Shelterpop

Cold Bed Rescue: Our Favorite Flannel Sheets

Laura Eckstein — 2011-02-28T11:19:00 00:00

Filed under: Bedroom, Your Home, Fun Stuff

Say no to a cold bed. Here, we test five sets of flannel sheets and pick our faves. Get ready for the big warm up.

In the midst of a brutal winter (hello snopocalpyse!), there is nothing better than crawling into a warm, cozy bed. But if you're sleeping on regular old cotton sheets -- that absorb the cold air all day -- the moment your skin hits the sheets can be a shockingly unpleasant one. No fear. There IS a way to avoid this problem, other than wrapping yourself in fleece pjs and seventeen layers of thick socks.

Clockwise from top left: Sealy; JCPenney; Lands End; LL Bean; Target

The solution is...drumroll please...flannel sheets!

ShelterPop editors had the opportunity to test sleep five different sets, some gorgeously plushy, and some, well, not so much. We've taken the guesswork out of choosing the best brands for your buck, and rated the sheets on a scale from 1 to 5 (5 being the best overall quality). In our ratings, we considered the following: softness, fit, warmth, how well we slept and durability after washing.

Sealy Best Fit Flannel Sheets, $59.99 for a full set
These sheets had very, very good, and very, very bad qualities. They fit the best out of all five sets -- no unecessary fabric, and that meant no extra folds or lumps to deal with. On the other hand, these sheets pilled immediately and seemed to get worse after washing. Phrases like, "ball up", "shedding" and worst of all "coated my pajamas" were common. In lieu of that, the sheets were generally soft and comfortable, but "nothing special." One tester said, "They didn't even feel like flannel, really. They were more like regular sheets. But isn't that a good thing?" We all slept "fine," but for the money, these sheets were just okay.

Overall Quality: 3

JC Penney Home Flannel Sheets, $24.99 for full set
We normally heart JC Penney, so we were surprised at how much we disliked these sheets. Phrases like, "These were seriously the worst sheets I've ever used in my whole life," and "So pill-y, my entire room -- egg crate, carpet, pillows -- is still covered" dominated the comments. Testers found them "scratchy" and difficult to sleep in. After washing, the already thin sheets "seemed to thin out even more." Another said the texture was "similar to a tissue." Eek. The price is right, so they'd be good to have around in a real pinch. But besides that, we'd say pass.

Overall Quality: 1

L.L. Bean's Ultrasoft Flannel Sheets, $65.85 for full sheets (sold separately, includes flat sheet, fitted sheet and two standard pillowcases)
These sheets earned rave reviews for their "totally luxurious," "very warm, but not TOO warm," "soft and pillowy" feel. One tester said that they were "the absolute best sheets I'd ever slept on in my life", and found herself dreading having to take them off to test the next set. Even after washing, the sheets retained their cushy-ness and their resemblence to "thin blankets." The one negative? Pills. Everywhere. But, that was "forgivable because they were so good." One lone tester was not a fan, due to said pills and "average" comfort. But overall, we likey.

Overall Quality: 4.5

Lands' End 5 oz. No-Iron Portuguese Flannel Sheets, $69.50 for full set
"Thick and cozy" but almost "too warm," some testers would only save these sheets for the coldest nights. Others felt that the "buttery, luxurious texture" was "absolute perfection." The fit was like most of the other sheets we tested -- too big, especially the pillowcases -- but nothing a little tucking under the mattress couldn't fix. One tester found the sheets very soft and cushy initially, but they "didn't hold up that well after washing." "After a week of sleeping on them, they started to lose their soft, flannelly feel." But another loved them so much that after many weeks of having them, she "has not used anything else."

Overal Quality: 4

Target Flannel Sheet Set, $20 for full set
As an experienced Target sheet owner, I expected these sheets to live up to the "I can't believe how great they are for the price" expectation. Happily, I was not disappointed. They felt less like flannel to me and more like "warmer-than-normal-sheets," but that was ok. One tester put them on her bed one night without telling her husband. When he got into bed, he said, "Wow. What sheets are these? These are NICE." She agreed and found them super warm, like "enveloping your whole bed in a slipper sock" and thought they were made of the kind of flannel "that you'd want to brush against your face in the middle of the night." Nice indeed. Like all of the other sheets we tested, they did get "less soft after washing," but overall they were "very warm" and a wonderful value. Editor's Note: While these sheets are no longer available, we still included them to prove that a low price tag doesn't translate to low quality.

Overall Quality: 4.5

What are your favorite type of sheets? Do you switch them out with the season? Let us know on Facebook!

For more ideas on making your bedroom cozier, don't miss:
Great Headboard Ideas
A Grown Up Bedroom Makeover
Off to Buy a Matress: 5 Questions to Ask

Here's a video about decorating a cozy guest room.

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Weekly Link Love

Laura Eckstein — 2010-11-20T09:57:00 00:00

Kate Middleton's new digs, caring for potted plants in the winter and the chic chalet look...what we're lusting over in the blogosphere this week.

Jonathan Adler's living room is exactly what you'd expect from this color and pattern happy designer. We love it! Photo: Jessica Antola through Hooked on Houses.

Just looking at designer/potter/all around happy guy Jonathan Adler's NYC living room is enough to turn that frown upside down. [Hooked on Houses]

It's finally official -- the future king of England is gettin' hitched! For the first three years of marriage, Kate Middleton and Prince William will take residence at his rented farmhouse in Northern Wales, and Middleton will have free reign to decorate as she wishes. The Stir takes a stab at what she might do. [The Stir]

If you keep this book on your coffee table, it's pretty much guaranteed that people will think you're a sweet, nice person, no matter what you did last night. [Lemondrop]

Jen from DIY Life tells us how care of our outdoor potted plants for winter. It's easy -- bring them inside! [DIY Life]

Schoolhouse Electric's new line of pendant lights are perfectly industrial and of the moment. [CasaSugar]

Check out this prime example of eco-chic decor at it's very best. [Pretty Little Things]

For that cozy/super-luxe feel at home there's no need to fly to Aspen. Transform your own place into a chic chalet with these amazing accessories. [The Inside Source]

Vincent Kartheiser, ake Pete Campbell from Mad Men has made several green choices in his life, including not having a car in LA (or a driver), deciding not to have children, and xeriscaping his lawn. Huh? We were confused too. [The Frisky]

We are in love with the colors and style of photographer Erika Hokenson's jewel-toned bedroom in her tiny jewel box studio apartment in NYC. So regal. [Apartment Therapy]

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Map Art: From Old Maps to New Decor

Laura Eckstein — 2010-11-12T14:19:00 00:00

Filed under: Your Home, Fun Stuff, Design, etc

Repurposing maps as art and decor adds a sense of adventure and whimsy to any home.

I've always been fascinated with maps and globes. Ever since childhood, I remember being drawn to the sense of adventure, travel and mystery conveyed by maps. My sister and I would take turns spinning the globe, shutting our eyes and planting a finger on a spot -- that was to be our next trip.
But one map stood out above all, and it resided at my great aunt and uncle's home in New Jersey. As travel agents, they had been all over the world, and they displayed their accomplishments in the form of a huge, stately map stuck with hundreds of pins; each one marked a visit to a particular place. China had about 12 pins, Spain had 10, even places as far off as Papua New Guinea were marked more than once!

Laura Eckstein

Maps and globes still offer that lovely sense of adventure, even when I'm stuck at home in my Brooklyn apartment. So the question arises, why not use them as decor?

Maps are inexpensive (or free), have a range of colors and shapes, look fantastic on the wall and work well to update a bland piece of furniture or accessory. In addition, repurposing maps as artwork is a green choice. Since my main form of exploration these days is on my bike, I decided to use a New York City bike map -- free at any bike shop -- to cover a boring white tray (shown above).

But maps are even better when used as wall art. Here are some interesting ideas I found around the web.

Courtesy of Elledecor.com.

