I’m a total nut when it comes to customization options. Getting to add someone’s names or initials to something always makes any product ten times more interesting to me. Maybe it’s the Southern girl in me that feels the need to always be on the lookout for possible hostess gifts, but this one from Kin…
Esque was one of the first Portland-based design studios that I found myself falling head over heels for. Andi and Justin do incredible glass work, and their collections continue to blur the line between fine art and functional tabletop design beautifully. Their latest pieces are updated versions of their classic water drop jugs and pitcher/cup…
From pink to yellow, I’m developing a major summery crush on this runner at Terrain. That sunny yellow color is a much-needed reminder that winter can’t possibly last forever, though today it seems as though the only outdoor eating I’ll ever do is shoving a chocolate croissant in my face as I run from the…
Can I take a quick moment this morning to profess my love for Japanese white enamel cookware? I’ve been tracking this stuff around town like a crazy stalker and might need to make the switch pretty soon. I’ve been a loyal Le Creuset user for years (I use my two pieces constantly), but the clean…
Maisonnée is a newly launched design studio based in France. Focusing on whimsical household objects, Maisonnée has designed a great opening collection that includes bunny-themed pieces (like the mirror above) as well as some clean, contemporary designs like the candleholder and mirrored wall decals below. My favorite pieces are the simple vases (also below); they’re…
I rarely get swept up in fashion trends (I don’t have the same patience for clothes shopping that I do for home shopping), but colorblocking has yet to release its grip on me. I love it in my sweaters, dresses and now — my kitchen. These beautiful colorblocked cutting boards are handmade in Philadelphia by…
Good morning and happy New Year, guys! It is SO nice to be back and blogging. After a week off, I finally feel rested, relaxed and ready to get going. This is a big week for us — we’re moving into our new office, tearing down some walls inside and deciding how we’ll decorate! I’ll…
I’ll never forget the day my local Matter store in Park Slope closed. My weekly design destination sadly moved across the river to Manhattan, but it has been on a roll ever since. I’m always excited to get their newsletter with updates, and the most recent one contained some seriously beautiful work. A few of…
In addition to woodworking, I have a sincere fondness for textiles that utilize the texture of linen. Linen is easily my favorite fabric for just about any purpose, and these beautiful new designs from Nancy Straughan show why. I love how printed inks look on linen; they have that soft, slightly distressed look that makes…
When Heath Ceramics introduces something new, chances are, I’ll love it. And when they started doing more collaborations with some of my favorite contemporary artists, the chances got better. I love that Heath chooses artists who embrace handmade work from such an interesting perspective, and their recent collaboration with Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin is a…
Well hello, gorgeous. I may have let stripes and polka dots go earlier this year, but I still can’t shake my weakness for shiny gold. It’s just too bright and sparkly to resist. These gorgeous Zag Trays from Susan at Up In The Air Somewhere are limited-edition pieces that she launched just yesterday. Each handmade ceramic…
If you’re a designer who’s ever wondered about doing 3D printing or laser cutting, Ponoko is a great service that takes care of the cutting for you. I’ve been watching indie designers successfully use their services for a while, and I was happy to hear about some of Ponoko’s clients/customers who are creating really lovely work through…
I love it when larger companies team up with independent designers to spread their work to a larger audience. The designs above and below are the result of Umbra’s Atelier Made partnership, Umbra’s collaboration with smaller European designers to create new pieces that are then distributed by Umbra throughout boutiques and design shops. I really love…
Marimekko got the ball rolling this morning with some summertime color, so I wanted to keep that upbeat mood going with these shimmery pieces at Leif. From gold-dipped macaron rings to softly fading paint chip placemats, these new pieces are perfect for adding a little color and sparkle to a holiday table. I’ve never been a…
As if I needed another reason to be excited about going back to Portland,* Schoolhouse Electric has gone and given me another one. I’ve been a fan of Schoolhouse Electric’s period lighting for a while now, but I was thrilled to hear about their expansion earlier this summer. I’d heard buzzing among local Portland bloggers…
One of the difficult things about running a blog is balancing my desire to support prototype projects and provide work that’s readily available to anyone reading. Typically, I like to wait until something is ready for immediate purchase, but today I’m focusing on a fun idea that’s ready for immediate support, thanks to Kickstarter. I…
I’ve been trying to describe my changing style to friends, and I keep struggling to put it in the right words. I’m not sure if it’s just a normal reaction to all of the heavy ornamentation we’ve seen in design since the early 2000s, but I’m really ready for something cleaner and simpler, without heavy…
I’ve got major jetlag brain this morning. All I can muster are three words: I want everything. Howkapow (I love that name; it sounds like something a superhero would say after punching someone in a comic strip.) is a new UK-based design shop that specializes in promoting indie designers and illustrators. From cushions, cards and…
One of the weird things about running a design blog is that I actually buy very few design products, mostly because, for some reason, writing about something feels pretty close to living with something. I spend time looking at a product, editing images of it, thinking about what I’ll write and what I’d do with…
Sometimes, the quickest fix for a kitchen in need of a little color is a set of trays. I used trays as dish rack liners, wall art and for grouping containers in my old apartment, and they’ve always been a go-to when I need some color or pattern. These new “Folk Stripes” trays are from…
