Deal of the Day: 15% Off Place Settings at Heath Ceramics

How drool-worthy are these new place settings from Heath Ceramics? I'll take service for twelve ...

To celebrate the launch of this new dinnerware collection, Heath is offering 15 percent off the regular price ($78 to $164 per set) until the end of February. Simply type in SETS at checkout to take advantage of the discount.

And if you're in the Bay Area, stop by the Heath Factory Store in Sausalito this weekend (Friday, February 6 through Sunday, February 8) for tours, open studios, giveaways, and 10 percent off everything.

Cool Stuff: Lealand Eve

I just got an email from Nathan King, who along with his partner, artist and Pratt grad Lealand Eve, recently opened a small boutique and online shop in Sayville, New York. The Lealand Eve Boutique features wares (such as the Turf Tealight Holder, above, $35) from small manufacturers and artisans, and cultivates a look that's "organic and clean, taking cues from the natural environment and adding a whimsical, fairy tale touch."

Take a look:

Lily Hand Vase, $35

Blue Buffet Lamp, $400

Diamond Scallop Mirror, $219

Burl Dippers, $35 each

Tord Boontje Table Stories Glass, $14.50

Sapling Silverware Set, $79

Gold Plate Set, $58

Lace Votive Set, $35

Peruse all of Lealand Eve's lovely goods right here.

Cool Stuff: Brooklyn Tableware from Fishs Eddy

My husband and I are both California natives, and have spent most of our lives here. But although Oakland is home now, Brooklyn will always hold a special place in our hearts. Our daughter born there, for one -- that's her below on the stoop of the apartment building where she entered the world. (Yes, she was born at home -- by accident. It's a long story.) And building snowmen in the schoolyard across the street and climbing onto the bus for the ride to playgroup in Park Slope are some of our son's very first memories. We also made several amazing and, I hope, lifelong friends during our stint in the brownstone-filled borough.

So when a pal reminded me yesterday of Fishs Eddy, the incredible New York dishware outlet that we used to frequent in our NYC days, I popped over to the company's website to see what was on offer, and was delighted to discover this line of whimsical Brooklyn-themed items.

Clockwise from top left: Glass, Square Plate, Tote, Mug, Small Tray, Cereal Bowl. Prices range from just $4 to about $14 per piece. Check out the entire collection right here.

P.S. If you find yourself in New York, don't pass up a chance to visit the flagship Fishs Eddy on Broadway at 19th. In addition to the company's own signature wares, you'll find a mindblowing collection of unique table- and servingware salvaged from hotels and restaurants across the country.

Cool Stuff: Assorted CB2 Goodies

Photo by Ed U. (sorry -- I was lame and forgot my camera)

I stopped in yesterday to check out the new CB2 outpost in San Francisco, and wound up walking out with a few inexpensive goodies, plus one new possibility for the couch wish list:

Ada Porcelain Hanging Vase, $7. Great idea, and a row of these filled with cheerful blooms from the supermarket would be lovely in a kitchen.

Ibiza Glasses, $4 each. Like Moroccan tea glasses, but with a modern edge.

Morocco Dinnerware, $5 to $13 per piece

Resin Ring Holder, $8. Yes, I'm a sucker for anything with a branch motif.

Oha Placemat, $4. I am totally going to open up one seam on this, stuff in a lumbar pillow insert, close the seam back up, and be all smug about how clever and cheap that was.

Slipcovered Movie Sofa, $1,199. I love that this is so deep -- 40 full inches -- because I work from my couch and want something that I can basically live (and take the occasional afternoon siesta) on. I just wish the back was a little higher and the slipcover didn't hide the cute midcentury-style legs.

By the way, if you're curious, I'd say that in person, the quality and looks of CB2's items were reasonably good. Probably on par with West Elm, and better than lots of IKEA stuff -- which looks pretty decent in the catalog, but more often than not you realize is crap when you get to the store (or, worse, get it home).

Still, let's not fool ourselves into thinking that most of CB2's goods are anything other than "disposable decor." Sometimes there's a place for that, though -- especially at these prices. Don't you think?

