art,
inspiration,
retro,
blogs Get an inside look into each other's homes. Snag ideas, discuss ideas and share tips.
Monday, September 1, 2008 at 11:24AM
art,
inspiration,
retro,
blogs
Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 02:32PM
Keeping a style file is one of the best ways to save money when re-decorating. Seriously. Knowing what it is you really want to have happen keeps you from buying a really cool IKEA pendant lamp just because you see it at the Salvation Army. You want it because it's such a good deal, not because it actually fits the room - see?
As you can see, I use my blog as a storage center for finds. I like having them somewhere I can share. Even if you don't want to blog, you can still use Blogger.com (or any blog host) as a keeper for design project photos. To stay organized, tag your uploads or add them in under individual project headers. I've done this for styling projects. My clients really get a good idea of how I see their project shaping up and they can also link out to find more information or to see a certain product's colorways. Also pretty slick.
A few hints: If you have a Mac, you can usually slide jpg files (photos) right off a web page onto your desktop for saving. I usually rename files so I know what they are when uploading them to my design file. If you run into a Flash situation or if you just want a section of the photo, press Apple + Shift + 4 to drag and clip. Apple + Shift + 3 gives you a photo of the full screen.
Monday, August 25, 2008 at 07:38PM
I swear I sound funny when I say Mythic Paint, but it's amazing and it's really, really not bad for you or your kids or your brother-in-law slash roommate slash sponge or your pets*.
You've no doubt heard of low VOC paint. Mythic is no VOC paint. Cool, huh? It also has zero-toxins and is non-carcinogenic. And it comes in a ton of cool colors - most of which are super cute for kids rooms. Mythic's available in all the usual finishes, and they offer exterior paints, as well. They can also color match anything just like your local paint guys. Mythic costs more than the home center/hardware store paints, but no more than other premium paints. I'd estimate primer and paint for a 10x10 room wouldn't be more than a couple hundred dollars - a pretty reasonably-priced wall option, I'd say. Heck, have your brother-in-law chip in a few bucks. It's the least he can do.
*If you really want to know what the stuff in paint can do to you, click here.
Friday, August 22, 2008 at 01:42PM
Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 10:10PM

Boodalee needs a fantasy camp where grown ups can check into a hotel somewhere and sleep on their choice of sheets. Short of buying two twin sets and sewing them together, my chances of having my own bed covered in Emberley-esque spaceships and castles is nil. Perhaps if we started a letter campaign?

In better news, Blik has Boodalee wall graphics that fit kids walls and grown up walls, too. I haven't been over there in awhile, I guess, cuz they have the coolest stuff - the coolest being their Threadless wall graphics. You have to actually click to see them in action because it's neat to see how Blik interpreted a tee's image.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 08:22AM
A little late to the party - as usual, but I'm loving the Primavera bedding at Crate & Barrel. Pretty clever how it's called PrimaVERA dontcha think? I've been looking at round Vera placemats for my knock-off tulip table (IKEA), too. One more cool Vera-type thing I know. You can frame the more graphic-styled scarves and they look like fab 70's art. David Anger (former BH&G editor and one of my favorite designers) did it once for a story. I've collected a bunch, but don't have them up yet. Look for rectangular shapes, too, they make killer art. If you're more of a paper person, try on some Vera ads - flippy and flirty without being too girly.
My other obsession is Mikasa. In particular, the types of pieces in the photos. One of my best friends happened upon it and started her own collection which, of course, turned me into an instant fan (she has THE BEST taste!) If anyone knows of some that they don't want, please give me a holla. I can't pay a ton, but I guarantee I won't sell them, give them away or (hopefully) break them into tiny shards.
Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 09:50AM
The Des Moines IA Metro ReUseIt Group is organizing a free clothing swap - Noon-4pm, SATURDAY AUGUST 16th at VAL LANES BOWLING CENTER on the corner of ASHWORTH and 63rd Street in West Des Moines. You do not need to donate in order to participate but its highly recommended.
They need more clothing, I've heard, so if you have some and want drop off information, please visit their Yahoo! Group page. or email me. I have phone numbers, etc., but didn't think we should post that all here.
free clothing
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 09:09AM
I have a TON of stuff to share. I know you're supposed to blog even when you're on vacation, but I stayed with my Granny and, well, that's just not possible. I'm gonna keep the comments to a minimum - click the links cuz I have some great stuff here:
Specktone iPod Dock Radio: Looks cool, comes in black, green and white. Heard it doesn't sound all that great for the price(reg. about $150), but I've seen these listed on eBay for about $30. The on/off switch is in the back (?) and some people mentioned that the cord was weird, but overall, I think reviewers thought it was cool if you're OK with bathroom-sized radio sound - cue the Dionne Warwick!

Austin, TX's StitchLab has a simply perfect art idea.
Via Cool Hunting: Taschen's Sixties Design re-release $15.