DIY, So Hot Right Now

DIY: TERRARIUMS

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Terrariums are so hot right now. Unfortunately, pre-made ones cost more than a pretty penny and don’t exactly travel well. The good news is that they are a VERY doable DIY project. Order everything online and make your own on a Sunday afternoon. Get inspirated by these whimsical versions made by Brooklyn-based Twig.

Instructions:

Choose whether you’d like your terrarium to be mossy, like most of the ones by Twig, or if you’d like to feature succulents (the layering and care differs). Once you’ve decided, making your own terrarium is a matter of simple addition. Take a glass container and add:

rocks + dirt + succulents or moss + sand+ a bit of flare

You can go as crazy as you’d like in choosing your glass receptacle, but this 1 gallon jar from Crate and Barrel looks handy for beginners (i.e. removable lid, wide opening for placement purposes) and it’s just $11.95.

Gallon Jar with Lid, $11.95

Don’t have an actual backyard to forage for rocks/dirt/sand in? No problem, thanks to the interwibble. Get Polished River Rocks for $2.99.

POLISHED RIVER PEBBLES 28OZ BAG MIXED COLORS, $2.99

Soil for Cacti & Succulents…

Hoffman Organic Cactus & Succulent Soil Mix 10 Quart Bag, $9.99

…and Desert Sand.

Good Earth Organics 14302 Desert Sand, $5.78

It’s advisable to get your moss or succulents at a local greenhouse, but if the trip proves to be too daunting, you can also order online. Try some Living Moss…

Living Moss, $4.49

…or 3 Succulent Plants in Clay Pots.

3 Plants in Clay Pots, $19.99

For flare, pepper in a tiny motorcyclist or postman by ordering model train people.

City People, $9.50

If you’re opting for succulents, layer as followed:

1) Put a layer of rocks on the bottom (several inches)

2) Cover the rocks with soil (half the height of the rock layer, give or take)

3) Place the succulent roots in the soil

4) Add a moderate layer of sand around the succulents for a protective top layer

If it’s mossy terrain you seek, layer as such:

1) Put a layer of rocks on the bottom (several inches)

2) Cover the rocks with an inch or two of soil

3) Arrange the moss over the soil and press down firmly

Care Instructions:

Give the terrarium several hours of direct sunlight each day. For succulent-based terrariums, water every few weeks. For moss-based versions, mist the moss with a water bottle every day. As your terrarium will have no drainage hole, avoid over watering in either case.

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Shopping Guide

TRUNKS: STORAGE AND FURNITURE IN ONE

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Using trunks as home decor is a clever way to add style while concealing your stuff. These can be moved around and are often seen used as a coffee or bedside table, or placed by an entry way. Some examples and where to find them below…


Images: Decorpad, Design*Sponge, House Beautiful, Bloesem


This Cedar Trunk from Trunks Depot is a truly unique find, yet versatile enough to stand in any room.

Cedar Trunk, $139.95

These Veneto Suitcases from ZGallerie would go nicely with modern decor.

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Veneto Suitcases - White Set of 2, $59.95

The Quilted Vinyl Trunk from Cedarchests.com has a really nice vintage feel to it.

Greek Key White Quilted Vinyl Trunk, $119.99

Another vintage style set of trunks gives off that old world appeal.

3 Piece Nested Trunk Set, $159.60

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Pottery Barn makes a no-frills country style wicker chest…

Pottery Barn Cottage Trunk, On Sale $149

You can’t go wrong with this classic from Ikea. Excellent as a bedside hamper, line with fabric to conceal what’s inside.

HOL Storage cube , $59.99

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Mancave Makeovers

MANCAVES: THE QUINTESSENTIAL ARMCHAIR

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La-Z-Boys may be deceptively comfortable but boy are they hard on the eyes! A proper man deserves a proper armchair – one that is conducive to lounging, but also screams out to company, “pick me!” when it’s time for a seat. The ultimate armchair is an oversized, weathered leather type, but those are real investment pieces. So until you become a man of leisure, consider these more affordable types, which have heft and stylistic integrity, but also look cushy enough to read a book in.

This regal Manchester Club chair is yet another example of something from Overstock.com that looks much more expensive than its price tag.

Manchester Club Chair, $307.99

The Velvet Club Chair from Target has nice texture and would make a great wingman to just about any couch.

Memphis Velvet Club Chair, $299.99

The Parker Chair from Urban Outfitters looks like just the thing to sip your after-work martini in. And would you look at those legs!

Parker Chair in Timberwolf, $289

Also from Urban Outfitters, the Alfie chair may be lacking arms, but it’s definitely built for lounging.

Alfie Chair, $279

The Smedsta swivel by IKEA is plush and easy to keep clean with its removable, machine washable cover. It also looks like something you’d find in a Stormtrooper’s apartment.

SMEDSTA Swivel chair, $199

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Friday Finds

FRIDAY FINDS: $30 OR LESS

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This week’s home decor finds make perfect V-day gifts. A little something for everyone, nothing over thirty bucks.

