Spark

Dining Nook Pillows from Martha Stewart

For those who have small dining and kitchen areas, I often suggest built-in banquette seating to maximize the space. A banquette allows you to carve out little dining nooks in oddly shaped rooms or to double the width of free space in rectangular rooms. The long bench seat is perfect for piling up the kids or squeezing in an extra dinner guest.Kelmscott

There are many design options in banquettes, including whether or not to have a wood or upholstered back . . . or whether to have a back at all. For benches with either a wood seat back or just the original wall as a back, cushions come in handy. This ingenious idea (pictured above) from Martha Stewart calls for hanging pillows. They are a snap to make and the pillows stay just where you need them!

This same concept of hanging pillows could be used with a bench seat in a foyer or even in a play area for kids sitting on the floor. Find many more ideas for handmade pillows on MarthaStewart.com.

Ready to refresh your room but aren’t sure where to begin? I always love to start with fabrics from bedding, curtains, or upholstery as inspiration. The fabric is a ready made palette for choosing wall color and accent pieces. Pottery Barn has a new tool that makes the selection process even easier when it comes to bedroom fabrics and paint. [...]

Just like an unfashionably late wedding guest, I’m sheepishly posting my British inspiration piece a few days after the royal rustle. But just because we’ve gossiped about Kate’s dress and witnessed “the kiss”, our glance across the pond doesn’t have to shift just yet. And the cool, drizzly weather today has me feeling especially English [...]

Golf is a great way to get business contacts and a good source of cash. It may not be the best way to spend the rest of your time, but it sure beats being at home and being lonely. There are a few factors you should consider before picking a golf course to play, before [...]

If you love high style brands and shopping bargains, then you need to know about Gilt. It’s a website that provides access to fashion and home luxury items at prices up to 70% off retail. Each sale lasts 36 hours and features hand selected styles from a single designer. It works on a first come, [...]