I love the look of papier-mâché. It is sturdy, classic and timeless, but sometimes it is just too much trouble — the layers, dripping and drying time, and then the painting. If I had an art/craft-dedicated studio and time to spare, I would be all over it. But for now, paper clay is my new…
This is the second project we’ve shared from designer Kara Paslay in recent weeks, and again she’s managed to reintroduce me to a cool technique I had long forgotten about. Inspired by the ocean, Kara decided to transform a simple paper globe into a beautiful sculptural pendant lamp. By dyeing and dipping cut paper rounds into…
This project stems from a conversation I had with Grace and Amy on my last visit; they had seen an image of a rolling pin held in place with two simple straps, and thought it could adapt nicely to become a wall scroll for organizing ideas. I managed to score three long branches from a…
It’s wonderful to see so many DIY projects that take advantage of the humble paper globe light. Just when I think I’ve seen them all, I come across a new one that I love, like this version created by Heather Jennings of Poppy Haus. While browsing her local Anthropologie store, Heather was inspired by two…
The days until Christmas are dwindling, and I’m certainly feeling the time crunch for handling my gift list and last-minute preparations. I love this quick and easy DIY from Evita of Le Papillon Vert. We’ve featured a couple of Evita’s projects in our Before & After column, and it’s great to see her clean, elegant style…
Kim Krans of The Wild Unknown is one of my favorite artists, so I was super excited when she wanted to share a holiday DIY with us. Kim has created a lovely chickadee design that you can simply print, fold, embellish and hang, either as a tree topper or an ornament. I often struggle with how…
In the world of internet and cell phone communication, information and feelings are shared quickly and impulsively. I prefer face-to-face communication to the phone or email, but I’ve had several good friends move away over the past year. Writing a letter to a friend requires a sacrifice of your time and requires you to really…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Today I’m so thrilled to feature a series of guest posts from one of my favorite designers (and people), David Stark! Welcome, David! xo, grace My team and I just had a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We decorated the storied Diplomatic Reception Rooms at the State Department in Washington D.C. to celebrate the holidays and the rooms’…
Growing up, I kept a daily journal. I always enjoyed looking back at previous entries to see what had changed over the course of a year. These days, I can’t seem to find the time to journal, but I do try to jot down a little note from each day on my perpetual calendar/journal. The…
Many of you have noticed the amazing paper taxidermy moose that appears on the wall in some of Barb’s Before & After Basics posts, and we’ve received several requests for a tutorial on how to make one. We asked South Carolina-based artist Mollie Greene — moose creator and woman behind the charming Etsy shop Royal…
We all know that hardware stores can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re an avid DIYer. Every time I pass the rows of gleaming copper pipe, I just know there’s an amazing home decor project hiding in there somewhere, but then my eyes scan to the rope section, the molding section, the brackets, and…