Sturdy bookends for the philosopher in your life. On sale by House Parts for Barnes & Noble…

Homer and Aristotle Cast Marble Bookends Set of 2, $27.96

These adorable fruit containers are made of fine china, $15-27 Small to Large.

FARMER'S MARKET PORCELAIN FRUIT BASKETS, $15-27

Ashtrays aren’t just for smokers, vintage versions like this pair from ebay are stunning as obets d’art.

VINTAGE RUBY RED GLASS ASHTRAY PAIR, $19.99

Don’t forget mom on Valentine’s day…This loop candelabra makes a gorgeous dining room centerpiece.

Loop Candelabra by Black and Blum, $28


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Try this fancy black and white deck of cards for a poker lover. Probably the most affordable thing you can get from Tiffany.

Tiffany black and white playing cards, $30

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Get the Look

GET THE LOOK: VAN GOGH’S BEDROOM

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A Modern Take On Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles

I first laid eyes on Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles as a teenager and immediately wanted it as my own. I thought it extremely nice and cozy, even in its apparent transience. Years later and I still think the same: the colors are stimulating and its sparseness adds instead of detracts, making it seem like a great space to create, read and sleep in. Get the look yourself, with a modern twist.

Paint, Martha Stewart for Home Depot (Bluebird, MSL#158).

Martha Stewart Living Bluebird Interior Paint

This Antiquity Low Post Panel Bed in lilac isn’t the cheapest ($979 for a twin), but it’s definitely a statement piece. It’s from a youth line, though roomy enough to have sheltered Van Gogh (they were short back then) and you too, assuming you’re not taller than 6’8″.

MyHaven Antiquity Bed, $979 + free shipping

These woven rush chairs are similar to what Van Gogh would have sat in, but with a red twist.

TMS Paloma Chair in Red (Set of 2), $135.99

This rustic yellow console makes a lovely desk or vanity, perfect for writing home or slicing the odd ear off. Plus, buttery yellow pairs well with mediterranean blues.

Home Decorators Collection Emily Desk, $199

Every bedroom needs a mirror. Keep it simple with this IKEA wooden frame, which is easily painted.

Ikea Horizontal or Vertical RAM Mirror , $9.99

If you don’t have work of your own to adorn the walls with, combine several small prints, like this one by Cezanne.

Madame Cezanne, circa 1885-90 18x24 Giclee Print, $49.99

Water pitchers look way better than plastic bottles and readily double as a vase.

Le Creuset 3-Quart Sangria Pitcher in Cobalt Blue, $49.95

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Get the Look

WORKSPACES FOR SMALL PLACES

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When I moved into my first studio in New York, I didn’t buy a desk, there was simply nowhere to display it gracefully. I realized, however, that a desk is absolutely essential to productivity – whether you compute, write, or craft, it’s important to have an official designated workspace. These selected tear sheets from old issues of the beloved Domino Magazine offer great tips in layout.

Small place workspace tip #1

Open bookshelves like this one are key for dividing studio spaces and look great with thoughtfully arranged books and tchotchkes.


Start with a simple white glossy desk…

Overstock Student Desk $143.99

The original classic Tulip Chair designed by Eero Saarinen in 1956 costs over a grand from Knoll, but this version from Lexington Modern is a pleasing knockoff.

Saarinen Style Tulip Arm Chair in Red, $120

I like this fancy looking chain link rug from Macy’s…

Liora Manne Area Rug, SPELLO Chains Black/Oatmeal 3'6"x5'6", $153

…don’t forget the room-dividing bookshelf.

IKEA Expedit Bookcase, $129

Small place workspace tip #2

Create a working nook from a small block of wall space using a skinny horizontal desk.

Originally made famous in the traditional bistros of France (designed by Xavier Pauchard for Tolix, 1934), this Marais A Chair has been popping up everywhere in NYC. Made of grade A steel and comes in a variety of colors.

Marais A Side Chair, on sale $121.50

CB2 helix wall mounted white oak desk, $249

This Gooseneck Floor Lamp creates comfortable work lighting without the need for a desk lamp, freeing up small desk spaces.

Adesso Gooseneck Floor Lamp, $121.90 + free shipping

Small place workspace tip #3

Squeeze a small desk next to your bed, it doubles as a nightstand and works brilliantly for space-starved apartments.

Look for a desk that’s small enough to cram in that space between your bed and the wall. Also in white.

Linon Anna Laptop Desk in Black, $139

This chair from the Home Depot Home Decorators collection is handcrafted of solid wood is a perfect complement to the black laptop desk. Looks good enough to be in the boudoir, but comfy enough to sit in for a while. Also in mahogany.

Montgomery Side Chair, $139 on sale

An appropriately sized rug can be used to section off the space as a work area. I’m a fan of these persian style rugs from Ikea, a bargain at $99.

PERSISK Rug, low pile 31 1/2" x 47 1/4", $99.99

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