Happy New Year!

Holiday Warmth

Warmest Holiday Wishes. All the best in 2010. Until then...

Robots Wallpaper

I am absolutely infatuated with tin toy robots. A well thought out collection of antique toy robots can add instant style, pizazz and whimsy to many contemporary spaces. I also like the robot as a motif on this wallpaper. It's fun, silly and would make a terrific design statement in a child's room. This hand-printed wallpaper was designed by Aimee Wilder and is available here.

Conversation Piece

These quirky and very odd bird feet are cast in pewter and given a matte gold, matte black or darkened silver finish. For just $20.00 this pair of bird feet would be a decorative accessory that is sure to strike up a conversation. They are available on the Rare Device website.

Frost Make-Up Table

A lady's boudoir would not be complete without the perfect make-up table. Here is one of my favorites. The Frost Make-Up Table from Lona Design in Toronto is a lovely composition of Mahogany, metal leaf and glass.

Club Chairs.

While they could not be more opposite in style and theme, these two club chairs from the current Ralph Lauren 2009 Fall-Winter Home Collections are just beautiful. The Indian Cove Lodge Club Chair, (above), is pitch perfect with elegant floral and geometric details that accentuate the chair arms. The nail head trim is a lovely finishing touch. The sleek City Modern Leather Wrapped Chair, (below), is simple and sophisticated. The leather-wrapped frame makes the construction of this chair very exciting.

Little Bird

This delightful little bird is quite simply a soy sauce container that is hand decorated and made of fine bone china. It's a fun and whimsical detail that may be used at almost any table setting. It is available from Alessi.

World AIDS Day

Will Broome for Wedgewood.

A limited edition range of fine bone china produced in collaboration with illustrator Will Broome and FLASH, an exclusive and chic dining experience, as part of the celebrations for Wedgwood's 250th anniversary.

Located at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, FLASH is a temporary restaurant, a room within a room, an installation within an exhibition.

The Will Broome for Wedgwood collection features a bold, modern print and incorporates key tableware items including a 10.5" and 7" plate, teacup & saucer set, teapot and cereal bowl.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Red Dragon China and Leonidas Roses.

According to ancient Chinese culture the dragon symbolizes benevolence, protection and good fortune and thus was the emblem of the emperor. While exploring the Mottahedeh website I encountered their Red Dragon china pattern. The persimmon color would look beautiful set at a Thanksgiving dinner table with a centerpiece of Leonidas roses, (shown below).


Leonidas roses

Thistle Wallpaper.

I have always been fond of this Thistle wallpaper pattern from Walnut Wallpaper. Designed by Timorous Beasties, this particular paper is available in a variety of colors. I would tend to use this dramatic design in a powder room or another small space that can handle its rather eclectic appeal.

Stress Much?

The holiday season is fast approaching and for many of us that means added stress in our lives. These adorable 'Faces on the Moon' stress balls may be a fun way to alleviate just a tinge of the craziness. Designed by Makiko Yoshida and made of polyurethane resin, these squeezable heads are guaranteed to evoke an emotional response. Check them out here.

Welcome.

Sometimes the smallest details can have huge impact in the design of a space. The selection of door bells from Spore are one such example. They are the perfect choice whenever a contemporary button is desired on a narrow mounting surface such as door trim. Made with resilient colored resin and illuminated by long-lived LEDs these door bells welcome guests with style and sophistication.

Six Wives.

While in New York City recently, I happened to stumble upon the Tribeca Summit Loft Condominiums on Greenwich Street. Taking place in two duplex penthouses inside the building is Metropolitan Home's Showtime House. The dining room and terrace inspired by Showtime's award-winning original series 'The Tudors' features one of my favorite details from the house. Designers Piero Lissoni and Nicoletta Canesi created dining chairs and pillows with images of the six wives of Henry VIII. Poor beheaded Anne Boleyn's chair is splashed with red. For additional information and photographs, check out the December 2009 issue of Metropolitan Home magazine.

One Eyeland.

Chock full of amazing photographs, I am loving the website, oneeyeland.com. The two photographs here are by Adrian Samson. Click above and take a look, there are some amazing and thought-provoking photos to be found.

Porcupine Quill Mirror

Megan found this very cool mirror. Exclusive to Horchow, this piece is artfully hand-painted to mimic the prickly quills of a porcupine. A sleek wood frame makes this round mirror a standout. 33"Dia. x 5"D. The mirror is available here.

Lighting. Recycled.

Even recycled steel and glass can be made into something functional and interesting. The fascination collection from Varaluz includes many different lighting and home accessories options. According to the manufacturer's manifesto, their approach to lighting is down to earth, more collaborative and more playful. Varaluz claims to stand for fun, approachability, and originality. I can certainly agree with that!

Fascination Light Bath Bar

Happy Veterans Day.

War Bowls

The Battle of Waterloo. The English Civil War. Zulu War. Designer Dominic Wilcox has designed and made these whimsical war bowls from high-quality melted plastic toys soldiers. Each color is made of figures from tow opposing armies during a particular conflict. The designer states on his website, "The inspiration for the War Bowl came from a combination of ideas. I wanted to create a new material that would work on more levels than the usual qualities such as texture and functionality. My aim was to make a material that had a voice of it's own, not just a passive lifeless thing. I started with the idea of combining small objects in order to create something larger. I arrived at the idea of using toy soldiers as my ingredients. As found objects, they seemed to represent something of a paradox. On one hand they were a fun childhood toy that brought back happy memories and on the other, they were a representation of war with it's associated horrors. This is a contrast that I find slightly uneasy." The War Bowls are available by contacting Thorsten van Elten.

Armani Dolci

If you care to indulge in high style this upcoming holiday season, why not check out Giorgio Armani's line of chocolate? The fashion and home collection designer, opened an impressive new store on Fifth Avenue, New York City, that is home to Armani Dolci. This third floor boutique sells delectable chocolates and seasonal confections. You may find milk chocolate with fillings of coffee, hazelnut and gianduja, (chocolate and nuts). Many of the chocolates are emblazoned with an "A" and are elegantly packed in a simple Armani/Dolci box. The chocolates, made in Florence, range in price from $5.00 to $125.00. The store is also home to the Armani Ristorante where preserves, honey, spreads and tea fill the shelves just outside the restaurant.

Bubble Wands

I think this is a great party favor. The classic children's toy has been hand-cast in pewter. The 4" long bubble wands run about $16.00 from Clay Company. A concoction of 1/2 cup dish soap, two cups of water and two teaspoons sugar, will create enough solution to bubble the day away.

Happy Halloween

White Pumpkins, the New Orange.

This season instead of thinking orange, I am thinking white. Once a novelty, white pumpkins are becoming all the rage when it comes to chic autumn decorating. These intriguing white orbs look simply stunning when carved, painted and decorated. This Halloween it is time to get crafty with this season's most fashionable accessory.

Sofa Reinvented.

Hot or Not? The London Méridienne Sofa from Hayes de Fer. Quite an unexpected twist.
The sofa is shown here with an optional bronze nailhead trim.

Driftwood.

I love this White Driftwood Lamp from Pieces. The large scale lamp is made from natural hand selected driftwood which has a white painted finish. There is a custom made rectangle burlap shade, a three way switch and a clear cord and plug. I would enjoy seeing this lamp in a beach house.

ring.

Concrete and Stainless Steel. From Kon Zuk. Part of a collection of jewelry with an industrial edge. Imaginative and inspired.