A Stylish Wall Shelf.

This interesting and somewhat retro looking wall shelf measures 48"w x 6.5"d x 17"h. It is made of solid walnut and comes in two wood finish choices - light and dark. I like this stylish shelf, with the two handy drawers as an alternative to the simple, somewhat boring shelves that are all too common. The piece is so versatile that it could find itself at home in a contemporary, transitional or even traditional home. It's a handsome piece that is very functional, well made and not too expensive. This wall shelf is available from Gingko Home Furnishings.

Octopus!

While shopping for Christmas presents last month I ran into an increasing amount of products with the imagine of an Octopus. As far as sea creatures go, the Octopus certainly has a very unique, somewhat bizarre look to it. Some individuals actually shy away from the Octopus, especially when dining out and confronted with an Octopus salad. I find these accessories and tabletop items whimsical, fun and refreshingly original. From designer, Thomas Paul there are such offerings as the Octopus oval platter, a pillow which is available in different colors, a serving bowl and even a shower curtain. They may make for a fun addition to the beach house or even as an accent piece while at home in the city. Regardless of where they find themselves, they are certainly quite different and bound to be the topic of many conversations.

Jack.

Designed by Thomas O'Brien for Circa Lighting, the "Jack" Table Lamp is an absolute favorite of mine. It is available in both a Polished Silver or a Hand-Rubbed Antique Brass/Bronze. I like the Polished Silver for a very modern or sharp contemporary home. The Hand-Rubbed Antique finish has a lot of character that I think it would work well in a Transitional or Traditional style interior. That is not to say that things cannot be mixed up a bit to create an eclectic interior design that is enlightened by the personality of this special lamp. It is a sculptural and whimsical at the same time. Appropriately named, the "Jack" lamp, this light fixture clearly reminds me of a game of Jacks. Quirky. Different. Unique and Fun. This lamp is all that and then some.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Ottoman. Simply.

This simple triangle-shaped ottoman, designed by Thomas O'Brien of Aero Studios, stands just 18" high by 19"wide and is just 16" deep. It is a charming piece that may be used in a variety of places in a home for many different purposes. Set in tune with 1950's style, this charming piece features conical tapered legs on Antique Nickel finish castors and caps. This ottoman would look beautiful grouped together in cocktail clusters in the living room. The ottoman may be used as a side table with a tray on top or placed neatly in a room for a handy extra seat. The top edge of the upholstery has delicate piping which adds a punctuation of sophistication and a degree of custom tailoring.

Silver Lines.

Hold on to your seat because these plates have some twists, turns, spirals and loops ahead. They provide "energy for the table" because the silver lines that adorn each plate create a striking pattern that has great fluidity, motion and movement. I think they would make fine dessert plates. Although I would keep the dessert simple because the plate is going to grab the attention. The silver plate set is from notNeutral. According to their website, "The Designer’s Gilt plates feature fine line work designs based on a variety of inspirations: lace work, spirograph patterns, pinstriping and filigree. " They even come in a striking round "mini hat box" if you are looking for a very unique hostess gift.

Perfect for Afternoon Tea.

These Gold Crowned Stands from Cyan Design are whimsical and fun. I love the crown detail, the delicate and not too fussy shape of the stand and the functionality of the glass shelves. I can see these crowned stands adding a dash of whimsy to an Afternoon tea setting. They are perfect for holding clusters of finger sandwiches, crumpets and scones. When it is not tea time these stands would look lovely sitting on a buffet or sideboard in the dining room.

All in the Details.

It's the small details that transform a house into a home. Accessories such as a unique vase adds finishing touches to the interior design of a home. Accessories reflect our style, they punctuate the design of a room and add charisma to a room. The vases shown here are some examples of accessories that would add spark to a room. They are all very different and unusual. This, to me, is important. I like to bring the extraordinary into my designs.

The vases are from Adventures in Artistry. They create beautiful accessories and artifacts that add finishing touches to a home. The best part of all is that they may all be purchased for under $50.00 each.

Digitally Printed Pillows.

For those who crave floral patterns, these digitally printed floral designs are quite special. Silk is the canvas for the digital print that is patterned on these pillows. They are made in Paris and backed with a natural linen to complement the silk. A hidden zipper closure allows the pillow case to be removed for dry cleaning. A variety of sizes are available at ABC Carpet & Home Online. I am quite fond of the black floral pillow, (shown above). It is a floral pillow with a contemporary twist. The black background is elegant and sophisticated.

Happy New Year!