The April issue of Lonny magazine is out and it is filled with spring colors, amazing products, and beautiful homes. Here are my top 3 favorites -
Modular planter for city dwellers with green thumbs (via)
Brittany Asch quick guide to arranging a floral centerpiece (via)
In South Carolina, designer Angie Hranowsky shows how to make a rental home your own (via)
This week I had the pleasure of interviewing the amazing Kelly Edwards. She is the co-host and design coordinator of HGTV’s “Design on a Dime” as well as STYLE network’s “Tacky House”. Next month Kelly’s book, Design Cookbook: Recipes for a Stylish Home will be in bookstores and we have your first exclusive look! Check out my interview with Kelly after the jump -
Jada: First off, not really a question, but a shout out because you are from Chicago too and that is always exciting!
Kelly: So great to meet you and so excite to hear your from Chicago. Love the city. I’d move back in a second if I wasn’t doing the whole TV thing!
Jada: So how did you come up with the cookbook approach for a design book? It’s so different, but makes total sense!
Kelly: It was actually my dad that came up with the idea. I told him I was wanting to write a design book and he said, “Why don’t you make one that looks like a cookbook?” I thought, ” that’s ingenious!” Truth is… people love cookbooks even if they can’t cook. It’s such a great approach to design. If you give someone a photo, a recipe and a list of ingredients it makes it so much easier to complete a room!
Jada: Okay, here’s a design scenario: I want to spruce up my living room in 2013 for less than $200, what should I invest in to really make my home special?
Kelly: An amazing rug, lighting and some great pillows. An inexpensive sofa can be dressed up with great pillows. Texture is everything. Velvet pillows will make any sofa look and feel more expensive. Lighting is the most important thing in any design as well. The better the lighting, the better the room will look. You MUST invest in great lighting.
Jada: Anyone who’s seen you on television knows you’re amazing at repurposing. How do you approach turning something most people see as trash into some great treasure?
Kelly: Yes, this is definitely my favorite thing to do. If something has great bones, then it will look even better with a fresh coat of paint on it. A can of spray paint is every repurposer’s best friend. I always look at the integrity of the piece first. If it has character, it will look good in any color.
Jada: We are super stoked for entertaining this summer. What are some of your foolproof design tips for our readers to create an amazing space for their guests?
Kelly: Make it comfortable. Guests love feeling comfortable in a space.
1. Have great lighting. Lighting creates and sets the mood. I like to make sure everything is on a dimmer and there are plenty of candles floating around.
2. There is ample seating and it looks and feels comfortable. For instance, all of the chairs in my dining room have a faux sheepskin throw over them.
3. For years the big thing is the indoor/outdoor entertaining. I keep my decor flowing from indoors to outdoor to give my guests the chance to mingle in and out. I like the open space.
4. Music can make or break your party. Consider your guests taste when doing your playlist. My personal favorite [is] having all our guests pick an album from our collection. We love to play albums at the end of the night.
5. Make a self-service bar complete with your best glassware and nice fresh flowers. Let your guests know to help themselves. It eases the pressure off the host from having to keep refilling glasses all night.
Jada: What are the 5 things you are most excited about for 2013?
Kelly: 1. Traveling. I have the travel bug this year! I want to go everywhere and anywhere!
2. The book. My first book is out in May. Couldn’t be happier!
3. Getting married. We are working out the details now. Wish me luck!
4. Starting a business with my friend Jen Porter from Chic Living LA.
5. Learning to cook more vegan and vegetarian dishes. I’m kind of obsessed with it right now. Oh, and to make my own Chicago hot Giardiniera. I want to jar it and sell it I love it so much! You can’t find it here in LA.
Best wishes to Kelly on her book launch and upcoming wedding! Make sure to check out the look book for Design Cookbook before it hits stores. If you’re feeling lucky, enter to win a free copy at Goodreads.
Lets go outside!
via
Energy-Efficient Windows
Energy-efficient, replacement windows are designed to save you energy without sacrificing the functionality and features that you may be looking for when upgrading your home windows. This upgrade allows you to re-do your home for an affordable price and even save money on your electricity bill. These new windows may reduce your energy bill by around 15% and will help to protect the environment. You probably want to be able to let light into your home, but those old, outdated windows simply get too hot. With energy-efficient styles, the window panes will never become hot to the touch and will not allow air conditioning to seep outside of the house. Purchasing new windows can even save you money on your tax bill!
