Botanical Jungle Mural

For my big All-Request August week on HGTV Handmade, I am bringing you all along with me as I undertake an office makeover. This is one of my favorite projects of all-time, and one that nearly took a month and my sanity. Join me along the journey and weigh in in the comments section of the video if you think it's a fail or success. Watch it H E R E!

Currently Coveting

I am currently coveting two very different styles/looks/genres of magazine holders at the moment and am feeling very Natalie Imbruglia about it. For years I've wanted the modular marvel that is the Kartell magazine holder and have had many versions of them in my favorites and watch lists on Etsy and Ebay, the internet's version of doggy-earring a catalogue page. I have yet to pull the trigger on either, but think this year I might just treat myself for my birthday. THEN, along comes this woven modern Golden Girls moment from Urban Outfitters and I just wonder if I can get away with having them both. I DO have a lot of magazines to hold....

/// More Currently Coveting ///

Episode 22 // DIY Dip Dye

Very few projects are as beautiful in the DIY world as hand dyed textiles. Each and every piece is one of a kind by nature, and the organic lines, shapes, not to mention vibes that these give off are beyond dreamy. In this week's video on HGTV Handmade I show you how to dip dye some cotton pillow cases in a few different techniques.



Dye can be intimidating, but today, I hold your unstained hand (because you wore gloves) while you try it yourself. If nothing else, this video is particularly precious due to the perfect pup who serves as my co-host.

/// Meg's HGTV Handmade Playlist ///

Episode 18 // Geometric Pineapple Art

In this week's DIY, we celebrate both our love for modern geometric design and OUR MOMS with a paper pineapple project. Frame this for your home, give as a gift, or scale down the proportions for a handmade Mother's Day card.

                                 /// Meg's HGTV Handmade Playlist /// 

Home Decor Score

The Primary Essentials is my favorite shop in my new(-ish) neighborhood of Boerum Hill/BoCoCa in Brooklyn, New York. Filled with finely curated ceramics, hand-dyed textiles, and highly-coveted artisanal pieces from local and independent designers, the store's aesthetic is clean, fresh, and inspired. One piece that they carry is the marble hexagon trivet by Fort Standard that I have previously mentioned and coveted for months. It was recently sold out at the sites I originally found it, so was incredibly relieved to find it in my neighborhood at my favorite haunt. Sometimes the perfect found object or the primary essentials, if you will, are just enough to make your whole week.

Photographed in our kitchen, my marble hexagon now resides on my bedside table. It protects the wood, lets my pale pink or mint green Heller mug resides comfortably, and pleases my aesthetic eye on-the-reg.

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3D Orbs on Apartment Therapy

A huge THANK YOU to Apartment Therapy for featuring my 3D Wall Orbs on their site. It brought a tons of views to my video, and I appreciate the link love.

Home Decor Score

 

I am obsessed with the clean, mod work of designer Massimo Vignelli. He is most recognized for his Heller kitchenware, although the body of work by him and his wife is vast and worth the research. Growing up my mom had these fantastic Heller kitchen canisters, and my Nana had this navy blue pitcher and mug set (pictured below). I also have a canary yellow pitcher, mug, and tray set that belonged to my Nana that are all perfect for outdoor summer meals.

I have been hunting down pieces on Etsy and Ebay for years, and after a month-long hostage-like situation at the post office due to an error in a change-of-address form, I finally have my recent pastel purchase home where it belongs. Our new kitchen needed some colorful new mugs/cups, so when I spotted this set of pastel Heller Maxmugs on ebay, I finally found the perfect new addition for the spring and summer seasons. I could just eat up the clean, mod lines and the whimsical pastel palette, and am now counting down the days until I have the space and money for Vignelli's *modular white shelves. Until then, I'll keep hunting for a white Heller record rack like this one.

* I scoured the internet and could not locate a photo of these shelves. But those of you who've watched Thirtysomething have seem them in Ellyn's apartment and KNOW what I'm talking about. MOD PERSONIFIED.

