teresa chang

teresa chang is a philadelphia-based artist whose line of tableware is simply gorgeous. reminiscent of the same sturdy, warm feeling found in the work of san francisco studio heath ceramics, teresa's work is both elegant and visually substantial. i've always been a fan of plates and bowls that looked as if they were heavy and would feel comforting to have rest on your lap as you ate noodles (or ice cream) and watched a good movie- and these pieces look like just that. the colors are comforting and subtle, and the designs are simple and understated. and to top it off, most of the prices won't send you into credit card debt.

ms. chang is away on vacation until august 2, but after that you can place orders with her via email, phone or fax. you can see the whole collection and find pricing right here.

bone simple

bone simple design is the work of ny based artist, chad jacobs. i'm quite fond of this horizontal striped sconce (even though i don't normally like sconces), although i'd like to see it in different colors. something with a bold vermillion stripe would look great. more info right here.

uranium glass

ok, ever since i read this article about the woman designing marc jacob's home collection, i've been nursing this small obsession with uranium glass. i can't remember where i read the article, or the name of the marc jacobs woman (does anyone remember this??) but she had a gorgeous collection of uranium glass and i've been trying to find it online ever since. i like the sort of pale yellow colored class, and i'd love to find it in all sorts of weird glassware, esp anything looking like a beaker or plain glass, nothing fancy or victorian. anyone have any ideas? i tried ebay but everything was really green and super ornate. thanks for any tips!

angela adams at ann sacks

starting august 1st, angela adams will debut a beautiful collection of tiles she designed for ann sacks. characteristic of ms. adams' work, the collection includes 6 patterns in her signature geometric but organic style. the colorways are bright, happy and very angela. you can view the line here and start ordering on august 1.

a little kitsch goes a long way...

too much kitsch can be awful, but just enough can be fantastic. these vintage phones at uncommon goods would be perfect used in just the right place. next to a shag rug and pea green refridgerator, this would certainly be overkill, but i could see someone working this in to an existing decor really well. available in three colors at uncommon goods for around $150 (the orange is out of stock for two weeks, but will be back soon if you're interested in it).

woof woof

i'm a sucker for pet designs. like these fun feeders and toys from wetnoz- they're fun, affordable and available online (or you can check out their list of retailers to find a store near you). my favorites: the springroll toy, the non-slip mat and the metro line of scoop/feeder bowls.

cheep cheep, part deux

thanks to everyone who sent in great modern bird feeder suggestions- velocity art and design has now decided to sell one of the suggestions on their site! you can now see (and buy) the whole collection from "modern birdhouses" online at velocity. so, i will now proceed to blatantly steal of all the text from velocity's site, written by dail at modern birdhouses.

"Modern Birdhouses' Case Study Masters Series honors the architectural pioneers who participated in the Case Study Houses Program. The Case Study Houses Program was established in 1945 by John Entenza, the progressive editor and publisher of Arts and Architecture magazine. Entenza commissioned architects to design simple and innovative modern homes for a growing post-war housing market. The resulting homes took full advantage of industrialized building processes and continue to broadly influence modern architecture. Participants included such icons as Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen. Our birdhouses — named after Case Study participants J.R. Davidson, Richard Neutra, and Ralph Rapson — feature simple lines, modern detailing, and durable materials. They are hand-made from sustainably harvested teak that has been certified with the Rainforest Alliance's SmartWood program (www.smartwood.org). The wood is finished with an oil that protects against water, mildew, and UV rays. The roofs are constructed of sandblasted 1/4" thick aluminum plate and aluminum dowels. Stainless steel fasteners prevent rust and corrosion. The opening is 1-3/8" in diameter, which will accomodate common cavity-nesting birds such as chickadees, bluebirds, wrens, and swallows."

"The birdhouses ship pre-assembled, except for the mounting bracket, which can be attached with two provided stainless steel screws. A keyhole slot on the back of the mounting bracket allow the birdhouse to be hung on a single screw. The floor is easily removable for cleaning."

so, check out the whole line at velocity. thanks l+j!

love it

i don't often mention music or do music review on d*s, but i had to put this up today. i've been listening to of montreal's latest cd "the sunlandic twins" for the last week and i highly suggest that, if you can get your hands on a copy, you take a listen. it's phenomenal. knowing me i'll play it to death and be sick of it by next week, but for now, i'm hooked- which is kind of funny, considering i used to hate indie rock. but thanks to ac i'm now a recovering hippy who has learned to find joy in music that doesn't last for 6 hours. you can find out more about of montreal right here.

go, jane, go

i love see jane work- such fun work accessories. today i'm crazy about their pepperpot file folders and mousepad (they're girly, be warned..) and the clip on file labels (so helpful for people like me that run through files and don't want to get a new one because the permanent label is wrong). i also love the sleek little silver pencil sharpener, r+h composition books, hable spiral notebooks and the fancy accordion files. see them all at seejanework.

risd(ee)

risd works, the online store for risd, carries some amazing products. i just wanted to share these two because they're among my favorites: a bean-print dish set (3 for $70) by hirokazu + oranudh ingkhavat masuda and the tote bag by shawn parks that reminds me of a tomato ($40).

hey ladies....

inspired by o at home's "women who make beautiful things" section (it's a fantastic section), i decided to install a permanent feature on d*s: hey ladies...

this (weekly or bi-weekly) section will feature a talented female designer whose work deserves both celebration and in-depth discussion. in an industry dominated by men (i'll be dealing mainly with product and graphic design...), i think these successful women deserve to be noticed, commended and applauded for their wonderful work.

today i want to focus on pamela sunday, a brooklyn-based designer whose sculpture is carried throughout new york. formerly an art director, ms. sunday discovered her passion for clay over 10 years ago. while working in world of fashion advertising, she decided the time was right to follow her heart, so she left fashion for design and hasn't looked back since. for the past 10 years she's been creating beautiful, one of a kind, hand built ceramics from her carroll gardens studio that reflect her interest in texture and form. what i love most about ms. sunday's work is its clear interest in and focus on surface texture and organic shapes. her sculptures remind me of shapes and textures found underwater- her pieces are wonderfully reminiscent of both prickly sea urchins and star fish, with textures and patterns recalling coral and plant life.

