Quilts are in style.

I’m glad because truth is for me, they never went out. Quilt designs are a comforting link with our past, and today’s quilt artists are incredible. (If you ever get the chance — drop in on one of the large quilt shows like Pacific International and you’ll see what I mean — awesome artistry and craftsmanship.)

I’m especially smitten with the bold, [...] Read more »

Challenge Update

Hey Design Junkies — Have you been over to our RoomsByYou Custom Home Textiles Challenge yet? Just a couple days left and someone’s going to run away with a great prize of custom, print-on-demand bedroom textiles.

So give it a whirl — click and drag designer patterns and colors to create a virtual room for the teen in your life. (And don’t worry if [...] Read more »

There’s a buzz in Carlisle, England around the bold DIY makeover of its railway station, finished late last week for the filming of a Homebase TV commercial.

Painted bridge photographs by Martin Armstrong

Production designer Darrell Cooke and designer Kate McConnell created the metamorphosis of the station for the home improvement giant’s advert. Purple damask wallpaper, comfy couches and floor lamps adorn one platform, and even kitchen [...] Read more »

Artist Profile — Carole Spandau

Sparks fly from the keyboard when two of my interests intersect. It’s happening today as I write about art and ice hockey. Yup — this lover of art and design teared up Friday when Bobby Orr carried the Olympic flag, and has been known to wake her babies when Joe Thornton scores a goal.

With the Olympics in Canada, I thought [...] Read more »

There’s a trend afoot: Rugs that celebrate the handmade are making a comeback. Like lovingly pieced patchwork quilts, traditionally crafted carpets bring nostalgia and comfort to uncertain times. Hand-hooked wool, raggy braids, and woven recycled textiles—rugs your grandma would love—add a party of saturated color, and the warmth of nubby texture to

your space.

It’s an Etsy shopping day today—enjoy our handcrafted rug finds from some [...] Read more »

by Regina Garay

Today let’s talk color 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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You would think that since color is such a personal choice for many of us, that the yearly color trends would not make a ripple at all.  We like what we like, correct? 

However, color is a monumental business [...] Read more »

by Diana Durkes

Wahoo! It’s time again for chair sorcery from our furniture and accessories makeover specialist, Contributor Diana Durkes. Diana gives “New Life to the Tossed and Found” at her blog, Fine Diving in Chicago.

What to do with a challenging, homely chair?

Years ago, this one may have occupied pride of place in the parlor. It emulates the Eastlake style, a late 1800’s [...] Read more »

Artist Profile — Roz

Two people can look at the same work of art and see something quite different. This I know; but it really hit home when I discovered the work of a woman named Roz.

Her kids inspired Roz (a.k.a. Rosilyn Young) to paint the first of her “Leap” series of oils-on-canvas. “I think it was watching my own children jumping around, so full of [...] Read more »

Design Expert: Michael Green

Being in Northern California, I really do need to learn more about wine. To Wine & Spirits Expert and Educator, Michael Green, finding a fine wine can be a parallel journey to finding good design.

Gourmet Magazine’s Wine & Spirits consultant for 19 years, Michael’s knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject is vast. Visit Living in Color With Sonu to watch Michael’s lively [...] Read more »

Design Expert: Kate Smith

Color educator and trend forecaster Kate Smith’s passion is color. She blends color theory and psychology for her students and her readers, encouraging them to have fun with color.

Kate looks to the New Year as an opportunity to Learn More. Visit Living in Color With Sonu to read Kate’s tips on learning to use color with confidence, and expand your knowledge in [...] Read more »

Color is powerful. Even if you prefer your rooms anchored in neutral tones, you can achieve an enormous impact with colorful accessories.

Bath After

See what Dallas Designer Cristie Schlosser, ASID, did with this kitchen and bath renovation. First, check out the Before and Afters of the striking transformation.

Bath Before

Kitchen Before

In the resulting contemporary spaces, Cristie used neutral-toned finishes, accented with pops of bright color in the [...] Read more »

The other day my buddy Diane said she wanted to set a gorgeous table for the holidays this year. She was taking stock of what she had on hand, and planning to score a few new things to spice up her tablescape.

Leona recently gave us inspiration with the luscious scenes in her tinted glassware post. My daughter and I jumped in and created this fall [...] Read more »

One way to add graphic punch and sparkle to a space is by creating simple grid and block patterns in glass tile, like these in bathrooms by designer Valerie Borden of Chimera Interior Design.

Recently, Valerie and I discussed how she developed the designs and how you might get a similar impact in your space.

HomeWorkshop (HW): What inspired the tile colors and design in the [...] Read more »

How do you design an understated room that entices?

Anchor the space with captivating, sculptural shapes. Layer in calming, neutral tones and natural textures, and pepper with shots of color. That’s how San Francisco Designer Will Wick crafted this living room for a Presidio Heights family.

“The first couple of pieces…purchased to start the design were Wassily chairs and Chista lamp,” said Wick. “Both of [...] Read more »

by Leona Gaita

Today we are once again joined by Leona Gaita, HomeWorkshop.com Interior Design Expert and Contributor. Leona shares with us her inspiring ideas and advice to help us enrich our homes and lives with beauty and elegance.

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A great way to add some rich color to your table for fall, without changing dishes, or breaking the bank, is to add some colorful tinted glassware.

Thanksgiving Table [...] Read more »