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

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Designer MacGyver: 5 Bright Ideas for Old Light Bulbs

by Briana Mowrey November 5, 2012 32 Comments

Hey, craft fans! We’re recovering from Hurricane Sandy here in New York — here’s hoping you and yours are safe and sound, too. While lights and electricity are something we often take for granted, I’ve come through the storm with a whole new appreciation for power. Even old light bulbs can be reused in creative ways. Take a look at these bright ideas for recycling and turn a dim bulb into a bright, shiny new craft.

SAFETY NOTE: While each craft varies, a good general rule of thumb is to wear safety goggles and gloves when crafting with light bulbs to protect yourself from glass shards. Please read the instructions carefully and craft responsibly!

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Designer MacGyver: Christmas Craft Ideas From Your Sock Drawer

by Briana Mowrey October 29, 2012 9 Comments

This is your Designer MacGyver, reporting live from the front lines of Hurricane Sandy in New York City…at least until the power goes out. I hope wherever you are, you’re safe, warm and dry! Since local officials have urged everyone to stay inside, it looks like I may have a lot of time on my hands. I’m stocked up on all the storm essentials so I think I’ll be okay in that sense, but if we lose the Internet and TV, there are only so many games of Scrabble I can beat my fiance at before he’ll want to stop playing. So, DIY by candlelight it is. Thankfully, I’ve got lots of old/single socks at my disposal, and if you do too, let’s get a jump on winter and Christmas crafting, shall we? Sock it to me!

sock vase

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Defend the Trend: Is Denim Jean-ius or Just for Dungarees?

by Briana Mowrey October 26, 2012 14 Comments

BRIANA: Lili has pitched it as a Color of the Month in the past…and so have I. This couch caused quite a kerfuffle at the meeting. So take a stand and make it official. Is denim in the home jean-ius (sorry) or is it better on the body?

denim sofa

FARIMA: If you would’ve asked me this question a couple of months ago, I would’ve said no way. I’m not sure what exactly changed my mind, but I like it in small doses. I voted for Lili’s denim pitch, and I even featured a denim map in my color trends post.

denim map

The sofa is a little too much for me though.

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Designer MacGyver: 5 Nifty Coffee Filter Crafts

by Briana Mowrey October 22, 2012 11 Comments

Apparently October is Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month, and though I’ll never quite kick java to the curb, I’m definitely trying to substitute green tea and yerba mate whenever possible. I’m less jittery, but I have a lot more coffee filters floating around these days. Lucky for me, there are dozens of cute uses for coffee filters posted all over Pinterest. Take a look at these finds and catch a buzz from crafting instead.

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Designer MacGyver: 5 Grrrreat Cereal Box Projects and Crafts

by Briana Mowrey October 15, 2012 11 Comments

I must admit, I like a good bowl of cereal for breakfast from time to time. Yes, even the sugary cereals. (Sorry, mom!) When the flakes, clusters and marshmallows are gone, it seems a shame to just pitch the box. Now, with all of these crafty ideas from Pinterest, I can recycle them in other ways. Take a look at my finds and learn how cereal box projects can add a little snap, crackle and pop to your decor.

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Defend the Trend: Do You Think Graffiti Is Hip or Hideous?

by Briana Mowrey October 12, 2012 13 Comments

BRIANA: Kelly Wearstler gave her walls a graffiti treatment, Keith Haring now comes in decal form and people are scribbling all over home accessories. So, what do you think of graffiti-inspired style? En vogue art or design vandalism? [Ed. Note: Check out Kelly also rocking two trends we've debated in the past in the pic below: Hand chairs and animal print! What a design daredevil.]

graffiti in design

MARIANNE: The last time I felt the love for graffiti was the Stephen Sprouse collab with Louis Vuitton. On my walls? Not so much.

GRANT: Ah, memories. This trend takes me back to my street gang days. I say if you’re going to go for graffiti in design, GO FOR IT.

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Designer MacGyver: 5 Apple Crafts That Are Cool to the Core

by Briana Mowrey October 8, 2012 7 Comments

Want to have a totally organic experience? Try crafting with something all-natural, like apples! October is National Apple Month, so there’s no better time to buy a bushel. Eating an apple a day may keep the doctor away, but crafting with apples is sure to keep boredom at bay.

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Designer MacGyver: 5 Book Crafts to Check Out

by Briana Mowrey October 1, 2012 7 Comments

October is National Book Month and other sites would probably tell you to celebrate by reading, but we’re not other sites! I suggest celebrating by reading AND crafting with books! Now, as a bibliophile, I can understand not wanting to alter books in any way, but there are always going to be books that just don’t suit the donation pile (like super-old travel and reference books that have outdated info). At least with these ideas, they can still shine and live on as darling gifts or decor! “But you don’t have to take my word for it…”

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Defend the Trend: Are You Wild for Animal Print Decor?

by Briana Mowrey September 28, 2012 22 Comments

BRIANA: Leopards and zebras and Dalmatians?! Oh my! They’re all over the runways (and my nails), but do you want animal prints in your home? Sharpen your claws and let me hear you roar!

LILI: When I was in college, my roommate and I re-covered a wingback armchair in leopard print velour. It was the best thing that ever happened to that chair, or that apartment.

Lili on her leopard throne. "This is what the 90s looked like."

GRANT: We live in a Kardashian world — and the three sisters agree that animal print is in — and that we should be draped in it (on our bodies and in our home). If it was only Kim pushing the look, I’d question the trend. But with Kourtney and Khloe on board too, we should probably just embrace it.
kardashians in animal print READ MORE

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Designer MacGyver: 5 Easy Fall Crafts You’ll Fall For

by Briana Mowrey September 24, 2012 8 Comments

It’s officially boot-and-sweater weather here in NYC and that chill in the air, in addition to making me want some apple cider, makes me want to get cozy at home and craft my little heart out. If you love leaf peeping and crafting, why not put both activities together and make a day of it? Take a stroll outside (or forage in your backyard if you’re feeling lazy, no judgment) and collect leaves and acorns to adorn your abode. They may look humble on the ground, but you can easily transform your natural finds into cute seasonal decor with these ideas.