daily obsession: perforated lanterns

West Elm seems to always something I covet these days. Today's obsession: these metal perforated lanterns. What a great indoor/outdoor piece. Wouldn't these look great bouncing light off a backyard pool or nested high up on a loft's balcony?

From $39-$59, Available here.

follow up: garden decor

Whim by Cynthia Rowley is a line at your local Target store. What a great way to help decorate your space on a budget. Here are some of my faves:




Check out all her pieces here.

drool worthy: clock reproduction

This 1970's reproduction of Riki Watanabe's clock is a spendy desk accessory, but well worth the investment for a clock made of steel.

Available at MOMA's site.

what's new: CB2

A few of my new faves from CB2.

stool
coffee table
pillow
vase
mirror
rug

simply stylish: silver and white

Today's inspiration: Silver and White as a decor palette.

chandelier
candle holders
chair
ottoman
poster
couch
lamp
chair
cart

forgotten decor: backyard

Designing the look of your home doesn't stop indoors. This is something many of us forget. Curb appeal and backyard space (if you're lucky enough to have it) is just as important, but most often forgotten. Try to think of your patio and garden behind your home as an outdoor extension of your living space. There are some great pieces that maintain high design, but have the functionality and durability for outdoor use. In fact, many of us use outdoor pieces as indoor decor as well. Today's garden decor site, Vivre, isn't that at all. Its a site that encompasses home decor and fashion among other things. But they've got some great pieces you could use outdoors. And at the very least, they've got some pieces you can look to for great inspiration when you've got to shop on a stricter budget.
And don't forget, outdoor spaces are the best to experiment with bold colors because of the open-air space and natural colors of your yard... so take chances and make bold decisions, you won't regret it.

mirror



buddha


table


ikat pillow



candles

ID: Turquiose

Interior Design specialists over at Turquoise always do something in their rooms that makes me completely jealous. Or something I for sure pull for my idea files. Their style spans many and their ability to join eras is impeccable. From traditional to mod to eclectic, their finished products will make you drool. Here are a couple of my favorite rooms:

Office
Home

For more examples of their work, plus one of a kind vintage pieces, visit their website.
And, they've also got great other parts to their site including an e-decorator and a blog!

black and white and green (with envy) all over

Jonathon Adler doesn't know this yet, but we're meant to be together forever. That said, I have a sneaking suspision he is perhaps not as interested in this idea as I am. So, I will just have to commit to admiring him from afar and purchasing his pieces as often as I can. His collection of course incorporates all the latest color trends, but his basic black and white pieces tend to be my overall favorite... and have been the start of my adler-diction (adler additcion... didn't work as well as I wanted).

Some favorites:

rug
pillow
lamp
pillow
vase

drool worthy: vintage redoux

Turquoise.com does custom vintage pieces including this X-tremely droolworthy vintage ottoman recovered in Jonathon Adler fabric. Sold out already, but still a great inspirational piece.

local find: snakeskin chairs

OH MY... this is quite a find at only $80 bucks. 2 Hollywood Regency inspired chrome chairs. To die for.

local find: David Rowland chairs

For a mere $50 bucks you can have this pair of oak chairs by David Rowland.

green living: Gaiam

Gaiam.com is a great resource for everything green. Not only in products but in personal health as well. You may remember their names for making sitting on an over sized ball at work popular. They were pioneers when it came to creating a chair that held that ball and worked in an office environment. Now Gaiam.com carries everything from furniture to resourceful products such as energy efficient lightbulbs, green apparel and recycled rugs. Here are some of my favorite home products. Check out the site for more ideas and products.

This tea table is made from sustainable mango wood:


This bedding is made from 100% cotton and eco-friendly dyes. Available in a wide array of colors, there's for sure one to match your bedroom decor.


This mod shag rug, dubbed "cotton spaghetti," is made from 100% recycled tee shirts. and while it's a bit spendy (albeit in the same range as most great rugs) it's a one of a kind.



