Daily Delight: Punched Tin Lanterns
June 4th, 2011 | 
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Photo: Scott Phillips
Over the Memorial Day weekend, I was invited to a backyard barbecue at a friend’s house where I was surprised to find inspiration for a blog post. Our host has turned his formerly dull backyard into a mini urban oasis brimming with edible plants and lit by lanterns he made himself.
Unfortunately I didn’t have a camera with me to photograph his handiwork, but I found something similar (including a tutorial to make your own). You can set them on tables, hang them from trees or under umbrellas. These lanterns cast such a lovely glow in the evening and the candles themselves are protected from the wind by the tall sides. Plus, if you have a mosquito prone yard, they’d make a beautiful holder for citronella.
If glass is more your speed, we’ve got ideas for that too!
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It’s the Last Day to Enter the HGTV Green Home 2011 Sweepstakes!
Time flies when you’re … frantically entering the 2011 HGTV Green Home sweepstakes like a mad woman every day! I know it can’t possibly feel like it, but it’s June 2nd already. Which means it’s the last day to enter for a chance to win this stunning Denver home, a 2011 GMC Terrain and $100,000 cash! (I also want to know why it’s like August hot the first week of June. Back to the sweeps.) This is one of those bittersweet, day-after-Christmas type days for us at HGTV. Do we really want to give away this luxurious prairie-style home with a deck and patio. (It’s really grown on us!). But, yes, we are thrilled to see it go to a deserving HGTV fan.
You’ve got until 5PM EST to get your two daily entries in (once on HGTV.com and another on Frontdoor.com.) Who knows, the winner of the sweepstakes could come from today’s last-minute entries!
For totally-so-not-fair reasons, I’m not eligible to win the home. Despite this sad, sad fact, I’ve compiled a list of my top three ”2011 HGTV Green Home To-Dos” just in case there is some fluke in the system and they don’t realize I work here. (Just kidding, I haven’t entered – sigh.)
1). Organize all of my clothes, accessories and jewelry in the fabulous master bath’s closet. The master suite’s layout is smart, smart smart! Putting the huge closet in the bathroom, rather than the bedroom, ensures the sleeping space stays soothing and clutter-free.
2). Host a casual dinner party in the eclectic dining room. I adore the unexpected lighting and non-traditional decor of this entertaining space. The sliding glass doors lead outside to the deck area — my party can effortlessly move from indoors to outdoors. I’ll be hostess of the year.
3). LIVE in the “do” room. Have you seen this room? It’s genius! I’ve always wanted a home with a craft room and this just takes it above and beyond. It’s a craft studio AND laundry station, home office, gift-wrapping station AND reading room all in one space! I’d be doing a lot in the “do” room.
Not only is this home green, it’s smart! It has everything I need and a ton of things I didn’t realize I needed until now. (Like a dog washing station in the garage!) Do me a favor — go enter for a chance to win it on my behalf. Two times, once on HGTV.com and again on Frontdoor.com. Good luck!
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Answer to What the…? The Chaise Longue
While it still looks like a toy race track to me, it seems this week’s What the…? was a bit too easy because everyone else guessed correctly. We’ll give it to Kate for not only answering first, but also using the exact words. (That makes two weeks in a row that our first guesser was right.)
This funky-looking wood chaise longue is the signature piece of UK artist Tom Raffield who’s a master at bending wood using steam. For almost all of his furniture and lighting fixtures, Raffield incorporates the low energy method of manipulating wood known as steam bending, ”a traditional process steeped in history and culture.” If you’d like to learn more about his work and his commitment to sustainability, check out his gallery, online store and blog.
And remember, if you see an odd object, send it on in at designhappens@hgtv.com.
