Over and Out

Have a lovely long holiday weekend -- and don't forget to work those white shoes while you still can!

See you back here on Tuesday.

(Photo: "Summer Whites," by flickr member superlocal.)

Low to High: Sunburst Mirrors

Sunburst mirrors are showing up all over the place lately. (Are they part of Becky's "Trendy Objects Drinking Game" over on Hatch? If not, they should be.) And for good reason -- they add instant drama, a touch of sophisticated swank, and undeniable fabulousness to your space.

But like many pieces of popular decor, there are literally dozens of variations available at a startling array of price points: everything from relatively small and spare versions that you can find at your local mall store to substantial, pristine antiques that will set you back several thousand dollars.

Let's take a look at the options and weigh their relative merits:

West Elm Convex Star Mirror, $49: This is definitely affordable and has a clean, modern sensibility -- but it seems a bit small (it's not quite two feet across), spindly, and sad compared to the others here.

Solare Mirror from Ballard Designs, $119: A nice size (three feet in diameter) at a great price.

Z Gallerie Prague Mirror, $139: A simplified contemporary take on the sunburst shape, this is well-priced and has presence -- but also strikes me as a bit generic.

Starburst Mirror from Crate & Barrel, $199: This 30-inch model alludes to the metal wall sculptures that were popular in the Sixties and Seventies, and I like the combo of brass and steel.

Cyrus Mirror from Horchow, $220: Another contemporary variation on the classic sunburst shape; it's a bit too childlike for my taste, though -- something about it makes me want to draw a happy face in the middle, like a child's sketch of the sun.

Linen Source Sunburst Mirror, $229: Great size (it's more than three feet in diameter) with a glam style that nods to the vintage versions; the mottled faux finish worries me a bit, though.

Vega Mirror from Ballard Designs, $229: In my opinion, this is the modern sunburst that comes closest to emulating the gilded antique models; plus, at nearly four feet in diameter, it's a good deal for the size.

Gold Sunburst Mirror from eBay Store Highgatehome, $234: Compare this to the strikingly similar (but much more expensive) mirror from Biggs Powell, below; personally, though, I'm not quite ready for the return of gold decor.

Kenneth Wingard Sunburst Mirror from CSN Lighting, $349: Aside from West Elm's, this sparkling model is probably the best fit for a really modern room; I like how it mimics the form of midcentury teak sunburst clocks, too.

Howard Elliot Rio de Janeiro Mirror, $420: The shape of this mirror is a close match for the vintage originals, but that bright bronze finish kind of scares me (there is, after all, a very fine line between fabulous and tacky).

French 1950s Brass Convex Sunburst Mirror from Biggs Powell, $1,300: Wonderful form and sterling provenance, but the cheapskate in me would probably opt instead for the Highgatehome knock-off, above, for about a fifth the price.

Circa-1930 French Gilded Mirror from Lebreton-Laurence, $2,700: Super-swanky, to be sure -- but ouch, that price; at 26 inches, it's a little on the small side, too.

French 1940s Gilded Sunburst Mirror from Barley Twist, $2,800: You can't get more glam than Forties French decor, and I love how the sun's rays alternate between long and short; still, that price is more than I bring home in a month.

Circa-1970 Mexican Sunburst Mirror from Douglas Rosin, $8,000: Yowza -- if I ever win the lottery, this five-foot-plus baby is all mine.

Which is your favorite?

(Photo at top from British Homes & Gardens magazine.)

Etsy Find of the Day: 3-D Wall Tile

I love the simplicity and the texture of these ceramic wall tiles from Asheville, North Carolina ceramist Heather Knight.

Each handmade tile measures 10 inches square, and has a keyhole on the back for easy hanging. As the seller suggests, these would look amazing on a brightly painted wall or even against a box or stripe painted on the wall.

The tiles come in oyster, reef, and barnacle textures and are available for $120 each from the Element Clay Studio Etsy Shop.

Cool Stuff: New at Tonic Living

Speaking of fabric art and Tonic Living, I was just perusing the Toronto-based fabric site's new offerings, and found a lot to love.

With textile designs from the likes of Alexander Henry, Michael Miller, and Robert Kaufman, Tonic Living's selection is unabashedly colorful, graphic, and fun. And I really appreciate the complementary fabric suggestions that pop up along with each fabric closeup -- it makes mixing and matching colors and patterns that much easier.

A look at some of Tonic Living's new stuff:

Feeling Groovy in Orchid, $9 per yard (all prices are in U.S. dollars)

Bird Seed in Aqua, $9 per yard

Bird Seed in Pink, $9 per yard

Smitten Kitten in Black, $9 per yard

Nakira Garden in Red, $9 per yard

Tiffany in Raisin, $1 per yard

Mirth, $10 per yard

Who's Who in Lemon, $9 per yard

Kleo in Chocolate, $9 per yard

Fauna in Azure, $9 per yard

Man, now I really wish I could sew ...

(By the way, if you're needle-and-thread challenged like me, be sure to check out the textile retailer's ready-sewn -- and really reasonably priced -- throw pillows, like the 16-by-16-inch Carnival Bloom at right, $20.)

See the entire collection right here. (Psst: You can snag some even sweeter deals in Tonic Living's eBay Store.)

Cool Stuff: White Metal Furniture

London's Graham & Green always has the best stuff.

But let me back up: Kate over at Girl Meets Glamour was debating dining chairs yesterday, and I clicked through to the G&G site to get a closer look at one of her contenders, an embossed white metal ram's head chair from India (above, 195 pounds -- about $390).

Lo and behold, Graham & Green has an entire collection of these beautiful embossed pieces, which somehow manage to meld lush exoticism with refined glamour.

Check it out:

Coffee Table, 360 pounds ($720)

Chest of Drawers, 835 pounds ($1,670)

Console Table, 352 pounds ($704)

Cupboard, 495 pounds ($990)

You can see the rest of the collection here.

Alas, that cursed pounds-to-dollars conversion rate plus shipping from the UK make these a bit too "spendy" for me -- anyone know a good source for this kind of furniture in the U.S.? (I did a quick search, but came up with zilch.)

If so, please let me know!

The Artful Home: Fabric Art

True confession: Art intimidates me.

I'm well over the sort of mass-produced prints (Man Ray, anyone?) that decorated my post-collegiate homes. And yet I haven't quite graduated to buying much "real" art -- for one, a lot of it is simply out of our budget. But even when it comes to buying smaller pieces from emerging artists, I don't quite trust my eye yet.

So for now, I'm making due with framed prints from various artists that I've discovered via Etsy and at a few local galleries and exhibition spaces. Well, that, and hanging fabric.

I started with the retro-inspired fabric above, which I bought from the awesome Tonic Living a couple of years ago. I knew I wanted to do some sort of project with it -- at first I was thinking pillows, until my lack of sewing skills and even a sewing machine put the kibosh on that idea.

Then I decided to simply buy some cheap art-store canvases, stretch the fabric around them, and affix it with a staple gun. Voila -- instant "art."