ms. sunday's work is an oasis of in-your-face texture in a world of jonathan adler-ish smooth perfection. while it may not be for everyone- it's certainly more intense than a lot of the ceramics i've seen in most people's houses (and some of the textures give even me the willies)- i think it has a very specific audience that will appreciate the exploration into form and its relationship to texture and surface. you can find ms. sunday's work at karkula in nyc (68 gansvoort street), regeneration furniture, the jason lamberth gallery in the hamptons (103 hayground rd., water mill, ny) and belvedere in atlanta. thank you, pamela for passing along your work- it's wonderful to see what the brooklyn women around me are up to...

extras

these are too cute- the retro radio from levenger (plays mp3s from your ipod) and the stainless steel magazine rack from wactor. [via productdose]

focus: packaging

celebrity hairstylist to the stars (ok, not that stylist to the stars), yuki sharoni has introduced a new line of hair products with distinct, y-shaped packaging. while i normally don't like the idea of shaping a bottle after your intitial, i think the packaging looks pretty neat- it reminds me of a tree branch, or this. [via stylephile]

sit on it

i love this chair from hivemind (fantastic brooklyn-based designers, ruby and sather). chair-4 is contructed of powder-coated steel and walnut. it's simple with clean lines and a sleek finish- perfect. i think their crux credenza and crux shelving system are pretty slick too. you can see the whole shebang right here.

i wanna be made

besides sharing a name with one of mtv's most fantastically awful television shows, made is a portland oregon-based design studio that produces some of the most lovely, modern woodwork around.

their two existing lines, plateau and nest, are characterized by their clean lines, modern forms and quality woodwork. the plateau collection's simple steel and wood construction is wonderfully sparse and perfect for an urban loft that needs something minimal, yet cool for storage.

the nest line is full of beautiful dark woods offset by white lacquer drawers and doors. i love the combination of dark and light- it's perfect for most modern interiors.

made also carries a "low down media cabinet" that i'd love to get my hands on if i could- it's so simple and so clean-lined that i just have to have it in my apt. but then again, i made myself a promise that i'd stay away from walnut for a while...

you can see made's full collection here and contact them for ordering and pricing information right here.

a word with dom...

mocoloco has a great interview with idfuel's dominic muren up today- i think it's a fantastic idea. dom has some really interesting things to say as he heads back to school for his masters in industrial design at the university of the arts in philly. check it out if you have time.

land of all things wonderful...

ac is from massachusetts, so in my opinion it's no wonder there are so many great things coming out of the mass moca. like this "upside down syrup" inspired by artist natalie jeremijenko's 1999 on-site installation, "tree logic". i love the font, the packaging and the fact that the can will read right side up or upside down. $8.95 at the mass moca "hardware" store.

mmm...moca

the moca has some great gift shop goods as well. i have a serious design crush on this anchor key chain. it's summer and i can't get enough of nautical themes...

sf moma

fun things at the sf moma...i love these acrylic dominos by david quan. available in lime, blue or pink for $12. [don't miss the 2x4 exhibition going on through november 27!]

michelle smith

michelle smith is a great raleigh, nc-based designer specializing in handcrafted home goods, accessories and paper products. you can see all of her work by checking out michelle's site (which will have a working e-commerce section soon).

my favorites are the graphic lavender sachets (especially the tree pattern version), the notecard sets and the sophia bag. until her shopping site is up, you can purchase via etsy online, right here. thanks, michelle!

oooms

oooms is the design studio of eindohoven based product designer, guido oooms. founded in 2000, the studio works on primarly self-initiated products and is looking for manufacturers and producers for the bulk of the existing pieces, but, i thought it definitely warranted checking out. who knows, maybe someone out there can help with finding a (manufacturing) home for oooms' products.

my favorites are the bright green wire chair (i think it would look fabulous anywhere) and the low res chair, made of steel and polyether foam. both are pretty conceptual and might not be the comfiest of chairs, but i think they have great lines, a simple concept and a lot to work with in terms of creating a sell-able version with a manufacturer. check out the full oooms line here.

day-lab

thank goodness for d*s reader, stephanie. without her i would never have found out about day-lab, an adorable little online boutique that sells gorgeously crafty things like cards, painfully awesome jewelry and all sorts of accessories like bags, shirts and pins. a bit towards the crafty set for some people, but if you're a one good bumblebee reader and you know what craftster is, this site is for you.

run out of a tiny apt in the garden district of baton rouge, louisianna, day-lab is full of wonderfully designed, hand-made goodies. started (and still run) by amy shutt (who designs cool pillows herself) and ryan baudoin, day-lab is the perfect place to cruise around if you're looking for something cute, reasonably priced and made by someone with their own two hands.

i'm tied for my favorites- it's a dead heat between the animal pillows and the freakishly awesome jewelry section. as far as jewelry goes, i love the owl earrings, the bird earrings and pin, the apple necklaces and the lovely, lovely bubble collection. you can't go wrong with any of it. it's just too cute. (yes, too cutesy for some, but not for all)

thanks to stephanie for passing this along. i believe she found it via the daily candy, so i wanted to throw that credit in, too. thanks stephanie and dc!

[editor's note: the day-lab site is down as i'm finishing this post, so try back again if it poops out on you]

i've been thinking about what i'd like to have another contest for...but seem to be drawing up blanks. apartment therapy has the interior design category down- i always love seeing people's places up close like that- but there seems to be a lot of room for more fun contests out there.

i loved the DIY contest from earlier this year, but it's time for something new- so, if anyone has any ideas, please do throw them out there. feel free to fill the comments section with any ideas you have about what it might be fun to throw a contest for...best new chair? best new kitchen product? i don't know, something more exciting, right? i'm feeling uninspired so i'd love to see what all the other design lovers out there are thinking about...thanks for your tips! i'll look them over, process and announce the contest(s?) in early august. thanks!

atlas

atlas is a manufacturer of beautiful, quality wooden furniture. my favorite pieces in their collection are far from new, but i haven't heard much about them lately so i thought i'd check back in, because sometimes pieces that are built so well continue to look fresh and modern. and these certainly fit that description.

run by designers joseph fratesi and thomas wright (atlas west and atlas east, respectively), atlas operates in both brooklyn and sanfranciso. their work has been mentioned in all the top design publications, and with good reason- their clean lines, beautiful materials and timeless designs are perfect for those looking to invest in a truly beautiful piece of furniture. you can see the whole collection here and contact them here for information on pricing, installation and purchase. (my favorites are the bed, shelving and dresser)

zid zid kids

i was wondering who made the adorable giraffe pillow i saw at romp brooklyn and i managed to stumble upon the designers while cruising the internet during my lunch break...hooray for lucky coincidences!