Elledecor.com did a fantastic slideshow of affordable artwork using maps. One of my favorites was this simple idea -- enhance a large vintage map with globes in a variety of sizes and colors. The blue and black tones all manage to work together. Since leopard print is the new neutral in fashion, could map print be the new neutral in home decor?

A whole wall of map art. Photo: Courtesy of Elle Decor.

Another great idea from the Elle Decor story -- use maps as wallpaper. Actress Julianne Moore chose this world-map mural by Hammacher Schlemmer to cover a wall in her son Caleb's bedroom. Paired with the lion and bicycle, we can only imagine the type of adventurer he's destined to become!

Courtesy of Nibs.

Martha B., author of the blog Nibs, gathered a plethora of really creative map-decor ideas. I've always yearned for a vintage pull-down map, like the ones we all had in class years ago. Why not use a few as a clever alternative to window shades? Daydreaming would be possible with the shades open, or closed.

Courtesy of Pure Green.

Another smart idea from Pure Green -- adding maps to the back of a glass paneled door. Not only does this add privacy to an office or guest room, but it makes the door infinitely more interesting!

We love maps. If you do too, don't miss:
- Map-Inspired Home Decor
- Mapping Out Good Decor: Rooms That Inspire
- Maps in the Dining Room

And of course if you're now anxious to travel, check out AOL Travel!

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Color Diary: A New Place For Pink Decor

Laura Eckstein — 2010-11-12T13:06:00 00:00

Filed under: Color, Your Home, Design, etc

Pink decor moves out of the nursery and into the rest of the house.

If there is any one color to be associated with femininity and girlishness, pink is it. We all know that today in western culture there is a commonly held belief that pink is for girls -- hello Barbie, fairy princesses and ballet! -- and blue is for boys. Interestingly enough, pink was actually associated with boys from the 1920s to the 1940s.

Courtesy of Serena & Lily / courtesy of Virgin Media

According to a Ladies' Home Journal article from the 1920s, "The generally accepted rule is pink for the boy and blue for the girl. The reason is that pink being a decided and stronger color is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl." Wow. Times definitely have changed! In the 1940s, these gender specific color assignments inverted and took on the familiar role they play today.

Today, the color has taken on a more versatile role, especially in decor. Sure, many expectant parents still get excited about painting a baby girl's room pink, but the color has moved into other areas of the home.

"Pink can definitely be versatile and work in many types of decor," says Serena Dugan of Serena & Lily. "The more subdued pinks can act as neutrals and blend with many environments. A nice, neutral pink can even work beautifully in a living room."

But not just any pink. As far as Dugan is concerned, "The key is finding a shade that looks like it came from nature, not from a factory. One of the most beautiful pinks around is the inside of a conch shell."

Clockwise, from bottom left: Lenneke Wispelwy, Scholten and Baijings, Shanya Kulik, plainMade via Far4.

Traditionally, pink has been paired with softer beiges and whites to maintain a pretty, feminine look. But it is possible to make the color more edgy and gender neutral, although it might be hard to break through the strong girly associations. "As a result of our youth, the color pink has been conditionally hardened into our brains with feminine associations," says Shayna Kulik, trend forecaster and editor of Pattern Pulp. "Whenever we try to make it edgy, or try to sell it to a male consumer, the feeling is immediately rebellious, as it goes mostly against the grain of the traditional American upbringing."

A perfect example of this is a painting of 24 gridded squares Kulik did to fill dead space above her TV. "Three shades of pink made it into the compilation. Interestingly, my boyfriend is not a fan of three pink squares -- he immediately asked me to repaint them!" Well, we can't win 'em all.

But there are several colors that when added to pink make a cooler, edgier palette. "Finding a less common pink is a way to edge it up," says Dugan. "The standard carnation pink will never be edgy, but a deep vibrant coral paired with khaki is less predictable but really appealing." For a more sophisticated pink palette, Dugan also loves pairing pink with neutrals like camel brown or French grey. One of Kulik's picks include combining strong and soft shades of pink with gold, as seen in the collage above. Personally, I love soft, powdery pinks paired with pops of bright, shocking red.

Courtesy of Laura Eckstein

As far as we're concerned here at ShelterPop, pink can work anywhere in the house. I was recently inspired to paint my bedroom a pale, pale pink, and love the flattering glow it gives off. Much better than harsh white! Pink can act as a soft neutral, or take on a feisty, bold role in the form of a bright accessory. Check out all of the great pink options for your home below.

Clockwise from top left: Urban Outfitters, Serena & Lily, PB Teen, Lamps Plus, Unison Home, Anthropologie, Plover Organic, John Derian, Anthropologie, Crate & Barrel.

Our pink product picks, clockwise from the top left:

Damsel Wallpaper, $78 for 11 yards, Urban Outfitters

Senegalese Storage Baskets, $68-$290, Serena & Lily

Perferated Airgo Chair, $179 Pottery Barn Teen

Robert Abbey Pink Ceramic and Bronze Table Lamp, $157, Lamps Plus

Reed Pillow in Rose, $52, Unison Home

Light Wheel Rug, $50-$300, Anthropologie

Pink Roses Pillow, $40, Plover Organic

Pink Morrocan Pouf, $285, John Derian

Daisy Finials, $38 for two, Anthropologie

Bodum Chambord Thermal Mug, $20, Crate & Barrel

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Weekly Link Love

Laura Eckstein — 2010-11-12T09:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Fun Stuff

Glow-in-the-dark posters, "The Joy of Cooking" visualized and a questionable calendar...what we're lusting over in the blogosphere this week.

Dining rooms look more balanced when the tables and chairs don't match. Photos: Courtesy of The Stir.

Don't be afraid -- break out of that matchy matchy state of mind! Dining tables do not, we repeat, do not have to match their chairs. Everything looks much more interesting and fun when surrounded by a rag tag gang of friends -- err, seating. [The Stir]

We love photographer Rachel Bee Porter's happy, messy play on a classic cookbook, "The Joy of Cooking". [Lemondrop]

Would you hang this calender on your wall? The answer -- we hope -- is a resounding yes. Who doesn't love cats in tailored suits? Adorable! [The Frisky]

Get inspired by the Elle Decor show house in San Francisco. Nearly a dozen local designers took part in creating a home that's a real feast for the eyes. [Casa Sugar]

We've all heard of central air, but what's a central vac? And is it worth installing one in your home? Read on for the investigation. [DIY Life]

These mirror makeovers are truly stunning. Anyone who can take a cheesy smiley-face sun and turn it into something that should be in Roger Sterling's office should really wear a cape. Super-DIYer! [Design*Sponge]

Down under designer Nicola Cerini wows us with her new line of beautifully patterned fabrics and rugs. [decor8]

Leslie's photos have us convinced: Rose paired with neutrals has got to be the most romantic, elegant yet unstuffy color combo out there. [A Creative Mint]

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Weekly Link Love

Laura Eckstein — 2010-11-06T09:59:00 00:00

A new online magazine, setting the table for nine and candy creations... What we're lusting over in the blogosphere this week.

This home really got around -- it was featured in seven magazines. Photo: Courtesy of Decorology.

Is this the most popular house in the design world? It was featured in not one, not two, but SEVEN publications! [Decorology]

Another online design magazine announces its arrival -- High Gloss Magazine's first issue will be out in January. We can't wait... [La Dolce Vita]

Like all things vintage, wallpaper is making a major comeback. Check out some of the past's greatest hits. [The Inside Source]

A wood plank ceiling painted white evokes Scandinavian living and make the whole house feel clean-lined and fresh. Design for Mankind's lovely Erin Loechner chronicles the process of installing one in her own home. [The Stir]

Do you think that setting your own table for two, three or even four is tough? Try setting a table for nine. Cortney and Bob Novogratz of SIXX Design show us how it's done, and give us their spin on the modern holiday table. [CasaSugar]

Wouldn't this beautiful bottle subtly glam-up any bathroom/vanity/dresser? Come to think of it, the sophisticated yet sweet color scheme would be fantastic for an entryway or guest bathroom... [The Frisky]

Nail polish can repair window screens? Who knew?! DIY Life doles out several other unusual uses for nail polish -- you'll be surprised to find out what else it can do around the house. [DIY Life]

Get happy -- and stop eating all of those snacks lying around the house -- by turning your leftover Halloween candy into something super cute. [Lemondrop]

Check out this lovely apartment that marries more-is-more inclinations with modern style. Designed by Scott Guthrie in Ian Schraeger's super-luxe building in downtown NYC, 40 Bond, it will get give you your fancypants fix for the week. [Curbed National]

Holly shares photos and inspirations from her trip to Marrakesh, and makes us all want to infuse our homes with tons of color in the process. [Decor8]

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Decor That Says Something

Laura Eckstein — 2010-11-03T09:47:00 00:00

Filed under: Your Home, Design, etc, News & Trends, Furniture

Get an instant pick-me-up with inspiring word decor.

