So many small apartments and homes are lacking architectural details. And it's these details that give a space interest and personality. For folks who are renting, adding their own crown moldings and replacing flat hollow doors usually isn't an option. 

TV show producer and blogger, Janet Lee moves a lot {think 12 times in the last 20 years}. Right inside the front door of her current studio apartment is a prominent closet with folding doors. Their 'blahness' bothered her. She wanted to add some impact and painted them a bright chartreuse yellow. Then she bought some stretcher bars.

 Stretcher bars are what artists use to make their own canvas. They are the back support over which the canvas is stretched and then stapled to. They come in different lengths, are inexpensive {at about 60 cents a foot}, are very lightweight, and they are mitered so they slide together. No cuts necessary!   

After she made her squares and rectangles out of the stretcher bars, she gave them a coat of the same yellow. She then attached Command Brand large picture hanging strips and within minutes those doors were transformed!  

When she moves, she pops them off, along with the strips, and she reuses them in her next space.

 Janet just recently released a book where she shares her amazing inexpensive DIY's, Living in a Nutshell. I can't wait to get a copy!

 Discovering this sweet party supply store has given me big love for my little love! Their site is beautiful, the photography is great and the products are graphic, stylish and modern. AND their prices are super reasonable. Just browsing their site is going to make you want to plan a party asap. 

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This book which is hitting the shelves next week! It is written by DIY expert and blogger, Jenni Radosevich. Maris is going to love this!

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Anything that Color Me Katie is involved with....watch this fun stunt that their improv group took on!

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 And watching this girly-girl bake neon cupcakes for her friends birthday.

Penguin Books has done it again. This time, with a new collection called Penguin Threads. They are offering 3 classics in covers designed by artist, Jillian Tamaki. She was given the creative task of hand embroidering all 3 covers in just 2 months. The books are sold with sculptural-embossed, full wrap around covers.

I think these are just exquisite. I have studied these images, enlarged them, and studied them some more. I love Jillian's color combinations, the thick details, the tiny knots that comprise Mary's fuschia skirt...and just look at the loose flowing mane of Black Beauty and the tiny little knots and stitches that create his strong body. 

How sweet are Emma's multi-colored curls and the twists of her braids..the teeny little pink freckles.

The original classics already live on my bookshelves, but I can not wait to add these to my collection!

{To purchase, please check out your own local bookstore!}

{images via jillian tamaki}

Grace visited Asheville yesterday. It was great to see so many locals as excited to

meet her as I was. 

She writes one of the most popular design blogs, Design Sponge, in the country and has just

 released a book which is filled with fantastic interiors and some great ‘how-to’ projects.   

Malaprops bookstore was filled with folks who joined in on a stamping project

with Grace’s direction.

I have seen Grace on the Nate Show, on her blog and in her ‘how-to’ videos, but

I was surprised at how tiny she is!!

She was so lovely and kind. She signed all of our books and we 'blog talked'.

Go get her book if you haven't already!!

{Thanks Maris for tagging along with mom and snapping pictures!}