That 90's Ranch

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  • The Wreath I Didn’t Want to Let Go Of

    Every fall I make a handful of wreaths that I’m proud of. And then, every once in a while, I make one I fall in love with — the kind where I keep finding excuses to walk back out to the workshop just to look at it one more time. This year, that wreath is this one.

    I knew I wanted something soft this year — not the punchy orange-and-red fall you see everywhere, but something a little more heirloom, a little more “grandmother’s garden in October.” So I started with a base of blush, cream, and antique-gold maple leaves, the kind that look like they’ve been fading gently on the vine for weeks rather than screaming “pumpkin spice.” Layered underneath, sage-green foliage and rusty little fern sprigs give it depth without fighting for attention.

    Then came the berries — deep, wine-burgundy clusters tucked in close to the leaves, giving the whole thing a little weight and richness. And finally, the piece that ties it all together: a wide burgundy ribbon, hand-tied into a full, loose bow with long, trailing tails that spill almost to the bottom of the wreath. I let those tails move — no stiff, symmetrical loops here. I wanted it to feel like something you’d find growing wild, not something stamped out of a mold.

    I hung this one on the old oak in the yard to photograph it, and honestly, it might be my favorite styling shot I’ve taken all year. Something about the bark, the dappled light, the grass going a little golden in the background — it just felt right for this piece. It’s rustic without being rough, elegant without being fussy. It’s fall the way I actually experience it here at the ranch: warm, a little worn-in, and full of texture.

    I loved this design so much that I’m keeping one for my own front door this year — which almost never happens. Usually everything I make goes straight to the shop, but this one earned a spot at my house too.

    The good news is I made a few, and there are still a couple left in the shop if you’d like one for your own door:

    👉 Autumn Fall Burgundy Foliage Wreath

    If you’ve been looking for a fall wreath that leans elegant and antique rather than bright and bold, I think this might be the one. And if you make one yours, I’d love to see it on your door too.

    Until next time, Ronnie Kay

  • A New Backdrop, A New Wreath, and a Full House

    There’s something so satisfying about finally having a spot dialed in for photos. If you’ve been following along, you know I’ve been chasing the perfect light and background for my wreath shots for a while now — and I think I’ve finally landed on it.

    The New Door Setup

    Right outside my sunroom, I’ve set up a painted door leaned against the brick wall of the house, and honestly, it’s been a game changer. It’s just steps from my workshop, which means I can finish a wreath, walk it outside, and get it photographed while the light is still good — no lugging pieces across the yard or waiting for a “good day” to drive somewhere with better scenery.

    The brick gives just enough texture and warmth without competing with the wreath itself, and the door adds that cozy, welcoming, front-porch feeling that I think really matters for fall listings. It photographs beautifully in both morning and late afternoon light, and I’m already noticing the difference in how the listings look.

    Introducing: The Mixed Fern Wreath

    This one’s a little different from my usual fall lineup — softer, more textural, and built around layering several types of fern for depth rather than leaning on the bold pops of color I usually reach for.

    I wanted something that felt lush and a little wild, like it had been gathered rather than arranged. The layering of textures against that weathered door really lets the greens do the talking.

    A Full House This Season

    Life at home has looked a little different lately, too. My dad moved in with me recently, and it’s honestly been such a blessing having him here. He’s turned into one of my biggest cheerleaders when it comes to the wreaths — always ready with a compliment, always curious about what I’m working on next, and always happy to sit out on the porch with me.

    It’s a nice reminder that this little business isn’t just about the finished product — it’s woven into the everyday rhythm of home, family, and the people cheering you on along the way.

    More fall pieces coming soon — thanks for following along!

  • Mastering Wreath Photography: Tips for Optimal Light

    When I started working on the side door off our garage, I had one goal in mind—create a clean, simple backdrop where my wreaths could shine.

    And for a minute… I thought I had it.

    The door looked fresh. The brick had that warm, cozy tone I love. It felt like it should work.

    But there was one problem I couldn’t fix with paint or styling—light.

    The Problem I Didn’t See Coming

    That side door faces south, and while that might sound ideal, the roof overhang created a harsh shade line across the door most of the day.

    Half light. Half shadow. Constantly shifting.

    If you’ve ever tried to photograph anything for Etsy, you already know…
    that kind of lighting is a dealbreaker.

