more sesame

quick quick...new cards from sesame letter press. super cute. i love the horseshoes. available here.

ahoy

my jewelry guru, rena tom, has a cool new design out- the "sunken treasure" necklace. sure to be a fav this summer. click here for more info.

super fun time

i just wanted to write something with a title that sounded like a japanese television show. these great new patterns from eiei-o studio are perfectly poppy and just right for the summer months that seem to finally be upon us. each one is pretty enough to frame or use for its actual purpose- wrapping paper (they also come as storage tubes). and as someone with a birthday coming up...all eyes are on wrapping paper. more info on the fabulousness that is eiei-o, click here!

urban mercantile

i always think it's funny when i find a store's online presence and realize i am either super close to their actual retail store, or have been there before. this week i discovered urban mercantile and then realized, i'm so stupid, it's in san francisco and i was just there! oh well...they have a great online presence so you can get all the goods via their website.

urban mercantile carries a great collection of pillows, ceramics, textiles and generally cool homewares. i'm a total pillow addict, so i was immediately drawn to their silkscreened pillow collection. lots of great patterns to choose from (and not too too expensive).

urban mercantile's ceramics and glass collection is elegant and modern, although the glass selection is a bit above my price range (ok, way above it).

if you don't have the time to skim, here's the cream of the crop: the entire pillow collection and whitney smith's pomegranate vases. enjoy!

west coast

i had the most wonderful weekend in california. i just wanted to share a few happy thoughts with everyone before the day's posting begins...

i was lucky enough to get to spend some more time with the fabulous card girls of san francisco: kate of saturate, stacy of pancake and franks and jean of eieio. thank you so, so much for taking the time to have lunch with me you guys- it was beyond wonderful to see you.

in addition to fun time with the girls, we attended the wedding of our friends chris and hilleary. the wedding was, to put it simply: perfect. every last detail was so them. it was just this perfect little moment and i was so honored to have been invited. highlights: ac performing the ceremony and getting to say, "by the power vested in me...by the internet" and the bride's brother playing "tangerine" by led zeppelin on the accordion as she walked down the sand "aisle" that was made with flowers placed in the sand. it was just beautiful. congratulations you guys, i wish you nothing but a lifetime of happiness and joy.

other highlights? dinner in hayes valley [thanks, lara!], getting to rent a pt cruiser convertible [soo much fun], the view from our hotel window and getting burnt to a crisp and not even realizing it. it will be tan soon- YES!

hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

quick quick...

thinking wedding...cute, inexpensive wedding gift idea from pottery barn. for $30 you can get a monogrammed (new married initials) lumbar pillow that's classy, simple and modern. available in tangerine or lime. i love it.

3 hours earlier...

i'm off to stinson beach, california today. we're attending the wedding of our friends chris and hilleary [congratulations you guys]. ac is actually performing the ceremony. you can register online and everything. it's crazy. i'll be back on tuesday, i hope you all have a wonderful memorial day weekend. enjoy the extra long weekend! see you next week.

atlantico

this is going to be one of the longest posts i've done in awhile, because i'm really excited about this company. three quick notes before i launch in: one- the pictures have dots in them because, on the website, they denote little pop up info boxes about the furniture, two- i actually can't afford any of this furniture, but i wanted to share this because, for those of you who can, i think the pieces are worth investing in and three- i'd like to live in the apt featured in the product shots. gorgeous.

atlantico is a williamsburg brooklyn based furniture design studio run by super sweet korneel and husani. korneel and i have spoken via email a few times and i've really come to be intrigued by the launch of their company, so i was excited to finally get a look at the pieces.

atlantico was born from "thinking about what we would like our house to be: calm, pleasant and comfortable. a place where we could recharge and invite friends to, filled with items that would enhance our well-being and that would support us. items of high quality but without pretense. our home would be uncluttered but cozy, warm but minimal." i love this philosophy and embrace it whole-heartedly. atlantico's aesthetic is quality not quantity and their furniture blends nicely into most existing styles. what i love so much about their pieces is the attention to detail: each piece is seemingly simple, but has a quality of construction that belies its simplicity. there are no ugly screws or exposed metalwork- the furniture is pure, simple, beautiful wood.

