Avery Bombe Chest from Crate and Barrel

Rarely do I see something at C&B that I feel I MUST have, but I am loving their Avery Bombe chest for $799. The dimensions (41 x 17 x 34) make me think that I can get two and use them as nightstands. I think they'd go well with my high bed and I need a little extra storage for clothes and the like. I also love that the drawers are lined with this silk screened black and white paper with a vine pattern. Don't know that I'll actually get it, but I think it's cute, cute, cute!

True Love? Hans Olsen Compact Dining Set

I saw this dining set on the Apartment Therapy website some time ago and I've never been able to get it out of my mind. It's a 1930s Danish teak four seat dining set by Hans Olsen for the Frem Rojle Company. Do you see how the seats fit neatly into the table when they're not in use? I have a tiny dining area that I have not yet been able to furnish despite countless hours on the internet and this set would seem to be a perfect size. Also, I sat on the chairs at ABC Home and they are surprisingly comfortable (note the triangle shaped seats). The price, however, is steep - about $5,ooo. I'm not quite ready to take the leap but I AM getting desperate. And although I've been claiming to be a "traditional" girl for a long time, I have found my recent "modern" purchases to have been quite satisfying. Aaahhh, love . . . how can one ever know if it's the real thing or just a passing fancy?

Home Decor Dilemma: Coffee Table vs. Ottoman

I previously wrote about my need for a coffee table or ottoman and my indecision over which one to get. We really like to put our feet up when we sit, so I'm partial to the ottoman. However, a coffee table seems more classy in that you can serve drinks, etc. on it when you have guests (although I think the right ottoman can do the trick with a tray on it). Also, with a table I don't have to worry about my cats scratching up another piece of upholstered furniture. Still, it's a toughie for me. Below are some options I like and/or think are interesting.

The Devin Ottoman from Crate & Barrel (52"x20"x19") -$899 I'll just show because I think it has all of the advantages of an ottoman and some of the benefits of a coffee table and is reasonably priced. Unfortunately, the style just doesn't do it for me.

The Roth Ottoman at Restoration Hardware (39"Dx17"H) - $1450 in leather is CUTE. As with everything I love, a little pricey. Also, given the layout of my space (very rectangular), I wonder if round in the middle would work.

I love the Lucia coffee table at Restoration Hardware (50Wx31Dx17H) - $775 in brass. I think it's so elegant although I'm worried that it's a bit large for my space.

The Louis coffee table at Anthropologie is currently on sale for $399 (please excuse the quality of the picture). In my space, however, I'm afraid it would look a bit too precious.

Jayson Home & Garden has this nice bench $1,345 (48x29x17). Nice, although it doesn't look like it would hold a tray too steadily.The Lowell bench at Restoration Hardware ("46x24"x16) is on sale right now - $596 upholstered; $1450 in leathers of various colors. I think the dimensions are perfect and it's flat enough to hold a tray. I love the turned legs and the fact that it has casters. The upholstered style is priced right although it's another item I'd have to keep away from my cats' paws, which argues for getting the leather version. Depending on how my wallet is doing after the holidays, this may be the one.

One intriguing option that I stumbled upon on 1st Dibs was this Louis XV style bench and coffee table, but what is more shocking than the $3,000+ price tag is that someone has already bought it!

Mi Apartamento

Funny, I started out to write about my need for a coffee table and my dilemma over whether to buy a coffee table, an ottoman or some combination of both, and in the process of taking a picture for this post, all of these other problems became apparent. It's an interesting exercise, I think, taking photos of your living space to gain insight into what could be improved.

Some basic problems, I think, are that: I need a radiator cover for that hideous beast that lives under my windows; I am in serious need of some wall decor; I HAVE to do something about that cable wire; the bookcase to the right of the entryway is too short; what might otherwise be a gracious entryway is cluttered with a coat rack on which every article of winter clothing my boyfriend and I own is hung. Oh yeah, and I need a coffee table or ottoman in the seating area. It looks like a lot more work remains to be done.

Sisal Rug

Lately, I've noticed scratches on my wood floors as well as some indentations left by the casters on my sofa legs. Until now I've resisted getting a rug, but think I can put it off no longer. I've decided on a natural fiber rug, like sisal, that will provide a neutral background while protecting my floors. Sisal, which comes from the agave plant, is supposed to be strong and more durable than jute or seagrass. However, I am confused by how much the prices can vary. An 8' by 10' sisal rug from Williams Sonoma (pictured above) costs $1375 while the same size costs $350 at Crate and Barrel and $589 at Ballard Designs. WSH's rug has a suede border while the others are fabric. Still, I don't know if that justifies an almost $1,000 price difference. Given that my cats are probably going to use the rug as a scratching pad, it doesn't make sense to spend a bundle. Another argument for getting the cheaper version is that sisal is easily stained (even by water) if it is spilled on. Is it possible that the pricier one would feel significantly better underfoot? I know I will always wonder . . . .

Bought It: Bee Console by Iannone Sanderson!

