Bonus Bone: Ecomposter

ECOmposter, at ECOmposter

On the "What Is It?" segment of Ask This Old House last weekend, Roger Cook presented the above item to all the fellas. Richard Trethewey had the funniest guess, with it being a bowling teaching device for children. In actuality, it turned out to be a composter.

I rarely want to go out and get any of the gadgets they show on that segment, but I was pretty impressed with how this composting ball made composting so much easier and faster. Compost needs to be regularly mixed and, in conventional composting bins, that requires raking, a task which isn't easy and can be messy and smelly.

The ECOmposter allows you to simply spin the ball on its base and you're done. You can also roll it to where you need to add your compost. And because the the ECOmposter is well sealed, you don't have the smell. Compost creation time is increased. To top it all off, the Ecomposter is made from reclaimed/recycled nylon plastic.

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

Bonus Bone: Schwinn 2010 Jenny

2010 Jenny, at Schwinn

One of my goals for 2010 is to ride my bike to work at least once, but hopefully it will become a habit. I do have a bike but it is old and weighs a ton. So I've had my eyes out for something vintage looking, but without the vintage heft.

Schwinn to the rescue! The adorably named Jenny is styled in yellow with tan leather accents. Throw a basket on the front and I'm set!

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

Bonus Bone: Indoor/Outdoor Houndstooth Rug & Love

Houndstooth Polypropylene Rug, at Overstock

I like this indoor/outdoor rug for a few reasons. Number one, houndstooth is a classic, a pattern that can mix with most others or stand proudly alone. Secondly, this design reminds me of my sister, Alison Rose, who is...

...finally engaged to her beloved Mr. Sketch! May love and houndstooth decorate the rest of your lives together!

For this reason, I, Cardboard, declare all this a Design Boner.

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.

National Work That Bike Day

Want a Bike - Double, by vintagelove at etsy

Dear Commuter Polluters-

We just read that May is National Bike Month...and this week is National Bike Week...and tomorrow is Bike to Work Day! Unfortunately, both Porcelain and I have tomorrow off (strike that unfortch) so we will be keeping a lo'zone profile by hanging around in our rompers, drinkin' coffee barefoot, no lights on.

To all you good decent workers who are hitting the streets in the AM, you should do this. If you don't have a bike, why not try a bus or a train or a walk (gasp!) or, in the very least, a carpool? The Earth and your HOT BOD will soon thank you.

Many green kisses-
The Family Bone

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.

Faking It / Taking It

Aeonium and Echiveria, at Carmel Bay Company

Even though they're pleasant to look at, I'd rather have no succulents than faux succulents...

Goat Head, at Carmel Bay Company

...But I'd totally take the weepy goat head.

Public Weather Announcement

THANK YOU!

I would like to, on behalf of the design boner team, thank the Chicago weather gods for finally giving us a break with the weather.

Being two girls without cars and long commutes, we are constantly waiting and walking and waiting, outside. The weeks-in-a-row of negative temperatures were beginning to weigh on our spirits, not to mention our sinuses. And, as far as productivity goes, it's hard to get to the laundry or clean up that bathroom when all you want to do is mainline hot soup while snuggled up on the couch.

Yet the past two days have required no frostbite precautions. It makes walking to the store for eggs (and a decent "7" pic) an absolutely inspiring excursion.

Ambidextrous Artwork

REPRESENT! I work at a library so I see a large amount of art books by known and unknown artists and photographers. Very rarely, however, do I see an exact replica of something from my own home in these obscure books.

His

Imagine my surprise(!) when, as I was flipping through a marvelous collection of photography by Aaron Ruell, I spotted the very same cheesy motel-esque piece of artwork within its pages (see above). Ruell captures fleeting moments of Americana with a taste and feel similar to the dingy/bright work of (my favorite) Nan Goldin. The mass-produced subject of this post is equally at home in a grimy motel room and near the sewer grate, outside my back door (see below).

Hers

To see more of Ruell's work, check out Some Photos from your local library.

