Briana Mowrey

"I want the Eames chair and I want the Saarinen table and I want them both."

Briana is a writer and senior editor for HGTV.com. Her self-described design style is "mid-century modern magpie." She lives in a Brooklyn apartment with her fiancé, their spoiled dachshund, Chauncey, and approximately one million old shelter magazines. She cannot wait until she is a home owner, and can wallpaper and/or tile just about every available surface.

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POSTS BY Briana Mowrey

Defend the Trend: Is Camo a Go or a New Low?

by Briana Mowrey December 21, 2012 8 Comments

BRIANA: Credit to KELLEY for bringing this House Beautiful 2013 trend roundup to my attention. Camouflage is generally used for concealment, but it sure stood out on the list. CAMILLE says “h*ll to the no on the camo,” but I want to hear what you think. Is camo a bold and pretty pattern or do you wish it’d just disappear into the scenery?

Photo: Bob Hiemstra

KELLY SMITH TRIMBLE: When I first saw this pic, I thought camo was referring to the green color on the wall. But when I realized it was the pink and orange fabric, I was disappointed. I actually really dig the army green color, and I could see using a little green and brown camo for a campy style, but I’m not as keen on the re-colorized versions. They’re not offensive to me, just a little too cheeky.

Designer MacGyver: 5 Card Crafts to Make Now

by Briana Mowrey December 17, 2012 3 Comments

If you’re sentimental like I am, it can be tempting to save every holiday card you’ve ever received. Until you catch an episode of Hoarders and want to throw everything away. But there’s another way! Take Liz’s lead and recycle the cards you just can’t bear to part with into pretty holiday decor. They say what goes around comes around — these Christmas card crafts are examples of how that can actually be a good thing!

Defend the Trend: Are Colorful Christmas Trees Glorious or Gaudy?

by Briana Mowrey December 7, 2012 19 Comments

BRIANA: Forget the whole real tree vs. fake tree debate. Let’s taste the rainbow. Do colorful Christmas trees make you say “Ho, ho, ho!” or “NO, NO, NO!”?

BRIAN PATRICK FLYNN: I prefer a bold-colored tree over the usual green. It sparks more creativity for putting together an unexpected Christmas color scheme. For example: Hot pink and seafoam ornaments on a hunter green pine tree make no impact and look stupid-ish. Stick those sassy mommas on an ultra-white, turquoise or black tree and KAZAM!, graphic, technicolor world peace.

Designer MacGyver: 5 Holiday Straw Crafts to Drink Up

by Briana Mowrey December 3, 2012 7 Comments

My neighborhood grocery store has started to play Christmas carols, so the holiday season is officially on in my book. Have you started decking those halls yet? If not, I’ve got some ideas for you involving paper drinking straws. Yes, those stripey wonders that looked so chic in your summertime lemonade also work in the dead of winter! Check out these seasonable straw craft ideas and drink up the festive beauty.

drinking straw wreath

Designer MacGyver: 5 Jolly Ideas for Indoor Christmas Lights

by Briana Mowrey November 26, 2012 9 Comments

Many families start decorating for the holidays immediately after Thanksgiving, and if you’re one of those families, you may have already wrestled with today’s tricky DIY material. Yes, I’m talking about string lights. You can use them outdoors and on your Christmas tree (once you get them untangled, that is!), but there are so many more ways to deck the halls with their twinkle. Take a break from your Cyber Monday shopping and admire how versatile the glowing strands can be.

Photo: Cabin & Cottage

Defend the Trend: Are You Bored With Blackboards?

by Briana Mowrey November 23, 2012 12 Comments

BRIANA: Since it’s Black Friday, I thought we could rap about blackboards. They’re handy in the classroom, but the trend of using chalkboards and chalkboard paint at home shows no signs of slowing. So, spell it out for me: Are you bored with decorative chalkboards? Do you think they’re cool or should they stay in school?

LIZ: True, it’s not exactly revolutionary decor at this point, but I’m not ready to erase the trend quite yet. I mean, you get to DRAW ON THE WALLS (and refrigerator!) Do I really need to say more?

child drawing on chalkboard fridge
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Designer MacGyver: 5 Almost-Free Egg Carton Crafts

by Briana Mowrey November 19, 2012 6 Comments

I know egg carton crafts seem more intuitive for say, Easter, but I like to keep you on your toes. Besides, it’s nearly Thanksgiving and you’ll be using plenty of eggs in pies and other sweets this week, won’t you? There you go! If you’re still too full of tryptophan to venture out into the Black Friday crowds, here are some attractive egg carton crafts you can make with your family instead. (Or save them for when you think you can’t stand another minute of football. I feel you on that one.)

Designer MacGyver: 5 Magical Mint Tin Projects

by Briana Mowrey November 12, 2012 15 Comments

One thing I like about you readers is that you’re not shy with your suggestions. When I asked for everyday objects that could have hidden craft potential, you challenged me to find cute uses for things like empty prescription bottles and used dryer sheets(!). I’m still working on those — couldn’t give me any softballs, could you? — but in the meantime, I think I’ve finally cracked this request from my coworker, Liz. Freshen your breath, then freshen up your surroundings with these ingenious mint tin projects.

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:

pumpkins and an owl

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.