The other week I made one of the fastest purchases of my life. Normally I’m a “wait and think about it” type of shopper when it comes to home goods, but these suckers were in my online shopping cart and on their way to Brooklyn faster than you can say “Cat Lady”. While traveling the…
Collaboration between designers always makes me happy, especially when it begins in an organic way that leads to a natural blending of ideas and goals. Artists Leah Goren, Rachael Cole and Julia Rothman have been getting together once a week to work on experimental self-driven projects to try out new techniques, styles and materials. While…
There are so many stories of people and businesses struggling to rebuild after Hurricane Sandy. For those of us in Brooklyn, it’s been heartbreaking to see amazing artists and small businesses based in Red Hook have everything they’ve worked for destroyed in one day. It can be hard to understand the real impact when you…
I live in a pretty tiny apartment where just about every surface has to double as a trivet when I’m cooking. With about 2 feet of space to prep, cook and rest things, I’ve learned to turn anything into a pot holder: napkins, tea towels, sweaters, blankets- you name it, I’ve hastily rested a pot…
One of my dreams is to some day host a Thanksgiving dinner at my own home with all of my friends. Most of my friends travel to be with their families for the holiday (which I do, too), but one day I hope I can put all of my time and energy into making them…
Few natural landscapes are as romantic and breathtaking as the English countryside. England’s sweeping fields, winding rivers and sunsets are the inspiration for the latest collection from Chocolate Creative. By applying countryside imagery to cushions, hooks and knobs, Chocolate Creative has brought a bit of natural romance to everyday home items. I’m partial to those…
I love Susy Jack’s colorful expansion into home goods. I’ve always loved her stationery and desk accessories, but her dishtowels are just as pretty. The blue china pattern above and the coordinating line of recipe cards would make for a well-rounded holiday gift. (I know, it’s almost that time of year. Eeek!) The web shop…
I’ve become something of a two-trick pony these days when it comes to my personal style interests. It seems the only two things my inner design geek cares about are textiles and ceramics. In some respects, it’s always been that way, but over the past few years, it’s been a slippery slide down the “fill…
I always get excited when artists collaborate with each other. When Portland’s Schoolhouse Electric first started doing artist editions, they proved they had a good eye for choosing partners, and their latest collaborative series is no different. Today, Schoolhouse Electric is launching a brand new line, the Victory Regalia Collection, with Christine Schmidt of Yellow…
I’ve been cooking more this season than ever before and am desperately in need of an apron. I’m more like a small child than a 31-year-old adult when I cook (you can typically tell what I made based on what ended up on my shirt), so getting some sort of apron on myself is mission…
Hurricane Sandy left some serious winter temperatures behind, so I’ve been getting into winter mode in a big way. One of my favorite things to do at home is to simmer a small pot of apple cider with cinnamon, cloves and occasionally a little bit of cardamom or anise. I stole that idea from Amy…
It feels as though everyone and their brother visited Finland this year. Four of my favorite people went this summer alone, and it seems half of my Facebook feed is announcing plans to travel there this fall or next spring. If I ever make it to that part of the world, I hope I can…
Who doesn’t love a cute wool throw? It’s cozy, adds pattern and color to a room and works perfectly in a multitude of situations: back of the couch, end of the bed, side of the chair or around a campfire. These reversible dotted throws are from RosenbergCPH and come in three different colors (rose, navy…
Caitlin Mociun’s store has become something of a mecca for me. I can rarely afford anything in it, but that never stops me from dropping in and coveting everything on its minimal shelves. From tiny earrings to gorgeous ceramics (which are, happily, sometimes under $100), Caitlin is an expert curator and knows precisely how to…
This week we’ve had the first of our cold fall nights where leaving the window open makes the room just the tiniest bit too cold. But I love these nights because you finally get to break out your winter blankets and get a little more snuggly. This beautiful wool throw at Jayson Home is made from…
Oh man, do I love Proud Mary. Every time I hear from Harper about a new collection, I get excited, and the color and pattern lover inside me jumps for joy. Proud Mary’s latest collection was inspired by — and made in — Guatemala. The rich colored pillows, totes, clutches and rugs (my favorite!) come…
The last thing I need is another tea towel, but I can never resist a good color and pattern combo. These gorgeous designs from Mae Engelgeer combine neon and neutral masterfully and would be an easy way to update a tiny kitchen that just needs a little extra detail. Mae’s towels come in four styles…
I’ve always had a soft spot for watercolor anything, mostly because when I was an art major in college, I was terrible with watercolors. The things I can’t do well always intrigue me the most, so whenever I see a beautiful, well-executed watercolor detail, I catch myself “ooohh”-ing out loud. These beautiful tea towels at Terrain…
I love pots, but it’s really cool to see the different ways you can house a plant besides the classic clay vessel. I’ve seen smaller plants inside vintage cans, rubber boots and books; larger plants inside boxes, crates and baskets — and now these lovely canvas bags. Really, who needs a pot? These gorgeous canvas…
Anything that reminds me of Back in the Day Bakery in Savannah, Georgia is a good thing. Cheryl and Griff’s bakery feels like a warm & welcoming family kitchen in a city that has always felt like a second home to me. So when I saw that artist and SCAD alum Emily Isabella dedicated two…
