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Have a Happy Fourth!
Here in the US we’re celebrating our Independence Day - otherwise known as The Fourth of July. Should I sew up a dress with Fireworks fabric designed by Jessica? Wear red, white & blue? Such decisions!
Fireworks, a picnic and my art project are on my To-Do list this fine weekend. What’s on yours?
International Design Hole Day Off
No, I didn’t get eaten by a giant lobster while in New Hampshire at my family reunion last weekend. I came home with a terrible cold and have decided to take the rest of the week off to recuperate and catch up on work.
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I promise to return with lots of great decorating tips, ideas, and a terrific giveaway next week. I hope you all have a wonderful Fourth of July. And for my international friends, a wonderful Bastille Day, or Canada Day. If that doesn’t cover it, how about an official International Design Hole Decorating Day?
Here are some ideas:
- Repaint a room
- Collect all the clutter and old clothes and hold a garage sale, or donate to charity.
- Plant some flowers in pots for the patio.
- Take a nap in a hammock and sip a cold drink.
- Shovel the walk (if you live in the Southern Hemisphere).
- Catch up on all your favorite Design Hole posts!
I’ll see you next week.
MarieBelle Chocolate
I’m taking a quick break from vacation (in New York and New Hampshire) to share this treat I found via my friend, Minnie. Thanks, Minnie! (I think)
MarieBelle Sweets, on Broome Street, in SoHo, is both a chocolatier, and a tiny restaurant that serves very dangerous hot chocolate. It’s like drinking a cup of the gooey insides of a lava cake. Just thought you’d like to know.
I’ll be back on Tuesday with lots of great decorating ideas for summer. Stay tuned!
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Off to New York
Our son is headed for Tanzania for a 20-day trip with National Geographic ’s expeditions for high school kids. As we’re going to New York to see him off, we thought we’d take the rest of the week off. 
While I’m gone, why not think up some design dilemmas for me to help you with when I return? Send photos and a description of your dilemma and I’ll spruce up your living room, bedroom, outhouse. You decide.
See you in a week.
Chair of the day: Cuchara chair
This little spoonful of seating fun, the Cuchara Chair, is from Resource Furniture. It was designed by Diego Granese.
Their version of the spoon chair has me wondering if it reminds you of that old and great dinner time amusement - lobbing peas from your spoon across the table at your brother. Does it?
DIY Party decorations from France
The weekend is upon us and some of us are looking for an excuse to throw a party. So, here’s a craft project from L’Atelier Modele that will provide just that. I’m sending this out to my French and Canadian friends in particular.
L’Atelier Modele creates designs for all sorts of party decorations. Everything from placemats to name tag holders. I love their gift boxes. 
They’ve even done the centerpieces (lotuses). There’s a special section just for the luminaires.They’ve done the designing. You buy the instructions and materials to make them. As I said, this is for my friends, like Kim, who speak French. You’ll need to, or use a translation tool because the site is written entirely in French. But hey, it’s never too late to learn a new language.
I am a closet crafter, but don’t know a lot about the subject. If you’re into crafting, I suggest a visit to Poppytalk.
At any rate, do you know of a similar US site? Is this too Martha Stewart for you?
Friday Favorite: Caleb Siemon
I just bought this bowl, handmade by Caleb Siemon, for a front hall table. It will share the space with some Jonathan Adler couture ceramics.
I adore Caleb Siemon’s work. The way the light plays with the bands of color. This is his closed bowl style. It comes in 2 sizes and retails for around $650.
Caleb makes lots of different styles and colors. You know me, I love saturated color.
These are a couple of examples of his lighting products. Aren’t they cool? I adore the pendant on the right. It’s Lighting Love as far as I’m concerned.
If you’d like to learn more about Caleb’s work, visit his site here. To buy his products, check his site for store locations.
Which do you like better, the chunky pendant or the striped?
Chair of the day: Jimmie Martin
I could kick myself when I see things like this. I’m reminded of the time I refused a grimy, old Victorian settee. I couldn’t see past its Victorianess. Fortunately, my creative mind was opened after a trip to Tibet.
I’m lying about the trip to Tibet - never been there. Let’s just say good things come along if you hang around long enough.
Anyway, this chair is the work of UK designer, Jimmie Martin. You can read all about himand see more styles at Urban Lifestyle Decor. Hop on over!
Design Dilemma: what do to with a blank wall
I’ve received a request from Nikki for help with her new home. Nikki wants some advice on what to do with a blank wall.
She says, “The color is changing to a warm yellow. It’s been suggested that we mount a giant stuffed grizzly. Another friend suggested a collection of round mirrors. My aunt suggested a giant clock. I plan to do a photo grouping on a different wall. I suppose I could do another one here. I have no shortage of photographs to choose from.
It’s times like this I wish I had some sort of collection (well, actually… I do have a collection of cameras ranging from modern to plastic toy cameras and much older cameras that used to belong to my grandparents in the 50s/60s. Maybe I could find a way to mount them here? Or just use shelves? Eep. I’m not sure.”
Nikki, I love the idea of showing off your camera collection. Here’s how I would do it. Start with wooden boxes (IKEA has great ones). Paint the boxes inside and out. Use a bright color for the inside back side. The blue from the walls in the kitchen and dining room would be good. Hang these on the wall and place your cameras inside.
One concern is that it looks like this is a major traffic area. Make sure the cameras won’t interfere with people moving around.
Does anyone have a good idea for this wall? Let’s give Nikki an assortment of opinions to choose from. And Nikki, let us know which one you decided on.
Crafty tutorials at Poppytalk
If you’re a crafty sort of person, Poppytalk has a nice list of “How-To” tutorials on their blog. Scroll down and you’ll find links to things like button and stencil making.
I like to paint, needlepoint, embroider and sew - though it’s hard to find time for it. What do you like to do?
Going Big with Graphic Wallpaper Patterns
Wallpapers aren’t just back in style, they’re back with a vengeance. Big, bold patterns are a great way to make a bold statement.
You can’t get much bolder than Marimekko’s Unikko pattern. Try it on one wall, or all four in a small area like a hallway.
Black and white patterns look great and are easier to work with. They’re not blinding. Use color is in the accessories. Here I’m showing Walnut’s Little Whales pattern, and Graham & Brown’s Suzanne.
Bedrooms are a favorite place for a patterned wall. Anna French’s Glamour Collection is a particular favorite of mine.
If you want to use bold patterns like this, here are some tips:
- Try a colored pattern on one wall. Paint the other 3 in a matching color.
- Cover all four walls in a small space. This is the best way to make use of a bold pattern. A large room might create a kaleidoscope effect.
- Don’t stop at the walls - think about the ceiling, too. A powder room would look terrific covered in a bold print. Use a matching fabric on the window.
Are you brave enough to try a big, bold pattern?
Chair of the day: African themed chair
My son, Spencer, is headed to Tanzania for 21 days on Saturday. He’s cool as a cucumber. I’m a tad nervous. But I’m doing a good job keeping it to myself. Tonight we pack everything up into his suitcase. Then, he has to practice running up and down the stairs with all his luggage to see if he really needs everything that’s in there.
In honor of his trip, I thought I’d choose a chair that’s somewhat African.
This Zebra Print Arm Chair is for sale at a very good price ($199.95) over at Overstock.com. This chair actually looks pretty good. And for $200 you can’t go wrong.