I have a theory that basic courtesy and manners go out the window on the internet. People write things they would not dare say to people’s faces, or even on the phone, and things can turn ugly on a dime. A perfect example of this was included in this New York Times article about a co-op board with members who hate each other more than the Hatfields and the McCoys. What’s even funnier is that someone forwarded the emails to The New York Times for all of us to enjoy. Check it out here.

Also people, some advice: Sometimes writing an angry email is a great way to vent – personally, I find it very therapeutic. Do what I do. Send it to yourself so that you can read it the next day, laugh, and breathe a sigh of relief that you didn’t actually send it to the annoying person who put you in such a state. Or if you’re still fired up, you may decide to go ahead and hit the send button after sleeping on it. By the way, thanks so much for the LACK of hater emails and comments we get over here – Hatch readers belong to the best, most civilized group of people on the interwebs!

So, 9 by Design wrapped up this week on Bravo. What did you think? I have to say, at first these people really got on my nerves – I think because everything was so hectic – pregnant woman running around moving furniture, six kids yelling, a crazy stressful move, name dropping, claiming to be southern with the oddest accents ever, and a hyper husband. However, these people have TOTALLY grown on me. I think it started when they ran to the flea market and completely transformed their temporary granny rental in about five minutes flat. Then I started to see how sweet they are about helping their friends, and how they scramble for the bucks. Let’s not get it twisted – they make multi, multi millions on the houses they flip, so don’t feel to sorry for them when you see them have a tag sale, however, I like that they are having a tag sale.

Another thing about them: I remember seeing their Great Barrington house (I think it was in Oprah at Home a few years ago) and I’ve never forgotten it. I remember seeing the yellow and white curtains by the front door and assuming it was Kate Spade’s house. I remember a picture of Madonna smoking over the bed, and those vintage stools, and it all made an impression on me. Lately, I see so much design and I’ve seen the same old things blogged and printed in glossies over and over, it’s rare that something stands out (oh, and I should mention, I can feel myself writing the same things over and over – a phenomenon I call “deja blog”). When something is that memorable, I have to respect it. All and all, I’d give this show a thumbs up. It was certainly heading in the right direction by the end of the season – less hectic home stuff, more start to finish projects in a range of sizes, and I think it will have a great season two.

Side Note: I think we need to add oversized sepia tone horse photographs to our design drinking games. I am seeing them EVERYWHERE lately!

Oh, P.S. – you can buy an Ann Carrington Print of the Queen here.

all images from sixxdesign

As I trudge through trying to create the workspace that will inspire me to actually spend time in my office working, I have been amassing images of workspaces that I admire. Here are a few I covet:

Sharon Portnoy Design

Loadingdock5 Architecture

Ish and Chi

sfgirlbybay

Turquoise L.A.

emma’s design blog

not sure of original source. PLEASE COMMENT if you know so I can add it.

Aalto’s office via Apartment Therapy

first five photos from houzz.com. The rest were in my tumblr stream.