Since then, I've expanded my fabric art collection. A quick tour:

(Please forgive the total in-progress nature of the home you can glimpse around these, and the fact that most of the canvases are still sitting on the floor. One of these days, I swear, I will get around to hanging them... )

I picked up this Inhabit stretched canvas at the last Design Public warehouse sale, and hung it in our downstairs hallway.

Recognize this? It was an "eBay Find" I blogged awhile back. (I don't normally bid on the things I blog, but couldn't resist this one.)

Another Inhabit stretched canvas snagged at the Design Public warehouse sale.

I freakin' love this huge Marimekko print (I bought one of Textile Arts' handy frame kits for it, since a canvas this size would've been prohibitively expensive and heavy). I haven't hung it yet because I think we're going to repaint the dining room -- I love the red, but it's just not working with the colors I'm drawn to these days.

This is some groovy vintage fabric I found on eBay Australia. It's destined for the unfortunate pink bathroom.

More of that stretched Tonic Living fabric, which currently resides in my mad-for-blue daughter's room.

Have any fabric art projects of your own you'd like to share -- or other surprising ideas for using fabric or non-traditional items as art around your home? Send them in!

Mark Your Calendar: Oakland Art & Soul

If you live in the Bay Area and are around over the coming Labor Day Weekend, be sure to stop by the Oakland Art & Soul Festival, which runs Saturday through Monday, September 1-3.

In addition to music (60 bands playing on six stages; we're planning to check out the Live 105 Stage on Saturday and are especially excited to see Lucinda Williams headline on Sunday) and food (dozens of booths operated by local restaurants and free tastings from area food and wine producers), there will be lots of art:

Art offerings will include local artisans selling their wares; participatory art in the form of community mural painting, a sculpture installation, and a progressive table sketching project; exhibitions and demonstrations by local artists Tim Armstrong, Jessica Cadkin, and Chelsea Pegram; and kids' arts and crafts organized by the Museum of Children's Art and the East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse.

See you there!

Shameless Plug: My "Shelf Decorating Guide" on HGTV

My latest opus for HGTV.com: "Transform bland bookcases and wall shelves into stunning displays with 13 top-shelf decorating tips from interior designers."

You can read the article right here.

(Hint: Sharp-eyed readers may recognize one of the interior designers I quoted, Megan Samuels, as the blogger behind the always lovely and amusing BeachBungalow8.)

And don't miss all the great shots of viewers' beautifully accessorized shelves pulled from the new HGTV Decorating flickr pool. There's lots of wonderful, real-life inspiration to be found there.

By the way, apologies for all of the "shameless plugs" I've subjected you to of late. I promise that after one more article goes up shortly, it will be very, very quiet on the self-promoting front for awhile ...

(Any editors out there? Call me! ;-)

Cool Stuff: Thomas Paul Lighting

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the brand-new Thomas Paul lighting collection at 2Modern -- why did it take him so long?

Have a look:

Goldfinch Orange Pendant Lamp, $231

Goldfinch Red Pendant Lamp, $363

Marie Aqua Table Lamp, $306

Marie Brown Table Lamp, $306

Kelly Table Lamp, $284

Kelly II Floor Lamp, $570

See the entire Thomas Paul collection here.

Objects of Lust: See-Through Speakers

Nick and I have been locked in a years-long battle over, of all things, stereo speakers.

We're both hardcore music lovers (in fact, we met at a record store). And between us, we have hundreds upon hundreds of CDs -- not to mention all the rare and collectible LPs we spent the better part of our twenties (and most of our record-store wages) amassing, plus all the music we've downloaded during the last few years.

Given that, would you believe that we don't have so much as a boom box on which to play any of it? The reason: Speakers (or, more specifically, lack thereof).

I find most of them really, really ugly -- or just too techy and guy-like to consider letting them ruin the looks of my pretty living room. I'd like to transfer our entire music library to digital, then simply get a sweet little white iHome (above) or maybe a retro-style SpeckTone MP3 player (below) for the top of our credenza and call it a day. I'd even be OK with a set of small, inconspicuous bookshelf speakers, as long as we could hide the rest of the stereo equipment behind cabinet doors.

Just as I object on aesthetic grounds to the sort of ginormous faux-woodgrain floor speakers we used to have, though, Nick objects on the grounds of sound quality to my proposed music devices. (This is a man, after all, who reads magazines like Stereophile, The Absolute Sound, and Ultra High Fidelity for fun.)

But he just sent me a link to some high-end speakers that even I might be able to love. Designed by the UK's Ferguson Hill company, these clear acrylic speakers feature all the audiophile bells and whistles that make Nick hyperventilate (don't ask me to renumerate them, since words like "Hz" and "sub-base" mean absolutely nothing to me).

Of course, they don't come cheap: Ferguson Hill's Mini Speaker System -- available Stateside at Ultimate Audio Video -- costs about a thousand bucks, a price that makes me cringe (and that makes that $85 SpeckTone look better and better).

Still, could it be worth it to maintain marital harmony and keep music a part of our daily lives?

Check out Ferguson Hill's speaker line right here.

Etsy Find of the Day: Hadley Hutton

I got an email from Portland, Oregon artist Hadley Hutton the other day with a link to her Etsy shop, where I was delighted to discover her delicately beautiful prints and originals. ("Falling Fall," above, is a favorite.)

Hutton's work layers colored pencil, watercolor pencil, ink, archival digital media, pastels, gouache, and encaustic wax, which gives the resulting images a dreamy, luminescent quality that I love.

A few more of Hutton's lovely pieces:

Plum Blossoms, $13.50

Showering Nest, $20

Doe a Deer, $20

Peacock Tree, $13.50

Modern Garden Readymade, $60

Shameless Plug: My "Back-Friendly Home" Article in Prevention

Just another shamelessly self-promoting enjoiner to go read my latest article in the September issue of Prevention magazine ...

Is your home hurting your back? Find out about surprising back-pain culprits lurking in your home -- everything from a poorly placed TP holder to the wrong kind of pillow. Plus, simple fixes that will get your back on track.

Read the article here.

eBay Find of the Day: X-Base Stools

Do these stools look a little familiar? Maybe it's because you just saw a similar pair in the latest issue of Elle Decor, where they graced a palatial, Victoria Hagan-designed spread in the Hamptons (below).

One or both of these will add a touch of sophisticated, Forties-style flair to your dressing table or at the foot of your bed. Or you could follow Hagan's lead and tuck the pair under a console table, where they can be pulled out to provide extra seating at your next cocktail party -- and then quickly slid back in when your guests bid their adieus.

Current bid: $203.

(Bottom photo by Eric Piasecki for Elle Decor.)

Cool Tool: Shop The Nanny Diaries Set

How's this for shameless product placement: Now you can do more than simply ogle the set decor in a film or TV show (which, admittedly, is sometimes the only thing that makes sitting through a bad one endurable) -- you can actually buy the conveniently cataloged products featured therein.

Say you're at a screening of The Nanny Diaries, and find yourself admiring the goods in Mr. and Mrs. X's posh Upper East Side pad.



