Online Basket Sources

The basket is the one functional accessory that can probably be found in most homes across the globe. There are countless iterations of the concept, but the idea is the same...contain and look good while doin' it. As you probably know, baskets are perfect for stashing towels, toilet paper, shoes, toys, magazines, blankets, laundry, and wrapping paper and keeping all of those things from making your house look messy. The key is to find the right style for the setting and that isn't always easy.

Two-Tone Hamper - Zara Home

Baskets are totally one of those things that you see all of the time but can't find the perfect one when you're actually on the hunt. So, in case you're looking for one of these handy vessels, here's a quick list of good online sources:

Crate & Barrel

Zara Home

World Market 

Hable Construction

Pier 1

West Elm

Waterworks

Terrain

Pottery Barn

The Container Store

Serena & Lily

Land of Nod

And here are a few of my favorite styles from some of those sources...

Jillian Totes - World Market | Turq Rope Storage Bushel - Hable Construction
Aster Silver Foil Basket - Pier 1 | Graphic Printed Baskets - West Elm
Palm Rectangular Towel Basket - Waterworks
Tala Basket - Crate & Barrel | Colorblock Wicker Basket - Terrain

Hyacinth Rectangular Basket - Waterworks | Strapped for Storage Bins - Land of Nod
Sweep Baskets - CB2 | Heavy-Guage Wire Basket - Rejuvenation
Tala Basket - Crate & Barrel | Juice Mercado Baskets - Serena & Lily

Am I missing any good basket sources?

Pillows for the New Year

The dawn of the new year spurs people to change things in their lives. If you're one of the many who is looking to improve your home's appearance, then consider getting some new pillows...especially if your budget is tight and the goal is to make minor changes and just freshen things up.

Textiles can make a huge impact and in living areas and bedrooms, pillows are usually a major player in the textile lineup. Changing pillows is undoubtedly one of the easiest, least binding ways to update those rooms. So, if you're considering a pillow makeover, take a look at the following relatively fresh ones...

Purple Stardust Silk and Cotton Pillow - be still homewares.
Pasha 18" Pillow - Queen of Cashmere
Leopard Pillow - Jayson Home

Geo Links Pillow - Shop Ten 25
Frizzle 16" Pillow - CB2
Rose Stripe Pure Lightweight Linen Pillow - Hable Construction

Map Pillow - My Bearded Pigeon

Sahara Ikat Hemp Pillow Cover - West Elm

Cotton Collection Birdcage Toile - COCOCOZY

Trellis Fretwork Throw Pillow - Tonic Home

Ikat Pillow - C. Wonder

Lasso 23" x 11" Pillow - CB2

Vintage Scarf Pillow - Etsy
Indigo Kyoto Pillow - Serena & LilySchumacher Nanjing 20" Pillow - Etsy seller House of Pemberley

See any that you liked? Do you ever change up your pillow assortment? I'm ready to switch a few of mine out and I have my eye on the Kyoto Pillow from Serena & Lily!

Graphic Image Date Book Office Inspiration #2

Per my announcement on 8/26, Graphic Image has graciously offered up a 20% discount on all purchases and a snazzy 2012 date book to giveaway to one lucky reader...enter now if you haven't already!

Graphic Image makes gorgeous and functional date books, which are available in a variety of colors, styles, and sizes. The winner will get to pick their favorite combo and I'm guessing that it will be a tough decision given that there are so many fabulous options!

I'm putting together a few office/study mood boards to showcase some of those options and to show how a Graphic Image planner can serve as both an organizational tool and a piece of decor. Today I have a gorgeous, Blue 2012 Notebook in Crocodile Embossed Leather in the mix...

