Monday presents its unique set of challenges…including how to get that overflowing desk organized! Take a cue from Country Home and upcycle vintage ladles to keep your paperclips and stamps in place, or follow Better Homes & Garden’s lead and put a repurposed fork in your to-do lists or inspirational mementos. I hope your Monday [...]
Inspired by all your wonderful stories and comments from last week’s Honor System post, I hope to share a honor system story each Friday to inspire us into the weekend. I always welcome your stories and photos via comments or email of honor systems that you have the joy of encountering in your life! This [...]
The creativity of repurposing always makes me incredibly happy. My first encounter with repurposing was my first week in college, when I was meandering towards campus via colorful Telegraph Ave. in Berkeley and found a street vendor clanking away at vintage spoons — and I happily walked away with a spoon ring that I still [...]
Last week, I professed my love for seeing your drawers, and I was so delighted to see these beauties arrive in my mailbox! How charming is the fact that each of these artists’ inspirational drawers compliments their blog banners in ambiance and style? What inspires us truly permeates through all aspect of our life! Without [...]
My lovely friend Suzanne, the Italian Girl in Georiga (who has marvelous photography in her Etsy shop), surprised me this weekend with snail mail! There’s something quite nostalgic and magical about receiving a letter in the mail, don’t you think? Inside her beautiful photography card was a useful article on vintage industrial lighting she clipped [...]
When I lived in Hawaii, I loved coming upon different tropical flower and craft stands in the rain forests — all which stood unattended, save for a simple metal box that accepted payment via the honor system. A few weeks ago, I wandered by a vintage sidewalk sale, whose cashier was a hat box that [...]
…your desk drawers, silly! I’m fascinated by drawers and cubbyholes, and the forgotten treasures that are stashed within. I also love seeing how people organize their desk drawers, be it muffin tins, wooden boxes, or the “I know it looks insane, but I know where everything is” system. With that said, I would love if [...]
Leah reminded me last week of the fantastic photography of Ormond Gigli, who was a prominent photographer especially in the 1950s and 60s — but more importantly, whose ability to direct photographs creates such timeless magic! Of course, his most iconic photograph is “Girls in the Window,” which was serendipitously shot in a dismantled brownstone [...]
At the beach this weekend, I could feel everyone sadly saying goodbye to the call of the sea (at least for those without wetsuits). To keep my workspace inspired, I found a few shells (fine, I bought them at the seashell shop by the shore). One works beautifully as a repurposed catch-all for my paperclips. [...]
I’ve been on an Airstream kick once again, as I have been spotting amazing deals on my local Craigslist. One day, when I have a tiny piece of land to call my own, I shall plop one of these vintage beauties in the backyard to be a studio / office. (For inspiration, check out these [...]
Prepare yourself for a visual journey through mid-century modern delight! Barry Smith, of STUDIO SMITH, a communication design firm, was kind enough to open his office doors for a Room Without a Key tour. Generous Barry also shared a fabulous secret with us, especially for those in the Chicago area: Jubilee Furniture Company is an [...]
Many readers have emailed me regarding the appropriate means in which to “take down” or “rip out” the old tacks and knots to prepare an antique chair for reupholstery. This process is one of the best ways to learn about reupholstery — especially regarding your specific piece. However, before you begin the deconstructing process, do [...]
The appeal of vintage industrial chic is timeless — and Randy from Kramer Design Studio really takes metalwork repurposing to a new level of style. From upcycling weathered steel railings into fabulous headboards, and utilizing chain links (that weigh 15 pounds each!) to create the most unique tables, to giving clock faces new lives as [...]
Are you pestered by those inconvenient subscription cards that fumble out of every magazine? Etsy seller Ugly Kitty was, and she decided to upcycle the cards (along with other vintage papers) into address files, held by a vintage recipe box (currently available for $65 via her waiting list). Of course!!! With the name, address, and [...]
The winner of Poetic Home’s first giveaway is Susan from Chicago! I look forward to sending you the box of vintage sewing treats and hopefully seeing your beautiful creations. Thank you to everyone for entering into the giveaway! It was great fun for me, and please stay tuned for more regularly scheduled giveaways in the [...]
Yearly Archives: 2008