As much as I love the look of wallpaper, I haven’t been able to make the leap from admiring wallpapered rooms in Domino to actually papering a room in my own house. There’s something so adult, so permanent, and, yes, so expensive about the whole process that I haven’t been able to bite the bullet quite yet. Still, if I were to paper, I’d want to do it with a bang — I mean, why go to all that trouble if you’re not going to make a statement? Isn’t drama the whole point of wallpaper? I have a fantasy of papering a dining room with something wacky and fun like this Woodson & Rummerfield green birdcage wallpaper, which is made with recycled paper and vegetable dyes ($55 at Green With Glamour). What do you guys think — is wallpapering worth the trouble and expense? –Meg D.

Read more of Meg’s tips for stylish, green living at her blog, Style Saves the World.

Personalised Stationery from Whitney English


Sunshine Pillow from Hable Construction

Moroccan Key Table from Burke Decor (via Creature Comforts)


Love Heart Map Scrap Art from Bombus


Pair of Vintage Cane Armchairs from C. Bell


Chinnoiserie Cushion from Thomas Paul


Vintage Pagoda Chandelier from C. Bell

Xi Li Chair from Burke Decor

We are currently looking to add a few new bloggers. Possible areas of focus include technology, fashion, and an all-around new/events/happenings/exhibitions/”what’s going on”-type reporter. If you would like to be considered for one of these positions with Design Milk, please email us at info@design-milk.com with subject “Contributing Blogger” and include:

1. A summary of your blogging or writing experience
2. What you believe you can bring to Design Milk
3. Link(s) to any articles, blogs, or other related websites to which you have contributed

Submissions without the above items will not be considered. We prefer that you have an art and/or design background or at least are passionate about this subject. Journalism or blogging experience is a plus. We want bloggers who are committed, passionate, and creative. For example, we love bloggers who will offer more than just a post here and there - we want ideas and feedback on how we can make DM better for our readers.

Bloggers are expected to write 1-3 posts per week, but it is preferred that they contribute more often. Communication and creativity are key to being a DM blogger. Please note that currently this is an unpaid position, but we’re growing fast and things can always change.

We’re always looking for one-off guest posts on any topic related to art & design. If you are interested in writing a guest post, please email us at info@design-milk.com with subject “Guest Post”. In your email, please explain what type of post you would like to write and link to any example posts or sites to which you have contributed. This is a great way to get exposure.

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I just got this book, Core Memory: A Visual Survey of Vintage Computers. It's really visually inspiring (and supremely nerdy), but I love seeing the organization of wires, switches, and buttons! Who knows...I just might make a trip out to visit the Computer History Museum in Silicon Valley to see all these computer dinosaurs.

Posted by Bluelines

We dropped in (not physically, of course) to ask her if her creative process translated to bricks and mortar.

5 Questions for Jessie Randall, Designer, Loeffler Randall

1. So, is picking out plumbing hardware as challenging as churning out a collection?
Picking out plumbing hardware is the worst. We spent our Christmas vacation buried in plumbing fixture catalogues (Davis & Warshow, McMaster). My husband picked out all kinds of fancy fixtures, but my most favorite are the industrial toilet and urinal we put in the boys’ bathroom. They are so simple and functional. They look better than any of the other stuff, in my opinion. The renovation was a massive project. We have a lot on our plate with the house, the twins and the company. So juggling it all was the hardest part, but it was fun.

2. What one thing do you have to have in your home (even amidst contractors)?
As much natural light as possible.

3. What are you most excited about when the house is complete?
The boys’ room is my most favorite part of the house. I put in a lighted diorama in their room that was modeled off of the one in my friend Bronagh's children’s store in Williamsburg, Sweet William. I also love the color of the walls in the boys’ room, Pensive Sky, a pale grey blue-green that is so calming and relaxing.

4. Taking away anything from the renovation that will infuse your upcoming collections?
I don’t tend to use lots of pattern and print in my collections, but in my house I put up several patterned wallpapers (Osborne & Little, Second Hand Rose, Walnut Wallpaper). I love them and they give so much character to the house. It’s gotten me hooked on prints, so I may incorporate more in my collections.

5. What do you think will be the most often used room of your house?
Who knows? We’ll have to see once we move in. I am guessing it will be one particular area because with two flights of stairs and twins, I am probably going to want to stay put.

