World | Design Happens

ALL POSTS IN [World]

Daily Delight: Seven Year Pens for Earth Day

by Grant Dudley April 22, 2013 4 Comments

Turning your ordinary writing utensils into your favorite pens, the Seven Year Pen greens up your office supplies, writing up to 6.5 feet a day for 7 years (uh, can you say “hand cramp?”). Available in colorful designs and clever graphics, the best part about these pens is that they’re eco-friendly — reducing waste by increasing the barrel size inside each pen up to six times the amount in your everyday BIC.

EXTRA: Eco-Friendly Home Improvement and Building Products >>

From Seltzer Goods

Happy Earth Day!

Mood Board Monday: When In Rome…

by Kayla Kitts March 18, 2013 3 Comments

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that a new pope, Pope Francis, was elected on March 13. The biggest news, though, is that he’s the first non-European pope in history. (Jorge Mario Bergoglio is from Buenos Aires, Argentina.) With Italy being all over the news, I figured I’d take this opportunity to give you a virtual vacay to Roma this Monday morning. Sit back and enjoy, friends.

Mood Board Monday: When In Rome All the Days Ordained / Design in Progress / Why Go: Italy / 100 Layer Cake / Flickr / Glamgerous / Bloun Artinfo

Come back every Monday for an inspirational mood board. Miss a day? See all the posts here.

Daily Delight: Spanish Handmade Plates

by Grant Dudley October 10, 2012 7 Comments

Recently, we have noticed that readers (you) are searching HGTV.com for “Spanish-style” decor ideas. Is it because this is Hispanic Heritage Month, perhaps? Whatever the reason, what better time than now to highlight these stunning handmade plates from Spain?!

Made from enamels and 24k gold, these plates come in a variety of sizes from just over three inches to over 13 inches in diameter. Que bonita!
Spanish Plate

More Spanish-Style Talk:

Spanish-Inspired Outdoor Spaces
Spanish-Inspired Rooms
Spanish-Inspired Design Ideas

Daily Delight: Tree Camping in Germany

by Grant Dudley September 27, 2012 16 Comments

You may recall, I hate camping. And yet, here I am — delighted once again by something that involves sleeping outdoors. Perhaps I do like the idea of camping and just detest the actual activity? Whatever — I’ll self-diagnose some other time.

Look at this! You (not me), but YOU can now camp suspended from a tree on top of a Bavarian mountain in Germany. It’s sort of crazy, but it’s sort of awesome (again, for you — not me).

Tree Camping in Germany

What do you think? Are you brave enough to hang out in nature? I’ll be happy to cheer you on from my hotel window.

Daily Delight: World Map Cork Board

by Grant Dudley August 14, 2012 5 Comments

Any postcard collectors out there like me? All of my friends know that when they travel, they are required to bring me back a postcard (they get extra friend points if they actually mail it — the postmark makes it even more special).

This world traveler cork board from Blue Ribbon General Store is ideal for displaying these little paper mementos.

World Map Cork Board

Now, in the comments below, tell me the postcard-worthy places you and your family have visited this summer.

Olympics Fever: Decor Inspired by the Games

by Kayla Kitts August 7, 2012 7 Comments

Since the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics, I’ve been glued to the TV watching everything from fencing to table tennis. (Talk about some serious hand-eye coordination.) For some reason I’ve been drawn more to these games than ever before. Maybe it’s because I can integrate Olympics-themed desserts and cocktails into my nightly watching? Or maybe it’s the charming host city of London that has me so attached? Either way, I’m a fan, and I’ve found a few Olympics-inspired accessories that will leave the games on your mind and in your home long after they end.

London Olympics 2012 Print Mammoth & Company > Olympics Tapes Print

London Olympics 2012 Print myMzone > Olympics Print

Pillows Inspired by the 2012 Olympic Games Etsy.com/caitlinhinshelwood > Boxer Pillow :: Etsy.com/bellalulu > Vintage Tennis Player Pillow

Kids' Print Inspired by the 2012 Olympic Games Etsy.com/belleandboo > Olympics Belle Print

Gold Medal Tea Towel Inspired by the 2012 Olympic Games Not on the High Street > “You’re the Best” Tea Towel

Do you have Olympics fever, too? How are you celebrating the games this summer? Tell us in the comments below.

Bastille Day: Our Fave Blue, White + Red Entertaining Ideas

by Kayla Kitts July 14, 2012 7 Comments

Today various cities and countries all over the world are celebrating Bastille Day (or La Fête Nationale, as it’s formally called). In France the sky is often lit up with fireworks, and the streets are filled with parades, festivities and celebrations from dusk ’til dawn. What I would give to be in Paris during the Bastille Day Military Parade. But no matter where you are, from Baltimore to San Francisco, you can most certainly find a way to celebrate this occasion even if it means throwing a Bastille Day party of your own. All you need is a little blue, white and red … and food, of course.

bastille day macarons Cannelle et Vanille: Raspberry + Pink Peppercorn Macarons

bastille day french cookies Sweetopia: French-Inspired Cookies

See More French-Inspired Entertaining Ideas

East Meets West at HGTV Headquarters

by Kayla Kitts June 27, 2012 5 Comments

During the last quarter, HGTV’s Home Studio interns, Diana Stercula and Monica Blair from the University of Cincinnati, have been working on various design projects in and outside the building, including HGTV Headquarters’ newest interactive vignette: East Meets West. The Home Studio university co-op program allows up-and-coming designers, like Monica and Diana, to work closely with design experts to offer unique and educational takes on interior design elements. For this globally-inspired vignette, Monica and Diana worked with Vern Yip and other HGTV professionals to create a one-of-a-kind concept, living right here at our offices. I recently talked to the designers about their piece. See what they had to say:

hgtv home studio interns display East Meets West: Spiritually-inspired designs of the East merge harmoniously with styles of the West.

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.

HGTV’s Color of the Month Is East of Blue, West of Violet – September 2011

by Anna Millman September 2, 2011 96 Comments

Through the process of researching our September Color of the Month and compiling inspiring interiors and decor in this shade, I came across some pretty interesting online debates that verged on hostile. Apparently, defining this color can stir up some heat. Surprising for such a peaceful color. (You’d think we’d picked fire engine red.) Is it possible that a greater internal struggle surfaces not when asking “To be or not to be” but rather…