Search Results for “halloween”

Adventures in Antiquing: Charleston Antiques Show Part 2

by H. Camille Smith April 10, 2013 5 Comments

So, have I mentioned lately that I love my job? No? Well, I do! I recently spent a few (blissful!) days in Charleston, SC touring historic homes and checking out their prestigious annual antiques show. I shared a few of my favorite antique finds last week; here are a few more goodies:

I’m obsessed with gilding — shiny gold objects draw me to them like a magnet. Gilding is the process of covering a surface, typically porcelain, wood or metal, with a thin layer of gold. Also known as gilt, gold-leaf and ormolu (from the French or moulu, literally ground gold) this technique is centuries old – early examples decorated the homes of Greek, Chinese and Egytian elite. Left: The mirror in the foreground is one of a pair of George the Third, English Regency mirrors from the early 1800′s – $17,500. G. Sergeant Antiques To demonstrate the (top notch!) quality of antiques offered for sale at this show, the mirror in the background is the mate to one on display at NY’s Metropolitan Museum of Art — wow! Right: The massive horse’s head is a French trade sign from 1870. The gilding was applied over cast lead and is in amazing condition considering this piece would have been displayed outside a business and spent decades exposed to the elements – $4,500. Cunha St. John Antiques

Storage that’s both practical and beautiful is not a new idea. Left: What looks like a really tall hat box is actually a cheese keeper. Refrigeration is a technology we take for granted but 100+ years ago, this beautifully embellished pottery dome prevented cheese from drying out while keeping it cool and mold-free, circa 1875 — $9,500 Jerry S. Hayes Majolica. Right: For centuries tea was a luxury that only European, and later Amercan, elite could afford. To protect their stash from rodents or light-fingered servants, small locked boxes were used. Soon, the boxes that held the precious tea became a status symbol in themselves employing exotic and rare materials like ivory and tortoiseshell. English tea caddy, circa 1830 — $5,300 Sallea Antiques

My two pups are the center of my world and judging from the high number of antiques I spied featuring man’s best friend, dogs have long been considered members of the family. Left: This sweet pencil sketch of greyhounds by artist Felix O.C. Darley may have been a study for one of the many books he illustrated. Darley was one of the 19th century’s top illustrators; his work helped classics by Dickens, Longfellow, Hawthorne, Washington Irving and Edgar Allen Poe (to name a few) come to life — $750, American Eagle Antiques (no website). Right: A pair of skillfully carved mahogany whippets support a Carrara marble top on this Neapolitan console which was crafted in Italy, circa 1820 — $46,000 from Yew Tree House Antiques.

*Check back next Wednesday to see some of the amazing private homes and gardens I toured in Charleston.

Budget Beach Cottage Before and After: Living Room

by H. Camille Smith February 27, 2013 26 Comments

My sister bought a fixer-upper beach house almost two years ago which we’ve slowly but surely been hammering back into shape. In addition to a long list of structural changes, we needed to find a house full of beachy furniture and accessories on the cheap. I hail from a family of bargain hunters/diy-ers so the beach house has been a fun challenge for us.

Before: We started in the main living area which was dark, crowded and just plain sad. Sunny yellow trim did nothing to brighten up the driftwood gray paneling. Unfortunately, you can’t see the pitiful greenish-gold shag carpet which, thanks to leaking windows, had mildewed and actually smelled worse than it looked (hard to believe, I know).

See the Afters

Pinterest Has Spoken: Your Favorite Photos of 2012

by H. Camille Smith January 9, 2013 8 Comments

Seriously, what did we do before Pinterest? It’s not only a great way for the HGTV.com editors to stay on top of design, craft, entertaining and gardening trends, it also lets us know what you guys are interested in so we can tailor our content to suit it.

So, needless to say, we keep a close eye on the photos HGTV fans pin and the ensuing comments — we love feedback! Wondering which 35 HGTV images were most pinned (and repinned…and repinned) in 2012? Check em out then feel free to pin away to your own boards or leave comments letting us know why that photo is one of your faves.

All 35 images are stars but here are 6 stand-outs:

Not surprisingly, beautiful indoor spaces, like this chic and restful bedroom by Sarah Richardson, topped the list:

Dreamy outdoor rooms were also big. HGTV fans love how John Gidding turned the under-used corner of a deck into a party-ready outdoor lounge:

The chalkboard paint trend is still going strong. Tinted a cheery red, it gives an old dresser new usefulness:

5 Gingerbread House Ideas

by Kayla Kitts December 10, 2012 5 Comments

So, back in October I confessed to you that I didn’t carve my first jack-o’-lantern until I was in college. Well, here’s another one for you: I didn’t decorate my first gingerbread house until I was in high school (double gasp!). As a perfectionist, I found the icing terribly difficult to work with, the red hots just wouldn’t stay lined up and don’t even get me started on the Lifesaver candies. I’ll just leave gingerbread house construction to the kiddos while I munch on the supplies. Even though I’ve given up on making these edible homes, I’m still intrigued by all the different ways you can dress up gingerbread. And searches are spiking* for gingerbread house ideas, so we know you all are definitely looking for ways to integrate all those baking supplies somehow. Check out these unique home ideas and see if you can pick out the various candies used in each one. And while you’re at it, why not give one of them a try yourself?

