2008, In Summation

Before we step foot into '09, we thought it only fair to pay tribute to '08. Skimming through the past year of bloggity posts, this is how design boner sums up 2008:

Cat Collection

We take a lot of cat photos. Sorry. We are not crazy cat people. Really. We just love our little beasts and find them excellent Weekend Photo material.

We also seemed to have two minor obsessions with an odd pair of celebrities: Cindy Crawford and Christian Bale. Cindy, we poked due to her new line of overstuffed furniture and tendency to deny her children. Christian, well, plainly put: he's big time sexy time and worth the double mention.

Getting back to reality (or virtual reality, rather), we picked up a couple new and vocal readers. We want to give e-hugs to DNfromMN, Lady Briggles, and, most recently, Preston, for reading often and not being shy to comment. Preston even gave us an award! Mucho merci to you all!

Porcelain's past year of posts reveal her big quests to be finding a bed and a table...a table...and a bed. She's still scouting for a bed frame (suggestions welcome!) but November saw the addition of a new dining/work table into her space. One down!

Cardboard's Dining Room/Office, In Transition

I, on the other hand, have been needing to clean house. This past year has been a series of now you have it/now you don'ts so I need to re-center around what's really important. Two of my big missions have been to budget my spending and to fix what is broken (literally and symbolically) in my home.

Formica Folds

Then design boner turned two! Naturally, P & me * drank a crapload of Michigan beer and constructed an even bigger fleet of paper airplanes.

As for general '08 trend alerts, Porcelain dived into ceramics, glass, and paper for the walls. I posted often about rugs but went plain C-R-A-Z-Y for lighting.

OBAMA!

EJ Holmes, Our First Fling of 2008

Lastly, we really got into our Flings. These not-necessarily-design-related mementos create much fun and laughter in this little blog so focused on bed frames and lights. We found new artists, rehashed memories, and even met a couple Fantastic Men. We might call them Flings but that doesn't mean we don't love 'em.

Welcome to 2009!

* Grammar sacrificed for rhyme.

6 & 7

Here are our weekend photos. Visit flickr to see the entire 6 & 7 collection.

Cardboard: left, Porcelain: right

Original inspiration by Stephanie & Mav at 3191

Weekend Flings

• Someecards Brings Truth to Resolutions (seen above)

• Cardboard Wants One of These?!
• One Year, Used

If you're new around here and have no idea what this list means, click HERE for a brief and witty explanation.

Bonus Bone: GurglePot Koi Pitchers

GurglePot Koi Pitchers, at Delight

These small Koi-shaped pitchers (or vases) come in nine brilliant colors AND they make a "delightful gurgle" sound as they pour.

Click HERE to Hear the Gurgle!

For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas from Design Boner.

May your home be overflowing with laughter,
memories, and inappropriately formed gingerbread.

Vegetarian holiday feast

Hardwood and I are vegetarians. I've been a vegetarian for 11+ years and Hardwood has been one for close to 20 years(!). So we've had quite a bit of experience with creating a veggie menu that is very satisfying and one that even my meat-and-potato brothers like. Here is our menu from Thanksgiving, which we will recreate parts of for Christmas.

• Puff pastry shells stuffed with bean pie mixture (a combination of beans, diced tomatoes, cheese, and sauteed onions, celery and herbs)
• Mashed potatoes with Shittake mushroom gravy (I could drink a glass of this gravy!)
  
• Green beans and cashews (Hardwood's ultimate comfort side dish)
• Cranberry jelly (It's not the holidays without cranberry sauce with can ridges)
• Arugula salad with walnuts, currants, apples and a Balsamic vinaigrette

Have a very Merry Christmas!! And happy cooking!

Photo courtesy of Gourmet

Tate Gunnerson Photography

Tate Gunnerson, fellow blogger of the fabulous Strange Closets and my neighbor(!!!), just launched his photography site and is available for hire. The site is filled with his photographs of jaw-dropping and envy-inducing interiors, fantastic portraits, and great product shots. Tate has an amazing eye and his compositions and arrangements always sophisticated and unique.

