Petty Vices

Nicolette Brunklaus Shady Tree Lamp Shade

Loving this lamp shade design. Am putting this on my "to buy someday" list...

From the website Rose & Radish, where I found these: "Shady conceals a virtual forest underneath its plain drum shade exterior. Nothing from the outside would even hint that there’s anything out of the ordinary, but when night falls and the lights are flicked on, this shade reveals the forest image that hides underneath." How fun!

Evidently, designer Nicolette Brunklaus' signature is adding layers of meaning to her work; I love the whimsy and "secret garden" effect she provides with these lights. 

Coveting Catherine Holm enamel dishware

I love Norwegian designer Catherine Holm's vintage enamelware collection, like this dutch oven being sold on ebay. Adore the orange, too!

Creative flower vases

Emmas Designblogg offers a set of creative takes on party decor; my very favorite is the spice-jars-come-flower-vases...adorable. Or are they tea tins? Either way I love them. I'm keeping the next spice tins I run use up and upcycling 'em. Check out Emma's post at the link for more creative juiciness (the balloon decor is pretty interesting too)...

Recycled Ts turn into chrysanthemums

I found a great tutorial on how to make pretty fabric chrysanthemums from t-shirts or cotton jersey fabric, courtesy of Natalie Chanin Stewart and excerpted from her Alabama Stitch Book (courtesy of Selvedge). 

I've had her book on my Amazon wish list for awhile now; I think I must buy it.  Natalie Chanin was a successful international costume designer who chose to move back to her Alabama roots and highlight the region's specialty folk art. She hires local artisans to handcraft items using their passed-down techniques; to make it all even better they use organic fabrics and often upcycle or recycle old items in the process of creating something new.

What I'm most impressed with is that she's making so much of it accessible; for example, in addition to all the gorgeous handcrafted art and fashion her company Alabama Chanin produces, they also offer a kit with everything needed to create a reverse applique Stars & Skull T-shirt -- the most handsome skull "T" I believe I've ever seen.

Classic with a twist

More design inspiration, this time from CuldeSac( (via Yatzer); I adore this modern take on a classic grandfather wall clock. I want to find myself an actual antique and paint it white...or perhaps a glossy orange? Hmmm...

Night stand brainstorm

M & I have been searching for nightstands, which is tricky because we've got a sort of modern-yet-deco-bungalow thing going on...an ebony framed platform bed mixed with a 20's quarter-sawn oak "gentleman's closet" and 30's quarter-sawn dresser with bakelite handles -- mixed with an Asian-styled Lane chest with a silk print bench (craig's list find)...so...it sounds random but its actually working well thus far...but we obviously must proceed cautiously...

I think I may have stumbled across the perfect inspiration, from Czech designer Hubere Kororo called Drawerment (via the style files).
Aren't these swank? M likes them too. We've already got a trip to the ReStore planned today, so now we'll keep our eyes open for good drawers to re-repurpose...

Little Pink Hoses, for you and me

Well, I must say I still want an orange hose like the one I posted about awhile ago, but its kind of cool that Target has a new Cynthia Rowley pink hose (courtesy of Shelterrific). Also, its only $10. Ten bucks for a little Barbie-riffic pink hose. I still want an orange one, but its kind of a bummer its so much more expensive (like $60+ more).

I'm digging this trend of offering designer essentials. Why not add some personality to your garden hose?

Hmmm. What else could use some design that's just boring as it is. How about car tires. Why are they only black? Why not have a variety of colors?

Perhaps garbage bags. Why doesn't Hefty make them in colors or prints? Cute garbage bags.

BTW, why doesn't somebody make paper garbage bags? Like waxed inside or something. (Note: did a quick search and did find a paper garbage bag for yard clippings and such. It's called the Ecolobag). But I want some for the kitchen too. And I'd like them to be good looking.

What other utilitarian objects could use some beautification? Ideas?

Designer felt stools

I've come across some sleek and modern felt stools made by Gulassa & Co. that look quite DWR-ish. Probably about as "in reach," too, unfortunately -- as they look to just be sold to the "trade." I always think the phrase "to the trade" is so...I dunno...ostentatious, maybe? Found them via Seattle Homes & Lifestyles. It seems like they might be relatively easy to fabricate by gently padding a hardwood frame and then covering with industrial wool felt. Someone (probably not myself, LOL) might be able to do so, anyway.

Utility meets design

I'm back home in Seattle; I spent some quality time with my baby sis in San Diego post-conference and have some fun things to share soon...

But in the meantime, as I cozied up on my sofa <it's so great to be home!> & flipped through the latest CB2 catalog, I noticed on the back cover they have an orange garden hose as an accessory in the picture. They're not selling it, but hey, I want an orange garden hose -- so I went on a little hunt.

I came across a host of colorful options from Canadian company Rittenhouse -- called the Dramm Hose Colorstorm -- how fun!

Too expensive, but I like the idea of it. Why have garden hoses always been green anyway?

Inspiring, recycled chairs from out-of-the-box artist

My new backyard (yes! I have a backyard! a space outside on the ground with grass, trees, and deck!) needs a little picnic table and chairs. I want something simple and classic, like perhaps an actual wood picnic table old-school style. Or a wooden trestle style table could be sort of french chic too, perhaps painted Tiffany blue and then distressed.

In my meanderings of outdoor furnishings, I've come across some handsome and eco-friendly creations by Ernesto Orozo. Take a peek:

Not sure they'd go with the rustic look I'm thinking I want, but I sure do admire them.