zid zid kids is a wonderful manufacturer and designer of fantastic children's products. they make furniture, textilesand accessories that ooze a warm homemade feel that is just right for decorating a child's room. i've always thought that if i have children one day i'll want to make sure their rooms are a perfect combination of toys and decorations that are both pleasing to the eye and soft to the touch- this collection from zid zid is just like that. each piece, from their adorable "poofs" to their friendly looking animal cushions, are welcoming, cuddly and cute enough to make them an all around hit.

my favorites are the cushions, mini poofs and the adorable flower and cloud table/chair sets. but you can't go wrong with anything from zid zid. you can find retailers near you by clicking right here, or, if you're in NY, check out romp brooklyn in park slope for zid zid pillows.

company c

fantastic linens (rugs, pillows and textiles) from company c- as colorful as they could possibly be and equally fun. my favorites are above and below (love that silk quilt above). click here for the full collection (and shopping online).

cheep cheep

calling all bird lovers- some dear friends of mine are looking for a great bird feeder for their fabulous new apt's deck. something modern and simple is the best. i've found a few (above and below), but if anyone out there new of any other great resources, i'd appreciate the tips! modern would be the key...thanks guys! [feeders from velocity art and design, perch, eva solo, menu, j schatz, vogeli, and mono]

for the aussies....

i often get emails from internet buddies down under and thought i'd share this for them, as i don't believe they're shipping our way right now...

cloth is a new australian fabric company that sells gorgeous lamp shades, pillows, bedding and bags with beautiful, organic patterns. the designs are very much in the lotta jansdotter vein, but lovely in their own way as well. my personal favorites are the gorgeous table linens and lampshades- their subtle colors and calming patterns would fit perfectly in a room designed to be a tranquil retreat. so, for all of you down under, check out cloth's website to see the full collection and find information on ordering. enjoy!

fabrics

i'm in the market for bright poppy fabrics to redo an old family couch and while these aren't exactly what i'm looking for, they're fabulous. amy butler design is run by, well, amy butler, in ohio. she designed gorgeous fabrics with exotic colors and patterns that just scream "sunporch!" to me. she also writes books on decorating that look pretty nifty. you can see her full collection here and find out where to buy (online or in person) right here. enjoy!

murals

d*s reader, melissa passed along her dear friend's website, which showcases beautiful murals done for children's rooms. full of color and fun designs, the work of welybom studios is done by lisa williams, a risd grad currently residing in nyc with her jack russell, moby (who often appears in her murals). the process is simple, a free estimate and consultation are offered to discuss what sort of project would be perfect for your space; then sketches are offered and altered at the client's request. after the final approval painting begins on either a canvas or on the wall directly. i love this because i think a giant canvas would be perfect for the frequent re-decorators out there. you can find more information about ms. williams and welybom studios right here. [thanks, melissa!]

bow wow

too cute. "spot" from bowhaus design (they brought you the super cute "bowhaus" modern pet bed that doubles as a side table) is a great way to organize all your dog walking necessities. with space for keys, leashes, bags (that's right, you can store your pooper scooper bags in there!) and even a photo of your beloved fuzzy one- the "spot" is a clever way to deal with dog accessories in a stylish way. $50 online at bowhaus.

trunk time

this adorable elephant mobile (by flensted) at modern seed is just too cute to pass up if you're in the market for kids' design. the colors are lovely and so is the price, only $24. you can find it online right here.

COLOURlovers

i'm a colorlover, you're a colorlover, we're all colorlovers, so why not check out this fantastic site that bills itself as, "a place to view, rate and review some lovely colours & palettes. the idea is to create a place of color inspiration where a designer of any sort can see new and lovely colours... find out what colors are hot, what work well in other uses... and simply make some love with colour." i love it. because you can never, ever have too much color. [it's a great place to start if you're trying to paint or lacquer something, because they offer a wide palette in which to find inspiration]

ipop!

SUCH a great idea. thanks to janessa bautista for passing on her boyfriend's fantastic new design- the ipop! designed by charlie becker, the ipop holds an ipod shuffle in place anywhere you need it. it is made of silicone rubber and will soon retail for approximately twelve dollars. more info at dxp. [thanks, janessa!]

simply beautiful

i love these hand spun glass tortoise bowls from silho furniture. they're simple, elegant and beautiful. perfect for showing off on a tabletop, shelf or any other place you can admire it's subtle curves.

wallpaper

interesting wallpaper pattern available at silho furniture. not quite sure where it'd be perfect, but i'm sure someone could really make it work. i love the little helicopter and LA sign.

silho furniture

silho furniture is a fantastic la-based design resource that carries everything from pillows and furniture to lighting, rugs and accessories. i wanted to check in with them since i hadn't been to their site in a while and i'm so glad i did. they've got an amazing pillow collection and well, i'm a pillow connoisseur so i was thrilled to dig through it all.

cream of the crop for me was the gorgeous 70's inspired canyon collection. full of warm, fuzzy textures and creamy, earthy seventies colors like mustard yellow, burnt orange and dusty brown, the collection is 70s heaven with a dash of modern.

there's also a gorgeous collection called wallpaper made up of warm, nubby fabrics in colorful, graphic patterns. it's equally lovely. and they've even got a swell collection to boot- full of looolo-esque woven textures.

you can see the whole collection right here. to order, you can either drop by 142 n. la brea in los angeles or call 323-935-9955 for ordering info. enjoy!

nap time

i love beds that have any sort of built in storage or seating. this "baby boomer too" bed from notneutral (for kids) has an adorable little bench slash toy shelf built in. too cute. extremely durable and made with industrial grade, environmentally-friendly plywood. available online at velocity art and design.

bold color and patterns

missoni pillows at neiman marcus- pricey but pretty.

color punch

i love bright colors, can't get enough of em. hence, i'm mad about this bright citrus travel bag from tumi ($150). such a great color. the people picking you up at the airport won't have any trouble finding you amongst the crowd.

just for laughs

if for no one else's, at least my own....here it is, a $400 dollar pillow. that's right, $400. that's almost my entire half of our monthly rent for one pillow (the velvet and linen versions are just as much as the silk one). jeebus.

shiny shiny

who doesn't love to travel with a little flair? i sure do. that's why i think these colorful passport covers (available personalized or plain) are perfect for sprucing up your travel necessities. available at neiman marcus ($25-$35).

gooood mornin!

there's no better way to start your day than with a bunch of bold, bright colors that make you smile. this fantastic, hyper colorful tape from fred flare comes in two patterns: pastel paisley (my favorite) and rainbow grid. perfect for those of you heading back to school and in need of a way to jazz up your moving boxes. available at fred flare online for only $6 a pop!