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Decor Demon on Modernizing Old Furniture – “Grandma Wanted Me to De-Granny Her Stuff”
 There’s a line in my all-time favorite black comedy, Ghost World, where an 18-year-old Scarlett Johansson says to her best friend, Thora Birch, “This reminds me of your little old lady phase.” She was referring to an eccentric non-conformist’s brief stint wearing clothes meant for women four times her age. The character didn’t care that others considered her style of dress lame, silly or little-old-lady; she thought it was cool and rocked it out. What the hell does this have to do with a decorating blog? Well, I often feel that items deemed little-old-man or little-old-lady-ish are often the most awesome pieces simply awaiting creativity for a fresh new look. In fact, it’s what I search for first as I sift through the inventory at flea markets and thrift stores. Luckily, it’s usually the last thing others pay attention to. Speaking of paying attention, take a look at these pieces once deemed old but show no signs of their secret past thanks to some clever reinvention. You know what else is in the past and I hope it stays that way forever? The mauve and brass combo circa 1986. Good riddance! |
My assistant, Dayka, is kinda obsessed with taking traditional pieces, then giving them much more youthful identities with unexpected color. These bentwood chairs were bought for next to nothing. A great sanding and glossy coat of yellow instantly took ‘em from why-so-serious to color-me-happy. Accent pieces like these are fair game for bold color because, well, they’re simply accents and can punch up the energy in a room with a small dose of a high-energy hue. As far as when NOT to go too bold, check out another of her before and after projects.
Since the heavy, bulky size of larger pieces such as dressers or consoles can command a ton of attention and dominate the room, going bold with color isn’t always the best option unless you want the pieces to be the star of the space. Black and white are pretty much always a safe bet. Here’s an example of a previously-cheesy 1980′s dresser Dayka modernized with a coat of white paint. She wanted it to simply do its job and shut up; having it be the star of the space was not part of her agenda. Did she succeed? I’d say so.
I was recently asked to redesign the basement of a friend’s grandma. Believe it or not, Grandma wanted me to de-Granny her stuff. Weird huh? No, it’s more like awesome and amazing! She loved the ornate detail of her mid-1960′s dresser but found the light brown stain a total snorefest. For that new lease on life, we dropped it off at an auto body shop and had it sprayed with fire engine red auto paint. How the hell did we do that? Well, it’s not very complicated: You pick up the phone, ask a local auto body shop if they accept furniture, then drop it off. As far as pricing goes, shops usually charge by the booth, not the piece. So, you can drop off several pieces and have them all sprayed the same color for one set price.
For those of you without DIY skills, here’s an update you can handle: Juxtapose traditional style furniture with modern fabrics. In this bedroom, I kept 60-year-old traditional beds, then dressed them with graphic, modern textiles. It keeps the integrity of the original piece but makes it a lot more hip.
Something that’s been huge in Los Angeles for a while but now spanning globally is using modern upholstery on older, non-modern chairs. Thanks to my sinister iPhone, I can no longer find my before shot of this chair; however, it’s probably a blessing in disguise since its hideous tan, mustard and beige floral print may have harmed your retinas. Being that the lines of the chair were simple, all it needed was a streamlined fabric to bring it up to date. My choice? A quilted silver silk.
Enough about me. Y’all got any unexpected updates that made a dated piece instantly look so now?
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Daily Delight: New Food Chart
Move over food pyramid, there’s a new eating guide in town. Although the content of the chart is probably more in the purview of our sister site Food Network, I found the graphic design of the USDAs new “Choose My Plate” guide to be really appealing.
The Plate has all the appeal of a very good infographics: thoughtfully designed, easily digestible (excuse the pun, I couldn’t resist), clearly expressed message. Now I’m just waiting to see who will be the first to create actual plates with the new guidelines.
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Freebie Fridays: Father’s Day Gifts From Red Envelope
This year, Father’s Day falls on June 19th. That gives you the perfect amount of time to plan the most memorable Dad’s day to date. A Western movie fest complete with micro-brews, homemade jerky and wings from his favorite sports bar? How about an action-packed adventure camping and hiking in the mountains? Maybe Dad just wants some uninterrupted time for a nap? However you choose to spend Father’s Day 2011, be sure to top it off with one-of-a-kind, totally unexpected gifts for dad.
We’re giving away two $50 gift codes to Red Envelope, my personal favorite online gift store for hard-to-please papas and for no-brainer Father’s Day gifts. Maybe Dad secretly wants fun grilling gear or monogrammed meat branders for his next bbq? I know my pops would totally geek out over Red Envelope’s at-home beer brewing kit. Leave us a comment before 12/11c Monday, June 6, to be entered into the sweeps.
