Last Minute Holiday Décor Tips

The countdown to the holidays has begun, and as your home fills with friends and family, surround them with these modern décor tips:

*Use square or rectangular cream colored plates. Place candles small, flat candle holders in warm tones such as red, orange or gold. Stay away from the classic flower arrangement - tie the table together with golden or silver tree ornaments" ~ from Ernestomeda.

*Dress up your fireplace with small bunches of magnolia leaves attached to wired ribbon. The glossy front and matte back of the magnolia leaves make them a perfect choice for this garland, and your contemporary home.
*Skip the Tree - Display a small grouping of "mini-trees," such as dwarf evergreens and topiaries, accented with ornaments and decorative cord in a coordinating color arranged around the base ~ from the Do It Yourself Network.

*Decorate with color! Instead of traditional Christmas red and green color schemes, use lime green, aqua, orange-reds and fuchsia. Select only one or two of these colors to keep the look sleek and elegant, then combine these bright colors with silver or gold for an opulent feel.

*The modern Hanukkah menorah. Designers like Karim Rashid and Lisa Slovis use bright colors and bold designs to make modern the traditional.

*Use texture for extra interest by combining organic elements with crystal and silver for tabletop displays. Use holiday fabrics in lush velvets, silks and satins to make a space festive."

More modern holiday décor tips and shop for contemporary decorations.

Pictured above left: Clown Hat Glasses by Anthony Biancaniello. At bottom right, Lisa Slovis' Meta Menorah.

Julius Schulman Honored

Sprawled across the cover of the Julius Schulman 2006 Portfolio Calendar is a striking 11-by-14 inch image of Frank Lloyd Wright's Ennis-Brown House.

In honor of the celebrated architectural photographer’s 95th birthday, the Art Museum Council released the second edition of a limited series published from 2005-2009. Showcasing 12 signature images of American architectural landmarks of the 20th century, the black and white artwork featured is also suitable for framing.

First commissioned to photograph Richard Neutra’s Kun House in 1936, Schulman photographed the work of renowned modern architects including R.M. Schindler, Gregory Ain, Pierre Koenig, Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen over his 70-year career.

To order contact the AMC at 323.857.6501 , or order online at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Uncork Your Imagination!

As the New Year approaches and you scramble to stock up on champagne with which to toast the success of untested resolutions, take another look at the contraption that keeps your bubbly from going flat. Each year at this time, the champagne cork comes into its own as a design material with the DWR Champagne Chair Contest.

The contest is open to anyone with an interest in making a miniature chair from just the cork, foil and wire from no more than two champagne bottles.

Chairs selected by DWR's judges will be shown in its stores across the U.S., with finalists appearing on the DWR website and in its Design Notes newsletter.

Find out more at DWR and this year, don't toss out the cork with the bottles.

Think Spring

Don't be fooled by the cold and snow -- Spring is just around the corner, and stores are already lining their shelves with a lighter fare. And Nambé is following suit with the new Planar Bud Vase from Karim Rashid.

Inspired by his popular Planar Bowl, Rashid has created a full-lead crystal vase of equal beauty. The delicate fanning effect will allow your arrangement to fall softly along the edges.

Robotic Vacuum

If you're not one to delight in the task of vacuum cleaning, iRobot's Roomba Vacuum may be what you've been looking for.

Roomba, a modern twist on the traditional, is outfitted with the unique AWARE™ Robot Intelligence System - utilizing dozens of sensors to monitor Roomba’s environment, and adjusting its behavior up to 67 times per second.

Equipped for any floor surface, including carpet, wood, tile and linoleum, the disk-like vacuum is designed to reach corners and edges. iRobot's latest in robotic technology for the home - the Scooba Floor Washing Robot - a cleaning system designed to prep, wash, scrub, and dry floors with the push of a button.

Spreading Cheer Without Dropping Needles

With the Estilo Tree Tealight Holder environmentalists can celebrate Christmas without introducing a freshly chopped tree into their living room.

Made from stainless steel and supporting 13 tealights, this tree by Blomus will survive for many a Christmas, without giving guilt to green-minded people.

Contest from Sparkability and Design*Sponge

Sparkability and Design*Sponge are currently running a holiday contest, ending Friday at 5pm.

Contest Details.

Collecting Modern Art

The third COLLECT will take place at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London from 9 - 13 February 2006.

Organized by the British Crafts Council, COLLECT is the only art fair in Europe that showcases the very best of contemporary applied and decorative arts from around the world.

COLLECT shows the best works in a variety of materials such as glass, ceramics, textiles, silver, fine metals, and wood, as well as handcrafted furniture and art jewelry by leading artists from around the world.

Items on display will be available for purchase from a selection of specialist galleries. For those unsure of what to buy or what to collect, the Crafts Council will be coordinating an expanded program of events for contemporary craft collectors and those thinking of starting a collection.

Holiday Treasure Hunt Clue

Here's one to help you find our treasure:

Check out our Product Spotlight -- it is sure to give you pleasure...

Join the Hunt.

Transglass

Wondering what to get the perfect host/hostess this holiday season? Transglass vases and cups from Moss are an ideal gift for the clever party thrower.

Made from recycled wine and beer bottlers, the beauty of the collection is in the surprise - because they are made from recycled glass, the color of each piece varies from shades of green to brown and clear.

At $60 for a set of 2, this is a gift that will please your host - as well as the environment.