I really love Lena Wolff‘s work. There’s something slightly dark about it, but still so beautiful and intricate and elegant. Her latest work was inspired by early American quilt patterns and it’s been an interesting (and gorgeous) direction to see her explore. Lena has a new show opening on June 16th at one of my…
A few years ago, it seemed like everyone and their brother agreed that there was something special and absolutely necessary about print publications. We accepted that they needed to grow and change with the times, but everyone talked about loving the way the paper felt in their hands and wanting to be able to tear…
Despite the couch drama with my new apartment, I have (finally!) been lucky enough to stumble onto a landlord who is SO cool he said I could do whatever I want to the apartment. Like “tear out the cabinets and replace them”, whatever. While I can’t afford to do anything major right now, I’ve been…
When it comes to summer travel plans, I always like to make sure I fit in at least one road trip. Whether its a short car ride down a scenic road to a campsite or a longer, interstate trek, I’m always down for the open road and some great memories. There is something about having…
Speaking of my new apartment, one of the rooms I’m most excited about is the kitchen. It’s got two windows, which means in the morning it’s flooded with sunlight and a great place (to attempt) to grow plants and herbs. I haven’t done anything to the space yet, but I know exactly which pendant I…
Of the many shops the Design*Sponge team visited during our recent trip to the Hamptons, one of my personal favorites was Tiina The Store. Founded by the Finnish-born Tiina Laakkonen in 2012, the tiny Amagansett shop features luxurious, beautiful objects that speak to its owner’s origins and Scandinavian aesthetic. After spending a portion of last summer exploring…
A few weeks ago I slid pretty hardcore back into my old latte + chocolate croissant routine. I’d been so good for a long time, forgoing coffee for coconut water. My skin cleared up, I had more energy and I even started walking more. But then a few busy days turned into busy weeks and…
Sometimes I am the world’s laziest writer. I’ll flat-out drop a post idea if it hovers around a word, phrase or topic that constantly trips me up. For example, turquoise. I don’t think I’ve ever spelled that word correctly without having spell-check or that dreaded dotted red line point out that I’m reversing the ‘o’…
This year I had to share some of my yearly trade show responsibilities with Max and Amy because I was home watching Hope. She’s got some minor separation anxiety issues so I’m slowly getting her used to being alone for smaller chunks of time. As much as I enjoyed ICFF, I really missed not getting…
I’ve got a serious thing going on with dyed rope and twine right now. From dog leashes and bracelets to tassels, I want to surround myself in dip-dyed cotton goodness. These beautiful tassels were made by Ouch Flower in Melbourne, Australia using the left over macrame twine from larger projects. Each tassel is dip dyed…
To me, gingham is the pattern of picnics, summer and simple pleasantries. From the classic outdoor tablecloths to the flowing summer dress fabric, gingham definitely has a cheerful way about it. So I’ve decided to share some of that checkered joy and round up some favorites for me, my home and my pooch, Mr. Harvey….
This year has been full of so many surprises already and the greatest one yet has been the new addition to my furry family. Hope has brought so much happiness to my life, it’s easy to forgive and forget the countless objects that have been torn up during puppy fits of frenzy. Craziness aside, I…
A few summers ago I found myself on a hillside in Portland, Oregon having my star chart mapped. If you’d told me I’d be doing that a few years ago, I would have laughed myself silly. But over the last few years, my willingness to try new things and open my mind a bit more…
I love the idea of turning any simple vessel into a way to display flowers. While I’m not well versed in the details of Ikebana, I understand and appreciate the basic concept, and love the way these Ikebana Bowls from designer Hanna Kruse encourage you to explore more horizontal arrangements in that style. In addition…
I’ve had a major thing for handmade wooden products recently—the more unique the better. There’s something about the warm, natural material of wood that readily compliments the handmade process. Imperfections on the manufacturing side are echoed and supported by knots in the wood, subtle gradations of color, and the irregular pattern of the wood’s grain….
I saw so much wallpaper at ICFF, so much of which was really innovative, existing and textural. As much as I love those forward-thinking designs, I also love a classic floral pattern, too. This ‘Beads Sky’ pattern by Laura Olivia was inspired by succulents that grow in rock gardens. I love the soft watercolor-style feel…
Above image: “Broken Arrow” screen printed tote bag. Like many people, I often associate seasons with smells, colors, sounds, and textures. During fall and winter, for example, you’ll often find me falling for deep, rich colors and heavy fabrics like wool and flannel—perfect compliments for a cooler, darker time of year. The warmer months, though,…
If there’s one obsession, I think we all share, it’s a love of washi tape. But, be still my beating heart, there’s now washi tape for home decor. Casa Washi Tapes are a larger version of the regular washi masking tape and can be used to decorate anything in your home – wall, furniture, tiles….
One of the easiest and fastest ways to change the way a room looks (other than paint) is to swap out textiles. Pillows and throws do a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to the overall style of a room, so giving them a little makeover every season is my favorite way to change…
If you live in New York and have a nice bike, it can be a mixed blessing. It’s great to have a bike you love and want to ride everywhere, but the downside is the seemingly large network of people who like to steal nice bikes and their parts. For that reason, a lot of…