Covet the ultra-glam mirrored coffee table ($1,370) in the master bedroom? Feel a pang for the buttoned-up wing chairs ($1,230 to $1,470 apiece) in the living room? Take a liking to the throw pillows ($130 each) on the couch? Long to soak in a glorious pedestal tub ($4,300) like Mrs. X does?

You're in luck. Thanks to SeenON! you can tour the movie's sets, get info on the furnishings and accessories used to create the moneyed abode where much of the action takes place, and click through to various retailers to purchase what you see. Hell, you can even buy the clothes right off of Scarlett Johansson and Laura Linney's backs.

The Nanny Diaries' aren't the only sets you can shop, either. SeenON! also features decor from Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, Top Chef, Will & Grace, and lots of others.

It leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth, at least from a "how much more cynical can Hollywood get?" point of view -- but I have to admit that it's a pretty handy service.

Ogle to your heart's content right here.

(Now, if only someone would sell the set decor used in Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn's gorgeous apartment in The Break-Up ... )

Retail Therapy: Updates

I'm sad to report that two great local shops are closing or moving:

* I Spy Vintage Decor & More at 1845 Market St. in San Francisco will soon be closing its doors. Between now and August 30, everything in the store is 35 percent off.

(The good news: Owner Lynnore Goldfarb is planning to reopen as an online-only shop. And the retail space her store currently occupies will be transformed into Rare Device, run by transplanted Brooklynite Rena Tom and San Francisco artist Lisa Congdon. Very exciting.)

* Loot Antiques at 5358 College Ave. in Oakland is moving to 3598 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette as of October 2.

From September 1 through 30, most items at the Oakland location will be marked down 10 to 50 percent.

Snap up some deals before both stores are but a memory.

Over and Out

I'm off for a quick trip with my mom to oh-so-quaint Carmel-by-the-Sea, where I will spend hours browsing in overpriced boutiques and looking at cheesy oceanic art, and where I will, most likely, drink too much wine at dinner.

See you back here on Monday!

(Photo: "Carmel, the Mission," by flickr member daffodil.)

Objects of Lust: George Nelson Bubble Lamps

Every time I see George Nelson's iconic, 1947 Bubble Lamps, I love them more. They're so incredibly simple in form, and yet so beautifully sculptural.

Just one Bubble Lamp in a gorgeous setting is enough to take my breath away -- so the image above completely knocked the wind out of me. It's from the new issue of Domino, featuring clothing designer Lisa Perry's super-colorful and graphic Long Island beach house, where she hung fourteen of Nelson's classic light fixtures in the dining room.

Hey, if I had 18-foot ceilings and $4,300 to buy and install more than a dozen of these babies over my dining table, I'd do it too.

For now, though, I'll just drool over this picture.

(Photo by Douglas Friedman for Domino magazine.)

Cool Stuff: Juice Clocks

Perfect for the kitchen, these recycled plastic lemon, orange, and grapefruit juice clocks from Normal will add a burst of color and humor to your morning rush.

Available for $48 each right here.

That's Random: The Best eBay Item Description Ever

Now, I'm sure you don't want or need a set of Pokemon cards that's been bid up to $104.

But if you have kids, want kids, or even know a kid or two, take a break for a minute to read this hilarious eBay item description penned by a tired mother who -- after barely surviving a trip to the grocery store with her six kids in tow -- wound up with a set of accidentally purchased Pokemon cards that she's now trying to unload.

Check it out right here.

(Thanks for the tip, Marybeth!)

eBay Find of the Day: Girl in Yellow

The frame is nothing special, the water-stained matting needs to be replaced, and I know absolutely nothing about the artist (G. Galla, from France -- ring any bells?).

But there's something so beguiling about this original, midcentury-era pastel-and-pencil portrait of a demure girl in yellow that I keep coming back to stare at it.

I think I may need to make her a permanent resident of our home (unless, of course, somebody beats me to her).

Current bid: $10.

Cool Stuff: Patterned Shades from Lamps Plus (Yes, Lamps Plus)

I know what you're thinking: Lamps Plus?

And I want it to be known that I'm not normally a Lamps Plus kind of gal -- I find most of their offerings alarmingly banal, and a few of them downright tacky. Plus, I generally try to avoid the sort of generic strip malls where one might stumble upon a Lamps Plus emporium.

But I was Googling "patterned drum shade" the other day -- don't ask me why; this is just the sort of thing that I do. And up popped the shade above (Harris Marcus Blue Flower Shade, $60) -- which, I have to admit, is pretty darn stylin'.

Intrigued, I clicked through to take a look, and then surfed around a bit to see what other surprises might lay in store in the long-underappreciated Lamps Plus lighting empire. There was a whole lotta fuglyness, to be sure -- but I also found these:

Cherry Blossoms Opaque Giclee Shade, $60

Harris Marcus Leaf Shade, $55

Harris Marcus Blue Leaf Shade, $60

And yes, once again -- these are from Lamps Plus. Go figure.

Etsy Find of the Day: Nebulus Studios

I really like this digital print, "Periapsis," from Etsy seller Nebulus Studios, aka Corey Ramsey. (What can I say? I'm a sucker for tree silhouettes and colorfully altered digital photos.) It's just $18 for an 8-by-10 or $30 for an 11-by-14 archival print.

This one ("Tree Anomaly," also $18 or $30) is really striking as well.

This digital print ("Incoherent") is a stylistic departure -- it almost looks like an impressionist painting, and is dark and moody where the others are bright and poppy. Again, $18 or $30, depending on size.

Lastly, here's an original 12-by-12 acrylic painting ("Aphelion," $65) by the artist.

In addition to digital art and painting, Ramsey also does collage, photography, and mixed media -- quite the multi-talented guy.

Check out Nebulus Studios' Etsy shop right here.

Shameless Plug: My Kitchen Chairs on design*sponge

Grace Bonney of design*sponge (and House & Garden) is, no exaggeration, a blogging goddess to me -- and to many of you, I'm sure.

(If, by chance, you were just returned to Earth after a years-long alien abduction and aren't already totally addicted to design*sponge, I'm hereby ordering you to drop everything and immediately bookmark Grace's gorgeous, inspiring, and trail-blazing blog.)

So I'm flattered beyond words that Grace approved of my little kitchen-chair rehab project enough to post it on design*sponge today.

Thank you so much, Grace!

Who Knew? A "Cure" for Shedding

See this adorable pooch? That's our Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Bonnie. I love her almost as much as I love my children -- but her shedding is truly the bane of my existence.

Between Bonnie, our two cats, two flokati rugs, and the "amazing shedding shag" carpet that I blogged awhile back, I pretty much spend my days scooping up tumbleweeds of shed pet hair and carpet fibers from all over the house.

Not too long ago, a sympathetic pet store owner (who actually wasn't trying to sell me anything, since she didn't stock it herself) told me about a product called the FURminator. Have you heard of it?

Using a patented "de-shedding" shampoo and grooming tool, it's supposed to all but eliminate shedding by grabbing and removing all the dead hairs from a dog's undercoat. (The photo above, from the company website, is of hair removed after one "furminating" session.)

