02A by Georgiana Paraschiv // Fist Bump, Jazz Hands, High Fives by Maidservant of Encouragement // Personalized Number Poster by Evajuliet // Pineapple by Ez Pudewa
Why the Hell Not by alphonnisine // Hi Five! by tuesday mourning // Heck Yes by Read Between the Lines // Blackberries Pattern by Georgiana Paraschiv
Posted In create, illustration, paper goods, photography, prints
I’m doing my best to start thinking about Mother’s Day a little earlier than usual this year, my mom’s birthday is a week later and I always feel like I’m caught off guard. I’ve got my eye on these sweet personalized family trees from Evajuliet, you can choose from three to five generations and among 15 designs. (The deadline to order is April 18th.)
I’ve been wanting to try baking my own bread for years, but the task always seemed so daunting. Does anyone else feel that way? Thankfully no-knead bread is all the rage right now, and with it’s free-form shape is maybe the least intimidating bread ever. After some goading from my friend Joanna, I knew I had to try it for myself. The result? A perfectly crusty boule with a soft and chewy center, made from four simple ingredients that are probably sitting in your kitchen right now.
Overnight No-Knead Bread
• 3 C unbleached bread flour
• 1/4 tsp instant yeast
• 1 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 5/8 C water
• 16″ long strip of parchment paper, cut in half lengthwise
In a medium bowl, stir together ingredients until all the flour is moistened and it looks like a shaggy mess. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rise at room temperature for 14-20 hours (18 hours being ideal).
Have a strip of parchment paper approximately 6 x 16″ ready and waiting. Lightly flour a work surface and with floured hands fold the dough over itself twice. Recover loosely with plastic wrap and rest for 15 minutes.
Lightly flour hands and shape the risen dough into a ball, place it on the center of the parchment strip. Cover loosely with a cotton dish towel and rest for 2 hours (the parchment will act as a sling while transporting the boule). If you like, cut an X on top of the dough with a serrated knife.
Thirty minutes before baking preheat oven and a 6 to 8-quart dutch oven to 450-degrees.
When ready to bake, remove the lid from the preheated dutch oven and carefully lower bread dough with its parchment sling into the vessel. The parchment will hang over the edges. Cover and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake another 15-30 minutes until the crust is well browned. Cool completely before slicing with a serrated knife.
I’ve been playing the middle man between creators and my readers here on Design Crush for almost seven years. SEVEN YEARS! And oh my gosh do I love it. I could write the longest post in the world on how lucky I feel to do what I do every day and still not convey just how happy my work makes me.
It’s one thing to share all of this incredible work but it’s another to be a part of it, which is why I’m so thrilled to let you know that beginning in mid-May I’ll be one of 50 tastemakers opening a boutique on GREAT.LY!
So what is GREAT.LY, you ask? Good question. GREAT.LY is an invitation-only marketplace for makers and tastemakers. The tastemakers have the shops and do the selling, so that the makers only need worry about what they do best – making! I already spend my days finding fantastic things to share with you all, so it’s a natural fit. Here’s the breakdown of how GREAT.LY shakes out…
GREAT.LY is also looking for talented makers to set up their studios – nearly every creation is welcome! If you’d like to become a part of what is sure to be amazing you can fill out this form. I’m so looking forward to sharing my shop with you all once it opens next month!
Posted In shameless plug
I first discovered the work of jujujust a few weeks ago when researching a post about fiber tapestry art. And just WOW. Asheville-based Judit Just creates some of the most wildly beautiful textile pieces I’ve seen. Her handwoven tapestries are some of the best I’ve seen, but my favorite piece may well be the necklace above – so modern and intense!
When Le Creuset revealed their new matte collection a few weeks ago (it’s now in stores) I most definitely did a combination hold my breath/squeal/internal happy dance. I’m excited to check out these new muted tones from the company that’s known for bright and glossy pops of color in the kitchen in person.