atlantico's collection is divided into sleeping, living and dining, each collection comprised of three to five pieces of simple, beautiful furniture. i decided to start with sleeping because, well, it was the first on the drop down menu.

atlantico's sleeping collection is comprised of a super minimalist bed, night stand and tall and short chest of drawers. my favorites are the tall and low chest of drawers (my favorites of the entire collection as well). these pieces are elegant, unimposing and add a lovely sense of simple serenity to any decor. the bed and night tables are equally simple, minimalist and easy to blend in to your existing collection of furniture.

after bedding comes living, so let's dive in...atlantico's living collection consists of a coffee table, low side board and side table. i love the low side board, i'd put this in my top five favorite pieces of the collection. again, each piece embodies simple, high quality modernism. the coffee table and side table are about as simple as you can get, but sometimes that's all you need (again, i'd like to add that i'm sure a lot of people will balk at the pricing. i identify with the sense of confusion about such a high price for such a simple product, but i guess i've become so numb to pricing in this industry that i just don't get quite as upset as i used to).

the dining collection from atlantico is a bench, stool, two tables and a tall sideboard. this collection is no different from the previous in its commitment to detail, quality and simplicity. the table "003" has a nice added detail of setback support that makes it look as though the top is levitating above the rest of the table. it's simple, but adds a nice touch to a very basic table. the sideboard is a perfect starter piece (although not exactly a starter price...), as are the stools and benches. i've always loved the idea of benches at dining tables- they're so cozy and allow for intimate seating while enjoying heated discussion and hot food. (although i'd probably add a pad for more comfort).

atlantico is a great new player in the minimalist, modern furniture industry. while i have a problem with the pricing of the collection, i think that overall the pieces are beautiful, elegant and the perfect product of a mission to create a "calm, pleasant and comfortable" environment. you can find more information on atlantico at their website, or their "showroom" at 36 s4th street (my old hood) in williamsburg (by appt).

prep school linens

i love the new litchfield bedding from kate spade. inspired by the town in connecticut (come on, it's kate spade now), these lush, springy sheets, shams and duvets are ultra crisp and clean- very springtime in the country, very "i went to andover". you can find them online at kate spade. (fyi: very pricey for the duvet)

eva solo

josh's post on eva solo reminded me to check back in with the ultra modern danish company to see what was new...

eva solo introduced some great new (ultra slick, ultra modern) products this year, starting with a super cool "grill starter" that warms charcoal briquettes and allows you to dump them onto the fire, speeding the process and allowing you to eat your kabobs a little bit sooner.

to go along with the grilling theme, eva solo released some chic, minimalist grill skewers and a spatula. ultra cool and ultra modern as always.

and last but not least, eva solo produced a great little magnetic timer that you can stick to a steel surface to monitor your cooking. kinda clever little gadget (if you have some steel surfaces handy) if you ask me. they also put out a nice white bowl with a handle. not sure how hard it is to carry a bowl, but hey, it's a nice simple bowl- i'm not gonna argue.

you can find more info on eva solo right here. (and a sample of their earlier work below).

so fresh and so clean

claus porto makes the most beautifully packages soaps, bath salts and candles. i don't even like bar soap (hate the residue), but i love these. i'm such a sucker for great packaging.

you've probably seen these in a lot of design stores if they have a small "accessories" section, but heck, they're gorgeous enough to bring up even if they're not brand new. you can find them online at lafco ny or at most nice design or bath/body stores. enjoy!

color me wonderful

i'm a color freak. that's right, i said it, color FREAK. i'm always planning which colors to paint so-and-so and dropping in benjamin moore, just for fun. so, even though i don't have a new apt to paint yet, i've already planned out some potential colors. benny moore of course, since he's my fav.

