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Last-Minute Halloween Costume Ideas for the Entire Family

by Kayla Kitts October 30, 2012 10 Comments

So, tomorrow’s Halloween and you’re still struggling to decide what ghostly (or adorable) character you’re going to transform into, amiright? Don’t let the pressure of creating a knock-out costume stress you out. You still have plenty of time to gather some materials and put your DIY skills to use to make a fun, homemade costume just in time for nightfall. And even if you aren’t handy with a needle and thread, many of these will look just as good with a hot glue gun substitute. So, I’ve picked my top 11 (I just couldn’t stop at 10) DIY costumes from around the blogosphere that you can make TONIGHT. Plus, there’s something for every person in your family, from babies to grown-ups. Go ahead and dive in.

HALLOWEEN COSTUMES FOR DOGS

FOR GIRLS:

DIY Halloween Costumes - Rag Dolls Rag Dolls :: A Beautiful Mess

This rag doll costume is too cute. It’s perfect on its own or as a mother-daughter set. Get the Tutorial at A Beautiful Mess >>

DIY Halloween Costumes - Bumblebee Bumblebee :: Fiskars

Becoming a bumblebee is easy as can be(e). Sew strips of black tee onto a yellow shirt, and turn a regular headband into whimsical antennae. Get the Tutorial at Fiskars >>

More Last-Minute Halloween Costumes

Current & Iconic Design Trends: Global Textiles + Klismos Chair

by Kayla Kitts May 5, 2012 5 Comments

The HGTV Home Studio interns were hard at work during the first quarter here at HGTV Headquarters to create yet another eye-catching display, focusing on both current and iconic design trends. The Home Studio university co-op program allows Scripps Networks to work with up-and-coming designers who offer unique takes on interior design. Throughout the process, University of Cincinnati students Alison Donner and Diana Stercula worked closely with Vern Yip and other HGTV design experts to help expand their concepts and build a larger-than-life interactive vignette.

Discover more about the rising global textiles trend and the age-old Klismos chair, and see how they both come together in one surprising (and vibrant) display.

hgtv home studio interns Left: Diana Stercula + global textiles; Right: Alison Donner + Klismos chair

Bring These Trends Into Your Home

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Daily Delight: Linus Dean Rugs

by Briana Mowrey January 3, 2012 7 Comments

You know how much I love a sweet, sweet tiled floor, but lately I’ve found myself warming up to rugs. Possibly literally. We are having a cold snap here in NYC, and rugs are so much better at keeping my tootsies toasty! I spotted a Linus Dean rug on a friend’s holiday wish list and now I’m wishing for one, too. They remind me of cool roadside signs I’ve seen in the desert cities near Palm Springs.
linus dean rugs

Graphic vintage typography has never looked so appealing, and Linus Dean is considering a child-labor free certification thanks to GoodWeave. (Which warms my heart as much as the rug warms my feet.)

Suzani Furnishings at KMP

by Jeanine Hays December 12, 2011 2 Comments

One of the best things about being a blogger is hearing from those who read the AphroChic blog and my posts here on Design Happens. Every now and then a wonderful reader will send me a link to a site they think I’ll like. That happened earlier this week, when a reader sent me a link to KMP furniture in Miami (a city I still need to make a trip to). He must have known how much I love suzani prints, and how much I would love this site filled with suzani-upholstered seating. Oh, it’s just fantastic!

Evita Chair

From deep and cozy side chairs to egg chairs, these pieces are truly one-of-a-kind, featuring 18th-century fabric designs on modern furniture silhouettes.

Ecko Chair

The variety of pattern and color makes these chairs remarkable statement pieces.

Apollo Chair

In classic styles like this wingback chair, these furnishings can also fit into the most traditional of spaces. I could see a set of these in a sitting room. Wouldn’t they look incredible?

Malia Chair

And for something a little unconventional, how about this embroidered swan-style chair? It’s the perfect mix of modern and traditional. It’s fantastic to see old-school design made new again.

For more suzani inspiration, check out my Oh Suzani post featuring some gorgeous textiles.

Design Trend: Block-Printed Textiles

by Jeanine Hays November 21, 2011 8 Comments

I’m completely enamored with block-printed textiles for their ability to bring an artistic feel to modern interiors. Based on thousands of years of Indian tradition, block printing uses artisan-carved hardwood to apply color and pattern onto fabric. Block-printed pieces feel distinctive as a result of the crafting process; each piece really is an original work of art.

Designer John Robshaw studied traditional block printing in China then went on to India, where he discovered the beauty of Indian fabric-making techniques. He uses India’s four-thousand-year-old printing process to create his line of bedding, pillows, table linens and curtains.

This Marine Decorative Pillow uses detailed blocks that are dipped in a dye and then stamped onto the fabric. Each pattern and color represents the different blocks applied to create the layers seen in the pillow.

Philadelphia designers Liz Galbraith and Ephraim Paul, the founders of Galbraith & Paul, are known for their oversized block prints in unique colorways. Through block printing, they create everything from pillows to pendants to wallpaper.

