Posts by Category

Posts by Date

Find: Truly Modern Stock House Plans!

Nov 06, 2009

If you've ever perused stock houseplans online you know what you find. A lot of the same old stuff. There are some gems in the mix, but rarely do you find a modernist or deconstuctivist house in a passel of stock plans. Those are custom jobs for architects, right? Not anymore. Enter Hometta, a new company who describe themselves thusly: "a collaborative of designers, architects, builders, writers and editors who have banded together to rethink and improve the way residential architecture is designed today." Sounds cool, and it is! —Diane

Here is a sampling of the 27 plans they currently have for sale or in development on their site.

Binary House. Beauty in geometry.

House 176. Classic form with many modern twists.

Shot-trot. Modern without freaking out the neighbors.

Wall House. Modernist house disguised as a (very fabulous) yurt.

Wedge House. For the modernistically inclined.

This concept fits in with my own mantra: Design for everyone. Interior design is for everyone, and my eDecor Plans make it much more accessible and DIY-able than ever. Find out more here or email me for more information.

TAGS: hometta modern modernist home house design plans stock

  permalink      Comments(0)

Like this post? Please share it:

Style Steal: Handmade Throw Pillows from Etsy

Nov 04, 2009

Throw pillows can be expensive. Ridiculously so, it turns out. I was just hunting some down for a client and had a serious case of sticker shock. $400 is not out of the question! Even if a client had an unlimited budget, I don't think I could recommend such an accessory and keep a clear conscience. So, I turned to the world's biggest online arts & crafts fair, Etsy. Sure enough, beauty and affordability are not mutually exclusive. So take that, you expensive-pillow people!

Here are some of my favorites for $15 or less. Note that most of these are pillow covers, so you have to fill them. You can buy plain white pillow fillers at craft stores, but I'd recommend covering up an old pillow, or making one with batting, muslin, and a few straight seams. —Diane

Just the thing to liven up a blue or gold sofa. From pipdesigns, $8.

A little shimmer and a geometric pattern make this cover look a lot more expensive than ten bucks. From idari, $10

Two patterns are better than one, especially when they're Amy Butler designs. From photogirl95, $10

Add a shot of color(s!) with this mod printed cover. From pillowsandmore, $11.

This shop has a lot of inventive patterns. I love this bare branch design for winter. From quiltification, $12

Click this one to enlarge it! It's beautifully embroidered. From thehandmadefair, $12

Florals get a little edgy in a monochromatic silver brocade. From thehomecentric, $14.55

Check out this shop for a lot of pillows made from high-quality upholstery fabrics. I'm picturing this one on a worn, leather chesterfield. From sassypillows, $15

Don't expect any $400 pillows from me.

This post is a good example of how I differ from many interior designers. I don't limit my sources to lines that I sell or endorse. I don't buy from "exclusive" or to-the-trade vendors. I look for things at many of the same places you do, but I do it with a keen eye for your style and a well-honed ability to find a bargain. I show you how pieces will work in your space and tell you exactly where to buy them with a click— so you don't have to pay me a mark-up. If you're the kind of person who needs a little design guidance and maybe some help finding your personal style, but you'd rather not completely hand over the job to a designer, my eDecor Plans are perfect for you. Check out some samples here, browse my site, or email me for more information.

TAGS: throw pillows under $20 bargain budget etsy handmade

  permalink      Comments(1)

Like this post? Please share it:

Find: Sasaki Colorstone Dinnerware

Nov 03, 2009

A few years ago I happened upon eight place settings of Sasaki Colorstone at Overstock.com, for a steal. I wasn't familiar with the pattern, though I was very familiar with its designer, Massimo Vignelli, who is best known as a graphic designer fond of Helvetica and Pantone Warm Red. His best known work is probably the New York City Subway Diagrams where his ability to allow form to quietly influence function is apparent. It's also visible in the design of these plates, bowls, and cups.

