pennywise design

Bazaar Bizarre

2006-11-29T17:33:00.000-05:00

If you're in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston or Cleveland in December, support independent crafters and score gifts that aren't boring at the annual Bazaar Bizarre, your consummate anti-mall holiday shopping destination. Don't miss awesome Akron-based t-shirt designers Campfire (in Cleveland on Dec. 2).

Gingerbread house kit!

2006-11-16T21:58:00.000-05:00

Only $9.99 from Linens 'n Things.

Cards cards cards

2006-11-16T21:05:00.000-05:00

I'll admit, I haven't sent out Christmas cards for the past few years. But since I'll be spending the holidays with Frank and his family in New York this year, I knew I needed to find some special ones for my friends and family at home. I already bought some from Sidepony, and I have an idea I'll use to make a few of my own as well. Here are some of the most fabulous cards I've come across so far.

From Broadway Paper:

From Bella Muse:

From Tennis, Anyone?

From Two Piglets:

From Elum:

From Dear Olive:

From Hello Lucky:

From Flying Cats and Cars:

From Super Industrial Love:

One week till holiday time!

2006-11-15T19:56:00.000-05:00

Yes, it was the super, extra-extended edition of my vacation in Florida (actually mostly in NYC where I was being lazy), but now I'm finally getting back into the swing of things. Today at work while compiling some boring lists for next week, it caught me completely off guard to realize that next Thursday the 23rd is Thanksgiving. It just doesn't seem right. I'd been researching all the latest holiday decor and cards online lately, thinking how I shouldn't be bothering with this stuff yet, but alas. Stopped into Pier 1 the other day to peruse their holiday collection, and the store looked awesome. I wanted a million things (especially the non-Christmasy Aegean enamel swirl vase -- much nicer in person), but somehow managed to just leave with a pair of neat mod oval ornaments in red and clear, a taper candle and holder set on sale and a white porcelain caddy for five bucks.

Last night, checked Target's Red Hot Shop, not expecting too much, when what do I find? Patterns of swirling snowflakes, leaves, deer and birds that were instantly recognizable as Tord Boontje, who indeed has designed a bunch of holiday stuff for them! Nicole, have you seen this? It's crazy how many high-profile designers are teaming up with the mass discount retailers these days. I dig the red acrylic/metal candelabra so much...unfortunately it's currently sold out. I'm also a fan of this Tord multi-colored dinnerware. Very affordable at $15.99-24.99 a set.

Off to Florida

2006-10-11T14:42:00.000-04:00

I'm about to head out the door for the airport to start my vacation. Be back early next week! ;)

New at Zid Zid Kids

2006-10-11T11:19:00.000-04:00

Zid Zid Kids has such incredible things for children, I think if I had my own I'd be buying up their store. I really can't say enough about their stuff. It looks like Zid Zid's in the process of updating their site from last year's catalog, but a bunch of beautiful new animal cushions, blankets and "poofs" (now in leather) have landed at Design Public. I think the owl can pass as "grown up," can't it?

Zid Zid's vibrant, imaginative designs remind me of the carnivalesque streets of Marrakech -- the city to which its founders Julie Klear and Moulay Essakalli moved from Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2003. Moulay is a RISD-trained graphic designer and Moroccan native; Julie has exhibited her art in multiple American museums, and has 15 years’ experience teaching art to children.

Lil' lamps

2006-10-10T23:35:00.000-04:00

I love the silhouette of this midget Lykta lamp Ikea introduced recently. The shade is made of glass, too -- neat. And not hard to justify buying considering they're only $12.99 each. These are little guys measuring 11 inches tall. The green, blue and white lamps are available online, but the red one is available only in stores.

What a rock

2006-10-10T17:38:00.000-04:00

These hand hewn soap rocks from Auto are like museum-worthy chunks of gemstone. Extra long-lasting, they say.

Nothing's dreary at Mixko

2006-10-10T12:27:00.000-04:00

Mixko Design is the British team Nahoko Koyama and Alex Garnett, who make an interesting and quirky range of furniture, clothing, and accessories. Grace at Design*Sponge wrote about their new lighting collection earlier this year. Browsing through their gallery, I immediately loved the handbags and jewelry...the "Every cloud has a silver lining bag" is so much fun. The "Clam" bag with detachable corsage is very British and elegant. I adore their felt flower and butterfly rings!

Somebody leave the light on...

2006-10-10T00:35:00.000-04:00

Twinkling miniature lights have a way of making a space instantly inviting. Obviously, less is more, and they've got to be hung right to avoid looking too "luau at the RV", but it doesn't have to be that hard to pull off. There are god-knows-how-many online retailers selling every kind of string light, from NFL helmets and gnomes to delicate Japanese lanterns. How awesome are these Wizard of Oz ruby slippers?

If you're looking for some wackier ones yet, kickstart your party with groovy Airstream trailer lights, or maybe some mini red lanterns...or if you get hungry, you'll be set with these BBQ buddies.

PartyLights.com is a great resource for string lights -- dig these yarn balls.

