Objects of Lust: Glaze Study Vases

Never mind the tattooed-but-sensitive alterna-boyfriend type shown here -- I'm really lusting after these colorful vases from Anthropologie.

They're clearly modeled on midcentury Italian pottery (the one on the left is a bit Bitossi-like, don't you think?) and they're not cheap, ranging from $98 to $168 apiece.

At prices like that, I think I'd rather search out original, vintage models. I'll let you know if I turn up anything similar on eBay.

In the meantime, though, I don't mind looking at these one bit -- and the guy's not bad, either.

Cool Stuff: Factory 20

I discovered Factory 20 this morning via Another Shade of Grey (which -- yay! -- is back and going strong after a mysterious and much-lamented 7-month absence from the blogosphere). This store is most definitely getting bookmarked.

Located in Sterling, Virginia, Factory 20 is a brick-and-mortar boutique and online shop with an incredible selection of vintage furniture, lighting, objects, and art. Midcentury minimalist items are mixed in with gorgeously timeworn primitive pieces and vintage industrial wares (a current all-consuming obsession of mine). Prices aren't bargain-basement, but aren't insane, either -- and some items are downright reasonable. The shop also offers worldwide shipping.

My Factory 20 faves (sorry about the volume here -- I'm just going gaga for practically everything in stock):

Vintage Basic Flat File, $295

Industrial Modern Wine Racks, $465 each

Paul McCobb Iron Side Chairs, $225 for the pair

Paul McCobb Brass Shelving Unit, $1,285

Streamline Wall Mount Desk, $265

Vintage Walnut Gothic Chairs, $425 for eight

Russel Wright Floor Lamps, $1,435 for the pair

Vintage Exit Sign Table Lamp, $135

1960s Artisan Pottery Lamp, $265

French Articulating Floor Lamp, $395

Primitive Iron Floor Candelabra, $265

Industrial Metal Trashcan, $125

Vintage Iron Firewood Stands, $250 and $350

Vintage Buoys, $55 each

Vintage Rand McNally School Maps, $50 and up

1970s Cuban Film Posters, inquire for selection and prices

Vintage Russian Modernist Silkscreen Print, $145

See all of Factory 20's current inventory right here. (And welcome back, Julie! You always find the most amazing things.)

eBay Find of the Day: Democratic Donkey or Republican Elephant?

Today is the big day! So what's it going to be, America?

Vintage Zoo-Line Wooden Donkey. Current bid: $10 (the auction ends Sunday, November 9).

Vintage Kay Bojesen Wooden Elephant. Current bid: $54 (the auction ends Wednesday, November 5).

(Me? I'm of the donkey persuasion. But you knew that.)

Deal of the Day: 10% Off Lighting at Hip Haven

Retro-mod retailer Hip Haven is offering 10 percent off of its midcentury style lighting now through August 31. Though they're inspired by the classic light fixtures of yesteryear, many of these lights would look great in a modern setting as well.

Globe Pendants from $40

Spun Metal Lighting from $45

Modwire Lighting from $95

To take advantage of the savings, enter coupon code AUGUSTSALE at checkout. (Bonus: If you're really stocking up and spend $1,200 or more, you'll get a one of Hip Haven's classic Tall Bullet Planters, worth $160, with your purchase.)

House Voyeur: Midcentury Cool in Oakland

Today’s House Voyeur takes us to the Oakland, California home of bookseller and graphic designer Dave Cuzner. I first became acquainted with Dave via his blog, grain edit, which focuses on the best in midcentury modern art and graphic design and features great interviews with the likes of artist Matte Stephens and illustrator and designer Bo Lundberg. I had a sneaking suspicion that Dave’s home would be equally retro-cool -- and I wasn’t disappointed.

Here, Dave takes us on a virtual tour:

"I share my home with my wife, Liz, and our 2-year-old cat, Twig. We live in a townhouse in Oakland that was designed by Ron Kappe, son of L.A.-based modern architect and SCI-Arc founder Raymond Kappe. The architecture draws from a mix of East Bay craftsman and California modern styles.

I work from home, so it was important to have a place that I could be excited about living and working in. I’m in the house most of the day, so having a pleasant environment to work in makes it more bearable.

I’m very much attracted to the midcentury modern aesthetic, and our home reflects that. The design of that period often has the perfect balance of function and form. I like minimal, clean design, and tend to stay away from things that are overly ornamental.

