outdoors Archives - Page 4 of 19

June 9, 2017

10 Days of Design Crush Anniversary Giveaways: Day 7 Lamps Plus

Ten years ago this month I started Design Crush as a place to gather inspiration for my day job as a graphic designer, and five years ago it became my full-time job. To thank you all, as well as highlight some of my favorite sponsors from over the years, we’ll be hosting ten days of giveaways in celebration of ten years of this little site that could.

Sayner Black and Antique Brass Swing Arm Wall Lamp Set

Lamps Plus, the nation’s largest lighting retailer, has a rather deceiving name – because the Plus is quite impressive as well. Working with them over the years, I’ve added several pieces to my own home from several of the different lines Lamps Plus houses under their proverbial roof. And over the course of time a few lines began to separate themselves as I found myself going back to their pages when I was in need (or want) of something new.

Helene Ceramic Table Lamp

So, I thought I’d share my two favorite Lamps Plus brands with you.

First let’s talk about lighting since that’s what they’re known for, my favorite being 360 Lighting. What really draws me to this line is the breadth of their design offerings, which leans in the bohemian, mid-century, industrial direction. Table lamps, floor lamps, wall lamps, and pendants, they’ve got it all and in finishes that I’m drawn to like a moth to a flame. I have a pair of the Helene Ceramic Table Lamps above on the nightstands in my bedroom and love the texture they bring to the space. Lately I’ve been eyeing a replacement for the arc floor lamp in my living room and keep coming back to pharmacy lamps as a possible option. The Dawson below is number one on my list, and you really can’t beat the price!

Raleigh 17-inch Oil-Rubbed Bronze and Antique Brass Pendant

Dawson Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp

DelRay Bay Outdoor Accent Chairs Set

Now, let’s get on to the plus because it’s just as fantastic. Doing a quick inventory of my home I realize I own a bench, a bookcase, an armchair, two dining chairs, and a throw pillow from Lamps Plus. And that’s just on the inside! I may love the outdoor pieces even more, two of which are from Teal Island Designs. A few years back I picked up a set of red DelRay Accent Chairs (above), and they adorned my front porch before moving to the back deck this year to act as extra table seating. This spring I took full advantage of the current wicker trend by adding two Hyacinth Accent Tables (below) to the porch for plants. (More to come on that in the next week!) Teal Island’s pieces are made to be used, meaning they can take some wear and tear. Such an important quality when it comes to furniture that’s going to be exposed to the elements.

Kai Water Hyacinth Indoor-Outdoor Accent Table

Fletcher Adjustable Back Adirondack Chair

La Jolla 5-Piece Wicker Sectional Soft with Firepit

If you’ve seen something you’d love to add to your own place, or want to browse Lamps Plus a bit, you’re in luck because they’re kindly giving one reader a $250 gift card! Check it out, there are 22 ways to enter but only 48-hours so get going!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted In behind the scenes, house and home, lighting, living, outdoors, series, shameless plug, win it

June 7, 2017

The Epoch Collection

A cycling helmet that actually looks decent? Sign me up. We all know how important it is to wear one, but but most are so unappealing. Thousand saw the problem and created a solution – The Epoch Collection. A modern look that’s the opposite of the bulky headgear you’re likely used to, an innovative design fit for commuters and urban explorers alike. There’s also the Secret Poplock System that allows you to secure your helmet to your bike, Thousand will actually replace your helmet if it gets stolen while attached. Add in the seven vents, three cooling channels, and vegan leather straps and I dare you to find a more appealing helmet.

Posted In accessories, living, outdoors, style, wear it

May 31, 2017

May Favorites

1/ EcoBark Dog Harness
After years of searching for a harness that helped control my dog’s tendency to pull, as well as one that fit her broad chest/small neck measurements, I’ve found it. This thing is a lifesaver and the straps are made from recycled water bottles – bonus. (Note: runs small)

2/ Lemon Tree
Plants are therapeutic for me, and I picked up one of these little guys during a plant buying binge. I liked the idea of trying to grow it so much that I bought my Grandma one for Mother’s Day, too. No doubt hers will be five feet tall before mine hits 18-inches!

3/ Native Union Night Cable
This ten-foot long cable is amazing for charging your phone and devices while lounging in bed. The weighted knot anchors it to any surface, so you’re not left searching for your fallen phone when the alarm goes off in the morning.

4/ Elemental Coffee
My favorite coffee from when I lived in Oklahoma City remains my favorite 2 1/2 years post-move. The small batch roastery imports and roasts their own, and you can order a subscription service to show up on your doorstep. I highly recommend the Perusha.

5/ NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Red Square
A classic orangey-red that looks amazing on any skin tone, it’s been my go-to for a few years.

6/ Case Study Bentwood Tray Table
I rely on this tray table in the evenings, when I’m sitting on the couch with the dogs and either listening to records or half paying attention to something on television. It’s a great height and wide enough that I can sit crosslegged under it.

7/ Bebe drawn by Preserve a Moment
The super talented Susanne Kasielke drew my pup, Bebe, from a photo I’d shared in Instagram months ago. Her work is top-notch and I suspect it won’t be long until I commission her to illustrate my other pup as well!

8/ Tadesse Bucket Bag
The perfect bag for summer, its roomy interior provides so much space for essentials while the drawstring closure keeps it all secure. (It’s also available in a mini size and several colors of leather!)

9/ Yucca Plant
I had no clue that yucca plants could survive outdoors in Pennsylvania, or that I had three in my front yard, or that they bloom sporadically! Mine sprouted some tall stalks just about overnight, now I’m waiting for their white bell-like flowers to bloom.

Posted In bags, beauty bag, create, favorites, food, furniture, house and home, illustration, living, outdoors, pets, series, style, technology, wear it

May 30, 2017

Panama Banana

The unofficial start of summer is finally here, and it’s time to take advantage of everything we dreamed of during those long winter months. Agota Rimsaite has designed the conceptual Panama Banana, a dual-purpose piece of furniture that’s meant for relaxing as well as playtime. Turn it one way and you’ll be relaxing in a hammock, flip it ninety degrees and you’ll have a soccer goal!

via Design Milk

Posted In concept, create, furniture, house and home, living, outdoors

May 17, 2017

OPUS Cycles

Though I don’t get out on my cruiser as often as I’d like, I’m forever ogling well-designed bicycles. My latest crushes are Ecce Cycles‘s OPUS carbon frame bikes. One is a cruiser, one is a sport, and one is electric – all three offering the perfect balance of function, style, and efficiency. And if you don’t ride, well, the design definitely qualifies as art!

Posted In living, outdoors

May 16, 2017

10 May DIYs

Click on each image to go to the project.
All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.

Posted In accessories, bags, birthday, entertaining, furniture, holidays, kitchen, living, make it, outdoors, round up, series, storage, style, wear it

May 12, 2017

Plant Lovers Anonymous

Brass Svante Watering Can // Brass Arthur Planter // Wood Box Planter // Boskke Cube // Adelphi Planter // Succulent Planter // Garden Tool Set // Riveted Planter // Glowing Arbor Pots // Grow Greenhouse

Are you elbow-deep in potting soil, too? So far I’ve already moved the majority of my indoor plants onto the front porch and repotted a bunch of succulent babies. This weekend three peony bushes, two peony roots, two oriental poppies, and heirloom tomatoes are on the docket for planting. I love how greenery and flowers make any space feel more alive, but always seem to be running short on pots and planters. It turns out now is the perfect time to stock up – plenty of these are on sale!

SALLADSKÅL Watering Can // Saboten Gardening Tools // Radial Vessel Small Planter // Nuelle Pot // Mod Double Planter and Drainage Tray Set // Tall Power Planter // Breathable Large Planter // Marble Terracotta Planters // Menu Wire Planters // Metal Raised Garden Planter

Stainless Steel Watering Can // Parker Planter + Drainage Tray Set // Single Herb Wall Planter // Tokyo Composite Pot Planter // Spun Metal Standing Planters // Terracotta Planter // Sophie Conran Garden Tools // Strawberry Navy Planter // Parker Planter + Drainage Tray Set // Sage Garden Pots

Posted In house and home, living, outdoors, round up, series

April 27, 2017

April Favorites

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.

Posted In accessories, beauty bag, favorites, food, grow it, house and home, living, outdoors, series, style, technology

April 21, 2017

My House Got a Facelift

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

April 20, 2017

Let’s Talk Pergolas

The to-do list for my home is a mile long, but near the top is the addition of a pergola. If you’re unfamiliar, a pergola is an architectural element originally used in ancient Greece and Rome to better define an outdoor space that’s gaining momentum in the current day. It usually consists of parallel colonnades that support an open roof of girders and cross rafters.

Pergolas are great privacy and shade solutions because, really, there are no rules. They can be built out of wood or steel, with a traditional or modern design or somewhere in between. Add fabric panels to the sides for additional privacy, let vining plants climb up to and cover the roof, add solar panels, or top it off with a plexiglas covering for protection from the rain. Your pergola can be freestanding in the middle of the backyard or built on top of a porch or deck, or maybe you’d just like to build one over your old concrete patio. See? Not many rules here.

I’d like mine to be similar to the second one below, but the wood painted white instead of black to keep the heat to a minimum during summer. Honeysuckle would climb all four colonnades and wind around the girders where it would mingle with strands of lights with edison bulbs. I’d have a few planter boxes on one or two of the sides that would blend in, and maybe a canvas tarp that could be attached to the four corners for shade on especially hot days.

But I haven’t put much thought into it.