It’s Amy Merrick here, mastermind behind Design*Sponge’s Living In column. Starting this week, I will be contributing floral posts to the site every other Friday, attempting to fill the big hole in our hearts left by the beloved ladies of Studio Choo. I’ll be wooing you with tips, tricks, triumphs and tribulations from my Brooklyn-based…
The best part of my job at Design*Sponge is getting to work with the amazing artists, designers, writers and crafters that make up our team. It’s been a joy and honor to work with Amy Merrick (our resident flower, Made with Love and movie style expert) for the past few years, and I’m overjoyed to…
When the weather heats up, those of us who can’t live without flowers in our house face a sticky situation- blast the AC even if we’d rather only use it for the hottest days or let our beloved flowers wilt when all we want is the windows down. After a trip to the Wave Hill…
If you know anything about me at this point, it’s that I like to give the people what they want. And typically, what the people want is exactly what I want. That’s why this week, “p” is for peony! I had so many requests to feature this bloom — and clearly it is one of…
Welcome back, readers! Although typically I struggle to decide which beautiful treasure to feature in the “a-z” posts, this week there was simply no dithering. ”O” is for orchid (in this case, the cymbidium orchid). This flower has many wonderful, versatile properties – it can appear feminine or masculine, fragile or sturdy. Designing with orchids…
This has been a week full of moments that I won’t forget for a long time: the excitement of launching a year-long redesign; the patience-building of absorbing the criticism that comes with a big change; welcoming new members to our team; embarking on an exciting special-edition summer project; and being part of an important conversation…
We have always been a tad obsessed with the tiny worlds inside beautifully frosted sugar eggs. When Jill was a little girl, she got one every Easter and set it on her nightstand to peer into long after the holiday was over (much too long — once it even attracted some new inhabitants . ….
Greetings from the flower alphabet think tank! This week, I thought to feature a quirky little bloom that is primarily used as an accompaniment in arrangements. “K” is for kangaroo paw! You can see the fuzzy paw-like flower above, nestled in among other friendly blooms. A native of Australia, the kangaroo paw got its name…
While browsing the aisles at our local salvage yard, we wandered into the lighting section and happened upon a huge selection of inexpensive paned glass ceiling fixtures ($2-10$). We had just seen this great tutorial and a bulb went off (he he) to use these abandoned lights to make greenhouse style planter boxes. You could…
Good morning and Happy Friday! Grace is feeling a little under-the-weather this morning, so while she rests up so that we can drive down to Philly tomorrow for Brooklyn Day at Terrain (yup, because there’s not enough Brooklyn in Brooklyn!), I thought I’d share some photos of our Wednesday evening. It was certainly not a…
As someone who has always dreamed of having a big, open, loft-like studio space with wood floors, industrial lamps, big windows and brick walls, I think I may die of envy if I stare too long at this amazing makeover of the Poppies & Posies studio, an NYC-based floral and event-design firm. When Sierra, the co-founder…
Today I’m thrilled to share another Valentine’s Day arrangement idea from Erin Benzakein of Floret Flowers. If you don’t already read her blog, get ready to fall in love right here. Erin grows all of her own flowers on a farm in Washington, and well, we’re all huge fans of hers. Welcome, Erin! xo, grace Growing…
Today I’m thrilled to have Jennie from Love ‘n Fresh flowers back for another Valentine’s Day flower arrangement guest post. Welcome, Jennie! xo, grace While everyone else was anxiously watching pigskins arch through the air last Sunday, I was daydreaming about romantic blooms for this Valentine’s-inspired post. I wanted to continue my commitment to using…
It’s that time of year again — you know, loooove time. And while I think my all-time favorite Valentine’s Day came in the form of Chinese takeout circa 2003, that doesn’t mean I abstain completely. Chocolates in some weird box with a fake flower on top? Sure, why not. Obligatory box of conversation hearts? Don’t…
I couldn’t think of a better way to start the day than with a post about giving back to others. Jaime at The Monkey Flower Group in Napa launched a great new project called Flowers to Care that brings flower arrangements to members of the community who don’t have the resources to acquire them. We’ve…
So here we are in the thick of a frigid East Coast winter, and for many of us, it seems like the ice, snow and gray skies might never end. As usual, this time of year has me dreaming about my native climate in Southern California (I might have mentioned?) :). One of my favorite…
I’m so excited and honored that Grace asked me (your ever faithful and loyal Amy M. of Living In) to fill in for the ladies of Studio Choo this afternoon! As an antidote for New York’s latest snowstorm, we’re going to practice what I lovingly call flower meditation as a cure-all for the winter doldrums….
Today I am seriously THRILLED to announce a special DIY series we’re doing this weekend with the Brooklyn Flea’s “Gifted” holiday market! Along with D*S editor Amy Merrick and Michelle and Katy of Twig Terrariums, we’re hosting holiday DIY events this Saturday and Sunday morning from 10 to 11am! On Saturday the Twig girls will…
I’m overjoyed to wrap up our week with a beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece from Jennie Love at Love ‘n Fresh Flowers. I received many emails from people asking for last-minute decoration ideas, so I couldn’t think of a better way to start Thanksgiving than with some beautiful ideas that you could easily mimic with local flowers…
We’re continuing the Thanksgiving flower guest series this afternoon with Jaime from The Monkey Flower Group! Jaime created this beautiful tabletop display using all-natural materials like acorns, twigs and sweetgum seed pods. I love how simple this idea is, but how easily it could be dressed up or down. Just make a strand or two…
