Best Of Bluelines

Posted by Blueprint

While we're looking forward to our retooled blog, we've also been looking back at the posts over the past year. Here are just a few of our favorite posts:

120 Days Later

Too Much Of A Cute Thing

A Madman In The Heath

Creative Currents

The Writing's On The Wall

How Swede It Is

Go Ahead Jump

Making My Case

Ottoman Empire

Studio Tour: Binth

Family Trees

The Art Of Reduction

Do you have any favorite posts?

Blueprint's Legacy

Posted by Blueprint

We're so glad to see that you're excited about the new additions to the blog come March. And now we have another announcement: As of Friday February 29th, the Blueprint main page on MarthaStewart.com will cease to exist. It sounds intense, but here's what it means: If you come to Bluelines via blueprintmag.com, or through the Blueprint channel on MarthaStewart.com, please bookmark the blog's main page so you can come back. You can also still get to Bluelines via our Community and Blogs pages. (And all of those nice people's blogs who've linked to us.)

We know it's a little bit rough, so before anyone freaks out, please rest assured that all of your beloved Blueprint content will still be available online -- in fact, we've listed all the ways to find it below.

Home & Decorating

Take a peek at home ideas -- great and small with a Blueprint twist.

Also don't miss our Organizing Tip of the Day

Crafts

You'll find great DIY jewelry (a la Katie),  Page's flat-screen tv cozy, and our Craft of the Day (which includes many Blueprint ideas)

Entertaining

Find all of the Blueprint party menus, to-do lists, playlists and prep stuff here

Food

Blueprint recipes -- from soup to well nuts (...like Blueprint's roasted almonds)

roasted almonds

soup recipes

Health

Need ideas for a healthy & quick breakfast?  Want to take up jogging? Need a new makeup palette? Look no further.

and lastly...

Simply type "Blueprint" in our SEARCH box on MarthaStewart.com or any page to be directed to those great blue ideas in the sky.

*But most importantly, come here for your daily "blue" content.

Start Spreading The News

Posted by Blueprint

We'll be honest: It's been a bumpy ride since the announcement of Blueprint magazine's cessation back in December. We've both rejoiced at and despaired in your insightful comments, laments, and occasional taunts. But, most of all, we've learned an awful lot about what you want (the magazine), what you don't (just another blog), and what it was that you liked so much about Blueprint (too much to list). See, we're listening.

That said, the decision that was made is final. And although we really do love the idea of a grassroots "Bring Back Blueprint" campaign (the alliteration would make it perfect for bumper stickers and pins), you'll have to consider us the Arrested Development of publishing -- without any hope of a movie deal.

However, we've concocted a new plan and we're excited to finally share some news with you, our most patient and understanding readers. We are relaunching the blog with a new panel of contributors -- some of whom you already know and love from Blueprint, and others we think you'll get along with swimmingly. The blog will become what you've been demanding all along: an inspiring, creative place to come and get the amazing DIY projects, decorating ideas, recipes, fashion, etiquette, and culture coverage that you loved in the magazine. We're excited to be collaborating with a talented roster of artists, bloggers, editors, and stylists who loved Blueprint as much as you. But we can't do it without you! So, please hang on for a little bit longer (we're relaunching in early March) and in the meantime, tell all of your friends!

We'll Drink To That!

Posted by Blueprint

Well, it looks like the Oscars are back in business, and are scheduled to air this Sunday. While settling into the you-shaped indent on the sofa to watch, why not try one of these cocktails inspired by some of the nominees?

Tommy Lee Jones in No Country for Old Men

No Country for Old Men

Texas Ranger

1/2 oz gin
1/2 oz sweet vermouth
1/2 oz dry vermouth
3/4 oz grapefruit juice
1/4 maraschino liqueur

Add all ingedients to a cocktail shaker and strain. Serve in a cocktail glass.


Sweeney Todd

Bloody Mary

1 1/2 oz of vodka
1/2 c tomato juice
2 tz fresh lemon juice
Worchestire sauce to taste
Tabasco to taste
1 celery stick to garnish
1 lemon wedge to garnish
Optional:
Rim line of glasses with old bay (first rub rim with wedge of lemon)
Add horseradish sauce to taste

Combine the vodka, the tomato juice, the lemon juice, the Worcestershire sauce, the Tabasco, 1 cup ice cubes, and salt and pepper to taste, shake the mixture well, and strain it into a tall glass filled with ice cubes. Garnish the Bloody Mary with the celery stick and the lemon wedge.

Putting Your Best Ugly Forward

Posted by Blueprint

We cannot tell you how often we are more inspired by a restaurant's decor than by its food. So imagine our delight when we learned that Best Ugly, a book about six restaurants designed by the James Beard award-winning design and architecture team AvroKO was released on Tuesday.

Not only does this book give you a close-up view of the incredible details that you often can't see or don't notice while dining, but you get to see AvroKO's process -- from the raw, gutted original space, to the design concept, and its final execution. Once you discover the concept behind each venture the book becomes a veritable Where's Waldo of details: The Stanton Social's "ode to the clothiers of the Lower East Side" concept manifests in innovations like shelving for wine bottles designed to mimic the pattern of herringbone, art made from magnified clothing labels, elastic straps on the menus inspired by garter belts, and lampshades modeled on vintage corsets.

Men's haberdashery inspired this room in The Stanton Social, including the herringbone wine storage at the back

The Stanton Social's kimono inspired walls, and lampshades modeled on vintage corsets

Egg On My Face

Posted by Kerstin, Online Editor

Although it isn’t the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever done, I did feel kind of silly buying a $17 box of Victoria Scandinavian soaps simply because the box made me smile.

