nest

Recycled Lacy Rug

2012-01-07T13:25:00.003-05:00

Via

Matteria

Clever tissue box design

2010-07-12T20:11:00.005-05:00

Extremely cute summer-only triangular box design. Also available in lime and orange 'slices'.

Shaker Modern Shiznit

2010-03-07T21:25:00.003-05:00

Modern Shaker done right .

Etsy Recce: Dala Horse Accessories

2009-05-31T16:00:00.015-05:00

Starting from the top left, moving clockwise:

Babymomo's Dala baby mat
Stjarnkraft's Dala pot holders
Spottedsushi's felt Dala ornament
Lishyloo's flur sack Dala kitchen towel

It's about the little details...

2009-04-19T19:27:00.003-05:00

Via AT - Colored (and patterned!) Masking Tape.

Less expensive, less permanent wall tile options

2009-03-30T09:13:00.006-05:00

In the ongoing quest for less expensive ways to beautify one's space (preferably in a less-than-permanent fashion for those living in rentals), I found some interesting wall tile options.

Smart Tiles are self-adhesive 3D 'gel' tiles that claim to be easily removable later with the use of a hair dryer. Find them at Home Depot. Starts at just under $7 - $10 USd per set of four 4 inch tiles.

Self-adhesive tin tiles available online at (believe it or not) Harriet Carter. Set of six 6 inch tiles for just under $15 USD.

Diamond Life offers their (probably not really removable later) industrial-look Max Tile line. Starting at just under $8 per square foot, not quite so inexpensive, either. Much easier to install than traditional tiles, though.

Quirky (or maybe creepy) item of the day...

2009-02-21T14:41:00.003-05:00

Hand Soaps

E-Bay Recce: Eames Christmas

2008-11-29T23:31:00.013-05:00

In a holiday mood already, so, a few current mod vintage eBay finds, in time to get 'em before the holiday has come and gone:

Aluminum Christmas tree

Christmas Tablecloth

Rust Craft Vintage Greeting Cards

Support the 2nd-hand Economy! Certainly, a Fun way to Reduce/Re-use/Recycle...

Denyse Schmidt & Bridgeport

2008-11-15T12:46:00.003-05:00

Just recently found out about the Bridgeport CT / Denyse Schmidt connection: her workshop's here in town.

Though it's a bit day-late & dollar-shortish, her annual Sample Sale & Open House event is today, until 4 pm.

2008-07-13T14:07:00.005-05:00

Living a little over an hour from NYC as I do currently, I made it in yesterday to visit the Conran Shop (which currently has sale markdowns) and Tiny Living, to get this magnetic hook rack for my fridge .

Tiny Living's one of those cute, narrow, small little NYC shops. Of course. "I was expecting something larger."

We gotcha vinyl wall decals right here..

2008-05-13T21:18:00.003-05:00

...or at least, they do at Etsy - see the following list of sellers who offer wall decals. It's not all about Blik anymore!

subhuti designs
sodeco
oneup designs
michelle christina
scribbleit
lewa's vinyl designs
chuck e. byrd wall art
pulcinopazzo
jodi von rotton
little bit unlimited
fame
deadworry
garden goose gifts
polymer
distinctive words
runny bunny
badass custom decals
sweeetnothing
leen the graphics queen
hums and tiddely poms
artsnacker
zoopri
decorette
vinyl wall art
studio jk
shanickers
magicallymade
decalmonograms
ideafoundy
elephannie
elly nelly
markjames designs
paigemtyler
household words
tarahogan
textstyle
sticky graffiti
written wall decor
red bean design
visionsinvinyl
ceejay77
vinylfruit
vinylvineyard
stickyculture
lamai designs
cutndpaste
heimacollective
maxitees
stickee
melanieastewart
vynart
valerydesignwrks
raventecgraphics
tickled pink designs
jlm designs
takaqua
walltats
marrianna wall art
goinggaga
bitsywhimsy
idodecals
littlebitunlimited
claudiabegins
dancingwillow
wallwords
chicshack
prettysnappy
rightontthewalls
vonmb

Yeah!

2008-03-19T11:49:00.004-05:00

40% off the Panton Junior Chair @ Moma! (Via BLTD.)

