Recently a few of us from TV went on an excursion to Build It Green (aka BIG), located in a massive warehouse in Queens. What is BIG? Well, it is “New York City’s only non-profit retail outlet for salvaged and surplus building materials.” Which is rather amazing when you think about how much building/deconstructing happens …

Sometimes when we work on stories for Living, we end up developing—and even photographing—more ideas than there is room for in the magazine. It’s difficult to edit those out, but thanks to this blog we still get to share them with you!  For the “Take a Dip” story in the August issue of Martha Stewart Living, …

In my inaugural post, I mentioned that pillows were on my to-do list of soft home improvements.  While fabric hunting I found these curtains and really liked the simplicity of the blue cotton with subtle vertical lines. Stuffed with 26″ inserts and closed with zippers (so they can be removed easily for washing) they make …

I have been doing a lot of stenciling recently, and after hearing the question, “What did you use to make your stencil” oh, about a hundred times, I thought I’d share my go to materials and some tips to make sure your stenciled image turns out the best it can. All three of these materials …

I rarely do needle crafts, but I was looking around my apartment and surprised to realize how many examples of different types of needlework decorate my home.  My collection ranges in style and technique, but they’re all warm additions to my space.  I love living with objects, knowing whoever made each piece invested a lot …

Spring has come early in New York City, it’s 72 degrees today!  It is the perfect day to start saving eggs to decorate for Easter. You may not know this but I have a collection of blown out eggs, big and small, white and brown, cracked and whole, dyed and not dyed, and all of …

It is so amazing to have all these great projects together in one book.  It was hard to choose my favorite!  I have to say I have a strong attachment to Japanese Sashiko Embroidery.  You’ll find some beautiful examples of Sashiko in Martha Stewart’s Encylopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts, as well as a CD …

The other week I had the rare opportunity of getting out of the office to see the Philadelphia International Flower Show.  It was the perfect day trip from New York, just over an hour by train. The highly attended event dates way back to the 1820s. I briskly walked by most of the floral and …