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Score 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Home Decor Score

Our home recently scored this gorgeous gold geometric lamp base from the Nate Berkus for Target line and it's for sure a game room changer. After spotting the piece in Nate Berkus's house tour on Rue Magazine (among several other design blogs), I was really coveting it. This was the very last one at our Brooklyn Target and was marked down to $40. Paired with a stark white shade, this lamp adds a modern moment to the space, and both Will and I LOVE IT.

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Score 1 / 2 / 3

Episode 6 // DIY Kissing Lips + Conversation Hearts

With Valentine's Day mere days away, today's episode of HGTV Handmade is filled with 2 really quick and super-easy gifts to make for your valentine. Not a sewer? I've got you covered in there with a no-sew option as well. Let me know what you think in a comment on the video page. Thanks for the killer support, it means the world!

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Episode 1 / Episode 2 / Episode 3 / Episode 4 / Episode 5

Episode 2 // 3 Ways to Organize with Vintage Crates

With a new year comes new resolutions. It's Organization Week on HGTV Handmade, so in my second episode I'll help you tackle AESTHETICALLY PLEASING ORGANIZATION by showing you 3 ways to upcycle rustic, vintage crates. Learn how to make your own floating shelves, craft caddy, magazine bin, or stacked shelves, all in one quick video. 

 

// More HGTV Handmade //

Episode 1

Plans

 This weekend I plan on....

+ Dreaming about this wallpaper.

+ Eating these banana nut muffins I baked. 

+ Mulling these aromatic spices.

+ Wearing these fall essentials.

+ Wish I had this above my bed.

What are your plans? Have a wonderful weekend! 

New Digs: A Look at Our Loo

Our bathroom was one of the first rooms to feel "finished" in the new place. It's obviously the smallest room making this an easy fete. Aesthetic-wise, I knew I wanted to take our beachy bathroom into a tropical/jungle place. Art work is the main way to create this look, and I think we're on our way. Above you'll see my vintage tiger print from my dear friend Casey. It was once in her tv room in her childhood home and in our middle school years thought it was hilarious for some reason, so she gave it to me as a joke gift in college. It has since become a serious favorite and agives the room the jungle vibe I was hoping for. The red serpent mola my grandfather got in Panana and gallery wall add a layer of texture and warmth to the look and feel of the space. I love the juxtaposition of the warmth and texture of the artwork with the cool, clean, crisp white subway tile that lines the spa-like shower and the sink. Now a simple shower has gone from a functional routine to a more luxurious, "me-time" moment that I look forward to. VERY grown-up.

My other favorite elements of this room:

+ This washer/dryer combo. It is a TOTAL GAME CHANGER.

+ My World Market Ikat shower curtain.

+ The rainforest shower head.

+ The giant, modern medicine cabinet.

+ The dark gray tile floor.

+ Our vintage seagulls flocking the wall.

+ The window that looks out to the vibrant fall leaves in the backyard.

MORE New Digs

Balcony Life // Kitchen // Kitchen Details

New Digs: Kitchen

Take a little look into our new kitchen situation that is improving on the daily. We recently found the most perfect lucite chairs to go with our vintage Knoll Studio table and I am obsessed with the combination. The clear, modern seats are totally comfortable and you can SEE THROUGH THEM, making them perfect for small spaces. 

My other favorite elements of this room: 

+ it has original tin ceilings

+ the dark gray tile floor

+ it is flooded with light

+ it is filled with greenery

+ it opens up to our balcony and backyard

+ the dip dye lampshade

New Digs: Balcony Life

There are countless little moments every day that make it clear that we found our home. It just feels right here. 