Oxo-Pop

2008-03-16T15:48:00.004-05:00

Finally, a decent (completely clear, stackable, space-saving, and air-tight) replacement for the no longer distributed in the USA line of rosti moduul storage containers. List $6.99USD - $16.99USD.

2008-03-15T10:48:00.002-05:00

Via BLTD, CB2's 'crochet' outdoor table
$49.95 USD

DIY of the Day:

2008-03-15T10:27:00.004-05:00

From ikea hacker: Desk chair facelift.

Ebay recce - From Finland

2008-03-09T14:06:00.016-05:00

Alvar Aalto vase

A yard of Marimekko Lumimarja fabric

Iron-on Marimekko Unikko Appliques

Also in red & blue

This yard of vintage Finnish fabric showing a child's day would make a great wall-hanging or pillows for a child's room.

Child's enamel cup

Iittala Red Bird

Another great tip today via AT:

2008-02-22T23:06:00.005-05:00

I can't afford a Klippan blankets, but I can afford Klippan table linens. Any way to get those great Scandinavian patterns into my home!

Also, kudos to AT reader Miriam for her 'Make super-quick pillows out of placemats' trick in the comments.

Today's 'Do it way cheaper!' Hero:

2008-02-22T22:34:00.003-05:00

Comicgeek, who educated AT readers today about how a simple iron dowel screw will let anyone transform a simple pull knob into a tres chic wall hanger.

2008-02-15T18:51:00.002-05:00

Via Freshome, a Slice of House.

Props for Lille Haus

2008-01-12T21:16:00.000-05:00

'Bout a month back, treated myself one of Lille Haus's RIC kitchen towels. Just wanted to say publicly that she offers excellent customer service: She was a good communicator, fixed with reassuring speed a little shipping address problem I had, and got my towel to me promptly. (Then again, it didn't hurt that I was just up the East coast from where she is located.) Also, she took Paypal.

Overall, for good customer service (is there a one-word Danish term for that, too?) : gold star!!

& the aforementioned towel, in between uses in my kitchen:

2008-01-06T19:48:00.000-05:00

Marimekko on sale at Reprodepot...

Pod Early Jan. Sale

2008-01-01T15:34:00.000-05:00

Kurbits!

2007-12-30T22:21:00.000-05:00

Inspired by red.house's recent kurbit-related posts, I did some googling and discovered the varied range of home products featuring modern interpretations of these traditional Swedish floral painted embellishments...

Wallcoverings:

Hanna Werning's wall mural

Hanna Hedén's wallpaper

Annat's wallpaper

Tableware:

Rörstrand's tableware

Footware:

Vincent's childrens' puddle boots

Dala Clogs's painted clogs

Floor Coverings:

Johannes Cattani's carpet design

Lina Rickardsson's runner

And last, but certainly not least:

Kurbit-embellished phone (DIY?)

Local Neat Stuff: Edesse Design's Puzzle Tables

2007-12-22T12:06:00.000-05:00

File Under: Really Neat (if out of my own budget range):

Eddesse Blog
Eddesse Etsy Page

So not cheap but oh so gorgeous...

2007-12-20T14:09:00.000-05:00

Prairie Art Tile's Arts and Crafts Style tiles

When I once again have enough $ with which to treat myself, I may be unable to resist the charm of one of these tiles as a kitchen accent...

Recycling Nirvana!

2007-12-17T12:33:00.001-05:00

From a couple of Pros (Wary Myers Decorative Arts):

Love love LOVE the inspiration I'm getting there...

Chilewich for Cheaper...

2007-11-01T19:42:00.001-05:00

Well, for roughly 30% less than average Chilewich retail cost for placemats - Crate and Barrel now carries green and grey tonal rectangular , metallic herringbone, and metallic basketweave vinyl placemats from Chilewich.

Prep for Labor Day...

2007-08-14T16:59:00.001-05:00

...aka the yearly craft fair at my home town's Old Home Day:

Felt ponytail holders - this past weekend's production.

2007-08-02T13:27:00.001-05:00

MoMA store Summer sale

Pod Summer Sale...

2007-07-17T14:33:00.001-05:00

friday july 20: 11am-6:30pm
saturday july 21: 10am-6:30pm
sunday july 22: 11am-5pm

25% sale on all merchandise

I might actually make it over there this time...

