our first sneak peek today comes to us from painter ruth shivley. two years ago she moved into their 1964 ranch house in columbia county, ny along with her husband (also an artist) and two children. they used this new home as an opportunity to de-clutter;  walls came down and white paint went up. ultimately a more modern look was achieved, but not without making it their own with old eclectic things and their kids’ artwork. thanks so much for sharing, ruth! you can click here for more, full-sized images of the shively home. (if you’d like to contact ruth about commissions - her primary focus is children’s portraiture - please refer to her website, or email her at ruth@ruthshively.com). stay tuned at 1pm for another fantastic sneak peek! -anne

[Above: our new home to us, invites freedom of movement with it's open space and great light, it's very kid friendly and a great place to have friends over to cook and hang out by the fire. we love it.]

Living room

Art studio in back, tv room in front

Kevin made this barn door to separate my studio and guest room from the rest of the house.

Kitchen bar stools from a school supply company.

Natural grass wallpaper adds so much warmth to the ranch house bedroom.

i wrote about morris & essex last november, so i’m thrilled to be posting their latest updates a year later! you can pick up eliza’s beautiful work right here and right here.

designer crystal kluge of tart workshop just released this beautiful new “darling monograms” font based on her popular calligraphy monogram designs. i’m always on the lookout for great fonts (i’m a regular veer stalker) so this one has shot right to the top of my list. if you’re interested in buying crystal’s font (it would be great for diy wedding stationery) you can pick it up right here and right here for $29.95. [thanks, crystal!]

my cats won’t go anywhere near small enclosed spaces but if they did, i would love to scoop up one of these cute new pet bed/houses by leo kempf and luxxbox.

leo kempf designed the cat house above for his pet, olive. the cat can enter through a door in the bottom side and then ascends a ramp, which boosts them to the upper level. leo designed the front wall in plexi-glass and the floor made from a thick old sheepskin rug (his wife even made some small paintings that hang on the walls). in addition to having their own private home, there is also a big cardboard scratching porch for stretching and scratching. the top of the cat house is removable and the glass slides out for maintenance so if you have an outdoor cat with a desire for modern living, this might be up your alley.

the cute modern pet bed (called ’shed’) above was designed by australian design studio luxxbox. i love that it’s sleek enough to keep out in the open. click here to check out luxxbox and here to pick up your own ’shed’. [thanks, nicola!]

i’m loving these new alexander girard plyprints at velocity. each panel (there are 6 to choose from) is hand screen-printed on sustainably-harvested maple plywood that cannot otherwise be sold because of imperfections in the grain. in addition to being eco-friendly, each panel is set up for easy hanging because it includes mounting hardware and a space on the back that allows the panel to float off of the wall (love that). if you’re looking for an affordable holiday gift (each panel is $89), or just something to brighten up the walls in your home, click here to check out the new girard prints at velocity.

also, i’m thrilled to welcome sarah fox of cursive design to the d*s guest blog! sarah will be not only talking about her favorite indie design fairs (and great artists from each), but will be sharing fantastic diy projects as well! click here to check out her first two posts: midwest design fairs and a great fall leaf votive diy project. welcome, sarah!

it’s a grey day here in brooklyn but i like the way that wayne pate has shown my favorite borough in this new print from good shape design. the sun is shining, the brooklyn bridge looks gorgeous and it reminds me that it’s not always so overcast here. if you’d like to pick up one of wayne’s newest prints (16″ x 20″, $35 each) click here to email your order. until then, i’ll see you all on monday. have a wonderful weekend! below is a summary of this week’s highlights.

• attention LA area readers: the lovely tanya aguiniga is having a closing party for her exhibition at reform gallery. click here for directions- the show is fantastic and i hope you can stop by!
• must-read post of the week: david stark interview and diy video
• new sneak peeks: michelle adams, kat heyes, minor details
• new before & afters: haley’s ikat deck chairs, candelyn’s lamp, arielle’s sideboard (comment central this week)
• new diy projects: kate’s teacup calendars, leaf mobile, eco-friendly notebooks, slide sheet luminaries
• read up: penguin classic book covers
• austin regional roundup: part two
• new guide: shanna and betsy’s hello handmade calendars, vintage wallpaper stationery, perla ann prints, sarah pinto planters
• miscellaneous: new umbrellas from pare, budget bedrooms, david stark cooper hewitt event design, sandbox studios interiors, bags by jodii, susy jack jumbo clips, simrin placemats, textiles from three sheets 2 the wind, opulent lighting, polli tealight shades, kypsos drink + plate clips
• thanks to creede at grassroots modern for his guest blogging!
• great ideas: modern hanging gardens in venice, ca, macaron tower
• in the kitchen with: carrie and andrew’s breakfast polento