Dopamine Style Decorating and DIY Tea Towel
If you love bright colors and bold designs then Dopamine Decor Style is for you. And…even if this is not your normal color palette…I think we can all use a bit of brightness in our lives right now! So…if you are inspired to paint a wall, create bold artwork, or simply make a cute tea towel to hang in your kitchen…this design idea will surely bring a smile to your face!
Sketchbook Images
“Dopamine style decor is focused on boosting mood and emotional well-being by filling spaces with vibrant colors, playful patterns, and personalized, nostalgic, or whimsical items. It promotes joy through layering, eclectic, and energy-inducing choices, such as bright art, mixed textures, and bold, saturated hues.” (gemini, 26)
Home Decor Dopamine Style
Image from: Amitabha.studio
UK interior designer, Grace Baena, says that “Dopamine Style encourages us to be thoughtful about our purchases, perhaps only buying what we need and love. In design and furniture shopping, the thrill of the hunt is completely dopamine-inducing, particularly when you come across a gorgeous, unique piece.”
Image from: amitabha.studio
Painting an old piece of furniture in a bold color is a great place to start. Upcycling a thrifted piece is a perfect choice because the investment is low and the results are great!
Photo credit Paula_Handmade
Photo credit Paula_Handmade
My Friend, Paula Vielhaber, is a master at Dopamine style decorating. She brings bold bright colors to all her spaces. Her combination of paint and textiles are inviting and inspiring! We were fortunate to visit her and her husband’s bungalow in Thailand and experience this beautiful space first hand!
Textile Examples
Fabric and trim purchased in Tahiti
I found these joyfully bold fabrics and trims while traveling in Tahiti! I’ve already used some of the trim and can’t wait to cut into this fabric when I find the perfect project!
Tile and Mural Examples
I captured these images at a roadside shrine in Thailand…
…and this quilt-like mural in Seattle. I find them all very inspiring and dopamine inducing! Now that you have some inspiration…lets get on to our project!
DIY Tea Towel Dopamine Style!
Supplies:
Pattern from download or make up your own pattern!
Fabrics scraps in a variety of bold colors and patterns
Handmade or Premade cotton tea towel from the craft store
Iron-on adhesive like Heat n Bond
Rickrack: two sizes and colors
3 buttons
Pearl cotton thread or embroidery floss
Misc: erasable marking pen, iron, needle, scissors, sewing machine
Note: Click image to download and print pattern at 70% scale. This may vary depending on your printer. For Reference the double paisley is 5.5 inches long at the widest part.
1) Cut out the paper patterns
2) Press iron-on adhesive to the back of the fabric scraps. Trace the pattens onto the fabric pieces with an erasable pen. Cut out the shapes: two hearts, one circle, one flower, and one double paisley
3) Remove paper backing from the fabric shapes
4) Arrange fabric shapes on the towel and iron them in place.
5) Blanket stitch around the paisley, flower, and circle. Add a running stitch around the hearts. Add buttons.
6) Sew two lines of rickrack along the bottom edge of the towel. Tip: For the larger rickrack, I found it easier to clip it in place, hand baste it, and then sew it on the machine.
I also added some hand stitching on the small rickrack for extra decoration.
With its dopamine-bright colors and playful vibe, this tea towel is guaranteed to make you smile every time you see it hanging in your kitchen.
Make a few extras to give away…they make lovely Valentine and hostess gifts…but…don’t forget to save one for yourself!
Ripple Cotton Napkins
$12.75