    • Colors don’t photograph true
    • Shadows cut right through your product
    • Editing becomes a nightmare
    • And worst of all—it just doesn’t look professional

    I kept trying to “make it work,” but deep down I knew…

    This wasn’t the setup my wreaths deserved.

    The Pivot That Changed Everything

    So I did something a little unconventional.

    I bought a brand new 36-inch door.

    Not to install…
    but to stage.

    I painted it, styled it, and leaned it against an east-facing wall outside my sunroom.

    And just like that—I had something I never had before:

    ✨ Consistent, soft morning light
    ✨ A full-size door that fits larger wreaths beautifully
    ✨ A controlled, repeatable photography setup

    No harsh lines.
    No guessing.
    No fighting the sun.

    Why This Works So Well

    This setup solved more than just lighting—it elevated everything about how my wreaths are presented.

    Here’s what made the biggest difference:

    1. East-Facing Light is Your Best Friend

    Morning light is softer, more even, and far more flattering than harsh afternoon sun.

    2. A 36” Door Gives Breathing Room

    My larger wreaths finally look proportional and high-end instead of crowded.

    3. Neutral = Timeless

    The simple painted door keeps the focus where it belongs—on the wreath.

    4. It’s Repeatable

    This might be my favorite part.

    I can now walk outside, hang a wreath, and know I’m going to get a good shot.

    And when you’re running a small handmade business—especially on days when energy is limited—that kind of reliability matters more than anything.

    A Little Honest Reflection

    I’ll be honest—there was a moment where I thought:

    “Am I really buying a door… just to lean it against a wall?”

    But this is one of those times where doing something a little different made all the difference.

    Because this isn’t just about taking pictures.

    It’s about:

    • showing your work in its best light
    • creating a consistent brand
    • and making your products look as beautiful online as they do in real life

    And for me, that’s worth it.

    If You’re Struggling With Product Photos…

    Let me just say this—if your photos aren’t working, it might not be your product.

    It might be your light.

    Before you second guess your design…
    try changing your setup.

    Sometimes the smallest shift (or in my case… a whole door 😄)
    can completely change the outcome.

  • When Your House Makes Perfect Sense From the Inside: Fixing My 90s Ranch Entryway for Real Life (and Etsy Photos)

    Part One of the That 90s Ranch Entryway Series

    If you’ve ever driven through the countryside outside of Springfield, Missouri, you’ve probably noticed something charming and slightly puzzling about the homes built here in the 1990s. When this part of the Ozarks was just beginning to boom — when young families were buying small plots of two or three acres, digging their own wells, installing septics, and dreaming up floor plans without the help of an architect — they built homes that worked for them. Practical. Personal. And occasionally, a little quirky by conventional standards.

    My 90s ranch is no exception.

    From the outside, my entryway looks a little odd. The front door faces west, flanked by a sidelite that throws off any sense of symmetry. There’s a storm door that reflects everything and photographs nothing well.

    Step inside though, and suddenly it all makes perfect sense.

    The foyer opens up beautifully. A navy blue accent wall anchors the space with confidence. A Persian rug in rich reds and blues grounds the hardwood floors. A vintage coat rack stands sentinel by the front door, and the light fixture overhead casts a warm, welcoming glow. It’s a real home, lived in and loved, full of personality that no cookie-cutter floor plan could have predicted. The tray ceiling does not sit in the center of the room which drive me bonkers, and the windows are crazy narrow which was seems to be customary at the time of construction.

    This is the story of so many homes built in this corner of Missouri during that era. The builders — our parents, our neighbors, ourselves — were practical people solving practical problems on their own terms. If the lot sloped a certain way, the door went where it made sense. If the family needed a side entrance for muddy boots and grocery runs, that door got built where it worked, not where a designer might have placed it for curb appeal.

    I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately as I’ve been working to improve the photography for my Etsy shop, RonnieKayDesign, where I sell handmade floral wreaths. Good wreath photography requires a good door. And good door photography, it turns out, requires thinking creatively about what you actually have — and what you can coax it into becoming.

    So that overlooked 32-inch side door coming off of the garage? Oof! The one that faces south and catches the most gorgeous afternoon light you’ve ever seen bouncing off warm Missouri brick? That’s my project now.