Seriously, check this out:


I was dubious, to say the least, but willing to try pretty much anything. So a couple of weeks later I booked an appointment with a mobile grooming service that used the FURminator line.

Now, a normal brushing session with Bonnie yields a comically large pile of hair -- but the hair that came off of that dog during the FURminator treatment was truly a sight to see. She actually looked like she'd lost a few pounds when all was said and done.

The treatment didn't even come close to stopping Bonnie's shedding (which, with a notorious shedding breed like corgis, is probably impossible). But it did significantly cut down on the volume of shed hairs for the next month or two.

The verdict: Not an end-all, but definitely worth a try. (Note for you feline fanciers: The company has a line of products for cats, too.)

Now that the we're actually heading into the warmest months of the year here in the Bay Area, I think I need to book another session. And though they're more expensive than standard grooming supplies, I may even spring for a FURminator brush ($25 to $45, depending on size) and shampoo ($15), available from retailers like PetSmart and Petco.

Now a question for you other pet owners: Have you tried the FURminator? What did you think? Post a comment and let me know.

Cool Stuff: Taj Cushions at Lotus Bleu

Hayes Valley's Lotus Bleu boutique just got in a shipment of these gorgeous pillows, priced from $58 to $128, from German design duo Taj. I love their vibrant colors and exuberant embroidery, appliques, and other fine details.

Check out the cushion collection here.

Bonus: The store's entire stock of lustrous Vietnamese lacquerware is 40 percent off. (The sale prices don't seem to be showing up in Lotus Bleu's online shop, so stop by the brick-and-mortar showroom on San Francisco's Hayes Street or inquire online to make sure you get the marked-down price.)

Cool Tool: Walnut Wallpaper Gallery

OK, it's not really a tool, per se -- but it is a nice website feature.

I'm talking about Walnut Wallpaper's photo gallery, which features various wallpapers the retailer sells (like Cavern Home's Blackbird in the "Kraft" colorway, above) being used in real, live rooms.

So -- unlike those perfectly composed, expertly lit, and professionally styled shots you see on the wallpaper manufacturers' sites or in glossy magazines -- you get a sense of how a particular paper would actually look in the real world: how overpowering or versatile its color might be and how the scale of its pattern works with other objects in the space.

The results, refreshingly, are not always pretty (witness the claustrophobia-inducing Osborne & Little Dusa in Black on Black, above).

It may be just the reality check you need before throwing caution to the wind and papering all four walls plus the ceiling with that over-the-top pattern you've been eying -- or it might give you the courage to take a chance on that pretty paper you've been feeling a bit of trepedition about.

A sampling of images from the gallery:

Timorous Beasties' Thistle in Blue on Dark Blue

Florence Broadhurst's the Cranes

Erica Wakerly's Spiral in Blue & White

Cole & Son's Paradise Tree

Flavor Paper's Dauphine in Black & White

Flavor Paper's Highway 66 in Pomegranate

Florence Broadhurst's Egrets in Black & Charcoal on Cream

Palace Papers' Nevermore in Coral

Florence Broadhurst's Shadow Floral in Turquoise

Flavor Paper's Onda in Nightshades

Cole & Son's Malabar in Black & White

Check out the Walnut Wallpaper Gallery here.

Shameless Plug: My "Bedroom Design DON'TS" Article on HGTV

Another article by yours truly is up on the Home & Garden Television website:

From choosing the wrong wall color to outfitting a room for everything but restful sleep, discover ten typical bedroom-design mistakes -- and how to avoid them.

Read the article right here.

Cool Stuff: Duffy London

Damn those Brits for making such cool stuff -- and the dollar for being so weak that I can't afford any of it.

Still, I can at least ogle the wares from across the pond, like these offerings from Duffy London:

Blossom Glo-Canvas (a photographic image printed on canvas and stretched around a frame, then lit from behind with built-in, ultra-thin fluorescent tubes), 235 to 315 pounds sterling (about $470 to $630), depending on size

Framed Chandelier Glo-Canvas, 195 to 235 pounds ($390 to $470)

Humm Glo-Canvas, 195 to 235 pounds ($390 to $470)

Mothmass Drum Shades, 55 to 120 pounds ($110 to $240)

'70s Gun Wallpaper, 45 pounds ($90) per metre

Folding Screen, 475 to 595 pounds ($950 to $1,190)

Duffy London offers more than 50 different stock images, which can be applied to any of the company's products -- or you can supply your own digital image for a totally bespoke creation.

Click here to see the entire range of products and image options.

eBay Find of the Day: Donut Phone

'Seventies-era Western Electric Sculptura telephones (aka "Donut" phones) are popping up all over the place lately:

In the new CB2 catalog ...

... in actress Ione Skye's David Netto-designed bedroom, featured in Domino ...

... in the latest "Trendy Objects Drinking Game" on Hatch ...

... and, of course, on eBay. The model pictured at top, in cheery of-the-moment yellow, is in good working order and has a handy touch-tone pad. (Rotary dialing, after all, is just so onerous.)

Current bid: $22. Hurry -- the auction ends Monday night.

Over and Out

Have a lovely weekend!

(Photo: "Siesta," by flickr member Mexicanwave.)

Cool Stuff: Bleu Nature

Bleu Nature takes "organic modern" design to a whole new level. Based in Northern France, the company uses scavenged materials such as driftwood, pebbles and stones, and petrified wood to create furniture, lighting, tableware, and accessories. The results are simple but breathtaking.

A few Bleu Nature designs that caught my eye:

No prices are listed (which probably means that "if you have to ask ... "), and the Bleu Nature website isn't set up for e-commerce for anyone other than design professionals. But you can punch in your zip or postal code right here to get a list of stores near you that carry the company's creations.

Click here to see the entire Bleu Nature line.

House in Progress: Breakfast Room Redux

Although I promised when I started this blog to "chronicle the process of making my family's house a home," I realize that I've been totally slacking on the House in Progress posts.

Mostly that's because everything has been in such a perpetual state of un-doneness around here that I didn't have much to show off. (Case in point: We still haven't repainted the pink bathroom.) That, and because Nick and I aren't totally satisfied with the rooms that we "finished" shortly after moving in last year, and have plans to repaint and rearrange a few of them.

But finally, one small area is coming together: Our little breakfast nook off the kitchen. It's a charming room with a bay window, two built-in china cupboards that are original to our circa-1939 home, a little arched entryway, and a peaked roof.

But as you can see from these "before" pictures we took when the house was for sale, the room was painted a dull beige, had ugly metal blinds hanging in the pretty divided-light casement windows, and sported a rather hideous copper and brass light fixture.

We repainted (with Benjamin Moore's Soft Fern) and took the blinds down right away, and I hung some cream-and-lavender ticking-striped cafe curtains that I had made up from a Restoration Hardware shower curtain. (I hated to cover up half of the lovely windows, but the room faces the street and has a southern exposure, so we needed to add something for a little privacy and shelter from the blazing sun while we sit at the table.)

Then we moved in our beloved retro formica dinette set, which had added such color and personality to our old kitchen. Unfortunately, the dinette set just wasn't right for this space, and it took forever to find something else. (The set is for sale on craigslist right now, if any of you locals are interested.)

