Pressed for Art?

Posted by Scott

Recently, I have become a fan of Nydam Press on Etsy, especially these Eagle Mirror Linoleum Block Prints.

A framed series of these on one wall would be spectacular. I love how there’s a hint of fancy ornateness to the frame mixed with the craftiness of the linoleum print to bring it back done to earth. That’s my kind of art!

Want more? Check out these other charming prints.

Rocking Chair Print

Italian Greyhound Print

Whale Block Print Card

Note from Bluelines: If you are thinking that our blogger is lazily surfing Etsy all day, not so. In addition to bringing us a constant stream of charming (not to mention affordable) finds, he is a talented stylist who recently launched his own site. Here he is hard at work on a shoot (far from an Internet connection).

Bath and Beyond

Posted by Rebecca

The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house -- a sanctuary. Where else could allow Calgon to take you away?

Recently, I’ve started freshening up our bathroom. I started with new towels (from the Martha Stewart line at Kmart), which are amazingly plush -- not to mention cheap at $9.99 for the bath size. I’ve also bought new soap.

I love this French soap holder that Apartment Therapy sells for $40 as much for its beauty as its function.

   

And just last week I found these great wooden vases at Jamali Garden Supplies that I use for both magazines and toilet paper. They cost $25 and fit perfectly together.

These small changes are great. And although they don’t quite equal the rooms below, I can keep dreaming...

Made in the Shade

Posted by Kerstin

I've been looking for the perfect shade to paint my bedroom. However, the fluorescent lighting and middle-school gymnasium floor at the hardware store are making it somewhat dull.

I am so happy I found colourlovers.com, a site to navigate, discuss, and discover new color. Think of it as a blog and trend report rolled into one. While the site attracts designers, ad professionals, and architects, anyone can use it as a resource or inspiration point.

Browsing the thousands of user-submitted color, palette, and pattern galleries, I came across a subdued combination called “Sunny Day with You” that mixed colors like eggplant and yellow that would be lovely accents to my gray living/dining room.

"Sunny Day With You"

While my main objective was to pin down the palest shade of pink or khaki for my bedroom -- I got lost for way too long (company hours) here.

I predict you will, too.

I loved this name, "Salty"

Another perfect palette

Inspired by a kimono

See How Our Garden Grows

Posted by Shane

Last summer, my boyfriend, Addys, and I moved into a garden apartment in a Brooklyn brownstone. We had never imagined cohabitating this kind of space -- but having the garden to ourselves just outside the kitchen has been both inspiring and a quiet retreat on weekend afternoons.

Gold Rush

Posted by Scott

The recent string of warm-weather days has not swayed me from finding more great finds on etsy.

By now, you all know what a sucker I am for handmade goods. I really enjoy the handmade feel to these unique items.

Case in point: The gold vessel below

The pot is waterproof and made from a very stiff paper-mache. Then it is painted, gold leafed, and polyurethaned.

This artist also carries a gray container set and gold-rimmed dish. These sophisticated simple designs make for great accents or collection pieces to sprinkle around your home.

.

Home Plate (Part II)

Posted by Lisa & Rena

Hi it’s Lisa here. Rena’s on vacation in Portland this week, so I thought I would share a recent home project.

Ever since I created this a few months ago, people have been asking me how I did it. So, here are my tips on building a decorative plate wall.

My wonderwall

Home Plate

Posted by Scott

I came across these on wisteria.com. Generally I'm not so keen on decorative items as artwork, but I really like the look and feel of the plates, bowls, and platters below.

Indigo hues, African textiles, and ceramics are all favorites of mine, so when I saw them wrapped up in one; I took it as a clear sign to buy.

Given they are far to pretty to cover up, I prefer them as decorative objects rather than serving pieces. They range in price from $119 - $139.

Shop Etsy: Pear and Pear Alike

Posted by Scott

Another great find on Etsy’s website. Now that spring is here, I am really into natural, sculptural accents for the home; they are such a great way to add a “human touch” to any room.

The Swede Spot

Posted by Kendra

We're moving soon to a two bedroom apartment and I'm so excited to decorate my daughter Stella's nursery. A major source of inspiration is the book "Children's Rooms 'Stockholm'" that I picked up from Japanese bookstore Kinokuniya (also available at the amazing kids' store Pomme). The publisher, Jeu de Paume has more books on kids' rooms and kitchens from Paris and London, and you can purchase directly from their site. I can't wait to get my hands on "Kitchens 'Stockholm'".

cover

a space fit for any stylish tot

a colorful mix of toys

Confronting Bare Walls Phobia

Posted by Callie (a former Blueprint-er, now available on Bluelines)

As the proud renter of a new apartment, I have been on an endless search for the perfect piece of art to hang on my unbearably white walls. Because I am a terrible decision maker, I have settled on two distinctly different yet equally beautiful options.

