Archive for the ‘design’ Category
These playful knit stools from Claire Anne O’Brien are so amazing, I am not even sure I could bring myself to sit on them. But they’d sure look good in our home. Here’s a little more info…
“Inspired by elements of the knitted stitch itself such as rings and loops, the structures are revealed and celebrated through exaggerated scale in bold and textured forms. Lambswool and Sheeps wool, in a mix of hand and machine knit stitches, are constructed into playful statement pieces.”
Visit Claire’s website for more unique furniture.
Jeff and I are big on quality, modern design furniture. IKEA is great, but you get what you pay for. And we (typically) prefer to pay a little more for things that we can enjoy forever, than pay less for something that won’t last very long. Which is why we are both super pumped about SquareD Furniture, a small shop located in Minneapolis producing small collections of simple modern furniture (and shelving).
Hardwood Floating Console (above)
Solid Ash Bench from the Michael Collection (above)
Visit SquareD Furniture now to view the entire collection.
Can you believe that Valentine’s Day is almost here? It still feels like we just took our Christmas tree down. Time is flying by in 2011. But I haven’t forgotten about completing a few V-Day diy projects. And actually, this is one I finished over a year ago, but never posted it to the blog. It’s along the same lines as the clay pendants I created as bridesmaid gifts for our wedding almost two years ago, but this one has a Valentine’s spin.
Lot of possibilities too: Clay keepsakes, decorative tags, proposal idea, blah, blah, blah. It will take a little bit more time to make than most of the tutorials I’ve posted in the past, but I think it’s well worth it.
So, spill your guts and create a keepsake message straight from the heart.
What supplies do I need to make this? Materials: super sculpey (oven bake) or air dry clay, rolling pin, acrylic paint (optional)
How do I make this? 1. Warm up a golf ball to baseball size clump of clay in your hands and then roll it out with a rolling pin to to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. 2. Using a clay cutting tool or a regular knife, carve a heart, oval, or other shape. 3. Stamp your message or carve it in. 4. Bake in the oven, following instructions. Or if using air dry clay, let dry for 24 hours.
5. Once the clay has cooled and/or dried out, you are ready to paint with water-based acrylics. Or seal in the natural color with clear nail polish. Works like a charm. I decided to quickly remove the paint with a paper towel after it was painted to let some of the natural color show through. 6. That’s it if you just creating a keepsake or charm. But if you want to turn your ceramic works of art into decorative tags, you’ll need to drill a whole (which is very easy to do if you are using Super Sculpey because it can be carved, sanded, or drilled after baking). I used a book binding punch to create the hole.
Take it further: Use your freshly made pendants to decorate a present for an extra special handmade touch no one will ever forget.
Here’s the finished project…
*This is the second of four Valentine’s Day diy projects I’ll be sharing this week (one everyday for the rest of the week), so check back daily for more. And for more ideas on quick and easy projects, click here to visit the tutorial and diy page filled with more than 50 diy’s. If you like this diy project, please help me spread the word by using the twitter and facebook buttons below. Thank you so much.
This October, show your support for breast cancer research by wearing one of these chic finds.
1. This leopard-print cashmere scarf is on the pricey side, but if you decide to splurge, a whopping 50% of proceeds are donated to Women At Risk at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Scarf by White + Warren, $220.
2. Subtly show your support in this cute graphic tee, which features a pink ribbon woven into the design. T-shirt from Walmart, $6.
3. Converse is donating $50,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation this month. Support the cause in a pair of classic pink Chuck Taylors. Shoes by Converse, $45.
4. Here’s a purchase you can feel good about – 100% of the proceeds from this adorable Marimekko-print tote go towards the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. Bag from Avon, $10.
5. Treat yourself to this feminine confection of a blouse and 20% of the proceeds will be donated to the Young Survival Coalition, an organization benefiting young adults affected by breast cancer. Blouse by Jenny Han, $176 from Couture Candy.
6. This chic shift was designed by INC International Concepts specifically for breast cancer awareness month – 5% of the proceeds go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Dress from Macy’s, $99.
7. During the month of October, 10% of proceeds from the sale of this handmade satin flower brooch will help support The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. Brooch by Bethany Lorelle, $20.
xoxo,
1. A classic menswear fabric is updated in this sassy houndstooth mini. Skirt from Charlotte Russe, $26.50.
2. A crisp shirt dress exudes a sense confidence and understated sexiness. Dress from Old Navy, $29.50.
3. A jaunty tweed fedora adds an extra dose of cuteness. Hat by Nine West, $24.99 from Macy’s.
4. I love this fun, girly take on a men’s bow tie. Necklace by Crooked Sister, $18.
5. Flat oxfords are super hot right now, and this two-tone pair perfectly blends masculine with feminine. Shoes from ASOS, $50.55.
6. This tweed jacket embodies the menswear trend perfectly – right downt to the suede elbow patches! Jacket from Fred Flare, $98.
7. Classic men’s argyle socks are given a fun, modern twist in this knee-high pair. Socks by Kate Spade, $18.
xoxo,
This week, Room by Room with FormFire Glassworks takes a look at a contemporary but stylish addition to the modern home, the Modern Cellar Skylight Credenza.
Beautiful wood and clean lines are always a surefire hit, and the Skylight Credenza is no exception. Modern Cellar‘s functional walnut storage unit provides a place for 14 wine bottles with a glass viewing window on top for your favorites. Two lower drawers and two side doors that also include a space for 6 hanging wine glasses make this a great living room piece for the wine connoisseur. With a simple frame, overlay cabinet face, and a base that gives a tip of the hat to modernist danish design, this credenza fits in perfectly within your stylish decor.
Cocktail hour, a glass of wine with dinner, time to spend with friends – these are the inspirations for my handmade accessory choices. A muted print takes the onus of a choice away from your Bond fans, while letterpress coasters wish your visitors well. A bamboo cutting board provides a perfect place to cut up wedges and twists. A hand-turned palm wood corkscrew makes quick work of all the wine bottles, and a printed floursack tea towel makes cleanup a breeze.
Next week I will choose a new iconic piece and give you my picks for accessorizing your modern home.
We have piles and piles of books at our house. Bookshelves are great, don’t get me wrong, but I have been itching for a new way to display our ever increasing book collection. And since I love the art wall idea so much, I decided a book wall would be an equally great solution. And the best part is, the books are still fully functional for reading. They can be taken down and put back up in just a few seconds.
If you already have the books and a few other very basic supplies, it won’t cost you a penny. *Book lovers: don’t worry. No books were harmed during the making of this project. So anyone can try it!
Materials: 1. Hardcover books 2. Velcro 3. Scissors 4. Level (optional)
How To: 1. Grab a handful of your favorite hardback books (yes- you’re going to want to use hardbacks. paperbacks don’t work as well). 2. Arrange them on the floor in various ways until you come up with a pattern that you like. 3. While keeping your books in their arrangement, individually cut and apply two strips of velcro to each book (use more if the book is especially heavy). One towards the top of the book and one towards the bottom, both horizontally. Each strip should be about one to two inches shorter than the width of your book. 4. Start at one end and move to the other, securing each book to the wall with the velcro strips, following the arrangement you created earlier on the floor. You can work from the middle out instead if you’d prefer. It doesn’t matter. A level might be a good tool to use as well if you have one. 5. Once everything is secure, you are done.
Now you can pull down a book and put it back up whenever you would like. And when you’re not reading, you have a colorful (and original) piece of wall art. Its a real conversation starter when you have company over.
For more ideas for quick and easy projects, click here to visit the tutorials page filled with more than 40 diy’s.
