the chicken wire holes using an over-under pattern.
- Double-ended tassels created by separating both ends of a 6-inch piece of piping, folding it in half, and pushing it from the back through the chicken wire to create a loop on the front; the remaining edges on the back hold it in place.
- Fully unraveled pieces (9–12 inches) where the piping is completely split from its central cord. Attach these with an over-under basketweave method to fill larger areas and add texture.
3. Begin weaving the prepared pieces into the chicken wire from the bottom up. Stagger the three techniques for an organic, layered appearance. Leave the outermost four vertical rows of holes on each side of the chicken wire empty for later finishing.
4. Repeat the weaving on the second chicken wire panel using the same mix of techniques.
5. Join the two panels by threading a long length of cotton piping between them (one above the other). Tension the piping so the work doesn’t sag, but don’t pull so tight that the piece buckles.
6. Use long cording pieces to basketweave and fill the previously left-empty holes on each side, creating a finished edge and securing the two panels together.
7. Fold the leftover chicken wire behind the completed weaving to neaten the sides and add stability.
8. Mount the finished piece to the wall with appropriate anchors—this is a relatively heavy installation.
Note: this project is time-intensive—our piece required about 8–10 hours from start to finish, but the outcome is worth the effort.
Naturally Dyed DIY Linens for Bright Yellow Napkins
For a bright, cheerful table accent, we used turmeric to naturally dye white linen napkins a vibrant yellow. Turmeric is easy to find and creates a warm, saturated tone that works perfectly for a party table and everyday use.
Natural dyes are a simple, eco-friendly way to customize textiles. The napkins came out beautifully and hold up well to household laundering when fixed and rinsed properly.
Materials
- 1–1.5 ounces turmeric (a standard spice container)
- White linen napkins
- Large cooking pot
- About 1 gallon of water
- Salt
Instructions
1. Dissolve 3–4 tablespoons of salt in one gallon of water. Submerge the napkins and let them soak for 20–30 minutes—this helps the dye take more evenly.
2. Remove and wring out the napkins, then set them aside temporarily.
3. Add the turmeric to the soaking water and bring it to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and place the napkins into the dye bath, keeping them there for about 30 minutes.
4. Remove the napkins from the dye bath, rinse under running water until the rinse water runs clear, then launder in your washing machine with detergent. Dry and press the napkins before use.
The result is a bright, sunny set of napkins that instantly elevate a table for special occasions and everyday meals.
DIY Leather Handle Baskets for Party Favors and Everyday Storage
I spotted rose-gold wire baskets but hesitated because they lacked handles. The solution was simple: add leather straps to create elegant, functional handles. These baskets are perfect filled with produce, V8 +Energy cans, or party favors, and later they make attractive storage around the house.
Materials
- 3/4-inch-wide leather strips (cut to length from a roll)
- Sharp scissors or a utility blade
- Leather hole punch
- Rose-gold tubular rivets
- Tubular rivet peening tool
- Mallet or hammer
- Rose-gold wire baskets
Instructions
1. Cut leather strips to approximately 10 inches for each handle (adjust length to suit your basket).
2. Punch two holes 2–3 inches apart at each end of the leather strip—four holes total per strip.
3. Thread one end of the leather through the top wire of the basket and secure it with a tubular rivet using a peening tool and mallet. Repeat for the other end of the same strip to form a completed handle.
4. Repeat the process on the opposite side of the basket to create the second handle.
The result is a polished, durable basket with a luxe feel—perfect for gifting at a party or for everyday storage throughout your home.
Photography by Amelia Tatnall
Modeling Katherine Dickerson, Courtney Dietz, Machaelie Hay
Styling and art direction Brittni Mehlhoff
That wraps up the DIYs—come back tomorrow for the full party reveal and more ideas showcasing these pieces in use. In the meantime, grab a V8 Veggie Blend or V8 +Energy if you need an extra boost, relax, and consider which of these projects you might try first.
Will you try any of these party-to-home decor ideas? I’d love to hear which project you like best—share your thoughts in the comments.
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This post was created in partnership with V8. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Paper & Stitch going.