We finally settled on a white parsons table from West Elm, and after a fruitless search for affordable wooden faux bamboo chairs, I ended up bidding on this set of metal patio chairs on eBay. (They just came back from the auto body shop today, where I had them powder coated in high-gloss white.)

Same with light fixtures. The one we ultimately went with (the new 15-inch Leran pendant from IKEA) is the third we've installed -- but I think the third time is the charm.

We also hung some vintage botanical prints (purchased very inexpensively on eBay and matted and framed in simple, stock-sized white mats and black frames that we bought at Aaron Bros. during one of their regular "buy one frame, get the second for 1 cent" sales). In retrospect, though, maybe we should have gone with white frames ...

And I set out my collection of purple sun glass and lavender transferware, assembled over the years from garage and estate sales, flea markets, and eBay.

Lastly, because the table needed a little something, but I wanted to keep it simple, I grabbed a metal tray I snagged for $2 last year at the Oakland Museum's White Elephant Sale and filled it with moss balls ordered from Schusters of Texas.

Still to do:

* Replace the dull, grayish brown vinyl floor with some colorful Marmoleum.

* Hang some of my collection of lavender transferware on the wall around the big window. (I think I'm also going to spring for the "Wanker" platter from Etsy seller trixie delicious that I blogged the other day, just to keep the mood in the room light and not make the vintage-plates-on-the-wall thing seem too straightforwardly traditional.)

* Get some chair cushions and new cafe curtains made up using more vibrant fabric, since the ticking stripe doesn't really "pop." Maybe the Amy Butler Lime Star Paisley pattern, below. (Any of you real or armchair designers out there have other fabric suggestions? If so, I'd love to see 'em.)

Anyway, one room (almost) down, eight more to go!

Etsy Find of the Day: Porcelain Branches

Lovely as wall art or as a creative alternative to standard coat hooks and key-ring holders, these porcelain branches by Etsy seller Guy Michael Davis mount directly to the wall with attached screws.

The starter kit shown at top, with perching sparrow included, is available for $90 right here.

Extension kits are available by special order for a more complex installation, as shown above and below. For additional info and to see other examples of Davis' work, check out his blog.

eBay Find of the Day: Orange Mushroom Lamps

This pair of '70s orange mushroom lamps is so groovy. (And check out the completely shagadelic bedroom they come from, below.)

But the lamps would also look great in a clean, minimal setting -- where they'd add a pop of color and personality -- or in an eclectic feminine room.

Current bid: $1.

Mark Your Calendar: Nite Souk

Another fun event for you Bay Area locals: the Old Oakland Nite Souk.

On Saturday, August 18, from 6 to 11 p.m. the getting-hipper-by-the-minute Old Oakland district around Washington and Ninth streets will be transformed into an open-air bazaar filled with music, comedy, dance, food, film screenings, kids' crafts, and locally produced wares for sale.

According to the organizers, "the Nite Souk promises to be a magical and eclectic event bringing together culture, street performers, and exotic foods. Inspired by night markets around the world, the bazaar will celebrate the community and embrace nighttime in Oakland."

Participating vendors include Oaklandish, Mignonne, fiftyseven-thirtythree, Sunshine Art, Forrealism, Lo Lo, artist Lori Pino, Sew Crafty Collective, and others.

Bring a folding chair and a blanket, too, for a free 9 p.m. screening of Little Miss Sunshine, courtesy of the Old Oakland Outdoor Cinema Series.

Find out more about the Nite Souk here.

Color Obsession: For the Love of Lime

Lately, I just can't get enough of the lighter, poppier shades of green. From lime to citron to chartreuse to olivine to pistachio to pear to apple green to wasabi, I am absolutely eating them up.

The good news is that, despite the inherent boldness of the hue, bright green is actually quite versatile: It's fresh and youthful when paired with yellow, pink, blue, or white, but takes on a more sophisticated, autumnal mood mixed with browns, reds, and deep oranges.

Apparently, I'm not the only one lusting after lime -- the shade seems to be popping up everywhere these days. A look at some lime loveliness:

Jungle Vase, $30, and Buddha Head, $15, from CB2; Victoria Hagan Vase, $30, at Target; Lacquer Vase, $62, from Lotus Bleu; Jonathan Adler Lantern Pot, $44

Mayfair Lamp, $374, Citrine Pendant, $490, and Flamingo Lamp, $490, by Shine; Twiggy Lamp from Moth Design; LUM Basketweave Lamp, $1,000

Anthropologie Botah and Granny Smith lampshades, both $58

Cerci Dinnerware, $5 each, at Pier 1; Hibis Plates, $13 each, at EQ3; IKEA City Dinnerware, $2; Haiku Platter, $10, and Verde Platter, $13, both from CB2

Double Happiness Teapot, $24, at Anthropologie; Stelton Vacuum Jug, $80, at Abitare; Tray, $22, from Decorative Things; Fruit Bowl, $20, at Mxyplyzyk

Unison Larch Pillow, $52, at Design Public; Lemon Green Embroidered Floor Cushion by En Gry & Sif; Hable Construction Viridian Palm Pillow, $140; Jonathan Adler Bargello Scallop Pillow, $110; CB2 Sparrow Pillow, $25; Jonathan Adler Big Sur Lime Pillow, $98

Amy Butler Lime Tree Peony Fabric, $10 per yard, from Purl Soho; Marimekko Paaryna Fabric, $36 per panel; Roundabout Fabric, $12 per yard, and Swirl Fabric, $11 per yard, both from Lewis & Sharon Textile Co.; IKEA Katrin Fabric, $6 per yard; Everett Fabric, $25 per yard, from Lewis & Sharon

IKEA Kaktus Quilt Cover, $15 to $30; Tussuto Throw, $40, at CB2; Leaf Line Curtain, $108 to $148, from Anthropologie

Romo Kimura Lime Wallpaper, available at Walnut Wallpaper; Florence Broadhurst Tropical Paradise Wallpaper, $398 per roll, Phanthom Lime Wallpaper, 109 per roll, and Boheme Green Geometric Wallpaper, $119 per roll, all available at Wandrlust; Ribbon Candy Wallpaper, $150 to 250 per roll, from Flavor Paper

Madeline Weinrib Mandala Tibetan Rug; Not Neutral Seasons Rug, $240 to $480; Judy Ross Green & Cream Clover Runner, $875, at 2Modern

Lucy Totem Stool, $275, from ModernDose; Lime Cube, $200, from Mxyplyzyk; IKEA Fritiof Stool, $6

Lotus Bleu Slipper Chair, $1,450; Urban Outfitters High Roller Chair, $200; Eames Rocker, $399, at Room + Board; Philippe Starck Mademoiselle Chair, $784, at HiveModern; Jonathan Adler Chippendale Chair, $495; Highback Armchair, $3,700 for a pair, at Pieces; Libel Lounge Chair, $1,416, at HiveModern

Pix Table, $100, at Design Within Reach; Parsons Console Table, $425, from ModernDose; Doca Autunno Flatpack Coffee Table, $65, at A+R Store; Ligne Roset Lunatique Table

Green and White Chest of Drawers, $3,995 for two, at Pieces; Shine Cary Buffet, $1,990, at Cottage & Bungalow

(Photo at top by Paul Costello for Domino magazine.)