chain gang

i love this new curtain at sprout home- the blue chain curtain is only $33 and is the most beautiful shade of blue. perfect for creating a calm, colorful bathroom.

maui

alexis tricoire's maui shelving at generate is gorgeous. available in bookcases of three or five shelves, maui is made out of a single sheet of translucent acrylic (pmma). the bending of the material functions as, "a gentle link between the elements, creating an organic continuity to the whole". i just love the hot pink (also available in orange, blue and white). available at generate online.

bye bye, bill of rights

in light of the current administration and last night's announcement about the new supreme court justice, i thought i'd post these- disappearing bill of rights mugs. drink and slowly watch your right disappear. ahaha, if only it was a joke....[$12 at uncommon goods]

cobalt

facts: cobalt blue is a gorgeous color, these glasses make me smile and fish + cobalt blue= great. set of 4 for $40 at uncommon goods.

polka time

i have this thing about polka dots- i just can't get enough of them. they remind me of little kids and a time when people didn't take themselves so seriously, hence, i try to get them on as many things as possible without looking like some deranged clown. i happen to have them on my flip flops today, but if you're looking for a slightly more subtle way to work them into your collection, check out this cute polka dot bird feeder from uncommon goods ($40). so adorable.

jane marvel

jane marvel makes really cute little storage containers that are available covered in a range of about a billion fabrics. simple, cute and colorful, these nesting cubes and zippered storage boxes are a great way to hide things in style. available online at jane marvel.

eggums

i love these cute little egg vases from bahari. simple, cute and with just a hint of bright color on the inside- perfect for a kids room. see full collection at bahari online.

ah, venezia

my parents have some beautiful venetian glasses from salviati that they picked up on their last trip there- and now you can get a whole slew of salviati goods online at fitzsu. i'm a fan of the striped decanter and glasses (ala my parents), but they have great stemware too. see the whole collection here.

lace face

2jane sells this really cool stickable lace stuff- simply peel the decorative plastic film away from its protective backing and attach it to any wall, window, glass or acrylic surface with the help of a few dabs of water and a straight surface. it's a cool idea and i think it could really be used in an interesting way by someone with the right idea (i think too much lace could start to look granny-ish). too much of it could be really cheesy, but i think it's got a lot of potential, and not just for covering windows where a bit of modesty is required...click here for more info. (available in white, magenta or turquoise)

kitties kitties

i love pet accessories. can't get enough of em. like these awesome feeding bowls from holden designs. i saw them at my local williamsburg pet store a few months back, now you can buy them online here ($98-$215, not cheap).

open wide

ok, so my first impression is that this thing looks like a tool my dentist would use, but i'm trying to look past the form and think of function for once (in my life). the teastick is a sort of nifty little gadget from gamila design that was made for the single cup tea drinker. i happen to make a pot of tea at a time, but for those of you who only want a single cup, it's actually a cool idea. of course, this is for loose teas, not a bag, because clearly, you don't need a mini tea steeper if you have a bag. anyway, you scoop up your loose tea leaves, slide it shut and let it steep in your cup. there's even a hook (looks like a dentist's plaque cleaner, sorry, it does) to hold it to your cup. you can browse and buy, if you like, right here.

happy owl update

i'm a huge fan of happy owl glassworks. they make the most unusual glass products, like their adorable glass animal cufflinks (would be tragically cute on a little boy). they added they really cool cards and coasters to their collection, so i thought i'd share. the bat coasters are a little eery, but i think it's a cool idea- esp for people who are into animals. you can see the whole collection here.

bogdanco

i posted these about a month ago and now they're for sale on elsewares. couldn't find a place to buy em online when i posted, but looks like now elsewares has picked em up. (warning: our friends missy and alden who had them said they don't protect your table from drink sweat when it drips down). cute stuff though.

inleaf at elsewares

fabulously elegant textile designer lotta helleberg of inleaf design is now selling her gorgeous pillows and runners at elsewares. the swedish born, virginia (yay!) based designer is known for her painfully gorgeous botanical prints that she uses on pillows, runners and napkins. her work is most definitely worth the click over to elsewares and her homepage, right here.

romp brooklyn

once in a while, a store comes along that adds that little special something that a block has been missing. romp, a newly opened children's store in park slope, has added just that to fifth avenue (in between lincoln and st johns).

created and run by jennifer labelle, a former williamsburg resident, romp is a fabulous new haven for modern children's design in brooklyn. full of colorful toys, furniture and clothing, this little nook on park slope's bustling fifth avenue is a welcome addition to the growing list of stores that cater to a design-conscious clientele (ie: matter, brooklyn industries, scaredy kat, cog and pearl...).

among clear shelves that are home to swigg's animal toys, wooden fruits and veggies and adorable eggling planters, sit wooden toy chests full of games, wooden figures and my favorite, blabla's pillow chums. not content to sell merely the greatest hits of current kids design (although the standards are there if you want them: the bilibo rocking seat, tord boontje's plastic midsummer light, flensted mobiles...), ms. labelle carries a beautiful array of products like hip children's clothes, brightly colored potholder rugs (one of my favorites) and modern cards and tags from the small object.

for the moment, romp is a brick and mortar shop only, but their website is up and will be a full e-commerce resource in the next few weeks. so those of you looking for fabulous gifts for your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews can shop to your heart's content at romp online. if you're in the area, i highly suggest you stop by- ms. labelle's shop is a joy to behold and will most certainly bring a smile to your face, as only a children's store can. romp's bright colors, cheerful stuffed animal faces and fun toys are definitely worth the trip. be sure to check out www.rompbklyn.com for a full e-commerce site soon!

doctor's visit

i have to take my cat turk to the vet this afternoon to check out a suspicious spider bite, so i'll be back tomorrow. have a great one.