i'm making this year all about dark, dark navy blue for me. the darker the better. inspired by a domino mag shoot, i've fallen for "soot" (2129-20). i'd love to pair it with fresh turquoise and some bright white for a fantastic POP. but if dark blue won't do, i've also found a gorgeous, where-have-you-been-all-my-life color called "tawny day lilly" (2012-10) that is guaranteed to wake you up this summer.

since you have to have something fresh and springy in the home, i've decided to go chartreuse crazy. ac isn't so nuts about it, but i am. to go with the bowls and platters below, i found "citron" (2021-30) and "chartreuse" (2024-10). bright, poppy, wonderful.

if none of these are your things, check out "summer basket green" (2040-40), a lovely, calming green that would blend nicely to any decor without standing out too too much. and if you're looking for a nice subtle gray, don't forget the tried and true "chelsea gray" (hc-168) that i had on my walls until i moved. it's the PERFECT gray.

so, pop on by your local paint store and grab yourself some summer color (or try benjamin moore's personal color viewer online). everything better in color.

jon jon

oh jonathan adler, i love when you make groovy little retro ceramics. especially your new apple tray. so sweet. all yours, d*s.

felissimo

cute "duo" series at felissimo design house in manhattan (but you can order via phone or internet). the duo cup and bowl series provides an intimate way for friends or more-than-friends to share a cup of coffee or a something more substantial at night (or maybe in the morning...?). both duos are $48 and are available right here.

pomo pets

we spoil our cats more than anyone else i know (well, maybe not as much as my mom). so, well, when you love design and love your pets like i do, these are right up your alley. postmodernpets.com has a great collection of well-designed products for your fuzzy ones. while most are way out of my price range, they might be worth saving up for if your pets will actually use them.

the cat cocoon, designed by warren lieu, is a multifunctional piece of feline furniture with a playful, organic shape. made of layers of laser-cut corrugated cardboard, the cat cocoon features a unique rippled texture and intricately detailed peepholes. while $249 is too much for me to spend on turk and ms. j, maybe someone out there can afford this super cool cat toy. (why is corrugated cardboard so expensive??)

couchette, designed by elizabeth paige smith, is the perfect way for your coach to lounge in style, and at $309 dollars, they better love it. again, overpriced in my opinion, but its one of those toys that's so cute i wouldn't mind having it out. not like i have any shame- our apt is covered in pretend ice cream cone toys, cat nip mice and plastic caps they like to chase.

ms. paige smith (of kittypod fame) also designed the prrrounge- a classy chaise for your kitty (see above). sold for $219, the prrrounge looks smashing next to your collection of pomo people furniture.

while most of these are super pricey, sometimes it's nice to splurge on something for the fuzzy ones who bring so much joy into your life. although it's not like they'll know you splurged on them...but anyway, it's cute stuff. all available from postmodernpets.com.

fyi...

just a friendly mid day reminder never to rent from this man, allan gerovitz. rudest. broker. ever. we've taken our search to fifth ave in park slope and left this chump behind. chump!

ed note: i took his picture down because it makes me want to puke every time i scroll down. puke i say, puke.

space downtown

sadly, i'm not as familiar with space downtown as i should be. their showroom on west 25th in the city (ny) is full of great products i'm always hearing about, but for some reason, haven't seen in person. until then, i thought i'd showcase some of it here.

cariati studios, home of artist joe cariati, produces some beautiful vases, bowls and bottles. his work is carried at space downtown, as well as ok in los angeles. you can find more info on his work online. (i think it's super weird that his site advertises "coming soon! autographed 8x10 glossy photos of joe cariati wearing a leather jacket. stay tuned for details." a leather jacket?? sign me up!

along with joe, farm 21 is carried at space downtown. they're a uk based furniture design company famous for their clear cubes filled with things like moss, straw and roses. i happen to like their heavy wood furniture with writing etched in it, but i'm sure there's something for everyone.

your best bet is to check out space downtown for yourself. they're located at 276 west 25th street in manhattan. and their on the web right here. i'll be sure to go by and report in better detail soon...

