Porcelain Takes A Walk On The Wild Side...

Another tradition-living-on-the-edge beauty that caught my eye recently while reading design sponge is this porcelain bowl decked out with chains. I love how the chains give this grandma reminiscent bowl a tough, "don't mess with me" feel. I see this filled with red roses, sitting on a night stand next to this lamp from Lamps Plus

and, hanging on the wall beside it, this genius idea for art from dna11, who turn yours and/or your loved ones' finger prints into custom artwork.

Tree Magnifique!

No, I am not obsessed with trees, but yes I am mentioning them in design again because they are EVERYWHERE!!! Trees, branches, leaves, etc are making an appearance in design that ranges from country cabin (where it usually resides) all the way to ultra modern. The glass above are just so beautiful and, again, I can see them fitting in many different dining room styles.


This rug is from CB2 and is a very cool take on the branch/tree theme. Simple white on black intermingled with the intricacy of the branches. Very nice.


These room dividers are from 2Modern and would be so great in a city loft apartment to define separate spaces AND add a bit of wilderness and nature to a skyscraper view.

Mr. Ghost Tree, will you marry me??

Oye! I am so in love! When I first saw this Ghost Tree coat rack from Erich Ginder in a 2006 issue of Blueprint magazine I was instantly smitten. Such a unique spin on a trad coat rack. I adore the way it looks against that dijon mustard yellow wall, ebony stained floor, and that Jonathan Adler rug in the first image (from Bluprint). A bit pricey, but so worth it for something your guests see as soon as they enter your home. Hey, first impressions are lasting impressions right?

The Glass (lamp) Is Half Full!

I love the fact that you can fill this lamp from Pottery Barn with small items that you treasure and that add to the essence of your room.

I am thinking that small skeins of yarn like this might look good in the lamp when placed in a country-decor room:
Or some marbles in a room that mixes traditional with whimsical design:



Any other ideas???

Tradition Goes All Funky

Ok, so I know this Anthropologie sofa (expressly the fabric) is not for everyone, nor every home, but I find it so intriguing. I love the funky vibe of the upholstery juxtaposed with the refined, cross-your-knees and extend-your-pinky feel of the sofa itself. Because it is a Victorian era shape, I would find it fit to pair it with two of these clear Lucite Louis Ghost chairs by Phillipe Starck:


And, if you are extra brave, slap this Jonathan Adler area rug in front of the sofa with the two Ghost chairs seated on it at either side of the coffee table below and you have got the start of a room that is chock full o' sass and style!



Not feeling quite THAT brave? Go for a more subtle area rug like this one:

I Heart Faux Bois

Faux bois and its relatives are everywhere you look right now. Faux bois, meaning fake wood, and other tree/branch/stump/log imitators are sooooo not just for the cabin in the woods any more. Give a "log" a glimmery finish and tah-dah, you have a gorgeous vase like this one from Viva Terra:


One of my favorite faux bois decor items right now is this terrific mirror from West Elm:

Would this not look smashing in an entry hall with this wallpaper from American Wallpaper behind it?

And this contemporary umbrella holder (the one on the right would be my pick) on the dark hard-wood floor below it:

Purrrrrrr! I heart faux bois!

Trompe L'oeil Chandelier

This "chandelier" from Dutch By Design is such a fun take on the traditional beaded, bobbled, decked out version! I absolutely love when design is just a tad bit quirky and this light fixture would add just a sly hint of whimsy to an otherwise buttoned-up room. Pair this with a rustic dining table and some semi-modern chairs for an ecclectic, yet pulled together room. Try these on for size:




I would opt for the pale blue version of this chair from West Elm to add some color to the mix. And this rug by Jonathan Adler.

Anthropologie Branch Shelf..ooh la la!

Love this amazing shelf from Anthropologie. It is available in brass (shown) or nickel, but I much prefer the antique look of the brass. I picture it above a sofa as part of a grouping of framed prints, a mirror, etc. like these: