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October 7, 2014

A Reading Nook Reimagined

This post is sponsored by Target. Shop Home Decor for modern luxury made easy.

In no particular order, three of my favorite things in life are reading, being cozy, and autumn. Luckily they go together perfectly, so this month I’ve teamed up once again with Target to create a reading nook that’s both chic and inviting. My recipe for a comfy little space like this one is one part knit, one part organic, and one part metallic.

In this case, the knit comes in the form of an afghan my 90-year-old grandmother made for me as a housewarming gift; it’s gorgeous and the perfect weight for chilly fall evenings. A colorful bouquet of flowers adds the organic touch, brightening up the neutrals that are popular this season and adding color to autumn days that tend to be slightly overcast. The metallic comes into play by way of this gold wire and wood accent table that manages to warm up the entire space, even with its slim silhouette. (And what reading nook could possibly be complete without a steaming cup of tea?)

Right now I’m in the process of finishing up The Vacationers, which has me and a few friends planning a trip to Greece and Turkey come spring 2016. I love how books have the ability to inspire real life adventures! What’s on your reading list at the moment?

This post sponsored by Target.

Posted In house and home, read up, sponsored post

October 3, 2014

Happy Weekend

01/ A behind-the-scene’s look at the Crayola factory.
02/ Krispy Kreme’s UK division made a box of 2,400 donuts.
03/ Why not park your keychain in a mini garage?
04/ Help the homeless by buying a font made with their handwriting.
05/ A smart necklace that’s like a locket for the 21st century.
06/ Three cheers for net neutrality! Support it with this enamel pin.
07/ Ten modern tea pots and kettles for fall.
08/ Show off your photos with this affordable smartphone projector.
09/ A colorful, modern chess set that can be used in a multitude of ways.
10/ The Planets is a 12-part animated short film about an alien solar system.

This week on Design Crush:
Modern wooden jewelry from BOUND.
One of my favorite breakfast/dessert hybrids – the Spiced Apple + Granola Parfait.
Risque textile art from Sally Hewett.
Checking in on a personal note for September.
House of Cardboard is exactly what it sounds like.
Fun, modern dog collars from K9 Couture Co.
Creepy India ink forests by Pablo S. Herrero.
Beautifully clean home goods from Ladies & Gentlemen Studio.
Furthering my fall scarf obsession with Dealtry.

Posted In accessories, do good, entertaining, food, happy weekend, house and home, kitchen, see it, technology, wear it

October 2, 2014

Ladies & Gentlemen Studio

I first took notice of Ladies & Gentlemen Studio after seeing their modern wind chimes, but when I dug a little deeper I realized that was only a tiny part of their clean aesthetic and offerings. The Seattle-based design studio is an ever-evolving set of ideas and experiments in small objects, home decor goods, jewelry, to furniture, lighting, and beyond. Here are some of my favorites.

Ovis Hanging Chair // Appetit Leather Trivets // Spun Pendant // Aura Single Ring Chime

(via Design Milk)

Posted In accessories, furniture, house and home, kitchen

October 1, 2014

K9 Couture Co.

K9 Couture Co. is a small, locally owned company I was introduced to shortly before leaving Oklahoma City. Crystal Young is the dog collar creator, as well as a veterinary tech, with a passion for animals. (A girl after my own heart!) She borrowed her mother-in-law’s sewing machine, taught herself how to use it, and K9 Couture Co. was born. Everything is chosen and made by Crystal herself. The collars are especially comfortable for your pup with a dose of style for you.

Posted In oklahoma, pets

September 29, 2014

Spiced Apple + Granola Parfaits

I can’t even tell you just how fantastic it feels to get back into the kitchen after months of packing and feeling so out of sorts during the move. But it feels so, so good. This recipe for Spiced Apple + Granola Parfaits are actually the first thing I’ve made in my new kitchen. They couldn’t be easier to pull together at a moment’s notice, and make a great stand-in for breakfast if I say so myself. Ahem. Hop over to Wayfair for the full (super-easy) recipe.

