Beautiful Bench

Sculptural and simple -- the L5 Series Bench by Marie Khouri are made from hand-carved laminated wood.

Street sense

Avant garde and grande, the La Lumiere Indoor Lamp Posts by Zin Gianluca and DDS standing over 83 inches tall and weigh 100 pounds each.

Available in glossy black or white, the diffuser is made of hand blown glass.

Stunning Summer Steel

I have been scouring outdoor furniture websites for weeks, trying to find the perfect outdoor dining set. One that is fresh and chic, but doesn't stand out against the backdrop of my toddler's many outdoor toys.

Glass top is out (which eliminates most of the sets out there) because of said toddler's smudgy little hands. Wrought iron isn't my style (which eliminates the few other sets). While steel may not initially seem the best choice due to summer temps, the durability is a definite plus.

I believe I've found a little piece of spirited summer perfection with the EMU Pattern Table & Chairs from Coalesse. Bright and simplistic with a great pop of detail, this is the perfect set to mix and match.

More summer stories

Steal of the Week

The easiest way to spruce up your yard is with colorful planters -- and at $18, the Boboli Planters are perfect!

Modern nesting tables

Form follows function with the Treforma Nesting Tables. Inspired by objects and the way they reflect and transmit light, the color of objects is determined by the parts of the spectrum of light that are reflected without being absorbed.

All technicalities aside, these tables are perfect for various occasions and room sizes.

More modern tables

After Matisse

Using 26 different colors, designer Sonya Winner has created the bold After Matisse rug. It's odd shape with saturated hues and blended sections was inspired by famed artist Henri Matisee (whose works were often made using paper cutouts). The result is a fantastic piece of useable art.

The collage of 26 colors “replicates the effect of transparent colors mixed together”, said the designer. Can you imagine how splendid this would be in an all white room, or perhaps a children's play area?

Shop modern area rugs

Great teacher gift!

As the end of another school year rapidly approaches, many parents are desparately trying to find the perfect gift for their child's teacher.  Take coffee mug, lotion, and candles off your list. 

Instead, surprise them with a great vase and colorful flowers -- perfect to brighten up their desk at school or table at home.

The Helix vase is on sale at Chiasso for only $24!

The Sleepy Organic Bed

Sleepy, an eco-friendly organic bed designed by Angelo Tomaiuolo and produced for Tonin CASA, features a base that is made from eco-friendly leather in different finishes and a wrapping sculptured headboard to compliments its unique and original shape.

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Best.Sofa.Ever

Seriously -- this may be the best sofa ever. Thank you 3Rings for bringing it to my attention (and maybe my living room).

How many times have you been seated at your couch and suddenly felt an insatiable urge to reverse your position? Or face away from rather than next to your present companion? Or just desired a better resting position for your hands? Romanian manufacturer LUNDI et DEMI may have the solution to this seemingly intractable problem, even if you only conceived of such an answer in dreams. The LUNDI et DEMI Couch appears normal enough—it’s a rigid foam affair with a wooden platform structure and clean, appealing contemporary lines. Who knew it could literally break in half? Appending out this way or that with only a flexible, accordion-like lifeline to keep it of a piece?

The couch is actually in three sections, each linked by the telescoping band beneath that retracts (and is thus completely hidden from view) in typical couch mode and extends as you “break” the individual units to create a loveseat and chair, or three separate chairs, or a contract style arrangement with seating that makes an economical use of space but never forces you to engage your neighbor head-on.

 

Happy Mother's Day!

To the mother's out there, soon-to-be mommy's, and all those who are like mother's to so many, we wish you a very happy Mother's Day!

Coming soon... modern gifts for dad!