The baroque! Brocade Home

2006-10-09T21:20:00.000-04:00

Brocade Home was launched as a new brand by Restoration Hardware just a couple of months ago. Apartment Therapy wrote about it here and here. There is no actual store (yet) and the website only allows you to page through the catalog. Anyway, I got my second catalog in the mail the other day. Personally, I'm not a huge fan, but I know a lot of people are head over heels for it. For me, it's a little too European baroque castle with a moat and a ghost or two. Lots of massive tufted headboards. Lots of curlicues and wallpaper jacquard upholstery and curve back chairs. Lots of heavy mirrors, sconces and inordinately long taper candles. Lots of crushed velvet. Colors all very rich. Romantic and pretty, true, but not my idea of simplicity and comfort.

Bizarrely, the catalog shows these extremely low-hanging chandeliers all over the place...like, no more than a foot above the bed or a few inches from the floor...All I could think about was that people in earthquake-prone California would be screwed. Nevertheless, the chandeliers themselves were actually some of the pieces I liked best. Not budget buys but too cheap for a real castle dweller to buy (The ones pictured below run $199-$499.) This chair with lovely peony jacquard upholstery against that chocolate bedding is starting to grow on me, too.

A couple of other highlights were these upholstered circles in teal crushed velvet (nice and simple) and a gorgeous set of green and espresso glass taper holders.

Whiskas cat bed

2006-10-08T20:49:00.003-04:00

Our cat Joey would so love this. It seems that all the UK online retailers are currently sold out of it, but hopefully they'll re-stock. It's about $50.

My baby!

Up To You

2006-10-08T15:13:00.000-04:00

I feel about the Toronto store Up To You kind of like how I did when I first saw Tom Hanks dancing on that light-up floor keyboard in the movie Big. I haven't visited Toronto in ages, but when I go back I will not be missing this candy store for adults who love witty design. Fortunately, Up To You has an online shop filled with all kinds of awesomeness.

cookie shelf mug

cake candle holder, flashlight candle

hello napkins, pigeon light

The Good Book flask

2006-10-06T16:13:00.000-04:00

OK, so this is kind of funny. A new arrival at British design team Suck UK's site is this stainless steel flask concealed in a hardback "biblical" case. Personally, I've never understood the need for flasks, but every dude I know seems to own one. So here you go if you're looking for one with a twist. (FYI: £15 = $28, and they do ship overseas)

Crewel pillows at Jonathan Adler

2006-10-06T11:46:00.000-04:00

New crewel pillows have landed at Jonathan Adler. Wasn't sure exactly what crewel was, so I went to Wikipedia which told me that it's a wool used in an embroidery technique that is at least a thousand years old. Crewel wool is fine and can be strongly twisted.

I love the contradiction of the wool and linen with the sharp, symmetrical mod patterns in muted oranges and greens. The rustic fabrics are softening, not folksy here -- this is one sophisticated set of pillows. There's a crewel table runner, too!

Cute piggy banks

2006-10-05T22:08:00.000-04:00

Dimes, nickels, pennies -- never enough quarters -- are found not so much in my purse as all over my apartment, and I usually don't know how or why any of it got there. It may be that I'm in need of a piggy bank. New for fall at NotNeutral is this handsome black-and-white trio ($26/ea.)

Shiver me timbers, it's Otter Otto

2006-10-05T16:41:00.000-04:00

Otter Otto's jewelry reminds me of a super-futuristic, stylin' Swiss Family Robinson. My pair of faux woodgrain pirate ship earrings came in the mail the other day, and I can't take my ears off them. They're very well-made 2-inch acrylic discs with vinyl decals of an original drawing, hung by sterling silver earwires. Behind Otter Otto is the creative mind of Donna Soo of Texas, who has designed three dream-like collections: Time and Space, Milo's Glen and The Snowflake Factory. Read about them for yourself here. Now I just wish I had a giant treehouse. [The fab indie shopping blog Modish is where I found Otter Otto, so thank you!]

Floating bookshelves

2006-10-05T14:55:00.001-04:00

Nicole sent me a link via Gothamist about an interesting concept: books as shelves. You can get your literal bookshelves at the Park Slope shop Cog and Pearl and also at the not-quite-yet launched Curiosity Shoppe Online. They can hold up to five pounds. Or, if you have a favorite book you want converted into a shelf, contact Ezra Waltermaurer at Little Fish Furniture. I'm trying to decide which vintage books I'd choose myself...hmm. Maybe The Grapes of Wrath, Jane Eyre and The Once and Future King. (I have my high school English teachers, Mrs. Simmelink and Mrs. Stuckey, to thank for that list.)

Chiasso has another do-it-yourself stackable version for just $15. Secure a large hardcover into the shelf bracket and add a stack of books. Small rivets hold the hardcover in place so the bottom becomes the shelf. I think it looks fabulous.

Christmas cards already?

2006-10-04T12:13:00.000-04:00

I'm basking in the 70-degree sun through the windows of my office today in New York, but Christmas 2006 will be sure to sneak up on me defiantly, like each one of my post-25 birthdays. Cards that aren't boring below -- even if you aren't thinking about buying any till the wind blows straight through the sheets of the calendar to December. Oh, and the card above is by Fred Flare. Inside reads: "Pez on Earth" Indeed.

