From the category archives:

Craft & DIY

A Stylist’s Abode

October 25, 2011

I absolutely adore Sania Pell. You’ve undoubtedly seen her work in some of your favorite magazines where she has styled decorating stories (Elle Decoration and Easy Living, among them), or perhaps you have her book, The Homemade Home? It’s been on my wish list for some time, it is so full of richly creative projects for the home. Well, I was checking in on Sania’s website to see what she’s been up to lately, and I was pleased as punch to find out that she has started a blog – the most beautiful blog! Through her blog she shares glimpses into her home and work process, small, easy projects, and inspirations from her vintage-hunting treks and other adventures. You will love it.

As you may know, I have a bit of an obsession with stylists. I view stylists as the poets of the interiors world, creating stories and vignettes from the most everyday bits of our lives. Sania is one of my favorites, so I am literally jumping up and down with joy that she is blogging now – hooray!! She’s been blogging for about six months now, so there is plenty of goodness to go back and read – I admit I read the entire archive in one sitting with a few cups of tea. :) Her home is lovely (of course), and I especially love seeking out the special-yet-simple details that might work in my own home. For instance, I love the way she’s placed fairy lights over a simple worn wood panel painted white, above. Beautiful, yes?

One of my favorite projects she shared recently were these driftwood display ideas – including painting on driftwood panels and crafting toys to display. This seems like the perfect goodbye-summer activity: sitting inside crafting and painting on a cool, rainy autumn day, putting all of those beach-combing finds to good use.

She has also done a beautiful job of painting thrifted furniture in lovely, chalky tones so that it all blends seamlessly. And look to any shelf or tabletop in her home and you will gain a mini-lesson in the art of arrangement. Who else could make a single rosemary branch look so artful?

If you would like to incorporate more vintage finds into your home, Sania’s blog is also a great reference and source of inspiration. I know I found myself getting tons of ideas bouncing through my head as I scrolled through the pages.

More simple ideas: a sweet embellished lamp, fabric-wrapped vases, vintage matchboxes as gifts, silver sequins in a glass vase…Don’t you want to try these projects right this very minute? I know I do. Sania has such an artistic soul – isn’t it a joy to watch someone work who is so obviously following their passion in life? If you are as inspired as I am, run over right now and visit Sania Pell at her website + blog, and purchase a copy of her beautiful book, The Homemade Home. xo Laura

(images: Sania Pell; also photographer Penny Wincer for Cico Books)

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Creative Bedroom Ideas & DIY Projects

October 22, 2011

in Craft & DIY,Design & Decor

Happy weekend, my dears! Sorry I wasn’t able to post yesterday – I was taking little B to get his checkup, plus I sprained my ankle earlier in the week so I’ve had to really slow down. But it’s Saturday now, time to relax with a mug of tea and catch up on my favorite blogs! I was checking in with Maggie and found myself nodding and mm-hming along with this post on her bedroom, so I decided to add my two cents here.

Why is it that bedrooms are often the last thing on our decorating to-do list? Is this true for you, too? I made a few improvements to ours before Bix was born, but nothing has happened since then. And the photos I shared then strategically avoided the headboard area of the room, which is sadly plain and lacking decent lighting. Our headboard is nice enough, but plain and short. I like the idea of painting a “frame” around it and filling it with small art pieces as shown above (from BHG).

Another great update would be to install swing-arm wall sconces as in this bedroom featured in Rue Magazine. This is a more costly option, but it would be such a space-saver…and in our teensy circa-1920 bedroom, we can use all the space we can get! Plus, I love that upscale hotel vibe. :)

Speaking of space, I wish I had room for a nice, big bedside table. I don’t, but if you do, go check out this tutorial for turning a simple Ikea dresser into the glam nightstand shown above. Lovely!

Feeling a little more crafty? Why not try this DIY woven headboard – and bonus, if you click through the slideshow you will find instructions on making that cute lampshade, too!

I saved one of my favorite projects for last, via Remodelista: hang a vintage Moroccan wedding blanket as a DIY headboard, either from a curtain rod or tacked straight to the wall. Moroccan wedding blankets have been darlings of the design blog world for some time now, and I am not immune to their allure! In fact, I already own a small pillow made from a vintage Moroccan quilt. However, I would be reluctant to use one of these gorgeous blankets on my bed…it would undoubtedly get stained or torn by the cat/baby. Hanging above the bed, though? Perfect.

(images: please see above for individual source links)

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‘I’m A Giant’ Mini Design Challenge (& Happy Weekend!!)

