Sometimes a no-brainer is nice. Like my fit-and-flare navy cotton frock with its matching skinny belt. Or if I’m going to get the fries with my protein-style burger at In-N-Out (one glance through the window at the hypnotic potato-julienning aerobics, and it’s a given). And even a set of matching bed linens can be just fine. Or NOT. Maybe it’s the drummer in my head, […] Read more »

“So I want to knit beadboard,” I said to a friend in my machine knitters group. Her eyes moved up and to the side like you do when you are trying to remember that math formula from ninth grade. “You know, that white-painted wainscoting that you see in beach cottages? I want to knit that.” The look of vague recollection inched across her face. “Hmmm,” […] Read more »

Sometimes all it takes is a fresh perspective. I remember my sister Anne, the photography teacher, telling me about the ‘worm’s eye view,’ the name for perspective I captured while lying flat across the snow, peering through the icy driftwood, and focusing across the water. The Lake looked massive, yet grounded—I still love that shot. And as a textile designer, my eyes are always open […] Read more »

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 »

It is mind-blowing the color palettes you’ll find in nature. Think that’s a daring combo in the fabric you just found? Go outside and I bet you’ll see something even more fearless. I regularly hike the hills surrounding our local reservoir, with camera (or at least iPhone) in my pack. (Okay and some pepper spray in case the local coyotes get too friendly.) A bird […] Read more »

Salivating for a feast of design? The tables are set and the pillows are plumped for the San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2012, opening this weekend. More than 30 talented West Coast designers have breathtakingly transformed the historic and stately mansion at 2020 Jackson Street, for this 35th annual Showcase—a benefit for San Francisco University High School’s financial aid program. I was privy to a peek […] Read more »

Watch Sherri on The Cake Boss Baby Special! I don’t know about yours, but our family (especially our 10-year-old daughter) is in love with The Cake Boss. Buddy and his passionate fondant-rolling, frosting-piping New Jersey clan have us riveted, hungry and chuckling every week. So as you can imagine, we were over-the-moon excited to learn that our own Nursery and Kid’s Room Design Contributor, Sherri […] Read more »

by Mari Robeson Everyday can be special, when you welcome friends and family around your table. Mari Robeson—Interior Design expert and Contributor—helps us do so with style and function. Mari takes us inside the world of design, and helps us bring beauty and color to the places we call home.   I love entertaining. The way you set your table and present your entrees can […] Read more »

by GraceAnn Simoni Let’s give ourselves a sweet design treat, with Contributor GraceAnn Simoni. An Interior Redesign and Staging Specialist and Instructor from the Chicagoland area, GraceAnn shares with us budget tips and advice for decorating with your existing furniture and accessories. — Are you aware that you will spend 1/3 of your life on average sleeping? Your environment for sleeping should be of great […] Read more »

As studded-up shoes stomp down the fashion runways, watch for more ways to out your inner rocker with your home accents. Side-studded Faux Suede Decorative Pillow at Overstock. Spot-On Studded Leather Boxes Studs and nailheads are leaping off edges, moving from trim to the featured decoration. And the pyramid stud—formerly punking only leather cuffs and collars—is going mainstream. Pyramid Studded Mirror at Lamps Plus Pyramid-Studded […] 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 »

Even this Design Junkie knows there is more to life than design (hard to believe, I know.) So I hope during these holidays, you are able to enjoy time with your loved ones, and to get out and explore some of the great things your neighborhood has to offer. In our neck of the woods is a small puddle known as Lake Tahoe; I thought […] 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 »