The other night I was eating dinner with some friends when John Mayer's "Say What you Need to Say" came on. It got me thinking: These days everyone says what they need to say, and they even say things that they don't need to say at all. Twitter, statement tees and Facebook walls have allowed us to easily express our moods and what's on our minds.

And it hasn't stopped with the internet and t-shirts -- like most trends, it has made its way into home decor.

Hang a message made from paper or fabric letters above the bed and be reminded of it morning and night. Photo: Courtesy of papernstitch

There are lots of ways to say what you need to say while making decorating choices, whether it's through a poster, pillow or vintage-style sign. But beware: Traditional "words on wall" decorating can easily veer into old fashioned, Holly Hobbie style. (How many more "To The Beach" signs can people buy for goodness sake?)

When the recession hit, we saw the emergence of the "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters; the message seemed to encapsulate the kind of thing we all needed to hear as the stock market and housing prices fell. And the messages have become sunnier since.

There are other creative ways to decorate with words. Check out a few of our favorites:

Because they are in several languages, anyone can understand what you're trying to say with these two posters by Made by Girl. Photo: Courtesy of Made By Girl

Affordable Prints & Posters
There are countless small presses creating witty, hand-printed posters that you're bound to find something that suits your personality. We love this clean, graphic poster (above left) that says "hi" in several languages. Wouldn't this be perfect for an entryway?

Some other sources for fab posters: Keep Calm Gallery, Vllg. and Etsy, specifically Lisa Barbero, All Good Things, and Tucker Reese.

Why cover part of the wall when you can cover the whole room? Blik customized this wall decal for their client, Allison Thomas.

Personalized Wall Decals
The popularity of wall decals has increased exponentially since they first came on the scene a few years ago. Besides beautiful imagery, wall decals now come in the form of quotes and letters. A few companies even offer the option to create custom decals, so you can say whatever you want, however you want to say it!

Blik created the custom wall decal shown above, which looks more like wallpaper, and sites like Wall Candy Arts, Vinyl Silhouettes and Hu2 will do the same.

Wouldn't it be great to wake up and have a cup of coffee in this kitchen? We love the over-sized letters used to form the word "cup." Courtesy of James Merrell through Lushlee

Spell It Out
The trend of propping letters up on a mantle or mixing them in with a variety of other objects is nothing new, but it doesn't seem to be going out of style any time soon. (Wouldn't you love to drink a cup of coffee in the kitchen above? We would.)

These days letters come in a variety of materials -- metals, wood, vinyl and and paper -- so it's easy to come up with a very personalized statement. We love these options from Anthropologie, Wall Candy Arts, Woodland Manufacturing and Happy Monkey Designs.

Design Sponge shot Jen Bilik's of Knock Knock's home in Los Angeles. She used to live off 14th street in NYC, and looking at the subway sign every day in LA makes her remember her old stomping ground. Photo: Courtesy of Design Sponge

Subway Pride
Hanging a subway sign on the wall is a great way to express your love of all things urban. It can also be nostalgic. Jen Bilik's of Knock Knock used to live near 14th Street in NYC, so she looks to the sign in her California home (shown above) as a reminder of her times in the Big Apple.

Ebay is a fantastic resource for finding authentic signs, but we thought that the reproductions from Subwaysigns.com, Amazon and Underground Signs were as good as the real thing.

We're also loving these decorating ideas:
- Got an Extra Room? Here's what to do with it.- Decorate a Room Inspired by Fashion
- Get Inspired by Staying in Someone Else's Home For a Week

Head over to DIY Life for some great advice on how to buy shower doors!

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Weekly Link Love

Laura Eckstein — 2010-10-30T08:27:00 00:00

Filed under: Fun Stuff

Jason Schmidt for T Magazine via Curbed

Beetlejuice living, organizing for the OCD in you and a little dose of sunshine... What we're lusting over in the blogosphere this week.

Want a sneak peek into the home of a movie mogul producer? Robert Evans -- aka "The Kid Stays in the Picture" -- shows us his home, Woodland. it's the epitome of swanky Hollywood glamour, so if you're the jealous type, stay away. [Curbed]

Although black is probably the most popular color in fashion, can it work on a home's exterior? You be the judge. [CasaSugar]

Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! In honor of Halloween, Design*Sponge shows us how to live in Tim Burton's spooky/quirky masterpiece. [Design*Sponge]

Designer Charlotte Moss teams up with Stark to create a line of gorgeous ikat rugs -- the Passport Collection -- based on her travels to Instanbul. [The Editor at Large]

Could this be the sweetest, most happy home every? If anything, its colorful motif will inject some sunshine into your day. [House of Turquoise]

Wall-to-wall carpet is not our first choice for flooring, but sometimes you've got to deal with it. Here's how to make the most with what you've got. [Apartment Therapy]

If you haven't gotten yourself together for Halloween yet, these last-minute Halloween crafts will inspire you to get spooky. [The Stir]

The weather is finally seasonably cool again, so what's next to organize? The coat closet! DIY Life shows us how it's done. [DIY Life]

Speaking of organization, if you're even slightly OCD, this site will appeal to your everything-in-it's-right-place mentality. [Lemondrop]

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The Fresh Face of Faux-Finishes

Laura Eckstein — 2010-10-29T10:21:00 00:00

Filed under: Your Home, Projects, Crafts & Projects

No need to cringe anymore -- Painting a wall with a faux finish is cool again.

Along with gold hardware and Formica everything, sponge-painting of the 80s has to go down as one of the worst trends in home decorating history. To put it lightly, it was not a good time for design! Not only was the cottage-cheese-like pattern strange, but popular color combinations like pink and green, and peach and sky blue were questionable. That time has thankfully passed and given way to a new breed of faux-finishing: one that is actually attractive.

Faux finishing, a decorative feature that involves layering paint glazes and plasters for visual effect, is much more subtle than it used to be. Instead of taking over a room (like brightly-colored sponge paint), today's techniques create effects that mimic natural surfaces -- like stone and leaves -- and old-time finishes like plaster. The other difference is that with advances in paint technology, it's much easier to create a professional look on your own.

We love the soft brushed-metallic effect seen in this bedroom (left), and the way the artisan leaf finish echoes the decorative branches in the bathroom (right). Photos: Courtesy of Sherwin Williams

"Faux-painting went out of vogue because of sponge painting, but never really went away," says Sanda Espinet, a designer based in Los Angeles and Cabos, Mexico. Espinet uses wall treatments in almost all of her clients' homes and focuses mainly on using plaster, which gives walls a certain depth and strength, "like they've been there for a long time."

But plaster can be a very expensive technique. "Paint techniques are a great alternative for tighter budgets and give the home a richness that plainly painted walls can't achieve," she says. To get a timeless effect, Espinet tries to stay away from trendy colors and stick instead with classic neutrals. "Not only do neutrals let the rest of the house -- the furniture, artwork and architecture -- stand out, they will always be in style. Trend colors might look great now, but on a treated wall, that color might look dated in a few years time."

