it’s been such a wonderful year here at d*s. i’ll be pulling together highlights from 2007’s posts for next week but in the meantime i wanted to thank all of you for your continued support and readership. i cannot tell you what a dream it is to wake up every morning and have this job- and i know it’s because of you guys. thank you, thank you, thank you. there’s so much more in store for 2008 and i can’t wait to share all the exciting news. i hope you all have a wonderful holiday and a safe and happy new year. best wishes for a wonderful 2008- i’ll see you next wednesday! xo, grace and ac.
December 24th, 2007 - 03:30pm
tara heibel happens to be one of my favorite people around. besides owning my favorite store in chicago (sprout home), tara is one of those incredibly cool people who you know you’ll have a good time with no matter what. and on top of that, she has one of the most incredible houses i’ve ever seen. tara purchased this building, which used to be a corner store, and converted it into a super sleek, super fun home full of extras that ac loves like a drum kit, bar and massive record collection (and grifter the dog). you can see full sized (and extra) versions of tara’s photos right here and find more information on sprout home chicago right here (there’s also a brooklyn location!). enjoy and i’ll be back at 12:30 with the yearly wrap up post!
December 24th, 2007 - 10:00am
it’s the last full week of posts before the holiday break and i couldn’t be more excited for christmas and the start of the new year. i’ll be posting one last post on monday- a special sneak peek of one of my favorite people’s homes (there’s a little teaser photo above)- so be sure to tune in for that and the last post of 2007 on monday. d*s will resume regular posting on wednesday, january 2 so until monday, here’s a summary of this week’s highlights. (safe travels to anyone heading home for the holidays this weekend!)
lisa solomon is an incredible mixed media artist who lives and works in oakland, ca. in addition to creating her own fine-art work (for sale on her site right here), she also owns and operates underdog ink – an outlet for her t-shirts, totes, stationery and more. but today lisa’s sharing her delicious recipe for banana bread with us. easy to make and perfect for the cold weather, it’s a must-try for anyone looking to do some baking over the holidays. just click here for the full recipe (or click “read more” below).
December 21st, 2007 - 12:30pm
san francisco based artist lisa neimeth was kind enough to share a sneak peek into her beautiful studio today. after catching a quick glimpse of her (converted chicken-coop!) studio earlier this month, i think we were all curious to see more. so lisa was kind enough to send over some beautiful photos of the interior and garden. enjoy! as always, you can click here for larger (and extra) images and here for more information on lisa’s beautiful work.
We live in an 1886 dairy farmhouse near Golden Gate Park and the ocean in the Inner Sunset district of San Francisco surrounded by giant Monterey Cyprus trees and the typical urban detritus that comes with living in big city. However, on the occasional clear quiet night, I can hear the “who-ing” of the owl that resides in our big trees–pretty magical and reminds me of why I am so inspired in my work by wildlife-urban and natural that surrounds our home. Behind the house is my oasis–the converted chicken coop that has morphed into my studio–a little light, water, tile and sheetrock goes a long way-though after a good rain, some creatures move in with me though the worn walls.
While toiling away in the studio–I look at a grassy mound that we planted that reminds me of the dunes out at the beach– I also get to glance out at the fishpond-that was brimming with koi fish until recently when an ambitious raccoon got to them! The patter of neighborhood cats and squirrels prance about on the roof and many many birds stop to visit my sculptural installations that dot the backyard. I am grateful everyday for being able to live in this fabulous city with all of its inspiring urban iconography–but still feel like I live in the country–made all the more special that any day an earthquake–perhaps the “big one” may arrive. We are banking on the hope that this house has survived 2 major ones already and is still standing..proud. and that owl is watching over us too!
The “birds in the grass”-are remnants of clay–what I make out of the clay cut away from the plates. These will get sold with proceeds going to a local nonprofit organic farm!
December 21st, 2007 - 11:00am
i’ll admit it, i’m something of a bench freak. i’m always looking for spaces in our home that could use a little bench love and have tried unsuccessfully to snag an affordable long, mid-century bench on ebay for years now. so, at the request of a few readers (and out of my own desire to have a collection from which to choose) i thought i’d build a bench guide and have it be the last guide before the holiday break. there are close to 60 benches to choose from so click here for the full guide or click “read more” below. enjoy!