[update: turk is just fine, home with ms. jackson now, apparently nothing a little tube of medicine couldn't cure. thanks so, so much for all your sweet notes! turk sends his thanks and so do i.]

lepage

lepage new york is a design studio run by cec lepage who specializes in cut lucite designs. d*s reader, whitney passed her work on to me. i'm not quite sure how i feel about it. i like the way some of the vases and lamps work, but the d*s jury is still sort of out. thought i'd let you guys decide what you thought. they're also not on the cheap side. (something about them reminds me of the jetsons. don't know why)

urban outfitters

i'm always impressed with some of the fun design stuff urban outfitters comes up with. granted, the store generally overprices everything, but every once in awhile they have some cute, funky home stuff. they've also just added a section in both their print and online catalog called "found" in which they sell older, vintage furniture pieces from the 40's onward. they're not cheap, but if vintage swedish couches from the 70's are your thing, they've got some. they also added two new rugs to the collection (paisley and tropical) along with some cute squirrel sheets and a fun turqouise louise arm chair and sette. all available at urbanoutfitters.com

ona

ona added some interesting new pieces to their online boutique- the mutabor seat from several pieces in a "romance" series by contraforma.

the mutabor seat is a nifty little cardboard seat (supports up to 220 lbs) that is perfect for providing mobile party seating if you don't have tons of extra chairs laying around. plus- it breaks down flat, allowing us city dwellers to invite over an entire street hockey team without having to find a place to store 15 chairs later. i love it.

the romance series is more of that laser cut metal thing that's been going around for a while now- not sure if i like it or not, but it's interesting to look at. you can see the whole ona collection right here.

drip drop

maybe it's because tonight is supposed to be full of horrible thunderstorms, but my mind is on rain (or maybe it's because it's so darn humid out, darn you excess water in the atmosphere!)- so i thought i'd see if pare*umbrellas had any new designs i hadn't seen- and they do. four newbies: a mushroom, clover, ring and gerbera pattern are perfect for chasing away those dreary rainy days. you can see the whole line here.

purrfect

too cute- the felinas bed from postmodernpets.com- this little nest for your cat has a shaggy rug inside for extra comfort. click right here to find more info or buy.

scabetti

i've mentioned scabetti's gorgeous chandelier before, but i wanted to share some of their ceramics. simple and fun, scabetti's ceramic collection shows both a love of shapes and color and a a sense of humor- hence, their prophopot- a container just for storing condoms. funny, but i'd hate to stumble upon one of these- something about it is just icky to me. scabetti also has some gorgeous new vessels called the "low rise collection" that deserve a click- the beautiful blue finn vessel would be perfect for any number of uses- and the color is just gorgeous. click on over to scabetti for more info and the whole collection.

who doesn't want to wear the ribbon?

ah, seinfeld. greatest show ever. anyway...thought it would be fun to share a ribbon resource that rori from paper monkey press passed on. raffit ribbons carries all sorts of really elegant, unique and interesting ribbons. while i seriously have to hold back laughing while reading their "about" section ("...[raffit] create[d] the most innovative addition to the gift industry in half a century, the original manhattan collection of beautiful ribbons on beautiful spools." gimme a break, a century?), their ribbons are gorgeous. i'm particularly fond of the bird feather and twin ribbons. you can see the whole collection right here.

all in the details...

details is a german producer and distributor of furniture, lamps, accessories, "good products and ideas." they have a whole slew of cute stuff (distributed in the us by small pond of austin, tx), but my favorites are these two: the file pecker ("who else is responsible for the holes in the files?") and the candloop (turns any bottle into a low-key candelabra). both are simple, funny and very reasonably priced. check out the rest of their goods right here.

factory 37

factory 37 has some cool new pieces up- an interesting card line with painted colorwash printed on it and overlayed with text. some of the text is cheesy, but some isn't too bad. i also love the "me" boxes that are customizable in a very practical way- you just punch out these little cardboard holes to reveal an inner cardboard layer that is a different color. the contrast between top and bottom layer allow you to spell out initials, letters or small pictures. not a bad idea. [note: i feel like i've written those up before but i can't find them. if i have, feel free to laugh away...] more info on all things factory 37 right here.

scrappy

i'm a huge fan of scrapile, the brooklyn duo (bart bettencourt and carlos salgado) responsible for the gorgeous goods above and below. i've been saving up for one of their pieces for like at least 1 year now, but in the meantime, here are some newbies...not online yet, but as always, check out the future perfect and vivavi for scrapile goods.

houndstooth

thank goodness it's not fall yet, but sometimes when it's really hot outside i like to think about the breezy, cool months ahead in fall. and nothing reminds me of fall like houndstooth- it's crisp, classic, and decidedly fall-ish to me. it reminds me of riding boots and hot toddy. but anyway...the point is, hold everything has some cute new houndstooth products for fall: cute bath towels and adorable storage boxes that look oh so refined. and to top it off, they added some cute pillows to the collection this fall (not houndstooth, but reminiscent enough...). click here for more info.

posh prep

iomoi is an adorable online boutique that specializes in accesorizing your inner prep. full of new england-y motifs and all things nautical, there collection is an affordable way to channel that boarding school kid you always knew was inside you. from stationery and match boxes to candy and coasters, iomoi's products are fun, cute and wonderfully preppy. i'm crazy about their customizable (name or monogram) paperweights in all sorts of fun patterns (i like the nautical ones the best), but the whole collection is worth checking out. click here for more info.

[ps: i just love the red and white twine above, i'd love to have a little party somewhere at a beach house in martha's vineyard and tie that on everyone's wine glasses or something else that needed sprucing up.]

found their niche....

i'm so glad that it seems like the gang over at niche modern have hit their stride. it looks like things are going smashingly, so i just wanted to check in and see what was new. as always, i love their existing blown-glass pendant line (i'm going to save up for one of them for our kitchen i think), but i'm really into this "trumpette" table lamp too (see below). very chic and very urban- i love it. keep up the great work guys! more info on niche modern right here.

help, please?

normally i'm a good little scour-er when it comes to finding what i need on the internet, but i'm at a loss and i thought i'd turn to my design savvy friends out in the blog world. ac and are looking for a new couch and need some help- we're trying to find a couch that is modern, comfortable and affordable (ie: under a grand). seemingly not an easy task as i can't pull up anything i like that isn't like $2500 (ouch!). so, i was wondering if anyone had any brilliant ideas or hidden finds? i'm looking for something like the couch above (from pottery barn, isn't that wall color fabulous? so calming and clean) that is simple and won't feel like a brick to sit on. as much as i love modern stylish stuff, it's gotta be able to handle me running up and jumping on it to cuddle up for a good movie. so, if anyone has any tips, i'd really, really appreciate it. i've tried pottery barn, crate and barrel, cb2, room and board and ikea (i'm trying to move away from ikea furniture though)...am i crazy and have i forgotten some treasure of a couch store? thank you so so much for any and all help. xo, d*s