I bought the Birch colorway since that's what they were clearing out at Overstock— and I love it. It's a cream ground speckled randomly with bits of brown, black, and grey. The speckles give a hint of rustic charm to the simple, modern forms with raw, unglazed edges. Couldn't have been happier when I opened the box.

This pattern was made in many colors, fun for mixing and matching. Apparently I got the last bargain boxes of Birch known to man because when I tried to order another four place settings last year it was only available on Replacements.com for more than twice what I'd paid. Since then I found an almost-complete set on Ebay for much less and discovered that there's quite a bit of it out there. It just requires a little hunting. And isn't that half the fun of collecting something you love?

13 shades from the Colorstone palette. Imagine some beautiful combos: plum + wheat, lilac + matte white, coral + vert de gris... Mixing colors expands your options when searching, too.

The best online resource I found for documenting the colors is this site assembled by a collector (who took the photo above). Our grandmothers had Fiestaware and Russel Wright's American Modern… I think this will become the  multi-color collectible china of our generation. —Diane

Sometimes just a single item can inspire a whole kitchen redesign. Want some help turning your favorite china pattern into a whole kitchen design? Check out my "Spiff it up" Plans for kitchens and baths.

TAGS: sasaki colorstone massimo vignelli china dinnerware

  permalink      Comments(0)

Like this post? Please share it:

Inspired Idea: Quick-Change Cozy Headboard

Nov 02, 2009

Here's a quick and easy way to change the look (and feel) of your bedroom. It's a perfect way to cozy up your bed for winter, and to try out a new color scheme or pattern temporarily. Simply drape your headboard with a blanket or quilt. Fold the end of the blanket to fit the width of the bed and fling it over the headboard. Instant revamp.

This works without a headboard, too, and actually is a nice way to create the look of a headboard on a budget. Install a decorative drapery rod two to three feet above the bed, then drape the blanket or quilt over that. Here are a few examples I dug up, but use your imagination.

A large Marimekko fabric wall-hanging was used in this example.

I think these variations would be fun:

1. Drape a couple of bold, plaid woolen blankets and fasten them together with kilt pins.
2. Show off the designs on a vintage chenille bedspread.
3. Display the heirloom quilt that's too delicate for everyday use.
4. Try a faux-fur throw for a really lush look.
5. Layer quilts for an extra-padded, comfy backrest.

If you're inspired to try out this easy and instant trick, send me a photo! I'll post it here on the blog. —Diane

Need some inspiration to make your room more "you"? Check out my eDecor Plans.

Photos from Martha Stewart Living, Better Homes & Gardens, DecorPad, and decor8.

TAGS: bedroom decorating bed headboard quilt blanket easy fast

  permalink      Comments(2)

Like this post? Please share it:

Color Love: Orange-and-Black Rooms

Oct 31, 2009

Think you can only get away with an orange-and-black color scheme this time of year? Let it live on with inspiration from these rooms that pull off the combo with surprising elegance. And Happy Halloween! —Diane

This bedroom by designer Sara Story was featured in Traditional Home magazine. Black and dark brown are used in roughly equal proportions to nice effect.

A fairly sedate sage-and-cream palette is energized with the addition of an orange print and chair and a simple black bedside table.

These rooms illustrate color "cross-pollination." Two shared colors and white trim tie these spaces together.

One very bold chair gives a dining room the shot of color it needs.

If you want to really go for it and put orange on the walls, try Sherwin-Williams Emotional (SW6621). It leans more toward red than yellow and blends better with black than yellow-based oranges.

Can't quite get past the Halloweeniness? Try orange with grey. It's a fresh, modern combo that says "cool" more than "ghoul."

Want a little help finding your perfect color scheme? I can help. Get a color consultation in-home or online. Email me.

Images: DecorPad, LivingEtc., Sherwin-Williams.

TAGS: orange black rooms color scheme palette

  permalink      Comments(1)

Like this post? Please share it: