What a lovely post to wake up to, from Paula over at Neutral Dwelling. Thanks for your sweet words, Paula!

It’s been a busy weekend here at DFM, full of baby shower preparations [not mine!], post-wedding lowdowns [again, not mine!] and holiday plans in the making [and yes, THOSE are mine!].

Yet with all the distractions going on about town, I am SO SO excited for this week at DFM. Stay tuned for three new artists, two trend alerts, and an astounding new fashion forward!

And a partridge in a pear tree.

Have a FABULOUS week here at DFM! And just in case you’ve missed it, enter the interior design giveaway now!

[photo credit: j+s]

So. Here’s the deal. As of November 1st, Design for Mankind will be offering a FREE interior makeover to ONE lucky reader EACH MONTH. No rules, no requirements. Free makeover each month. Sound awesome? I thought so, too.

Here’s how:
1. Send in a photo of your desperate room to designformankind@gmail.com. Maybe you’re looking for the perfect fabric, lamp or recliner to accent your space. Or perhaps you just want a new look for the winter. Or, maybe the whole room is a disaster and you want to start from scratch.
Whatever the case, send it on in and you could be the lucky winner!

2. Design for Mankind will search high and low for your perfect fabric, lamp or whole shebang. You’ll receive specs (if available), price lists and discounts from some of DFM’s top sponsors, and DFM will provide you with a full mock-up of your new room! All that’s left for you to do is shop away!

3. Give us your favorite interior inspirations, as well as a desired price range for your total project. We’ll handle the rest!

4. SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS NOW AND LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

New fabrics available now from Superbuzzy. I just LOVE these Etsuko Furuya textiles!!!

Click here to peruse or for purchase info.

Awww, Halloween weekend. The perfect weekend to finish up crafting your costume, and of course, when frustrated, start something new!

From ReadyMade magazine:
How to Make a Modernist Bowl from Construction Site Refuse:

GET IT:
Orange Construction Netting ($10)
If you can’t find any to salvage, purchase a roll here.

NEED IT:
Ruler
Scissors
Wok Lid
Screwdriver
Aluminum Foil
Oven
3 Small Flower Pots
Oven Mitts
Newspaper

DO IT:
1. Cut two circles, 19″ in diameter, out of contruction netting.
2. Remove the wooden knob of a wok lid and cover the outside with aluminum foil.
3. With the rack in the lowest position, set three small flowerpots in the center of your oven and place the lid on top.
4. Turn on the oven. When it hits 400 degrees, carefully center the two pieces of netting on top of the wok, overlapping each other.
5. With the over door closed and the light on, watch and wait! In a few minutes, the netting will begin to melt.
6. When the pieces drape completely over the wok lid, turn off the overn and remove the entire thing (flowerpots and all), and set it on a piece of newspaper.
7. Once cooled, pull the netting off the lid and SHAZAM… your basket.

One of my fave blogs, Things that Inspire (hello!), posted a VERY interesting debate stemming from Domino’s decorative pillow issue.

Of course, I had to put in my two cents. When does one use decorative pillows, and where do you draw the line?

Here’s my rule, for what it’s worth. Generally speaking, if you have a bed skirt that reaches down to the floor, decorative pillows are MORE than welcome. The feminity of both vignettes create an inviting bed that you just can’t resist!

HOWEVER. If you do not have a bed skirt, or if you simply use a duvet toward the foot of the bed, decorative pillows look a bit too fussy. A sparse, minimalist bed should be kept as is rather than adding a product that may create visual dissonance.

Here are a few pics from Domino mag that help illustrate my rule. And hey, if you love the pillows, leave ‘em. Design is all a matter of perspective, anyway!

No bedskirt? No decorative pillows!

Bedskirt? Decorative pillows!

Bedskirt? Decorative pillows!

No bedskirt? No decorative pillows!

Bedskirt? Decorative pillows!

Today’s fashion forward is up! Enjoy ‘Fall into Modern’, this season’s cozy and sophisticated room-outfit. [click to enlarge!]

Special thanks to Desire to Inspire for this fabulous Shane Reilly image!

Ahhhh, I love a good bench as much as the next gal. Park benches, church benches (pews, whatever), nook benches. Any and ALL.

Here are a few of my faves, along with their talented photographers!

[photo credit: dagg2008]

[photo credit: neneonline]

[photo credit: kudar!]

[photo credit: across and down]

[photo credit: by-stander]

A horse is a horse, of course. Unless it’s a trendy horse, and in that case, it’s an entirely new subject.

I’ve seen horses EVERYWHERE, from lamps to pouches, and then some. Originating from our fascination with unicorns, I have a funny feeling that horses are here to stay for the fall/winter season.

Check out a few of my fave horse finds, and all those opposed? Say neigh.

horse letterpress cards from pistachio press, $3.

horse print from etsy artist matty8080, $6.

horse tee from loyalty and blood, $30.

horse rain boots from let it rain, $70.

horse necklace from maneki, $26.

Etsy artist supercapacity has an eye for design and all things photographic. I LOOOOVE her polaroid diptychs, which are simply fascinating.

Check out more of supercapacity’s work at her webiste here.