Look closely -- there is a tissue paper effect on that wall! Photo: Courtesy of Sherwin Williams

Annie Sloan, author of Quick and Easy Paint Transformations, thinks that people may be drawn to faux finishing because of the recession. "They have never gone away, but there is a great interest in what can be done with paint," she says. "Using paint is an easy way to change the decor and brighten our spirits."

Sloan focuses mainly on painted furniture but loves using the chalk paint she developed along with wax to create waxed walls. "After the paint dries, apply a clear, soft -- consistency of soft butter -- wax to the wall with a piece of cloth, and have another clean piece to push down areas that are too thick or sticky," says Sloan. After it's been wiped all over the wall, polish areas where you'd like more sheen. For a shortcut to a similar look, try Behr's Venetian Plaster topcoat over regular paint.

The Old World High Polish finish on the orange wall balances out this more modern kitchen (left). In a monochrome space like this brown living room, adding a new texture -- like the Brushed-Quartz finish on the wall -- keeps the room rich and interesting. Photo: Sherwin Williams

Sherwin Williams' new Faux Impressions collection is a great go-to for trying out different paint treatments. The collection is divided into four categories -- Metallics, Quartz Stone, Old World and Artisan Impressions. The four effects are different, but they all add an element of richness to the wall that regular paint cannot replicate. We especially love the Quartz Stone, which has a matte finish with a little sparkle, and the reflective Metallic finish, which is fashion-forward and dresses up any space. Kept in neutrals like gray, beige and tan, the finishes have a sophisticated look that should stay in style for years and years to come.

Fore more paint ideas:
-Top 10 Neutral Paint Colors
-How Different Hues Impact Your Mood

And don't miss DIY Life's piece about the Martha Stewart decorative painting tool kit!

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Weekly Link Love

Laura Eckstein — 2010-10-23T12:04:00 00:00

Filed under: Fun Stuff

Candy wrapper heaven, a spooky twist on "Keep Calm and Carry On" and mysterious public art.. what we're lusting over in the blogosphere this week.

Lily Pulitzer furniture at High Point. Photo: I Suwannee.

Ever wish you could live in your fave Lily Pulitzer dress? You're now one step closer. The brand launched a furniture line at High Point! [I Suwannee]

A chat with the delightfully whimsical artist/author Maira Kalman about what's in her toolbox. [Design*Sponge]

The all too ubiquitous "Keep Calm and Carry" poster gets a new spooky twist for Halloween. What do you think? Played out? Or are you happy to play? [CasaSugar]

Another trend that seems to keep in going, both in fashion and at home -- plaid. We like it. [The Inside Source]

Get wacky-mad-scientist style for Halloween and decorate with specimen jars. The possibilities are endless, and the price is right. [The Stir]

A public artist anonymously transforms cityscapes -- and wins an award for his work. [The Frisky]

Think you carved a great pumpkin this year? After seeing these 10 incredible creations, you might think again. (No offense, we're sure yours is lovely.) [DIY Life]

We love these vintage candy wrappers from the Candy Wrapper Archive. Wouldn't they be cute framed in the kitchen? [Lemondrop]

Apartment Therapy founder Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan interviews one of our favorite rug designers, Madeline Weinrib, about her inspiration. [Apartment Therapy]

Check out the gorgeous Indian resort where Katy Perry and Russell Brand will tie the knot this weekend.Our invitations must have been lost in the mail. [Curbed National]

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Clean a Bathroom in 15 Minutes: Our Minute-by-Minute Guide

Laura Eckstein — 2010-10-21T11:18:00 00:00

Filed under: Storage & Cleaning, Cleaning

T-Minus 15 minutes to the cleanest bathroom ever. Get your supplies, your elbow grease and set the timer.

If there were a contest to determine the worst room at home to clean, there's no doubt which one would win. Although the kitchen can be a tough one to tackle, nothing compares to the utter grossness of a dirty bathroom. We won't go into details, but we will mention a few things -- mildew, soap scum, tight spaces around the toilet, mold -- that put the bathroom at the bottom of the chores list.

With all of those roadblocks to cleanliness, one might think that doing the job in a timely fashion is an impossible task. Luckily for all of us, that assumption is incorrect. It is possible! After getting advice from Mary Findley -- veteran cleaning expert, owner of Mary Moppins and author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Cleaning" -- we were able to transform our dirty bathroom into a sparkling, clean, ooh-la-la loo.

On your mark, get set, scrub! Photo: Alamy.

Before getting started, gather up the following supplies:
(You'll notice we're using pretty green products in this guide, but of course feel free to swap out your trusted favorites.)

-White Vinegar (Make sure the bottle says food-grade or made from grain)
-Baking Soda
-Nature's Miracle (Available at Pet Stores)
-All Purpose Bathroom Cleaner (Mary prefers Bio-Kleen, or any other product that has the EPA or Green Seal of Approval.)
-Window/Glass Cleaner
-Sink Brush
-Stiff-Bristled Toothbrush
-Sponge Mop
-Two Lint-Free Towels (Old Cotton T-Shirt Rags or Microfiber Cloths)
-Six Light Colored Terrycloth Hand Towels (This is the eco-friendly choice. You can always use paper towels for convenience.)
-Double Sided Tote Tray
-Dirty Rag Bag
-Bonus: A print-out of this article for reference!

Reusable rags, get ready! Photo: Alamy.

First things first. The night before cleaning, pour a half cup of distilled white vinegar in the toilet. "Vinegar is a mild acid. What this does is neutralize and break down the water rings in the toilet," says Findley.

Now you are really ready to go.

Get everything out of the way -- 1 minute
While brushing your teeth in the morning, put whatever you have on your counter tops in a drawer or cabinet for the time being.

Prep the toilet and sink -- 30 seconds
Raise the toilet lid, sprinkle in some baking soda, then sprinkle a little around the sink. This serves as a scrub. Then grab your all purpose cleaner and spray the rim, seat, tops and sides of the toilet. Next, spray the sink and counter tops.

Clean the mirror -- 1 minute
Spray the mirror from the bottom to the top. "If you start at the top, little streaks of cleaner run down the surface, which wastes cleaner and is less efficient," says Findley. If the mirror is large, use both hands -- with a lint-free towel in each hand -- to clean in using circular strokes. "The right hand circles counter-clockwise, and the left hand circles clockwise. Make a figure eight pattern with your hands going up and down," says Findley. "This way you are cleaning and drying at the same time."

If the mirror is small, spray it with your dominant hand starting from the bottom, and use your other hand to wipe down the cleaner in a circular motion. When finished, place your glass cleaner back in the double sides tote tray, and put your dirty rags in the dirty rag bag.

Clean the toilet bowl -- 1 minute
Grab your toilet bowl cleaning brush and clean the inside of the toilet. Since you've already poured vinegar in the night before, cleaning should be easy. "Vinegar is a better disinfectant than bleach," says Findley. "It breaks down the hard water stains."

You're seeing typical blue toilet bowl cleaner here, but we're recommending something that'll do an even better job: Vinegar. Photo: Getty Images.

Clean the Sink and Countertops -- 2 Minutes, 30 Seconds
Grab your sink brush and dampen it with a bit of water. Clean the sink bowls, then rinse the brush. Pick up the toothbrush, dampen with some water and then scrub around the faucet. Then, with two hands, grab two terrycloth towels and wipe across the back of the sink, then across the counter using both hands. Then use a dry part of the towel to dry the sink bowl. If you have dual sinks, use two hands to clean in a circular motion, one sink at a time.

That toothbrush can clean more than your pearly whites. Photo: Getty Images.

The toilet tank, lid and sides -- 2 minutes
Using the same towels, wipe down the toilet lid. Using both hands, wipe down the top of the tank, then drag both hands down either side of the toilet, then back across the top. Raise the lid and wipe around the toilet seat. Lift that up, wipe around the back side of the seat, then around the rim, and back around the seat to dry. Grab your Nature's Miracle and spray some on the floor around the toilet, then use the unused side of one towel to wipe the area down. "Never, ever, ever use bathroom cleaner on tile or granite floors. The chemicals will destroy the surface," says Findley. "I only use water, but if you want to disinfect, the Nature's Miracle contains enzymes that eat up bacteria." Throw the dirty rags in the dirty rag bag.

