what it’s like to live with a packing tape and wire artist
If you’ve ever sat around wondering what it’s like to live with an artist who works with packing tape and wire (and I know this is happening in households across […]
our house, embroidered
Imagine your house. Imagine your house embroidered. As in: depicted in a piece of embroidery. This is what we did when we discovered the work of Stephanie K. Clark, an […]
bubble calendar
All I have to say is…………….POP! 365 days per year. Could there be anything more satisfying than an XL calendar composed of bubble wrap? What a way to mark time. This Bubble Calendar poster is designed and made in Brooklyn. We love the way it looks in our library. Thank […]
boon, swoon
What did The Hubs and I know about baby products before I got pregnant? Of course, absolutely nothing. Zip. Maybe even a little less than zilch. Like most new parents, we’re figuring all of this out on the fly. Gradually, we have amassed a collection of goods for our little […]
diy baby clothesline: the hoarding starts now
There are many things I am uncertain about in this parenting venture but there is one thing I know for sure: I will never ever be able to get rid of these tiny newborn suits! In fact, though it is logical, normal and the correct course of events, I am […]
minimalism no more
WARNING: The following post could be upsetting to individuals who adhere to a minimalistic lifestyle; it could be disturbing to people who prefer their living spaces to be clean and uncluttered; and it could potentially unhinge those who seek solace and serenity in their homes. ANOTHER WARNING: The following post […]
the problem with our Babyletto crib, changer and chair
For the most part, we love the crib, changer and swivel chair we got for Ian’s nursery. They’re all made by Babyletto, which offers children’s furniture with just the kind of contemporary, sleek designs we dig. And yet: now that we are more than four months into using them, we […]
commemorative mushroom…commemo-shroom?
So my girls, Sara, Susan and Sandra, hosted a super-fun baby shower for me in the fall. It was a delightful affair complete with excellent food, adorable gifts and a lot of laughs. One thing that made it extra special was this crazy ceramic mushroom. Everyone signed it to commemorate […]
diy: gettin’ twiggy with it
Super Storm Sandy: Check. Power back on: Check (though it has flickered several times, in fact twice while I was trying to post this, and many in our area haven’t gotten it back AT ALL yet.) Internet, Phone and TV Service finally restored: Check, check and check. Price-gouged gas in […]
vintage: our almost-tulip dining room chairs
When does a person develop his or her design sensibility? I’m not exactly sure, but I think my own interest in mid-century modern stuff was born at a fairly young age, even if it was sub-conscious. See the chairs above? They were located in the women’s waiting room of The […]
vintage: candle holder from hanova of pasadena
This funky candle holder was purchased by my mother somewhere in Wisconsin (probably in Madison) sometime in the early to mid-70’s. I remember it hanging on our back deck. Our deck was a magical place: it ran the length of our house and overlooked a large backyard, complete with a […]
the artwork of Robert Strati
There are many advantages of living with and being married to the creative genius, Robert Strati. And I’m not just talking about his ability to whip up gnome curb appeal referenced in the last post. I’m talking about real art. Quiet, introspective, and transportive work that has been shown and […]
scenes from THE BOOK TOUR
THE BOOK TOUR (caps intended to create a sense of gravitas) for The Homeowner’s Guide to Greatness is well underway and I have been having a blast. Here’s what’s happened so far… First stop was The Book Loft in Columbus, Ohio. This independent bookstore is located in the historic, cobble-stoned […]
guest post: funny mod chairs
In honor of De-sigh-n Month, I am pleased to present the following guest post from Tess Pajaron, who is located halfway across the planet, in Australia. She’s an avid follower of the home tome and accompanying pinterest boards. She says, “Ever since I got married and settled in a new […]
where do all the pencils go?
A little-known fact about Rob and I: we are aspiring singer-songwriters. Scratch the aspiring – we ARE singer-songwriters. We can make almost any household situation into a song. And the more frustrating the scenario, the more inspired the tune. Most compositions are created spontaneously yet flow from deep within. Our […]
DIY design: earrings on a wire
What do you do when you own approximately a trillion pairs of earrings? …When they’re getting all tangled, mixed up, and separated from their twins in your otherwise trusty jewelry box? Well, this of course is a very tragic problem and one for which there are only two solutions. 1) […]
design: my throw pillow hypocrisy
It’s once again time for us at the home tome me to admit to some serious hypocrisy, a whole lot of contradiction, and since I’m referring to my stance on throw pillows, I’ll just come out and say it: I am a sham. Now it’s once again time for me […]
what is happening to decorative throw pillows?
[In honor of Design/De-sigh-n month, I decided to bust this out: A version of this piece previously appeared on one of my favorite humor sites, yankeepotroast.org, a while back.] Is it just me or have decorative throw pillows become completely ridiculous? I mean, they’ve always been covered with tassels and […]