I think I'm in love with Yee-Haw Industries, a designer of some lovely, lovely Appalachian-themed letterpress posters, prints and fine art. Their cards on extra thick kraft stock can be sent as post cards, too. Dig the banjo-playing Santa and snowmen.

These crack me up: The coal card at Greer Chicago, the caroling robot, reinbot and snowbot sets from Whirr, and all of the new holiday cards at Sidepony, but that's no surprise.

Southern stationery company Night Owl Paper Goods is not to be missed. Their designs are absolutely some of the most gorgeous I've seen. Check out their holiday cards here.

And finally, a couple of cute new cards have landed on Dear Monday's site. Dusted with Swarovski crystals and $5 each, these are for the ones you want to impress.

Rugs that look like cold cuts

2006-09-28T18:03:00.000-04:00

I don't speak German and I don't know how much these cost, but I don't care. Anyone that makes rugs that look like cold cuts deserves some props. From what I can tell (and I can't tell very much as the site isn't translated), these rugs resembling salami, bierschinken, mortadella and blutwurst are a project of some crazy minds at Flachbild in Köln. Even if it gives the impression of a joke, these rugs are actually quite striking on their own. I'm a fan of the bierschinken! So the next time someone tells you Germans don't have a sense of humor, refer them to www.wurstteppich.de.

Well, I'm headed home to Cleveland in the morning for a wedding- and amusement park-packed long weekend. Be back on Tuesday!

Rug crush

2006-09-28T15:26:00.000-04:00

Aerial view of Stockholm, maybe? No clue, but it looks interesting. I'd love to have one like this of Cleveland. This cotton handwoven Ikea PS Gylsboda rug is $49.99 at Ikea, natch.

A few more standouts I noticed browsing the Ikea site, all for under $300: the Ikea PS in a vibrant dark red. Love the Spirograph-iness of it. And new on the site are the stunning Andrea Rund and Andrea Cirkel rugs, designed by Jon Eliason. The burnt sienna/white color combo and chunky swirl pattern of the Rund rug are fab, and same goes for the Cirkel's purple ink and gold geometric petals. Definite attention-getters.

I dig this teal and cream starburst Malou bathmat for $9.99.

Super Industrial Love

2006-09-28T01:01:00.001-04:00

Super Industrial Love is the super creation of Dan Pongallo, an artist based in my hometown of Cleveland. These cards are awesome and so very wrong. As the artist notes on his site: "Send them to people you want to cherish or deeply offend." There are many more hysterical cards on his site, so check 'em. Only $2.50 each!

The Collection

2006-09-26T23:58:00.000-04:00

If you want to see some enthralling design from overseas, head to The Collection. Three years ago, out of a desire to showcase the work of (largely unknown) British designers in France, Allison Grant opened a boutique in Paris. The Collection has since expanded to include designers from across Europe and they just opened an online store this past summer. Hurray! Grant describes The Collection's objects and images, such as an ironing board cover, velvety flowers, a paper clock, a creeping bookshelf, as "not here to impress but to seduce." She says, "We're not in awe of them. This makes for natural integration in our environment and easy companionship."

Most of The Collection's products are a bit on the expensive side, especially considering hefty international shipping costs, so I'm including only some of the lower-cost items here. It's so worth checking out everything, though.

These are the most bewitching tea (a.k.a. dish) towels I think I've ever seen. Such a great gift!

There are some clever key holders out there lately, but nothing I've seen comes close to this one. The circles are made of velcro! And it comes with five matching velcro keyrings. Love it.

Grace has a poll on Design*Sponge on whether the wall vinyl trend has reached the point of overkill. I totally get where she's coming from, even though I can't get enough of the stickers myself. Maybe it's because sometimes, some jaw-dropping designs come along that make the trend seem entirely fresh. An example of this would be the very sophisticated, very Euro stickers from The Collection.

If the idea of creating a photo wall in your house or apartment is intimidating, these flocked frames could be the answer. I love the fact that they look so dramatic and unique while cutting out the need to buy tons of individual frames, not to mention having to coordinate them all.

Modern hourglasses

2006-09-26T21:28:00.000-04:00

Not sure I'd ever use them, but I love to look at these hourglasses from CB2 ($29.95/ea.) The sands trickle down in one hour exactly. Much sleeker than those little plastic ones that come with your board games. There's a wealth of beautiful, more traditional, sand timers at T. & K. Young, and an interesting history of the hourglass here.

Calling all young designers

2006-09-26T17:51:00.000-04:00

Metropolis 2007 Next Generation® Design Competition!
ENTER ONLINE

The 2007 Next Generation® Design Competition prize will finance the development of a bright idea that focuses on ENERGY, its uses, reduction, consumption, efficiencies, and alternatives.

Win $10,000 for your design idea! Now in its fourth year, the Next Generation® design competition recognizes design innovation on all scales--from the efficient desk lamp to the innovative city neighborhood plan, and everything in between. The competition is open to young designers in practice 10 years or less; including CAD monkeys in large offices, design students, independent firms or individuals. On your own or in teams we invite you to submit work on urban plans, buildings, interiors, products, landscapes or communications design. The winner will receive $10,000 seed money to realize his or her idea, and will be featured in Metropolis magazine. Runners up will also receive full coverage to empower the next generation of design.