2012 Notebook in Crocodile Embossed Leather (Blue) - Graphic Image

Cross Townsend Lapis Lazuli Fountain Pen - Montgomery Pens

Beaded Basket Chandelier with Cerulean Blue Beads - Shades of Light

Crystal Coaster in Bargello - Jonathan Adler

A Passion for Blue and White by Carolyne Roehm - Amazon

Found at the Cusp II, oil on canvas by Aaron Collier - Cole Pratt Gallery

Academie (403239) Frame - Larson-Juhl

Rimmed Vase by Match Pewter - Michael C. Fina

Howell Wingback - Anthropologie

Beckett Desk - Serena & Lily

Jaguar Light Rug - Horchow
Claude Dining Chair - Jonathan Adler

Cele Clock in Azure - Rab Labs
Canton Jar Lamp with Crystal Base - Furbish

Belle Meade Camden Lamp Table - Layla Grayce

What do you think of this office board? Blue is a favorite color of mine, so I like everything in the set. The Cerulean bead chandelier, the Beckett desk, and the Belle Meade Camden lamp table are my absolute favorite things though. Oh, and that Lapis Lazuli fountain pen is pretty sweet too! What are your picks?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Quadrille-Inspired Bedding by Z Gallerie?

I ran across Z Gallerie's new Zuri bedding and instantly felt like the fabrics used were familiar. As it turns out, both the ikat and the zig zag patterns are pretty similar to two of Quadrille's signature prints, Kazak and Tashkent II.

Here is Quadrille's Kazak print which resembles the duvet and standard shams...

Photo via Quadrille

Image via Annie Loveridge

And here is Quadrille's Tashkent, an all-time favorite of mine...

And they have a nifty two-toned Tashkent II that in a blue colorway, would look quite like the fabric Z Gallerie used for the euro shams...

Dear Quadrille, please provide LARGER photos on your website...thanks :)

Wherever their inspiration came from, I like the Zuri bedding, however, I wouldn't use the whole set since it's the print is so bold and saturated. All together it looks too busy but when paired with crisp white sheets like Serena & Lily's Navy Gobi Embroidered set and a simple coverlet or quilt like Donna Karan Home's Quilt. I really like the zig zag euro shams best and could skip the ikat altogether and go with a floral accent pillow like the Finishing Flourish pillow from Anthro...

What do you think of the Zuri bedding? Do you think that ZG might have knocked off Quadrille? Both ikat and zig zags have been trendy patterns over the past few years so they might have come up with it independently.

Also, if you do like the bedding, would you use the ikat and the zig zag together or would you divert from the ethnic pattern family and go with a floral like I did above?

A Bedroom Built Around a Benedict

I've recently been fixated on the paintings of accomplished contemporary artist, Sally King Benedict. Her work is perfect for a few of my clients and my friend Bradley (of the fab fashion blog Luella & June) is also hankering for one of Sally's pieces, so I've been keeping my eye on her online inventory over the past few weeks. By merely viewing her art online, it's easy to tell that Sally is an outstanding colorist. While digitally soaking in the beauty of her creations is a fabulous experience, I'm sure that it's a million times better in person! Hopefully I'll be able to get up close and personal with a piece in the near future and can report back :)

It would be nearly impossible for me to pick a "favorite," however, one piece that I just can't get out of my head is called Cool Water. I love the movement and the fresh color palette...

Cool Water - 2011 - 36" x 48" (framed) - oil, acrylic, and guache on canvas by Sally King Benedict

As an homage to the piece (and a way of visually representing my daydream of owning the piece), I've created a bedroom mood board around the painting...

Serena & Lily Perfect White on walls and Pool on ceiling

Arteriors Duke Iron Glass Chandelier

Horchow Ocean Glass Side Table

Pottery Barn Antonia Canopy Bed

Clayton Gray Sconce de Mer Light

Crystal Base Dome Task Light 

West Elm Mirror-Framed Mirror

Anthropologie Windsor Love Seat

Quadrille Terrace Watermelon on Tint

Williams-Sonoma Home White Hotel Bedding

Wisteria Navy Greek Key Dhurrie

Layla Grayce Regina Andrew Aqua Glass Ripple Lamp

Crate & Barrel Cubix 8-Drawer Dresser

What do you think of the painting? What about the board?

I also wanted to share a few snapshots from one of Sally's recent shows...it's nice to be able to see the pieces on actual walls. There's also a glimpse of a few of her works on paper, which are also gorgeous.