The adorable egg soaps box

When I brought my impulse buy home, I promptly set it on a table in the bathroom to make the cracked sink and peeling walls feel shabby European rather than just shabby. The box sat there, making my daily routine brighter for months. Then, one day, I ran out of face wash and reached for a bar.

It turns out, the egg white and lanolin combination was perfect for my sort of dry, sensitive skin. My face felt smooth, firm, and smelled clean in a way I’ve never known before or since.

It goes to show that being shallow and all about looks isn’t always such a bad thing.

Feel free to reap the rewards of my petty behavior by ordering this amazing soap set (beautiful box included) from NexTag or Amazon .

A Rainbow Of Book Covers

Posted by Joy

As a graphic designer, I have a special love for the muted colors and simple graphics of vintage book covers. Whether used as framed art or made into a whole wall of covers, I could stare at these for hours. Check out this site for an archive of thousands upon thousands of old book covers.

Terrariums Everywhere!

Posted by Joy

While in Portland, Oregon, a few weeks ago, I noticed terrariums everywhere. Supermodern, lush, and green, they were gems of color against the cloudy skies. I'm not sure if they are more popular in Portland or if terrariums are just becoming a more feasible method of having plants because of their ease of care . Check out this video on how to make one of your very own.

{images above: top photo and bottom left taken at the Ace Hotel in Portland with terrariums designed by Space Design (via Designer's Library), bottom right from A+R.}

Areas Of Interest

Posted by Joy

As a continuation of the simple objects post from Monday, here are a few examples of how simple objects can be used to create "areas of interest" or small vignettes in any space. I love the look of clustered objects on a windowsill, door ledge, or coffee table. They're like mini-installations that can change or evolve with your mood.

Floral designer Sarah Ryhanen of Saipua loves to incorporate small bits of nature (a single stem of a flower, a big cutting of  a bush or tree from outside, seed pods, plants, etc.) in her shop and in her own apartment. Sarah feels there's always something interesting about elements from nature brought indoors and placed in a context. She has also started leaving her jewelry around the house to add an element of uniqueness and beauty to her clutter.

The Beauty Of Everyday

Posted by Joy

Great food photography really just makes me want to dive headfirst into the image. A good example is this ice cream diptych by Jen Altman of Fieryeyed Photography. Jen's simple images of everyday beauty are just delightful, and are all available as prints so you can admire them everyday.

Ice cream diptych by Jen Altman

 

Lucky You

Posted by Kerstin, Online Editor

I'll admit it. I've always been a sucker for bands that blend shimmering guitars with weighty lyrics that float over buoyant rhythms (see Trashcan Sinatras and Ivy), so when I first heard Nada Surf , I knew I'd found another favorite. Their latest album, Lucky, is out today and perfect for Sunday afternoon lollygagging. While it may be not as acerbic as their previous efforts, it never veers into trite, alternative-pop territory. If you want a preview, download a free MP3 of the single "See These Bones." Or watch them perform a live, in-studio set on Morning Becomes Eclectic.

Make It A Really, Really Super Tuesday

Posted by Blueprint

We know that sometimes it feels like your little voice can't be heard over the roar of the crowd, but we firmly believe that everyone should speak up for what they believe in. If you're eligible please get to the polls and encourage everyone around you to do the same. Vote!

From The Runway: Fall Color Palettes

Posted by Joy

New York Fashion Week is in full swing! I love seeking inspiration for the home from fashion. Here's a roundup of some of my favorite looks so far from the current Fall 2008 shows. I'm loving the neutral grays and blacks mixed with extra muted jewel tones that seem to be one of the consistent color stories so far. Also, the skinny contrast belt details are beautiful and show how a small hint of contrast color can really pull a color story together.

{left to right: BCBG Max Azria, Lela Rose, Diane von Furstenberg, and Réyes. All images via Style.com}

Jill Malek for dVider

Posted by Joy

I love seeing how custom and high-end pieces can often be translated into more affordable and easier-to-use versions. Here's an example from wallpaper designer Jill Malek. Jill's handprinted wallpaper (inspired by frequencies of forms found in nature) is available in wall decal form from now until April 30th from dVider.

{samples of Jill's handprinted papers up top, and her wall decals below}

Simple Objects

Posted by Joy

Lately, I've been fascinated with simple objects. Whether found at a flea market or brand new, I love simple things that bring a bit of visual interest to any space. The Canadian-published book, "Taking Things Seriously", presents a mix of items -- dirt piles, an ugly Santa, childhood toys, bizarre gifts, found objects -- that show how, with the right circumstances, an ordinary object can have extraordinary significance. Whether perched on your desk or on a window ledge, a little found object can bring a spark of whimsy to any space. Later this week, I'll be posting photos from a few of my favorite designers and friends who will show how they use simple objects to create small areas of interest in their home.

{top image: cast iron rabbit I purchased in Portland at Canoe, remaining images are from Taking Things Seriously.}

Agnes Montgomery

Posted by Erin, Staff Writer

Thanks to the amazing Panda Bear album, Person Pitch, I discovered artist Agnes Montgomery. Her arresting collages adorn the album and intrigued me to the point of distraction: I visit her website multiple times a day. Montgomery creates her pieces on a small scale using found paper, little scissors, and a magnifying lamp and then enlarges them to be printed on big canvases. Her collages depict vibrant dreamscapes in which children and animals fly through skies of fish, swing into a Chinese New Year celebration, and borrow each other's clothing. They're at once naive and surreal, and remind me of all my favorite children's stories rolled into one. What could be better than that?

(All images from Agnes Montgomery)

What artists are inspiring you?