thomas paul, all grown up

if the brightly patterned pillows of superstar design house thomas paul are a little too bold for you, you'll love their new collection launched at icff this year.

due to hit stores in july, tp's new collection includes some gorgeous metallics with sophisticated peacock, bird and woodgrain patterns that scream elegance. well, not scream, politely suggest is more like it. i've always been a fan of thomas paul's pillows, but i think this new collection is delightfully grown up- something my more traditional parents might actually put in their house, not just me. you can find more info on thomas paul here, new pillows to be in every design store everywhere in july.

att: artwork

d*s reader, risa sent this on to me [thanks, risa!]....

tiny showcase is a great little online gallery that celebrates "tiny" works of art. each week they showcase a new designer whose work is available for sale online. it's a great idea for a great cause- supporting independent artists who could use a way to get their smaller pieces noticed.

created by jon buonaccorsi and shea'la finch in november of 2004, tiny showcase was founded on the idea of creating a forum and community where the incredible talent of their friends could be showcased. pricing was an issue, so they began exploring a smaller medium where the artist could make some money on smaller pieces of artwork. the art enthusiast, on the other hand, gets to take home their piece of artwork for around the same price as a cd, book or record. it's a great concept.

each week tiny showcase picks a new piece of tiny artwork and io labs, inc. in providence takes that masterpiece and turns it into a limited-run print production. each run is printed on 310gsm acid-free hahnemühle german etching paper. it's ultrachrome ink is specially treated and sprayed, giving it an archival lifespan of over 60 years. not bad.

the artwork and the artists are phenomenal (there is a wide array of styles represented, so there's something for everyone), and so are the prices, so please please check out tiny showcase and support some wonderful artists (all images are licensed and from tiny showcase)

open sesame...

remember i said i'd get more sesame letterpress shots? well i did, courtesy of the lovely husband and wife team at sesame. these gorgeous pieces take the idea of coasters to a whole new level. they're almost so cute i wouldn't want to let anyone put a drink on them. i'm just going to let everyone bask in the gorgeousness that is sesame letterpress and their work. enjoy...contact here for purchase.

grace = $$$

apparently i'm an expensive lady. well, at least my name is. the grace towels from missoni, available at auto nyc (great store), are totally cute but wayyy expensive ($110 a pop). if only i could afford my own namesake.

auto also added some great new yoga mats from plank, proving that yoga addicts do in fact have a sense of humor. well, or at least an appreciation for mats that look like shag carpeting and a wooden plank. i like the wooden floor one- seems like it would be nice to look at something solid and sturdy while trying to maintain a sense of balance (although i'd prefer it without the cupcake wrapper in the picture. it makes me want to pick it up and clean the floor). but then again, i haven't done yoga since college, so what would i know? (both mats are $125, ouch!) all available at auto nyc.

illico

i love illico. i have a reminder to check in on them every few weeks to see what's new. such wonderfully elegant, classy and quintessentially french products.

maison georgette's argente bag is perfect for storing all sorts of odds and ends in a stylish, modern way. ranging from $40-$50 a piece (small-large), they are a bit on my high end scale, but i really love the textiles they use so i think it's worth the splurge.

if you're feelin crafty and festive but don't have the dough to buy new tableware, try the venus en mars reusable stickers. you can place them on glasses, plates, etc to spruce up your existing collection, then remove to return to your everyday look. $24 a sheet will cover up to 6 people's tableware makeover.

all illico goods are available online at their lovely website. more info here. enjoy!

write and stick

everyone's seen that spraypaint you can use to create a chalk board anywhere, but nyc based yoyamart makes this really great magnetic chalkboard paint you can use to create not only a chalkboard, but well, a magnetic one. for all my work-from-home friends, this could be a cool way to create more useable space out of odd corners or parts of walls that won't fit a traditional chalkboard, magnet board or cork board. it's $29 and available right here online at yoyashop.com

j milo

just checking in with the lovely j milo this morning and saw they'd added some great new designs to their rug collection...thought i'd share.

