Kadinlara Ozel - Home Decor Projects and Organic Modern Living

Quick Summer Party Prep: Host in 30 Minutes or Less

I’ve been working late nights in the studio recently, and I’ve learned that short breaks between projects help prevent burnout. When I felt that familiar drained edge creeping in, I decided to step away for a moment and enjoy two of my favorite things: cocktails and cupcakes.

I partnered with Aperol, the Italian aperitif first created in 1919 with its signature bittersweet profile, to create a citrus-inspired Spritz Break—an easy, refreshing way to celebrate the end of a long day and welcome summer.

If the idea of throwing together a last-minute get-together sounds like work, don’t worry: besides decorating, spontaneous mini-celebrations with friends are one of my favorite low-pressure ways to relax. For this Spritz Break I kept everything intentionally simple, relying on a few quick DIY touches and the classic 3-2-1 Spritz recipe. The result is a fresh, colorful little gathering you can assemble in under 30 minutes.

Wallpaper often sparks strong opinions—people tend to be firmly for it or firmly against it. There are passionate wallpaper enthusiasts and then everyone else.

Over the years wallpaper has gone through trends and cycles. Lately, though, it has enjoyed a resurgence. While some outdated, drab patterns still exist, today’s market offers a wide variety of fresh, exciting prints that can enliven any room.

Whether you rent or own, want a permanent installation or a temporary change you can update later, there are wallpaper solutions for almost every situation.

Visual inspiration is everywhere—Instagram, Pinterest, and other online platforms—but sometimes you need to step away from the screen and turn to something tactile. I love taking walks around the neighborhood or hanging physical style guides in the studio, but there are moments when I crave a real paper book (gasp!) rather than an e-reader. Books … Read more

Top Things to Do in Miami: Explore Wynwood Walls Street Art

Happy almost Thanksgiving! Before I head out for one last day of behind-the-scenes projects and some grocery shopping for tomorrow’s turkey day, I wanted to share photos from our visit to Wynwood Walls in Miami. Yesterday I mentioned I took too many photos at Wynwood to simply add them to an already lengthy Miami travel … Read more

Warm Getaway Ideas: Top Sun-Soaked Destinations to Visit

It’s been cold and rainy here all week, and I’m more than ready for warm weather and a cocktail with a paper umbrella. I’m heading out for some sunshine with my good friends Ashley and Jared from Sugar & Cloth. We’re traveling to Miami and Key West, so my Instagram and Snapchat feeds are about … Read more

Interior Obsessions: Refresh Your Home for 2015

It’s been a long time since my last Interior Obsessions post — holiday projects pushed interiors to the back burner. But I’m back with a fresh round of inspiration, and this time it’s all about returning to white. January feels like the perfect month to hit reset: a clean slate, a blank canvas. Who’s ready … Read more

49 Creative DIY Valentine Gift Ideas for Loved Ones

There are so many delightful DIY Valentine’s Day gift ideas, so I gathered the best ones in one place and organized them by recipient. Whether you need classroom valentines, a handmade gift for kids, something special for her or him, or an edible treat, there’s a Valentine’s idea for everyone on your list. I couldn’t … Read more

Behind the Scenes: Fruit Stacks, Dirt Spills, Breakfast Tacos & Hopper the Cat

I’ve been slacking a bit on sharing behind-the-scenes updates on Snapchat and Instagram Stories lately — part of it is feeling overwhelmed by juggling yet another social channel. That said, I’ve still been documenting moments from shoots and travels; they just haven’t lived on my phone as much as they usually do.

So here’s a round-up of the photos I meant to share on social but never quite posted.

Learn an easy method to dye synthetic materials at home. I’ve dyed a surprising variety of items over the years — napkins, shoes, woven baskets and even hangers — but one small project kept nagging at me until I finally tried it: a $13 faux sheepskin rug from Ikea. It felt like a simple idea … Read more

99 Problems? 17 Cakes That’ll Fix Your Monday

I’ve been making an effort to choose healthier options lately, but every now and then a person needs a little sugar. You know what I mean?

Today, I’m celebrating one of my favorite indulgences: cake. Do you really need an excuse to enjoy the Rolls-Royce of desserts? I didn’t think so.

Whether you crave frosting, want new recipes, or enjoy DIY cake decorating projects, this roundup has something for everyone. Here are 17 cakes to try that might make your Monday (or any day) a little sweeter.

1. (above) Vanilla Bean Cake from Fork to Belly

2. Edible Flowers Cake from Designlovefest

3. Slang Cake from Sugar & Cloth

4. Momofuku Birthday Cake from Liv for Cake