I came across this promising new solar product and just had to share. Solar technology = Good. Solar panels on your roof = Not so good looking. Until now. SRS Energy has created a solar solution with curb appeal. Its Solé Power Tile™ is shaped to mimic clay tiles, and designed to integrate with existing clay tile from US Tile, the leading manufacturer of clay […] Read more »

Artist Profile — Joan Rosen Sometimes a change for the worse ends up for the better. Northern Californian Joan Rosen was a dedicated white-collar worker for years. “I worked in the corporate world all of my life and when I started having health issues I couldn’t do the 9-5 thing any longer,” said Joan. Joan said it was a blessing in disguise. “I went to […] Read more »

We’re celebrating autumn with an Etsy shopping day today. So kick-back, let your mouse do the walking and enjoy these fall-themed finds for your home. Let’s start with Tlg Crafts’ tiny treasures, these Glass Marble Magnets. You’ll please several senses with Cricket Apollo’s Bright Autumn Leaves Lavender Sachets, or add textural art with Carol Broadley Pottery’s Maple Leaf in Clay. And your kitchen will adore […] Read more »

Create a Color Scheme What fun it was to see the color schemes you created from the blank canvas of our sitting area. All wonderful. Well almost all, but I’ll get to that. Without further delay (drum roll please) the winner of the Challenge is Renee from Beaverton, Oregon! Our Interior Design expert Leona Gaita and I were wowed by Renee’s colorful and imaginative entry. […] Read more »

Hey Design Junkies! Our friend, designer Kenneth Brown, has a wonderful lamp for creative people like us. He calls it his “Lamp Done A Thousand Ways.” It’s a brilliant way to quickly add or change up an accent in a room. Kenneth says, “One of my design tips has always been about how to give any room a quick makeover. I always suggest new throw […] Read more »

Wish I’d thought of it. The creative peeps over at Organelle Design took ordinary clothes hangers and plastic bottles, applied their reuse wizardry and made these wonderful light fixtures. I just adore the “Hangeliers.” Here’s the wooden version. You can buy the gorgeous fixtures over at Organelle’s Etsy Shop (via 2Modern.)   Which of the fixtures would look best in your space? Read more »

Come back to the table in our virtual café as we share a latte and a chat with four interior designers. Today we welcome to the coffeehouse: Linda H. Bassert, of Masterworks Window Fashions & Design in Fairfax, Virginia Barbara Miller, of Barbara Miller Design in West Linn, Oregon Linda Merrill, of Chameleon Interiors in Duxbury, Massachusetts Kerry Ann Dame, of Posh Living in Surfside […] Read more »

When does art supply become art? Have a look at Social Designer’s 500 pencils. In this Aurora wall display case, the pencils make a kaleidoscopic focal point for a creative space. For an alternate display catch the Color Wave. Inspiration on a large work table in your studio. The caveat? You won’t get the pencils quickly or cheaply. Social Designer, part of New York’s Felissimo, […] Read more »

by Diana Durkes Get your DIY on as our furniture and accessories makeover specialist, Contributor Diana Durkes joins us again today. Diana gives “New Life to the Tossed and Found” at her blog, Fine Diving in Chicago. I was excited to find this framed mirror at a yard sale last weekend. The square shape was friendly, though its industrial grey paint color gave a mixed […] Read more »

Artist Profile: Sarka-Trager A door, archway or window can signify so much. Where does it lead? What can you glimpse through it? What if you dare to open the door and stride through it with confidence? Sarka Holeckova and Richard Trager used to work in corporate America in the Bay Area. She specialized in marketing, he in sales for a graphic software company. Creatives at […] Read more »

Sit at the table with me in the virtual café as we share a cup and have a chat with a group of interior designers. Today we are joined by: Linda H. Bassert, of Masterworks Window Fashions & Design in Fairfax, Virginia Barbara Miller, of Barbara Miller Design in West Linn, Oregon Linda Merrill, of Chameleon Interiors in Duxbury, Massachusetts Kerry Ann Dame, of Posh […] Read more »

Keep your eyes on Nichole Loiacono-Young, her recently-launched Etsy shop, Sparrow’s Nest, and her blog by the same name. Nichole’s an aspiring designer with a great eye for giving new life to forlorn furniture and accessories. Case in point? This cane-back Louis armchair that Nichole made fresh with gloss-white paint and Tiffany-blue flannel. A bit of a change from what she started with, yes? (And […] Read more »

Something’s dressing up chandeliers in a way that Mom and Grandma may not have: Beautiful, translucent organza and other sheer shades. The layered look jazzes up traditional fixtures, like this teal-shade chandelier from Bellacor or this black beauty from We Got Lites. Contemporary fixtures like Shade’s of Light’s Urban Shade Chandelier are designed layered with sheer or mesh shades, or with the shade as an […] Read more »

The last hurrah of summer is on, as the kiddos cling to every last minute of recreation before trudging back to school. A good time to plan for the vibrant art projects they’ll be proudly carting home. Or your shelf of masterpieces from past years, crammed full like a too-small p.o. box. Brilliant—a testament to your child’s artistic genius no doubt—but a challenge to store […] Read more »

We let out a collective, audible gasp when we spied these at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. Graphic. European. Vintage. Cool. Photographs by Ann Revoredo Straight off I could visualize them as artwork in a home setting: Photograph by Nicole Bliss The route signs came from UK double-decker buses and trolleys. DeWayne Lumpkin of economica sleuthed around to find the impactful fabric scrolls. “I first […] Read more »