I consider myself somewhat of an artsy person. I like art, art museums, art house films, art-rock, Art Garfunkel. Posters and prints and one or two original paintings, which were given to me as housewarming presents, hang in my apartment. My mother is a brilliant watercolor artist (with her big spring show coming up tomorrow. Go Mom!). And I’ve been known to clean out a jewelry booth or two at craft fairs like the South End Open Market (which kicks off for the season this weekend!).

Yet, until last weekend, I had never actually bought original art myself. When I did experience original art buying for the first time on Saturday, in true Bostonista fashion, I went all the way, buying not one, not two, but three fabulous pieces.

Carolyn Marsden—a friend, coworker, talented painter, kickass photographer, and all-around great gal—invited Bostonista to her show, part of Somerville Open Studios. I was sure her art would be cool. I’d seen it online and I commissioned her to make a hand-painted t-shirt for my mom’s Christmas gift. But to be completely honest, I went mainly for the camaraderie. And, because I heard there would be cupcakes. (more…)

Our lives simply are not poignant enough to make millions of people tear up in unison. That’s why we’re not waiting by the door for Oprah or that spiky-haired dude from ABC to come knocking and “extreme makeover” our homes.

Instead, we’re left to fend for ourselves when it comes to decorating our house. What we’ve discovered is that choosing the right furniture is often a battle between what’s practical (this cement table is tragically unattractive, but it’ll last forever!) and what makes you swoon (so what if you can’t walk on it, a white alpaca fur rug is so chic!). That’s why we were thrilled to discover the ultra-versatile yet utterly stylish Tripolina Chair at Diseño—a local design store which, unlike some national chains (ahem, Design Within Reach) is more interested in filling our homes than emptying our wallets. (more…)

Recently the Globe published a story about Jim and Kim Pallotta’s 21,000 square foot manse going up in Weston for approximately $21 million (though remember you heard it here first, back in our April 2007 home design feature). Sure, go ahead, be appalled. But wait, before getting all steamed up at the excessive waste and flagrant flaunting of greenhouse gases for a three-person nest, let’s be really cutting-edge. Let’s put our own recycling plan in place now so that when these enormous houses are orphaned by their prodigal parents, we’re ready. (more…)

The new Architectural Digest arrived at the office last week. Always the paragon of design journalism for the rich, famous, and occasionally tasteful, the magazine portends to be the last word on all things indulgent. But while we love its shameless swank, we have to admit we read the cover story with some bemusement.

It seems a well-known D.C. mansion recently got an overhaul, thanks to its female denizen and a few sawbucks from you and me.

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Okay, so there wasn’t a lot of food, but the 500-odd partygoers didn’t let that ruin their good time at the ICA on Tuesday night. The occasion was our first ever Best of Boston Home issue (shameless plug), and the guests were winners, losers, and anyone else wearing architect-y looking glasses.

Welcoming this ultra-hip crowd was the eclectic acid-surf band, The Weisstronauts, who played two sets in front of the ICA’s latest art-wall project, created by Dave Muller, looking at the evolution of rock n’ roll. (Well, that’s how the website explains it, anyway.)

Though the galleries were closed (we couldn’t afford the security guards, and they knew at least one of our esteemed guests would try to rip off that 10-ton Louise Bourgeois spider), there was still plenty to look at, including a multi-media trip through the pages of the magazine and an ice-sculpture bar shaped like a brick fireplace, complete with a faux “dancing flame.” (more…)

Shoving off the comforter at 6:30 a.m. required more willpower than, um, not perusing UsWeekly at the airport yesterday (New Year’s resolution!).

After braving the subzero windchill this morning, Bostonista was still pining for bed…and St. Barts. We settled for browsing Mystic Valley Traders’ web site. The Woburn-based company has designed high-end bedding since 1984, but new ownership recently revved things up. We’re loving the new Turtle Bay collection’s tropically lush designs.

Bonus: The line uses chemical-free dyes and natural fibers, and is entirely custom-made. (more…)