Clean the shower/tub walls -- 2 minutes
Grab your all-purpose cleaner, and start spraying the shower/tub walls, starting on the bottom left side. "Whenever you're spraying cleaner, move from left to right, bottom to top, to prevent streaks," says Findley. Now, pick up two clean terrycloth towels or paper towels, one per hand. This time, start from the top and wipe the walls with a circular motion. You'll want your hands to overlap a bit, so you don't miss any areas. Circle top to bottom, left to right, and you've just cleaned your shower walls in two minutes.

Clean the shower/tub floor and prep the floor towel -- 2 minutes
Spray down the bottom of the shower or tub with your all-purpose cleaner. Let it set. In the meantime, use water to dampen a towel for your floors -- two, if you are cleaning the floor on your hands and knees. If you'd like to disinfect, add a little Nature's Miracle to the cloth. If you have linoleum floors, it's okay to dampen the towel with all purpose cleaner. When you're done prepping your cleaning cloth, go back and wipe down the shower/tub floor.

Clean the floor -- 3 minutes
In a small space, it's okay to get down on your hands and knees to clean the floor, using your dampened rags. For a larger space, wrap a towel around a sponge mop. "Sponges are magnets for bacteria, and cannot be properly cleaned," says Findley. "I recommend avoiding them whenever possible." Clean the rest of your floor, and viola! You're done.

A few extra tips from Mary...
Many people have soap residue problems that can make cleaning extra difficult. To solve this problem -- buy new soap. "Soap residue problems come from the animal fat and lye that is in most bar soap. Switch to a glycerin-based bar soap, and you'll take even more time out of cleaning the bathroom."

For more advice or tips from Mary Findley, aka, Mary Moppins, check out her website!

We also love these 5 easy things to make your bathroom feel new from our sister site, DIY Life!

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Weekly Link Love

Laura Eckstein — 2010-10-16T09:29:00 00:00

Filed under: Fun Stuff

The mystery of making wallpaper, solved. Photo: Apartment Therapy via Nancy Mims

Twilight your bedroom, perfect pumpkin carving tools and a billion-dollar abode in India...what we're lusting over in the blogosphere this week...

Ever wonder how wallpaper comes to be? Apartment Therapy goes behind the scenes. [Apartment Therapy]

Today's question to ponder: Would we be ultimately happier if every bathroom we entered looked like this? [CasaSugar]

Want to see what a billion dollars gets you in India? Check out the world's first billion dollar home. [The Editor at Large]

Earthy accents, raw plaster and gray, oh my! Three interior design trends you need to know about. [The Inside Source]

Keira Knightly's outfit might look better translated into a room. Wouldn't those colors and patterns look great on say, a sofa? [The Frisky]

Want to decorate your front porch with Martha Stewart-worthy pumpkins? Jen tells us what tools we'll need to easily create gorgeous gourd masterpieces. [DIY Life]

Admit it. You LOVE "Twilight". C'mon, we all do. The folks at The Stir came up with a fab bedroom (for grownups) inspired by the spooky series. [The Stir]

Another fashion-meets-home decor moment: Leopard! We think this pillow could give a room just enough of this fab feline trend. When something is this WOW in fashion, you know it's only a matter of time before it's hot on the home front. [Lemondrop]

Holly for Decor8 picks out some of her favorite blue rooms, as originally seen in Style at Home magazine. This might be the most perfect. bathroom. ever. [Decor8]

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Weekly Link Love

Laura Eckstein — 2010-10-09T23:36:00 00:00

Filed under: Fun Stuff

Designer dollhouses, pretty purple rooms and moving back in with mom and dad... What we're lusting over in the blogosphere this week.

Oh House Beautiful, you did us proud. Photo: Curbed.

Six shelter magazine + six empty dollhouses + limitless creativity = Curbed's brilliant Operation Dollhouse. Check out what some of our favorite magazine editors did with the challenge. [Curbed]

West Elm teamed up with students at the Pratt Institute -- one of top spots to study sustainable design -- to create a chic line of sustainable office furniture. Words to describe the collection so far include "effortlessly chic", "versatile", "thoughtfully made" and "vintage industrial." We say: MUST HAVE. [The Inside Source]

What does your dream home look like? The editors of The Frisky visualize their would-be perfect pads. [The Frisky]

Not interested in the orange and black decorations at a drugstore near you? Check out a much more chic Halloween option: Festive lace! [CasaSugar]

Vanilla Ice -- Professional DIYer? Amazingly, it's true. The former rapper has found himself -- and snagged a show on the DIY Network! -- thanks to his home improvement projects. [DIY Life]

After losing her job, a 20-something writer packs up her belongings (and yes, pride) to move back home. [Lemondrop]

A purple-phobic design lover finds room that don't make her crazy. Should we try this with beige? [Apartment Therapy]

And the award for best green product goes to....Anttila! This modern, Finland-based company uses birch bark to create stunning wall decor, trays and even a light fitting. [The Editor at Large]

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HSN Brings Top Designers to Your Home

Laura Eckstein — 2010-10-08T11:46:00 00:00

Filed under: Design, etc, News & Trends

With big name designer lines, HSN is making stylish home decor more affordable than ever. Here, a sneak peek at the newest products and personalities.

Here at ShelterPop, we're huge fans of anyone that promotes fun, accessible design. That's why we're super excited about HSN's newest collaboration, Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler, which will launch on October 11th and 12th on HSN and HSN.com.

We already knew HSN was bringing out the big names, but their upcoming Home Design Event makes it clear that they've made a serious commitment to well-loved designers and their signature colors and patterns. It seems that they're no longer satisfied with getting their products into the homes of current HSN devotees -- they're curating collections that are coveted by serious design-philes as well.

In addition to Adler, designers like Colin Cowie, Nate Berkus and Hutton Wilkinson have all added new accessories to their current lines with the network. If you can't wait to see what's new, you're in luck -- we have a sneak peek!

Jonathan Adler Pop Striped Bud Vases $49.95 for set. Photo: HSN

Jonathan Adler
Interior designer, potter and all around groovy man-about-town Jonathan Adler is known for his knack for combining modern shapes with bright, fun colors and patterns. Anything he touches -- whether it be a horse-shaped lamp or a fuchsia arm chair -- seems to radiate a happy, light-hearted glow. As stated in a manifesto on his company's website, "We believe that your home should make you happy," and his new Happy Chic collection for HSN does just that.

"As with all my designs, Happy Chic is a versatile collection meant to be mixed and matched," says Jonathan. And he hopes this line, which is much more affordable than the items found in his shops, will resonate with new customers and old. "There is no place chicer than HSN!" he says.

Nate Berkus Knitted Decorative Pillow $34.95, Nate Berkus Uptown Plaid Sheet Set $79.95 for full. Photo: HSN

Nate Berkus
According to designer and, ahem, new talk-show host Nate Berkus, "a well designed home is one that feels thoughtful, layered and assembled over time." We can clearly see that in the new accessories he's added to his collection, which have a classic, will-stay-stylish-forever feel to them.

And expect each product to add a healthy dose of coziness to your home. "I love this time of year," says Berkus. "There's a chill to the air that means it's time to put that throw in the linen closet to good use. This season, I was inspired by a classic pattern, plaid."

We're inspired by his attitude and think the chunky knit blankets, plaid sheets and timeless striped duvet will make the colder months a little more bearable.

Colin Cowie Chic Sequin Pillow Set $59.95, Photos: HSN

Colin Cowie
Style guru, interior designer and event planner Colin Cowie is one of the most in demand designers, with a client list that includes Jennifer Lopez, Tom Cruise and Oprah -- needless to say, this is a man who understands the demands of a diva. And his newest collection for HSN captures it perfectly, with sophisticated accessories that literally dazzle. Look at those sequins!

