i’m working on a special project today (i’ll let you know the details if it works out) so i’ve decided to devote today to the new sneak peek column. i’ll showcase 3-4 artist’s homes with descriptions in their own words. i’ll be back tomorrow with regular posts bu i wanted to make today all about inspiration rather than shopping. it’s always wonderful to be inspired by real people’s homes and see how people living in less than perfect apartments and houses make things work on their own terms (without the help of professional architects, designers and contractors). our first peek today belongs to writer and designer meg mateo ilasco. [click here for full sized pictures of her home]

“I live in a hybrid Eichler style home built in 1959. Over the past couple years I’ve been trying to synthesize my decorating style. I’ve discovered that, for me, rooms work best when they have these four elements: 1. new, contemporary pieces, 2. vintage, thrift store finds, 3. nostaglia, and 4. my heritage and culture. Items I consider nostaglic are decor from our (my husband and I) parents’ homes. I enjoy that they help instill a sense of continuity. Finding a good balance is key. The above image is from my living room. It has my favorite vintage find: Danish shelving by Poul Cadovius (Royal System) which I bought six years ago on ebay for a ridiculously low price. (Seriously, I miss those days!) In the beginning, I was very fixated on Scandinavian stuff. But later I felt a little disconnected with my collection. So I began introducing things from my Philippine culture and blending them in with the existing decor (some examples are the capiz lamp, rattan chairs, and wood artwork in the dining room)”

“This is the other side of the living room. The stereo cabinet is from my childhood, except now it’s been outfitted with new speakers and plays songs from an iPod. The hanging capiz lamp and shell decor are also nostaglic. We hung one inside and another outside to create a dialogue between the two–to bring the inside out.”

“Just to show other parts of my home, here’s the entry way with framed pieces from Kesuke Serizawa’s 2006 calendar (bought from Salvor Kiosk) and a step table with a vintage lamp and hanging melamine plates by Thomas Paul and Lena Corwin.”

“This is my dining room. It’s funny, when I was growing up I used to be embarrassed that our home was stuck in a 1970s time warp. I regarded my mom’s handmade goods with equal disdain: her macrame plant holders, handpainted porcelain elephant statues, and crocheted pillows. As a child, I’d think, “Couldn’t we just buy things?” She said that one day I’d grow to appreciate her stuff. Mom was right! In addition to the living room I also have a photo of Sara Paloma bottles juxtaposed with a Philippine tribal pot.”

angela schwab at inv/alt design just send over some fun recycled dishware products from her etsy shop. they remind me of hrafnkell birgisson’s hoch die tassen but use the same concept for plates and platters. you can browse angela’s collection right here and shop online ($20 each).

i fell in love with designer hannah allijn’s faceted curtain in 2005 and was thrilled to hear from her today. her beautiful curtain is finally going into production and will be available for purchase soon (i’ll have the update here when they’re ready). i’ve been secretly saving for these for two years now and can’t express how excited i am to finally know they’re hitting the market. i love how the pattern comes to life when you draw open the curtains- they’re so soft but structured. of the thousands of posts i’ve written at d*s over the past three years they’re probably the design that has stuck with me the most. (well, that and nama rococo’s debut). you can view hannah’s site right here and stay tuned for purchasing information. [all photos by egwin heins] have a great weekend everyone! below are some highlights from this week’s new features:

• d*s letterpress guide: search by city, state, e-commerce, custom or pre-made
• sneak peeks: k studio, k. cooper, cavern home, lisa solomon and lisa congdon
• mini trend: kelly green
• free business advice!: tips on pr, marketing, wholesaling, selling and manufacturing
• women to watch: erika wakerly
• molly symmonds’ guest blog: etsy and ebay

bold pattern is everywhere these days and anthropologie is doing a great job of delivering it in wallpaper form. these two new designs are printed on surestrip which promises “wrinkle-free installation and easy peel-off removal” (anyone have an experience otherwise?). the beautiful floral is called dotswold is available for $88 per roll right here. the vintage-style sunburst print is available right here for $88. happy wallpapering!

Once again, it’s a pleasure to bring you some of the Etsy sellers whose work has enchanted me. Enjoy.

[Polaroid of "Paolo's Love Letter (Upon My Return) is available here for $8.]

nothing like a bright yellow print to wake you up on a cold friday morning. dombra by marimekko is a beautiful deep goldenrod pattern with accents of magenta and pink. perfect for using in small spots or a bright white room that needs a pop of color. click here for more information and to buy ($38 per yard).

colorful bird towels from etsy seller kraken…$7 each right here. be sure to catch her cute silkscreened prints ($30), too…

artist diana fayt has a show opening this friday at xen gallery in st. louis, missouri. the show is all new work done in black and white, inspired by the scrimshaw tradition that diana learned about while visiting the caribbean island of bequia last winter. if you’re in the area be sure to check it out. you can see more of diana’s new work right here.

i’m a little sluggish this morning (i had dinner at top chef alum harold dieterle’s old restaurant, the harrison) so i thought i’d start with a sneak peek into the home of k studio designer, shelly klein. i heard from several readers that she had a beautiful home and well, they were right. here are photos of shelly’s home and a description in her own words below. click here for additional, full sized (with extra commentary) photos of shelly’s home.

The photo above is my sewing studio: I made a quilty slipcover for an Eames Sofa Compact. My girl “Lillian” is hanging out in her favorite spot. K studio bird pillow with a pillow I made from Girard fabric. Cool lamp from CB2.

This is the kitchen: I put a comfy chair where a little breakfast table should be. I like to drink my coffee here every morning.

The bedroom: This is my beloved cat “Ben” in his favorite spot. My collection of very small art pieces hangs above the nightstand. K studio “everyday people” pillow in white is behind Ben.

The living room: The Eames Surfboard table was my very first major furniture purchase, I still love it and never get sick of it. The lovely painting is by a local artist Beth Fowler, I bought it recently and am in love with it. My sofa is just an old sofa that I fashioned a quilty slipcover for (I’m really into quilted things!). Mobile by Jan at Moonlilly. And of course a potted geranium, my favorite flower.

This is from my dining room: On the buffet- 2 prints by local artist Aron Lowe, bird sculpture by Stephanie Adams of Madison, WI, floral line drawing by me, and pitchers by Amy Adams at Perch.

Elizabeth Scott sells the loveliest jewelry inspired by nature in her Etsy shop. Her ginkgo earrings ($39) are delicate and detailed.

This petal ring ($28) looks fragile, when in fact it’s quite sturdy.