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 Graceful Update

Little Grace is still missing. My sister (and her long-time friend) are losing hope. New DB reader Becky wrote in to tell us that she's always consulted St. Francis about her cat concerns. A quick google search tells me that St. Francis is not only the patron saint of animals but also of Colorado. Hear that, Alison Rose & Mr. Sketch? That's the sound of a good sign fluttering by!

Kneeling Saint Francis with Bowl, at Garden-Fountains

I feel so helpless being so far away from the action or lack thereof. So I'll sit here in Chicago and make silent requests to Francis to hurry up and bring Grace home. If the price tag wasn't such a killer, I'd also buy this garden ornament and tell them to fill it with CatMilk.

Thanks, Becky, for the wisdom and happy thoughts.

Couch, Heroic

This (real) pic is from a (real) accident in North Hollywood last week. Rumor has it that the curbside couch cushioned the impact, allowing the driver to walk away totally unharmed.

This selfless act is just another reason to love abandoned furniture. That dirty and forgotten couch is truly a Good Sofaritan.

Photo Credit: Curbed

Bonus Bone: Oma bike

Oma bike, at Jorg & Olif

This weekend marks the official end of summer. Le sigh! It's been a great one with wonderful weather. What better way to celebrate a great summer than to take a nice bike ride along Chicago's lakefront path?! I'd love to ride down the path to the Green City Market on the classic Dutch Oma bike. Throw a cute little basket on the front and I'll be all set to return home with some fresh veggies and maybe some sunflowers. Good god, I'd be cuteness on wheels.

Hardwood likes to tease me about my love of all things cute. But seriously how can anyone resist a bike like the Oma?!?!

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

Use Your Words: Julie Newmar on Gardening

"And learn to edit. In order to see things clearly, one must not be afraid of emptiness."

-Julie Newmar, Cottage Living (July/August 2008)

Photo credit: The Gear Page

Bonus Bone: Croquet

Halex select deluxe croquet set, at croquet.com

In honor of 4th of July, go have fun and play some croquet.

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

Sexy croquet photo courtesy of An Englishman's castle

Bonus Bone: Pool

Carina Schott's pool, Domino

Stonefield Estates, St. Luica

Angie Hill's Pool, Living Etc.

It got real hot and muggy here in Chicago all of a sudden. A couple nights ago it was down right chilly, but now we're experiencing rainforest-like weather. Being of pale skin complexion, I am not made to stand this type of weather. I wilt.

Cardboard and I have been lusting for a nice, big backyard with chaise lounges and a big table for outdoor feasts. I'd now like to add an inground pool to that dream. We had an above ground pool when I was a kid, but I always envied our neighbors who had the sweet inground one. It seemed so glamorous! There was a charming mid-century home in Domino this month that had an envy-inducing pool (see top photo). I'm sure I'd spend everyday from June till September if I had one like this. But right now I'll take any pool, even one of these.

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

Bonus Bone: Bio-Degradeable Indoor Gardens

Japanese Maple, at Delight

I love Japanese Maples but those beauties can be expensive. So the next best thing is growing one from seed in a small pot. Maybe by the time we get a house, it will be big enough to plant outside.

Oh, and this would also make a lovely Mother's Day gift which (psst) is this Sunday.

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

Water Hyacinth Pillows at West Elm

Water Hyacinth Pillows, at West Elm

Gotta love that texture. I really like the natural, woven look of these pillows and I'm already using them (in my head) to decorate my imaginary outdoor oasis. Yet I wonder about their comfort level (too scratchy?) and I worry about mixing them with a glass of wine and pantyhose.

Your thoughts?

An Enviable Nest

Birdland Bungalow, at Sundance

Welcome home, lucky birdies, your house is cuter than mine.

Outdoor lounger

Square metal lounger, at West Elm

It's sunny and the temperature is over 45 degrees today. That means it's time to daydream of outdoor furniture and Johnny Depp and Christian Bale as our personal pool boys!