In Pictures: Decorating Ideas Inspired by the Week...

This week, I found myself peeking at some fun celebrity shots, from Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon to Heidi Klum at a magazine party. I knew that their sartorial style could be translated into cool interior decorating arrangements. Want to see how I did it? Take a look at the slideshow to see how these news-making celebrities provided inspiration for some fab furniture ideas. View Slideshow › Excerpt from: In...

San Francisco Air Conditioning Installations Spike...

It’s the season for air conditioning. If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, you may have noticed that air conditioning installations in full swing. CalFinder contractors have reported a whopping 35% increase in upgrades this June alone. But if you haven’t had your own system replaced in nervous anticipation of summer heat, don’t sweat it. You can upgrade your HVAC while keeping costs low for your...

A Little Birdie Told Me . . ....

The bird motif has been around for some time and it doesn’t seem like it’s flying anywhere. Both modern and traditional designers continue to embrace the birds. For avian lovers everywhere, here are some fun pieces to spruce up your nest this Summer. Whether it’s a traditional birdhouse or a decorative cage, these designs are sure to inspire the Audubon enthusiast in you and help an uninspired...

Will You Visit the Elizabeth Taylor Exhibition?...

Besides her prolific acting career, Elizabeth Taylor was known as a serious collector of jewelry, art, and fashion. Now, her collection will be showcased in a series of public exhibitions and special events curated by the auction house Christie’s, culminating in the sale of Elizabeth Taylor’s collection . The international, three-month tour will begin in September with stops in Paris, London, Los Angeles,...

Fourth of July Crafts Countdown: Bunting Banner...

Filed under: Crafts & Celebrations Get out your sparklers and strike up the marching band music…it’s time for our Fourth of July crafts countdown! Jessica Wilson Want a Fourth of July craft that you can do with kids? This festive bunting idea, designed by Jessica Wilson of Craft Magazine , nicely fits the bill. What’s even better about it is that it’s made from common household and crafty...

The World Is Your Orchid...

One of the most surefire ways to create a sophisticated home is to introduce an orchid into your space. The showy plant is elegant and delicate, and better yet, it’s remains in bloom for six to eight weeks. For those reasons, it has become a staple in designer interiors. Every decorator showcase house I’ve visited has been a hunting ground for orchids, and they’re found in the pages of nearly every...

Imposing Loft Design in San Francisco by Steven Vo...

Stunning interiors can be found all over. It’s up to us to recognise craftsmanship and innovative ideas when we see them. Take for example this loft reconversion. Designed and owned by well-known designer Steven Volpe , the loft situated on 355 Bryant St, San Francisco, California, displays surprising 18′ ceilings that draw natural light in and allow the inhabitants to feel like they are living in a grand open...

Sophisticated Ctrl-Alt-Delete Cup Set from ThinkGe...

The widely-used keyboard key combination served as inspiration for the inventive Ctrl-Alt-Delete Cup Set from ThinkGeek . The “sophisticated geek barware” will accompany your coffee breaks and you will be more energetic after a short break alongside your afternoon coffee. Just like your computer needs a break, so do you. The Ctrl-Alt-Delete Cup Set will restore your energy just like the key combination restores...

CustomMade Curator: Artichoke Table...

Filed under: Living Spaces CustomMade is a new site filled with fabulous furnishings, accessories and more that you can get, well, custom made. Here, we spotlight our favorite item of the week. Remind me to tell you about the time I looked into the heart of an artichoke…table. The oddball of the vegetable world is the unlikely inspiration for these end tables by Colorado-based David Rasmussen Design. (There’s...

Random Recast: Streamers Day 4...

Filed under: Crafts & Celebrations In Random Recast, we find new uses for ordinary things . This week: Streamers. Brie Dyas There’s nothing like candlelight to add a little extra ambiance to your party…until the wind snuffs it out. A hurricane lantern solves this problem beautifully, protecting the flame from gusts and breezes. And by hurricane lantern, I mean a typical glass mason jar. To dress up the...