Artist Profile — Lynne Meade It’s fascinating to learn what experiences and people influence an artist to create a unique body of work. Ceramicist Lynne Meade describes her inspiration for the flowing, graphic patterns of her carved porcelain vessels and tiles as “a strange fusion of Asian, Art Deco and Art Nouveau designs; and of the ceramic artists of Mata Ortiz in Mexico.” “I had […] Read more »

Luminous. Innovative. Extraordinary Craftsmanship. Stephanie Marsh Fillbrant transformed a narrow, classic San Francisco powder room into an airy and artful space. Photographs by Elisabeth Fall At this year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase, Marsh and Clark’s elegant powder room wowed visitors. “This room embodies the Marsh and Clark philosophy of uniting traditional craftsmanship and innovative design,” said designer and principal Fillbrandt. “I wanted to explore how […] Read more »

Keeping it light and kicky today. Watch the next couple days’ posts for a gorgeous space and an amazing artist. Maybe I’ve mentioned this before, but when I see something for the home and some form of happy sound or word involuntarily escapes my mouth, it’s a clue that I really like the piece. Seriously. I’ve learned to pay attention to this when I’m shopping […] Read more »

Okay Design Junkies, here’s your chance to win a prize simply by participating in a Challenge. I’ve had such a good response to our Slice It Up Challenge that I know scores of you are planning to enter. But what the heck, here’s a little incentive: Everyone who enters the Slice It Up Challenge will receive one chance in a random drawing for the hot […] Read more »

by GraceAnn Simoni Today we are joined by Contributor GraceAnn Simoni, a Redesign Specialist and Instructor from the Chicagoland area. From time to time, GraceAnn will be sharing budget tips and advice for decorating with your existing furniture and accessories. — “Green” design and decorating goes way beyond just purchasing the new products on the market. Each of us has the ability to apply “green” […] Read more »

Here’s some design eye candy for you today from Textile Arts, a great source for fabrics and home decor in retro, Mid-Century Modern and contemporary Scandinavian designs from Marimekko and Ljungbergs. Add some city flair to your bath with the Hetkia shower curtain. Choose one of Textile Arts’ variety of Wall Hanging Kits and make an instant art statement in your space: Terttu Wall Hanging […] Read more »

Breaking News…DIY fabric design doesn’t have to be completely DIY anymore. Yup, my friends over at Spoonflower just told me about their New Fabric Design Services from a professional textile designer. That’s Spoonflower’s Fabric of the Week, “CurlyQ” by Katidids of Bonaire, Georgia. You’re creative, right? So why would you need anyone’s help with this? Because fabric design can be tricky. Let’s say you’ve got […] Read more »

Most thirty-somethings rarely use their formal dining rooms. But what if the formal dining room felt inviting and hip, like a stylish restaurant where you and your friends love to hang out? That’s what designer Samantha Friedman wanted for her space at Urban Elegance-themed Washington Design Center’s Spring Design House (running through June 27). “Number one, I wanted to make it more loungey,” said Friedman, […] Read more »

Got a Man Cave to furnish? Or are you looking for an awesome Father’s Day gift? A limited number of Los Angeles Dodger Stadium seats are now available at S&S Seating. Popular with fans and memorabilia collectors who want to own a piece of stadium history, the seats make a wicked addition to the sports room, the home theater, or lounge. After the 2005 season, […] Read more »

It’s Adirondack time and this weekend we break them out. Two painted chairs–one red and one blue–and the hunter green double Adirondack glider. Up from the garage and out to the deck they go. Mmmmm, I can already taste that first cup of coffee while, with design magazine in hand, I glide slowly back and forth beneath the towering evergreens. Squeeels and munkchips (what my […] Read more »

Today I want your reaction to this form-follows-function table. James McAdam desiged the Safe Bedside Table for the percentage of Londoners that he read worry about security at night. Burglar break in? Shazam! Instant self-defense and weapon. Thanks to LeAnn at Design Trade for waking me up to the table. Is this something you’d want in your home? Tell us what you think. Read more »

Breaking News…This is now a Prize Challenge; enter for your chance to win! — It’s not always simple to choose artwork for a space. Maybe you enjoy a print, a photograph, or your own original watercolor, but it doesn’t fit the space as well as you’d hoped. Or you love the colors, but the composition isn’t working. What to do? Why don’t you slice it […] Read more »

Enjoy this first in our series of Designer DIY’s. We start with the fantastically feminine, perfume-bottle-etched glass shower enclosure, from Nancy Van Natta’s Coco Chanel-inspired teenage girl’s bathroom. Nancy designed the shower detail, and decorative painter Levinia Simmonds executed it, for this year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase. It’s a fabulous look and easy to recreate on your own shower enclosure. Supplies: Photo of a perfume […] Read more »

Say goodbye to bland area rugs. Break out your paints and plan a custom shag from Home Decorators Collection. The Revolution Rugs are available in 20 graphic designs, 12 yarn colors, and 28 sizes from a narrow runner to a 12-foot square. Choosing colors isn’t as simple as it should be. Home Decorator’s interface for the rugs shows only the design and separately the swatches […] Read more »

Breaking News…Bemz’s Marimekko line of slipcovers for IKEA launches May 27! Yup. You’ll be able to buy slipcovers for 70 IKEA chairs and sofas in Marimekko patterns. BEMZ is the Stockholm, Sweden-based company whose line of slipcovers is made to fit IKEA furniture. Textile and fashion leader Marimekko is the Finnish company known for its colorful graphic patterns by celebrated, cutting-edge designers. Check out: Bemz’s […] Read more »