Monday, February 28, 2011

Mother Nature does know beauty...

Just sat down at work and got an email blast from the great people over at CHISTA.  They have an incredible aesthetic.  Their furniture and accessories are so unusual and wonderful, many times creating objects Mother Nature has already perfected and turning them into such artistic creations, it's ridiculous!  Here are just a few examples of their extraordinary work...  All of these tables are ancient pieces of teak!  A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Big Meteor Table

Landscape Tables

Volcano Table

Meteor Cylinder Table

Dubuffet Table

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Outdoor weather is heading our way...

So 50 degrees isn't necessarily the standard definition of balmy, but when you've been inundated with snow, sleet and ice for almost 3 straight months, it's a warm welcome...  Knowing that shorts and tanks are shortly going to be the couture de jour, we advance our thoughts to what we will be lounging on during those sizzling days...

So here are 5 of my favorite picks for outstanding lounge chairs, not only for comfort, but high style as well...  No sense you looking all cute in your outfit, and your rocking it in a green plastic patio chair found perched for quick sale above the Mama Celeste freezer cases in Shop Rite or Safeway.  You totally know the ones I'm talking about too!

Horrible!!!...
This is prime example of what NOT to do!...  Please be mindful that just because this furniture is outside, doesn't mean it should be just as beautiful as what you've created inside.  Let's get to my choices that would work with most decors.  Well at least 4 out of the 5 should fit into most...

Rusa Club Chair
DWR's introduction of their Rusa line presents us with this smart looking teak frame with natural colored webbing to support comfy cushions, perfect for kicking back with a Mojito!

Montego Chair
Room and Board gives us this simple straight forward aluminum framed chair called the Montego Chair.  The clean lines allow it to fit into any environment.

Dune Lounge Chair
The Dune Lounge Chair is a  chair that definitely brings the indoors out... This looks like a perfect lounge chair found in a contemporary space, the only difference is that friend who always manages to have one too many and undoubtedly splashes some form of alcohol over you furniture can do no harm to this piece.  The beauty of all weather furniture!

Banyan Lounge Chair
One of my favorite collections comes from the Holly Hunt showroom.  This substantial teak framed chair will only get more beautiful with time as is weathers and patinas into that steely grey color.  The Banyan Lounge Chair would only be available through a designer, but if you've got the funds, it's worth every penny!

Lolah Lounge Armchair
Okay, so not everyone could handle a piece of sculptural furniture like this, but tell me this is not gorgeous!...  Brought to us from the creative forces at Janus et Cie, also only available through the trade is the Lolah Lounge Armchair.  Talk about a conversation piece...  I can only imagine how amazing a warm summer evening a super cold Blue Moon beer and this chair would be... Aaaahhhhh...

Monday, February 21, 2011

Beautiful things for less than a Benjamin

Few things in the world of design come cheap, or shall we say at a reasonable price, but there are definitely a handful of wonderful items out there where you get a lot of bang for your buck...  Or in this case, here are 4 awesome picks for less than $100.00...  Check it out.

Cooled Ikat Pillow $68.00

This gorgeous pillow will add texture and color to any vanilla room...  Anthropologie is a great resource that I think most overlook.  Their bohemian chic sort of aesthetic gives any space, an instant feeling of free-spirited coziness...

Mixed Hammered Vases from $29.00-$69.00

Every room nowadays can use a bit of sparkle.  It's a very essential thing to do in order for a room to seem today, and relevant in my mind.  What's a simple way to accomplish that?  Toss in a cluster of smart metallic vases from West Elm.  The grouping of three will be over that $100.00 mark, but even a single one, with a fresh floral stem will speak volumes!

Acrylic Leaning Wine Rack only $49.95

CB2 offers this innovative way of displaying and holding your wine.  Gone are the days of the cheap wooden racks, enter the age of acrylic.  This clear material, and straight forward design will work in any environment, and become an instant conversation piece as you choose between the Pinot or the Merlot.

Metal Accordion Side Table $64.00

I'm such a HUGE fan of this table because it's totally functional, well built for it's meager price tag, and perfectly designed.  I still don't understand why it's only commanding a price tag of $64.00 from Urban Outfitters, but hey, why argue with one of the best design deals out there...

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Re-use, Re-pupose

I just love when company's, such as Stark Carpet take what's already existing, then breathes new life into things that would otherwise be considered un-usable or undesirable...  Here are examples of their wonderful line of contemporary patchwork area rugs utilizing older Turkish rugs that for one reason or another only part of the rug is intact.  So beautiful and a relatively simple idea...



This is such a great way to give a contemporary space a nice nod of appreciation to the past... Especially since they are being overdyed in wonderful colors, there's one to suit everyone's taste... Awesome stuff!