Bonus eBay Find of the Day: Block Chromatics Dishware

I was flipping through the latest issue of O at Home this weekend, and was immediately drawn to the colorful mugs and bowls shown in actress Jennifer Carpenter's cheerful L.A. kitchen. I'd never seen anything like them before, and turned immediately to the source notes in the back to see what they were.

Turns out they're part of a vintage tableware line called Chromatics from German manufacturer Block, and were purchased by Ms. Carpenter's decorator, Ariel Ashe, from Los Angeles' Lawson Fenning boutique (likely translation: $$$).

I thought I'd try my luck on eBay instead, and quickly turned up this set of seven Block Chromatics plates plus bowl. I love the graphic effect they create when stacked -- perfect for open shelves in the kitchen!

Current bid for the set: $17

Etsy Find of the Day: Blue Celadon Dinnerware

I love the soft blue color and beautiful imperfection of this handmade porcelain tableware by Philadelphia potter Chloe Le Pichon. They're even microwave and dishwasher safe.

Short Blue Celadon Mugs, $20 each

Tall Blue Celadon Mugs, $20 each

Blue Celadon Bowls, $18 each

Blue Celadon Dessert Plates, $18 each

Blue Celadon Dinner Plates, $25 each

Blue Celadon Bottles, $55 for four

See all of Le Pichon's Etsy offerings right here -- and check out more of her gorgeous ceramic work here.

Cool Stuff: Fragile! Dishes

I seriously love this faux-broken "Fragile!" dishware from French company La Corbeille. It's a bit spendy, but so cool. Above: Teacup and Saucer Set, 140 euros (about $220)

Mug Set, 72 euros ($113)

Dinner Plate Set, 96 euros ($151)

(Via Please Sir.)

Cool Stuff: Charlie Harper Dinnerware

Designs from Todd Oldham's late idol, artist Charlie Harper, in the form of dinnerware.

Above: Serving Bowl, $50, and Platter, $37.50

Appetizer plates, $47 for four

Cup and Saucer Set, $10 each

Ceramic Sparrows Salt and Pepper Set, $9.50

Embroidered Dish Towel, $9.50

Embroidered Placemat, $8 (the matching napkins are sold out, unfortunately)

See the entire "Harper's Harvest" collection at TAG.

Cool Stuff: Jessica Rust Ceramics

I'm utterly beguiled by these Birch Tree Mugs, $45 for four, from Minneapolis's Jessica Rust Designs. Each mug in the set depicts the tree in a different season.

Both the mugs and the matching Birch Tree Plates, $55 each or four for $165, can be customized with initials carved into the tree trunk.

I'm also swooning over Rust's Cherry Blossom Mugs, $45 for four, and Dinner and Dessert Plates, $30 and $17 each or $110 and $65 for sets of four.

And how awesome would a customized Family Tree Platter, $80, be as a birthday or anniversary gift for a grandparent? (Sadly, it's too late to order custom items for Christmas delivery -- but if you order by December 15, you'll receive Rust's other items in time to slip them under the tree.)

Check out all of Jessica Rust's delicately illustrated tableware right here.

Cool Stuff: 12 Days of Christmas Plates

Normally, I shudder at the very thought of holiday-themed dinnerware. It's just so ... nauseatingly twee. But these caught my eye in a museum shop today, and I was actually quite charmed by them. (I must be going soft in my old age.)

Each of the 12 appetizer-sized plates depicts -- with sweet illustrations and fresh, not-too-Christmas-y colors -- the gifts that one's true love might bestow in the days leading up to December 25, from the lone partridge to the 12 drummers drumming.

The set, by Seattle's Rosanna Bowles, is $96 right here.

eBay Find of the Day: Thomas Paul Plates

This 20-piece Thomas Paul Kimono Melamine Dinnerware Set is perfect for summer barbecues or casual everyday dining.

The plates would also make colorful decorations grouped together and hung on a wall, and the trays would add a shot of summery color when set atop a dresser to hold jewelry or loose change, or placed on a coffee- or side table and topped with a trio of bud vases.

Originally priced at $120, the discontinued set is $35 with eBay's Buy It Now option.