Not just for shoes and handbags anymore, snakeskin patterns add a definite exoticism and even a little naughty flair to the home. These fashion-forward copper trays from Vivre are covered in...

We saw one and thought it was cute. A couple more turned up, and we wondered what was up. But when we saw this trend go so far as a...

We adore the luster of natural horn. This piece is made from that of a water buffalo, then polished, heated, and molded into an organically shaped bowl. Place one on a...

Japanese for “standing ladle,” Tate Otama is just that, a spoon that stands proudly with a shape to be admired. The bottom has been flattened, allowing it to be easily be...

CB2 has got a creative way to really drum up giving this holiday season. Until November 25, if you bring five food items to any CB2 store, you’ll receive a 15...

Facets continue to be hot—but the best part about an enduring trend is it means the prices are bound to drop! With polygon panels in all sorts of shapes, this Rosenthal-esque...

As you may have noticed, I’m a big fan of creative reuse. And when it comes to antique tabletop, the possibilities are endless. The Victorians had a special piece of...

We usually hate power strips. Really hate power strips. They’re bland, ugly, clunky, and a constant reminder of our far too plugged-in lives. But this new “Candlestrip” from Design Glut might...

For quick jottings and musings, we’re thrilled to put these patterned notebooks to use. Filled with 64 blank pages, they’re perfectly scaled to toss in a bag yet large enough for...

There is something much more inspiring about a pencil than a pen—like a brilliant idea for a drawing or sonnet will come to us when holding one. Though in a busy...

Working in the design world, we see lots of architects’ project submissions, but rarely do we see renderings as exciting as the work itself… so when we saw this modern take...

We’re not sure what we love more about these candleholders—the textured, faceted glass that gives them that sweet shimmer, or the rich hues of luscious fuchsia, electric yellow, peacock...

For lovers of Met Home’s Weekend Kitchen on homemade ketchup (September 2009), here’s an update. If you don’t have time to make you own, Oregon-based Dulcet Cuisine, producer of...

So let’s start off by ridding ourselves of the notion that bubble wrap is primarily for packing purposes, because, let’s be honest, it’s all about popping those bubbles. So for...

We’ve long loved John Robshaw’s handprinted dhurries, but we’ve never seen them so inexpensive. This 2' x 3' accent rug is made from soft woven cotton, handprinted with a gorgeous...

Many of the rooms featured in Met Home are designed around collections of art, which makes perfect sense: People who love design usually love art, and vice versa. In...

When we heard the wildly fanciful product and interior designer Marcel Wanders was creating an affordable line of products for the holidays for Target, we knew it had to be good....

Everyone likes the idea of staying in shape, but a treadmill in the living room isn’t exactly the definition of stylish décor. Luckily, Lucie Koldova has derived a series of...

Bug traps usually run from gross to hideous—fly-covered sticky paper, neon electric zappers, cheap plastic contraptions; none are exactly aesthetically pleasing. That's why we're very excited about this ceramic bug trap...

Pieced Sheesham wood creates a gorgeous cylindrical patchwork look on this chunky new tabletop collection from West Elm. We adore the light and dark variations in the wood, and the tongue...

The 90th Anniversary of Bauhaus isn’t until 2010, but the tributes have already begun. Learning Modern, a new exhibit on view now through January 9 at the SAIC Sullivan...

If you will be in New York City between November 10 and January 31, 2010, might I take the liberty of suggesting a visit to the

This lovely mezzaluna herb chopper by designer Lovisa Wattman is the perfect tool for dicing up basil or parsley, and tucks handily away into the accompanying cutting board. Fitted together, it’s...

I grew up being dragged to flea markets around greater Los Angeles—and though I have fond memories of the Rose Bowl and Long Beach fleas, I think I remember them...

With an unusual 90-degree bend, this framed mirror can read like an optical illusion or function as some of the most inventive shelving. It’s freestanding, so prop it up on...

It’s fall, and it’s raining a lot here in New York City, and instead of complaining like we usually do, we’d rather celebrate the downpour with this fun “Singin’...

We don't know what it is exactly, but there is something strangely beautiful about abandoned spaces—the eerie silence, muted colors, crumbling architecture, a mysterious past. And during the Halloween season,...

When it comes to food, if it’s good enough for Alice Waters, it’s more than good enough for the masses. The famed chef and restaurateur serves the little known Warren...

In this economy, packing a lunch instead of splurging at the café every day is smart. And with these adorable Lunch Skin sandwich bags, your PB & J just got...