For the largest (and therefore most blindingly-white) wall, I waited to score the perfect vintage school map on eBay. Remember in middle school when your crusty history teacher would struggle to keep the map of Europe pulled down while discussing the Thirty Years' War? Well, now I can reenact that experience in my own living room...

...except for the fact that mine is a map of the United States. I guess I'll be giving lessons about Lewis & Clark.
 

Etsy's website offers innumerable solutions for unique and affordable art. Shortly, my walls will be adorned with the aloof beauty of work by labokoff, a French artist who digitally mixes her original photographs with painting.

neige en pissenlit

ble

coquelicot

lessay

Inside The Box

Posted by Scott

I love the practicality of these boxes made from vintage wallpaper. I'd use them to organize, stash paperwork and receipts, and even to cover up bland plastic flower pots (see below).

Drawflowers' vintage wallpaper boxes

Yellow vintage print wallpaper box

Hot Seats

  Posted by Erin

While perusing the website of Decor Craft Inc., a great design/gift shop in Providence, Rhode Island, I stumbled upon this set of miniature designer chairs. I'm not the type to covet an Eames or an Arne (although they are very nice indeed), but something about this collection of mini designer replicas grabbed my eye. I love the composition of the photo and the nearly neon colors of the chairs themselves -- it make me think of a parent-teacher meeting that's just ended. I'd like to line these little guys up on my desk, or scatter them across my bookshelves.

Miniature designer chairs

Trash Talking

Posted by Rebecca

I spotted this ingenious trash can yesterday on Bloesem, a blog that I absolutely love. You just clip in a bag and -- voila! -- you've got a beautifully designed receptacle. Of course, using a gorgeous bag (like the one in the picture below) is a big part of the appeal.

Trashcan by Hoommin

A Cut Above

Posted by Page

On a recent shopping trip to Fairway, I discovered this beautiful wooden cutlery. It's made from bamboo, and is disposable -- in fact, it will biodegrade within four to six months. But what I love about it is its beautiful simplicity and blond wood color.

I can't wait to use them at my first spring picnic -- they'll make any picnic feel so dignified. I'd even leave them out on the counter, arranged in a glass like wooden flowers to encourage their use. (Less dishes for me!) If you can't find them at Fairway, you can buy similar bamboo utensils here and here.

Shop Etsy: EmmaLitten

Posted by Scott

I'm always on Etsy's website looking for new props and objects to use in my styling work. Because I find so many wonderful artists and objects, I figured sharing them with you might curb my desire to buy everything. We'll see how that works out.

I love EmmaLitten's handmade ceramics. I've been drooling over these pieces -- with calm, chalky colors -- in particular:

Striped White Jug

Hand Looped Mug

Cream Pitcher

Brand New Blue

Posted by Bluelines

As promised, Bluelines has undergone a facelift (the fun kind). It might seem subtle but we've made some big additions. Here's a rundown of what's new.

If they're not already drawn there immediately, direct your eyes upward and you'll see six cool new banners by the incredibly talented artist Keith Shore. (More about him later.) We'll be rotating the artist behind our banners every month so if you'd like to be considered or want to suggest someone, please email us.

We've got a new list of contributors who'll be blogging about what inspires them, makes them laugh, and generally makes them weak in the knees. There are a few familiar faces, and a couple of new ones sprinkled in. We hope you come to like them all.

On the top left, we've tweaked our navigation, so play around with it and discover the archived treasures that lie within. Here, you'll find all of the previous Bluelines posts archived.

Navigation button No. 10 deserves a paragraph of its own. We've created a source book full of our favorite websites, blogs, artists, and resources. Here you'll also find all of Blueprint's beloved 100 Reasons To...  -- which contain a bevy of links, facts, and inspiration. We'll be adding to that list constantly, so check back often.

You'll also notice that we've created home tours of our favorite Blueprint features. Take a virtual tour of Suzanna Bierwith's Chicago row house, and watch as Sarah Humphreys's tiny Manhattan apartment goes from claustrophobic to chic. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they are also rife with great decorating tips and ideas to steal. And, of course, we'll be adding more of them.

New ideas, a new look, and new contributors -- we hope that's what you've been hankering for.

Just some of what's to come

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.

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

January Jumpstart: Contest Winners

Posted by Blueprint

The January Jumpstart contest has come to an end and the winners have been announced! If you haven't already, take the time to look at all of the wonderful entries at Apartment Therapy.

