Mother's Day Gift Ideas

A modern take on giving flowers, the Amaryllis in a Bamboo Box from Red Envelope makes giving a great gift easy. The bulb can be saved after it blooms and it will come out bigger and better next year. The box is cute too. $58.

For a mom who is more of a sun worshipper, check out the new Beach Chair from DWR. It's truly minimal and easy to carry, just stick it into the sand for solid back support. Works great as a lawn seat too. $30.

Oh Mio My!

Those hive-like light pendants are actually made of two wool-felt capsules. The top portion is dark to direct light (down) and the bottom portion is actually white -- to diffuse it. Mio is a five-year old company from the City of Brotherly Love -- and it was there in Philly that the Salm Brothers decided to take up manufacturing sustainable and innovative products. Each pendant is about 12" high by 8 in diameter and are available in Camel, Midnight Grey or Kiwi for about $75 a piece. 

--diane

Tags: Sustainable Design Lighting, Modern Lighting, Mio Culture Design, Wool Lighting Pendants

Silver Collection Tea Cart

The Silver Collection Tea Cart from DWR's new outdoor collection rolls sophistication out to patio soirees.  Designed by John Caldwell of teak and cast aluminum, the simple modern form serves up drinks, food, towels and even parks plants.

Have a seat

With the abundance of wooden outdoor furnishings on the market, the aluminum geometric-inspired Maia collection designed by Patricia Urquiola for Kettal is a welcomed change.

Need a little more padding for your padding? The chair is available with a white, grey, or orange cushion.

--aj

Tags: outdoor furniture, aluminum chair, modern patio furniture, Kettal

Exotic hardwood flooring

OK- No More

Last post for the birds, I promise... These are all available through Unica Home, prices from $53 - $185.

Bora Bora!

Neptune rounds out its Zen Line with the debut of its first corner tub.  The Bora exudes elegance in laid back minimal style with timeless appeal.

-cb

Roll Out the Welcome Mat

Warm weather comes with few demands besides get out and enjoy it and clean up your entryway. Cold weather and muddy weather items can be cleaned off and put away. Salt covered welcome mats can be replaced with a sunnier variety.

Now is the time to put a fresh coat of paint on the front door, add planters, an updated mailbox, or new house numbers. Because whether you have a home with a front porch or an apartment with a door in a hallway, brightening up your entry point just makes coming home better.

Here are a few of our favorite ideas...

The Welcome Mat

You know we love the ingenious "Come in/Go away" mat from Suck UK, but here are a few more to add to the list.

1. Stainless steel and rubber Urban Doormat from Chiasso, $88.

2. Recycled truck tire You are Here mat from Re:modern, $25.

3. Hippo and Hare door mats by Droog at Unica Home; $127.

The House Numbers

1. I like these from Mailbox Works, prices start at $19.

Mailboxes

1. Sleek and chic from Restoration Hardware, $89.


2. A modern mail slot from Mailbox Works, $90.


Planters

1. Metal square planters, lacquer planters, gallery planters and many more designs are available through Plant Containers.

-cb

 

Two More Bird Houses

I couldn't resist these birdhouses by Jonathan Adler at Unica Home. $150.

Modern Throw Pillows

Now's the time to change out warm wool and thick nubbly covered pillows for bright summer prints and cool hues. Coincidently, a perfect cover for this chore is on sale for $20 now at Obeo Design. I give you the Inhabit Vapor Pillow...

For the Birds

I'm on a bird house kick today. Check out these great finds:

1. Tapered Stoneware Birdhouse from Modern Artisans. $64.99 in butternut or royal blue.

2. The Pewter Dot and Turquoise Gourd Bird Apartments from Sprout Home, $64.00.




3. Modern Birdhouses by Dail Dixon and Nathan Wieler of Modern Birdhouses, call 888 252 3146 for price and purchase.

--cb