Host a Kid-Friendly Gingerbread House Decorating Party

Photo courtesy of Fantasy of Trees

More Gingerbread House Ideas

5 Last-Minute, DIY Thanksgiving Decorations

by Kayla Kitts November 20, 2012 6 Comments

So, you have the Thanksgiving menu planned, guest accommodations prepared and a slew of activities in mind for kids and adults. (Apples to Apples or Bananagrams, anyone?) But what about seasonal decor? That’s where we come in. Try these easy-to-create projects and add warm and inviting fall touches to your home just in time for Thursday. Your guests may never want to leave! (We’re not sure if that’s a good thing.)

Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas, Centerpieces and Table Settings

Glittered Thanksgiving Banner: Transform basic chipboard letters into a festive holiday banner using copper glitter and hemp twine. You can hang your finished banner anywhere, but it looks especially lovely above a buffet or mantel. Get the Step-by-Step Instructions >>

Fall Leaf Streamers: How’s this for non-traditional? Opt for streamers instead of a centerpiece. These fall leaf streamers are easy to make and bring the beautiful colors of fall right to your Thanksgiving table. Get the Step-by-Step Instructions >>

More Last-Minute Decorating Ideas

5 Crafts to Get Your Dining Room Ready for Thanksgiving

by H. Camille Smith November 14, 2012 8 Comments

It’s just 1 week till Thanksgiving — is your dining room ready for the big event? If not, don’t worry, there’s still time for a guest-impressing makeover. From disguising a past-its-prime dining table to an easy way to give stock white plates a high-end look — we’ve got you covered with five easy project ideas, each with complete step-by-step instructions.

A plain white tablecloth is great for covering up a scratched or discolored tabletop. For a sophisticated look, stitch on a row or two of ruffled burlap or linen:

Enlist help from the kids to glue real or silk fall leaves onto fishing line to create a magical falling-leaf effect over the dining table or buffet:

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Young House Love Book Review + 2 Exclusive DIY Projects

by Liz Gray November 9, 2012 10 Comments

If you’ve read the blog Young House Love at all, you know Sherry and John Petersik are real can-do people. They’ve completely made over a house and a half and chronicled their successes (and failures) for millions of readers in their signature fun-loving, no-nonsense voice.

But less than 5 years ago, they were remodeling novices too, muddling through their first project as homeowners. In short: If you’re new to home improvement, they’ve been in your shoes and want to help. That’s the idea behind their new book, Young House Love: 243 Ways to Paint, Craft, Update & Show Your Home Some Love.

To the Petersiks, home design isn’t about the big reveals, it’s about the small victories. That’s why they worked to come up with more than 200 home improvement ideas (most of which you can accomplish in less than a day) that range from easy DIY projects like recovering a dresser with wallpaper to shopping and storage tips to no-nonsense remodeling advice. A favorite: ‘A home-decorating decision is not going to save the world…or end it…it’s all going to be okay.’

As a new-ish homeowner who only recently began experiencing the angst (It’s been a month…why haven’t I accomplished more?) and satisfaction (I actually completed something!) that is DIY remodeling, I appreciate that the Petersiks have been there, done that, and lived to tell the tale. Their project ideas are pretty darn inspiring, too: Why yes, I think I will paint a pattern on my stair risers and frame a collage of favorite ticket stubs this weekend.

I chatted with co-author Sherry to learn more about the book and get her been there, done that remodeling tips. Plus: Get two sample step-by-step projects.
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Defend the Trend: It’s Decorative Gourd Season…or Is It?!

by Briana Mowrey November 9, 2012 9 Comments

BRIANA: It’s fall and Thanksgiving is fast approaching, which can only mean one thing to many outfitting their home for the holiday: IT’S DECORATIVE GOURD SEASON, [EXPLETIVE]! (I shant include a direct link here due to the column’s use of strong language, but if you don’t get this reference, I suggest you coughcough search for it on McSweeney’s coughcough).

So, decorative gourds: Festive fall must-have or tacky tradition?

LIZ: Well…this is happening in my entryway:

So…yeah. As high-brow as I might try to be, there’s just something about buying a bunch of pumpkins and gourds that feels so…seasonal. See, there’s even a bird in my house! All my (alleged) principles evaporate when fall happens. I still skip the shellac and cornucopias, though.

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Cheers to HGTV Pinterest Pinners

by Sarah Herron November 5, 2012 5 Comments

HGTV loves Pinterest, in large part because we have the best pinners. We read every comment and here are a few things we know about the HGTV Pinterest followers:

They love a good cocktail.

They have great ideas.

They make solid observations.

They care about animals.

They ask good questions.

Thank you HGTV Pinterest followers for sharing your insight and for making our jobs so fun. If you haven’t already, join us!

Daily Delight: Fall/Thanksgiving Centerpieces

by Grant Dudley November 1, 2012 8 Comments

With Halloween behind us, it’s time to look ahead to Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday).

If you’re hosting friends and family at your house this year, start prepping now for how you’re going to impress everyone. Sure, sure — food is where you really want to WOW your guests (and by the way, we have you covered there too) — but don’t you also want to add some pizzazz to the table where they’re going to eat that delicious food? Of course you do!

Start with stunning Thanksgiving centerpieces!