Readers of “I on Design” already know that I am mad about Jimmie Martin, the couture London-based company whose furniture is about as cutting edge as it gets these days....

With dynamic animal silhouettes against bright colors, these leather trays from MollaSpace take cute to sophisticated. Choose from a butterfly on turquoise, rabbit on pink, a deer on yellow, an...

Studio ceramist Kathy Erteman's "Traffic Patterns" exhibition recently opened at the Greenwich House Pottery's Jane Hartsook Gallery in New York City. The self-proclaimed urban voyeur drew inspiration from...

Forget the Pink Pearl classics; we’re falling over Anything’s new graphic eraser. Created by British designer Michael Sodeau for the Japanese company Suikosha, this asterisk-shaped rubber eraser neatly cleans up...

Your trash bin may not be your most exciting possession (ours is decidedly hidden under the sink), but for their 70th anniversary, the company Vipp--of the iconic Vipp pedal...

After 14 months of sitting on camping chairs, I am thrilled to announce, we own a couch. Yes, you may remember me mentioning this very sofa, the Grayson, sometime...

We love the look of candles but hate the lumps of wax that inevitably end up on our tables and cloths. Enter these dripless, non-toxic cone candles that come in...

Your wall promises to be the fairest of them all with this gorgeous and girlie mirror from Anthropologie. Luscious mother-of-pearl tiles surround the glass, creating an eye-catching accent piece. And...

Looking for the perfect wedding gift or way to say, “I love you”? While personalization can easily fall into the cheesy, boring, and not-so-chic categories, when done right, there’s really...

Forget the bottle, and turn your wine into a lovely table centerpiece with this gorgeous glass decanter by Sagaform. Though decanting was originally used to remove sediment from the bottle...

We’ll admit; there are days we’d take wrinkles in our outfit over the hassle of pulling out the ironing board. Designer Aissa Logerot knows how we feel and has...

Heritage Square, a property trust made up of the oldest buildings in Cape Town, will be auctioning four artist-decorated, limited-edition magnums of Cape Riesling wine that they’ve produced from...

A winding snake coils and loops into a gorgeous pattern on these glimmering trays by Eduardo Garza for Vivre. Though snakes generally creep us out, this curling interpretation in...

People who live in modern houses don’t generally go in for clutter. The look is spare, open, uninflected. “Less is more” is decidedly the clarion call of modernism. But one...

Eva Zeisel fans rejoice! After four years between her last furniture release, the acclaimed designer’s grandson, Adam, is selling her new lounge chair online during the month of November...

Sure, turning on a faucet or hooking up a hose is easy, but with fresh, clean water being a precious commodity in most of...

With the holiday season fast approaching, these cloth wine bags are definitely something to have on-hand in the pantry. Be it for Thanksgiving or Christmas, a party or a...

Peaches, greens and other seasonal produce are easy to access in most of America, but in inner city Detroit, not so much until now. For the past year, a tricked...

We’ve long been fans of Suzani patterns, and this Uzbek-inspired pillow by Viva Terra is a beautiful interpretation in rich glimmering gold. At 18˝ square, it’s a fabulous accent to...

In our daily wanderings through the design world, we can’t help but notice—birdcages are everywhere! Birds perched on branches have long been (perhaps too long) a popular motif but now the...

Take your table display up a notch with this ultra-chic serving set from Jayson Home and Garden. The stainless steel set is practical for serving everything from meats to salads, but...

Matteo Cibic describes his Domsai Terrariums as the next wave in virtual pets, a sort of Tamagotchi (remember those?) for your side table or desk. Except instead of virtual “food,” these...

At just 6.5˝ across and 17˝ high, this slim light is perfectly suited to top a bedside or end table. A teardrop shape and basic colors make it simple, sleek and...

I’m a sucker for Frenchie furniture. I love feminine lines, the movement of a curved back, and most decor that could be linked back to the sensuous...

We may be a little rusty on our paper crane folding skills, but we still love the look of the Japanese paper art form. So when...

Helmed by baker-chef-owner Zoe Nathan, Huckleberry is charming, sunny new bakery and café in Santa Monica. Not only is it pretty much the perfect spot to grab a morning...

Last week, I divulged some of my picks for the most iconic modern seats. This week, read on to see the final five unveiled ...

The Aeron Chair...

Often, the great cities are best displayed by their signature buildings, but plastic statue souvenirs are not exactly the chicest way to show your civic pride. These skeletal hand-tied, bamboo interpretations...

At first, a house covered in clocks may sound more kitschy than chic. But when we saw this $25 million apartment on ShelterPop.com, we were definitely impressed. The open...