There's Cool Water on the right!

Serena & Lily's Latest and Greatest

Serena & Lily has recently added some gorgeous new things to their site. For starters, I'm loving this vibrant new bedding ensemble. While I'm not normally one who loves fuchsia or yellow, for some reason I think they look great together in this scenario. I'm also completely obsessed with that Greek key adorned bed! The room is also styled really well...I love the yellow paint treatment and the lineup of artwork that was used. Pretty setup isn't it?

Marni Duvet and Shams
Berry Border Frame Euro Sham
Octavia Bed

This rug is a snazzy new addition as well...

Orchid/Army Feather Rug

Berry Gobi Embroidered Sheet Set

Random aside...these knobs (although not from S & L) would be perfect on bedside table in the room...

Knobs - Urban Outfitters

I also adore this simple, yet dynamic mirror and can imagine it in so many different settings including the bedroom above...

White Mosaic Mirror
Pagoda Console Table

I hate most leather furniture, but this pretty chair makes my short list of exceptions.

Louise Chair

And finally, this chic lacquered accent table is incredibly versatile with its classic, yet updated style.

Cabriolet Table

What do you think of their goods?

A Fun, Feathered Chandelier

Last week I got Jayson Home & Garden's catalog and my jaw dropped when I saw their new Emma Feather Pendant. I've never seen anything quite like it and I couldn't decide if I thought it was the most fabulous thing ever or a little too kooky. To sort out my thoughts I started dreaming up a design scheme that would complement the feathery fixture. To me, it seems perfect for a bedroom...especially a dreamy girly one, so here is what I put together to create that scenario:

Emma Feather Pendant - Jayson Home & Garden
Aleppo Inlay Table - Serena & Lily
Gabrielle Lamp - Z Gallerie
Diana Delgado original oil - Ugallery
Octavia Headboard - Serena & Lily
Eileen Fisher Bedding - Garnet Hill
Mid-Century Chair - Ceylon et Cie
Roger Single Bench - Made Goods
Safari Rug - West Elm

What are your thoughts? Would you ever use a feathered chandelier? I'm still on the fence but I'm dying to see it in person!

Searching, Finding, and Loving...

I've been fervently trying to catch up on design projects since getting back from New York. Luckily, I love shopping so sourcing is a fun part of the job and I have lots of it on my plate at the moment. With the spring season on the horizon, sourcing is especially exciting because there are tons of new goods out there, like these fab finds:

Design Public - Vitra Nelson Night Desk Clock

Jayson Home & Garden - Penelope Chair

Vivre  - Waylande Gregory Studios Grid Bowl

Layla Grayce - Capel Marrakesh Wool Rug

Jayson Home & Garden - Theodore Sofa

Serena & Lily - Aleppo Inlay Table

Layla Grayce - Curry & Co. Astral Pendant

Pottery Barn - Label Hardware

Serena & Lily - Herringbone Throws

Jayson Home & Garden - Sebastian Bench

Wisteria - Kantha Cloth Mirror

Jayson Home & Garden - Coco Sofa

Layla Grayce - Signatures Continuum Accent Chest

Serena & Lily - Chakki Ottoman

Layla Grayce - Company C Indoor/Outdoor Patio Rug

Shop Ten 25 - Nantucket Pillow

Jonathan Adler - Bargello Chevron Pillow

Lovely grab bag, isn't it? Anything in particular that you're obsessing over?

Serena & Lily Grab Bag

Thanks to a link via the wonderful world of Twitter, I found my way over to Serena and Lily. I had seen their super cute baby goods before, but last night was my first exposure to the whole gamut of their offerings. They have a fantastic selection - everything from bedding and furniture to paint and fabric - and it's all seemingly designed to infuse personality and comfort into your home. I just love their casual chic style and hope you do too!

Catalina duvet and shams, Navy Color Band shams, and Pimento French Ring Sheets

Square Chairs

Hayworth Shelf

Madeira Bedding

South Seas Pillow

Letter Pillow

Orange Seersucker Fabric

Paint

Pondicherry Bed with Nailheads