New to Me: Waiting on Martha

Here it is mid-March, and I am just getting to my second post in one of my promised new categories on this here blog.  (Well, third: I didn't call it such, but the sunburst post is really, categorically, an "It Always Works.")

New to me: where I share a source that is--you guess it--new to me, with the idea that it might be new to you, too.

First up: Waiting on Martha

Waiting on Martha is an e-commerce shop (with brick and mortar opening in Atlanta this year) and social media platform run by a woman who started out selling beaded jewelry on etsy.  There are lots of online "curated" boutiques these days, but what struck me about Martha is that there are tons of items that I haven't seen everywhere, and plenty that I haven't seen anywhere else.

Items are in a range of current styles, and while the stock includes objects from the somewhat predictable Dwell Studio and Jonathan Adler, most of the vendors seem to be smaller.  The result?  Everything feels special.

There is also a great price range, from super reasonable all the way up to not-at-all-crazy.

Oh, and right now it appears there is a little spring fever sale, with 20% off everything.  Just use code SPRINGAHEAD at checkout.

You're welcome.

On My Bookshelf

We went apple picking this weekend, south of the Cities, and on the way home we stopped in at Half Price Books.  I mine the shelves of our local branch constantly, but hitting a different location turned up a wealth of design book, cheaps.  Here's what I'll be reading:



I'm interested in the notion of "layering" right now.  Soto approaches this book with one "layer" per chapter.




In this age of pinterest and blogs, it's always fun to see interiors that are actually new-to-you.  This book looks to be full of them.




For all your over-the-top needs: Diamond Baratta.  While not exactly my cup of tea, there is MUCH to be learned here about color, pattern, mixing them up, and, yes, layering.



Laurie Smith was my all-time favorite on Trading Spaces.  I loved the way she approached her transformations through fabric, not just paint or crazy, couldn't-actually-live-with-it DIY.  In this book, she walks us through the approach to home renovation using her own home as the example.

As a self-taught designer, I'm always looking for great design books that will teach me something new.  This mix will keep my busy for a while!

Found any great design books lately?  I'd love your recommendations!

Resource Round Up: Bloggers doin' it for themselves

I was at Target the other night, lamenting the lack of new shelter mags.  For some reason, it feels like AGES since I got a new glossy in the mail.  But guess what?  The interwebs is alive with the sound of pages turning.  Just in case you haven't seen, read, devoured them already, here are a few for your reading pleasure.

From Down Under, and featuring bloggers such as Anna Spiro, Caitlin Wilson, and Danielle Oakey, check out Adore Home



From Janell, DIY blogger extraordinaire at Isabella and Max Rooms, comes issue 2 of House of 50



From bloggers at The City Sage, Coco+Kelley, Plush Palate, and Design Love Fest, comes the 6th issue of Rue




From Toronto, the latest issue of Covet Home, which goes inside one home per issue.

And new-to me Entra Magazine's Summer issue, discovered through Sue at The Zhush.
(While you're out exploring the hinterlands, perhaps you would like to shop her store, here.  But be warned:  you will likey.  Do not blame me if you want, and want, and can not have.)  While I'm disclaiming, Entra has a $12 subscription fee, but you can preview the first 100 pages gratis.  Isn't that nice of them?

Oh, and then there's Kirtsy.  From the likes of Design Mom and others.  Still figuring out what it is, but thinking I like it.

Go forth and be inspired.  Love 'em?  Hate 'em?  Report back to me, please.

So You Think You Can Sew a Curtain

In this era of DIY, more and more people are going for the "Effect" of window treatments (And other decorating staples) over the real thing, and while I applaud the efforts and ingenuity of the people getting it done with hem tape or (as I have, admittedly, done long ago), staples, pins, or glue, I think something gets lost when craftsmanship dwindles.

Its like this: my new hairdresser is okay, but my old one was awesome.  The difference?  The new one can block in the shape and generally tame the curls, but the old one delivered the most detailed cut you can imagine, and it made the difference between passable and Where Did You Get Your Haircut?

Our local Half Price Books has an amazing design section (which I am banned from until further notice--every time I go in I spend at least $50.  $50 worth of AMAZING DEALS, but $50 nonetheless).  Case in point: the other day I picked up The Curtain Design Directory, 4th edition, for $4.98, and I have been poring over the vast collection of styles ever since.  (Just to give you a sense of scale, the book is 328 pages, with, in most cases, one style of curtain per page).

Perhaps the greatest thing about this book is the illustrations: simple line drawings that allow you to see the curtain (and accoutrements) rather than getting hung up on the fabric, color choice, etc.  While many of the styles here are quite formal and nowadays many people want a simpler,more pared down look in their homes, it has me wondering where I can put another pelmet box, valance, or tassle trim.

Don't you just love a book that is full of possibilities?

For those of you without a sewing machine or the inclination to teach yourself pinch pleats (it's not so bad, I swear!), there are lots of options.  Last time I was at Joanns, I picked up a little flyer about their new design services--you pick all the materials and styles, they sew them for you.  Same deal at Calico Corners, though of course their fabrics start high and then skyrocket.  Locally, my sister-in-law runs Union Place in Excelsior, where they have been making gorgeous window treatments and upholstery for 3 decades or so.  (Yup, sometimes I go in for a little nepotism).

Of course, you can also ask your clothes tailor if they do work for the home: if they don't, they might have a recommendation, and often the mom and pop shop offers better value than the big chains.

On-line Design Mags

In edition to all the great personal design blogs out there, more and more design magazines are cropping up online. I have this weird assumption that everyone knows about all of them, but this is probably crazy. In case you want to check them out:


Lonny, the closest thing to Domino, helmed by former Domino staffer/ the woman behind the Rubie Green fabric line

Adore Home is kind of the Australian Lonny


Rue is on issue three, and already they have a fabulous gallery on their website, organized by room

Covet Garden, out of Toronto, shares one couple's space in each issue, with features like a DIY project from the couple and some of their favorite products


High Gloss launched today!

Am I missing any? Tell me about them!