Questions? Contact: Kimberly Taylor at 212-886-2538 or ktaylor@Metropolismag.com

The fantastic Serious Gnome

2006-09-26T16:04:00.000-04:00

I first found out about Serious Gnome on Design*Sponge and immediately fell in love. The small Vancouver-based design studio makes these totally lovely, offbeat wall plaques that look like the kind found in homes in the '30s and '40s, but modernized 'n glamourized. Check out the entire collection here. Each plaque, handmade by two partners, is roughly eight to nine inches in diameter and weighs about three pounds. Hang them on their own or arrange in pairs or clusters or grids. I have my eye on the gem one!

New for fall! This cupcake plaque is an exclusive design distributed by Nest.

Framing posters = a pain

2006-09-25T20:04:00.000-04:00

Problem: Unframed Posters

Solution: Poster Hangers

My Dad got me the two prints pictured up top for Christmas last year, and they've sat rolled up atop our armoire ever since, collecting dust like the pants that don't fit me anymore in my closet. I've been talking about getting these prints, which I love, up on our walls forever, but I don't have a tube in which to transport them or know a framer anywhere in my neighborhood. Or, it could be that I don't want to pay the $150 (thereabouts) to have them framed. Then I saw these poster hangers by Jørgen Møller on Rare Device for $20. There are more sizes available on Posterhanger, btw. Looks like an easy solution to me! The kit comes with two black rubber-ended aluminum bars (in black or silver), six clips and a nail. Slide the clips on the poster, slide the clips into the bars and you're done.

An ode to real letters

2006-09-21T22:33:00.000-04:00

As a follow up to yesterday, today's post is devoted to the beauty that is notecards and stationery. There is just way too much good stuff out there. When I was in elementary school, my friends and I seriously lived for stationery as we did for The Babysitters Club and figure skating. Lisa Frank and Suzy's Zoo were our faves. Kellee, Tina, Emily and I lived no more than a few streets apart, but we used up our moms' stamps like crazy sending off constant letters to each other. Ha!

A few nights ago, I was rummaging through a box of old college stuff, and came across a bunch of letters my friends and family had hand-written me in the mid-late '90's, before we were all glued to the Internerd. So before cards and letters go the way of the banana clip, please take a look at these.

Dog & Pony Show's designs are so wonderful I don't even know where to start. Cali-based Dog & Pony Show is the brainchild of Melissa Altman and the supremely talented painter Jen Garrido (definitely check out her work).

Lovely notepads!

One Good Bumblebee (Katey Nicosia of Dallas, Texas) makes my bunsen burn. Love her sense of humor! By the way, Katey also runs the fantastic shopping/design blog That's Hot.

Milky Elephant's Pee-Mail stationery set for $7, complete with yellow pen. Insane. I love it.

Found some really beautiful stationery and cards on Distinct Mink's Etsy shop. Don't the patterns look like velvet? All of her designs are hand-rendered and printed from her letterpress. Below are the black cherry stationery and the chocolate sky card. p.s. Her beer and steak wrapping paper rocks.

Seamripper is adorable. A small shop "run by Kathleen in Chicago," there isn't much for sale -- but what is there is delightful. Like this autumn notepad available from her Etsy shop for $7. I keep finding myself back on her site just to look around.

Of course you can depend on Fred Flare to have something ridiculously fun, like a Nintendo mushroom letter set. My 10 (or 29)-year-old heart would have pitter pattered.

Anti-Hallmark cards

2006-09-20T14:46:00.000-04:00

Shopping the greeting card aisle at Walgreens is like watching nothing but Lifetime Television when you have a free subscription to HBO On Demand. There's a mind-boggling array of gorgeous, imaginative handmade greetings to be hoarded online (or in the shops where they're available). They really don't cost that much more than your Shoebox throwaway variety, and many times, less. Instead of running to the drugstore and scribbling out your birthday/baby shower/wedding well wishes in the car on the way to the event, buy a bunch online a little bit in advance, and you'll always be prepared. 16 Sparrows is an excellent place to start!

One of my absolute favorite card designers is Olga Krigman of O Plus D. Her petite cards brilliantly combine everyday language and expressions with uncluttered, witty design. O Plus D is the reason you become a greeting card packrat and five years later, don't regret it.

I recently stumbled upon and was wowed by the hand-printed greeting card maker Tall Cow. Artist/designer Deanna Ebner began creating linoleum block printed cards for her co-workers at an East Village restaurant to rave responses, and in 2004, Tall Cow was born.

It's a tough task finding cards much cooler than Sidepony's. The outrageously crafty Kimberly Dawn Robertson is a master of attractive design, feminist humor and hilarious retro themes (especially the '80s). L.A.-based Robertson runs this operation with her family out of their Koreatown apartment, and the word is getting out with help from glowing reviews in the press. Sidepony goods are carried in over 40 shops now -- check the list here.

Compartmentalized soup & sandwich

2006-09-20T09:39:00.000-04:00

Seventies-style soup and sandwich plate. In ceramic. $15 from Uncommon Goods. Yessssssssss.