This three-some of grass fiber ottomans are 100% natural and would make any room pop with a natural influence. (best part: on sale for $79 bucks... ALL three!)

small cool 08: minneapolis entry

Today I saw an entry from Minneapolis, so I thought I'd encourage this local link. Feeling generous? Make sure to vote for this entry when voting starts over at Apartment Therapy!

floating away

This post on design*sponge today really tickled my fancy. What a great way to conserve space and still have a workstation that has storage but doesn't take up precious floorspace. This floaty DIY desk could live in any room of the house without making a statement.

pretty little things

On my Etsy spree today I came across this vessle vase, by Kim Westad, when searching for fun products to incorporate into a friends space. The pop of orange inside is completely unexpected and the surface texture brings a funky side to an everyday piece.

see more of her work on her website: www.kimwestad.com

speaking of pillows

Another few that are awesome, thisbird from artgoodies page on etsy... as well as this awesome squirrel one. And at only $14 bucks each, you can buy the lot of them.

etsy find: olive's throw pillow

Olive's site over at Etsy.com has some fun crafty things, but their listings of handmade pillows are fantastic. Falling hard for this B&W one for only $26 bucks available here.

small space, big style

Another great entry on AT today. Just a great use of color. The contrast of black and white is heightened by the vibrating green on the walls.

must find: sign language sculptures

Browsing today's Small Cool 08 entries on AT, I came across this photo that really struck me. That bold bright blue wall color is only the half of it. How gorgeous is that grey velvet sofa? Not only is velvet extremely luxe, but it lasts a while and it's extremely tough so it's a good fabric for pets or kids. And in grey no less! Too gorgeous. But I didn't stop at only the big pieces, I love love LOVE the signing hand sculptures. I'm officially on the hunt to find them. I'll be sure to share if I do!

drool worthy: zig zag stool

Loving this Dutch designed lacquer stool (especially in green) from Lekker. $295 is a bit spendy, but hey, it's multi-purpose right? end table, seating, etc.

reuse products AND ideas

Since it's Earth Day, I thought I'd post an oldie but a goodie. This post from ikeahacker.com about a shoe storage unit from ikea converted to a hamper is just the ticket.

diy: high end lighting

Browsing through my favorite reads, I saw this posting on ikeahacker.com today and it reminded me of one of my long-time obsessions from DWR: Cellula Chandelier. You be the judge: pay $2600 for the real deal or pay $79.99 for the ikea Glimt Pendant with a few additions from a local antique shop.

just. plain. awesome

This JPA entry is about a new find via Happy Living. These lucite letters from wonderfulgraffiti.com are spendy but fantastic in every possible way.

drool worthy: z chair

I know that X is the trend, but it must be my love of all things typographically based that attracts me to this gorgeous Z chair from contemporaryfurniture.com. Priced at $170, it's not a cheap addition, but compared to $220 on many other sites, it's still a great deal. Plus it would make a great accent chair or even side table.

inspiration: white on white

Sticking with our 08 trends, I thought I'd go on a little Flickr hunt for some inspiration. I stumbled, luckily for me, upon a photostream by Gaile. She is an interior designer from Vancouver and has a great eye for clean modern lines. I would seriously suggest checking out the rest of her photos OR check out her new personal blog.

too cute not to share

Having just visited my dear, and majorly pregnant, friend from college, baby clothes are my latest online obsession. Well, not just clothes, but in the case of my latest etsy addoration, tinymodernist, I can't help but love it all. I first saw this site posted over at desire to inspire and had to check it out for myself. From cross-stitch to screen printing, they offer great things including these onesies, I almost want to buy for myself and just save for the future. Lisa, if you're reading this... enjoy!

drool worthy: posh pad

Yet again, another Small Cool 08 entry from AT that not only inspires, but touches many of those 08 trends I posted about. See how many you can spot:


