If you take a look at the online version of the current cover story in New York Magazine, you’ll have an easy way to see what I think about the six “extreme decor” styles featured: the top three I do in fact find extreme (though I think the “paper planes” decor looks wonderful). The bottom three, I could happily move right in. It’s still an interesting look at some really creative folks. By far the most extreme to me is the couple who created disorienting whole-room designs with masking tape and paint splatter; I feel anxious just seeing the photos. The yarn bombing I don’t think even counts as decor — it’s for an art installation! And Amy Sedaris’ apartment with its fake food and vintage art? That just looks a lot like my own house to me. What do you think? — Mary T.

It’s almost too good to be true: a Groupon-style discount site for Etsy, where sellers offer deep discounts on handmade items that people buy and later redeem. But, thankfully, it’s real. Heartsy is a site that does just that: offering a limited amount of discounts people buy for handmade Etsy items like soaps, artwork and textiles. New deals are offered daily, so it’s best to sign up for emails so you don’t miss out on something awesome — and you can even help decide what’s discounted next, so get on over and start browsing! — Megan B.

Imagine this: You’re planning a bridal shower brunch for 80 (yes, 80) guests. The invitations have been sent, the favors ordered, the menu set and venue booked. The only thing that remains in this large-scale production is deciding on and making the centerpieces for the tables. This is the dilemma facing a good friend right now, and so I’m looking to you, dear readers, for a solution. Flower arrangements can be expensive so we’re searching for some creative ideas that we can execute ourselves on a manageable budget. We’ve been looking into big, scene-stealing flowers, like peonies and hydrangeas, which might be able to do the job of bigger bouquets with fewer stems. I’m also intrigued by the idea of Martha Stewart’s paper flower tutorial as a craftier option but please, weigh in! Have any flower suggestions to share? Know of a great, executable centerpiece strategy you could pass along? Sound off in comments! — Sarah C.

Yes, we’ve been known to fancy their teatowels, but an afternoon perusal of the Double Merrick website has unearthed (surprise!) more to love. This La Lune print, €50, is the object of my current, intense affection and I love that it’s offered at a discount when purchased with its counterpart, La Soleil. Inspired by old classroom wall charts, these 11.7” x 16.5” beauties would make a room with the right matting and framing. Coming in a close second, I’m loving the smaller La Mer and Le Ciel prints, €25 each or €42 for the pair. – Sarah C.

1) That’s a yes on these floral head vases by Tania da Cruz. Ellobie says: “I looooove this! Saw it on Badder Homes and contacted Tania and they’re only 180 euros. Gulp. I’ll have to wait for a copycat…”

2) Black bean burgers at home? Consider it done. Megan B. to the rescue again! Jen F. says: “Thanks for posting this! After having a really *really* bad veggie burger a couple of weeks ago, I decided to try to make my own but haven’t really been sure where to start. Love the idea/addition of green chiles in this one!”

3) We’re one step closer to pulling the trigger on the diabolical lairs of our dreams. This company can help. Hypothetical Woman says: “Oh, wow, diabolical builders to help build my underground lair! I can now concentrate on taking over the world with giant plushie animals, mwahahahaaa… ahem. Sorry. I mean, that’s really cool, I love the stone finish!”

4) Unfinished furniture stores, Craigslist and Target are all good resources for affordable picnic tables. Ginny F. is in the market, and Target is pulling ahead of the ever-aspirational Pottery Barn and Loll in the race to summer dining options.

5) Vodka is the key ingredient in these DIY diffusers. Did you blend your own scent for Mother’s Day? Megan B.’s got the recipe and some handy scent pairing suggestions!

If you haven’t done so already, then skip the trip to Hallmark and make mom a beautiful pop up card, with this easy tutorial at Martha’s Crafts Dept.

Unclutterer gives us some great advice on how to limit “media over-consumption”.

While you’re busy not watching Netflix streaming, how about tackling the bathroom? Curbly’s making it easier with this helpful cleaning cheat sheet.

Liven up that boring ol’ chain link fence, CasaSugar style!

