I’m beginning to think that idiomatic expressions about judging books by their covers must apply to everything but books. (Coralie Bickford-Smith anyone?) The Beekeeper’s Bible is one of the prettiest beekeeping books I’ve come across (and I should know, I have over five of them!), and at 400 pages, it packs a pretty heavy content…
Three years ago, when I talked my friend Barry Rice into putting a beehive on the roof of his Brooklyn brownstone (once illegal in NYC, It has since been legalized, thanks to Just Food!), it was only because I had given up on finding a way to keep chickens in Brooklyn. I had been tempted…
Happy Friday! Grace is flying home today after a quick 36-hour trip to Minneapolis (Target campus!), so I thought I’d start the day with something beautiful to get my mind off the rain that’s forecasted for the next ten days (and desperately trying to refrain from making a “glass half-empty” comment). This breathtaking glassware is…
I’m not in the market for a new headboard, but sometimes I see projects that make me wish otherwise. This door-turned-headboard by Angela is so simple, and yet it creates such an amazing result. The character of the wood seems far better than any modular, mass-produced headboard of a similar style, and I love the…
New lighting can be a great way to a freshen up a room, and there are always so many options available at thrift stores and flea markets; occasionally, a gem can even be found on the side of the road. Amy snagged this lamp-and-shade combo for only $6, and using just a little fabric and…
Whole-room makeovers can be so intimidating. I’ve been meaning to tackle my own living room, but I just can’t seem to take the leap and make big changes. As these two living room makeovers show, the first — and probably most important — step is changing the paint. To fix up her living room and mantel,…
I’ve attempted to age furniture before but never achieved the results Amanda did with this table. The piece had potential, with its interesting shape, long legs and oval top, but Amanda’s restrained paint job and new knobs gave the table a new charm and elegance. Great work, Amanda! — Kate Time: Two days (spread out over…
When I saw this wedding invitation project from designer Kelli Anderson, the first thing I thought was, “Awesomesauce.” Despite weaning myself off of TV and celebrity gossip (which I’ve done pretty well, if I do say so myself), I can’t shake some of my favorite character-driven dialogue that’s always in my head. Top of the…
At first, I thought I was replacing my chair obsession with a lamp obsession. Now, I think it might be side tables. I haven’t bought anything, but my inspiration folder on my desktop is starting to fill up with adorable side tables. These newbies from Jonathan Adler are right at the top. Sadly, they’re out…
When it comes to kitchen gadgets, I’m constantly lamenting how my favorite pieces (old, wood and worn-in) aren’t always the most functional or ergonomic. They look beautiful, and worn wood feels soft to the touch, but if you have to stir and fold something a million times, they start to lose their charm. That said,…
Some people may get spring fever, but around this time of year, I get egg fever. Egg decorating is, without a doubt, my all-time favorite holiday-crafting activity. When I came across an image recently of eggs made by Ukrainian folk artist Forostyuk Inna that were embroidered (yes, really embroidered!), my mind was officially blown. A…
With the arrival of spring, I’ve been thinking that I could use some extra outdoor workspace, so I started drawing up plans for a simple table. I figured I could model it after a planting table, but I also wanted a metal surface to set my tabletop grill on for easier outdoor cooking. I used…
From growing up in Oregon, we are used to drizzly, wet springs (and winters and falls . . . ), and with those come rainy-day craft projects. This April, we’ve had a bit of a “rain, rain go away” feeling, but we know that in just a few weeks, we can expect sunshine and May…
I hold a special place in my heart for Texas (hence my desire to have it counted as its own region or country). I’m never surprised to hear about an exciting artist or designer coming from such a diverse state, and I’m always pleased when friends decide to visit and come back inspired by the unique…
I’ve always been a fan of marquee-style letters and signs. They seem to sparkle and dazzle in a way that makes whatever space they’re decorating feel special and exciting. Last week, Brenna taught us how to make our own paper marquee letters, but I know some people enjoy picking up something that’s already made, or…
As I get older and my style changes, I find myself moving away from the looks I’m typically drawn to, especially when it comes to furniture. Normally, I love a skinny, tapered leg and something that screams, “I’m a girl! Look at my girly furniture!” But that all feels wrong these days; it’s too feminine…
Though the weather doesn’t seem to be topping the low 50s lately, I’ve got summer on the brain. Primarily because I’m hopping on a plane to Minneapolis today, and I’m refusing to admit that snow is in the forecast. I’ve put away my heavy coats and boots for the season, and I can’t bear to…
Thank you to Elle Decor online for inviting D*S creator Grace Bonney to contribute an article on the power of Twitter (and how to use it) for designers. Click here for the full article online.
The first time I saw Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, my jaw was on the floor. Liz Taylor and Paul Newman absolutely smolder, smoke and burst into flame as an unhappily married couple imprisoned by circumstance at the family’s Mississippi plantation. Tennessee Williams sets a stage like no other, and the movie adaptation of…
Looking through Nate Duval’s portfolio, it’s almost hard to believe that all of his concert posters, band t-shirts and album covers (plus art for national ad campaigns, corporate identities and more) are the work of just one dude. But his self-imposed chameleonic nature is one of the things we love most about this Massachusetts-based designer,…
