Friday, October 31, 2008

Weekly Roundup/ Loaded Hips Press



Well, All thats it for this week! Hope you all have a wonderful Halloween and get lots of trick or treaters, I hope we get lots of trick or treaters so I'm not left with all the extra candy... Check out the amazing work of Shannon Buck of Loaded Hips Press. The one woman show designs, draws and prints all her own work. You can check out her stuff here or visit her etsy shop here. Have a great weekend, we'll be back for more next week...

Weekly Round Up:

Cocktail Vibe


I am definitely almost ready for Halloween cocktail hour and this online shop is right up my alley! Check out Cocktail Vibe for all things barware, from glassware and shakers to coasters and table decor to brighten your space. We are getting ready to move soon and I keep looking at the immense amount of vintage glassware I have collected and thinking about how much bubble wrap and boxes it will take to move it safely... and yet I continue to peruse glassware... Click here for the pretty Gold Chisel Martini Glass featured above. 

Cool Rococo Acrylic  Candelabras to brighten up a festive tabletop setting. Loving the colors, a little crazy, but with the right dish ware would be amazing! 

Being a martini connoisseur, I have amassed quite the selection of martini shakers- most of which I don't use, but I have not seen this style before- the stainless steel bottle shaker, pretty cool!   

Check out the Ghost Flute (didn't we mention Halloween cocktail hour, sounds perfect!) Set of Four in a box, ready to give as great gift!

Willow


One of my favorite online resources for fun and fabulous goods is Willow. They have an amazing selection of home accessories, cute stationary and other goods that I can never seem to get enough of! Another great feature of their site is a section devoted to "boys" to help out with gift shopping for the men in your life- I know sometimes I have a hard time with that! Check out their great stuff, you won't be disappointed! Click here for the assorted selection of awesome Rehabilitated Dishware designs  featured above. 


I love this adorable porcelain Chimnea Candle Holder. Designed by David Weeks, this cute piece makes you warm just looking at it! Comes with an LED powered tealight and warm yellow glow to light up a room! 


Amazingly beautiful! I love this Pascal chair, made from recycled aluminum and styled after a classic 1940's style Parisian chair. Would be great on a secluded deck or as an unexpected design element  in a hallway piled with books... Love it! 


Fantastic Cul De Sac dishes. I love the vintage styling and fun images! Designed by Laura Mckibbon. Check them out here


Thursday, October 30, 2008

Product Spotlight: I Am Not A Paper Cup



I saw this product in the San Francisco MOMA gift shop and wanted it so bad, but wasn't really in the mood to travel home on the plane with extra stuff. Of course, I forgot how much I wanted it until now... Check out the awesome I Am Not A Paper Cup to-go cup that was designed to look like your everyday disposable coffee cup but is actually a heavy duty double walled porcelain cup with a silicone lid that can be used over and over again. I love the clean design of this cup, and having held this in my hand- I really loved the texture and weight of this piece. Definitely a stylish investment and good for the environment all at the same time! 

Freddy & Ma



Check out Freddy & Ma, and adorable design company that specializes in both a handbag and home collection. They are unlike most other design companies that I have come across in that  you can customize both their melamine plate collection and their handbag collection to create a look all your own using their impeccably designed patterns. If you don't feel like doing your own you can always choose from the many great ready made products available. Click here for the Carina wristlet featured above. 



The melamine plates that you can design yourself are by far my favorite thing available on the Freddy & Ma site. I love their amazing pattern selections- they have so many to choose from! Start designing your own right here!

 Adorable Minnie clasp purse. I love this color, but there are plenty more to choose from right here


As with the melamine plates, you can also design your own fabric bags. Available in tons of fabric patterns mixed with assorted leather options, you can virtually create your dream bag right here. I love the Iolanda design featured above. 


Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Walnut Wallpaper




I love wallpaper. I dream of the day when I can fill an entire staircase with horizontal striped wallpaper. Wallpaper is a great way to add drama to a room or especially, a small space. The trick is to choose your patterns wisely and critically- because as fun as it may seem now to pick out and put up, we have all seen those sad 80's rooms with the dated floral borders and Laura Ashley dusty rose wallpapers that just make you want to leave!  Los Angeles based wallpaper studio Walnut Wallpaper is one of my favorite places to peruse for design inspiration for the walls. With an amazing array of richly toned patterns, endless options of textures and drop dead gorgeous designs its a great place to find something for your walls that wont make you cry in 10 years! Click here for amazing hand blocked printed wallpaper featured above. If you are lucky enough to live in the area, swing by their showroom @ 7424 Beverly Blvd to peruse the goods in person. 