Weekend baking...

2007-07-07T17:36:00.000-05:00

Chocolate cupcakes with mocha frosting. The mini cake plate is from Marshall's home decor dep't.

I adore me a tulip table!

2007-06-25T11:40:00.000-05:00

That classic, ultra-simple shape that any chair will go with!

Well, the more inexpensive knock-offs, anyway.

IKEA has had one for some time (pic from Canadian site; US site page currently down); now CB2 does, too! Both at $149...

Clever Recycling Idea of the Day

2007-06-21T17:30:00.000-05:00

Car Hood Bandstand

A Reminder:

2007-06-01T11:35:00.000-05:00

First Church in JP Outdoor Spring Fair tommorrow (Sat 2nd June), 10 - 4.

2007-05-25T00:03:00.001-05:00

Too-Cool design student project of the day (via Pan-Dan)

2007-05-20T19:17:00.000-05:00

Today's clever recycling idea, via Treehugger: tatami mat scrap belts

Yay, Pod event!

2007-05-10T16:07:00.000-05:00

I'll let their flyer speak for itself:

'Design for the unwealthiest 90 percent'

2007-05-08T13:31:00.000-05:00

Papanek would approve. But that's beside the point - I reckon most anyone would approve. I'm half-tempted to go down and see that exhibit...

More most excellent flat pack furniture...

2007-05-07T10:30:00.000-05:00

Keiji Design's flat-pack stools

New glass tumblers from Anthropologie

2007-05-03T13:35:00.000-05:00

Fish Pond Tumblers

Night Forest Tumblers

Menagerie Tumblers

A tad classier than your average reclaimed promotional screen-printed jelly glass (remember those?)...

Not that cheap, but reallyreally cool...

2007-05-01T17:53:00.000-05:00

...Alain Berteau's 'Instant Classic Side Chair'

(via Apt Therapy)

Speaking of cardboard furniture: Retro Revival from back in '68!

2007-04-30T17:10:00.000-05:00

German company Pulpo's brought back the cardboard, infinitely customizable Otto easy chair...

(via the David Report Blog)

Craft of the Day:

2007-04-30T15:33:00.000-05:00

Amazing what you can do with the humble material known as felt....

2007-04-17T11:20:00.000-05:00

Lawrence Laske's Minimalist Beach Chair

(from DWR via SwissMiss)

The next logical step: DIY cardboard furniture

2007-03-23T17:32:00.000-05:00

One set of lovely designs free for the taking here.

Inexpensive GREEN Ingenuity

2007-03-23T17:05:00.000-05:00

Now that's what I'm talkin' about....something neat and cheap...(Well, at least less expensive than the usual elitist design schtuff making the rounds of the blogs....)

Check out RS Miranda's $65 flatpack coffee table - made from foldable cardboard!

Reminds me of Papanek's stuff... Been a while since I read Design for the Real World, but cardboard was one material being used to create light furniture by groovy, forward-thinking, idealistic designers such as Papnek...

2007-03-12T14:31:00.000-05:00

Upcoming April Pod Event...

Jim Hannon-Tan's spin-system table

2007-03-06T19:17:00.000-05:00

From apartment therapy via tina roth eisenberger's blog via pan-dan. (whew)

A simple idea so excellent, you just stare.....

&, last but not least:

2007-03-06T19:01:00.000-05:00

Funky eBay find of the Day: the Danish spice rack that hangs on the wall & spins ($29.99 buy-it-now)

Craig's List Posting of the Day...

2007-03-06T18:51:00.000-05:00

$100 'Spine' bookcase in Cambridge...

Ignore that 2-month-long hiatus; just pretend it didn't happen....

2007-03-06T18:33:00.000-05:00

...and check out today's clever recycled consumer product of the day...

Pod sale, MUT

2006-12-28T23:55:00.000-05:00

Pod's got a 40% off post-holiday sale on, starting tommorrow (Friday the 29th).

In other news, I stumbled across the Museum of Useful Things the other day, while in Harvard Square for the first time in ages...got me a couple of those miracle fiber rags that attract dirt sans cleaner. Best of all? They actually work.

