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"Design*Sponge" - 6 new articles

  1. diy project: artwork & secret storage box
  2. sneak peek: kate challis & andrew hollo
  3. ariel dearie flowers
  4. canopy studio by kat webster
  5. dannijo bags
  6. charlene mullen pillows
  7. Search Design*Sponge
  8. Prior Mailing Archive

diy project: artwork & secret storage box


Try as I might to achieve minimalism, I just can’t seem to stop the clutter in my life. After a huge clean, the house experiences a few days of perfect organization and cleanliness before the chaos creeps back in, usually through a series of seemingly innocent decisions — a piece of mail I set aside instead of filing away; an irresistible thrift-shop find that gets purchased without a plan for where it should go; a sale on craft supplies. You know how it is. Okay, maybe they’re not so innocent.

While I still plan to eliminate and prevent clutter, I also embrace it to a certain extent as a challenge to finding clever ways of storing things secretly. I consider today’s project a double achievement in this category: I have not only found a place for my extra pieces of art, but I’ve also created a stealth storage unit that can hold the most unsightly items in my house: my random binders, files and paperwork. With the right piece of art and a readymade box, you can make this project in under an hour. So I ask you, if the clutter is hidden behind a pretty piece of artwork and nobody sees it but you, does it exist? Happy crafting ;) — Kate

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Read the full how-to after the jump!

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sneak peek: kate challis & andrew hollo


The Melbourne, Australia, home of Kate Challis, Andrew Hollo and their 2.5-year-old son, Jasper, is in fact a 19th-century storefront in the inner city, complete with gallery shows in the front window. When they first bought the place seven years ago, friends thought they were crazy, but they loved the rawness of the area and seeing it develop, as well as the village’s strong community. Andrew works as a management consultant and has a love of books (see below). Kate, who authors urban kaleidoscope, an interiors blog devoted to spaces with soul and personality, has run the gamut of experiences, from completing a PhD in art history (early Renaissance illuminated manuscripts) and opening a yoga studio to working as a corporate trainer and facilitator, saying “Like my personal style, my life is very eclectic.” These days most of her time is spent doing what she loves most: being with her family and exploring her passion for design. And when they’re not in Melbourne, they’re in Bali. Thanks, Kate! Anne

Image above: This antique table I found on eBay; it’s in the kitchen, where we spend most of our time. The curtain fabric is by Timorous Beasties, an avant-garde Scottish textile and fabric designer. At first glimpse, you think it is a traditional toile depicting sweet rural scenes when, in fact, it shows down-and-out life in contemporary London. Totally appropriate for the street on which we live.


Image above: The curtains are a brilliant deep aqua blue. A number of people tried to talk me out of such a bold colour. Conventional wisdom says to stick to more neutral colours for curtains. But where is the fun in that? I have not regretted it. The painting of the girl on the polar bear is by one of my closest friends, Pacquita Maher. What I love about this room is that it is both minimal and luxurious. The chair is an eBay discovery that was recovered, the little deco table is from an antique shop and the metal tin that sits underneath is Balinese.


Image above: The sofa in our living room is 2.5m (over 8 feet) long and big enough for the entire family (including the 2 cats). The Madeline Weinrib raspberry pink rug I found on sale. I almost didn’t get it, as someone else had put it aside, but then they changed their mind and bought a grey or taupe one instead. As the saying goes, their loss was my gain. Like the curtains in the bedroom, it’s bold and not for everyone, but I adore it; it breathes some fun and warmth into the room, which is what you want in a living area. The metal Moroccan tray table I searched for for several years until I found the stand in one shop and the top in another. The art on the wall is a combination of photographs, prints, paintings and watercolours, which were found, bought, collected or given over many years.

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See more of this beautiful home after the jump!

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ariel dearie flowers


Last fall I was waiting in line for brunch at Five Leaves and stumbled upon the cutest little pop-up flower table. Rows of tiny arrangements were being sold and taken home in petite cups, and it took everything I had not to bring them all home. I tucked the florist’s card in my pocket and have been following her online ever since. Ariel Dearie is a Brooklyn-based florist who grew up surrounded by the romantic, overgrown courtyards of New Orleans. That loose, lush feel creeps into her work, whether it’s a small arrangement or a wedding bouquet. I love looking at flowers for inspiration inside, so if you’re interested in a little flower love this morning, click here to check out Ariel’s portfolio online. (You can check out her blog here, too.) xo, grace



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More images after the jump . . .

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canopy studio by kat webster


Amy and I are working on a special upholstery project for the new D*S office, so I’ve had indie fabrics on my mind. Because our sofa budget limited us to a more affordable box-store sofa, I wanted to use the rest of our seating budget to work with an independent designer in some way. We both love the look of two-tone or partially reupholstered sofas (this one is a fave), so we want to have slipcovers made for just the seats. I’ve been scouring Etsy for some new fabrics to work with, and I loved these options from Kat Webster at Canopy Studio. Kat sells her original designs by the yard right here and also designed this sweet modern cat bed. Cute cat designs and nice textiles? I’m sold. xo, grace




 

dannijo bags


One of my favorite blogs to read over breakfast, lunch and well, just about any other type of break is Man Repeller. Leandra Medine’s musings on fashion that women love (and men presumably hate) are some of the funniest on the web and never fail to make me smile. She frequently collaborates with designers (those fierce booties in my office post are her brainchild), and one of the brands I discovered through her is Dannijo. While lusting after their bib-style necklaces, I came across these gorgeous handmade bags from Morocco. They remind me of vintage rugs cut into smaller sizes, which satisfies both the home and fashion shopper in me. If you’re in the market for something that will carry both your laptop and your day-to-day essentials, click here to check out and shop the Dannijo bag collection online. xo, grace


 


charlene mullen pillows


My embroidery obsession is in full force lately, and these pretty pillows from Charlene Mullen are just perfect. Made of 100% linen and inspired by colorful Ukrainian folk costumes, each pillow is hand-embroidered using thick tapestry wool. I love that they feel simple and modern but still handmade and full of character. Click here to check them out online and place an order ($265 each). xo, grace


 


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