products by Grace Bonney 4

dottir & sonur

I’ve always been mildly concerned that my proclivity for design that reminds me of a child’s room means that a part of me will never really grow up. For now I’m choosing to see that as a good thing, because it means I get to embrace all sorts of designs that would work well for both my room and the nurseries that a lot of my friends are getting ready to decorate. These new wallpaper and lighting designs are a great example of that sort of playful look I love. Designed by Ingvi and Tinna (an Icelandic couple currently living in Berlin), this Origami Wallpaper and Lightlace hanging pendant are fun, colorful and simple enough to work just about anywhere. I love the little paper cranes in the wallpaper and the way the light’s wooden ball cord feels like a toy. Both pieces are part of a larger collection that you can check out, and shop online, right here. Here’s to embracing your inner child… xo, grace

what's in your toolbox by Ginny 16

what’s in your toolbox: sasha adler

Today we get a glimpse into the world of Sasha Adler, one of the driving creative forces behind Nate Berkus Associates. Sasha is a self-taught designer with an impressive educational background in fashion, art and architecture, which are effortlessly infused into every space she touches. Her signature flourishes of bright color and layers of texture lend an almost sartorial approach to interior design. Read on for a fun peek into the world of this talented lady! — Ginny Branch

1. Design*Sponge: What is in your toolbox?

Sasha Adler: iPad, personalized stationery from The Printery, Farrow & Ball paint wheel, Hermes notebook, a variety of finish samples, Pellegrino water.

2. Design*Sponge: Fill in the blank, “When I am in my studio, I feel _____________.”

The full interview continues after the jump . . .

diy by Brett 7

sewing 101: christmas stockings

Christmas is just a few days away, but there’s still time to whip up your own handmade gifts or decorations with these quick and easy stockings! Stitched in a thick, Pendleton-style wool fabric, only a few simple seams are needed to finish each of these; once you get the hang of the construction, you can easily make these stockings in no time. Look for coating or blanket wool at the fabric store; it can be pricey, but with just one yard, you can make several stockings. Or salvage an old, damaged blanket or coat from the thrift store, or check eBay for Pendleton remnants. Let’s get started! — Brett Bara

Read the full post after the jump!

diy by Kate Pruitt 10

diy project: neon tag giftwrap and decor

If you haven’t tackled your gift wrapping yet, you’re in luck — this is our second DIY today to feature super cheap, super fast and super cute giftwrap and decor projects. This one comes from Sara Rivka Dahan, the DIY expert behind the site Creative Jewish Mom. While at the store, Sara spotted these blank price tag stickers and found herself drawn to their graphic shape and pretty neon hues. I love the simple designs she’s made on the kraft paper gifts, and the snowflakes are awesome as well; they feel so modern and abstract that they could be perfect for any holiday. Except for the stickers, you probably have all the supplies on hand, making this a great last-minute project for a party. Thanks so much for sharing, Sara! — Kate

Have a DIY project you’d like to share? Shoot me an email with your images right here! (Low res, under 500k per image, please.)

Read the full how-to after the jump!

diy by Kate Pruitt 13

diy project: paper snowflake mini-garland

The days until Christmas are dwindling, and I’m certainly feeling the time crunch for handling my gift list and last-minute preparations. I love this quick and easy DIY from Evita of Le Papillon Vert. We’ve featured a couple of Evita’s projects in our Before & After column, and it’s great to see her clean, elegant style again in the form of this paper and thread mini-garland. You could whip up miles of this garland in an hour, making it a great party decoration or embellishment for a pile of gifts. I love the way it looks on these packages, and I really like how little time and materials are needed to pull this off. Thanks for sharing the great idea, Evita! — Kate

Have a DIY project you’d like to share? Shoot me an email with your images right here! (Low res, under 500k per image, please.)

Read the full how-to after the jump!

furniture by Grace Bonney 5

matter matters

I’ll never forget the day my local Matter store in Park Slope closed. My weekly design destination sadly moved across the river to Manhattan, but it has been on a roll ever since. I’m always excited to get their newsletter with updates, and the most recent one contained some seriously beautiful work. A few of my favorite pieces from this update are the incredible gold candlesticks from Lindsey Adelman, an airy Bubblebank for change and Jamie Gray’s Shaker Chair. The classic stools from Sawkille (below) are beautiful, too. Really solid, timeless pieces like this are totally up my alley these days. Click here to check out and shop Matter’s most recent additions. xo, grace