If you’re tired of the clamoring, clunky ring-bound variety of measuring cups, Fred Flare has dreamed up something way more practical and definitely more chic. Patterned after the classic Russian nesting...

Designed by Lotta Odelius, this handblown glass decanter goes way beyond basic with a sexy hourglass shape and a lime- or orange-colored bottom decal that adds a splash of color. As...

What’s the point of placemats that spot or stain? Modern Twist’s elegant mats and coasters help us stay stylish even when we’re messy. The FDA-grade hand-silk-screened silicone cleans...

Grandma’s vintage jewelry? Amazing. Her tarnished ornate tea service? Not so much. Since we’ve long been detracted by heavy and formal silver, we were delightfully surprised to discover Urban General’s modern...

Lovely enough to use for special occasions, but designed with an eye toward the everyday, Lobmeyr's Drinking Set No. 281, also know as "Grip" is a nod to traditional Italian...

With a punchy petunia pattern, this Anthropologie tablecloth has a definite bohemian vibe but remains modern in bold black and ivory. Made of sturdy cotton canvas that’s machine-washable, it’s the perfect...

The first chair a human ever sat on was probably a rock. Handy, durable, not very portable, inexpensive. Happily the species evolved a sense of style, which is...

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, one of our favorite bedding and accessories retailers, Blissliving Home, is donating 20 percent of its proceeds from delightfully...

Designer Barry Goralnick's new carpet and rug collection for Stark has got us seeing stars. Part glamour, part subtle elegance, his Tibetan and hand-knotted collection reinterprets pattern, scale, and color by using weaves...

We’ve tried the trick of popping a taper candle into an empty wine bottle, and we’ve spent the following morning cleaning melted wax off the table. To avoid the messy cleanup,...

Sometimes a little black and white is all you need to turn dated into modern. At least it is with this graphic find from CB2, a piece that promises to give...

I’m a big museum fan but if given the choice to see the art in the climate-controlled rooms of the Met or the studio where art is being made, I’ll...

Today through October 18 Delonghi, the Italian manufacturer of some of the world’s coolest coffee makers, is sponsoring an online charity auction of its top-of-the line Artista Series espresso machines....

What’s the secret to style and flair at a moment’s notice? A very deep purse. Within our bag of tricks we try and keep as many accessories for as many...

Dishwashing can be dull, but leave it to Marimekko to pep things up. Ten dollars buys a pack of two different patterned kitchen cloths: choose from the graphic flower and squirrel...

Some decorating decisions do not come easily, so products with options usually come with a sense of relief. And Working Class Studio’s versatile new lamp appeases both our fickle and...

At not even a year old, Carrol Garden's Store 518, owned by Nadia Tarr (designer of the celebrated Butter by Nadia dresses), is a treasure trove of amazing doo-dads,...

We love a little chitchat, so we were pretty excited to see talk bubbles popping up as a home décor icon. Of course they’re bold and graphic,...

As much as we love to eat organic fruits and veggies, the chemically coated kind has sadly become the standard. We rinse our produce, of course, but we still wonder...

So I assume you’ve heard there’s a recession going on. Depressing. And most people are holding tight to their increasingly hard-to-earn greenbacks. So, yes, the major renovation plans...

We love a good costume as much as anyone else, but for us Halloween is obviously about the decorations. Since we don’t exactly reap the benefits of trick...

There’s no way to escape the digital age, but at least with these covers from Thomas Paul, you can dream about a time when life was a bit simpler. Each zip-up...

There were two things that impressed us about this IKEA table lamp. First off, $5 is a price that can hardly be beat for chic, functional lighting. And secondly, it...

Consisting of intelligently designed, essential products for the home, The Conran Shop's "Well Considered" collection offers exceptionally good value furniture for a young generation of customers. Heavy on color and...

After a summer of barbeques, picnics, and house parties (if you’re anything like us), you may have lost a few serving pieces. So if you’re short on cooking storage, you...

The new Mood Flame from Royal VKB makes us smile. Packed with tons of personality and charm, the pint-size silicone tea light brings to mind a kind of glowing magic...

This latest piggy bank from CB2 adds mega value to your pennies. The papier-mâché porker is made from color copies of U.S. and foreign bills, and features a coin slot...

Branchlike legs make this lovely side table rustic, but a white finish keeps it light, fresh, and stylish. At 21.5-by-18-inches, it’s an ideal table to add a natural flair to the...

We’ve long loved Alessi’s combination of smart and sleek, and this new trivet marries the two effortlessly. This three-piece wonder can be arranged in a number of ways to hold...