"While I have a love and respect for the classics, I always challenge myself to find that 'wild card' to take any given design from ordinary to extraordinary," he says. "Whether a pop of an unexpected, vibrant color, or a traditional pattern overscaled and made new -- I love to create over-the-top, fabulous products." We love your attitude, Mr. Cowie. Now, can we grab one of those pillows?

Hutton Wilkinson Ruched Throw $59.95. Photos: HSN

Hutton Wilkinson
If you weren't impressed by Colin's client list, check out Hutton Wilkinson's devotees: Doris Duke, Sophia Loren and even Saudi royalty clamor for his talents. When he was a young designer, he apprenticed under design icon Tony Duquette, which lead to a business partnership, and eventually, after Duquette's passing, ownership of his trademarked name.

While Hutton continues to create luxurious, glamorous jewelry and home accessories under the name Tony Duquette, his own home decor line with HSN will really hit the spot. Could that throw be any more luxe? For "more is more" taste, Wilkinson's collection -- like all of HSN's product lines -- is refreshingly easy on the wallet.

Want more HSN goodies? Get the scoop from our sister sites!
Glamour and HSN Collaborate on Glamour Jewelry Collection
Mariah Carey To Sell On HSN
Mary J. Blige Breaks HSN Record With 'My Life'

Psst -- did you know ShelterPop curated a Gilt home sale? See the editor-approved picks (and get $10 off your first purchase!

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Design Drool: Eco-Luxe Huts in Spain

Laura Eckstein — 2010-09-22T11:17:00 00:00

Filed under: Fun Stuff, Design, etc

No struggling to set up a tent here -- these yurts offer glamping at its best.

There are many of us who love the idea of camping, but actually doing it -- well, that's another story. Sleeping under the stars, listening to a crackling fire and toasting up s'mores are the stuff of dreams, but who wants to set up a complicated tent, swat away the bugs and sleep on a cold wet ground? Not us.

What's a nature lover to do when she wants to get out of town for some fresh air but doesn't want to skimp on style? She flies to the Hoopoe Yurt Hotel in Andalucia, Spain, of course.

Sit a spell on the hotel's Turkish-style pergola. Photo: Hoopoe Yurt Hotel

The hotel, run by married couple Ed and Henrietta Hunt, opened in 2005, but the story doesn't start there. Before the couple married, Ed cleared out his savings by buying the gorgeous olive and cork tree-covered land where the hotel is now situated. He wanted to build an inexpensive home to live in and had heard of yurts through a friend that knew Paul King, one of the original yurt makers in England. So, he built a yurt house, married his wife and they've since had two daughters -- Florence, 5, and Isla, 3.

They also grew a business. The hotel now has five guest yurts along with a fantastic pool surrounded by a pergola with comfy Turkish-style seating and a big dining table. "Originally, we lived in three yurts around a pretty courtyard with an olive tree in the center, and guests would come to our home for breakfast and dinner," says Henrietta. "Now we serve breakfast and dinner around the pool, with food grown here and from surrounding local land. At the moment I'm doing the cooking, which I love!" The Hunt family lives up the hill from the hotel in five interconnected yurts.

An outside view of the hotel's Afghani yurt.Photo: Hoopoe Yurt Hotel

Right now you might be asking yourself, what is a yurt exactly? According to Dictionary.com, a yurt is "a tent-like dwelling of the Mongol and Turkic peoples of central Asia, consisting of a cylindrical wall of poles in a lattice arrangement with a conical roof of poles, both covered by felt or skins." Sounds rustic, but the Hunts have managed to turn these structures into rooms that rival the most luxurious and expensive around the world.

The yurts at the Hoopoe are from Afghanistan, Mongolia and England. They are built by Ed and decorated by Henrietta, who has a background in interior design. "Everything on site has been designed and built by the two of us. Together, we have the skills needed to set up and run the hotel," says Henrietta. "Of course, there were all sorts of things we learned along the way, such as looking after pools and solar power." The whole camp runs on solar power.

Step inside the Mongolian yurt. Husband and wife team Ed and Henrietta have built and designed the yurts themselves.Photo: Hoopoe Yurt Hotel

It was Henrietta's job to define the hotel's overall look and design. "I have always collected antique fabrics wherever I have traveled," she says, "and I have now been able to use them in the yurts. I've also picked out other accessories from trips to Morocco and Turkey." Although the five yurts -- the Afghani, the Mongolian, the Safari, the Jaipur and the Maimani -- are named after one of their features, Henrietta likes to mix and match furniture and accessories from all over to create the perfect look for each one.

"The Afghani yurt is from Afghanistan, and the Mongolian yurt is from Mongolia, but the Safari yurt was actually made in England," she says. "I decorated it in earthy tones with cowhide tables and gazelle skin rugs, hence the name." The Maimani is named after the large kelim, which is the centerpiece of the yurt, and comes from a village called Maimani in Afghanistan, while the Jaipur yurt has a striking bedspread from Rajasthan, as well as other bits and pieces from India. Other items are sourced locally, "although they can be hard to find in rural Andalucia," says Henrietta.

An interior view of the Mongolian yurt.Photo: Hoopoe Yurt Hotel

Surprisingly, decorating a yurt is a lot like decorating a regular home, but with one obvious limitation -- the round shape!

"Because yurts are round, you cannot have anything square or rectangular that is too large, as you cannot sit it flat against the wall. But you can get around it by having a lovely bit of furniture at the end of the bed instead!," says Henrietta. "We are as comfortable in our yurts as we would be in any house."

You can see why -- the style is very homey.

An interior view of the Jaipur yurt.Photo: Hoopoe Yurt Hotel

Besides travel, the Hunts' design inspiration comes from the land itself; they value nature-inspired products. All of the glasses are handmade from recycled glass, and all the crockery is handmade as well. "We try to use as many natural products as we can," she says.

The pool area is the perfect place to laze away an afternoon. And while the yurts are beautiful, the landscape is the real draw. Says Henrietta: "We are lucky in that we have a beautiful bit of land that provides the perfect setting."

Take a dip. The pool blends in with the hotel's surroundings.Photo: Hoopoe Yurt Hotel

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Weekly Link Love

Laura Eckstein — 2010-09-10T12:23:00 00:00

Filed under: Fun Stuff

Autumnal rooms, British tiles and a massage chair that's easy on the eyes....What we're lusting over in the blogosphere this week.

Feinedinge through decor8

Austrian ceramist Sandra Haischberger's latest collection of porcelain from her Feinedinge line, ALiCE, is almost as beautiful as the space where she sells it. When can we move in? [Decor8]

Is the summer REALLY over? For those who are ready for comfy throws and a roaring fireplace, here are a couple of great autumn-ready rooms for inspiration. [Habitually Chic]

And for those who just can't let go of those last sunny rays, this (dare we say...perfect?) beach house will give you your fix. [House of Turquoise]

Here's a British idea that we think could be a smashing success here in the US: Handmade tiles printed with vintage postcards and advertisements (or if you like, custom tiles with your own mementos). Swoon! [Please Sir]

We couldn't be more inspired by CasaSugar's latest inspiration series on the Man Booker Prize shortlist -- even if you can't judge a book by its cover, you can certainly dream up home ideas from it. [CasaSugar]

Can't afford a new stainless steel fridge? The folks at Design Sponge have figured out a genius AND practical way to make an old fridge look new and err, cool. [Design*Sponge]

New online magazine Standard doesn't have to use words like eco-friendly, green, fair-trade or organic to describe the products in their stories. Why? Every single thing featured in the magazine always is. Naturally! [Apartment Therapy]

I mean, finally. A massage chair that doesn't look like it's going to torture you. [The New York Times]

Proof that kindergarten art class paid off -- this striking light fixture was created with our favorite elementary school basics: String and glue. [The Stir]

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Color Diary: Yves Klein Blue

Laura Eckstein — 2010-09-08T15:47:00 00:00

Filed under: Color, Design, etc

Named for the French artist obsessed with its pure qualities, Yves Klein Blue has been inspiring designers for decades.

