amy azzarito by Amy Azzarito 21

best of: chandeliers

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 searching through the sneak peek archives, I found plenty of fellow chandelier lovers — chandeliers in and over bathrooms, bedrooms, stairwells and dining room tables! If there’s space on the ceiling, chances are someone has tried to put a chandelier there. And if there’s no ceiling space, they can even look stunning as sculpture! — Amy A.

Image above: The chandelier as a sculpture in this three-room Berkeley, California, bungalow from sneak peek: diva of linea carta.

Image above: A modern chandelier hangs over a window seat in a home just outside London, from sneak peek: gemma ahern.

Image above: From sneak peek: maya marzolf of le grenier

Image above: A small crystal chandelier adds sparkle to the cool, gray room of “Behind the Bar” editors and Horne owners, Ryan and Alissa Walker.

Image above: This little kitchen alcove gets some chandelier glitz, from sneak peek: melanie coddington.

CLICK HERE for 20 more beautiful chandeliers!

artwork by Grace Bonney 20

weekly wrap up + becca kallem

This has been an amazing week. It started with a dramatic kitten rescue and search to find her a home (we did!) and ended with a plane ride to Salt Lake City to join my friends on a book panel at Alt Summit. Tomorrow morning, I’m heading back to Brooklyn, but in the back of my mind, that little kitten face is still looking up at me. I couldn’t be happier that she has a new forever home, so furry friends are still foremost on my mind. As such, it’s only fitting to end the week with a story that combines three of my favorite things: flowers, furry animals and blasts from the past.

During the D*S book tour stop in DC, I was lucky enough to re-meet artist Becca Kallem. Becca and I actually went to William & Mary together and took some of the same classes with a rather infamous painting teacher. While I knew I would probably never be a fine artist, I remembered Becca’s work and was thrilled to see that she was still creating beautiful pieces and teaching art in the DC area. She has exhibited in galleries in DC and New York and has been fortunate to work with some very cool clients (like the Smithsonian Postal Museum) since we graduated. Today I’m excited to share some more of her work, which celebrates furry friends. Becca created a book called An Animal Compendium that features 90+ illustrations of animal characters, with a portion of proceeds benefitting the Washington Animal Rescue League. In light of the fact that this week was all about supporting and celebrating our animal friends, I couldn’t think of a better way to wrap things up. You can click here to see more of Becca’s work, here to see (and buy) An Animal Compendium and here to shop for prints on her Etsy shop.

Thank you again for your outpouring of support during our kitten rescue. And thank you most of all to Tuesday and Pete (below) who gave little Mischka (her new name!) a loving forever home. Here’s wishing you all a safe and happy weekend. See you Monday! xo, grace

More images of Becca’s work and a summary of this week’s highlights continue after the jump . . .

entertaining by Kristina Gill 30

in the kitchen with: julia vandenoever’s fudge brownies with chocolate frosting

Brownies were one of the first desserts I learned to make using the recipe from the Hershey’s Cocoa label. SOOOOO good. I am tempted to say they are foolproof, but they really aren’t. If a brownie is over-baked, it’s no good! So when you make brownies, you quickly learn the rule that you should take them out just before they’re done to your liking because they will firm up as they cool. This week’s recipe for Fudge Brownies with Chocolate Frosting comes from Colorado-based photographer Julia Vandenoever. While I gravitate toward cakey brownies, Julia and her family are clearly in the fudgy brownie camp. And normally I hate frosting on desserts, but Julia’s frosting (including the frosting-to-brownie ratio) is the only kind that should ever top a brownie, in my book. How do you like your brownies? — Kristina

About Julia: Julia Vandenoever has been working in the photography industry for over 11 years as both a photographer and photo editor (Outside, Skiing, and Backpacker). She specializes in lifestyle portraits and kid and travel photography and is based in Boulder, Colorado.

Read the full post after the jump!

best of by Grace Bonney 21

sneak peek best of: fireplaces

The chilly nights here in Martha’s Vineyard make me want to cozy up to some of the amazing fireplaces we’ve been fortunate enough to feature over the years in D*S sneak peeks. From working and non-working fireplaces to faux, painted and covered mantles, these amazing home owners have showcased it all and I hope their fireplaces (35 of our faves) will inspire you as much as they’ve inspired me. xo, grace

Image above: The fireplace from Lucy Allen Gillis’ home.

Image above: Emma Cassi’s bedroom fireplace.

Image above: A cool, blue fireplace belonging to Cathy and Robin of Heath Ceramics.

Image above: Toni Brogan‘s rustic upstate fireplace.

Image above: Jessica Lynch’s amazing fireplace. See the “before” story here!

CLICK HERE for 30 more fabulous fireplaces after the jump!

miscellaneous by Grace Bonney 9

something in particular

A few years ago, I found myself seriously considering closing down Design*Sponge and moving to Georgia to try and do for that area what Dave Alhadeff did for Brooklyn. I am still in awe of how effectively Dave managed to organize, promote and truly elevate “Brooklyn Design” to the place it is now. Clearly the designers are responsible, as well, but the devotion he showed that particular community will forever inspire me. I never found the right way or time to close things down, and instead found myself re-inspired to focus on D*S and grow our team. But in the back of my mind is always a down-the-line dream to move south and put all my energy into celebrating the amazing design happening in cities like Atlanta, Savannah, Athens, Greensville and Durham. Until that day, I’m glad to see that someone is starting a project that realizes part of my dream to embrace amazing southern creativity.

Along with Melonie Tharpe and Cubby West, designer James Martin is hoping to travel to 13 southern cities in 30 days to “[chronicle and create] an online resource highlighting the people and places driving a resurgence in Southern creativity.” I couldn’t ask for a better way to spend a month, and frankly, I wish I could join them. James, Melonie and Cubby are currently raising money for this trip (via Kickstarter), and I’ve just returned from donating to their cause. If you have a moment to check out their project, please do. I cannot wait to see the final result and know I’ll be sharing it here. Thank you to all the amazing southern designers, past and present, who have inspired and informed all that we do here today. xo, grace

products by Grace Bonney 18

white enamel cookware

Can I take a quick moment this morning to profess my love for Japanese white enamel cookware? I’ve been tracking this stuff around town like a crazy stalker and might need to make the switch pretty soon. I’ve been a loyal Le Creuset user for years (I use my two pieces constantly), but the clean simplicity of these may have finally lured me over. Has anyone used these pieces before? I saw them in person at ABC Home in NYC and wanted to get them then, but I haven’t heard much about their actual use, feel and functionality. Any owners out there care to share your feedback? I’d love to know if it’s worth taking the plunge and getting a piece or two. These pieces above and below are both for sale online at Alder & Co in Portland. Each was designed by Makoto Koizumi for Kaico and has a white enamel interior and exterior with a pretty maple or hardwood handle/knob. It’s so simple and perfect; I’m hoping the feedback is “Yes, definitely! I love mine and you should make the splurge.” xo, grace