This week’s question: What would your dad’s dream man cave look like? Mini biker bar? Shrine to his favorite sports team? Maybe a replica of a retro diner?
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Grab the Kids & Plant a Delicious Pizza Garden in Your Yard
What kid (or adult) doesn’t love pizza? Whether you’re a vegetarian like me or a hearty meat-eater, there’s an endless variety of mouth-watering toppings to be enjoyed. So this summer, why not get your children involved in making dinner on a whole new level. Plant the pizza right in your backyard (yes, I’m serious) with this month’s HGTV Family Gardening Club project. For June, we’re making family pizza nights extra fun and extra scrumptious by growing a delectable pizza garden full of tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, basil, oregano and more. With fresh-from-the-garden herbs and vegetables, kids will love planting, handpicking their toppings and building their pizzas from scratch (with the help of Mom and Dad, of course.)
Don’t forget to upload pictures of your kids planting their very own pizza garden. We’d love to see their delectable pizza creations, too! And if you’re interested in receiving a new kid-friendly activity every month, join the HGTV Family Gardening Club newsletter.
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Daily Delight: Wine Cork Bath Mat
Finally a great excuse to save all your wine bottle corks: upcycling them into a bath mat.
My tiled bathroom floor is currently devoid of a bath mat because I can’t stand the wet spots that occur on a rug after you step out of the shower. Slippery tile isn’t a great option either, so something like this cork mat is a great solution. There’s a handy-dandy tutorial on CraftyNest if you are inspired.
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Bring Bold Colors Into Your Home This Summer With My 3 Favorite Decorating Ideas
Raise your hand if you’re glad it’s summer! I’m certainly happy the sun is making a stunning debut and so is my home’s interior. We practically skipped the spring season here in Knoxville, Tenn., so my home was still feeling the dreary winter blues when summer came along. Not anymore! After lusting over the collection of palettes from HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams, I’m ready to douse my place in paint. Goodbye, beige! Last week, I shared my top five summer design tips and ideas, from outdoor entertaining to decorating with flea market finds, and this week, I’m bringing you my top three ways to decorate with color this summer. Hey, your interior needs to enjoy June, July and August just as much as you do! So grab a paintbrush and take note.
1. Use Classic Palettes: Preppy Hues Aren’t Just for the Country Club Set Anymore
It’s true. You don’t have to be a blue blood to bring a preppy design style to your home. Color combinations once associated with early 80s yuppies, British gentlemen’s clubs and university sororities are finding their way into everyday homes. My favorite style? Subtle yet traditional stripes with a pop of yellow. But then again, my girly side totally adores the Lily Pulitzer-style pairing of pink and green.
2. Say Hello to the Hottest Color Trends of the Season
Color trends change from season to season, so say goodbye to the soft grays of winter and welcome a bold, new color palette to your home. Set aside a weekend and repaint the walls of your favorite room, take a can of spray paint to that vintage garage-sale chair or paint a pattern on your floors or ceilings. A fresh coat of paint or a reupholstered piece of furniture can improve your mood and change the entire feel of a room, too.
3. Create an Intriguing Interior by Decorating With Contrasting Hues
I’m all about mixing and matching in my wardrobe and my home, so I’m thrilled to see contrasting hues as a summer design trend this year. Feeling like a daredevil? Update your traditional white trim with a fun hue, such as coral, green or blue. Not a risk-taker? That’s okay! Start slow by adding vibrant blooms to a space for a contrasting look that’s natural and temporary. If you’re in the mood for something edgy, try on a modern black and white color scheme.
For more warm-weather ideas, check out our collection of design trends for summer.
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Eclectic Decor is In: Learn About The Mix + Match Design Trend
Does the thought of sticking to one and only one design style leave you feeling constrained? Are you drawn to rooms featuring an effortlessly layered look that by the nature of its diversity feels well lived in and full of personality? For me, I’ve always been jealous of my sister and brother-in-law’s home. Somehow they’ve turned what in my hands would be cluttered chaos into an eclectic collage of vintage-modern masterpieces. I’ve come to the conclusion that some people are born with this innate gift (or is it a super power?) for mixing and matching disparate pieces of decor. Design Star winner Emily Henderson and HGTV favorite Erinn Valencich are masters of mix and match. Others of us can learn. If you, like me, adore but are slightly intimidated by this approach to design, then you’re in luck. Mix-and-match is hot right now. And by breaking down an eclectic space design layer by design layer, it’s possible for us mere mortals to pull of this cool trend. Here are four mini-lessons.