There has to be something very special about a color if it inspires an artist to create an entire series of work around it. Such was the case with French artist Yves Klein who did exactly that with the eponymous color he created -- Yves Klein Blue, also known as International Klein blue.

Clockwise from left: Yves Klein and a model during the performance, "Anthropométries de l'époque bleue"; Yves Klein, "Untitled Anthropometry (ANT 100)" 1960; Yves Klein, "California (IKB 66)," 1961. Photos: Courtesy of Smithsonian Museum.

In the late 1950s he embarked on a series of monochromatic works and performances in which naked models were painted in the color and then used to mark canvases with their bodies. The rich, lapis-lazuli toned blue was the works' central theme. According to Gabriel Riera, Director of Communications for the Smithsonian Institute -- where the Hirshhorn Museum is having a major retrospective of Klein's work until September 12th -- Klein saw more to this breathtaking color than just a pretty shade of blue.

"The blue canvases acted as a starting-off point or gateway to Klein's real artwork, which represented the idea of a pure, expansive void," he says. This all stemmed from a spiritual experience Klein once had at the beach with friends, where he was enchanted by the vastness of the ocean and sky. "In person, the large blue canvases vibrate and the pure color almost jumps off the painting," says Riera. This unique effect is a result of the way this color is created. Ultramarine blue pigment is placed -- not mixed -- into a liquid binder, causing it to stay suspended. Riera adds, "The physical properties make the color hard to reproduce."

Lacquered in the bold blue color, a Manhattan couple's hallway looks cool and modern; designed by Miles Redd featured in Elle Decor, a detail of bust (at right). Photos: Manuel Flores Vienna

But that hasn't stopped people from loving and using it. In face, several other interior designers and architects have been enchanted with the color -- using it in their clients' homes, as well as their own. New York City-based interior designer Miles Redd remembers his first experience with Yves Klein Blue. "The first time I ever became aware of Yves Klein was at age 10. GQ had done a fashion story inspired by the parties Klein used to throw, where he would paint models in cobalt blue. Everyone was blue and dressed in tuxedos and gowns. The color and images really fascinated me and I became curious about the artist."

Redd has since used the color in several of his clients' homes -- considering it a neutral of sorts. "It's such a strong, intense cobalt, yet it can be [used] in any room. The very nature of it's strength makes other colors pop," he says. "I designed the hallway of a young Manhattan couple and lacquered the walls in Yves Klein Blue. Applying it as a lacquer really brought out the color's inherent luminosity and made it work with bold reds and other primaries." It can also bring a modern edge to a room. "That apartment was filled with very traditional Virginian brown furniture. The color made everything look young, fresh and ultimately timeless."

Josh McHugh

But what makes it so versatile and timeless? Interior designer Amie Weitzman has a theory and it relates to her background in fashion. "Basic menswear fabrics serve as the base of so many rooms that I design -- gray flannel, a neutral brown tweed -- they all are neutrals that go with everything." And what's the number one neutral in clothing? Denim. "You can wear denim with any color or any style and the finished look works," she says. She designed the room (at left) to serve as a cigar lounge for a music industry executive. "I wanted to take something really classic, like a simple tufted sofa in a cotton velvet, and make it really pop. That, combined with edgy contemporary art and turn-of-the-century wood paneling, created an interesting juxtaposition."

The "object-ness" of the freestanding wall in Annie Schlechter's dining room was highlighted by painting it Yves Klein Blue. Photo: Annie Schlechter

The color also helps to highlight a home's architectural elements. Architect Joe Serrins worked with photographer Annie Schlechter to create a sharp, clean dining room that included a freestanding blue wall (seen above). The color was really Schlechter's idea. "She suggested it, and by suggested, I mean she had a eureka moment and told me this was the only option." Luckily, the color compliments the space. "It acts as an anchor and focal point for the room and as a beautiful background for the other vivid colors and furnishings."

Whether you use a little or a lot of it, in a modern or traditional room, this color will make a statement. And if history is any indicator, Yves Klein Blue will remain fresh and timeless for countless years to come.

The Yves Klein Blue retrospective is on display until September 12th.

And check out some of our favorite stories from around the web!
Exclusive Interviews and a Tour of the Showtime House 2010!
Banter Banners To Set The Mood
Troubleshoot Your Coffee Grinder
Money 101: How To Buy Your First Home

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Karim Rashid & SodaStream: A Bubbly Match

Laura Eckstein — 2010-09-08T14:03:00 00:00

Filed under: Design, etc, News & Trends

The award-winning designer has a new kitchen device -- and he's giving his only US interview to ShelterPop!

With the at-home soda craze in full swing, it's only natural that SodaStream -- maker of the DIY soda maker -- would bring some design cred to their machines by teaming up with award-winning designer Karim Rashid. Together. they've created a fun and bubbly limited edition home soda maker that us seltzer-aholics here at ShelterPop are crazy about. So when he agreed to give his one US interview to us, we jumped at the chance to talk not only about the DIY soda trend, but inspiration and good design as well.

Courtesy of SodaStream

Mad Men might be responsible for the resurgence of all things retro -- style-wise -- but a sluggish economy and the desire to be green might explain the recent rise in a more back-to-basics, DIY lifestyle. One trend that's making a major comeback (besides pickling, farm-shares and basically anything local and seasonal) is homemade soda. According to SodaStream, about four million people around the world are using their soda makers to make fresh sodas and seltzers every day.

So, what drew a busy designer like Rashid to collaborate with SodaStream? Surprisingly, he was drinking regular sodas and seltzers like the rest of us. "I didn't make my own seltzer before SodaStream came into my life. I too was wasting bottles of Perrier," he says. "I believe good designs should replace three products in one. SodaStream already does that with their wonderful, responsible products. I was inspired by this and wanted to take my energetic, fun, colorful spin on the product."

Energetic and fun it is. Rashid's bubbly take on the SodaStream is similar to his other designs, which all emit a playful and happy vibe. "Everything needs to be designed, so why not design with delight in mind?" he says. For this piece in particular, Rashid looked toward the influence of technology in our everyday lives. He explains, "My Digipop series of patterns is a graphic movement that has its roots in the computer age and is driven by digital technology. I see our new domestic environment becoming more casual, and more technological."

When asked about what other products he'd like to get his hands on, Rashid has no limits. "So much of the industry needs a makeover: Air conditioners, coffee pots, blenders, toasters, irons, hair dryers and bathroom scales. In fact, I would love to design everything that we come into contact with as human beings, especially when they have a large impact on our psyche and experiences."

But he left one out: We wanted to know, why hasn't anyone been able to design a well-make, non-flimsy unbreakable umbrella? Rashid, thankfully, has that in the works. "I actually am working on a line for a Japanese company. The umbrellas will have beautiful and ergonomic handles, and fun Digipop patterns to brighten up gray days."

Besides the umbrella, we have a lot more to look forward to from Rashid. "September will be a big boom, design-wise. I'm working on furniture upholstered in fiber optics, LED lighting, new kitchen designs, liquor bottle packaging and identity, a new KarimSpace retail store in Belgrade, a hotel lobby and bar in China, a concept house in Egypt, new tabletop work with Alessi and so much more!" One has to wonder, does this man ever sleep? (Surely, if he does, the sheets must be pretty divine.)

As for design predictions, Rashid's thoughts are pretty hypercolor-space-age -- which is to say, totally his style. "Smart materials that change shape, memory, temperature and conduct electricity are in their infancy," he says. "We can look forward to a toothbrush changing color due to wear, a plastic chair changing color due to body heat, or a plastic mountain climbing rope changing color to warn me that it's wearing out." Pretty cool. Or hot. Or both? Only the future knows...

Love the soda trend as much as we do? Here are some of our fave items that bring it home to you.

Clockwise from top left: Angela Adams; Kikklerland; Home Decorators Collection; Grasshopper 510; Target; BarStoolsandChairs.com.

