Over the past week I augmented my design quiver with some seriously geeky techniques. Neighboring Silicon Valley, and having my share of nerdy tendencies, this was inevitable. First off—take cover people—I’m workin’ a laser! Wednesday night, I headed up river to the best little maker lab I could find, and got schooled in using the laser cutter! Design considerations, software, safety, all culminating in controlling […] Read more »

by Sherri Blum Here’s a fun DIY for you and the kids, from our Nursery and Kids Room Design Expert and Contributor, Sherri Blum. A pioneer specialist for children’s-room interior design, Sherri designs for celebrities, and for the baby next door. Let’s face it, most children’s rooms are small. And considering that these rooms usually hold more junk stuff than most, parents find ourselves dealing […] Read more »

A traditional handicraft can add warmth and character to a space. A graphic Amish quilt suspended as a headboard, a braided rag rug anchoring the coffee table, Grandma’s crocheted, zig-zag throw draped over the arm of a club chair. Or colorful, textural crewel embroidery. As a young girl, I spent many an evening cranking out chain and satin stitches, and flocks of french knots. You’d […] Read more »

So simple, yet effective. When I found Lexi Adams’ dresser transformation, I pounded my forehead – why didn’t I think to do that? Here’s the Before and After and the scoop on the fresh look this Brooklyn, NY photographer got with a little paint, elbow grease, and good advice from Dad. HomeWorkshop (HW): Are you a design-diva, big into DIY and decorating, or was this […] Read more »

It’s time for another design influence, on Day #14 of 30 Days of DIY Designer Ornaments. This time we turn to the Arts and Crafts movement. Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a notable designer of the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements. One of his most recognizable motifs is his geometric “Mackintosh Rose.” I love the simple, tumbling layers of the Mackintosh Rose, and decided […] Read more »

Our DIY Special Event, 30 days of DIY Designer Ornaments launches today! For the next 30 days visit us each day for a new, easy ornament project. We’re not talking candy canes and snowmen here – but simply stylish confections to deck your tree in design. Your tree will have it all: Texture Color Sparkle Spunk We’ll look to current design trends and we’ll include […] Read more »

Our Contributors here at HomeWorkshop.com are a talented tribe of design doers, and I am amazed daily at their creations. Excitement abounds today as I announce that our maven of makeovers and wrangler of reuse has published her first Ebook!! Diana Durkes put her sandpaper, paintbrush, camera and keyboard into overdrive, and Secondhand Shabby, her 90-page downloadable Ebook is here!! Inside, Diana demonstrates how to: […] Read more »

Some makeovers are pure genius. Like this pair of forlorn patio chairs that Jen at Fresh Crush transformed. Take a peek. Before: After: Is fan-tab-u-loso a word??? This project is a lesson in looking at a piece of furniture with the attitude of ‘What can it be?’ rather than focusing on ‘What is it?’ Jen looked beyond the patio persona, and made her chairs living-room […] Read more »

Now that we are spending more of our days indoors, it’s time to focus on DIY projects to freshen our decor, like these quick and fun, DIY window treatments that I rounded up for you. These are simple, low-cost ideas, many featuring creative reuse or recycling. Enjoy! 1. A Beautiful Scarf—yours, your Grandma’s or one you pick up from the thrift store—can make a graceful […] Read more »

by Regina Garay Let’s get the low-down on a high-style finish, with our Decorative Painting and Surface Design Expert, and Contributor Regina Garay. Regina blogs about her artistry and inspiration at Fauxology. — Venetian Plaster is a technique that has been around for hundreds of years — but there are many misconceptions about it, especially for those who are trying it on their own.  Here’s […] Read more »

by Diana Durkes Here’s an original project idea for baby’s nursery. It’s DIY time, with furniture and accessories makeover specialist, Contributor Diana Durkes. Diana gives “New Life to the Tossed and Found” at her blog, Fine Diving. I came upon this sweet cupboard at a house sale last month. It was a lesser piece among a houseful of pretty, practical antiques. Many had sold, but […] Read more »

by Lia Fagan Interior Designer Lia Fagan is back – and another castoff piece of furniture is the better for it. Enjoy Lia’s guest post, and the transformed Deco diva, ‘Victoria’. I rescued Victoria from a local reuse centre…rows upon rows of withered souls just looking to be brought back to life. “My, you’re a long way from the salon.” She was in great shape […] Read more »

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 […] Read more »

Designer DIY by Mari Robeson Design Junkies, we are in for a treat! Today, designer Mari Robeson joins us as Interior Design expert and Contributor. I am thrilled with the colorful and creative stories Mari has planned for us, about what we’ll learn from her, and how inspired we’ll be. Learn more about Mari at her Web site. Photographs by Jenny Malott Have you ever […] Read more »

I am thrilled to be able to share this with you as the first item in my OpenSky Shop. It’s a creative person’s dream wallpaper, Graham & Brown’s “Frames” by Artists Taylor & Wood. This is such a fun idea, and those of you who have followed HomeWorkshop.com for some time might remember I posted about this fabulous paper before. The empty frames design (below […] Read more »