Happiness is cake

2006-09-19T17:26:00.001-04:00

I've never used a cake stand before, but I kind of want one now. They make pretty cakes look that much more delectable. Like the '50s feel and pastels of this Playing House series from sought after tableware designer Rosanna Bowles. (The butter yellow one is on sale at Give Simple, btw.) And these Pot Luck dessert plates, also by Rosanna, are too cute. Old-fashioned recipes rock.

For a more mod look, French Bull -- the awesome plate designer -- makes this very stylish multi dot cake platter for $36.

Aesthetically, this set from Wrapables (lots of Wrapables love lately!) has a more classic appeal. Much as I loved my plaid on one side/denim on the other reversible jacket in 6th grade, I can appreciate this cake stand for its clever versatility. Three in one, people. On sale for $39.99.

Enjoy your cake (click for recipe)!

Back from AC

2006-09-19T01:48:00.000-04:00

I spent the past two days not gambling but having fun in Atlantic City. Our friend Nicole got sucked into the three card poker vortex, so in between stints of watching her, Molly taught me how to play blackjack. (By the way, Molly has a crazy story about being mistaken for a card shark at the Paris hotel in Vegas -- read it here -- scroll down to May 24th). So, in honor of my trip I'm posting these poker dishes ($18.95) from Wrapables. Cute housewarming gift.

Three campers shared a sense of humor...

2006-09-15T15:29:00.000-04:00

and a passion for art and a love for typography. They wanted to wear their hearts on their sleeves. They hoped you might wear them too.

The president of The Beer Club (an exclusive organization I belong to;), Kim, is friends with one of the guys who started up this staggeringly cool new t-shirt company called Campfire that you must check out. Kim even surprised us each with a sweet "Beer:30" shirt that describes our coterie to a T. They'll have a booth at Atlantic Antic in Brooklyn this Sunday the 17th, so stop by if you're in the city!

I'm excited about Campfire for the following reasons: 1.) They're from Akron, and their Ohio-themed shirts are the best I've ever seen. By far. All love for things Round on the end and HI in the middle. 2.) Their designs/typography are kick-ass. 3.) Yes, everyone loves a New Jersey girl, but Campfire's take on state and regional pride is actually witty, original and at many points, hysterically funny. 4.) The shirts are $17 and the girls shirts are scoop-neck, not boys style.

Campfire's entire website is in Flash, so I'm not able to link to individual shirts or site sections here. Must.see.the Ralphie one. and Mary Lou. And make sure to check the "City Series" -- Metropolis Magazine features this line in the October issue out now. Also, looking forward to the "Get Nostalgic" series whenever it lands.

And finally, I present one of Campfire's true gems. I died laughing the first time I saw this. If you're from the Cleveland area, you know who these two guys are and you're probably giggling at this right now. So. genius.

More! bedding

2006-09-15T13:57:00.000-04:00

Brand new on Ikea's site are a feast-for-the-eyes, easy-on-the-wallet pair of quilt covers and pillowcases. I love, love the of-the-moment peacock blue shade of the Hanna Blom set.

Urban Outfitters has this new bird snake pattern that I think I really like...

I just learned about Victoria's Secret's recently (or maybe not that recently) launched line called Pink, aimed at college kids. Naturally, since I just graduated OU in 1999, I had to have a look. The pink toile print/black-and-white stripes of this reversible comforter is the cat's pajamas. My boyfriend would not be having it.

Here we have a new wildflower duvet for about $100 from "affordable luxury" standby West Elm that reminds me greatly of Amenity Home's prints. Nature motifs abound.

The unmistakable texture of West Elm's mod pod quilt & shams totally brings me back to the '80s. I think just about every blanket in our house had that stitching.

Bedding!

2006-09-14T22:52:00.000-04:00

I can't believe I've already worn my black leather jacket (with scarf) twice. The mind deceives. I was convinced that buttery thick, jungle heat would never let up until October. But now we're almost onto flannel sheets and space heaters. I haven't come up with a sure bedroom look yet for our house, but I (along with a lot of other people these days) would happily settle for designing it around pretty much any one of the bedding sets from Amenity Home. Pricey but amazing.

Fall bedding collections are making their way onto the "what's new" sections of websites, and there's much to be found and decided upon and curled up under. Inhabit's Luna in Taupe collection: loveliness.

Garnet Hill's got some of the neatest patterns and widest variety around. I was particularly fond of the In a New York Minute and Paris Percale sheets. And this Yo-Yo flannel is so cheery I'd like to wake up wrapped in it on a dreary morning like tomorrow. Personally, for the first two patterns I'd probably just opt for the sheets and/or pillowcases, and stick with a solid-colored duvet (or vice versa) to emphasize the charm and tone down the busyness. Though I don't know, sometimes going for it all can be a knockout.

I feel like a spinster shopping on dELiA*s site, but who am I kidding? I love all things appled and dotted and rainbowed. At this rate, mentally, I'll still be prime teen target market material when I'm 45. Here are some cute Apple Dot and Flower Star sheets.

Funky fish homes

2006-09-08T16:48:00.000-04:00

I just bought this nifty wall-mounted fishbowl from Mod Livin', and can't wait to get a fishie or two. Looks like Target has a similar version for $19.99. I'm happy to support the independent, Denver-based Mod Livin', though. Important: bettas thrive best in smaller aquariums and bowls (1-5 gallons). Contrary to popular belief, goldfish and tetras should have at least 10 gallons of water to live in.

