Bonus Bone: Pine Tree Stand

Pine Tree Stand by Maria Håård, at Design House Stockholm

Place a star on top AND the bottom of the tree this year. Minimal, Swedish, and available in red, green or white. So much nicer than the clunky ones from Home Depot.

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

Scandinavian wreath

Kotte wreath, at Ikea

Hardwood and I picked up this simple wreath made of wheat at a recent trip to Ikea. A nice, but still natural, change of pace from the usual boxwood wreaths we buy.

If you want a more fragrant option, watch this Jane Cumberbatch video and learn to make a savory rosemary wreath.

IKEA's white flooring

Inspired by these photos to have white floors in your home?! I recently noticed that IKEA offers a couple of flooring options in the very Scandinavian-chic shade of white. For an ultra-sleek look go with the Markland. For a slightly more rustic vibe, choose the aptly named Tundra.

All photos courtesy of Living Etc.

Mount this!

Danish wall-mounted shelving, at Urban Remains

Would I be more organized if I had this set of shelves?

I'd like to think so, but the answer would probably be no. I'm pretty helpless when it comes to staying with organization. I'm good at first, but then I get lazy and eventually the papers, books, mail, and other useless crap builds up. I don't think there is an organization system out there that can handle me.

Bonus Bone: Dutchtub

Dutchtub

When Hardwood and I went on vacation a month ago, we rented a house with a hot tub. We ended our days in the hot tub with a glass of wine and stared up at the stars. We decided if we ever have a vacation home, we must have some celebrity hot tub action!

Dutchtub offers everything that Hardwood and I want in a hot tub: cool design and environmentally friendly. You just need access to water and wood. No chemicals to keep the water clean and no electricity to heat the water.

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

Bonus Bone: Brommo Chairs

BROMMÖ deck chair, at IKEA

Hardwood and I picked up a couple of these bad boys earlier this week. I've always been attracted too them, but thought the strings might get uncomfortable. We gave them a test-sit and found them surprisingly comfy.

AND now I know they're extra cool cause Briggles has a set as well.

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

Bonus Bone: Vegetarian Food Pyramid poster

Vegetarian Pyramid, by Andreas Samuelsson

I've been a vegetarian for almost eleven years now. I think I eat a pretty healthy diet, but even the best of us have our off days and just want to stuff our face with seven layer dips and gooey nachos. Every so often we might need a reminder of what we should be eating and that's why I love the Vegetarian pyramid poster by Andreas Samuelsson. It's fun, bold graphics aren't too preachy. It makes eating healthy look fun!!!

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

The New Matchbox

Streamliner Classic, at Playsam

Are these reason enough to have a kid or at least start a childish obsession with toy car collecting? I think so.

Streamliner Rally, at Playsam

My favorite new mug

Bono mug designed by Catharina Kippel, available at Crate & Barrel

A couple weeks ago I popped into Crate & Barrel when I was hitting a few after-Christmas sales and using up some gift cards. I wandered around to see if there were any great deals or cute new items. That's when I spotted this adorable tear drop mug. I loved the shape of the handle, thickness, and pattern. When I turned the mug over I was excited to see that it was from Design House Stockholm. I certainly hope Crate & Barrel carries more products from them. There are three other designs available, for all of you Scandinavian design-loving folks out there. I think I might have to go back and grab a couple more.

Carrie...Mail Basket!

Sunday's Office

Lookie, lookie - sfgirlbybay took everyone's favorite Carrie Bike Basket and turned it into a mail caddy. Now that's chic re-purposing!

(I too need to make a blogging desk in the middle of a plush comforter with a steamy cup of cocoa near by...sigh...)

Mass Modern auction rehash

Cardboard and I attended the Mass Modern Auction at Wright this past Saturday. We were interested in checking out how the auction operated and looking at all the furniture in person. Maybe, if we were lucky, our sugar daddies would dig deep enough and we'd leave with a new addition to one of our homes. There were several rooms FILLED with furniture, art, lighting, accessories, etc. We had a great time opening doors and doors, sitting down at a Frank Gehry cardboard dining set, touching the material, snapping photos, and drinking complementary Izze sodas. Our two favorite pieces were an adorable teal dressing table with off-centered mirror and a pair of Edward Wormley swivel lounge chairs. We were both somewhat surprised by the condition of quite a few of the pieces (not all that great). The photos online seemed slightly deceiving. The furniture was obviously well loved by someone and would need quite a bit of rehab to restore them to their former glory.

The majority of the buyers seemed to be serious collectors and dealers. Prices ranged from $25 for a pair of furry, brown chairs (which Cardboard delightfully named the Fozzie Bear chairs) to a pair of Charles and Ray Eames small side cabinets for $10,000! Yes, that's right $10,000, American dollars!!

Despite walking away with nothing and being a bit shocked by some of the skyrocketing prices, we still had a fun time observing the bidders, enjoying the snacks and beverages, and lusting after a pair of round brass lamps! To check out some additional photos from the auction, go here.

Mass Modern – Modern Design at Modest Prices

Paul McCobb Planner group drop-leaf dining table


Arne Jacobsen chairs


Anna Castelli rolling storage cube

Modern Design at reasonable prices!?!??!!!!! I am there!

Wright Presents: Mass Modern – Modern Design at Modest Prices Auction
17 June 2006 11am
Viewing 12-16 June 2006 10am – 5pm

Most items sold with no reserve
Free admission and parking
Catalogs available

1440 West Hubbard Street
Chicago, Illinois 60622
312 563 0020
www.wright20.com

Modern Warehouse

Two of my favorite things in this world are the city of London and Danish modern furniture. I’ve died and gone to heaven with London based Modern Warehouse. Their website is filled with beautiful examples of Danish classics in teak and rosewood, 60’s classics, impressive reproductions, art, and the funkiest assortment of accessories that side of the pond. All I need now is a plane ticket and to win the lottery.