I see the following trends: contrasting/bold colors, luxury, oversized pieces, white white white, zen pieces, natural (green) elements, etc.
Not to mention that shade of red/orange/pink that just pops. I love that they carried it into almost every room visible, and not just on the walls! I'd say that Queen Anne/Louis XXIV chair is one of the boldest statements they've got!

dorm room chic

Found another great Small Cool 08 entry, here, that incorporates everyday items with little touches of luxury. This picture really says it all for me. The "dorm room" loft made of untreated pine paired with a DWR-esque Sapien bookcase and vintage chrome barstools, topped off with an industrial restaurant supply table. There's just something about combining pieces anyone can have with ones that have a little more luxury to them that makes high end living attainable for everyone.

top home trends in 2008

Just doing a little research tonight about some of the biggest trends in home goods and design for 2008.  Wanted to see if 4 months in, I was on top of any of them.

• It's EASY being Green: green products are all the rage this year ranging from eco friendly plastics and re-purposed products, to green paint.

• Contrasting Minds: Bold contrasting colors are hipper than ever with the revival of all things white and black. Don't forget to incorporate color into that mindset as well. Many home stores now have programs that help you not only match like colors for your home, but figure out the opposites as well.  Take a chance on contrast in smaller ways by just incorporating a new accessory if you're not comfortable with a big black wall. Don't limit yourself to color, contrasting textures make a huge statement as well.  Think an eclectic mix of country and industrial. 

• X-Factor: "X" shapes are all over the place, especially in furniture design.  This can be a bold or subtle statement in your home, think about an X end table for a quieter way to incorporate this trend.

• Multi-purpose: keeping in mind the green trend, why not have things in your home that are not just RE-purposed, but dual or multi-purposed as well.  Think murphy beds and converting tables.  

• Lady-Like Leather: Stay away from harsh S&M thoughts and re-think leather in a much softer and more feminine way.  Warmer tones, versus jet black. Smaller scale pieces instead of XXL sofas. 

• Quiet Luxury: We all love luxury, but incorporate luxe pieces in an understated way.  Nothing Gaudy, just pure class all the way.  Thing scuffed up golds versus brass. And more mercury glass than sterling tea sets.

• White Out: from eggshell to ivory, from stark to soft, white is IN.  And take it even further, white on white palates are all the rage.  Think white lacquer for a touch of shine and check off that luxury trend above!

• Oversized Everything: From lamps to art to chairs. Have at least one oversized statement piece in each room.  

• Metallic Charm: Think silvers and nickels and all things brushed.  Stainless maintains it's spot as the best accessory in the kitchen, now move this trend into other rooms by incorporating metals in unthought places.

• Zen Garden: Your home is a place of peace and tranquility, or at least thats what we all strive for.  So why not decorate like it is.  Buddha's, live plants, candlelight and water elements will help to set the mood.

for more information on these trends, visit here.

just. plain. awesome

AT:SF posts about art made solely with electrical tape. I mean who wouldn't want an oversized image of Woody Allen on their wall? I know I would!
Check out the post here.

small space

Another great Small Cool 08 entry.
Just love the open and airy feel of this one. As well as all the white on white in the living room.

drool worthy: hollywood tripod lamp

How much would you pay for this great hollywood set inspired lamp? I hope a lot, because you can find this beauty of a lamp at Wisteria's site for a mere $449 bucks.

andy warhol prints... 25% off

Check out this post from apartment therapy. AT tipped us off that allposters.com is having 25% off all Andy Warhol prints! Seems like a good time to grab a few for the apartment if you ask me.

local find: ludwig mies chairs

Check out these awesome Ludwig Mies van der Rohe chairs up for sale in Minneapolis. A great addition to any table or living space for $350 bucks.

For more information on Ludwig Mies van der Rohe click here.

spend for a cause

Three Potato Four is one of my fave sites to get thrift store/vintage finds without having to even leave my home. Now they have original milk bottles they've created that are not only lovely for your kitchen, but for each purchase made, a dollar is donated to the Action Against Hunger charity.




for more awesome products, visit here.