Just some of the finalists' projects

Plus, you can see how the following judges from Blueprint voted and what they had to say about their favorite entries:

Sarah Humphreys

Page Marchese Norman

Rebecca Robertson

Shane Powers

Erin Wylie

A big thanks goes out to our partners at Apartment Therapy for all of their hard work, and to everyone who participated in the contest for their imaginative ideas.

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.

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.}

Hang-Up Job

Posted by Blueprint

If you're at all like us, you're a hotel toiletry kleptomaniac who can't resist slipping every mini bottle of suds into your carry-on. When you arrive home, you carefully add the new additions to your arsenal of bath products (cleanser/scrub/lotion/miracle-in-a-bottles that are picked up every week), which dutifully line your sink, toilet tank, and bathtub like little soldiers. Just us? Well, we came up with a quick, easy way to keep all of your potions at hand while keeping them out of the way.

Wire hanging basket organizer

Keep reading for instructions.

Hold The Phone

Posted by Erin, Staff Writer

Phones scare me. Their design is my main beef (although see how menacing they can be in the hands of certain divas). Colorful face plates, flashing lights, and dangling charms are not really my thing. So, one of my resolutions for 2008 is to install an archaic sounding "landline" or "fixed-line" phone.

For inspiration, I checked out the wares in this weird phone gallery. Initially, I was drawn to the Zack Morris phone (you know, the original cordless phone that weighed about 20 pounds) and the zany Pac-Man phone (I'm a devotee), but decided they were far too kitschy. I moved on and finally settled on the sleek Trimline phone, whose simplicity is timeless. As is the price: most Trimline phones can be had for less than $30. I loved the splash of color that the yellow Trimline phone added to our ottoman photo, so now I'm vacillating between electric blue or red.

Things got momentarily complicated when I spotted this rotary phone from the '40s at Three Potato Four.  Oddly, it also comes in a brilliant red and bright blue and is the phone of my dreams. But who needs two phones? Plus, I'd be breaking another resolution if I splurged on it: spend less money.

'40s rotary phone from Three Potato Four

Have you come across any fine looking phones?

*We just got a great tip in our comments section: Zinzi spotted the beautiful 'Target' telephone on Bloesem today. Thanks!

White Forest Pottery

Posted by Blueprint

Blueprint's contributing style editor, Scott Horne, recently received this exquisite porcelain bowl with a gold wire rim and has since become enamored with the all of White Forest pottery, handmade by Nancy Bauch.

Gold weave bowl

Inner Glow: Michele Varian Cluster Lamp

Posted by Blueprint

Looking for a modern alternative to the chandelier? Look no further than this stunning mouth-blown glass lamp that can be laid on its side or hung from the ceiling. The organic shape reminds us of a dahlia and breaks free from fusty traditional crystal lighting.

Cluster Lamp from Michele Varian
9-by-12-inch lamp, $280
16-by-20-inch lamp, $480

Wallpaper by Wook Kim
Pattern: "Diana"; Style: "Luna"

Vintage table from Shabby Chic

Painting by Penine Hart of Penine Hart Antiques

January Jumpstart: Extended!

Posted by Blueprint

The deadline for the January Jumpstart contest has been extended to today! So you’ve still got time (today to be exact) to tackle a small project. Here are some more ideas from the Blueprint archives.

Chain Suspended Shelf
Conjure the stylish illusion of a space-saving suspended shelf.

Chain suspended shelf (Jan/Feb 2007)

We Make Great (Desk) Pets

Posted by Blueprint

We fell in love with these VacaValiente ‘Amigos’ organizers that come in the guise of various creatures. And we fell harder when we learned that they’re all made from recycled leather. All of the animals have different intended storage functions, most of which can be hidden thanks to hinged parts that open to reveal inner pockets. We’ve kitted the kangaroo and cat out with all of our office essentials. Who wouldn’t want one of these guys perched on his desk? You can see all the different 'pets' and purchase them here.

Prepare to be organized!

Pot Holders

Posted by Blueprint

When Erika Knight’s latest book Classic Knits At Home (released earlier this month) entered our office the weather was frigid and Christmas poinsettias were the only flowers in sight. So when we cast our wind burnt eyes on this...

Reprinted from Classic Knits at Home by Erika Knight Copyright © 2008.  Published by Potter Craft, a division of Random House, Inc.

Reprinted from Classic Knits at Home by Erika Knight Copyright © 2008.  Published by Potter Craft, a division of Random House, Inc.

...we became inspired. The choice of flowers and their arrangement is exquisite – yet casual – which struck us as very Blueprint. Not only are these knitted plant pot covers a wonderful way to turn your trusty terracotta standbys into something infinitely more interesting, they’re also fairly easy to make. Slip one around a store bought plant and you’ve got a personal, handmade housewarming gift.