by Lia Fagan

Here’s makeover motivation for the weekend, from my new Canadian friend, Interior Designer Lia Fagan. (I seem to make lots of Canadian friends—must be the hockey gusto.)

Lia can spy neglected furniture cowering in the corner of any second-hand store; and she has the beauty kit to give it new life – literally. Enjoy this guest post from Lia, where she introduces us [...] Read more »

What’s the Best Color You Ever Painted Something?

You can still see it in your mind’s eye. Or maybe you are surrounded by it right now. Perhaps it was for you, or designers — for a client. But you could feel it in your gut.

You nailed that color choice.

Tell us the story of your best color ever. Share with us by Leaving a Comment, OR–even [...] Read more »

Artist Profile — Anne Lullie

Sometimes to find your true creative calling, it takes bumping into kindred spirits.

Anne Lullie could draw an apple better than most five-year-olds, and decided right then that she would be an artist.

Colorplay I

“I learned to sew and embroider by hand as a child,” said Anne. And with her treadle machine, she was stitching together clothes by age twelve.

She went on [...] Read more »

Tahoe ARTour 2010

I find it fascinating to see an artist in his own environment. What colors and forms surround him? What view does he soak in, over his morning coffee?

How does the place an artist calls home, influence his work?

Come on along and hit the road with me, as we drop in on a few of Lake Tahoe’s gifted artists. I was lucky enough [...] Read more »

My walls have never been the place for the blah. If it’s bold, colorful, and graphic – sign me up. And as you know, I’m a fervent DIY’er.

So when I saw Lola Gavarry’s new book, DIY Art at Home, 28 Simple Projects for Chic Decor on the Cheap (Watson-Guptill Publications, 2010), I snatched up a copy.

Gavarry, a designer who creates artwork for residential clients [...] Read more »

I think a touch of metallic luster helps most any space; and I admit I’ve still got a shine for a silvery finish. Today it’s an Etsy shopping day – enjoy these dazzling finds.

The artist crochets fine wire to create these airy, Feminine Round Lampshades from Yoola.

This Divine Aluminum GoodForm Chair from Three Sideways Glances is a mid-century classic, freshly upholstered a graphic, DesignTex fabric.

The [...] Read more »

A Garden Accents Treasure Trove

This weekend, throngs of us are spending time outdoors, some even heading to the beach. So I thought I’d take you to a spot in a wonderful Northern California beach town. Half Moon Bay is the kind of town where you can spend the morning with sand in your toes, and the afternoon strolling from boutique, to gallery, to mom-and-pop shop.

Always [...] Read more »

Transform IKEA Seating in Tricia Guild Style

Tiring of that plain-vanilla IKEA armchair? Or when the neighbors come for dinner, does that pasta stain make you shuffle your dining chairs?

Check out the slipcovers from Stockholm, Sweden-based BEMZ, which are designed to fit most IKEA chairs and sofas – even discontinued models. And now, you can adorn your furniture with the innovative patterns of Designers Guild.

For [...] Read more »

In our neck of the woods at Lake Tahoe, Memorial Day Weekend is prime yard sale time. Is it the same where you live?

Each year I look forward to driving through the neighborhoods, seeing what’s tucked under the towering pines and firs, and snapping up bargains. This time, our oldest daughter — nine years old — was up early, and pumped to go on [...] Read more »

by Steve & Cathy Lambert

Today we fill our nursery carts with color, guided by our Garden and Landscape Design Experts and Contributors Steve and Cathy Lambert. Steve and Cathy share great advice (and dazzling photographs) to help you plan your garden color scheme.

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Last month we discussed garden color schemes – choosing harmonious or contrasting color combinations for your landscape. As promised, this follow-up article [...] Read more »

I learned about the most fascinating design niche recently, when—through trusty Twitter—

I met Thatcher Wine of Juniper Books. Thatcher specializes in the design of home libraries for homeowners and designers around the country.

We’re not talking the cabinetry here – we’re talking the books.

I asked Thatcher a few questions and I think you’ll enjoy his answers. He’s given me volumes of ideas for my collection.

HomeWorkshop [...] Read more »

This bathroom could turn me into a morning person – the graphic and sunny space that

De Meza + Architecture + Interiors designers Gregg De Meza, Jennifer Gustafson and Michelle Nelson created for this year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase.

The fresh colors and crisp cabinetry enticed. But it was the dance of a black-and-white pixelated mosaic that drew us in like fish to a sparkly lure. [...] Read more »

by Steve & Cathy Lambert

Today we paint the garden in color with Garden and Landscape Design Experts and Contributors Steve and Cathy Lambert. Steve and Cathy share great advice (and luscious photographs) to help you plan your garden color scheme.

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Although landscaping is often referred to as the “Green Industry,” an all green landscape would be monotonous and boring for color enthusiasts like us. Color [...] Read more »

by Regina Garay

Let’s dance with paint today with our Decorative Painting and Surface Design Expert, and Contributor Regina Garay. Regina blogs about her creative work and inspiration

at Fauxology.

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My friend, Sharon Adelman, is a true DIYer.  She loves color, she loves design, she loves learning new skills…it’s the starting that’s the hard part. 

We were recently on a double date with our husbands and were talking [...] Read more »

Here’s a practical project that adds a touch of whimsy to your couch.

“Where’s the remote, Mom? Hey!! Have you seen the remote?”

The interrogation and cushion tossing begins in family rooms across the country. You’d better hope we can find the remote before the opening face-off of The Sharks game.

The solution? A Pocket Pillow to hold the remote. And this one’s extra-special, crafted from recycled denim [...] Read more »