By Jess Chamberlain, Sunset Home & Design writer

I've only recently fallen in love with the look of gold—even though some might say that's the tone of my strawberry-blonde locks. Inspired by a new pair of Banana Republic hoop earrings (which my coworkers might say I wear a little too often), I've been seeing golden goodness everywhere.

Loving this flatware from Crate & Barrel and plate by NotNeutral. Almost too gorgeous to use.

What are your jewelry-turned-decor obsessions? Click the comments link below.

By Jess Chamberlain, Sunset Home & Design writer
(Illustration by Julia Rothman)

What: Our friends at Design Sponge are hosting a DIY contest sponsored by 2Modern.com, with $1500 in prizes (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and honorable mention)!

When: Entries are due by Sunday, March 2nd. The polls will be open for voting March 5-9, and the winners will be announced March 10th.

Some details: Your project can be "anything (furniture, decoration, etc.) that you’ve created by yourself for the home."

More details here (be sure to read the note in "guidelines" about well-styled photos).

By Monica Ewing, Sunset senior designer

I've fallen in love with the bold patterns of wallpaper from the 1970s—and the modern interpretations of them. But unlike the pattern overload of the 70s, vivid wallpaper is now used in smaller doses. Try papering just one wall, a closet door, the back of a bookshelf, or the front of a modern buffet. Hang a poster-size sheet of it or frame smaller pieces grouped together.

Finding good wallpaper can be a challenge, so here are a few great online wallpaper sources:

American Blinds has a smaller selection of good retro wallpaper, but their prices are as low as $16.50 per double roll—one of the best on the web.

Interior 1900 has the real stuff your grandparents might have hung on their walls. It's pricey, and quantities are limited. A good source for authentic 70s wallpaper.

Graham & Brown has an extensive collection of up-and-coming wallpaper along with 70s-inspired patterns.

Wallpaper from the 70s is my favorite site. It's based in Germany, but they ship anywhere—and they promptly answer emails. Best selection online that I've found.

Here are links to other sources:
Apartment Therapy has a great list of wallpaper sources.
Domino magazine lists sources for authentic vintage wallpaper. Nearly all are based overseas.
eBay is also a good place to look. My favorite eBay store is U-Turn.

By Jess Chamberlain, Sunset Home & Design writer

Live near Portland? DO NOT miss Portland's Street of Eames home tour April 5th. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 9am and are known to sell out very quick.

The event is Portland's annual modern home tour, celebrating mid-century and contemporary residential design, featuring six architecturally significant homes. All proceeds go to charity. More info here.

The spread above is a story by Sunset executive editor Irene Edwards from our February issue, which features a home on this year's tour. It's not everyday you can literally walk through a Sunset story!

This issue is currently on newsstands. You can also view the story on sunset.com.

By Sheila Schmitz, Sunset online editor

If standing in line at the card store doesn't appeal to you much this week, consider making your own perfect valentine. For added pizzazz (with very little effort) make it a pop-up. It's so easy. And all you need is heavy paper or card stock, scissors, and glue.

I love clashy pinks and oranges together, but of course you can choose a more tasteful combo.

To make a card that fits a standard 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 envelope:

1. Cut one piece of paper to 9 3/4 x 7. This will be the background color and the outside of your card. For the inside of your card, cut another piece of paper to a 9 x 6  rectangle. A third smaller piece of paper will become your 3-D pop-up shape.

2. Fold the two bigger pieces of paper down the center. Glue them together with rubber cement or a glue stick. Once they're stuck together, fold again to secure the center crease.

3. Cut out a heart (or other symmetrical shape) from your third piece of paper. Leave a small tab on either side. Fold the tabs against the back of the heart.

4. Add a dot of glue to each tab and press the heart onto the center of your card. The fold of your pop-up will line up with the fold of your card.

5. Press the whole thing flat under a book for a minute or two. When the glue is fairly dry, fold your card closed (the heart should pop out toward you). Press again under a book until the glue is nice and dry.

This is a great chance to play with paper. You can clash like me ...

...or use soothing pastels. Consider recycled and found papers: you can make the heart from a map to a surprise getaway or a page from your favorite Jane Austin novel.

Heartfelt thanks to my friend Camille Korsmo for showing me the magic of pop-ups!

By Jess Chamberlain, Sunset Home & Design writer

I've written about this store before, but that's because I'm endlessly amazed at the always appropriately seasonal gift selection at Dandelion in San Francisco. They had Christmas nailed. Valentine's Day awe-inspiring (and drool-inducing) goodies have been seductive for weeks. And I'm certain an Easter spread is just around the corner.

If you're an SF local in need of a quick (but so thoughtful your someone special will never doubt your planning) gift, skip over to Dandelion (55 Potrero Ave; 415/436-9500).

We'd love to hear about your favorite gift shops! Just click the "comments" link at bottom.

By Jess Chamberlain, Sunset Home & Design writer

I adore these "YOU AND ME" cards by Oakland, CA-based Good on Paper Design. They're perfect as a little "thinking of you" moment anytime of the year, but especially come February 14.

I met GOPD owner/designer Lisa Wong a couple years ago and almost always run into her at any crafter event I attend in the Bay Area. She's adorable and absolutely the sweetest—so it's no surprise her notecards are precious and unique. Check out her designs (and how/where to buy) here.

Lisa and her husband Nick (equally adorable—he even has one of Lisa's designs tattooed on his arm!) were featured in Martha Stewart Weddings. Check it out.

Have a cool DIY project? The folks over at Craft and Make mags are calling for entries to their Bay Area Maker Faire May 3-4 at the San Mateo County Fairgrounds.

You have 'til March 12 to bring in your project. (You can also apply online or pitch your creation in person on Feb. 17. Learn more.)

Of course you can enjoy the event — a reinvention of the county fair for the 21st century — without a presentation-ready project of your own. Wander the grounds, drink in the ideas, watch demos, or take a free workshop like last year's felting class (above) led by Rachel Hospadar of Craft Congress.

Of course, we always like to know what you're working on, too. Have your own inventive home project? Click "comments" below to tell us about it or send us a photo. You may see it here soon. :)

By Jess Chamberlain, Sunset Home & Design writer
Photographs by Thomas J. Story

Our March issue doesn't hit newsstands until later this month, but here's a sneak peak at the home of one of my all-time salvage style heroines, Victoria Smith—the amazingly crafty and creative woman behind the highly addictive sfgirlbybay blog.

Grab a copy of our "green" themed March issue for some tips from Smith about thrifting (some of her treasures were found curbside!).

We love this idea from Oakland designer Cynthia Warren: Hang valentines (photos, cards, and other inspiring finds) from hooks on a picture rail. Your mini art installation can easily change with the season and your mood.

It helps to first paint your wall a romantic lipstick red. See more of Warren's secrets for decorating with your favorite things.