1. Farmer Chic, Living Area Designed by Gregory Augustine
I call this room “Farmer Chic” rather than shabby chic for the way it blends antique and modern, masculine and feminine, natural and industrial. (And also because there’s not a single Rachel Ashwell pink rose or cotton frill in sight.) This office loft resembles the army-floral clothing trend that’s been popping up everywhere. In this space, it starts with mixing of masculine – the artful arrangement of rugged antique tools on the wall and the exposed rough-hewn support beams. Then there’s the feminine touches of nature with the moss and flowers in a rusted industrial barrel on top of a coffee table that resembles bundled sticks. Plus, there’s the leaf print pillows in neutral tones. Mixed with these layers is the juxtaposition of the feminine curves of the armless contemporary sofa and rounded waiting area with the the sharp zigzags of the minimalist metal office table. The fuchsia sofa serves as the focal point and single dose of bright color. The introduction of more vibrant colors would have been too much.
2. Color Contrasts on a Safari, Designed by Peppermint Bliss
Color is where most of us start when designing a room. But going for big and bold in a room of white or taupe walls can be like jumping off a high dive for the first time. You might go splat…or you might make a splash. In this family room, the repeat of coral in the door and wall trim, in the geometric rug and in the wall art smartly offsets the focal point of the room – the navy blue velvet sofa. Without those bright accents, the L-shaped sofa would swallow up the space. Global style adds another design layer, as seen in the lion and tiger pillows, the gold elephant, the framed ethnic art and the travel trunk. The third layer is the mix and match of the vintage trunk, the mid-century mod Eames chair and the traditional tufted sofa. The restrained repeat of squares and rectangles provides pleasing framing.
3. Preppy Exotic Layers, Designed by Erinn Valencich
Erinn Valencich‘s “Preppy Exotic Layers” home office is, at the same time, sophisticated, attention-grabbing, global and classic — similar to the exotic & preppy fashion trend swirling around right now. Without reserve, Erinn layers the delicate trellis graphic of the wallpaper with the ornate mirror; the thistle-printed bench with the Asian silk boxes and the diagonal striped pillow. There’s also the exotic zebra stripes, traditional striped pattern on the upholstered chair and the preppy chic geometrics on the drapes. A Pangea of design exists in the presence of Asia, Europe, Africa and America all in one room. It’s the essential layer of “white space” in the pillow, desk, bookshelf, lampshade, roman shade, wall and urn that provide a visual breather from the play of pattern as well as the strong Mandarin red and royal blue.
4. Organized Eclectic Clutter, Shelf Designed by Emily Henderson
Study stylist Emily Henderson if you love California cool, mid-century mod, 70′s chic and ethnic treasures. Also because she’s a virtuoso of “organized eclectic clutter” vignettes. In this display, the swirls in the abstract graphic wallpaper and the cluster of greenery provide movement while the evenly spaced horizontal and vertical repeats in the wooden bookshelf anchor the display. Then the vertical and horizontal lines of the bookshelf, books, and picture frames are softened by the rounded vases and pots. She cleanly mixes organic elements in the pottery, wood grain and greenery with the metallics found in the ethnic trinkets and silvery gray wallpaper swirls. (A metallic and jeweled antelope, the focal point in this display, sits off camera left.) All together, it’s a visually exciting asymmetrical but balanced display.
Like Emily, Erinn and these other designers, you too can transform mismatched treasures hiding in the back of your closet into a decorative work of art. Or that odd assortment of furniture and decor you’ve inherited, married into and purchased over the years into a statement room you’ll love. It’s all about being aware of your layers, picking your focal point, playing with contrasts and finding balance. I think I can do it now (with a little help from my big sis), how about you?
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