Contact him right away with your project. I'm sure all the glossies will be knocking down his door!!!

6 & 7

Here are our weekend photos. Visit flickr to see the entire 6 & 7 collection.

Cardboard: left, Porcelain: right

Original inspiration by Stephanie & Mav at 3191

Weekend Flings

Ornaments by How About Orange & Stuffies at Abbey Goes Design Scouting

• DIY Holiday: Paper & Wool (seen above)

• The Cowboy Hat Goes to Washington
• Don't Forget This Star at the Grocery
• Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
• Obama Inspires Art
• Gotta Love a Colorado Dog

If you're new around here and have no idea what this list means, click HERE for a brief and witty explanation.

Bonus Bone: Traditional Irish Welcome

Traditional Irish Welcome, at Thorsten Van Elten

This is for all those Father Ted fans out there!

For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.

A CTA Christmas

Chicago Red Line Ornament, $8.50

Oh, the everyday cute! These ornaments are either a very simple and an obvious DIY or a good reason to get out and support one local Etsy vendor.

Red, Blue, or Brown Line Ornaments, by afavorite

For those of you not in the Chicago metro area, these tree ornaments are felty versions of our beloved CTA.

Unwholly Trees

Artificial Corner Tree, $259

I've always thought artificial trees are a bit weird but they can be perfectly acceptable. I can't talk too much trash about them since I have a faux fir in my dining room. But I do not have one of these...


GrandinRoad, an online shop I just discovered, has taken the strange to a new level. The Corner Tree and the Flat Back ("Fat Back?") Fraiser Fir are available for under $300. The space-saving concept of these fakeries is good but does the odd outweigh the convenience?

Fraiser Fir Flat Back Tree, $249

Gift Catalog: Zingerman's

Zingerman's got a special mention last week, due to their magical boon of Portuguese Sugar Plums, but the two of us are constantly drooling over their catalog...which Porcelain just happened to receive.

Check out our picks from Zingerman's...

Porcelain: Reuben Sandwich Kits

Porcelain, a strict vegetarian (minus the errant sip of Chelada), loves the Zingerman's Reuben. Unfortunately, the veggie version doesn't seem to be available online but they do e-sell three meaty versions. According to Porcelain, it's the coleslaw that make the whole thing worth it.

Cardboard: Mostarda d'Uva

Translated from the Italian as Grape Mustard, this chutney-esque topping is generally served over polenta but can be found draped upon various meats, cheeses, and sandwiches. I'm choosing this virtual gift for two reasons: its list of ingredients ("...Barbera wine grapes, freshly cut quince, sugar, cloves, dried pears, orange and lemon peel, and an array of spices...") and the rumor that Italian purists consume this magic sauce atop fresh snow.

Gift Wrap Essentials

Gift Wrap Checklist

My Home Ideas just published a smattering of gift wrap ideas. What I was most intrigued by was their list of gift wrap essentials. Here's are the supplies they deem mandatory:

• Wrapping Paper
  
• Tissue Paper
  
• Scissors
  
• Scotch Tape
  
• Ribbon
  
• Tags
  
• Hole Punch
  
• Red or Green Pen
  
• Gift Tags
  
• Address Book
  
• Markers

I agree with mostly all of it, with the exceptions being I prefer metallic pens to red and green and I normally don't use gift tags. Since I don't use gift tags, I have little need for a hole punch.

To add my own flare to the list, I inject rubber bands (wrapped around a small parcel, they look very slick), magazines (for the ever-entertaining collage wrap), and glitter glue (no explanation necessary).

What's on your work table?

Happy Birthday, Porcelain!

Vintage DB: Porcelain at Minnie's, 2007

May you consume all the tiny beers your heart desires today!
Happy B-day!

6 & 7

Here are our weekend photos. Visit flickr to see the entire 6 & 7 collection.

