We’ve had lighting on the brain lately. Our new Design*Sponge office came with huge fluorescent hanging lamps that we avoid turning on at all costs. So Kate, Grace and I have been hunting for something cool and functional. While I don’t know if these pendants will cast as much light as we need, they certainly…
I’ll spare you the obvious comparisons to earrings (just know that I’m really holding back here!), but in my mind, there’s not a room in the home that could do without a little chandelier magic. (Full disclosure: my very first column for Design*Sponge was about chandeliers, so I’m a little sentimental about the topic!) In…
I really love old-school supplies, especially wooden rulers (I once used them en masse for a store display and had to collect several hundred . . . that’s how much I like them), so I was delighted to see this ruler lampshade project from Blair in my inbox the other day. After coveting a much…
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…
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…
After a meeting in the city yesterday, I couldn’t resist the gravitational pull to check out the newly renovated JCrew store on 5th avenue. And while I found myself drawn to all the sparkliest bits in the store (my shopping companion almost bought the black sequined harem pants. She was braver than I.), I ended…
Today is our big moving day, and I’m already excited about decorating a totally blank canvas. One thing I love most about the new space is the high ceiling in the bedroom. Our current bedroom is nice, but the ceiling was never tall enough to hang a chandelier or something pendant-like above the bed. So…
For the last seven years, I’ve been a chair girl. Through and through, chairs were the thing I gravitated toward most, and I collected them like they were an endangered species. AC used to joke that I had three to four chairs for each person living in our home, and he wasn’t far off. I…
I have a weakness for this type of prism light, and I was really excited when the first repurpose project using a similar style came our way last year. This chandelier-turned-terrarium from Ariel is so clever, and I love its dramatically large scale. Not only do the paned panels recall the look of traditional terrariums,…
Whew! It’s been a busy week, and I’m ready to close up shop and take a little break. I’m heading down to DC for the weekend to visit a friend, so I’ll be back on Monday with some exciting news. We’ve been working hard on some big projects around here, and I’ll be able to…
It always seems like the very moment I get stuck in a redecorating rut, a clever new project falls in my lap to provide a jolt of inspiration. I have a built-in cabinet with these truly hideous doors, and thanks to Jennifer, I think I now know what to do with them. It’s clear from…
I love it when Before & After projects combine several old items into one shiny new design. These two pieces from Elle are both great examples of this; I’m particularly impressed with the transformation of an old fan faceplate into the base for a lovely Capiz pendant lamp. Elle’s creativity is inspiring me to go…
Friends are great, especially when they are willing and able to give you a fantastic kitchen makeover. Cecile runs her own design firm, so when her friend and neighbor needed to style up her kitchen a bit, Cecile knew exactly what it needed. The hot coral wall looks great behind the vintage stove, and I…
I’ve seen some very clever repurpose ideas before, but I’ve never seen such a great use of a slatted headboard. This double-duty makeover from Jessica makes such good use of wall space, which I too often forget to use when trying to plan storage. I love the simple hardware that she’s added to the headboard…
The amazing creative adventures of Sarah + Sara! That’s what I’ve decided to label this post, and I sort of hope these two inventive ladies somehow meet up and turn this idea into a real thing. Sarah, whom you may remember from this credenza makeover we posted about a month ago, is back again with…
Amy Ruppel is one of my favorite artists (and people) around. For me, she is exactly like her work: colorful, friendly, happy and full of life. Every time I visit Portland, I relish getting to spend a few hours with her and hearing all about the exciting projects she’s doing. When I first heard about…
Nothing is a bigger reminder that I watch too much TV than the fact that almost anything reminds me of a movie or a TV show. When I saw these amazing lamps from designer David Taylor, I immediately thought, “Ooh . . . I love these lamps.” Directly followed by an internal, “Hahaha . ….
I’m constantly growing tired of the lamps in my home. For the past few years, I’ve griped about how our landlord won’t allow us to change out fixtures, but it’s probably a blessing in disguise. I simply cannot settle on a light fixture, especially when there are so many great designs and lighting projects out…
as summer winds to a close i find myself clinging to just a few things that remind me of hot summer days: iced tea, beach towels, flip flops and my favorite color for summer: yellow. so in honor of the last few steamy weeks of summer, i thought i’d round up a collection of my…