[ps: we will be inheriting my grandmother's old couch, which i plan to redo with a fun, bright fabric like the domino mag cover...or this jane magazine snippet, but i'd like the other couch to be comfy and less of a "fun to look at" piece]

light it up

lovely modern lights from classicon- "lampetia tl" is a table lamp made of satinated and lacquered nickel. simple, stylish and oh so cute. available online at the magazine.

michael whitney

wonderful d*s reader, valerie passed along the work of brooklyn designer, michael whitney. michael takes found objects and creates beautiful and unique pieces of furniture, art and lighting with them.

michael's artist statement describes his work perfectly: "what’s most interesting to me is what [people] choose to discard. worn doors, broken windowpanes and three-legged chairs are dragged to the corner or the dumpster because they no longer work in the traditional sense. i seek such abandoned objects to create new functional objects – lamps, clocks, and tables – as sculpture. my intent is not to change the quality of the material, or its original character, but to demonstrate the constant, dynamic existence of such common devices. when i see a displaced object, i see a story, a history, and a future. i don’t try to mask or hide the scars of an object’s past life but instead i honor the experience each object brings along."

it's such a nice idea and michael's work really adds a lot to a room (i love the mirror made of copper heating and the table made of an old extension ladder)- i think his pieces are perfect for mixing in to an existing collection- they have such soul and presence. check out michael's website for more information. [thanks, valerie!]

stunning

i am just floored by how beautiful this installation is- "maximilian’s schell" by architects benjamin ball and gaston nogues at materials & applications is a new vortex-shaped, outdoor installation in Los Angeles that, "warps the flow of space with a featherweight rendition of a celestial black hole". the installation is the size of an apartment building and is a spectacle that has been stopping traffic along silver lake boulevard since its unveiling two weeks ago. constructed in tinted mylar resembling stained glass, the vortex functions as a shade structure, swirling above the outdoor gallery through november 26, 2005. for more information, see here. gorgeous, just gorgeous.

i love this...

primarily because i have to take phone messages and write notes all day, this is sooo up my alley. the "swinging bachelor pad" is $90 of practical genius. the sbp is basically a solid walnut base that holds a stack of paper, on top of which sits a stainless steel paper cutter that allows you to cut a piece of paper to your desired size. fantastic. i love it. available online at stitch chicago [via productdose]

inflatables

last one from luis pons- the inflatable collection. really cool inflatable lighting from the miami-based, venezuela-born designer. more info here (work>objects>inflatables).

metal rain

luis pons, at it again. another beautiful collection of ball chain furniture called "metal rain". if only i could afford designer furniture...fun to look at though. i bet someone out there could make a fantastic knock-off version of this. you know, use it as an inspiration piece...

frames

this is too cool- gorgeous furniture made by miami based designer, luis pons. the collection, called "frames", is made by adding picture frames to 50's furniture. i think it's too, too cool. more info here (go to works, then objects- frames).

dearly missed

my family's beloved scottish terrier, murphy, passed on today. she will be so, so deeply missed. please think good thoughts for her and my family today if you can, it's a sad, sad day. love you and miss you to pieces, murph murph.

neat-o

i love this- the 196 gram toiletries bag from swedish manufacturer simplicitas. destined to be a hit, this little traveling bag opens up to become an organizer. so, no more messy hotel sinks cluttered with toothbrushes, tooth paste, contact solution and makeup containers- you can just plop them all back in their container for more efficient and more effective traveling. online shopping not available yet, but i'll be sure to list where you can buy asap. if you can't wait, you can email them here.

from the "so cool" files...

mark indusky is the founder of a truly cool design firm called lost found art. they provide a really unique service that i just had to share.

based in new york, lost found art specializes in sculptural installations using vintage and antique pieces. they customize to fit any space, décor, or point of view. subtle or outrageous, whole room or small nook, free standing or wall mounted, their collections create a unique focal point for any room in your home or business. in addition to group installations they also offer individual pieces that by nature of their unique sculptural presence are strong enough to stand on their own -whether occupying an entire wall or resting in a bookcase or sitting on a coffee table.

basically, lost found art will make really amazing collections and installations in your home out of unique pieces. i think it's a great idea, because i for one have always wanted to make cool collections of things, but am horrible at arranging pieces effectively. well, at least so far i've been. you can find more information on lost found art right here. [thanks, mark!]

grown up lady

lille is a beautiful chicago shop that carries what i call "grown up lady" things. all of the pieces are elegant, sophisticated and something i know i'd be destined to break. but, if you're a bit more careful than i am, please check out their gorgeous online collection. my favorites?: john derian's botanical platters, bodhi leaf lacquer boxes and a beautiful serving bowl and tongs from seth anderson. you can find the whole shebang right here.

bodo update

i've always loved bodo sperlein's tableware- such gorgeous designs and such wonderful simplicity- their patterns are understated and carried out with such elegance. you can find their work at clio-home and several other stores, but i just wanted to share these gorgeous boa vases from their "couture" line (pricey but worth the investment). more info right here.

binth

i wrote about chicago-based stationery and card studio, binth after the national stationery show, but i just wanted to add some of their new pieces i didn't discuss earlier...

>based in chicago, binth is the work of suzanna bierwirth (who has a dog named "dude"), peter dunham and linnea gits. binth stands for "beautiful, intriguing, new, timeless and haunting." a mouthful, but as the artists themselves say, "we invented [the name] a long time ago. now, it seems to be the perfect word to describe our products: we think they are very binth."

binth has a great series of notebooks, stationery and "occasion cards" that are perfect for all sorts of announcements: births, parties, marriages, etc. you can find a list of retailers online and see their full collection here.

amy helfand

amy helfand is a red hook, brooklyn based artist who showed some gorgeous work at brooklyn designs this year. i just wanted to share a few of her newest prints (giclee print/plexiglass): "non-site plan", "plants suited for calcareous soil", "plants of vigorous habit for the wild garden" and "wild garden whirlwind". all of her work is vivid, colorful and inspired by lanscapes and natural forms. they're really a joy to look at. check out the rest of amy's work here (be sure to check out her fabrics and rugs).

gadgets

i'm not usually into gadgety tech stuff, but i think this is kinda neat. mainly because i like weather forcasts. the 5 day weather forcaster from ambient devices looks like an ipod, but actually provides an up to the minute weather report (5 days) for whatever city you're in. the device has a feature that allows it automatically know what city it's in so it can get up to date data on the weather and temperature. it sounds like something that would be cool for someone who travels a lot. you can check it out at ambient devices, right here.