After our teaser last week, I’m back today with my bathroom reveal for National Painting Week! That’s right, I went with a subdued version of the color that was already in play. There’s just something about a blue of any hue that feels refreshing. And because this is also the bath directly across from the guest room I wanted to keep things in the same color family to feel slightly related.
In case you need a reminder (it is Monday after all), here’s the bare bones empty before shot. My goal was to make this windowless hall bath as appealing as possible to buyers since I’m gearing up for a move and will soon be putting my home on the market.
I visited my local Sherwin-Williams store and picked up some paint chips to test against the light about a week before painting. This is definitely an important step, colors that differ only slightly can look hugely different depending on what light they’re in. The winner was Mountain Air, a super light blue-grey that feels unbelievably fresh and welcoming.
I really love how Mountain Air looks with the other elements I’ve added to the room – a new jade plant (that will hopefully survive!), a shower curtain with a splash of coral, and a few abstract drawings are all helping me achieve a relaxed feel. I also bought some new white towels and hardware to add to the equation for an overall refresh.
And then I went a little overboard and added a stack of favorite books because, well, it is a bathroom. I also like the pops of color and type they bring to the room. All in all I’d call this project a huge success! I think when I remove the pieces of my personal style any potential buyer should be able to picture themselves putting their own spin on this room.
Check out my fellow bloggers sharing their blue projects today for SWPaintingWeek.com – Remodelaholic gave her daughter’s room a refresh and The City Sage gave a side table new life. Tomorrow tune in to Vintage Revivals, Four Generations One Roof, and Simply Grove to see how they worked their magic with green!
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post for which I received compensation. All words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush going!
Posted In house and home, sponsored post, walls
01/ Project 22 is raising awareness about soldiers suffering from PTSD.
02/ Love this animation explaining how cats communicate feelings with their bodies.
03/ I’ve been waiting for the neckerchief to come back. (Seriously.)
04/ River Giants captures liquid splashes at high speeds.
05/ Secrets, tragedies, and more are inside Thomas Doyle’s dioramas.
06/ City Clips create a skyline while saving your place!
07/WarkaWater towers collects condensation for drinking water.
08/ Metal Cats, you know just metal heads and their adorable feline friends.
09/ Incredible portraiture food art by artist Nadia Luongo.
10/ What happens when undeveloped film is swallowed… and retrieved.
This week on Design Crush:
I’m starting moving prep on my house, beginning with the guest bath.
It was definitely an Insta March – whew!
Check out a dozen ways to decorate eggs + Bing Rewards program.
Get a great backpack and help secondary students in Zambia with be packs.
Make one of my favorite DIYs yet – faux stained glass windows!
Crushing on Howkapow’s spring collection in a big way.
I’d love to add a few of these geo ring holders on my dresser.
Meet my favorite new shoes for spring – Bucketfeet.
If you’re in the love it camp, here’s how to devour cheesecake 10 ways.
Mmmm, cheesecake. It lies in that polarizing area of food where people either love it or hate it. From this post you can guess which camp I’m in. My mom makes amazing cheesecakes, meanwhile I’ve never even attempted one. I think that needs to change in the very near future, and these are the ten front-running cheesecake creations for my make-it-or-break-it culinary experience. Which one should I go with?
Click on each image to go to the recipe.
All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.
Meet my absolute favorite shoes for this spring. Bucketfeet is a line of artist designed canvas shoes that are rocking my world right now. Every pair is designed by a different artist, and in less than two years the movement has grown to include 75 artists in 21 countries. From street artists in Bogota to graphic designers in New York.
I went with a pair of the Pasco 54, ridiculously comfortable canvas slip-ons designed by Olivier Vouzellaud, better known as Yamas. (You can even buy a print of the design!) And now I’m eyeing the Pineappleade and Mesa Sunset designs. This could turn into an addicting little habit fast.
I love that every pair has a story to tell, as does which design you choose to wear. Artists get the recognition they deserve and you get an incredible pair of kicks that help express your personality.
Photos Caroline Cohenour at Womb Gallery
Disclaimer: I was provided product in exchange for this post. All words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush going!
Posted In shoes, sponsored post, wear it