    Over the next few posts I’m going to share how I’m transforming this quirky little side entrance — painting, styling, and staging it — into both a functional entryway and a photography backdrop I’m actually proud of. No professional contractor. No big budget. Just a woman, her paint brushes, and a deep appreciation for the perfectly imperfect homes that this corner of the Ozarks built for itself.

    Because sometimes the quirkiest parts of your home turn out to be the most interesting.

    Stay tuned for Part Two, where I tackle the paint and show you the before and after of the side door transformation.

  • When the Delphiniums Didn’t Bloom

    Last year I planted delphiniums.

    Or at least I tried to.

    I had visions of tall spires in soft purples and blues swaying behind the old fencing here at That 90s Ranch. I imagined lavender tucked along the walkway, bees humming in the heat, and that dreamy English garden feeling you see in magazines — a little wild, a little romantic, a little untamed.

    Missouri had other plans.

    I waited for weeks for those seeds to germinate. I checked the soil. I watered carefully. I squinted at the ground like maybe I was missing something small and green pushing through.

    Nothing.

    Not one sprout.

    If you garden, you know that quiet disappointment. It’s not dramatic. It’s just… empty soil where hope was supposed to be.

    Delphiniums are notoriously particular. They prefer cooler climates and can be finicky about germination. And while I still believe they could grow here with enough patience and the right conditions, last year just wasn’t their year.

    So I grieved them a little.

    And then I made this wreath.

    An English Garden — Even If It’s Only on the Door

    This 22″ delphinium wreath is my nod to the garden that didn’t happen.

    Layered purple blooms, soft lavender accents, white daisies, and airy greenery — full and abundant the way I imagined those flower beds would be. I added a sage green bow for that gentle cottage softness that always makes me think of countryside homes and open windows.

    It’s not planted in the soil.

    But it blooms anyway.

    There’s something comforting about that — the idea that beauty doesn’t always have to grow the way we planned. Sometimes it shows up in a different form. Sometimes it hangs on the front door instead of rising from the earth.

    Gardening Lessons from a Failed Packet of Seeds

    If you’ve ever planted something that didn’t grow, you understand this story.

    Gardening is hope in its purest form. You tuck something small into the ground and trust that time and weather and unseen processes will do their work.

    Sometimes they do.

    Sometimes they don’t.

    But the dreaming? That part still matters.

    This year I may try again. Maybe with started plants instead of seeds. Maybe with a little more shade. Maybe with adjusted expectations.

    Or maybe I’ll just keep building my English garden in wreath form until Missouri cooperates.

    Either way, there will be purple blooms at That 90s Ranch.

    Even if they’re wired to a grapevine base.

    This wreath is available on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/listing/4466080711/purple-delphinium-white-daisy-spring

  • Lemon & Blueberry Blossom | A Fresh Start for the Front Door

    There’s something about lemons that feels hopeful.

    Maybe it’s the color — that unapologetic, sunshine yellow. Or maybe it’s the way citrus always reminds me of open windows, clean kitchens, and long summer afternoons.

    This Lemon & Blueberry Blossom wreath came together on one of those days when I needed something bright.

    The kind of project that feels like opening the front door after a long winter and letting the light pour in.

    A Little Blue, A Little White, A Lot of Fresh

    I paired cheerful lemons with soft blue blossoms and crisp white daisies. The blue gives it that gentle, cottage feel — almost like wildflowers growing along a fence line — while the lemons keep it lively and welcoming.

    There’s something about blue and yellow together that just works.

    It feels timeless.

    And layered into lush greenery and fern accents, the whole wreath feels full and abundant — like summer is just getting started.

    Why I Love This One

    It’s cheerful without being loud.
    It’s classic without feeling traditional.
    And it carries just enough farmhouse charm to feel right at home here at That 90’s Ranch.

    Sometimes a front door just needs something that says,
    “Summer lives here.”

    And I think this one does exactly that.

    Ronnie Kay Design is where I share my love of wreaths and seasonal décor—slowly, thoughtfully, and always inspired by home. If you’d like to see what I’ve been working on (and what’s coming next), you can find my shop on Etsy at https://ronniekaydesign.etsy.com.

  • Spring Inspiration

    Warmer weather has finally arrived at That 90’s Ranch, and spring inspiration is everywhere. Tulip buds are pushing through the soil, and baby green shoots are peeking through last fall’s fallen leaves. After weeks of cold and quiet, it feels good to step outside and breathe in fresh air again. It’s time for yard cleanup!

