Lately we’ve been getting more requests for furniture DIY projects. Luckily this awesome tutorial from Sarah Torrence of 508 Restoration & Design for a salvaged barnwood headboard landed in my inbox, and was just too pretty to pass up. Due to their size and the amount of use they receive, headboards can be intimidating, even…
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but it seems this has been a record-breaking year for good design books. From The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well by Deborah Needleman (my newest arrival) to Design*Sponge at Home, my bedside table has become a literary Leaning Tower of Pisa. It’s so hard to…
I’ve seen a lot of beautiful, modern kitchen projects lately, and I have to be honest — they’re making me quite envious. I understand how major an undertaking like this can be, even when the owner is also a talented architect, as is the case with this amazing kitchen from Suzanne and Greg Damant. Suzanne…
It’s so fun to see where people go hunting for furniture — thrift stores, yard sales, the bizarre junk shop you can barely walk around in. There’s treasure to be found everywhere! Wippowillow founder Kate Troyer decided to combine her modern textile designs with a more traditional chair shape. Her friend and colleague Shannon found…
I have avoided painting a piece of furniture in my home for a long time, opting instead for a mix of natural woods. However, if I were to bring a solid colored piece into the mix, I think something along the lines of this electric cobalt blue dresser from Natalie could be the way to…
When Amy and I were in Charleston for the book tour the other week, I found myself completely blown away by the work of a fantastic photographer, Sam Kweskin. Sam’s work was on display at my favorite local coffee shop, Hope & Union. The stunning large-scale photograph (above) of a beach shot from above was…
Last night at our Denver book party, we got to meet April and Jeremy, the adorable couple behind what is easily my favorite wedding post ever (their San Francisco elopement video). Since their love story has inspired me for over a year now, it seemed fitting to kick off today with beautiful wedding invitations designed…
With all the traveling and work happening during the last few legs of our Design*Sponge at Home book tour, it’s sometimes hard to take a moment to stop and reflect on all that’s happened this year. It still hasn’t hit me fully, but one thing I wanted to be thankful for this morning was getting…
It’s possible that we have done everything you could think to do with mini pumpkins and gourds in the name of a beautiful Thanksgiving table — glitter, spray paint, stencils, papier mâché, carving, drilling, stamping. There is hardly a tool or technique we haven’t applied to (or tried on) the squash family. We thought this…
I am excited to share the new DIY book, DIY Furniture: A Step-by-Step Guide, for three reasons. For starters, this book was authored by one of our D*S scholarship winners: the extremely talented Christopher Stuart, founder of LUUR design. Second, this book features projects from some of my favorite emerging designers, including Lindsey Adelman, Uhuru and…
As if I needed another reason to be excited about going back to Portland,* Schoolhouse Electric has gone and given me another one. I’ve been a fan of Schoolhouse Electric’s period lighting for a while now, but I was thrilled to hear about their expansion earlier this summer. I’d heard buzzing among local Portland bloggers…
There are certain colors (typically neutrals) that I go back to over and over again. One is gray, and the other is a classic army green. This beautiful new collection of furniture from Steve Kenn (formerly of Temple Bags) is sourced and made locally in Los Angeles using (washed and softened) US military half shelters…
One of the best parts about the book tour is getting to meet so many talented artists and designers in person. At last night’s event in Salt Lake, we met some fantastic crafters and artists, one of whom really caught my eye. Susan Peterson is the designer behind Freshly Picked, a great collection of leather…
As I get older, I find myself veering away from polka dots, but it’s hard to resist the allure of electric pink and polka dots. I only have so much willpower. These new pillow cases from Castle in Australia are made of 100% cotton and have polka dots in fluorescent pink, white, black and yellow….
I’ve been enjoying a lot of sci-fi movies lately, particularly those with strong visual landscapes. I thought it would be fun to create a spin-off of Amy’s Living In column for MyLifeScoop, and I’m focusing on films that approach technology in interesting and inspiring ways. My first pick for this series is Gattaca, a film that…
Not many movies portray a New England fall better than The Cider House Rules. Set in Maine among apple orchards, rambling old buildings, seaside towns and lobster docks, it’s obvious why we crave the 1999 adaptation of John Irving’s novel when fall rolls around. Toby Maguire plays an orphan trained as a doctor who struggles…
Today’s Biz Ladies post comes from Kelli Proia, the principal attorney at IP in Focus in Massachusetts, an intellectual property boutique. Kelli helps her clients maximize the return on investment in their most important business assets — their people and their intellectual property — while minimizing the risk of doing business in today’s marketplace. Throughout her…
All photos by Keshia Gutiérrez Today’s San Juan City Guide is from Keshia Gutiérrez, a freelance fashion and textile consultant who lives in Brooklyn. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she tries to visit her native island as often as possible, especially to escape the cold New York months. When not working or traveling, she…
Like Amy, I’ve been drawn to accessories lately, especially ones that feel sculptural, like these belts from the AW11 collection by Eye of the World Designs. These belts are a collaboration between Eye of the World Designs, which consists of fashion stylist Hope von Joel and wood craftsman Liam Moyter, and knitwear designer Brooke Roberts….
Though it’s been a while since I needed any back-to-school clothes, fall always makes me long to refresh my wardrobe — preferably with a matching lunchbox. But instead of looking at the new blazers or pants, I’m finding myself distracted by jewelry, maybe because there’s no trying on required. I’m particularly lusting after this new…