October 7, 2011

in Craft & DIY

Happy Friday! Today is the last day I have my Mom here visiting and staying with us – her whole trip has been such a treat. Bix and I will be taking his “Nana” back to the airport later this morning, but first I have something fun to share with you. Are you a fan of Emily Henderson? She was the season 5 HGTV Design Star and currently hosts her own show, Secrets From A Stylist. Well, Emily recently posted a design challenge for bloggers, but this one is a wee bit different (sorry, I couldn’t resist)…

photo: Mouse House

That’s right, it’s a dollhouse design challenge! Now, here I thought I was alone in harboring a secret, long-standing obsession with dolls’ houses and all things miniature, but apparently I was totally wrong. Design bloggers from all over are getting absurdly excited about this miniature crafting challenge, and with lovely ladies like Nicole and Erin involved, you know there are going to be some a-mazing mini homes by the end of this challenge in December!

photo: Mouse House

I never did finish making an entire doll house, but I spent years collecting tiny furnishings, crafting my own mini room dividers out of fancy stationary paper, and day dreaming about the little world I was creating. Part of me is saying that I would be nuts to participate, that I am way too busy and with no money to burn, I would need to make everything from found items, completely by hand…but the little me in there is jumping up and down and stamping her feet, saying Just Do It! Succumb to the allure of the tiny world where you can have anything your heart desires. Missoni rugs? Check. Orla Kiely wallpaper? Why not!

photos: Emily Henderson

If you are interested in participating, you can find out all of the details in Emily’s post on the I’m…A…Giant…Blog Challenge!!! And if you live in L.A., there will even be a gallery/party for those participating to show off their little houses and mingle with other miniature-crazed bloggers.

Happy Friday my friends! I’ll be taking Monday off for the holiday here, so I’ll see you on Tuesday! xo Laura

(images: Emily Henderson and Mouse House)

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Welcome The Weekend With Love…and Sweet Paul! :)

September 16, 2011

in Books & Mags,Craft & DIY

Hello, my dears! Happy Friday! I am really looking forward to this weekend because the weather has changed here and it feels very autumnal. To me, that means good things cooking in the kitchen, reading poems (I love this and this), lighting candles and listening to music, taking walks (with sweaters!), visiting a local harvest festival, and drinking many cups of tea. :) What will you be up to? I urge you to make time in your weekend for something that really makes you happy, whatever little thing that might be. And if something delightful to read, craft, or cook is what you are seeking, I have just the thing for you:

The Fall Issue of Sweet Paul Magazine is out! Hooray! I just adore editor and food stylist Paul Lowe, everything he does is so beautiful and obviously done with great love and care. The Fall Issue is loaded with goodness (of course), from a beautiful Mexican meal to dip-dye crafts to cooking with seasonal ingredients and kitchen tips from Jonathan Adler, you are sure to find something inspiring in its pages…and maybe dinner, too! :)

I loved the feature on Nordic cooking, a small scene from that article is shown above. The photos by Ellen Silverman are wonderful and the recipes tempting. And if you are lucky enough to live in Norway, you might even come across a copy of Sweet Paul in print. After all, Paul himself is originally from Oslo…

…I love this cover! The English cover is splendid, too, but this one makes me just a tiny big jealous of those fancy Å’s and ø’s! But I digress. Back to the issue! If it is crafts and DIY projects you have in mind, you are in for a treat. I loved too many projects to mention here, so I will highlight one article I thought was especially creative and inspiring – a fresh take on silhouette art and decor.

Silhouettes on pillows, dishes, lampshades, totes and more, each one so nicely done. The story was styled by Paul and shot by the wonderful Alexandra Grablewski. Did any of these grab your eye? Or do you have any other fun links to share? Books you are reading, music you are listening to, crafts you want to try, interiors you love – if so, by all means, share, share, share! And have a beautiful weekend! xoxo Laura

(images: Styling and food by Paul Lowe, photography by Alexandra Grablewski and Ellen Silverman for Sweet Paul Magazine)

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3 Gorgeous DIY Projects To Try

September 6, 2011

in Craft & DIY

Welcome back, and happy new week! I feel refreshed and renewed after three days off. Over the weekend, we celebrated both my hubby and sis-in-law’s birthdays (they are two days apart) with dinner by the water. It really felt like summer sitting outside in the warm air, sipping chardonnay with our oysters, but this morning it is raining here and I feel a change…fall is coming! With autumn approaching I am feeling the desire to settle in more at home, plan and make lists of things to do and try in the upcoming months. Here are three craft projects that have caught my eye lately:

1. Isn’t this big fat knit lampshade amazing? I do not have the skill to make this, but I love it! The project comes from Norwegian yarn company Pickles.

2. I have had this simple, fun project from Creature Comforts in my to-try file for a few months now, and I think its time may have finally arrived! I already have a small chalkboard just waiting to be embellished and transformed :)

3. I love that this DIY painting from Oh Happy Day! is so elegant looking for very little effort. I also love the reference to Le Petit Prince here, I read it back in high school French class and adored it.

What about you? Any craft or DIY projects on your list? Would you try any of the projects above? I want to know! xo Laura