I have been in love with this horse patterned paper for a long time. I love the movement in the design, it is available in three color ways. Check it out here, along with a bunch of other great animal prints. 

Walnut has a great selection of wallpaper prints inspired by the kids. Wallpaper is a great way to add design and interest to a room and to establish a theme or feel. Love this adorable sandal print for a lucky little gal. 

Eco friendly is the way to go, not only with paint for the walls, but now wallpaper too! Walnut has a diverse and modern selection of prints that not only look good, but are good for you too! Love this Butterfly Jubilee print! 

Hill House Naturals


If you are in need of an exotic blend of delightful scents for the home, look no further than Kentucky based Hill House Naturals. With an expanding line of wide ranging scents, you can find virtually any type of scent you might be looking for- from diffusers and candles to potpourri and body lotions. Definitely worth a look is the Living Green Collection, featured above, which is a collection of 100% soy wax and essential oil candles with labels printed with renewable wind power. Check them out, they have some great stuff! (Thanks, Everett!) 

I love the packaging for the European Kitchen Collection , this Mediterranean Fig candle sounds delightful!  

Check out the Good Dog Collection for dog owners. The collection includes dog shampoo, an odor neutralizing linen spray for dog beds and a fresh smelling tea light candle all packaged in a smart and clean design. 




Monday, October 27, 2008

Black Ink




If you are looking for a kooky or fun gift, make sure you stop by the online store of Black Ink where you will be sure to find everything from the essential astronaut ice cream to a coconut fiber foot brush. I love the variety of products, from stationary made in the USA to fun imported products that make you smile at their whimsy. Click here for the Writer's Block featured above. 


Love these fun Bones Salt and Pepper Shakers. Made of unglazed white clay which makes these bones look a little too real! 


I had to include these Goldfish glasses, because not only do I love them, but I have them! They are really sturdy and thick, which is perfect for my clumsy, glass breaking fiancee! 


Check out this book by Michael Freeman, Space: Japanese Design Solutions for Compact Living. It a great read, with wonderful images and ideas to inspire even the smallest of abodes. 

Good




I discovered the online store for the Boston based brick and mortar design shop Good and was instantly intrigued. Highlighted with beautiful imagery and great products, the Good website is easy to maneuver and allows those of us not in shopping distance to the store to discover the good goods that Good has to offer! Good's focus is to create a destination of exclusive modern and vintage pieces for the home and to carry well designed home pieces, jewelry and personal accessories. Click here for the elegant Karl Blossfeldt piece featured above. 

Wow, this is an amazing piece! The Aquatinta Transparente designed by Michele de Lucchi is an amazing hanging light fixture featuring a hand blown Murano glass shade. I love the mix of an industrial and luxury feel that this coveys. Truly a work of art...


Hand made decoupage piece by artist John Derian. I love this bird design, but there are many more unique beauties to choose from. 

I have always been a fan of the classic Bertoia chair, but I really love this special edition design that is no longer in production. Featuring a silver over steel frame and chic black saddle leather seat and back pads- this chair would be a welcome addition to any room! 

Friday, October 24, 2008

Weekly Roundup/ The Manicule



Hi All, I wonder if everyone else is as tired as I am and ready for the weekend! Seems like it took forever for Friday to get here and here it is... Anyway have a great weekend! Here is the new tea towel collection from our fave design duo from the Keep Calm Gallery, they have started a new site The Manicule and thats where you can find these great tea towels. Check it out! 

Weekly Round Up 


See you next week for some great product and store spotlights.... Bye! 

The Runny Bunny




I discovered this amazing etsy shop which is run and features the work of artist Robin VanValkenburgh, The Runny Bunny. Currently she is doing amazing sculpture work that takes its inspiration from the ceramic hobby enthusiasm that was pervasive during the 1970's. Much of the work that she is doing is cast from vintage molds and that is evident in many of the designs available. I happened upon her work and was instantly in love, largely due to the colors that she uses- I am especially keen about lime greens and whites and many of her pieces are done in those colors, although there is definite variety to choose from. Click here to purchase the unicorn featured (and my personal favorite!)


Look at this great idea- lipstick (or really anything) holder for your bathroom or bedroom. Usable art is the best!

