I have never hidden my love for Urban Outfitters home design line of goods. Funky, quirky, hilarious, and always subversively stylish, the pieces they discover always surprise me and ALWAYS are right on trend (like the Real Good folding chair, $100.00, above).
Trendy is the key word here, because the pieces are not necessarily meant to be heirlooms that you hand down to your grandchildren, but they are wonderful additions to most styles of decor and are particularly friendly on the wallet.
Late-August, early-September is the time when college and graduate students are either going or returning to their school-term residences, and many others are on the move as well, so inexpensive decorating is top of mind.
Below are some of my favorite picks, but I think you will find much, much more to help put your own place together.

While horn hooks and accessories might seem so 2006, I still love the idea of organic elements, such as these, paired with streamlined modern design.
Antelope Hook
$32.00

Club chairs are not just for the country club sect anymore. This piece is fantastic with a creative use of fabric and a smart shape.
Scandinavian Branch Armchair
$380.00

We all have a little boudoir bombshell in us, and this chandelier is the perfect addition to sexy decor. Perfect for a bathroom or situated above a gorgeous vanity.
Harlequin Chandelier
$28.00

I love mirror in any way shape or form. Particularly over the last few years, mirrored goods have made an impact on contemporary design. This portable tray is stunning and will definitely work as functional or decorative, whichever you prefer.
Mirrored Glass Tray
$16.00

Good news for those of you who drool over Plover Organic bedding but can’t justify splurging on it at the moment: They are having their first sample sale on bedding from their debut spring/summer collection! And it’s ONLINE!

The sale will begin Friday, August 29th and will end as soon as merchandise is sold out. They will be offering 50% to 80% off of retail prices, so some items will be as low as $15. (Now you’re talking!)

Sale product includes quilts (baby and adult sizes), duvets, pillowcases and euro shams. The sale begins at 9am (EST) at this link.

Happy shopping.

Erika Lenkert

Technorati Tags: plover, organic, bedding, sample, sale, online, designer, chic, quilt, comforter, pillow, cases, eco, friendly, best

Photo courtesy of Domino

I just returned from another fabulous trip to New York City! Any more visits with beautiful weather and inspiring shopping trips and, I swear, I will pick up and move straight into my friends apartment on the Upper East Side. She and her husband are both book junkies, cookbooks to be exact. She is a recipe tester and blogger for the New York Times magazine, he is an amateur pastry chef.

It isnt easy to fit hundreds of books and cookbooks into a 1-bedroom, 550-square-foot space, so one of their most decisive design challenges is the placement and quantity of bookcases. Their solution? Floor-to-ceiling shelves in the living room and bedroom, as well as a few clever placements in the office area.

Returning to my tiny apartment, I was hyper-aware of my own book problem…stacks and stacks situated in every nook and cranny with nary a bookcase or shelf in sight. It is time for a solution.

After a bit of research I narrowed my choices to a few of favorites. I will mull over each of these for my next apartment (only one more month left in my lease!). If you have any other suggestions, please let me know. I dont have a big budget, so all the better if there is more bang for the buck. Thank you!

Flying Vee Shelves
Design Within Reach
$79/set of 5 (on sale!)
Designed by brothers Cristopher and Paul Massie of Massieoffice, these fabulous shelves are so much fun and can be oriented at any angle to hold books, CDs, DVDs, artwork, etc. Creativity at its finest!

okshelves-p/2195.htm">Conceal Bookshelves
Arango-Design.com
$17.50 each
If you like the idea of using books as sculpture, check out these invisible steel shelves designed by Miron Lior. I would definitely install a few of these over the top of my desk for easy-to-reach tomes that I use regularly.

Arad Lovely Rita Shelf
HighBrowFurniture.com
$285.00
A little pricey, but really funky for those who dont have a million books to store. World-renowned designer Ron Arad created this piece to extend upward and several can be hung together to form longer shelves.

