Sarah K. Benning is a fiber artist who splits her time between the United States and Spain. It wasn’t until after graduating college that she realized her love for embroidery and turned it into a career, however. All bets are off as Sarah creates, picturing each piece as an illustration and often abandoning traditional stitches and techniques in favor of creating textile art that’s vibrant and fresh.
1/ Tea Tree Oil
I’ve been using this stuff in multiples ways, including in my diffuser and on blemishes.
2/ PureAir 50
This little plug-in ionic air purifier is amazing. It cleans 350 sq. ft. of air by removing odors and reducing bacteria and viruses with activated oxygen. I have mine next to the cats’ litter box – the danger zone! – and noticed a total elimination of smell within about 15 minutes. It emits a kind of white noise sound when turned on, but I quickly got used to it.
3/ Lamb’s Ear
After years of admiration, I added one of these perennials to my porch collection. I’m hoping to keep it in a pot rather than have to plant it in the ground, but only time will tell how the plant tolerates it.
4/ Froozer Blue Aloha
These super natural treats are basically a frozen smoothie in a tube. They’re super tasty with only 35 calories and 9 carbs, which is a necessity for snacks with this type 2 diabetic.
5/ Common Goods Lavender Linen Water
I’ve been using this on my bedsheets for a few years now, I’m a real sucker for anything lavender scented as you may have noticed. This linen water is scented with 100% pure essential oil, is plant based, and biodegradable.
6/ Function of Beauty
Everyone’s been chattering about this line of shampoos and conditioners can that be personalized to your hair’s specific needs, and I’m here to report that the hype is 100% true! I love it and may never use another brand ever again. (Grab $5 off your order here.)
7/ Round Taper Planters
This spring I had to replace the large bamboo planters I’ve used for the past several years due to normal wear and tear. I wanted something simple and affordable that would complement my new black shutters and came across these fade and weather resistant ones at Target. They’re available in four colors and seven sizes! (I also have four of the 6-inch ones indoors)
8/ Vineyard Hill Naturals Cardamom & Fig Candle
You might think this scent sounds a bit heavy for spring, but it’s quite the opposite. And the soy-based candle’s jar is one I’ll definitely be reusing with that Greek key pattern.
9/ Spruce Cleaning Wipes
I’m kind of the worst at keeping my electronics clean, and these little wipes are a fun reminder (those faces!) to wipe everything down – they’re also great for your eyeglasses. Made in the USA, free of harsh chemicals like alcohol and ammonia, and vegan.
Maine-based artist Hannah Secord Wade creates luscious oil and acrylic paintings that are piles of… stuff. All sorts of things. But to me Wade’s Everything All Together series also resemble ice cream sundaes with multiple toppings, compost heaps from the kitchen, and tropical mountains.
While you’ll never convince me that a smoothie bowl is anything other than an excuse to eat your drink with a spoon, I’ll happily admit that they offer up some high quality visual appeal when done right. What’s more, if they get you to eat more fruits and vegetables than usual who am I to judge the method of transport. These beautiful concoctions have caught my eye and now I’m wondering – do you subscribe to the smoothie bowl trend? Have a favorite recipe?
Click on each image to go to the recipe.
All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.
You guys, I have warm weather on my mind in a big way. Yesterday I moved half of my indoor plants outside (onto my covered front porch in case of a late frost) and bought two peony roots to plant. Annika Von Hausswolff‘s photography makes me think of junior high summers, hanging out at the public pool with my best friend, listening to Top 40 music, and gossiping about boys. All good things.
There are three pieces of decor I switch up for spring and fall – bedding, rugs, and pillows. These are pieces that are easy to swap out to freshen up the feel of your home, as well as ones that don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. (Don’t get me wrong, I’m not running out twice a year to purchase new ones, rather just bringing them out of the guest room’s closet.) I tend to stick with a lot of neutrals so the switch may not be noticeable to anyone else, but even just a change in pattern makes me happy!
Cersei Decorative Pillow // Forma Pillow // Frayed Shaped Pillow Cover // Fringed Diendra Pillow
Geo Pillow // Indro Cushion // Linework Woven Decorative Pillow // Ligne Particulier Pillow
Macrame Diamond Pillow Cover // Nautique Pillow // Pleated Chevron Decorative Pillow // Roped Pillow
Bali Throw Pillow Collection // Stitch Stripe Pillow // Texture Knot Decorative Pillow // Totem Cushion
Vacita Pillow // Villa Stripe Pillow // Wallace Sewell Kente Crewel Pillow Cover // Zurich Geometric Throw Pillow
Posted In accessories, house and home, living, round up, series
Landscapes, nature, memories, identity, and place. All influence the large- and small-scale ceramic shard sculptures and installations created by Zemer Peled. Is it just me or are you dying to hold one in your hands, too?
While I’m 110% in love with my house, I also know that it’s probably not my forever home. Sometime in the next few decades I really want the experience of building from the ground up. And while my architectural taste runs the gamut, lately I find myself really drawn to a-frames and their steeply angled rooflines and modern yet cozy vibe.
via Design Milk
via Hi Consumption
I want to get up close and personal with Laura Moriarty’s sculptural paintings to see what each of those lovely layers is all about. The geological references are apparent, but I’ll let Laura explain her process.
Layers of color form the strata of a methodology in which the immediacy of the hand can translate a sense of deep time. Working and reworking molten, richly pigmented beeswax, I build each painting/object through a slow, simple yet strenuous physical engagement, which often becomes a metaphor for the ephemerality of life and civilization.
While I’ve shared plenty on the updates of the interior of my old, partially-flipped house, there hasn’t been nearly as much done on the exterior. Why? Simply put it’s more intimidating. But back in January I vowed that this is the year that things would get done, and I’ve started off by partnering with Mid-America to replace and add shutters to the front of my home. Mid-America is a leading manufacturer of siding accessories, and they also offer the largest selection of exterior home products in the industry, so I knew both me and my house were in the right hands.
Prior to now only one window had shutters of any kind, the large one on the first floor, front and center and a little to the left. They were wooden, measured incorrectly, and too short. The attic windows looked fine as they’re a more interesting design and flanked by shaker wood siding, but the trio on the second floor just looked… sad.
But no longer! From the street it looks like my house got a facelift. The good kind.
Every window was measured correctly this go around and the shutters installed like a dream with just a drill, screwdriver, and hammer. Mid-America offers a wide range of shutter styles and colors, all low maintenance with no painting required. They’re impervious to moisture and insects, which is something I highly value as the owner of a house that’s 117 years old, and made right here in the United States. I chose their straight top all louver shutter in black for all four windows and couldn’t be happier with the quality or end result.
On the list for 2017:
• landscape the small front yard, dispose of one hundred river rocks
• replace the porch light fixture with something more modern
• strip and paint back deck
• sand and repaint porch swing
Longterm plans:
• build wooden porch up to door height, railing, stairs
• have slate roof repaired
• landscape backyard
• replace porch roof support columns with a sleeker design
Get a load of the full-on before and after! Looking back the house seemed so incomplete without Mid-America’s shutters. Eventually I’d love to add sets to the windows on the back and east-facing sides for the full effect, but until then I can’t help but smile each time I pull into my driveway. Onto the next project!
This post sponsored by Mid-America. All words and opinions are my own, as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush creating fresh content!
Posted In behind the scenes, house and home, living, my house, outdoors, sponsored post