Posted In recipes

September 26, 2014

Happy Weekend

01/ Who says junk isn’t beautiful? The First Law of Kipple will show you in gradient fashion.
02/ A visual project exploring just what it means to be emotionally available.
03/ Well-executed “birth control” work from Julia Blackburn for Planned Parenthood.
04/ Giant copper orbs that show just how much metal comes from a mine.
05/ Pantone-inspired beer packaging from Txaber.
06/ Portraits of five men who participated in the Manhattan Project – in match form.
07/ A vertically-designed Ikea apartment you can climb!
08/ Before/After takes a look at hardcore metal band members before + after performing.
09/ Just what chemicals give autumn’s leaves their color?
10/ These beautiful knives only need sharpened once every 25 years. WHOA.

This week on Design Crush:
Happy go lucky animal illustrations by Kathy Lam.
Remixing a classic – lasagna 10 ways.
Storybook-ready illustrations by Isabelle Arsenault.
A super smart flat water bottle design, check out memobottle.
Beautiful minimal, geometric jewelry pieces from Rebecca Gladstone.
Tips+tricks for the dreaded act of moving house.
Thean’t be beat AW14 home collection from Ferm Living.
Six of my favorite additions to Design Crush the Marketplace!

Posted In ads, collaboration/project, create, grand design, graphics, happy weekend, house and home, installation, kitchen, mixed media, package, photography, street

September 26, 2014

The Marketplace: September

I’ve added a lot of great pieces to The Marketplace over the past month, especially in the Wear It and House Goods categories. You should definitely pop over to take a look, and if you aren’t already following @designcrush on Twitter do because you might catch a promo for free shipping!

Now that fall has hit us – okay, some of us more than others – I’m ready for spots of bright color in unexpected places. The above yellow shibori tea towel by Kristen Chandler has been such a happy spot in my kitchen for the past month. It’s a great size and the material is just the right thickness and absorbency.

Since moving I’m still in the process of framing the most recent additions to my art collection. Fading Lake Day by Lisa Golightly (one of my all-time favorite artists) has been sitting on the windowsill in my dining room for the time being and catches the best light every afternoon, a good match for Lisa’s washed out style.

Speaking of my new place, one of the first things I like to do after a move is do my very best to make it smell familiar. Like me, not its previous occupants. Wildfolk has an incredible line of eco-conscious, GMO-free, soy wax candles that are packaged the nicest recycled amber glass jars. I’ve been burning this night jasmine.

This Hapi Raw Silk Tray by Kristi Kohut is quite sturdy (perfect for this clumsy girl) and so pretty. I love the versatility of the 12 x 12″ size, I’ve been using it for my afternoon snack every day but plan on using it on my dresser as well!

And while we’re on the topic of snacks, this set of two walnut and beech double stripe snack bowls by Araya Jensen has made quite a few late night trips out to the living room full of dry roasted almonds (fine, and maybe a few kernels of candy corn). The natural woods and earthy tones also make them fantastic for fall entertaining.

This petit wood bud vase by Melanie Abrantes has been working overtime lately. It’s just the smallest, most perfect piece to hold a single bud that there ever was and the farmer’s market blooms I pick up on Saturdays have been keeping it busy.

Posted In accessories, create, house and home, kitchen, painting, paper goods, prints, the marketplace

September 25, 2014

Ferm Living’s AW14 Collection

I look forward to Ferm Living‘s new collections just about more than any other. They’re always perfectly put together because, well, those Danes just know what they’re doing when it comes to design. The autumn/winter collection for 2014 is full of fantastic use of sparse color and lines, as well as a few crazy patterns used with restraint.

Posted In accessories, furniture, house and home, kitchen, office, storage

September 23, 2014

memobottle

For years during college and post grad I carried around a water bottle, day in and day out. I always carried a messenger bag jammed full of too many things, but refused to do that thing people do where they attach their water bottle to the strap on the outside. I’m wondering how it took so long for someone to design this genius version – check out memobottle. It’s slim, BPA free, dishwasher friendly, and resembles the shape of various pieces of paper (specifically Letter, A4, and A5 sizes). The project is currently kicking ass and taking names on Kickstarter where its blown its initial goal completely out of the water.

Posted In grand design, house and home, kitchen

September 22, 2014

Lasagna 10 Ways

Until recently I never realized just how versatile lasagna can be. Of course the usual trifecta of pasta sheets, tomato sauce, and cheese is a sure win, but what about the myriad of fillings and forms – other than in a baking dish – for you to get creative and choose from? Warm and gooey foods were made for cooler months… you see where I’m going with this right? Take a peek at lasagna ten ways, and then tell us about your favorite way to serve it at home.

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

Posted In recipes, round up