Etsy Find of the Day: Rock Hairdo Plates

I was just reading Anh-Minh's most recent post on vintage plate displays over on AT:SF, and clicked through to Etsy to take a closer look at the hilarious Seven Deadly Sins plates she featured (Anh-Minh always finds the best stuff ... ).

I loved what I saw, and proceeded to peruse the rest of Etsy seller trixie delicious' (aka Vandalized Vintage out of Auckland, New Zealand) offerings. I soon came upon these "rock star hairdo" plates -- which, it goes without saying -- totally rock.

The images include the iconic coifs of Sid & Nancy (top), the White Stripes (above), bluesy bad-girl Amy Winehouse (directly above), and punkette ensemble the Donnas (below). They're created with heat-fused, food-safe ceramic paint on funky vintage plates, and wall hangers are included.

I think I must have them.

The plates are $30 to $40 right here. (And while you're there, don't miss trixie delicious' equally fantastic "Bad MF" plate set and "Wanker" platter; too bad she seems to be out of those awesome "Slut" teapots ... )

Cool Stuff: Pretty Pillows

Loving these pretty new pillows at Design Public:

Ailanthus Pillow, above, $60 to $68, from Inhabit

Flown Pillow, $60, from Inhabit

Plant Forms Pillow, $78, from three sheets 2 the wind

Bent Tulip Pillows, $78 each, from three sheets 2 the wind

Check 'em out here.

Sound Off: What's Your Favorite "Little" Magazine?

Sure, everyone in the design blogosphere is drooling over Domino and buggin' about Blueprint, and I love those magazines, too. (On the other hand, Dwell, which my fellow design junkies all seem to worship, leaves me utterly cold. And while I like ReadyMade in theory, I don't have a crafty bone in my body.)

But the home magazine I live for is the U.K.'s Living, Etc. I have been known to drive across town in search of the latest issue, and to happily fork over close to ten bucks -- damn that exchange rate! -- for it. (I really ought to look into subscribing ... )

And I'm just loving the new-ish, Birmingham, Alabama-based Cottage Living (which, despite the name's shabby-chic connotations, is actually really fresh and even modern). I appreciate the fact that the homes featured are not in New York or L.A., as well -- who knew that the South was so stylish?

I'm really digging Canadian House & Home, too -- it's full of stuff that's different from the things you see in every American home mag, but that's still "get-able" (both literally and figuratively) for those of us not living in the Great White North. That's actually how I discovered Vancouver's One + Only Custom Headboards, which I blogged yesterday. I recently bit the bullet and subscribed, which wasn't cheap -- but I think it's worth it.

Now I want to hear from you guys: What lesser-known shelter magazines do you think are worth seeking out? Please post a comment and let me know!

(Photo: "Nice Rack," by flickr member vw-busman.)

Cool Tool: Walk Score

How walkable is your neighborhood?

Find out with a click of the mouse at Walk Score (which I first read about on the fabulous Design Boner blog -- be sure to bookmark DB if you haven't already).

Here's how it works: Simply plug your address or the address of a home you're considering renting or buying into Walk Score's convenient calculator. The site then uses Google Maps to locate nearby (or not-so-nearby, as the case may be) stores, restaurants, schools, parks, and other amenities before spitting out a "walk score" between 0 and 100.

The score breakdown:

* 90 - 100 = Walkers' Paradise: Most errands can be accomplished on foot and many people get by without owning a car.

* 70 - 90 = Very Walkable: It's possible to get by without owning a car.

* 50 - 70 = Some Walkable Locations: Some stores and amenities are within walking distance, but many everyday trips still require a bike, public transportation, or car.

* 25 - 50 = Not Walkable: Only a few destinations are within easy walking range. For most errands, driving or public transportation is a must.

* 0 - 25 = Driving Only: Virtually no neighborhood destinations within walking range. You can walk from your house to your car!

Bummer for me: My friendly little 'hood in the Oakland hills (which I love in every other way, except for the fact that I have to drive somewhere else to get a decent cup of coffee) scored a paltry 54 -- compared to a respectable 71 in my old stomping grounds of outer Noe Valley, San Francisco and a whopping 94 for the nabe I lived in before that (Cobble Hill, Brooklyn).

As a result, Walk Score explains, my health suffers and I produce more greenhouse gases, have fewer transportation options, weaker local businesses, and lower "social capital."

How does your neighborhood rate? Find out here.

(Photo: "Walk_Don't Walk," by flickr member ale2000.)

Cool Stuff: Headboards as Art

Last year, when Shivauna Brown of Vancouver, British Columbia, bought her first home, she craved "a signature piece of art to not only fill a wall, but also inspire her morning, noon, and night." When she couldn't find what she wanted, she decided to create it herself.

The result is Brown's new company, One + Only Custom Headboards. Using art and photography, Brown turns the images into colorful bedheads rendered in canvas or vinyl. They not only provide a soft place to prop yourself up against, they take care of the "what to put over the bed?" art quandary as well.

A look at some of Brown's unique bedroom creations:

Flora

Lotus

Blue Frost

In the Pink

Sparkle

Available in twin to king sizes, unframed headboards are $599 Canadian (about $569 U.S.) and framed headboards are $895 Canadian ($849 U.S.). Don't miss the sample sale area for special bargains.

Click here to see the entire collection of One + Only headboards.

eBay Find of the Day: Agitprop Art

When my family and I visited London this past spring, we spent the better part of a day at the amazing Tate Modern. At the time, the museum was hosting an exhibit on Constructivist art featuring the propaganda posters of Aleksandr Rodchenko and others that profligated after the Bolshevik Revolution.

I didn't know much about Constructivism -- or about Russian history, for that matter -- but I was instantly struck by the futuristic feel, bold graphics, and vibrant color (namely red, of course) of these images, which eschewed art simply for art's sake in favor of art in service of the nation's social welfare.

The result was posters extolling Bolshie leaders like Vladimir Lenin, above, urging factory workers to be more productive, and admonishing Soviet countrywomen to "keep your tongue behind your teeth," below -- and thus presumably not blab state secrets (that's one I ought to post near my telephone ... ).

Today, original examples of this agitprop art command hundreds and even thousands of dollars on the open market (oh, the irony for us members of the cash-strapped proletariat ... ). But you can find good-quality reproductions for a fraction of that by surfing around in eBay's Military and Political Art and Russian Collectibles categories.

The striking giclee print of a 1931 propaganda poster at top, for instance, is rendered on heavyweight archival paper and measures 20 by 29 inches. Roughly translated, it reads "Smite the Lazy Worker!" Snap it up and hang it near your home work station for a bit of tongue-in-cheek motivation on those days when you're not feeling terribly industrious. After all, it's for the greater good.

Current bid: $15.