45 degrees

tuesday is always a rough day for me, more so than monday because i feel like you have this long 4 days stint ahead of you and you're not even to the hump day yet. hence, i like to surround myself with designs that are comforting and cozy. to me, warm wooden furniture is cozy and comforting- hence, 45 degrees is my design studio of the day.

45 degrees is the work of chicago-based designer jason wade. his mission (as described on their website) is as follows: "i believe that good design in furniture arises from good design in structure. a strong design reflects, without having to reveal, the joinery that holds a piece together. there's beauty in a piece of furniture which has been darkened by age and marked by use which still speaks in the voice of the artisan who built it 10, 50, or a hundred years ago. this is my approach, and what i aspire to every time i set foot in my shop."

i think 45 degrees has definitely made good on their mission and the furniture speaks for itself. it has both a sense of modernity and history to it- the wood is beautiful: worn in, sometimes distressed looking and simply gorgeous. if you like natural looking furniture, this is your stuff. you can find more information on 45 degrees right here. (you can email or call for information on buying, pricing and custom work)

space modern

space modern is an uber chic design store that has a nice online catalog. you can't buy directly off of their website, but you can place items "on reserve" and submit then- then they will send you pricing info, etc. which to me means everything on their is probably wicked expensive, but sometimes it's just fun to look at pretty things. my favorites of the collection are the geo and 90 degrees bar table by helen ige, the escher table by emmemobili, the redlands table by lawson-fenning and the venezia bedroom storage by emmemobili. you can see the whole collection (and request purchasing info) right here.

three sheets 2 the wind

3 sheets 2 the wind is cincinnati designer jenny sauer's attempt to fill the world with great home design products- her cool, scribbly designs are available at elsewares.com on pillows and cool wall hangings. not super cheap, but not horribly expensive either. see and buy the whole shebang right here.

balanced design

balanced design is a wonderful environmentally-friendly home accessories studio. inspired by a trip to paris, balanced design founder melinda cox started her studio in response to the environmentally aware culture she discovered in france. determinded to provice eco-friendly products that weren't bland and made of recycled cardboard, she designed a beautiful collection of pillows (i know, my weakness) made of wool felt and organic cotton. each one is more colorful and fun than the next, and with 10 patterns to choose from (most with several color options), the collection is off to a great start. right now balanced design doesn't offer online shopping, but you can find a list of great retail stores that sell her work online. enjoy! [thanks, liz!]

schtickers

happy monday everyone. hope you all had nice weekends. i spent mine seeing war of the worlds (not bad) and kicking some serious butt in street hockey (take that tuques of steel! and hi heather from the dark rainbows!). ok, i didn't actually kick any butt. i ended up nearly passing out because i was so hot and being of no use to my team, but hey, i tried. a lovely d*s reader passed these on and i wanted to post them in the spirit of change. i get bored really quickly and constantly want to change things, so i think the idea of stickers you can put on your laptop is pretty fun. they're not regular stickers because you can remove them without all the gunky sticker glue and change them as often as you like. they have 7 designs to chose from right now, but are committed to adding more asap. i'm of course fond of the d*s type asterisk design, as well as the scroll design. they're only $20 a pop, so it's not a bad way to add a little color to your laptop when the black, white or steel thing isn't doin it for ya. they also make them for ipods ($6). you can find more info and order online right here.

have a seat

during icff i wandered into the umbra booth and fell for these adorable stool/magazine holders called "magino". made of acrylic (i'm still crazy about the clear stuff), the magino stool is one of those great pieces of furniture that serves a multitude of purposes: stool, foot rest, magazine holder, bedside table, children's table/chair. the chair isn't up on the umbra website yet, but it is available in stores (suggested retail $225). [picture courtesy of umbra]

simple.modern.cards.

letterpressed is a great little modern letter press studio that sells fabulously simple cards where the font and text are the stars. there are too many cute cards to list, but you can see them all right here. just click on the card and you can see it up close and buy it online if you like. [via one good bumblebee]

milkfed press

milkfed press is a letter press printing and bindery studio based in california's bay area. home to all sorts of gorgeous patterns, fonts and of course, quality letter pressing, milkfed has some beautiful pieces available for sale on their website. their chinese lantern "wish you were here" cards are a nice way to tell someone you miss them without resorting to cards with weepy puppies on them. i also love her cotton notecards- there really aren't enough cards with cotton plants on them. and since sewing seems to be a theme, there is a great notecard set with a sewing machine on it and one with a knitting woman. and if you're looking for something a bit more artsy, check out "floating holiday: issue number 3"- it's 90 pages of beautiful writing and artwork assembled by chris & victoria heifner.

and, in the realm of things i can't buy, but like to oggle anyway, i'm crazy about milkfed's coaster-work they did for clients like suppenkuche (i almost ate there, drat!) and amy farris. too cute.

you can find more info (and order notecard sets, etc) right here.

sugar paper

a friend of a wonderful friend reminded me about sugar paper- a fantastic online (and cali-based) store that carries all sorts of beautiful paper goods. along with their own custom press work, sugar paper carries journals, cards and stationery from companies like egg press, elum and little tree press. my favorites are: the dot stamp set (so cute), the margo smith letter press style, the egg press daisy and dogwood box card set, dewey howard journals and last but not least, the preppy school tie matches from iomoi. more info and full shop right here.

les cadeaux gourmet

more fabulousness from seattle...les cadeaux gourmet is a fantastic online store that carries everything from gourmet foods and bath prouducts to first class cookware and home accessories. i, of course, enjoy their tableware section the most, but they have wonderful selection of (pricey but gorgeous) cookware made for the most discerning chef.

my picks are: black glass sake bottle and cups, clear glass sake bottle and cups, hannah glassware, er'go candles, perfumeria gal lip balm (so chic) and max brenner's hot chocolate drinking cup (pure decadence). you can find more info on les cadeaux gourmet right here. [thanks, wilson!]

wiggle it, just a little bit

designer marc th. van der voorn just sent me his gorgeous "wiggle vase" which will be available in september. it's a month or so away, but i thought it was worth posting anyway...i'll update with a reminder when it's out. so simple and elegant, i love it. you can order it for $80 by emailing info[at]markanti[dot]nl . thanks, marc!

one more try...