What does the future hold? Electrolux, the major appliance manufacturer that celebrates its 90 year anniversary this year, enlisted the help of young international design students to help envision what...

We love the sunny yellow color and the simple, iconic shape of the bath time rubber duck. But unless you’re under the age of five, it doesn’t really have much use....

Every once in awhile, I am moved to do a little research on an object that has become a style icon, like the “Sputnik”-style chandeliers that...

Created in the tradition of 19th century French wirework, these lovely little place-card holders promise to take any dinner party up a notch. Made from iron wire with a weathered bronze...

Since entering the toy scene in the 1950s, Legos have never ceased to capture a child's imagination, and we understand why: the bright colors, the interlocking teeth, and of course, the...

Bulletin boards are crucial to get your desk space organized, but the typical plywood rectangle tends to be the antithesis of chic. We’ve done all the DIY tricks before—covering one...

Produced in a small pottery studio in Wales, England, designer Benjamin Hubert utilizes local clay from the region to create his new Chimney collection of hand thrown, kiln fired clay pendant...

An invitation that involves a river, friends, and free lodging makes all the details about...

Recently, we’ve been seeing birdcages just about everywhere. No longer just a decorative accessory or home for a feathered friend, birdcages are being turned into pieces for a host of other...

We’re sure that when you think of our new President, the word “design” might be the last thing that comes to mind. But with this newly published collection of art...

We love the glitz and glamour of the Emmys, and last night's ceremony was no disappointment, especially when it comes to set design. Sure, the Emmys are primarily meant to honor exemplary...

Unfilled, this piece is a gorgeous porcelain dish featuring a concentric, leaf-shaped pattern. But fill it up with your favorite olive oil, and the leaf’s different levels become a gradation of...

Now might not be the time to splurge on that Porsche racing through our dreams but how about something with that same sleek and sexy form? Tell us more. The Italian...

This Friday marks the beginning of The London Design Festival, the annual event established to celebrate and promote London as one of the creative capitals of the world. With...

Trade your boring desktop calendar for something a bit more playful. This unique collection is made up of six different paper animal cut-outs with cute little feet stands. Each creature features...

Everyone has a theme song. Mine is “I Love a Hotel” (sung to the tune of Harold Arlen’s 1931 “I Love a Parade”). In my travel writing days, I...

Okay we admit it. We want a dunny. The dunny is a limited edtion vinyl collectible from urban cool Kidrobot that gets a makeover each year from various artists....

If we think we made a statement at the Boston Tea Party, imagine a sea of these. Inspired by the beauty and craft of Japanese origami, Russian designer Nathalia Ponomareva has...

Bad economy or not, we’re always looking for accessories worth the coin and the real estate in our home. And these jacquard terry towels from Anthropologie fit the bill. Scrolling white...

Always the muse, Aphrodite is back in rare form. The Grecian beauty’s silhouette is now a stunning shelf. It's made to stack books and magazines or to simply admire the goddess...

After making its international debut in Milan at Salone del Mobile in Milan 2009, New York based architect Marc Thorpe's new Area collection for Bernhardt Designs has finally arrived state...

When filled with goblets or flutes, this simple glass rack becomes a breathtaking chandelier. Capitalizing on the simple chic shape of the wine glass, this lit-up rack holds either 16 or...

Keep coffee hot or your iced tea cool for the picnic, campfire, or even just the kitchen table. While we love this clever carafe from MoMA because it’s so practical –...

Ask any kid what his or her favorite class in school is, and you’ll almost always get the same response—lunch. Make that highlight of their day a...

We love the mix of classic Baroque lines and modern melamine in this chic extra-large platter. The piece is chocolate brown on top, pistachio green on the bottom, and undeniably yummy...

Like many a big-city apartment dweller, I have bathroom envy. I have a bathroom, of course, but it's strictly by the numbers. Functional.
Practical. Small. There...

If you were looking for an excuse to eat more greens, here it is. This simple and stylish salad bowl pairs a handblown glass bottom with a leaf-patterned lid. Its clear...

If you can roll it, you can grow it. English designer Chris Chapman wanted to make growing fresh veggies easier for busy individuals and families. His design, a mat...

We love the idea of using our antique china. It reminds us of our grandmother’s hutch, the table set for Thanksgiving, and all those other memorable family occasions. But...

We’ve been pining for this unusual faceted piece ever since we first saw it in ELLE DECOR's April Trend Alert. We love its geometric form and the clear glass...

Reading a map often invokes thoughts of arguing with Dad during a long vacation. But these aerial-view rugs from