Not much for cooking myself, I seem to be doing quite well making friends with those who are willing to occasionally feed me! One such person is Megan B., whose culinary skills get a marvelous workout on the fresh seafood available locally. Though I will attest that these crab cakes taste amazing even when you used canned crab. –Mary T.

This dish was born in a tiny hotel room with a kitchenette during one of our first vacations to Seattle (which we now call home). We were fortunate enough to visit smack dab in the middle of Dungeness crab season, and seeing all of those beautiful crabs at the market inspired me to make these cakes. The sweet Pacific crab is what this dish was originally made with, though any crab you can get your hands on will suffice. Trust me, I’ve even made them with the high-quality canned stuff and they turned out super tasty. Make sure you make the relish in advance — in fact, make more. It’s awesome on top of grilled halibut or chicken breasts or just with tortilla chips! –Megan B. Click for Megan’s recipes!

Crispy Cilantro Crab Cakes (serves 6-8 as appetizer, 4 as entree)
1 lb. lump crab meat
1 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
3 green onions, chopped
1 egg, whisked
Salt and pepper to taste (approx. 1/2 tsp salt)
Grape seed or canola oil for frying

In a large mixing bowl, combine crab, Panko and herbs. Season with salt and pepper and fold in the egg. Let mixture rest for 10 minutes. Form mixture into 6-8 patties. Make sure to press firmly; they take a bit of force to hold them together. Pan fry in 1/4 inch grape seed or canola oil over medium high heat, approx. 4 minutes per side or until nicely golden brown (careful not to burn yourself on the flip). Serve hot with mango jalapeno relish. You can also assemble the cakes a few hours in advance and fry them right before serving.

Mango Jalapeño Relish
1 ripe mango, finely diced
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
1/2 red onion, diced
1/4 cup jalapeño (jarred in brine) diced
1/2 lemon, juiced

Combine ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Let marinate at least 30 minutes or overnight, if desired. The longer it rests, the better!

Posted by Lisa & Rena

A couple of weeks ago, I left Rena alone at Rare Device in the cold and windy San Francisco and headed for one of my favorite spots in the world: California's Mojave Desert.

I flew into Palm Springs (which is a treat itself) and met my aunt and uncle, who live about 50 miles outside of Palm Springs, near Joshua Tree National Forest, in the town of 29 Palms.

A sign entering 29 Palms

29 Palms is a bit of a sleepy town, and that’s what I like about it. I have returned time and time again for its clear, clean air, gorgeous sparse desert landscape, and mountain vistas. There isn’t a whole lot to do there besides hike around Joshua Tree, but this activity alone makes the trip worth it.

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most special places in the world -- there is nothing else like it on the planet. (In fact, sometimes walking around the park you feel like you might be on another planet).

The famous Joshua trees of Joshua Tree

Before my aunt and uncle retired there last year, I stayed twice at the lovely 29 Palms Inn, a rustic, affordable, and beautiful accommodation in town, near the entrance to Joshua Tree Park.

Besides hiking in the park, there is some great antiquing and thrift store shopping in nearby Yucca Valley. And any kid will enjoy a visit to Pioneer Town, a cool movie set where they used to shoot western TV shows and films. If you like driving around and taking photos of old signs, the expanse between 29 Palms and Yucca Valley are chock full.

An abandoned homestead

Low on pretense and cost, high on hidden charm, gorgeous desert views and fantastic weather (especially in the fall and spring), 29 Palms is truly out of this world.

image source

image source

“Plum says calm; plum says clean; plum says health,� said a rep at Penta Water in Carlsbad, Calif. “Other products in the water category are blue, clear, red,� he added. “This color came out as a consistent representation of vitality, a pure product.� source

Redplum coupons

The Plum Card from American Express for business owners.

“When we were looking at the color of the plastic (during the planning stages), we wanted something classy and sophisticated, and the choice was a shade we called 'burgundy.' " But the company did not want to call it burgundy when marketing it, he added, for fear of confusion with wine brands.

Susan Dickenson writing for Home Accents Today reported that the President and CEO of Martha Stewart Living, Susan Lyne, resigned and Mike followed up with some wall street takes on the resignation.

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery

Remember this?

Well, Crate and Barrel has this:

[via]

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