sorry it's been so dry on d*s lately...i've had a bunch of things to do and have had little to no time to post- hence my purging of stuff yesterday in hopes that it would make up for today's absence. anyway...i'm off to apt hunt again today. you know what they say, if at first you don't succeed, try try again. so, i'm pounding the pavement in park slope in hopes that someone will help us find a home. fingers crossed that $1600 and 700 sq ft are possible...be back tomorrow. have a great thursday. xo, d*s

stew design

i've long been a fan of stew design workshop's work, but have tended to mention them in the context of sublime american design instead of the studio itself. but no more. here's bit on the people behind such hits as the strata and petal chair....founded and run by brothers kevin and jon racek, stew design workshop is a firm that produces not only furniture but impressive architecture as well. the burlington, vermont based duo has become well known for their curvy, organic designs made of materials like bent ply. today i wanted to mention one of their new pieces- the 5050 coffee table. simple, elegant and modern, the 5050 coffee table expands on stew design's love of curved wooden pieces with a piece that looks like a long chain of interlocking wooden tabs. it's simply gorgeous- enough said. you can find more info on shopping and products on stew's website, right here.

newbies...

trolling through velocity's 'new' section....

love the new salvor mini fauna pillows ($36 a piece), new furniture from 3 square and gorgeous works from rex ray (pricey, but worth the investment if you're looking...). all on velocity's website.

fighting for what's right

last night ac and i watched a documentary on pbs called "street fight". rarely am i moved to do something, but this film inspired me to get up and try and help.

"street fight" is part of pbs' pov (point of view) series and tells the story of the turbulent campaign of cory booker, a 32-year old rhodes scholar/yale law graduate running for mayor of newark, nj against sharpe james, the four-term incumbent twice his age. i really have never been so inspired to do something to try to make a difference. i don't even live in newark and, of course, i can't vote there, but i was on the phone with the booker campaign first thing this morning to ask how i could help.

i made a banner to put on my site until the election is over and plan on updating it with information on the race for newark's mayor in 2006. i also signed up to volunteer with the campaign and help however i can. i'm not asking you to do the same, but i am writing merely to express my sincere hope that some of you might take the time to watch "street fight" on pbs. you can click here to see when it's playing in your town. to make a long and horrible story short, this race was so dirty, so unfair and so disgusting that i couldn't in good conscience sit by and do nothing. so, my voice and support with be with cory booker in 2006. i know political posts are dangerous territory online, but i'm willing to take whatever comes my way for standing up for what i think is right. so, i hope some of you out there will take the time to investigate this story for yourself and will come to understand why i felt the need to discuss it here. to cory and any of cory's people that by some chance read this: this person and this site are behind you 100%- may 2006 be the year that the wrongs of 2002 are undone.

editor's note: the film is by marshall curry, you can check out his website here to find out more about the movie.

VivaTerra

vivaterra is a great online resource for those looking to outfit their homes in eco-style. founded in dedication to living in harmony with nature, vivaterra is committed to: ecology and elegance, organic sustainable sources, earth and people friendly products. i'm a big fan of their servingware (no, i can't get enough of that twig servingware, or the kiri wood trivets!), but they have a lot more to offer. check out their website right here.

bauerware

more fabulous tipoffs from lucky magazine- bauerware cabinet hardware is a fantastic online resource if you're looking for funky knobs and pulls. they don't have their full collection online, but they do have some great choices ready to be bought and sent via their online retail site. i'm a huge fan of their vintage knobs and contemporary pulls, but i'm sure there's something for everyone. some of them are a little kitschy (domino knobs? creepy baby head knobs?), but i'm sure someone could make them look just right. great choices for kids too. more info and the online shop right here.

secondhand rose

i love when i hear about stores in my own town that i've never visited. lucky magazine had a brief mention of secondhand rose in this month's issue, so i cruised on by their site for further investigation. their collection is pure wall-candy. they have the most fantastic collection of vintage wallpaper around.

secondhand rose carries a great collection of vintage wallpaper that is perfect for those looking for a way to add a little color and pattern to their home. while most of the patterns would be overhwhelming used on a whole room, i think all of them would look fabulous used in small sections: lining a closet (i hate colorless closets) or jewelry box, small squares used to make other pieces in a room pop and even bits for framing would be perfect. these patterns are definitely not for the faint of heart (some of them are a bit icky, but a ton are perfect for quirky apartment projects), but i'm sure they'll make someone giddy with wallpaper happiness. be sure to check out their mylar collection- it's gorgeous. more info on secondhand rose right here (pricing isn't on the site, but i'm betting there are affordable pieces available, as lucky doesn't tend to cover anything too ridiculously expensive. also, if you buy small pieces, most things are within reach.)

the other three r's

3r living is a fantastic eco site that has a whole slew of earth friendly products for sale. i've mentioned a lot of their products before, albeit in terms of the product's manufacturer, not the site, so i thought it was time to give the site a post of its own. plus, they're two avenues over from where i work- hooray for park slope!

3r living (reduce, reuse, recycle) carries everything from homegoods to pet and baby accessories. i'm a huge fan of their tableware collection (lots of acacia wood and recycled newspaper pieces) as well as their pet collection (who doesn't love hemp dog bones?), but really, they've got great pieces for any occasion. their collection of basics is pretty impressive- you can choose from a ton of serving trays, placemats, cups, bowls and glass objects, as well as a huge range of frames and vases.

you can find more information on 3r living right here. or if you're in brooklyn, stop on by their store at 276L 5th avenue (park slope).

earth goddess

man, i feel like i've been gone for months. i hope you all had fantastic 4th of july weekends and enjoyed your day off. ac and i had a blast in virginia and, aside from a horrendous travel experience yesterday, are back now, rested and tanned. so, that said...i'm back in the saddle again...

i'm just gonna dive right in because after a weekend at the beach, i'm feelin all things earthy and beachy. IIKH is a ny store that carries a whole bevy of great eco products. i'm gonna focus on the home stuff, but if you're looking for body and bath products, they've got what you need on that end too.

IIKH is located on west 17th street in ny, but they've got a great little online boutique too (not super slick looking, but it works just fine). in my opinion, the cream of the iikh crop is the tableware collection. i saw a pair of enamel serving tongs they carry in lucky magazine this weekend and just had to check out the rest of the goods. from mirrors and placemats to seating cubes and glasses, IIKH has the whole earthy look down pat. everything they carry oozes eco-ness and brings nature right into your home. most of their products are wooden or are made of a natural material- they're really great pieces for bringing a bit of the outside in. while the prices range from affordable to down right outrageous, there are plenty of pieces you can pick up that won't break the bank. my favorite pieces range from around $15 to $100.

you can find more info on all things IIKH right here. thanks to lucky magazine for pointing out their great enamel serving tongs.