On Centre

2006-12-03T15:15:00.000-05:00

Gift-hunting Atomic-Era Design aficionados have a new destination here right in Jamaica Plain - Philip Celeste's On Center, which (true to its name) recently opened at 636 Center St. I visited only briefly to get bloggin' photos, but I'll definitely be back...

Craft Fair time in J.P.!

2006-12-01T15:20:00.000-05:00

Tommorrow:

Eliot School Holiday Crafts Fair | Saturday December 2nd | 11:00am - 6:00 pm

First Church in Jamaica Plain Unitarian Universalist's Holiday Craft Fair | Saturday December 2nd | 11:00am - 6:00 pm

'Tis the Season.

It's a Mod, Mod, Mod Christmas on eBay...

2006-11-30T15:00:00.000-05:00

Nah, I don't work for eBay, and yeah, I know I've been Obsessed with eBay entries lately, but...eBay so RAWKS for finding Mod vintage goodies! (Especially helpful when one is too busy to do pound-the-pavement shopping.)

And Christmas-time is no exception. Check out the following holiday-themed items...

Mod reindeer tablecloth

Table-top 'mobile'

Pink flocked Christmas Trees

Melamine Holiday Dishes

eBay Mod listing of the day:

2006-11-28T12:56:00.000-05:00

8 porcelain mugs from Japan
Bidding starts at $0.01; shipping = $12.50

eBay retro 70s design find of the day: the picnic ball

2006-11-27T20:05:00.000-05:00

See it here:

Quilt of the Day:

2006-11-26T13:00:00.000-05:00

My current favorite whole-cloth quilt: Garnet Hill's 'vortex' quilt. Love that circular stitching!

Hatched

2006-11-25T18:20:00.000-05:00

Just one year old, Liz Vittori Koch's Hatched is tucked away at 5 Green St., here in Jamaica Plain. In quest of a (rather belated) 'welcome baby' gift, I stopped by there earlier today and was pleased to find a selection of organic cotton baby wear, wooden toys, and divers baby accessories. (They also carry cloth diapering supplies)

2006-11-24T20:09:00.000-05:00

PID's re-usable advent calendar (~ 36 USD)

Useful, Extremely Simple Product of the Day:

2006-11-21T14:23:00.000-05:00

What is it?

2006-11-21T14:20:00.000-05:00

Pottery Barn birch candles on sale

Nostalgia + the staying power of good design =

2006-10-23T23:12:00.000-05:00

"It's no surprise...that some of the best designs from the past are being dusted off and reissued for today's consumer..."

eBay bargain hunter - West Elm 'NIB'

2006-10-23T20:20:00.000-05:00

Glacier tumbleweed print F/Q duvet cover - $49.99

4 x 6 deep white box frame - $5.99

3 rust red silk duponi drapes - $69.95

Nesting amber glass bowl set - $10.00

Even with caveat emptor &, erm, 'creative' shipping costs figured in, there are some decent finds out there...

Brief Craig's List furniture recce - cool stuff for Cheap!!

2006-10-22T10:54:00.000-05:00

Comfy modern orange chair in Allston - $40

$40 scandinavian end table in Allston

'Almost new' crate & barrel couch in the South End - $850

Expandable teak table and chair set in Medfield for $150

$30 9'7" x 6' 7" 'Scandinavian' area rug in Plymouth

Clever recycling idea of the day:

2006-10-18T14:52:00.000-05:00

Liana Kabel's Vintage Knitting Needle Bracelets

DIY: Paisley Pillow Cover

2006-10-15T17:57:00.000-05:00

Love the look; hate the prices ($39 - $89).

So this afternoon, using an already existing pillowcover (a standard 18" sq.) as a pattern, I made my own, for a mere smidgin of the average retail price.

Took $3.99 (a yd.) of Waverly fabric, one zipper, and about and hour and half of work.

Finally made it to Pod...

2006-10-14T13:21:00.000-05:00

...in Brookline Village (313 Washington Street) this morning. Looked around briefly, admiring the Chilewich placemats, the Herman Yu cards, and the real live dog curled up on what looked like a Utility Canvas-covered sofa on the 2nd level. (They also had Utility Canvas throws for sale.)

Former asian canvas mail bags had been hung up as curtains to block off an area at one end of that 2nd-floor room. Nifty.