Apparently vintage Apple Macintosh acquariums -- Macquariums, as techies call them -- go for around $300. OpOrb has come to the rescue and introduced a do-it-yourself kit for just $40. It comes with the Macintosh classic computer case already gutted out and complete instructions. You'll have to get some items from a hardware store to complete the aquarium, but it'll still be cheap (and the end product totally worth it). p.s. OpOrb also has some great retro modern decor for sale (ashtrays, glass art, vases, etc.)

Before:

After:

Calliope, a woman-owned boutique that carries so many lovely things, has this stylin' mod fish bowl for $49. Available in four different colors.

Spotted this hilarious office-themed fish tank on the Fred Flare site the other day. Target has the same one (same price), by the way.

Frivilous fun

2006-09-07T23:36:00.000-04:00

It's almost Friday, and I'm still recovering from Labor Day weekend. It was super hectic playing tourguide to family visiting me from Cleveland, but we had a blast. Here is my 10-year-old stepsister, Andrea, attempting to use chopsticks for the first time at our lunch at Congee Village in the Lower East Side.

She tried desperately to copy my chopstick technique, but her fingers seemed too small to grip the sticks correctly. So, I thought of her when I came across these cool spring-loaded clothespin chopsticks from Chiasso, made for kids and beginners. May be a neat Christmas gift.

The invasion of the fortune cookie continues. The key to these beautifully designed placecard holders is that they're multipurpose. When you're not having a party, use them to hold photos or notes or to decorate your tabletop.

Another find from Chiasso: this Color Calm DVD. Watch technicolor clouds floating across your TV along with 180 minutes of relaxing tunes. Or put it on mute and play your own.

Vintage Olympics posters

2006-09-01T17:24:00.000-04:00

It's Friday afternoon and everyone's gone home for the long, rainy weekend. Before I check out, I thought I'd post some vintage Olympics posters. It's not even Olympics season, but ever since I watched Katarina Witt win the gold on TV in '84, my passion for the Games has burned year-round. The aesthetic of these are (sadly) SO much more appealing than any of those of the more recent Olympics. See a full list of the official Olympic posters here.

These are guaranteed authentic posters, available through this eBay store.

The Sports Warehouse has a good selection of reprints for $24.95 each. I can't decide which one I like best. Tokyo '64? Maybe I'll do a collage of some sort. Hmm...yes.

Teal craze

2006-09-01T00:16:00.000-04:00

My Pier 1 fall catalog arrived in the mail today, and I have to say I really like the centerpiece collection, scalandia. Teal everywhere -- a nice contrast with the streamlined blond woods of the furniture, taking a cue from mid-century Danish design. I'm also fond of the twisted shelves, but the site's shot of it isn't the best (much better in the catalog). And I think these Aegean enamel swirl vases are gorgeous finds for $30.

Other lines: tahoe...rich, autumnal browns and oranges and cozy shag rugs, all very lodge-inspired. The new urbania collection struck me as a little blah, except for the sophisticated vintage look of this calmont vanilla seating. The east village line is '50's/'60's chic (hole vases and lamps, wave patterns), but nothing really new here, though I covet the savion onyx mirror, also pictured below.

I love anything rainbowy, so these vertical dots pillows from the cape town collection caught my eye. Oh, and check out the 5-piece tri-color tea set for only 15 bucks. Not bad.

Some of my favorites below!

Paint it gold

2006-08-30T22:50:00.000-04:00

My fabulous friend Nicole is renovating her apartment, and she recently got a hold of a can of gold spray paint. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when she said she was developing a spray paint addiction. But Nic is known amongst all of our friends for having impeccable taste, so I shouldn't have doubted the results would be completely fantastic. This really is a great idea if you have some old knick-knacks or trinkets lying around that you're not sure what to do with. I think the key is to keep the size of the stuff you want to paint on the small side, otherwise it could be overkill. This is pure turning trash into treasure. Here is her handiwork.

Rachael Ray cookware

2006-08-30T22:27:00.000-04:00

Stainless steel is nice, but '70's orange is better. This Rachael Ray enamel cookware from Linens 'n Things is simple yet stylish. The 10-piece set is $150 and will hopefully last you until orange goes out of style and comes back in fashion again, twice.

Global obsession

2006-08-30T13:55:00.000-04:00

I've had a thing for globes since I was a little kid. We kept my mom's desk globe in the basement of our house growing up. It was from the '50's and terribly outdated, so I'd magic marker out the names of countries that didn't exist anymore and write in the new ones in tiny print. My dad would spin the globe around and wherever my finger stopped on it, was the country we talked about next. He quizzed me so often on the state capitals that I've never forgotten them.

I have a distinct memory of being awake at night in my bed, dreaming up how my house would look when I was grown up. The best room I could ever imagine would be completely wallpapered with a giant map. The ceiling would be painted like the sky. And in the room would sit an antique globe in an impressive mahogany stand. I could sit there in my egg chair and plot my next adventure, touching my fingers over the raised relief landforms and smooth blue oceans.