[image above, clockwise from top left: victoria bench $950, vessel squat bench $229, painted wrought iron benches at 1st dibs (i want these so, so badly), clark bench with baskets $229, brave space hollow bench $875, lublin bench $3350+]
[image above, clockwise from top left: hugh acton bench $2600, jonathan adler x-bench $700, georgie table/bench $4798, zebra stripe bench $339, florence knoll 3-seat bench $2725, wud Pb-R bench $1300, bertoia bench $2976]
[image above, clockwise from top left: sina two-piece bench $248, truss bench $415, barcelona wall mount bench $1850, charpoy bench $5866, botanist flora bench $1350, bench table by arvid $2050]
[image above, clockwise from top left: mission bench $149.99, alexandria bench $89+, lowell upholstered bench $595.99+, bench box $599, scrapile rectangular bench, tate upholstered bench $630+]
[image above, clockwise from top left: elements bench $99, full slant bench $950, luther conover bench at 1stdibs, twister stool/bench $525+, momo bench $799, divide bench $1800, cascade topanga bench $1750]
[image above, clockwise from top left: wood slice bench $1998, paola buffa bench at 1st dibs (swoon), spirit song curved bench $3740+, hall bench $79.99, nelson platform bench $729, clay bench (just for fun) $6500, arbor bench $662]
December 21st, 2007 - 10:00am
This is what’s known as crunch time. Thankfully for online shoppers, with next-day air shipping, the gifts you order today will arrive just in time for Christmas. (Phew.)
One of the sites that I think offers the most reliable overnight shipping is Amazon. You can order as late as Saturday, December 22, at 1pm PT. So my final post for this Gift Guide is going to focus on books. And if you’re not an Amazon shopper, you can probably find most of these at your local bookstore. (All prices rounded to the nearest dollar.)
For Followers of Good Design
Heath Ceramics: The Complexity of Simplicity ($20)
After visiting the Heath factory in Sausalito, CA, I wanted to cover every surface in my home with their gorgeous glazed tiles. And – don’t tell my husband – but I wanted to throw out all of my wedding china and start collecting the Heath tabletop pieces. They are simple and timeless. This book is all about the ceramic company that Edith Heath founded in the 1940s.
Humble Masterpieces: Everyday Marvels of Design ($15)
This book proves that there is beauty even in the most mundane things.
For People Who Love to Look at Pretty Homes
Amy Butler’s Midwest Modern ($23)
Amy is known for her fantastic fabrics and, while the book does include plenty of photos of her textiles, it also showcases her beautiful home in Ohio. It’s just like the title implies – a place in the Midwest that is infused with a modern sensibility.
For Bloggers
No One Cares What You Had for Lunch ($14)
I have been a longtime reader of Maggie Mason’s blog, Mighty Girl, and as soon as I heard that she was releasing a book, I had to pick one up. It’s filled with lots of wit and, of course, great ideas for things to write about.
For the Biz Lady in Your Life
Craft, Inc. ($12)
This is a no-brainer. Get this book for anyone you know who is thinking about turning a passion of theirs into a business.
For Crafty Types
Petit Pattern Books
I first came across the Petit Pattern books at the Tate Modern in London and, once I returned to the Bay Area, went on a mission to complete my collection. The books include dozens of cool patterns – and there’s a CD so you can print them out and put them to use in various crafty ways. Amazon currently has three in the series: Kids & Toys ($23), Japanese Style ($30) and Flowers & Leaves ($30).
For the Chef-Friend
Chocolate and Zucchini: Daily Adventures in a Parisian Kitchen ($13)
Here’s another great blogger-turned-book author. Clotilde Dusoulier developed such a massive following – even among people like me who can’t cook! – it was no surprised that she landed a book deal. (Pssst, she’s got another book due out in April 2008!)
For the Eco-Conscious
Do Just One Thing ($10)
This is actually a one-a-day calendar from green lifestyle guru Danny Seo (I love that guy!). This is a great gift because it lasts an entire year, and the tips are things you can actually accomplish any given day. Plus, at the end of 2008, the recipient can send in the calendar base and it’ll be recycled.
For Anyone Who Likes a Good Laugh (who doesn’t?)
Our Dumb World: The Onion’s Atlas of the Planet Earth ($17)
If you’re familiar with the parody news publication, The Onion, then you know this is going to be a funny, funny read.
For the New Homeowner
Cath Kidston: Dream Home Journal ($14)
I wish someone had given this to me when I bought my house! (To be fair, it wasn’t published until this year.) This organizer is broken up into eight sections, so each room of the house can be tracked. How smart are the little pockets that can be used to store swatches and paint chips? And there are worksheets so you can keep a record of purchases and jot down notes.
For the New Parents
The Baby Owner’s Starter Kit ($16)
Informational and humorous – to hopefully put new parents (or parents-to-be) at ease. Or at least make them giggle just a little.
For the Newly Engaged
The DIY Wedding ($10)
As the title suggests, this is a guide to planning a wedding that is personal and unique. (Hey, if Natalie over at Craft zine recommends it, it must be good!)
For the Magazine Lovers
Give a subscription. A couple of years ago, I presented a friend with a subscription to ReadyMade. I rolled up a current issue in a tube and attached a tag that let him know that he should be expecting future issues in the mail.
Sure, overnight delivery is probably going to be pricey. And, as you’re staring at the cost that appears before you on the computer screen, you may tell yourself: “Never again! Next year, I’ll start my shopping sooner …” But even if you don’t, that’s okay. Maybe this Last-Minute Gift Guide will give you some hope that, despite procrastinating, you can still score some great stuff out there. Even as the countdown to Christmas approaches zero.
December 21st, 2007 - 09:58am
