Fluorescent cords attached to black rebar frames form this sculptural installation, which American firm Hou de Sousa has created for Washington DC. Read more
British architectural designer John Pawson has been recognised for services to design and architecture with a CBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours list 2019. Read more
This compact holiday home in Portugal's Alto Douro region is partially embedded in its sloping site and features large openings that frame views of the surrounding nature. Read more
A series of trompe l'oeil mirrors designed by New York City firm Bower Studios make shoe brand Gray Matters' showroom in Brooklyn look much bigger than it actually is. Read more
Architect Carlo Ratti has worked with Indian non-profit WeRise to develop a system of low-cost housing with a prefabricated core that homeowners can build any structure they like on top of. Read more
A glass-enclosed kitchen at the entrance to this Tel Aviv restaurant by Vered Kadouri and Craft & Bloom turns the food preparation into an art performance. Read more
Brazilian architect Leandro Garcia has renovated an apartment in Brazil for a journalist, making room for entertaining despite the limited space. Read more
Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Tim Teven has developed a process for making furniture and building blocks using the waste separated from paper fibre during the recycling process. Read more
Italian furniture brand Cappellini and British designer Jasper Morrison celebrated three decades of collaboration in 2018. Creative director Guilio Cappellini looks back at designs the pair have produced together, from the iconic Thinking Man's Chair to the seating at Tate Modern. Read more
Creative consultancy Masquespacio has completed a tropical sushi restaurant in Valencia, Spain, that mixes Japanese and Brazilian-inspired design elements. Read more
From a floating university to a network of black female architects, Phineas Harper offers an alternative guide to the year's most important happenings in architecture. Read more
Seattle firm Best Practice Architecture has converted an unused garage on a property in the city into a black house for the owners' elderly relative. Read more
Studio Joanna Laajisto has used red and cream floor tiles, ash wood carpentry and marble table tops to create a relaxed interior for an organic bakery, coffee shop and wine bar in Helsinki. Read more
Japanese studio Nendo has designed a set of bowls that appear "as if one is growing out of the other" for Chinese lifestyle brand Zens, along with a "seemingly unbalanced" tea set that hides under its lid. Read more
Chilean architecture office Hsu Gabriel Architects has completed a holiday home comprising a pair of timber-clad volumes, which are angled to make the most of the views towards a nearby lake. Read more
Better To Transport is a tricycle made from recycled materials commonly found in Mexico City, with demountable components designed to be easily replaced over time. Read more
We’re in the final countdown to Christmas! If you’re wanting to take your holiday decor up a notch or two, today’s post will show you how to give your garlands and wreaths a quick makeover. Not only are these greenery upgrades affordable, they’re perfect for transitioning your Christmas decorations into New Year’s Eve decor. By starting with basic holiday greenery (from the green to the frosted), you can have a designer look in no time. Feel free to choose faux greenery so you can reuse your decor next year! Keep reading for all of the hassle-free DIY details…
*Photos and styling by Kate Simmons
Gold Star Garland
This first holiday greenery upgrade gives a nod to Scandinavian style. There’s something so whimsical about gold stars. When they’re wooden, the result is an earthy, modern look that beautifully complements the greenery of your choice!
Start with wooden craft stars. I ordered these from JOANN for a mere $4.99 a bag:
Paint your stars gold, or leave them untouched for a rustic look. Keep in mind that even painting them a “fancy” color like gold doesn’t strip them of their simplicity and charm, especially if you leave the edges unfinished:
Display your stars by tucking them into your holiday garland. If you don’t have a garland, rest assured there are some very affordable options out there (many of them pre-lit)! A dab of hot glue will secure the stars in place if need be. Avoid gluing them to wires or lights if your garland features lighting.
Metallic Ornament Wreath
This next greenery upgrade idea involves metallic ball ornaments in various sizes. You can go with the budget-friendly ornaments you’ll find at most craft stores in boxed sets, or you can opt for more ornate selections. The choice is yours! Bonus points if you incorporate a range of hues (from silver to rose gold). In fact, it’s precisely this variety in tone that creates an upscale monochromatic look.
As you can see from the image below, metallic ornaments bring flocked greenery to life. Note how ornaments in rose gold, silver and pearl enhance a lovely artificial pine wreath from CB2:
It’s that easy! Simply secure the ball ornaments to the wreath (we tied ours with string), and you’re set.
Will you be taking your holiday greenery to new heights this year? You don’t have to break the bank to get a high-end look. The magic is in the details! Happy Holidays!
Athens-based design studio Fluo has redesigned the top floor of a 1970s hotel building to create a light-filled bar and breakfast room with warm tones and blush pink colours. Read more
Gold doorways, amphitheatre-style display shelves and velvet furnishings appear in fashion label Bally's showroom in Milan, which Italian studio Storagemilano has designed to hint at the building's dramatic past. Read more
Barcelona home accessories brand Octaevo has launched a line of ceramic trays based on Greek and Roman gods as well as traditional symbols of good luck that are believed to fend off evil spirits. Read more
We wish Dezeen readers a very merry Christmas and happy holidays. We'll be back for more architecture and design tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy this photo of Gardens by the Bay lit up for Christmas.
Three volumes clad in pale cedar form this holiday home for skiing in Quebec's Laurentian Mountains, which Montreal-based studio YH2 has arranged to make the most of views to its forested surrounds. Read more