My dad gave me a beautiful standing globe for Christmas about 4 years ago. I've had nowhere to put it in my NYC apartments, unfortunately, but can't wait to finally display it when I move into a house this spring!

Lately, I've been wondering what modern globes were out there aside from the traditional oak knobbed and curlicued kind. I came across this company called Artline, whose acrylic designs are pretty stunning. These are not cookie cutter globes. From what they describe, an incredible amount of work and skill goes into making each one. A few good places to buy their globes (and others) are via The Globe Store (great prices), The World Globe Superstore and All Modern Furniture.

I'm digging these globes by Italian designers Nova Rico. They've been pioneers in globemaking since 1955. Nice, clean lines, and reasonable prices.

Here's the striking silver and black Mikado, made for Chicago's Replogle Globes in Denmark. Also on Replogle, you can find out how old your globe is.

This Plant-It-Earth globe by Artline rocks. Create your own terrarium or fill them with candy.

Hmm...I think I could definitely start a globes-only blog. Here's one last one to sate me for now, the transparent Simplicity Globe by Danish designer Henrik Tengler. It's a bit steep for me at about $176, but it's a headturner for sure.

Porcelain shrooms

2006-08-29T22:25:00.000-04:00

There may indeed be a mushroom trend popping up, as noted by Holly of the wonderful blog Decor8. Normally I'm not a big fan of knick-knack-type things, but these porcelain mushrooms from The Well Dressed Home are so delicate. I think they'd add a sophisticated, earthy touch to a dining or living space. They'd look beautiful against a wooden surface, atop a bit of colorful cloth, or as WDH suggests, in a potted plant.

Thomas Paul at Bluefly

2006-08-29T16:44:00.000-04:00

I was a little surprised to find that Bluefly, known for its discounted designerwear, even had a house & home shop, let alone contain so many things I wanted to snatch right up. For instance, gorgeous satin twill pillows from Thomas Paul's current collection. At 40% off, you'd think this was T.J. Maxx. Paul says on his website: "The twill collection is about exploring different design styles throughout history -- art deco, art nouveau, 60's pop art, 70's minimalism, baroque, whatever. Anything is fair game. The key is reinterpreting these designs from disparate periods into a unique style and pulling them all together in a coordinated color palette that works with today's interiors."

New Ikea shades

2006-08-28T23:35:00.000-04:00

How I wish I lived near Ikea. So much of their merchandise is not available online. Sometimes, all a dull room needs are some interesting lampshades to change your mind about it. And they're almost always a very cheap, painless approach to brightening up a room. Ikea has a smattering of new patterns, including the fetching retro Kålsta line.

A party in the rain

2006-08-28T13:58:00.000-04:00

It's a Monday in late August, and it feels exactly like April. But I won't focus on the rain, instead I'll think about getting off work on a Friday night, with the whole weekend ahead of me. My family is coming to visit me in New York very soon, and I realized I'm way short on serving pieces. I've been hunting online, and have found so many that are appealing I have no idea where to start. Like this ceramic white daisy chip and dip server for $25, from UncommonGoods.

When I lived in Greenwich Village, I used to pass by this neat little kitschy shop with a crazy name, Mxyplyzyk. If you're ever in that neighborhood, stop in -- everything is amazingly unique. I'm pretty sure Sarah Jessica Parker used to shop there on Sex and the City. The tampopo sectional plates (scroll over to the right) are retro-Japanese-pastel loveliness.

It's not hard to appreciate the look and character of good old vinyl LPs. Brooklynite Jeff Davis was clever enough to think of a way to save them from the landfill. Check out some awesome records-turned-housewares from his line, Vinylux, available at Elsewares.

Here's a supercute Monopoly serving tray from one of my favorite sites, Wrapables, and matching Utilities appetizer plates. So funny. My mom would love this popcorn-print snack bowl from a novelty site called Baron Bob. Totally worth it for $11.95. Wrapables also has this adorable condiment tray that fits around the umbrella of your picnic table.

If you're in the mood for something a little more sleek, CB2 has a beautiful stainless steel bowl for $19.95 that looks like sculpture.

Target's Mass Transit line

2006-08-26T12:49:00.000-04:00

Was browsing Target's site, when some new items from their Mass Transit collection jumped out at me. I like this line -- sweet bus shower curtain! -- because it's vibrant, fun, and a step up from the generic NYC-themed stuff you see ev-ery-where. I can see similar items going for so much more at high-end stores.

The boomerang vase

2006-08-25T00:47:00.000-04:00

Now this is a vase that warrants comment. I absolutely love the witty, modern shape. Not surprisingly, it's from Japan, and you can get it for $35 via Realm Dékor.

Domino bazaar

2006-08-24T22:26:00.000-04:00

Ahhhhhhh! I just found out I will miss the first ever Domino Bazaar on Oct. 13-14 in New York. I'll be Disneying out in Orlando with my family -- we're taking our little stepbrother and sister. I will be having so much fun that I won't remember the Domino event, but I'll have to make it to the next one of these things. Looks like it'll be a huge hit.

Speaking of my lil' stepsiblings, I've been finding THE cutest fabrics for kids. If I had children, I'd be going crazy trying to decide which of these neat patterns to use in their rooms.