Galbraith & Paul pillows and lighting are sold exclusively at Room & Board.

West Elm also has block-printed pieces in bright colors and fun patterns. Their hand-blocked quilts and shams are made by master artisans in Rajasthan, India.

Block-Printed Napkins from West Elm also have a similar feel. Striped, checked and floral patterns can be mixed and matched for an eclectic tabletop display.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can create your own block-print piece for your interior. Leah Moss of Apartment Therapy was inspired by all of the hand-blocked textiles out there, and decided to make her own affordable rug. Check out her tutorial for creating your very own block-printed masterpiece.

Stenciled Thanksgiving Napkins by Marion Parsons of Miss Mustard Seed

Or if you’d like a simpler process with similar results, why not try stenciling on fabric? Marion Parsons made these elegant stenciled napkins for Thanksgiving, but you could use the same technique on any fabric, for any purpose, throughout the year.

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Daily Delight: Oilcloth Placemat

by Briana Mowrey October 2, 2011 1 Comment

Have a messy little eater or two on your hands? While it’s tempting to just throw a tarp over the table at mealtimes, I think this DIY oilcloth placemat I spied on Wren Handmade is a much more elegant and ingenious solution.

oilcloth placemat

The oilcloth will wipe up easily, and the pattern is pretty enough to leave on the table even when it’s not in use. Bon Appétit!

AphroChic: Blanket Culture – My 5 Top Picks

by Jeanine Hays September 26, 2011 12 Comments

Can you believe that the days are already getting shorter? Fall has arrived and with it all of the beautiful things about this season — cooler days, longer nights and more time spent cozying up at home. It’s blanket time again! My favorite home accessory to buy this time of year is a colorful new throw to brighten up my space. A few of my favorite stores have just the thing — unique throws that are great for snuggling and adding warm color and texture at home.

Stripes are still in, and Dwell Studio’s Draper Stripe Throws are a classic. They are made with alpaca and are sure to be super-soft.

West Elm’s Kantha Quilted Throw is absolutely gorgeous. Made from recycled saris, pieces are stitched together to create one-of-a-kind intricate designs. Each one would be a colorful addition to a bed or even a wall for some added warmth at home.

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Daily Delight: Twinkle Curtain

by Briana Mowrey September 21, 2011 3 Comments

Oh my stars! Is this curtain precious, or what? The Twinkle Curtain by GRAstudio is designed to create a peaceful environment for your baby or toddler’s nap time, thanks to its linen-colored blackout fabric that keeps things cool and dim.

twinkle curtain

I’m not a parent yet, but that dancing light streaming through the die-cut celestial cluster is heavenly. I’ll think I’ll buy a few curtains now, you know, for a future nursery. And uhh, I shouldn’t let them go to waste, so in the meantime, maybe I’ll just hang them on my windows. (Hey, can you blame me?)

We’re Gaga Over Pantone’s Spring 2012 Color Report

by Kayla Kitts September 16, 2011 10 Comments

With the end of Fashion Week, I can only imagine the industry buzz surrounding the spring/summer 2012 clothing trends and styles we’ll see next year. So of course, I was super excited to see the recent release of Pantone’s Fashion Color Report for Spring 2012. The report features the top 10 colors for women’s fashion for spring 2012. And with enticing names like Margarita (Pantone 14-0116) and Tangerine Tango (Pantone 17-1463), I’m dying to skip over a few seasons (sorry Mother Nature) to fully engulf myself in these luscious hues. For spring, designers are especially inspired by diverse influences and lifestyles, creating contemporary classics, vivid brights and fun-loving pastels. We found some of Pantone’s new beauties in some of our favorite spaces. Take a look!

Haute Hotels: Try Pantone in Your Home

Pantone Spring 2012 Fashion Color Report Design Happens Design Blog HGTV HGTV Green Home 2009 :: Pantone 18-2140 Cabaret

Pantone Spring Fashion Color Report 2012 Design Happens Design Blog HGTV Jane Ellison :: Pantone 18-3628 Bellflower

Pantone Spring 2012 Fashion Color Report Design Happens Design Blog HGTV Pantone 14-5420 Cockatoo :: Andreea Avram Rusu

Pantone Spring 2012 Fashion Color Report Design Happens Design Blog HGTV Shelly Riehl David :: Pantone 17-1463 Tangerine Tango

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Daily Delight: Black and White Floral Rug

by Briana Mowrey September 15, 2011 2 Comments

What’s black and white and elegant all over? How about this English Floral rug by Carini Lang? I love that this needlepoint-inspired motif could have come off as prissy, but the colorway plays with that expectation and goes mod instead. Plus, the palette is so classic, you know it’ll never go out of style.

english floral rug

The rug has a retail value of $6,534, but it could be yours for the price of a $25 raffle ticket to benefit GoodWeave, an organization that’s committed to ending child exploitation in the rug industry. Supporting a good cause with good design? Talk about a double delight!