My favorite things about our home are the giant window walls and the cathedral ceiling. Since our place is relatively small (about 1,250 square feet), the open floor plan, high ceilings, and large windows help create the illusion that it’s much more spacious than it really is. I also really like our deck. It’s great for lounging after a long day and enjoying a few drinks.

I found most of our furniture on craigslist. The Bubble Lamp suspended from our living room ceiling was designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Directly below sits a Case Study daybed. My favorite find was our orange Eames rocker, which I bought for $45. We have several Eames chairs, but that one is my favorite.

My one piece of advice to others looking to decorate their homes is to buy quality furniture. It might cost more up front, but it will be worth it in the long run. Furniture that is built well will often retain its value and last a long time. Some of our Eames chairs, for instance, are over 40 years old and still look great. On the other hand, we’re lucky if we can get two to three years out of some of the things we’ve bought from IKEA.

eBay is another great source for quality vintage items. One of my favorite eBay finds was this blue ceramic bird. It has a slot on the top and a cork on the bottom so you can use it as a ‘birdy bank.’ I don’t know much about it other than that it was made in Italy and is 1 of 300.

This small, graphic tray is from Japan, and was most likely made in the late 1960s or early 1970s. I also really like this El Producto cigar album. It was designed by Paul Rand. Now, I just need to fill it with some cigars!

In the hallway we have a buck 65 poster designed by the Small Studio in France and a Julia Rothman print.

I love to be surrounded by books and art while I work, so I made sure the walls were decorated with posters and that shelves with books were within reaching distance. In my office, I have a posters by Templin Brink Design, the Small Stakes, Hersk, and Olivetti. The rare design books and vintage children's books in my library often end up on my blog, grain edit."

Thanks so much for sharing your great place with us, Dave!

P.S. Want to see more? Click here for a peek inside other readers' homes.

eBay Find of the Day: MCM Dresser and Desk Set

I love the white louvered drawer fronts on this matching midcentury desk and dresser -- they lighten up what could be a dark and slightly heavy style, and add a lot of verve.

The Formica-and-wood set was made in Sweden, and its compact size (the chest is 31.5 by 30 inches, while the desk measures 46 inches wide by just 18 inches deep) make each piece really versatile and great for a smaller space.

Current bids: $21 for the desk and $12 for the dresser. (Hurry -- the auctions end Monday evening, August 4.)

eBay Find of the Day: Nicos Zographos Marble Table

Could this be an affordable -- but equally stylish -- alternative to that marble-topped Eero Saarinen Tulip Table you've been eying at DWR?

Designed in 1964 by Nicos Zographos (whose name may not be as familiar as Saarinen's, but who has his own band of devoted, discerning followers who snap up his designs for Knoll and his own firm), the table features a 2.5-inch-thick, 4-foot diameter white marble surface atop chromed legs.

Originally designed as a small conference table (the Houston-based seller has many items liquidated from the former Enron headquarters), it would look just as striking in a modern breakfast room or petite dining area.

Current bid: $99. (Hurry -- the auction ends Wednesday afternoon, July 30.)

eBay Find of the Day: Vintage Wheat Sheaf Table

Simple but sculptural, this vintage travertine-topped table would strike a sophisticated note in just about any room. The walnut-toned, wheat sheaf-style table was made in Italy and possibly designed by the legendary Edward Wormley.

At 20 inches tall and 26 inches in diameter, it can be put to use as a coffee table, a nightstand, or an occasional table. This smart little table would compliment a variety of decorating styles, too, from midcentury to Hollywood Regency to eclectic modern.

Current bid: $100. (Hurry -- the auction ends Monday evening, July 7.)

Cool Stuff: Lotte Lamps

I just discovered these sweet lamps in an array of mouthwatering colors from Lotte Lamps.

In operation since 1957, Lotte Lamps was founded by Danish immigrants Lotte and Gunnar Bostlund, who crafted lighting based on the Bauhaus principles and modern European aesthetic in which they were trained. Today, the company is run by Victor and Laura Aume, who continue to make each lamp by hand in their barn in rural Ohio, using many of the Bostlund's original molds.

The lamps feature heavy stoneware bases in 14 hues and a variety of sizes and midcentury-inspired shapes, and are paired with fiberglass or linen shades.

Prices for the lamps range from $125 to $475. Click here for more info.

Bonus eBay Find of the Day: Norman Cherner Chairs

Slender, elegant, and sculptural, these occasional chairs by Norman Cherner are certified midcentury classics. They look to be in excellent condition, and have been newly reupholstered with white vinyl -- though you could replace it with the fabric of your choice.

Current bid: $152 for the pair