    Inside the studio, I’ve been just as busy. I freshened up the doors I use to display my wreaths — a little new paint can make everything feel brand new again. I installed new wreath hooks and, in a flurry of activity, started redoing photos for my Etsy shop while introducing a few new designs.

    I’m especially loving the soft pastel colors that are trending this season. They feel hopeful and gentle — just like spring itself.

    If you’re ready to bring a little spring inspiration to your own front door, I’ve just added a few new designs to the shop. I’d love for you to take a peek.

    Ronnie Kay Design is where I share my love of wreaths and seasonal décor—slowly, thoughtfully, and always inspired by home. If you’d like to see what I’ve been working on (and what’s coming next), you can find my shop on Etsy at https://ronniekaydesign.etsy.com.

  • A Winter Thaw, a Quiet House, and Learning to Sew at That 90’s Ranch

    A new sewing machine, fresh fabric, and the quiet promise of learning something new.

    Hey! Today, the weather is finally breaking after a week of below-freezing temperatures. The water faucets have been turned off at That 90’s Ranch for the first time in days. The house feels suddenly, eerily quiet—no more tap, tap, tap of water hitting porcelain basins, just the soft popping of burning wood in the stove.

    This afternoon, I’m looking forward to opening the windows and letting the house inhale fresh air.

    Ronnie Kay Design, my Etsy shop, has been slow lately. Instead of fighting that, I’ve used the pause to restyle the shop and take a closer look at its performance. I’m committed to it. I love making wreaths and dreaming up new designs. The marketing side of running a shop… well, not so much—but I’m learning.

    Last week, I bought a sewing machine, picked up some fabric, and spent time watching YouTube tutorials. I’m hoping to start making wreath sashes to offer in my shop. Before I get there, though, I think I’ll try my hand at some potholders to test my sewing skills.

    Wish me luck!

    Ronnie Kay Design is where I share my love of wreaths and seasonal décor—slowly, thoughtfully, and always inspired by home. If you’d like to see what I’ve been working on (and what’s coming next), you can find my shop on Etsy at https://ronniekaydesign.etsy.com.

  • Lemons to Lemonade

    Life has thrown a few curve balls at me, as it does to everyone. I never expected that I would live to old age without issue, but I just thought I had more time. More to time to work, achieve, travel, time to save, time to plan my future. My life isn’t over, but my health just hasn’t improved like I expected it to. Now at 60, it feels like this train is riding the brakes and I have had to make some tough decisions.

    So….enough of this sob story. I’m no longer able to work full time in my previous career and like most everyone else on the planet, this will make a huge impact on me physically, emotionally and financially.

    That 90’s Ranch has grown on me and I, and my family have invested time and resources into this humble home. So the plan going forward is to keep working and maintaining her, but also to understand that I was never going to live here forever. I’m working on staying flexible and open while navigating several health obstacles.

    I opened an Etsy Shop where I sell wreaths. It gives me purpose and a creative outlet which I have enjoyed thoroughly and if I can only work an hour or two a day, it’s okay. That 90’s Ranch is now filled with faux florals and greenery and has new purpose as well.

    Is this my Lemonade? Maybe. Maybe not. I’m gonna find out.

  • Love the One You’re With

    I bought That 90’s Ranch on a whim. Purchased in 2021 at the height of Covid, I got caught up in the whirlwind of real estate activity. Located a block from my mother’s home who I worked overtime with as a Realtor and having a large yard outside of the city limits with a shop building made it somewhat attractive.

    I was hoping to find a small dreamy home with European cottage charm with a yard big enough to have English style rose garden outlined with well manicured box hedges and loads of character. Like every buyer I’ve worked with over the last 20 years, I wanted a home filled with luxurious, generous spaces at a small price. It’s completely unrealistic that I would find such a lofty and ideal English style property in this area. It’s certainly possible that it could happen, it’s just not probable.

    That 90’s Ranch, while well maintained and custom built by the first owners, was very typical of all brick ranch homes built in the last half of the 80’s and first half of the 90’s. It had some great features including a large sunroom, but was no where near what I wanted to purchase.

    Today, The 90’s Ranch looks different, but in many ways the same and I have come to love it. If you love seeing before and afters, stay tuned.