Nearly 200 ladies started the year of America’s 250th with a sumptuous luncheon at a private club on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, each place setting gracefully adorned with a miniature commemorative Apricot’s Home Blossom Candle, a token party favour just the right size for a lady’s afternoon purse . The VIP gift bags were filled…
Tag: custom decor
Custom decor: make your own pine toy box
The toy box in the picture was designed based on the beer crates that Detroit Brewing Company used to carry bottles of beer more than a century ago. I loved the cool, industrial feel of the Martzes’ beer crates, but wanted something new and modern for my puppy to store her toys in. When it…
Sewing 101: how to make luxury pillow covers
In interior decorating, if you want overstuffed luxury throw pillows, your best choice is to make them yourself. In the picture, I replaced a set of Armani silk and golden silk wool pillow covers with a custom Mood Fabrics screenprint and silver glow in viscose-linen blends. The cost of fabric for designer pillow covers is…
Sewing 101: how to bind a blanket
Sooner or later, you will likely have a blanket that needs to be rebound. My puppy loves Pendleton blankets, but the binding the blanket in the picture came with was not a puppy-friendly material. I rebound the blanket with a more durable binding and mitered corners. You don’t need amazing sewing skills to bind a…
Custom decor: the power of an exclusive book
A well placed coffee table book that is exclusive and meaningful both brings authenticity to a space and inspires conversation. My sorority recently published a special edition book as part of the Gamma Phi Beta 150th Anniversary Oral History Project 2024. The Gamma Phi Beta book, In My Words, includes stories and photographs from thousands…
Furniture mods: upholstering like an expert
Upholstering your furniture with professional results does not require extensive interior design expertise. The papasan chair in the picture was transformed from a modern vibe to a rustic lodge aesthetic with a natural wool pillow cover. I used a wool wash with lanolin to soften the cover for an extra-cozy touch. Pillow covers versus upholstering…
Holiday decor: how to make gorgeous stockings
You don’t need to be a Martha Stewart to decorate your home with gorgeous, handmade stockings. Bucilla stockings are a beautiful do-it-yourself option that anyone can assemble. And, if you don’t want to DIY, there are a lot of mom-and-pop shops that will make custom stockings for you. When I was little, my mom hand…
Holiday decor: how to pick Christmas tree fence
Picking out a simple Christmas tree fence or collar can make it practical to set up a real tree that toddlers and puppies can enjoy. A little fence won’t stop anyone from munching on pine needles entirely, but it will make playtime near the tree a lot easier to supervise. There are a few pre-made…
Custom decor: better than a corkboard
Thanks to the proliferation of do-it-yourself crafters, there are a lot of bulletin board alternatives today that are visually appealing. The custom-made rattan board in the picture supports clips or pegs that can be permanently attached and won’t fall to the floor. I added this rattan board to the wall next to my front door…
Custom decor: make your own tavern sign
You can make your own custom decor that is authentic and one-of-a-kind without spending a lot of money. A tavern sign like the one I’ve rendered in Runway in the picture can be made for $20 to 50. The centuries-old logo from a family brewery makes it meaningful to me. At-home bars have surged in…