One of my favorite reasons for this certainty is the balcony off our kitchen that opens up to the backyard. We sit here and read the paper, sip coffee, eat our meals, and experience a moment of peace outdoors that I've always wanted. The dogs love to join us out there and watch the goings on in the backyard and feel the breeze on their faces. I watched a squirrel forage for nuts while listening to the clucking of a neighbor's chickens the other day and wondered WHO AM I? What is this new, refreshing life that this New Yorker used to a concrete jungle is living on a brownstone block? How did I get here? I actually mused out loud "I can't believe I live here" while walking down my dream block yesterday. 

I can not believe it. But I'll take it.  

N. 7th Street in AT, SS, + TB

Photo by Jared Roessler for Signature Styles by Jenny Doh

There have been so many variations of furniture arrangements and aesthetic influences in our N. 7th Street apartment in the almost-decade that we've lived here. All of which includes an adorable rescue dog or two. This is our last week in this home before we move, so in continuing with my flash-back series, take a gander at a few looks our living room has tried on for size. 

The above is how she (I feel like the living room is a woman) looked when we purchased our West Elm Baxter sectional. I love the Baxter paired with the Ikea Stolkholm rug, mid-century lucite nesting tables, and Gracie. the photo was taken before I invested in my camera, but luckily the ole' place was photographed by professionals several times to give you a better look. 

+ Our living room and kitchen for a Decor It Yourself photoshoot with Threadbanger/ Photo by Jared Roessler

+ Our living room, also in 2008, featured in Apartment Therapy. Photo by Wendy Hickock.

More in my Flash-Back Series: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

N. 7th Street in TONY

In February of 2010 our home was photographed by Imogen Brown for Time Out New York. Here are a few of the photos, you can see the whole story here. I see SIX episodes of Decor It Yourself in here, can you name them?

Btws, anyone want the 2 lamp shades featured? We are moving and can't take it all with us! For real, email me and they're yours! 

New Apartment Inspiration

I hope you all had a lovely looong weekend. Mine was extended due to one of my oldest and dearest friend visiting with her brand new baby girl, Emilie. It was the sweetest visit ever, bookended daily by packing up my apartment. Boxing up everything I own and emptying this home is making my hungry (STARVING) for a new blank canvas. Of course I have a Pinterest board dedicated to the cause and my archive of Domino magazines have a brand new set of hot pink post-it's in them. T-Minus 11 days until we move!

I can fit a hammock into a one-bedroom, riiiight?

Photos // 100 Layer Cake + a Pinterest K-hole that never ends. If you see the source lemme know!

N. 7th Street

We are moving from our home on N. 7th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in 5-7 weeks and I'm feeling all of the feelings that comes with that. Anticipation, excitement, fear, and attachment to this apartment that has been our home for the last 8 1/2 years. In the almost-decade that we've called this place home, these four walls have seen a lot of life and a lot of love.



This is where:

Will and I learned how to be a family
We celebrated our engagement
We shared in our wedding planning
Had a home with our first rescue dog Thurman
Gracie and Milo have grown up
Gracie was diagnosed with AND survived several bouts of cancer (she is Wonder Dog!)
I started Nest, Decor It Yourself, & MACC
We both turned 30
Will has written countless songs that we'll have forever
Had some fabulous dance parties
Said goodbye to both our beloved Thurman and our bunny Linus
Figured out our entire lives talking endlessly on the couch
Spent countless nights laughing to the point of crying with our closest friends


And ultimately it's where we experienced the heartbreak and healing of life. It's the home that housed us as we walked through painful darkness, and it's where we lived when the light finally began to hit our face again. We went through things we never thought we'd get through in this home, and it's where we have begun to see that we are somehow more alive and vibrant for getting through it.

After enduring so much life in one place, we are really ready for a fresh start in a new home and neighborhood, but it'll be hard to say goodbye to this one. Once we're in our new home it will be exhilarating and wonderful, but there will be some bittersweet sadness in between. I have a hard time with goodbyes, I won't lie. But in order to have a new beginning, something else must end. As this chapter ends, I'll post photos and memories of our home from both the past and present, as a little time capsule of our years on N. 7th Street.

Here's to new beginnings!



All photos by Wendy Hickock