I love it when designers stretch the limits of what is possible – and when designs exude

a sense of fun. So when I found these Duffy London tables, I just had to share.

Duffy is debuting its Runner Table this month at London Design week.

With the novel concept of using ‘runners’ as its structure, the table blends thin steel legs with a substantial walnut [...] Read more »

Good designers are onto it.

An unexpected element can make a room. Like a corrugated-steel barn door in a

dining room.

“I love them because they are textural and sculptural and unexpected…perhaps three important design concepts I incorporate in all my projects,” said New York designer Gail Shields-Miller, on her design for a Fire Island dining room and kitchen.

“It was a costly choice but undoubtedly the right [...] 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 us [...] Read more »

E. Pearce Revisited

Designers often turn to history for inspiration. But rather than looking to reproduce past works, what if instead we interpret, using technologies that are completely current? Extraordinary design can result.

Case in point? This staircase that design firm, workshop/apd created for its contemporary update of a modern Tribeca loft.

The work pays homage to this Baroque staircase attributed to 17th century English master Edmund [...] 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 planned a room and [...] Read more »

Artist Profile — Craig Anczelowitz

I just met an artist who has it all. Creative vision, practical knowhow, business-sense,

and moxie.

Craig’s IKAT Blue Mix Ceramics. (All photos copyright Craig Anczelowitz.)

And Bronx native Craig Anczelowitz’s resume is like a how-to for the successful, self-sufficient artist/designer:

M.F.A.: Check.

Work your way up in a specialty New York boutique: Check.

Traverse the globe, buying and designing for retail tastemakers: Check. Check.

Leave it [...] Read more »

We’ve had some heated discussion here lately about books, and about book covers, as elements in one’s home decor.

So when I found these new cover designs for classic F. Scott Fitzgerald books, from Senior Designer Coralie Bickford-Smith at Penguin Books, I just had to share.

Penguin plans to release the books on November 4th.

Now that’s marketing I can get behind. (via Notcot.)

Fess up: Do [...] Read more »

A Chat with Marcia & Paul at Zia•Priven

If you spotted one of their fixtures in a magazine, chances are you snagged that page for your inspiration file. Striking, original, elegant.

Since 1999, husband and wife team Marcia Zia and Paul Priven—through their namesake company Zia•Priven—have wowed the design world with their extraordinary lighting. Their lighting graces the Fontainebleau Hotel & Resort, Grand Hotel Stockholm and [...] 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 »

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 left) is [...] Read more »

This master suite’s bathroom glows with confident femininity and elegance.

Photographs by Margot Hartford. (Click on the photos for more detail.)

As I shared in Part I of the Master Retreat story, Jo Ann Hartley and Jennifer Hershon started this master bath design with an innovative material. The designers chose Caesarstone’s new Motivo in the ‘Lace’ pattern (detail right) for the shower surround and vanity tops. [...] Read more »

I crammed my notebook page with blissful scribbles.

- Tailored yet Zen

- Latte and cream

- Delish fixtures

Photographs by Margot Hartford. (Click on the photos for more detail.)

As I toured Hershon Hartley Design’s Master Suite at this year’s Marin Designers Showcase, I kept whispering to myself, “Wow.”

The spaces were calming and captivating at the same time. It was a retreat in the true [...] Read more »

I think my cell phone was trying to tell me something when it decapitated. I fumbled to take the first call from my sister’s rental car, her family following close behind as we set out to caravan over Tioga Pass.

The flip phone became flip-less. Signal-less. Ring-less. Not even the meticulous duct-tape repair by my 18-year-old nephew would bring the phone back to life.

This trip [...] Read more »

Artist Profile — Vicki Hartman

The concept of a home has a simple beauty, and I find myself attracted to objects depicting that. it’s what caught my eye about the art of Rochester, New York ceramicist Vicki Hartman; and I thought you’d enjoy visiting with her, and learning about her work.

HomeWorkshop (HW): Have you always been an artistic person, and when did you realize you could [...] Read more »

Years back, I attended a San Francisco art sale at the most fantastic place. Creativity Explored is nonprofit visual arts center where artists with developmental disabilities create, exhibit, and sell art.

Color and smiles were free-flowing, and I came away with a half dozen of the most uninhibited and visually striking drawings.

I was thrilled to learn from my best friend, that CB2 is featuring [...] Read more »