Modern Style Windows
Say goodbye to those plain, boring windows and hello to beautiful, brand new, modern windows for your home. Modern style windows will bring a whole new look into your space, providing you with a contemporary look that is sure to make any room pop. Bay windows are perfect when looking to create a focal point within the room. Windows can even be created in special and unique shapes to fit your style. Glider windows are ideal for kitchen spaces and can easily be opened to feel the warm breeze throughout the seasons. Other types of windows that you may opt to upgrade your house with include awning windows, casement windows and bow windows. This affordable upgrade is sure to turn a few heads and will put your house at the top of buyers lists when putting it for sale on the market.
How to Upgrade your Home for Less
You may be interested in upgrading your home simply to improve its overall look, to up the safety standards that your home offers or to get it ready for a sale. Whatever the reason, making these upgrades will only increase the value of your home and provide you with a more comfortable and efficient living space. To easily upgrade your home design, updating old and outdated windows is a simple option. Many older windows are simply out of date and may not be as safe as they were once considered to be. They may not open and close as smoothly as they used to, they may not lock anymore or they might just be easy to break into. Newer windows are more modern and energy efficient, giving you that new home design look that you’ve been longing for.
The hats and scarves have been put away, the house is clean – now it’s time to go shopping! All of the great new seasonal colors and trends have really helped to push out that final lingering winter weather. Pacing myself for what is sure to be a great shopping season, here are my top finds:
Delicate and a little dangerous Cut Lace Vanity Tray from Urban Outfitters (via)
Because Practice Makes Awesome Print by Bridgette & Michael (via)
With names like Kerfuffle and Molly Coddled, the Sweetie Shop Collection features perfect spring shades (via)
Every day is a Saturday with this Kate Spade Checkerboard set! Perfect for springtime rooftop parties (via)
These hand painted, handwritten letters by Janice MacLeod are gorgeous and unique. Who wouldn’t want this in their mailbox? (via)
The best apps for inspiration and organization from the pros (via)
What are you looking forward to in stores this season?
We all know spring is a time to refresh not only yourself but your home. But when you live in a smaller space it can be challenging to make a big impression. Lonny Magazine has just the thing to make sure your small space spring makeover will have you feeling renewed all year long.
Draw the eye up and dazzle with large pendant lighting and mirrors (via)
Christie Brophy, web editor at Lonny.com told us “People are often timid when decorating a small space and try to avoid overwhelming it with bold decorating choices. But by taking advantage of vertical space and playing with scale, you can fill your home with well-crafted interiors, regardless of its size”. Here are some photos of my favorite techniques:
Clearing the floor of lamps in favor of hanging or wall sconces (via)
Using dark colors to enhance the depth of your space (via)
Clearing valuable floor space of smaller pieces that clutter and replacing them with bigger furniture that creates the right balance in the space, are just the tips most of us miss when decorating. For more big ideas on small spaces visit Lonny.
With all the talk of spring there is one downside – the cleaning. If the stuff you’ve amassed all year is starting to make you feel a bit cluttered, try storing it. Granted you don’t want to forget about it, nor do you want to take up valuable closet space (hello, spring wardrobe!). So this post we’re taking a page from our favorite boy wizard and headed under the stairs!
Whether you want to show off, organize, hide, or get to work – we found some great inspiration that’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Show off your unique collection (via)
Simple shelves and baskets for storage (via)
A special place for the pups (via)
Pull out drawers conceal, while tiered shelves organize (via)
When you need a place all your own to get work done (via)
Highlight beautiful artwork and catch your favorite shows (via)
Storage with style: mirrored doors make space look larger (via)
A great workspace for everyone in the family
Check out some more examples in our previous posts here, here, here, and here!
Good luck!
Decorating Easter eggs is something even a child can do, but it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your amazing sense of style to have fun with the kids. Check out these contemporary takes on a timeless springtime tradition.
Glam up your dyed eggs with gold (via)
Get graphic (in a good way!) with your eggs (via)
Break out your paint brush and add abstract patterns (via)
Fabergé has nothing on this hand painted Ukrainian design (via)
Ostrich eggs + Modge Podge = a unique decoupage decoration (via)
Repurpose leftover party napkins (via)
No eggs in the house? No worries!
Strips of paper add a new dimension to holiday art (via)
This washi tape egg can be made 2-D or 3-D! (via)
“This is my design laboratory And things are always changing. ” Ellie Sommerville McNeven – Love her Harlem digs in the latest issue of Rue.
