Over the weekend I wrapped up my first style guide of the year. I’m still drawn to palettes that combine warm neutrals with bold pops of color — that contrast feels fresh and wearable right now.
To kick off January with a bit of organization, I made some DIY gold push pins. Below I’m sharing the quick tutorial plus a look at the full style guide and the color combinations that inspired it.
First, the thumbtacks. Let’s get down to brass tacks — or in this case, gold leaf tacks. They’re an easy, inexpensive way to elevate a mood board or workspace.
Materials for Gold Thumbtacks
- Square wood thumbtacks (you can also use geometric or round shapes)
- Gold leaf, copper leaf, or silver leaf — or a mix if you prefer
- Metal leaf adhesive size
- Small paintbrush
Instructions for Gold Thumbtacks
1. Lay a sheet of metal leaf flat. Use the paintbrush to apply a thin layer of adhesive size to one side of a thumbtack. Follow the adhesive packaging and wait until the size becomes tacky.
2. Press the tack, adhesive side down, onto the metal leaf. Repeat with additional tacks as you go.
3. Lift the tacks — the metal leaf will have adhered to the glued sides.
4. Continue applying adhesive and pressing each remaining side into the metal leaf until the whole tack is covered. Smooth any loose edges gently with the brush or a soft cloth.
Now, about the style guide: I kept circling back to a cluster of soft pastel orange-peach tones paired with creamy tans — those shades repeat across several images and really pull the board together. I love them especially when set against variations of blue for balance and contrast.
I’ve also been noticing interesting type treatments in recent work. One small poster in my guide reads WE MUST BRIDGE THIS DIVIDE and its bold, condensed lettering stuck with me. It was created by Eleven5 and, while it may no longer be available in their shop, its graphic energy made a strong impression on the board.
Have you made any physical style guides or mood boards this year? I’d love to hear what’s inspiring you — which colors, textures, places, or objects are showing up in your work this season?