apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Consider the olive. Bold, fruity, elegant, and sophisticated. An emblem of peace and a symbol of health. It's one of those versatile colors that can accommodate a range of styles depending on how it's used and what it's paired with. From fresh and funky to dark and dramatic, here is some inspiration to get you thinking about olive green in a whole new way.

We've been fans of Maya Romanoff's distinctive wallcoverings for a while, but the Blanket design by David Rockwell for Maya Romanoff sparked a lively discussion around the dinner table last night. Would you get shocked after touching it? Would balloons stick to it? Would you have nightmares of Tim Gunn chasing after you with a hand steamer?

Remember Paul Villinski's Beer Can Butterflies? Some of you were over the whole butterfly trend, but this wood veneer version might make you reconsider.

Some packages are just too pretty to part with. That's how we felt when we saw Integrity Spirits' Lovejoy Vodka bottles. If the name alone doesn't put you in a festive mood, the chic graphic label will. With five different designs, you can even choose the color and pattern that fits your decor.

Tucked away in a quiet industrial park off Storrow Drive is the lyrically named and heavily stocked Freddy Farkel's Fabric Outlet.

Bland, institutional mini-blinds are rarely our go-to window treatment, but Helena Karelson's revamped venetians are anything but boring.

I usually avoid traditional holiday decor, but when I spotted this wreath made from book pages on Design Crush, I instantly fell in love with its elegant form, ruffled texture, and vintage feel. If the thought of taking an exacto to your favorite read makes you a little squeamish, take heart. Most of these designs were made using mass market fiction or found materials.

We're no strangers to modern bunk beds, but this nautical-inspired design featured in Coastal Living's 2009 Idea House is especially see-worthy.

The current issue of Design New England features the colorful West Roxbury, Massachusetts home of interior designer Rachel Reider whose signature "soft modern" style effortlessly blends the past with the present in bold, unexpected ways.

I'll admit that when it comes to hostess gifts, I lack a certain amount of creativity. I usually opt for the standard bottle of wine. But nothing says afterthought like a crumpled brown paper bag. Here are some chic alternatives that will make even a $7 bottle of Trader Joe's Merlot look like a million bucks.

If Haiku were a three-dimensional art form, Japanese artist Yuri Fukuda (a.k.a. Emogayu) would be a master of it. A recent exhibit at the Archip Gallery Theater in Brooklyn, New York featured the artist's Volcanoes, a series of hand-crafted earthenware vessels inspired by the natural energy of flowing lava.

As our post-Halloween candy exorcism begins, we're looking for ways to simulate the sugar high without the inevitable crash. We think these candy-inspired designs look good enough to eat, but they won't rot your teeth or add inches to your waistline.

Fall always seems to mark the return of medieval mania. We've noticed this year's Gothic revival has a distinctly Tudor bent. While we love it in a good period film, the more-is-more mantra of traditional Tudor style doesn't really jibe with our modern sensibilities. Here are some Tudor-inspired accessories that take a less literal approach to the trend.

Name: Libby and John Lodge (of John Lodge Architects)
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Most Boston dwellers are familiar with the pitfalls of living in period houses: small rooms, miniscule closets, and dim lighting. So when product designer Libby and her architect husband John stumbled upon a Cambridge Greek Revival with not one, but two large sunny common rooms, they jumped at it. Nine years later, they couldn't be happier with their choice.