House Voyeur: Jen's New Kitchen

Some of us who've been homeowners for a few years -- and who may even have a remodeling project or two under our belts -- are still a bit daunted by the Mother of All Home-Improvement Projects: The Major Kitchen Remodel.

Not so Jen Garcia of Huntington Beach, California. After purchasing her first home last October at the tender age of 26, Jen barely waited until the ink was dry on the closing papers before completely gutting her new condo's bland, timeworn kitchen, below. (Actually, Jen made her boyfriend do the gutting -- but you get the idea.)

Here, Jen shares the story of the makeover:

"This was the first place I ever remodeled. I didn't really know what I was doing, but I did some research, tried my best to do things in the correct order, and made a few mistakes along the way. Still, I'm thrilled with the way everything turned out.

The look I was going for is what I like to call 'contemporary/cozy.' I love clean, straight lines, no clutter, and sophisticated design. But my main concern was to have a place that's comfortable and relaxing while still keeping a contemporary feel. I definitely think I accomplished that.

My favorite thing about the kitchen is the 'brick' backsplash, which is actually made from granite. When I was choosing my granite countertop, I picked another piece of granite and had the stoneyard cut it into an uneven brick design and lay out the pieces on 12-inch-square mesh for installation. I think it completely makes the kitchen.

The other thing I'm thrilled about is the range hood (a Broan Rangemaster 30-Inch in stainless steel). I didn't even know what those things were called before I had to buy one. I looked through magazines and other kitchen resources, saw one similar to this, and was on my way to finding an affordable one of my own.

Other resources:

* Kenmore Stainless Steel 30-inch Freestanding Gas Range

* Pergo laminate flooring (I would have loved wood, but I have to say that with all of the remodeling I did, the Pergo held up amazingly well. Wood would've been thrashed.)

* Kenmore Side-by-Side Stainless Steel Refrigerator

* Avanti EWC28 28-Bottle Wine Cooler With Lock

* Kenmore Elite Stainless Steel 24-Inch Built-In Dishwasher

* The cabinet hardware was purchased on sale from Home Depot. A ten-pack of handles for $20! That was the best deal I found.

* The mocha-beige paint is from Dunn-Edwards, which some friends of mine had used. They had a little sample of it left, but no name. I took it to the paint store and had them color-match it for me."

Thanks so much for sharing your kitchen remodel with us, Jen!

Want to share your own home -- or simply show off a room or a project you're proud of? Please let me know!

Cool Stuff: Brocade Home Lighting

I have to admit that I have not been won over by Brocade Home. It's just a bit ... baroque and rococo for me, with its over-the-top painted curlicued furniture and all that velvet and lace and jacquard and damask. (I mean, come on -- flocking?) It's too girly by far, and I suspect the look will date very quickly.

But I can always (and I mean always) be counted on to find at least one lamp or light fixture to drool over from any given retailer -- and the latest Brocade Home catalog, which was waiting on our doorstep when we arrived home last night, appears to be no exception.

I am totally digging the petite blown glass lamps, above, which are $99 each. And I'm also quite taken with the pretty fabric pendant, below, $199.

So, OK, Brocade Home -- maybe I'm starting to thaw a little bit.

New Look

I was getting a little tired of the old one.

What do you think?

Shameless Plug: My "Bedroom Feng Shui" Article on HGTV

Do you feng shui? I confess that I'm a bit of a skeptic.

But while researching my latest article for HGTV, "Feng Shui Your Bedroom," I was won over by the fact that -- whether or not you buy into feng shui's underlying philosophies -- many of its principles simply make good design sense.

Click here to read the article, and to discover simple feng shui strategies that will turn your chaotic and uninspiring bedroom into a serene and sensual sanctuary.

Back from the Beach

You know, you really haven't lived until you've experienced the Northern California coast in August: The gray skies, the freezing temperatures, the soup-like fog ...

I swear I will remember this next year and book our beach time for October, when it might actually be warm. And I will ask for references before sending hundreds of dollars to someone advertising her (cough!) "charming" beach cottage rental on craigslist.

That said, the dog absolutely loved her vacation. ;-)

Over and Out

The hubby, kids, corgi, and I are off for a short vacation at the beach. I'll be back with regular posts on Monday, August 13. (I may pop up here for a random post or two before then, but don't bet on it ... )

In the meantime, if you live in these parts, don't forget about this weekend's fun East Bay events:

* The first-anniversary party at Industrielle, Feria Urbana at the Oakland Museum, and the Oakland Art Murmur tonight, August 3

* The warehouse sale at the Gardener in Berkeley tomorrow, August 4

* The Alameda Point Antiques & Collectibles Faire on Sunday, August 5

And while I'm away, be sure to check out the blogroll on the right-hand side of this page for some great reads and gorgeous eye candy.

Have a wonderful week!

(Photo: "Dash!" by flickr member seaskycoo.)

eBay Find of the Day: Teak Chest

This petite teak chest of drawers has a slim, compact profile and great versatility. Use the Denmark-produced piece in an entrance hall, as a nightstand or side table, or tuck it up against a wall and top it with vintage-modern pottery or other retro accents.

(And if Danish Modern is your thing, be sure to check out the Los Angeles-based seller's other auctions.)

Current bid: $34.

House Voyeur: Airy Art Deco in Oakland

When it comes to their home, my neighbors Bernadette and Steve Finch are decidedly old-school: You’d be hard-pressed to find much in their picturesque Oakland cottage that was made long after the late-1920s vintage of the home. Yet the space is far from dowdy -- in fact, it feels fresh, light, and undeniably pretty.

Outfitting the house has clearly been a labor of love for the young, vintage-loving couple. Here, Bernadette gives us a tour of their home and shares her favorite design finds:

“Our style is a mix of English Art Deco and ‘cottage chic.’ There’s an emphasis on floral Deco motifs (as opposed to Deco’s more skyscraper, linear-style details), which appeals to us because it creates an informal yet stylized look. We appreciate the clean lines as well as the strong design elements of the Art Deco period.

Most of our Deco furniture is from eBay. Some of it was local, and some came from England. The vintage stained-glass pieces throughout the house came from the San Rafael Auction Gallery and the Alameda Point Antiques & Collectibles Faire, which is held the first Sunday of every month. New area rugs are from American Carpet Wholesalers, and our vintage Deco-style rugs are from Antique Oriental Rugs. The custom curtains (below) are by Electra Skilandat, who specializes in retro fabrics; and the 1930s swing-out curtain rods are from eBay.

We also love to go to the Art Deco & Modernism Sale, held every June and December at San Francisco’s Concourse Exhibition Center. The dealers there have museum-quality pieces as well as affordable items. We usually only buy a couple of small things, but really enjoy seeing the ‘best of the best’ in person.

The architecture of our house is modeled on an English Cotswold cottage. Built in the 1920s, it has many original design elements, including a high-pitched roof, beamed and cathedral ceilings, and interior archways. With two growing kids, we needed more room, so we recently added on about 900 square feet to the house’s original 1,200. Creating an addition that was in keeping with the style of the house was our first priority. All the hardware, doors, light fixtures, and bathroom fixtures we used for the addition are originals from salvage resources.