j milo design is located in steamboat springs colorado and specializes in unique contemporary rug designs. head designer, jessica miller was born and raised in new york, and studied at carnegie mellon university. her work combines playful color combinations with unique graphic patterns and now, simple but sophisticated imagery.

j milo's newest designs are called plaza and waterlillies. plaza is a great patterned rug that depicts people and their shadows elegantly on hand knotted new zealand wool rugs. available in ochre or blue, plaza is an interesting choice when looking for a way to add a little bit of oomph to your floors.

waterlillies is pretty straightforward- a beautiful pond of waterlillies is depicted on jessica's new zealand wool "waterlillies" rug. simple, colorful (three colors to choose from) and modern, this rug is also a nice choice when looking to add some color and flair to your apt.

j milo rugs can be found on her website right here- contact information is available for orders (custom orders are accepted). enjoy (other rugs above are earlier designs, knotty and snake)!

light my fire

love these (esp the golden gate one). super cute (and super cheap) matchstick boxes from flying fish design. available at fred flare ($6 for an assorted pack of 5 boxes).

because money is an object...

here are some fun summer designs that won't break the bank, courtesy of crate and barrel.

you know how much i love acrylic, so here are some fabulous acrylic drink shakers that are sure to brighten up any memorial day picnic...super cheap at $2.95 a piece.

if drinks aren't on the menu, how about some melamine measuring spoons to make cooking that much easier. nothing like some cheery kitchen accessories to make slaving away in the kitchen a bit more fun.

and last but not least, cheap, last minute decoration- crate and barrel's summer magnolia lanterns. only $6 and uses two aaa batteries (not included- so annoying.

hope you all have great memorial day weekend plans...maybe these can add some fun to them. [all pics from crateandbarrel.com]

if money was no object...

and i lived in a world where i played polo and drank mojitos on the beach somewhere in the hamptons, i would buy these towels. so preppy, so izod, sooo overpriced. but somehow i'm drawn to them. so, if you're game for spending like $200 on a towel, check these out. i know, ridiculously overpriced, but sometimes it's just fun to look. (there's really no reason for them to cost that much, and you have to handwash them. eesh. ok, these are seriously just for fun then.)

tick tock

i was cruising around josh spear's site and found his post on the little clock shop. if you like little clocks, well, it's for you. i love anything with gears, so the gear clocks are my favorite. all the clocks pictured range from around $40-$100, so they won't break the bank. enjoy!

rosanna

rosanna bowles is a wonderful seattle-based designer who specializes in pieces for the tabletop. her work is not new to the design field, but sometimes when your day is kinda dreary you need a pick me up, and her work is certainly cheery enough to bring a smile to your face. available at design stores everywhere and via her website (you may need to call her store to order).

wash that man right out of my hair

i don't wear shower caps cause my hair is super short, but if i did, i'd wear these. you know, sorta old lady, but sorta old lady cool. 10 bucks a pop by blue raven and oh so cute. you know, if you have to wear one, why not wear one with a designy touch? available online right here at blue raven.

smile. try to smile.

in hopes of starting the day off on a nicer note (although i did get to see my friend dave before the ugly allan incident, so it wasn't all bad), here are some super cute coasters by local press boys, sesame lettepress. passed on to me by the lovely dim, uber cool wife to ac's old rock the vote boss (hi jay and jonesy). [thanks, dim!].

more pictures to come soon (they come in other patterns, i just need to go take pics)- they are available through the web here, and at saved in williamsburg. (dim and co. are using them as moving announcements, with a note on the back to say "come have a beer with us at our new place". so clever.)

repulsed. simply repulsed.

this post has been started over several, several times. i'm so mad i could explode.

in short? consider this my own personal black list, beginning now.

do not ever, ever use allan gerowitz from prudential douglas elliman as your broker. he was the rudest, most unprofessional broker i have ever met with. and i've met with an excel sheet of over 40 brokers.

i'll stop before i launch into profanity. i am writing all my friends at real estate blogs now. someone messed with the wrong sponge.

purdy