Happy Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is right around the corner. This is a good time to take a refreshing pause and celebrate the kick-off of the summer season.

Brilliant Glassware.

Brilliant in its simplicity is Felicia Ferrone's Revolution Collection of double-ended cups, pitchers and bowls. The two-in-one glass, for example, may be used for water or flipped over and used for a taste of scotch, wine or beer. These versatile pieces appear to suspend the liquid in midair, and look just beautiful set at the table.

Personalized Plates.

What makes these attractive plates so special, is that you can design and personalize them to your liking. Made of melamine, the 10" dinner plates come in your choice of background style, color, and typeface for the monogram. Because they are nonbreakable, they would smashing for summer alfresco dining. You can begin the design process by checking out the many possibilities at laplates.com.

Stop Talking.

These rather elegant cards are a polite way of sending a message without saying a word. Ensure some peace and quite by passing these cards out to the oh-so-talkative people in your life. They would have certainly come in handy when I was at the movies this past weekend and wished to silence the couple next to me without tossing popcorn at them. They are available from Haus Interior.

Western Flair.

They may not be my immediate choice for lighting, however, if I was in need of some Western Flair, these table lamps from Westernware Goods are kind of cool. Both lamps feature either a tooled hide base or an Italian leather base. Photos from the 1880s are reproduced as lampshades. Perhaps these lamps may find their way into a gentleman's office, library or a child's bedroom.

Divine Recline.

I have always been a big fan of OCHRE's Divine Recline Collection. The collection is simple, elegant and sophisticated. This is primarily due to the clean lines and uncomplicated design of each piece. The upholstery of each corner chair, chaise lounge, or banquette is luxurious and the cushions are plump and comfortable.

As Ochre explains on their website and I completely agree, "OCHRE creates objects of style and beauty which are both timeless and contemporary. The collection consists of furniture, lighting and accessories for the interior, the emphasis being on the use of very high quality materials and flawless British craftsmanship. The simplicity and honesty of form and proportion, together with the luxurious materials result in an understated elegance, which has become the signature for OCHRE."

Firebowl.

This super cool wall barbecue from Focus consists of a steel Firebowl that folds up, so that when it is closed it takes up limited space. It is also practical, offering a range of cooking heights and may be used a number of times without having to empty out the ash. Convenient and attractive!

Paris Ferris Wheel Pillow.

Summer is almost here. Which also means that many amusement parks throughout the Mid-Atlantic states will soon be opening. While browsing Etsy.com, I came across this whimsical and sophisticated pillow cover that depicts the iconic Ferris Wheel. The image screams Summer fun to me! Trim has been sewn on to the burlap pillow cover to frame the image nicely.

Lather. Scrub. Rinse. Repeat.

A beautiful kitchen should definately have beautiful cleaning tools. The brushes and sponges from Full Circle are not only super functional, they are very attractive. The products are made from sustainable and renewable resources. Like scrub brushes with sleek, bamboo handles and sponges made from cellulose, a plant-based fiber. Even the pot scrubbers are fully biodegradable. Why not make a mundane task more exciting? Here are simple products that can help do just that.

Soft Modernism for the Floor.

These rugs from Fort Street Studio gently blend hues and soft subtle edges. They evoke the look of simple watercolor paintings, hence the name of the collection, "Watercolors". According to Fort Street Studio this collection is quintessential "Soft Modernism".

Made in Central China the carpets from Fort Street Studio are hand-knotted from 100% wild silk. Studio founders, artists Brad Davis and Janis Provisor, design this ever expanding collection. A collection that is known for unique contemporary carpets with highly original patterns and textures, superb quality and rich painterly effects.

Classic yet Contemporary Beds.

I am fond of these two beds from Constantini Design. The Fiorenza Four-Post Bed, (above), is made from Guayubira - the name of a rare and beautiful native tree of northern Uruguay, known for its elastic and incorruptible wood. The bed, which shares both classic and contemporary elements features four towering posts without a canopy or headboard. The Belgrano Bed, (below), is available in Guayubira or other exotic woods. The bed has an ergonomically designed headboard for sitting up reading or dining in bed. It is simple, sophisticated and very elegant.

Chic Chandelier.

I like the elegant simplicity of this five shade chandelier from Hampstead Lighting. The many different shade and finish options each have their own name. Pictured here is the Leza, (above), and the Macao, (below). This pendant is available in chrome or satin nickel with a variety of diffuser options. This is a lighting fixture that screams "Urban Sophistication".

Stark Paint.

Stark specializes in high-end custom designed carpet, fabric, furniture and wallcovering for both the residential and contract markets. This to-the-trade company now has a premium, ECO friendly, water-based with zero VOCs paint. London based color specialist and designer, David Oliver, has collaborated with Stark to create an extensive and contemporary designer palette that spans the color spectrum with 240 new, rich and sophisticated paint options. The paint, which is reported to deliver first-rate performance is available in three paint finishes: Velvet Emulsion, Porcelain Shell and Lacquer Gloss.

Queen of Love.

This Louis XV style chair is a modern and whimsical Italian interpretation by Graziano Moro and Renato Pigatti. The fun indoor/outdoor "Queen of Love" chair is made of eco-friendly recyclable linear polyethylene and is available in 8 striking colors: pink, red, mandarin, yellow, green, celestial, black and white -- all of which are UV resistant.

The chairs are designed and made in Italy. The design team of Moro-Pigatti have created a fun, comfortable chair that will bring great amusement. The "Queen of Love" chair measures 47" tall x 39" wide x 39" deep. Big enough for two to cozy up in!

Eggcrate Credenza.

Distinctly contemporary, this Eggcrate Credenza from Lorin Marsh, is made of beautiful lacquered grey burl. It features two doors, one center drawer and a simple metal base and pulls. This "jewel piece" would be a nice punctuation in a sleek, modern dining room.

Orchid.

From Designs Abroad comes Marc Pascal's Orchid Lamps. Made from long-life polycarbonate and stainless steel wire, the lamps are hand-crafted in Pascal’s Melbourne studio. The tensile stainless steel wire gives life to the individual fronds of the lamp, capturing the mysterious and stunning qualities of the wild orchid flower. Each lamp is hand-made and dyed and can be customized to your taste, producing an individualized mix of colors and shapes and an emotionally engaging statement piece for residential or commercial spaces. Pendant lamp, table or floor lamps are available.

Detail.