Although we’ve yet to exhume our sandals and tank tops from their winter resting place, we do see spring rearing its head . . . at last! After an especially long season of bare trees and cold days, we thought it might be nice to preserve some of spring’s bounty to hold us through the…
I love clothespins; they’re one of the few simple tools with a design that hasn’t needed improvement. Inspired by the starburst mirrors from Ballard Designs, D*S reader Diane Henkler decided to create a similar style using wooden clothespins, which she then customized in a number of different ways. Anyone looking for a super-easy weekend project…
I’ve always had a love of fonts. I have a collection of magazine pages torn out for their interesting fonts. I have books about fonts, bookmarks on my computer for font-dedicated websites, not to mention the hundreds of fonts I’ve downloaded. I want to be surrounded by gorgeously shaped letters. What better reason to make…
The days are getting longer, and the sun is shining more; I can’t think of a better time to get my hands into soil and play around with some fun plant experiments for spring! I’ve seen kokedama — Japanese moss balls — looking great hanging in homes, but I never realized how easy they are…
Though my thumb is far from green, I look forward to planting my garden each spring. In the early stages of a garden, most of us need a reminder of what is planted where. I’ve never seen markers in my grandpa’s garden, but I am far from that point in my own gardening skills. This…
I have three vintage suitcases gathering dust in the back of my closet, so I could not be happier to see a luggage DIY project from the talented Ashley Poskin. We featured her burlap chair in our Before & After column last August, and her signature salvage style is back again in this lovely coffee…
Bead-and-pin baskets became a popular craft in the 50s and 60s. The baskets are made entirely out of safety pins, cheap craft-store beads and wire. You can find vintage versions at flea markets, eBay or Etsy for $10 to $25. I decorate my mantel every spring season with my collection of these beaded treasures and…
Vintage lampshades have loads of character; you can’t find shades like them in stores today. The sizes, shapes and fittings are the perfect fit for vintage lamps. However, they are often in dire need of an update. In an effort to recycle every last piece of a lamp pair instead of buying new, I started…
I’ve seen a few lamps of this kind available in stores lately, but they are all a bit pricey; it’s clearly a great design that is begging for a DIY version. So I’m thrilled to see someone tackle this very feat and with such great results! Sarah Goodwin, designer and founder of the creative firm…
With spring coming near, it is time to freshen up my pots and planters. I found a mix of wildflower seeds and thought that it is the perfect thing for spring. With my planter full of seeds and a half of a bag left, I figured I would share the wealth and pass some seeds…
today i’m finishing up the final sequencing for all 400+ pages of the design*sponge book so tomorrow i’m going to be taking a very, very needed day off. so today i’ll be posting diy projects that would normally go up tomorrow. up first- a great upcycling project from amy merrick. amy turned her collection of…
Saint Patrick’s Day is right around the corner; it will sneak up on you before you know it, so you might want to prepare! The tradition of drinking on the holiday comes from a legend called Patrick Pot. This project honors that tradition. These mini, leprechaun-sized ales are perfect for a St. Patty’s Day get-together…
It should come as no surprise that Simone LeBlanc is the mastermind behind this unexpected valentine — a handwritten love letter that, given the right love and care, can literally grow wild. Simone’s creativity knows no limits, which is one of the reasons why her styling and gifting services are so highly sought after. Thank…
I come from a family of die-hard tea drinkers, so I am naturally predisposed to liking pretty much anything tea-related: teapots, mug cozies, you name it. Last week, one of our readers, Austin-based blogger and crafter Emma Hadzi-Anitch, shared an adorable idea she had to make her own teabags for an easy and simple Valentine’s…
We have loved February 14 since our first doily-glued-to-a-red-card that we crafted for our classmates in the first grade. Every year since, we’ve covered our kitchen tables, desks or floors with supplies and materials weeks in advance while we work on our valentines. This year, in addition to handmade cards we’re sending in the mail,…
There are so many different ways to express feelings of love on Valentine’s Day: some are sweet and sentimental, others are bold and celebratory. For kicks, I’m thinking I might want to surprise my loved one with an amazing and decadent love fort, like this one from designer Justina Blakeney. Justina is the woman behind…
With February now here, I thought I’d share a little project you can make for your Valentine. I picked up a few vintage typewriter ribbon tins from my local flea market for a couple dollars each. You can find them quickly online, but by keeping your eyes open at estate sales and flea markets, you…
Okay, I’m gonna level with you for a second: I’m probably one of the biggest astrology cynics I know. Not that I have any problem with other people following astrology or astrologists — it’s just not my cup of tea. But I happen to have a close friend and colleague (ahem, Amy) who cares about…
When AC and I got married in 2009 I found myself spending more hours than I would have liked flipping through wedding books on the floor of Barnes & Noble. After weeks of looking and scanning through every book I could get my hands on, I came to the conclusion that there just wasn’t a…
For me, part of the joy of DIY projects comes from using items that most would pass by without giving a second glance. I appreciate decorative items that can also serve a practical purpose. This month, I wanted to share a simple project that you can customize in a million different ways to make use…