May is the best month for outdoor painting, reportedly, so jazz up your exterior and paint your front door, at DIY Life.

With a name like Umami butter, it HAS to be good. Make your own, with this recipe at Delicious Days.

Juxtapoz magazine is featuring a roundup of fences made of unconventional materials, some with better results than others…

As we’re well aware, ABC Carpet & Home is hailed as the ultimate menagerie of feminine finds, fabulous furniture and one-of-a-kind housewarming gifts. But there on the fourth floor lies a new realm the Y chromosome can call home: The Esquire Home ABC Coop Shop, a Mecca for Esquire’s “Man at His Best”. A place where deep-set, distressed leather sofas meet steel office accents with more than a dash of American flag and Union Jack flair, the shop showcases the extension of the sophisticated Esquire aesthetic to the home space. Created in collaboration with designer Timothy Oulton, the masculine, tailored aesthetic capitalizes on scale: everything from the exquisite trunk bar and sleek office vignettes to the expansive wood coffee table and the oversized chess pieces on top serve gentle reminders that luxury, style and comfort are not lost on the Esquire man. We’ve discussed our dislike of the “man cave” terminology and our interest in Restoration Hardware’s Aviator Collection, so I’m intrigued: Where do you fall on Esquire’s extension into the home space?

Venture beyond the jump for an additional peek at the ABC Coop Shop and for more on the complete line, visit it online at the Esquire Home Collection website. – Sarah C. (more…)

It’s been making the rounds on the internet this week, but if you haven’t seen it, here’s a fun injection for your Friday: the expansive home where little Kevin McCallister was left alone while his family spent Christmas in France is on the market! Located in the historic town of Winnetka, Illinois, the expansive house can be yours for a cool $2.4 million, which certainly buys you enough space to make forgetting a kid or two a semi-believable parental faux pas, no? (The logistics of actually leaving a child behind by accident were always lost on me. Maybe this sheds some light?) For more information including floor plans and photos, click over to the Home Alone Home Facebook page or stop by its official website, Homealonehome.com. –- Sarah C.

photo: Coldwell Banker

Looking for a fabulous-yet-frugal gift for the moms in your world? Something easily thrown together in minutes with things you probably have around the house? Well, then let me suggest these DIY reed scent diffusers — they are way cooler than the ones you see for $15 each. I’d been thinking I should make my own ever since I saw the first crazy-expensive air fresheners in a specialty shop years ago. They just looked TOO SIMPLE. So this year, when wracking my brain for mom’s day gifts, I remembered my stash of used SanBitter bottles, and decided to give it a shot.

I did a bit of Googling to see how it was done, and I found this post from Young House Love in 2009, but I was disappointed to see that they had just used Mrs. Meyer’s Household Cleaner as their scent (nothing against Mrs Meyer’s — I SWEAR by the lavender products). I wanted to custom-blend my own scents. Thankfully I found this helpful post at TipNut to help me make my own uniquely scented gifts. I used a mix of grapeseed and sweet almond oils as my “carrier oil”, added a splash of vodka to help it diffuse, and my favorite essential oils, gave it a shake — and BOOM. That’s it.

What you will need:
Bamboo skewers
small bottles or narrow necked vases
vodka
essential oils
grapeseed or sweet almond oil

Trim the pointed ends off the skewers with wire cutters or sturdy kitchen shears. To mix the scented oil, measure out 1/4 c grapeseed/almond oil, add a splash of Vodka and 12-20 drops of essential oil. Shake. Pour in your vessel (no more than 3/4 full), add the skewers, and flip them a few times to start the diffusion more quickly. Favorite scent combinations are grapefruit & sandalwood, lavender & clary sage, and black pepper & palmarosa. Have you ever made them? Share your results in the comments! — Megan B.

I noticed these at Street Anatomy, who picked them up from Coolhunting. These ceramic head vases from Milan artist Tania da Cruz are simply wonderful, I think. Sculptural enough to stand on their own and simple enough so that even the floral arranging impaired would be able to create a striking display. — Mary T.