I've been watching this item for a long time, but couldn't justify the price tag. It suddenly went on sale for less than half the original price and I bit the bullet and ordered it. I'm a bit nervous. It's on the modern side, and I've expressed previously my disdain for the whole "modern" aesthetic. However, I've been in love with this piece for a long time (even before I saw it featured in Domino Magazine and a couple of design blogs) and think maybe it's time I softened my stance (a little). It's designed by Iannone Sanderson, a philadelphia-based design team dedicated to creating eco-friendly furniture, and made of Kirei board which is an environmentally-friendly product made from stalks left over from harvesting sorghum. Frankly, I'd never heard of Iannone Sanderson or Kirei (which means beautiful in Japanese), but am definitely pleased to know it is a low impact product. Now, I just hope it looks OK when it arrives. Can you see the bee?

Bedspreads and Quilts at Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters carries these lightweight cotton bedspreads in a variety of patterns, that I simply love. The ones pictured are just a few of the designs available. I have purchased a couple in the past (not pictured) and use them over my sofa in my living room as well as on my bed. I've been thinking of going back for a couple more. At only $32/$34, I already think they're a total steal (and some are on sale for under $18!). There are also all these lovely quilts. Pictured below are the Far East Botanical Quilt ($100) and Suzani Quilt ($120). Before it gets chilly, I may have to pick one of these up:

Egg Decor

This is too funny. I had to borrow this from the Shelterrific blog. It's a shag rug by Valentina Audrito.

I clicked on the link and there's this as well:

Moroccan Poufs

Why a pouf? Because, it can be used as an ottoman or as additional seating in pinch, because it's versatile and can be moved around easily and because it's attractive. But mostly, because it's just fun to say "pouf". These are from Calypso Home, although Imports from Marrakesh (http://www.importsfrommarrakesh.com/) sells some beauties as well. Unfortunately, I was not able to download those pictures.

Home Decor Dilemma: Dining Tables

I'm off looking for lamps and art, and I have yet to buy a proper dining table and chairs. Part of the problem is that I can't find one that I REALLY love, and a dining table seems like a much bigger commitment than accessories which you expect you eventually will grow tired of and change anyway. Now, while I think Crate and Barrel is great, I generally avoid them because I assume that's where everyone shops. For this purpose, however, I've looked everywhere (which allows online browsing), and C&B seems to have the best options. My favorites:

Although I don't know the exact dimensions, I assume this Maison oak table which seems grand would still fit in my small dining alcove. It also comes with two extension leafs which can expand the table to seat eight (although I doubt I'll ever have that many people over at once). I just wish it came in a darker stain.I like the idea of the pedestal table in that you don't have to worry about bumping your legs against those of the table. The Nova model is kind of cool, I think, but then there's my aversion to all furnishings I cannot envision in my Grandma's home (even if she would have had a much thriftier version of any given model).

The Kipling table seems like a good compromise: comfortable leg room, solid mahogany, comes with an extension leaf. But I think I'm still in love with the Maison model above and its Frenchy cottagy look. Not surprisingly, it's pretty expensive, and I just can't commit. Hence, I still don't have a dining table . . . .

Cute or Morbid?

I was looking for something to put in my entryway wall and, at first glance, thought this butterfly shadow box from Anthropologie was quite pretty. Also at 6.5" square, the size is right for what I'm looking for. However, I can't decide if the fact that there's a dead butterfly in here makes this wall decoration bad feng shui, if not downright morbid. ?

Artwork

I recently discovered and now have spent hours on artaissance.com. They sell reproductions of over 2000 art works from at least 80 artists in every style you can imagine. The neat part is that they will custom-size the art to the customer's specifications, on either paper or canvas, and have a 30-day return policy. My only complaint is that I cannot even begin get through all the available works. This one by Miguel Dominguez is one of my favorites so far:

Digging the Lampshades

at Anthropologie . . .

Craving: Wallpaper

I love wallpaper (or anything that reminds me of my grandma), and take it personally when people say bad things about it. These pretty patterns are from Cole & Son.

So Played.

I am not a student of design and will confess complete ignorance on the subject, but I don't think my taste completely sucks (?). So why do I keep seeing the same pieces of so-called furniture, which make a space look more like a modern art museum than a home, show up again and again in my favorite magazines, blogs, shows, commercials, etc. What ever happened to furniture that looked like furniture and was cushiony and comfortable? Also, I would think that whatever cultural value these "iconic" items may once have had because they were created by forward-thinking designers using new materials and forms has been diminished by their ubiquity. Therefore, for what it's worth (which I know is nothing in the minds of those whose opinions on the topic matter), I hereby declare all of the following to be completely "played out" :

The Barcelona Chair (sorry, but this belongs in an airport waiting area, not a home):

The Panton Chair (for a child's room perhaps, or a funhouse):The Nelson Ball Clock (cute, when I saw it on "The Seventies Show"):


All pendant ball lamps (played, played, played):


The Saarinen table (ok, I admit I kind of like this one):
The Eames rocker, or Eames anything for that matter (I just can't believe I bought this one!):

I like the Nelson bench, but I've seen it and seen it and seen it (and, after all, it's just a bench):

The Noguchi coffee table, I'll admit is lovely, but for upwards of $3,000 I better not find it in anyone else's house that I visit (unlikely):

While I'm at it, I will add the terms: "iconic", "mid-century modern" and "clean lines." SO played!

Thanks for listening.