Cute little, 3 inches tall, glossy black owl. Pick it up here

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Owen Lawrence




Check out the online shop Owen Lawrence for a beautiful and thoughtfully put together collection of items for the home. They especially have a great selection of tabletop pieces including glassware, dinnerware and flatware. Owen Lawrence, not only features great products, but they take time to inform their customers about the history of their items and the way in which they were created.  Click here for the Barbara Barry room spray which is new to her current candle offerings.  
Dibbern's Black Forest dinnerware collection is some of my favorite dishes that are currently on the market. I could look at this design forever. Well made and timeless, this collection works equally well as display china as everyday dish-ware. Check out the entire collection here


Part of Owen Lawrence's offering of eco glass, this Mayte Pitcher is mouth blown and  is created by La Mediterranea, made of 100% recycled glass. Beautiful and helpful to our environment. 


Check out this interesting item. Not exactly sure how I feel about it, but it is definitely worth highlighting! A throw blanket that is orange scented... Available in four scents chocolate, lemon, strawberry and orange and made in Italy exclusively for Owen Lawrence. You can peruse all the scent options here


Product Spotlight: Jamie Dream Velvet Armchair



I saw this raspberry colored velvet armchair and instantly wanted to sink into it. The size and lines are great and I absolutely love this color! Available in a variety of fabric choices, you can buy one here

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

She Bible




Check out She Bible for an enticing collection of comfortable and beautiful clothes. She Bible was created by two friends who started out with a hand made screen printing press and has evolved into a full collection of beautiful pieces. I was drawn to their work because I fell in love with the one piece pant suit above. Made of organic cotton and bamboo, this piece is perfectly cute and comfortable , which is definitely  what I love in clothes. Check out their online shop for their work as well as retailers near you that carry the line. 



Loving this Pop Doyle- made of organic cotton and available in a variety of colors. The detail at the neck and sleeves is great and the collar can be pulled over the head like a hood when a cool breeze kicks up. Adorable! 


Check out these Sailor Sweats! Made of cotton fleece with an elastic waistband, these pants look tailored and amazing but are comfortable and warm. 


Lekker




Lekker, which is Dutch for alluring, enticing, attractive and tempting is just that. Featuring absolutely stunning home accessories, unique lighting and kitchen products and quality furniture, Lekker covers the bases in bringing fresh products to a market place that is often over saturated with copy cats and inferior reproductions. With a store front in Boston, those of us that aren't lucky enough to live in the vicinity of the shop will have to take solace in the fact that at least there is an online place to check out their wares! Click here for the Teak Dining Table featured above and if you are in the Boston area stop by the store @ 1317 Washington Street 02118.

I am loving this storage cupboard, part of the new collection Teak Rough by Belgium manufacturer Ethnicraft. The natural teak with the stainless steel base is absolute perfection and I especially love the natural, simplicity of the doors. Amazing. 

Check out these cool letters that spell out HANG and double as usable space... Can't beat that. From Italy, made by design company Seletti. 

I have always been really intrigued by these wall mounted fireplaces with the flame generated from Ethanol. Apparently you mount it to any wall, fill it up and light it. We are always wishing for a fireplace and this seems like it would do just the trick. 

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Product Spotlight: Ibride Tables



I am a hug fan of the French design company Ibride. I have posted about their beautiful trays previously, but I wanted to do a special post highlighting their innovative and whimsical furniture collection. The company name, Ibride, is inspired by a French play on words derived from the term hybrid and their table collections are entirely reflective of this terminology. I love animals and love furniture and, in my opinion, the combination of the two usually creates something worth looking at or talking about! So take a look at the great table works by Ibride- you can shop their collection through Velocity Art and Design at their Ibride Shop
The Bambi Console Table is featured above. 

Amazing Diva Red Ostrich Table. Made out of laminate with a wood core, this table features intricate lattice work and a beautiful color. 

I love the funny Zelda Red Basset Stool. I can definitely picture the inspiration dog in this design!  

Hable Construction



Check out Hable Construction, a design textile company with numerous brightly colored offerings. They have an amazing selection of items, all with their signature brightly patterned designs that immediately put a smile on your face. Their products run the gamut, covering categories including everything from pillows and photo frames to bags and storage bins. Shop their online store and check out all the beautiful goods for yourself. Click here for the selection of pillows featured above. 

I love this beautiful, newly added jacquard pillow in a rich tomato color- perfect for those decorating with a fall color palette in mind. 

Hurry, its on sale! Check out this great looking printed tote. Perfect for that weekend getaway. I love this bright leafy print!  

Bright and cheery, cherry red gift tag ready to attach to some lucky person's gift. Comes in a variety of colors, check them all out here