Objects of Lust: Jayson Home & Garden Fantasy Shopping Spree

Sorry I am so, so late with this post today -- I have an awful flu complete with ear infection and ruptured eardrum, the pain of which made childbirth pale in comparison. Nick, bless his heart, got the kids off to school this morning so I could sleep until the absolutely unheard of hour of noon. (He is the best nurse, and his kindness and patience with me makes my crankiness and impatience during his own recent bout with this virus all the more unforgivable.)

Anyway, to distract myself from my clogged head, aching body, and hacking cough, I indulged in a little fantasy shopping spree at Chicago's sublime Jayson Home & Garden, putting together a virtual ladies' salon that's equal parts refined and romantic.

The elements, clockwise from top left: Caravan Chandelier, $1,295; Lotus Flower Dishes, $24 to $48 each; Antique Carved Mirror, $11,995; Barnard Lamp, $575; Vintage French Chair, $1,150; Cerise Pillow, $315; Frank Table, $3,695; Faux Zebra Hide Rug, $1,095; Amalfi Sofa, $2,316; Vintage Wooden Shoes, $295; Petrified Wood Table, $1,495; Moroccan Wedding Blanket, $795; and Factory Light Sculptures, $85 to $225 each

The grand total for my fantasy space? A mere $25,703. Le sigh ...

Cool Stuff: Dan Golden Pillows and New Rugs

I got an email from Dan Golden a couple minutes ago letting me know that he's just about to launch a line of pillows based on his hilarious rug collection. (The "Morphine" design is so mine.)

The hand-embroidered, velvet-backed pillows measure a generous 22 by 22 inches and come with a feather insert. They're priced at about $175 each -- not cheap by any stretch, but owning one of these would make me smile every time I looked at it, and that's worth a lot. They'll be available for order starting next week at Eccola in Los Angeles and directly from the designer.

Golden is also rolling out a witty new rug collection next week. Called "The Meds," it's based on imagery from popular prescription medications woven into beautiful abstract patterns. Each design is named for what the pills do: Rise (Viagra), Calm (Paxil), Grow (Propecia), and so on.

The busy designer has a couple of other exciting new projects in the works, too, so stay tuned for news on those.

Thanks, Dan!

Cool Stuff: Not Mass Produced

Not Mass Produced is a curated British and European artisans' marketplace -- not unlike the U.S.-based Supermarket or the Shiny Squirrel -- that gives its members a showcase for their handmade wares, and allows us to purchase unique items directly from the talented men and women who make them.

Some of my favorites:

Marine Court Textile Design on Canvas (top), £20 (about $28), and Park Life (above), £95 ($135), both by Gillian Bates

Nest of People Bowls, £105 ($149) per set from Alice Mara

Forest Cushion Corsage, £30 ($43) from A Alicia Accessories

Dimpled Cups and Pouring Bowl, £15 ($21) each from Linda Bloomfield

Flying Birdie Cushion, £22 ($31) from Liz Padgham-Major

White Ceramic Beaker, £12 ($17) from Lauren Denney

Cafetiere Cover, £35 ($50) from Jane Withers

Illustrated Framed Piece, £206 ($292), from Emma Cowell Paperworks

Browse the entire Not Mass Produced marketplace right here.

(Via Designers' Block.)

Cool Stuff: LAMA Pillows and Throws on Sale

Good news: From now until March 19, every pillow and throw at the Oakland, California-based LAMA Designs (Latin America in the Modern Age) is 35 percent off.

My faves have got to be artist Tanya Aguiñiga's handmade felt "Animales" series (top), on sale for $78 apiece, and the graphic Caballito Pillow (above) from Argentina's Fauna Perez, on sale for $32.50.

Though these weatherproof Mexican oilcloth pillows (the medium size in yellow is on sale for just $17) are mighty tempting, too.

While you're there, be sure to check out a few other LAMA goodies:

Pop Flower Serving Tray, $70

Blue Guatemalan Hammock, on sale for $57

Knitted Cardón Cactus, $24

Teapot With a Cold, $120

Tiny Fruit Pot With Spoon, $24

Toile Laptop Case, $32

Owlino Tote, $60

Credit Card/Business Card Case, $11

Calco Cortina Paper, $9 per sheet

Corazon Love Birds Card, $3.50

Mariana Bandin Dolls and Softies, $38 to $40 each

See all of LAMA's Latin-flavored modern wares right here.

Object of Lust: Rowpinto Antique Lace Cushion

Flannel Grey Antique Lace Cushion, £95 (about $135) from London knitwear designer Rowena Pinto. Le sigh ...

(If you sew, replicating this pillow actually seems like a fairly do-able DIY project: Old wool sweater, grandma's lace, vintage buttons, pillow insert -- done.)

Objects of Lust: Missoni Throws

It's cold, wet, and dreary here today, so I'm craving color and coziness. These delicious wool throws from iconic Italian design house Missoni fit the bill perfectly. (Even in flush times, I can't see spending quite so much on a blanket, no matter how lovely -- buy hey, it doesn't cost a cent to feast the eyes, right? And if you're in the position to cough up some cash, one of these would make for a bold, colorful accent draped over the back of a chair or folded at the foot of a bed, even in warmer weather.) Above: Jamiro Throw, $410 from Bedding, Etc.

Humbert Cushions and Throws, $102 and $315 each from Bedding, Etc. (For those of us on a tight budget, IKEA's $20 Jorun Throw is a comparable -- though far less luxurious -- option.)

Kiruna Throw, $670 from Bedding, Etc.

Karlos Throw, $295 at Bedding, Etc.

Harpo Throw, $275 at Pillows and Throws

Cool Stuff: Publique Living

Maybe I'm longing for the winter we're not really having here in California, but I'd like nothing better than to wrap myself up in one of these yummy Boucle Alpaca Throws, $205 each from San Francisco design firm Publique Living. The company fuses simple, restrained design and high-quality, often sustainable materials to create quietly elegant accessories for the home.

More goodies from Publique's e-shop:

Boucle Alpaca Pillows, $135 each

Barley Wool Blankets, $195 each

Paper Votive Cuffs, $15 for four

Tree Cups and Saucers, $18 per set

Grafik180: City Art limited-edition prints inspired by the distinctive architecture of cities around the world, $200 each unframed or $390 framed

WoodArt: Rocks made from hand-cut and -stitched wood veneer, $420 each

See more Publique Living designs right here.

Cool Stuff: New from Henry Road

Some brand-new lovelies from Los Angeles-based Henry Road (as with Lotus Bleu, I'm loving this foray into reupholstered vintage furniture):

Slipper Chair, $350

Pair of End Chairs in Patch, $1,400

Black Armchair, $1,400

Olde Sofa, $3,200

English Armchair, $880

Remnant Lampshades, $175 and up

Union Jack Pillow, $85

Fleur Grande Pillow in Purple, $90

Circles Grande Pillow in Purple and Koi Pillow in Indigo, $90 each

Garden Pillow in Ocean, $90

Ceramic Acorns, $12 for three

And with that, my imaginary shopping list grows ever longer ...