Inhabitat: There’s obviously a strong DIY movement afoot, else you would not have put out this beautiful tome. What do you think spurred this on?
Grace: I think the DIY movement was inspired by a few things- people’s reaction to a failing economy and a desire to really connect more with the things at home. For years, design was really about “shiny, new, plastic” and that’s hard to connect with personally. So I think people saw a chance to really take back control of how they decorated their home and make it reflect who they are and what they love.
Inhabitat: Why do you think recycled, salvaged and reclaimed materials used in DIY projects are such a hit right now?
Grace: I think any materials that are eco-friendly have been popular for a while now- primarily because we’ve all realized that we have to pay more attention to how design (even at a small personal level) effects the world around us. But I think these materials have the added bonus of looking more worn-in and weathered- which is something people crave when they’re focusing on creating a look that feels real and not like it came out of a magazine.
Inhabitat: Is the DIY movement more about about keeping costs down, creating unique pieces, both or something else?
Grace: It’s definitely about both. People need to find a way to decorate their homes on a budget, but they also are reacting to a lack of relatable handmade design in bigger box stores, so DIY design is a great way to do both.
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Salvaged wood makes for endless wall finishes- I’m taking a truck load of 2×6 end cuts to finish our bathroom. Going to stack them like bricks, and hopefully they will help soak up the extra moisture in the room.
Such an insightful interview. As a lover of all things DIY, I thank you!
Great interview. I’m a huge fan of Design Sponge!
I love DIY and Design Sponge. I’ve been using the site as a source of inspiration for years now, and I really enjoyed reading Graces’ responses to all of Inhabitat’s questions. Thanks Grace and Inhabitat!
I’m so excited about the book Grace – congratulations!
And thanks for taking the time to do the interview.