via The Plant by Alys Fowler, photo by Julia Grassi — via *The Plant* by Alys Fowler, photo by Julia Grassi

An appealing edible landscape

Sarah Coombs May 1, 2014

Here in Northern California, spring is officially sprung. For the first time in my life, I have a whole garden to play with, and this has me pouring over Better Homes & Gardens, Sunset magazine and Country Living for hours. I want a space that's pretty to look at, of course, but productive, too.

Good news is that it's very possible to have a garden that's lush with both flowers and vegetables, and it's very possible to make it all pretty. You just need to follow some simple design rules, which I'll walk you through.

design by Collected Interiors, photo by Joel Barbittas — design by Collected Interiors, photo by Joel Barbittas

DIY a great table

Sarah Coombs April 22, 2014

The office space I'm designing calls for two tables: one for the conference room, and one for general use. They need to be big, seating between six and eight. Good looking, durable tables of that size tend to be costly. We could probably score some corporate cast offs on sale, but that doesn't feel right stylistically. This client is hip, and--hooray!--amenable to taking on some DIY. So I suggested we craft our own.

SCD in Alameda Magazine: living walls bring style and substance

Sarah Coombs April 22, 2014

From my article in the most recent issue of Alameda Magazine:

Here in the Bay Area, people are fond of the unconventional garden. Locals know that grass isn’t the only way to fill a front yard—vegetables and shrubs work, too—and they don’t shy away from a good-looking rock display, either. So it’s not surprising that living walls have taken root here in a major way.

Want to know more? Read on.

Gorgeous green floors

Sarah Coombs April 15, 2014

Flooring: I've got it on the brain. We're weighing lots of options for the office project I'm working on now. In my research, I was surprised to find myself really taken with this one: a solid expanse of green.

Floor tiles by Neisha Crosland

Sarah Coombs April 9, 2014

"What is that fantastic floor?" you ask. "Ceramic tile? Painted wood?" The answer will surprise you.

Oakland Magazine April 2014 — *Oakland Magazine* April 2014

SCD in Oakland Magazine: design a beautiful party

Sarah Coombs April 7, 2014

From an article I wrote for the latest issue of Oakland Magazine:

"It’s your day.” That’s a common refrain for any big event: wedding, bar mitzvah, and quinceañera alike. But how do you design a celebration that really feels like you?

Read on to learn more!

A Stone's Throw Away wallpaper in almost white/gray

A Stone's Throw Away wallpaper by Hygge & West

Sarah Coombs April 3, 2014

While doing research for a magazine article recently, I came across a great new resource: wallpaper from Hygge & West. If you tend to think of wallpaper as fusty, this place should change your mind.

Deck the walls: sign art by Nutmegger Workshop

Sarah Coombs March 27, 2014

Recently I had the good fortune to be introduced to Peter Vogel, head of Nutmegger Workshop. In his studio in Portland, Oregon, Peter crafts some truly remarkable sign art. He planes the wood, paints the type, and then ages it by hand. The result is a piece that feels one-of-a-kind: something that you'd be thrilled to find in an antique store, but that you have the good fortune to customize any way you want. We spoke recently to discuss his craft, his sources of inspiration, and his favorite projects to date.