Clockwise, from top left:
Red/Kenga Tray: Angela Adams
Paper Straws: Kikklerland
Bubbles Pillow: Home Decorators Collection
Red Vintage Seltzer Bottle: Grasshopper 510
Purple Vintage Seltzer Bottle: Grasshopper 510
Green Vintage Seltzer Bottle: Grasshopper 510
Bubble Glass Tumblers (Set of 6): Target
Diner Bar Stool: BarStoolsandChairs.com

Now, if you're dying for one of Rashid's limited edition SodaStream machines (pictured up top, alongside his handsome face) you can call your local Bloomingdales to see if they have any in stock. Otherwise, we recommend checking out other models, like the Genesis kit in shocking red or check out SodaStream's fantastic selection.

Check out some of our favorite stories from around the web!
15 Ideas For Decorating With Stacks of Books
Banter Banners To Set The Mood
Troubleshoot Your Coffee Grinder
Money 101: How To Buy Your First Home
A Super Sexy Chair You'll Have to See to Believe

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Tour a Designer NYC Apartment...Then Win it from HGTV!

Laura Eckstein — 2010-09-02T15:33:00 00:00

Filed under: Design, etc, House Tours

HGTV is giving away a brand new NYC apartment, custom-designed by Vern Yip. Interested? Take a look inside.

Courtesy of HGTV

In their latest mega-giveaway, HGTV has teamed up with The Residences at W New York -- Downtown to offer every city-lover's dream come true: A custom-designed downtown apartment with a view! Vern Yip, who we all love and know from the network, considered the contest's title -- "Urban Oasis" -- and theme of contrasts as his main inspiration. "New York is a city of contrasts, " says Yip. "There are 19th- and 20th-century buildings right next to contemporary skyscrapers, and it works. All of this contrast ultimately leads to harmony. This apartment represents that harmony, and is a place to relax and unwind after a busy day."

Courtesy of HGTV

Want a sense of some of that contrast? Start in the foyer: Marble lions from the 1860s mimic the grand beasts that guard the New York Public Library and work wonderfully by a more obscure photograph of the library's famous reading room by German photographer Reinhard Gorner. The new lucite console table holds jars of candy and paperweights from NYC artist Laura Graham.

Courtesy of HGTV

Straight ahead is the kitchen, where Yip strives to capture the diversity of New York City with pieces that vary in style and contrast, but work together in a functional way. Our favorite part of that: The multifunctional dining room table. "You can use it to prep items for cooking, you can use it as a desk (thanks to the hidden power strip built into the legs) and even for storage -- the legs have doors and act as mini cabinets." The glass table top top and Philippe Stark Louis Ghost chairs mimic the transparent, reflective surfaces of skyscrapers, and work well against a rug from ABC Carpet & Home and a geometric 1970s Italian crystal chandelier from Las Venus. The colorful Andrew Moore photograph of the Staten Island Ferry gives us a quiet moment of solitude, unique in a big city like New York.

Courtesy of HGTV

The kitchen opens to the lovely, bright living room, which has fantastic views of New Jersey, the Hudson river and Lady Liberty herself. The space serves a multitude of purposes, but manages to look neat, chic and organized. The gray sofa from Dune opens up to a full size bed, so it can comfortably sleep guests. The Haus Interior lamps add a another grey texture to the room, along with the incredible black and white Matthew Pillsbury photograph of the Museum of Natural History's famous dioramas, taken with a long lens exposure. The unusual gryphon sculpture is actually an old iron flag base from the 20th century, found at Demolition Depot.

Courtesy of HGTV

The bedroom brings in architectural elements from the urban jungle, especially in the wall behind the bed, which is meant to look like the ice block, limestone foundation of many New York buildings. The two 1910 keystone pediments that flank the bed are from a demolished Harlem brownstone and sit on pedestals that act as end tables and storage. "The great storage features really make the apartment seem serene and orderly," says Yip. "It really keeps with that oasis theme."

After looking through, what do you think? Would you want to live in this apartment...for free? We sure would! You can get an on-air tour from Vern Yip himself during the HGTV Urban Oasis 2010 special on Monday, September 6, 2010, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. Get all the contest details at HGTV.com/urbanoasis or start voting now at HGTV.com as well as once per day on FrontDoor.com.

Speaking of contests...Come check out another top notch home from our design crush (and Martha Stewart's protogé) Kevin Sharkey! And scroll to the bottom for an amazing opportunity to win a personal color consultation with Kevin!

And check out some of our favorite stories right now from around the web
Decorating Ideas to Steal From the September Anthropologie Catalog
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Trend Watch: Brights For Fall

Laura Eckstein — 2010-08-31T10:36:00 00:00

Filed under: Color, Design, etc, News & Trends, Furniture

Summer's bold, bright colors make their way into fall decor.

Bright and bold, Crate & Barrel's Hoopla Table Lamps, $80, are an ideal fall accent. Photo: Crate & Barrel

It has been impossible to not notice the influx of bright, bold colors this summer. Everywhere you look, shades of neon have burst forth, in fashion, beauty (especially nails) and even in the home. Now that autumn is around the corner, these hot hues have cooled down, but not that much. Expect to see lots of brights, just slightly toned down for the cooler weather.

Victoria Whitbread, director of Whitbread Wilkinson, a company that designs mugs, notebooks and other accessories based on Pantone colors, believes that bright reds and grape-y purples will be popular this fall. "Because our mugs are so small, it's easy to make a strong statement with really bright colors." She also believes that Pantone's 2010 color of the year, turquoise, will continue to stay strong throughout the end of the year and into 2011.

Being surrounded by computers, cell phones and other technology has caused a bit of a backlash -- it's created a craving for things handmade. "There's a movement towards connecting with nature, folk art and craft, and as a result, rich, bright yarn colors are hot and happening," says Patricia Kositzky, a color specialist for Osh Kosh. "All the colors that you'd see in Native American beading, weaving, and Navajo patterns, like tomato reds, turquoise and sunburst yellows will continue into fall." Another source of inspiration for this trend? Farmers' markets. "Rich saturated vegetable colors are appearing," says Kositzky. "What you see at the farmers' market will provide you with an entire palette of color."

What's great about bright colors is that they are extremely versatile and can be used in large or small bursts. "It's really up to the individual when it comes to how much or how little bright color is used," says Erika Woelfel, Director of Color at Behr Paint. "If you want to do a bright hue and go big, the best places to do that would be in the kitchen or bathroom. Accent or feature walls are another terrific way to experiment. It's always a good idea to test, test, test the colors you want to try though." Erika's picks for fall include blue-based purple, a bright red, and a grape/violet purple, which all "feel fun and youthful when used with other bright colors but work as great accents for contemporary rooms where there might be an abundance of light, white furnishing."

Love the look? Check out some of our favorite brightly colored product picks for fall:

Photos (clockwise from left): CB2, Z Gallerie, MoMA Design, Target

Scan Persimmon Lounge Chair, $499, CB2
Rose Pillow in Aubergine, $50, Z Gallerie
Apple Jar by Huroshi Fujita, $30, MoMA Design Store
Room Essentials Double Vases, $10 each, Target (no longer available)

Photos (clockwise from left): CB2, Whitbread Wilkinson, West Elm, The Future Perfect

Carpenter Lamp, $70, CB2
Pantone Mug in Grape, $12, Whitbread Wilkinson
Tripod Table in Saffron, $200, West Elm
Donna Wilson Leaf Motif Pillow, $115, The Future Perfect

Speaking of great colors for fall... enter our contest to win a gallon of paint (and a personalized color consultation with Martha Stewart's protege Kevin Sharkey!)

And check out some of our favorite stories right now from around the web
Decorating Ideas to Steal From the September Anthropologie Catalog
Rorschach Coasters Will Blow Your Guests' Minds
Donna Karan's Private Luxury Estate on Parrot Cay: Take a Peek Inside!
Corral Your Clutter with Wire Shelving Systems
Could a Tree House Solve Your Housing Dilemma?

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