We've finished the second season of Top Design, but there's still plenty of material to reflect on before we bid it adieu! Recently, PointClickHome assembled 11 decorating tips from the final three contestants. I've gathered together six of these tips. For all of the contestants' tips, check out PointClickHome's article. To see my fave tips, check out the slideshow. Photos courtesy of Bravo
Anyone who has ever heard of a gift registry knows that people get picky when it comes to which gifts they'll accept into their homes. This is particularly true with bride-zillas, first-time pregnant ladies, and design fiends. So, if you're planning to pick up a gift for the son or daughter of a design fiend friend or family member, you better restrain yourself before you head to Toys 'R Us. Toys and games are not simply for the enjoyment of children . . . they have an aesthetic purpose in the homes of design lovers.Take for example this MUJI New York City in a Bag ($15). God forbid you let your kids play with plain blocks: they must be hip and metropolitan! This set comes with eight wooden structures representing New York City's iconic buildings. Although your friend may have moved to Connecticut and quit her graphic design job to be a full-time, stay-at-home mom, her children will be able to say they grew up in The City . . . or at least with it. To see other children's gifts that will surely be approved by your design-fiend friends, read more
San Francisco artist Megan Wilson has spent five years turning her Nob Hill apartment from a white-walled boring rental into a psychedelic fantasia of color and pattern. Unfortunately, her very cool home art project has been suspended, as her landlord is kicking her out. Under the Ellis Act, he has evicted all of the occupants of the building so he can change its use. While this is a tragedy for Wilson as well as her artistic apartment (you can read the whole story here), my question remains: would you like to live in an apartment painted this way? Source
When Aspen, CO, residents Cynthia and Frank Goldsmith decided their dream home should look like a 110-year-old Colorado homestead, they went to work, hiring an architect to recreate that iconic look. At the same time, the couple traveled to flea markets, antique stores, and salvage yards to find turn-of-the-century hardware, lighting, beams, doorknobs, and even hinges! The only items in this home that are new are the appliances, plumbing, and windows. Take a tour of this home, which was featured in Country Living, to step back in time. Source
I have fond memories of pasting together rings of construction paper with my brothers and sisters, assembling paper ring garlands for holidays and parties. While my childhood garlands were eclectic mixes of color and width for each ring, these paper ring garlands have left a lot of the childishness behind. I love how festive they make the space look, in part because they are strung at great heights and lengths across the room.
For tips on making your own grown-up garlands, and to see this garland’s expansive use of space, read more
Don’t have the time or money to redo your kitchen or can’t decide what look you want? With the Amana® Jot™ Refrigerator, you can change your kitchen every day. After all, the whole front of the refrigerator is dry-erase, so your look is only limited to your imagination and your drawing skills.
Imagine the possibilities . . . cubist renditions of tonight’s menu, a color-coded flow chart of this week’s family activities, or just art you never got to put on the fridge when you were a kid.
Think that’s exactly what your kitchen needs? Take the quiz to find out what kind of appliance you are and you’ll automatically be entered for a chance to win a Jot™ Refrigerator from Amana.
Rocket Dog
Vivienne Westwood
Moschino