Cardboard: left, Porcelain: right

Original inspiration by Stephanie & Mav at 3191

Weekend Flings

• Positivity in Pictures (seen above)

• What the 12 Days of Christmas Really Cost
• Worst of Google Street View: Honorable Mention
• Naughty Nintendo
• Porcelain is Harmony & Cardboard is Champ
• Blagojevich Summed Up

If you're new around here and have no idea what this list means, click HERE for a brief and witty explanation.

Bonus Bone: Ohio Starter Home

The happy news of Grace's return came just in time. This weekend Alison Rose and Mr. Sketch moved into their very first non-rented home!


Buying a home requires courage but these two new homeowners are going beyond brave. They are not only moving right before the holidays but they're also hosting our family for Christmas! Bamboo, Mama C, and I can't wait to see it in person.


Congratulations, Buckeyes, and good luck unpacking! May I suggest shutting Grace up in the bathroom when the front door's propped open.


For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

Sugar Plums!

One of the many adorable illustrations from the Zingerman's catalog.

I've always thought sugar plums sounded very magical, but figured they were a food that either was made up or something that no longer existed. Imagine my surprise to find out that they actually exist and are available at Zingerman's! (They were surprised too!)

Elvas Sugar Plums are available in limited quantities, so snap them up quick. They'd make a great gift for a foodie or a dreamer.

'Tis the Season

A quick note in my junk box tells me that it's Snuggie season! You can bring home your own "Super Large" blanket with sleeves for only $20. Act now and you get a second one FREE!

Big Sale at Alison Rose

Alison Rose and Mr. Sketch emailed us to let everyone know they're feeling extra generous this time of year. Everything in their shop is 25% off until the end of the year. We're talking T-shirts, hoodies, wallets...

Please note that if you're hoping to gift away your purchase for Christmas, you must order by Dec.16th (one week from today!) to give the elves time enough for delivery.

Check out the new Alison Rose Facebook page HERE and then get to shoppin'!

Gift Catalog: Sahalie

I'm not sure how I got on this mailing list because I've never heard of this company and I don't regularly mail order canteens and fleece. But there it was, the catalog, standing tall in my mailbox and begging to be blogged.

Check out our picks from Sahalie...

Cardboard: Dissolving Soap (Hand, Body, Shampoo, Conditioner, or Laundry)

I love paper soap! No other product in existence reminds me more of my baby backpacker years. Well...paper soap...and maybe Tang...and definitely blue tarps. But that's it! I'm also thoroughly impressed that Sahalie sells formulas for hairs and laundry.

Porcelain: Farkel

Porcelain chose this dice game simply because it's called Farkel and "...that's fun to say."

Anything strike your fancy from Sahalie?

6 & 7

Here are our weekend photos. Visit flickr to see the entire 6 & 7 collection.

Cardboard: left, Porcelain: right

Original inspiration by Stephanie & Mav at 3191

Weekend Flings

• In The Doghouse (seen above)

• The Best (Worst) Google Street View
• Rockin' Walrus
• J.Crew Should be Scared
• Mr. Smartypants
• This is NOT Us
• Guess the Side Boob!

If you're new around here and have no idea what this list means, click HERE for a brief and witty explanation.

Full of Grace (!)

Reunited: Alison Rose & Grace

Grace has been found! I don't know if it was St. Francis, luck, or fate but I think it might be a bit of all three. Here's the happy story:

My sister and her BF were hanging out last night, post dinner and jammie wearin', when they got a phone call. Mr. Sketch answered the ring and yelled to Alison Rose to put her shoes on 'cause someone might have found Grace! Turns out that, after nine scary days outside, skinny and tired little Gracie walked right into their neighbor's house, not even caring that they had a big ol' dog.

Hen Hao, Indeed!

The wildest part of the story is that they had Chinese food for dinner, right before receiving the call, and shown above is the true and actual fortune that Mr. Sketch cracked out of his cookie.

Reunited: Mr. Sketch & Grace