Many of the period doorknobs are from Ohmega Salvage in Berkeley and from eBay. We got period-style black hammered metal hardware for our garage doors and small garage windows from Acorn. It really enhances the English cottage style of the house.

When people visit our home for the first time, they often say that it feels like a bed and breakfast. They notice the details, like our collections of etched mirrors, hammered aluminum, and vintage embroidery.

The wall color in this room and the other bedrooms is Kelly Moore’s 'Grey Green' (N37-1), which is actually the most wonderful gray-blue. (We used a half-formula of this color in the bathrooms.) The color in the communal rooms is Benjamin Moore’s 'Buttery' (1359). The trim throughout the house is Benjamin Moore’s 'Medicci Ivory' (1634).

Our favorite thing about our home would have to be the Deco period lighting throughout. Some of the fixtures were here when we moved in, and they definitely drew us to the house. We think of light fixtures as 'jewelry for a room' -- they finish off the space with beautiful detail. Over time, we’ve added original Deco sconces that we found on eBay (hint: search under 'slip shade' to find similar fixtures) to the bathrooms and bedrooms. Ruiz Antique Lighting in Alameda is the best place to have vintage finds rewired or repaired.

The biggest challenge with this house has been using reclaimed items while still trying to provide the most function. For instance, salvaged sinks and toilets generally don’t have the best water usage -- but salvaging those items offsets some of that cost.

We found all of our original 1920s and ’30s sinks, toilets, and bath fixtures at the Sink Factory in Berkeley. The sinks were in great shape. We had one set of fixtures re-chromed, but the rest were fine -- we don’t mind a little pitting on the metal, since we think it provides character. For the toilets, we had a plumber install new fittings so they function well. The few new things in the bathrooms are from Kohler.

The marble basket-weave floor was a major indulgence. It was way out of our budget. But after searching endlessly for the perfect flooring, we had no choice -- it fits the period of the house perfectly and truly enhances the room. We used tile from Art Tile in Oakland for the upstairs bathroom (above), and Ann Sacks tile in the yellow ground-floor bathroom (below).


Of everything we’ve done here, I’m probably proudest of the garden. The woman we bought the house from had gardened here for 23 years. So needless to say, we bought into a mature landscape. For the first year or two, I just maintained it. But since then, I’ve replanted almost everything except the larger trees. Every inch of our property is planted, and it creates the most peaceful and beautiful surroundings for our family to enjoy. I do all the landscaping myself and gardening has become my main hobby. I love it so much that I'm studying to become a landscape designer.”

To see the entire slideshow of the house and garden, click here.

Thanks so much for letting us all take a peek at your beautiful home, Bernadette and Steve!

Want to share your own home -- or simply show off a room or project you're proud of? Please let me know!

Cool Stuff: Marimekko Fall Fabrics

Summer has gone by so fast this year, and merchants everywhere are starting to bring out their Autumn wares in deeper, richer colors and cozy textures. Yummy as they are, I'm not quite ready for them.

Anyway, I just saw (via design*sponge) that Finnish textiles giant Marimekko has released its fall 2007 fabrics line, including several new patterns and a bunch of classic patterns in new, autumnal colorways.

A look at some of the new fabrics and colors:

Aarni

Siipi

Mokki

Vanitas

Solu

Iso Krassi

Melooni

Ruusunjalostaja

Puutarha

Peikonlehti

Etsy Find of the Day: Bueller Prints

Los Angeles photographer Bueller is probably best known for her gorgeous, nostalgia-tinged California beach shots (like this one).

But I also love these vibrant, signed fine art and giclee prints of New York, Paris, and Santorini architectural landmarks, and of seemingly mundane objects like a trio of peeling vintage chairs (bottom).

The prints measure 8 by 10 and 8 by 12 inches and are $30 each in Bueller's Etsy shop.

Retail Therapy: Industrielle

Sandwiched between two upstart art galleries in Oakland’s on-the-rise Uptown arts district sits Industrielle.

Part exhibition space and part boutique, Industrielle is the brainchild of local artist Dana Taylor, who calls it an “urban style gallery.” Taylor uses the high-ceilinged room to display her own collages (right) as well as the work of other local artists, including Sita Rupe, Jessica Serran, and Mary Younkin (below).

In addition, tables and shelves throughout the shop are filled with pottery, textiles, housewares, and other odds and ends -- much of it crafted by local artisans. “I wanted a space to show my own art, and I knew so many other people who were creating things that it just came together,” Taylor says.

There are pretty pillows from Joom (above); screenprinted tea towels, pillowcases, and clothing from Evo Noche; ceramics from Anna Vaughan and Lynn Ganser; and rock-chic wear from Billie Joe and Adrienne Armstrong's Adeline Street.

Mixed in with the locally produced goods are delicate Japanese paper boxes and trays, cloth-covered notebooks from Lotta Jansdotter, funky metallic pendant lights from DCI, A Concept plates and vases, and the occasional piece of vintage furniture. Prices are reasonable: Almost all of the housewares cost less than $50, and original art starts at about $75.

Industrielle is located at 33 Grand Ave., near the corner of Broadway. The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and until 10 p.m. during the Oakland Art Murmur’s First Fridays events.

This Friday, August 3, Industrielle celebrates its first anniversary with champagne and hors d’ouvres, live ambient music, and new artwork from David Seiler (below left), Taylor, Rupe, Serran (below middle), Julia Storrs, and Elisa Carozza-Kuhl (below right).

Update: I'm sad to report that Industrielle has closed. Owner Dana Taylor will be focusing on her own art and eventually reopening the shop and gallery in Los Angeles. Dana, Oakland will miss you!

eBay Find of the Day: Mod Minis

These iconic chairs from eBay seller GreenHime are hip, modern, collectible -- and only a few bucks each. They're also less than 3 inches tall.

But oh, what style! These would be perfect for a mod dollhouse (if you have a youngster you're trying to indoctrinate with your design aesthetic), or look fab lined up on a shelf or shadowboxed and hung on the wall.

Made by Reac Japan, models include 1/12-scale copies of Arne Jacobsen's Ant, Egg, and Swan chairs, Eero Saarinen's Tulip Chair, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Chair, Verner Panton's Panton Chair, Eero Aarnio's Ball Chair, and other icons of modern seating.

Starting bids on the chairs are less than $10 each, plus $6 shipping ($4 for each additional chair). Compare to the equally cool -- but much pricier -- Vitra miniature chairs.


Check 'em out here.

Mark Your Calendar: Warehouse Sale at The Gardener

If you're anywhere near Fourth Street in Berkeley on Saturday, August 4, be sure to stop by The Gardener's big warehouse sale.

Merchandise from the store -- which specializes in gorgeous, "organic modern" design for the home and garden -- will be 50 to 90 percent off, and furniture will be 40 to 70 percent off.

The Gardener warehouse is located at 1501 Fourth St., three blocks north of The Gardener's Fourth Street shop, above (which is most definitely worth a visit as well). The doors open at 9 a.m.