Retrodepot is one of my favorite spots in which to ogle adorable fabrics.

A CB2 rave

2006-08-24T14:07:00.000-04:00

CB2 got it right with this new trio of vases: Olivia ($19.95), Jordan ($29.95) and Morgan ($14.95). Add any of their breezy botanicals, and you have the perfect modern centerpiece.

I have to give it to CB2. I ordered a faux botanical piece and this mercer frame last week. The fake leaf was larger than expected but, it makes me smile and I think it will totally work in a vase in my living room. However, the frame was a little troublesome. I couldn't seem to fit the backing into the right groove on the wood, and the pressure I applied caused the glass to break. This happened within five minutes of me taking the frame out of the box, so obviously I was not too happy. I carried the unwieldy package with broken glass and all back to work today, expecting to spend my lunch break in line at the post office returning it.

But I decided to call CB2 first, and wow, am I glad I did! I easily got a live person on the phone who simply asked for my order number and if I wanted a replacement for the damaged merchandise. "Sure!" I said. Then came this shocker. She politely informed me: "You don't have to return it to us, we'll just send you a new one." What?! Maybe this is standard practice for plenty of other retailers, god bless them, but I don't know of any. If you do, please let me know!

I learned that CB2 knows how to please their customers. Even if their goods aren't always the picture of perfection, what does it matter with that kind of golden service? So, I will be back, browsing their little marvel of a catalog and clicking "add to cart" many times to come.

Pop Ink plates

2006-08-23T22:34:00.000-04:00

Hmm....I am tempted to go for fun, whimsical plates over the predictable grown-up variety. These melamine beauties are from Pop Ink, available on the excellent independent art & design site Elsewares. The Seattle-based store Velocity also has a great Pop Ink selection.

Wall art forever

2006-08-23T13:38:00.000-04:00

Stencils have been all the rage for a while now, and I'm not still not tired of 'em. Urban Outfitters has a bunch of reusable "graffiti" stencils from Brooklyn-based Stencil1 for just 10 bucks. They can be used on any surface you can paint, so you can go nuts with them. Check out the other nifty designs available on Stencil1's site.

While I'm on the wall art tip, Urban has these colorful jungle vinyl decals I'm in love with by French designers Ich & Kar (of the Paris company Domestic) for at least $25 cheaper than anywhere I've seen on the web.

I'm seriously contemplating getting this arborescence vynil set by François Azambourg. Adore the negative space.

If you're looking for more wall art, Blik and Wallter are where it's at. Wallter is known for its wall slats, and Blik for its decals. What's so great about slats, decals, vinyl, et al. is that besides being spectacularly appealing, they're child's play to put up. If I have a room painted in boring white, let's say, it takes only a few minutes to mount these self-adhesive wonders on the wall, and my space is instantly transformed.

And one less room to paint or, god forbid, wallpaper, is a very, very good thing. For a stark reminder of this, I read the MySpace blog of my good friend, Nicole, who is currently in the process of removing the drop ceiling of her living room and painting the entire room by herself. She says she is starting to feel "like death warmed over," and I feel for her. When all is said and done, I wonder if she'll ever be able to face a can of paint again.

Wall art, you are a lifesaver. Below, the "fly" decals from Blik's brilliant movable "re-stik" series.

Late-night Pier 1 finds

2006-08-22T23:31:00.000-04:00

Pier 1's fab Orbit Chair is on clearance! My mom got me the one in dream blue for my birthday and I'm oh so excited. It's got the retro shape thing going, but the rattan adds a rustic feel. Probably my favorite design combo.

Their Dante stemware and tumblers also caught my eye -- and an added bonus: they're on sale now for $4. I also noticed this Pageant green wool rug at half-off that I think would make a huge statement under a coffee table in the living room. Go Pier 1!

For those who believe "Design Within Reach" is a misnomer

2006-08-22T14:17:00.000-04:00

So my boyfriend and I have been obsessively house-hunting for the past year (I love you, Suzanne Whang and HGTV!). We live in NYC, Queens to be exact, and plan to relocate to my fair hometown of Cleveland this spring. We're super pumped. Years of apartment dwelling in the big city has never particularly lent itself to making our living quarters our own, because a.) we rent, b.) we're typical 20-something nomadic New Yorkers -- moving every other year on a whim, sometimes more often, and c.) we were too busy partying. Now, I'm somehow already 29 and my desire to tear up the town is fading faster than K-Fed's rap career.

I want to make my first home awesome. Modern design and comfort are the ultimate combination. Yet, when I'm pouring over the heaps of wonderful design sites and catalogs out there, I usually find myself weeding through volumes of things that I (and probably most people) either can't justify buying, or outright can't afford. True, it's nice to look, and to drool. But with the pricetags being so far-removed from my reality, most of the time I don't even want to bother.

So, in this blog, I will try to showcase the best of the affordable modern design I find out there. I am doing this blog for myself, and for the people who adore and appreciate Eames, Dwell, DWR and so on... but really? Ikea is looking a hell of a lot more realistic. I'm also a faithful Etsy, DIY fanatic and fashion junkie, so this blog will not be ignoring that stripe of the design rainbow. Can't wait to get started.