My focus for the next few days will be on a new project for DIY Network. What are you most looking forward to accomplishing this week?
xo
Manvi
Its nearly happy hour here on the East coast and I am just about ready for my glass of brut. 
Here’s a simple tip to enhance a glass of bubby: add a sprig of lavender to champagne for a refreshing and relaxing flavor.
Happy Weekend
xo
Here’s a peek from today’s shoot over at Living Social‘s 918F st offices. We created three tablescapes/ party decor looks for their marketing collateral.They have awesome event spaces which are a delight to decorate. I LOVE how everything turned out. Especially love the pics taken by Lisa Marie of Sweet Tea Photography. I am such a fan of her work and such a pleasure to team up with. Thanks for all your hardwork Lisa Marie.
Happy Spring, friends.
image: Manvi Drona
Absolutely inspired by the styling of this table by Lo Bjurulf for next week’s shoot at Living Social. I love the mix of colors, shapes and flowers.
Sweet Paul Magazines Spring 2013 issue is out and is filled with deliciousness.
Love this cute gold leaf egg DIY. Arrange in a bowl for a stylish centerpiece.
Rue mag’s editor in chief, Crystal Gentilello shared her tips to give your home a Spring makeover on Refinery 29
Helpful tips to living and maximizing small spaces on Remodelista
Would love to vacation at the Ritz Carlton Residences in Lake Tahoe; the decor by designer Jay Jeffers is such a sophisticated blend of modern and casual elegance.
Happy Weekend. xo
Oscar de la Renta, one of my all-time favorite fashion houses, recently unveiled their gifts and entertaining collection. You know how much I love tropical beaches so this island-inspired is just what I want to stock my entertaining cabinet with. Table settings crafted by artisans feature teak accessories, silver-plated flatware and indigo patterned cocktail plates.
Love the colors of this dip-dyed tray.
So Summer! My pick from the collection?
The shell crab condiment server! Makes a fun centerpiece too. See more from the ODLR gifts and entertaining collection here.
Apartment Therapy named polka dots as the interior trend of 2013, and it’s not hard to see why. Classic, contemporary, retro, and whimsical, peppering your walls with these spots can liven up any room while reflecting whatever your style may be. Check out some styles and get sprinkled with inspiration!
Classic: Whether creating a luxurious bedroom for you, a clean and individual space for kids, or a sleek guest bathroom, polka dots take the lead in creating a classy and classic atmosphere.
European style fairy tale via
can’t decided? do both! via
retro and glam! via
Monochromatic: Subtle polka dots can create a contemporary and slightly seductive look with barely any color.
manly and contemporary dots via
a whisper of polka dots via
Bright and White: Make an accent wall pop while tying the entire room together
Going green never looked so trendy! via
Make that accent wall stand out! via
A Few Freckles: If you’re not able to commit to a full on polka dot room, a few dots to highlight an area of a room go a long way.
Baby’s first interior decor via
Sprinkle of dots via
Snowflake-a dots, maybe? via
Whimsical: These imperfect specks are spot on! Create the look of a party that never ends with confetti-style polka dots. Get artsy with water colored, hand painted dots, in your favorite color. Or take it to the next level and bring polka dots to the third dimension!
Like glitter in the air! via
Watercolor Polka Dots via
3D Polka Dot Wall via
This brunch recipe is deceptively easy and takes literally no time at all, making it perfect dish for last minute brunch-parties. I used a 4″ ramekin with four eggs for two people or two eggs for one. The smaller 2″ ramekins would work but as well but only if you plan to serve these as a first course or side dish.
Recipe: serves 1
2 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons heavy cream
1/4 fresh goat cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons fresh thyme, rosemary, and parsley finely chopped
2 large eggs
Instructions:
Turn on oven to broiler setting on high.
Transfer heavy cream and butter to ramekin and place in oven for 2 minutes. Butter should have melted and mixed with cream. Drizzle half of the goat cheese and half of parmesan cheese on the butter-cream mix. Break the eggs with yokes intact on top of the cheeses. Sprinkle half of the herbs then drizzle remaining cheeses. Place in oven for about 8 minutes or until the yokes have cooked. Remove, carefully from oven and sprinkle remaining herbs. Let cool a little before serving. Ramekin will be very hot so best to serve on a wood board or plate.
Enjoy!
xo