eBay Find of the Day: Silk Ikat

Straight outta Uzbekistan.

I think I'd use this 10-foot by 17-inch length of vibrant silk-cotton Ikat fabric as a table runner. But it would also look awesome turned into throw pillow covers, tucked vertically into a solid-colored couch or chair to provide a contrasting stripe against the upholstery, or hung on a glass-paneled door.

What would you use it for?

You can "Buy it Now" for $23, plus $17 shipping from Bukhara. And don't miss the other gorgeous and really reasonably priced Uzbek goods (including some great Suzanis) from the seller, Antiquarian Textiles.

eBay Find of the Day: Vintage Suzani

You can't crack a design magazine these days, it seems, without seeing a Suzani -- usually draped oh-so-casually at the foot of a guest-room bed in the Hamptons summer home of a fashion designer or minor European aristocrat whose monthly interest income probably surpasses your annual salary. (They picked up the hand-embroidered silk textile years ago while on a Vogue photo shoot in the wilds of Uzbekistan, darling.)

If your trust fund doesn't allow for such international jaunts, consider turning (as I always do) to eBay. On any given day, you can find dozens of Uzbek merchants selling the traditional Persian ceremonial cloths on the site -- the vast majority for a mere fraction of the cost of a plane ticket to Tashkent.

This Suzani caught my eye with its striking red-and-black hues and graphic markings. It's a nice size (60 inches square) and would bring a bold shot of pattern, a rich dose of color, and a hint of moneyed bohemian flair to your home when employed as a bed coverlet, draped over the back of a couch, or used as upholstery for a chair or bench.

Current bid: $24.

(Note: When dealing with international sellers on eBay -- domestic ones, too, for that matter -- always check their feedback rating before bidding. Don't deal with anyone who doesn't have a well-established record on eBay and a history of satisfied buyers. Hint: If their rating is lower than your body temperature, don't bid. The vendor selling the Suzani above, for instance, has a positive-feedback rating of 99.8%.)