Choosing the right words to capture this year feels nearly impossible. We faced countless tough moments, fractures within our own circle and across the globe, and the constant struggle to remain involved and proactive when headlines rarely bring cheer — it has been exhausting, yet it’s a commitment we refuse to abandon. Still, I draw endless inspiration from the efforts of our insightful, gifted creative community. So as we step away for the holidays, I’d like to highlight a few of the ways we united to contribute this year. Together, we:
A vast number of designers, artists, and creative individuals pooled their expertise, insights, assets, and abilities to uplift one another and assist those requiring help — whether on a grand scale or in modest gestures. These are the memories I intend to dwell on during the holiday pause as I prepare for what lies ahead.
Typically, we wrap up each year with a farewell until after New Year’s Day, but this time we’re taking a different approach. Over the last few weeks, I’ve combed through every piece we published on Design*Sponge in 2017 and handpicked 100 of my personal favorites to present during the holiday season. Covering everything from interior design trends and heartfelt narratives to DIYs, downloadable resources, and floral creations, these 'Best of 2017' features will debut next Monday and appear twice daily until we return with fresh material on Tuesday, January 2, 2018. My hope is that these posts spark some enjoyable activity over your break — perhaps a new recipe to attempt or a home project with DIY ideas to experiment with.
So, until 2018, the entire Design*Sponge team extends our deepest affection and warmest hopes for a secure, joyful holiday season and a tranquil new year. This year brought countless opportunities for growth and deepened our understanding of one another, and I eagerly anticipate continuing that journey next year — listening, learning, and evolving collectively to guide our community toward increased kindness, empathy, and mutual comprehension. Thank you for standing by us, supporting each other, and joining in this mission. We’ll meet again in 2018! With love, Grace
*Image above courtesy of the wonderful Chelsea Brink’s Instagram profile. Her vibrant posts were a major source of energy for me throughout the year.