No Photo…go to the website!
Pisa Bookshelf
Mxyplyzyk.com
$250.00
Just a cool, groovy twist on the traditional bookshelf…need I say more?

ModLivin.com
$193.00/modular cube
Nothing new here, this popular shelving system has been around since designer Guilio Polvara created it for Kartell in 1979, but its practicality and functionality make it one of the best of all times. It can be configured into hundreds of different formations to perfectly fit into the size and shape of your room.

Linear XL Bookcase with Storage
$600.00
PureModern.com
Extra-large bookshelf, storage, environmentally friendly, and all at a decent price (lots of bang for the buck). InModerns bookcase from the Linear Collection is simple to assemble and will easily transition between traditional and modern design. This will definitely stay with you for a long time.

–By Kate Bailey

Technorati Tags: modern bookshelves, small space living, contemporary bookcases, shelving, book storage, urban design, city decor, Design Within Reach, PureModern.com, Ron Arad, Kartell

I am so excited to introduce you all to one of the most incredible family of galleries called, Arader Galleries, which offers exceptional antique works on paper, as well as paintings and rare books.
For thirty-eight years they have helped homeowners and designers compile collections of engravings that feature botanicals, architecturals, natural history, and marine life that were created between the 16th to 19th centuries. They also feature the largest collection of Audubon prints and rare maps in the world.

So what does this mean to the glam girl who doesnt have a fortune to spend on a rare map or Audubon print, but would like to put together a group of these historically significant pieces? First, begin by looking at your interior design. If traditional, go for some of the stunning maps (prices start at $150) or bird engravings. Placed in traditional, ornate frames, these pieces are perfect for your living room, entryway or dining room.

Contemporary aficionados shouldnt shy away from historical prints, because amassing a collection of Rodrigues botanicals and framing them in sleek modern silver or black makes these oh so 21st century. Hang several on one wall to create maximum impact.

The world of artwork is complex and sometimes daunting, but when you are purchasing a piece of history, you can never go wrong. These pieces are timeless and will appreciate in value over the years. As well, they truly can transform to match your design sense throughout the rest of your life!

For more information contact Kasey Collins, (303) 321-0113, kaseycollins@aradergalleries.com.

–By Kate Bailey

Technorati Tags: Arader Gallery, botanical prints, historical maps, Audubon, bird engravings, antique prints, rare books

Shiny, slick, sexy and daring, patent leather has that certain connotation of forbidden luxury, and sophisticated yet naughty modern expression. I love patent leather in all formats. Just as a peek of a shiny Mary Jane heel under a pair of menswear-inspired trousers provides just the right touch of femininity, so does a miniature throw pillow in black patent on a traditional, buttoned up sofa.

The polish of the Patent Pendant Lamp (above) by Donovan Design adds the perfect hint of contemporary glamour in an otherwise toned-down room. Or go completely overboard and pair the white patent ottoman with bright pinks and soft textures for the ultimate 1950s pin-up-girl living room. And how much fun is that silver patent chair?

Ruby Chair
Patagonia Trading Co
Use alone in a neutral room as a functional piece of sculpture.

White Turned Table Lamp with Patent Shade
Lamps Plus
Gorgeous in a boudoir-style bedroom, or on a side table in your living room.

Black Patent Pillow
CB2.com
Toss a few of these around your living room for a hint of naughty glamour.

Large Patent Leather with Nickel Rail Heads Decoration
Mariana Antinori, Inc.
A gorgeous ottoman that would be perfectly at home in a stark, contemporary sitting room.

Patent Leather Cube
Brocade Home
This gorgeous white patent leather ottoman would be perfect as a stool for a bedroom vanity.

–By Kate Bailey

Technorati Tags: patent leather, patent leather for the home, patent leather ottoman, patent leather pillows, patent leather chairs, CB2, Brocade Home, Lamps Plus, Patagonia Trading Co., Donovan Design, patent lighting