Olli & Lime founders Karen and Andy share their UK flat renovation story. Keep an eye out for the lime green…it makes me drool. Enjoy!

Karen and I live in a condo within a large Victorian-style building converted into flats in the mid-eighties. It was very run down when we bought it but full of potential with high ceilings, large windows on all sides and plenty of light.

I was sure it was right for us but Karen took some convincing. With hindsight, I think she realized how much work was ahead, having renovated a few properties before. I’d never done anything like this so ploughed ahead in blissful ignorance!

Our motivation for the interior and the layout came from a love of large loft-style apartments typical of New York. We had a desire to replicate that, at least until we could afford the real thing!

First, we stripped everything out, removed all the old carpets, shelves, units etc until we had a blank canvas.

Then we took off all the doors, widened and heightened each doorway and knocked down a few walls, improving the flow throughout. We re-plastered, painted everything white and laid walnut flooring.

We lived with white for a while before adding feature walls in the lounge, office and bedroom.

Our taste is minimal and contemporary but with a retro twist, pretty much like our kids designs, so you’ll notice Read the rest of this entry »

Orbit Chandelier

This just in! Philly-based Textile and Graphic Designer, Joy D. Cho illuminates the Patrick Townsend White Orbit Chandelier as a “guaranteed stunner“.

Thank you Philadelphia Inquirer!

Jeri Dansky is a professional organizer helping people tackle the clutter that drives them crazy. She works in-person with people throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, and also provides long-distance telephone coaching. She writes a free monthly newsletter and has a blog full of organizing insights and products.

Question: Each year I resolve to get organized, and each year I don’t stick with it. What can I do differently this year?

Answer: Try these suggestions to make things easier on yourself this year.

1. Set a reasonable goal for yourself. Being organized should allow you to find Read the rest of this entry »

I am sure I am not the only one who loves to get a peek into how others live. Not so much in the voyeristic manner no, no, but more so in witnessing the variety of ways people make their homes their own. A good way to do this without being labeled as a full on voyeur…check out the recently published “America at Home.” The book captures all the ways that we work, play, learn, live, interact and transform our dwellings into our homes. From McMansions, to mobile homes, to tree houses, to tenement slums, to ranches, to retirement homes…the amazing images document the harmonies and paradoxes of home life in the United States.

A few of my favorite images and their stories…

© 2008 Jennifer Zdon / AMERICA AT HOME

New Orleans, Louisiana. Albert and Judy Ledner, 83 and 82, enjoy a night in their unique home, designed in 1957 by Albert himself and located in the heavily damaged Lakeview neighborhood Read the rest of this entry »

Designers Matthew and Ariana Broerman of Paper Cloud have brought a truly handmade approach to design. All of their pieces, from journals to pillows to cards to lampshades, are made solely by the duo in their Cincinnati studio.

If you are on the hunt for a geniunely handmade item for your home, Paper Cloud is a great place to start. Enjoy the Q&A!

I find it inspiring that you two went from making handmade holiday cards for your friends and family to starting a business as extensive as Paper Cloud. A dream for many of us (myself included)! How did Paper Cloud come together and get off the ground?

When we started Paper Cloud in the fall of 2005, we had both been working as designers for two years in Cincinnati. We got great responses from the cards we were making for friends and family and we loved the idea of working and designing for ourselves. Matt comes from a very entrepreneurial family, and he grew up seeing the freedom and flexibility you have when you own your own business. Both of those things Read the rest of this entry »