Pod's site

Etsy item of the Day

2006-10-11T13:57:00.000-05:00

6 Scented Candles Inside Real Eggshells - $18

Recycled product of the day:

2006-10-10T13:38:00.000-05:00

Record label coasters - $20 for 6

And, yes...

2006-10-09T23:35:00.000-05:00

Boston is going to be the next Apartment Therapy city.

2006-10-09T23:11:00.000-05:00

Yeh, been a while since I posted...

Here in "Every bit as pinko-liberal as Cambridge, but not half so tightly wound" Jamaica Plain, the J.P. Open Studios were recently held last weekend. Yeah, as in, they're past. Done until next year.

Good to see all that local art around, though. A bit of snooping around the Unitarian Universalist church hall and several business cards later, further communication regarding and actual purchase (or at least the putting down of a deposit on) of a couple of small items are imminent...

Etsy item of the Day

2006-09-15T23:08:00.000-05:00

Biorhythmic limited-edition tank

The last Iota...

2006-09-13T20:01:00.000-05:00

While browsing the other evening at Jamaicaway Books & Gifts, I happened upon a few last sheets of Iota's 'Dad's Sweater' giftwrap, at $2.95 a sheet - alas, they won't be carrying it anymore, so grab it while you can!

What I want for x-mas...

2006-09-13T13:11:00.000-05:00

I want to start going solar - but short of some massive 'off-grid' project, what's an urbanite on a budget to do?

I know - I'll start with a solar charger. But which one?

Maybe...this one, for $55?

Or maybe this one, for $79?

Though I think the best-looking of the bunch would have to be this one, for $99.

The new CB2 catalog's out...

2006-09-12T14:55:00.000-05:00

See it online here.

Three faves:

maki sushi plates - $5.95 ea
peep candleholders - $2.95 ea
orbit chair - $99 ea

Craig's List Foraging...

2006-09-12T11:18:00.000-05:00

Some people sell their Eames chair shells sans feet - well, here's a Boston-area place to get the legs ($10 ea).

Waltham-area pick-up probably, but what a beaut! Oak for $150, could go with period or more contemporary chairs...

Half-price West Elm L-shape wall shelves...

$70 Red Papasan Chair (originally from Urban Outfitters).

Nice little cabinet - looks asian-inspired - $5!

Simple, solid wooden shelf for $25!

Wooden bench with hidden storage (you can never have too much of that) - $30.

How to tame those plastic bags

2006-09-11T21:34:00.000-05:00

Get it here.

Ebay recce

2006-09-11T20:24:00.000-05:00

No shipping or pick-up details posted, somewhere in the 'Northwest', but hey! Eames chair! You don't get more classic than this - amazing that such a simple, hard shell can be so comfortable - but then that's good design for you.

Mudl platter

Beautiful accent chair

Lucite Pendant

Groovy 70s radio

Etsy item of the Day

2006-09-11T18:48:00.000-05:00

Blue batik wheat motif napkins

2006-09-06T19:03:00.000-05:00

Keep your data close...

The Ty Pennington side of Sears

2006-09-06T18:50:00.000-05:00

His pillows are currently on sale...

craig's list recce

2006-09-06T11:25:00.000-05:00

modern danish metal futon sofa frame and cushion - $100 Great basic

Conrad sidechair from Boston Interiors - $200 Those stripes go with anything!

Scandia desk - $100 When less is more

beautiful elliptical coffee table - $40 Very nice

Ikea TV side table - $15 For your swinging singles pad

White cube foot stool - $10 Why pay more for a fabric cube?

4 black leather chairs cheep - $15 Hmm...well, maybe if the leather could be re-conditioned somehow...

Square glass/metal coffee table - $150 Simple and classic.

New leather Parsons chairs - 2 for $99 Another great classic

Affordable Marimekko fabric on eBay

2006-09-05T23:12:00.000-05:00

Love Marimekko fabric? Hate the current retail prices (averaging $38/yd)? Then check out some of these current auctions...

Hilkka Rahikainen 50 x 50 wall hanging

Four yards of Tulipunzinen Fabric

Two Ruusupuu vinyl place mats

Pieni-Unikko 30 x 30 wall hanging

Marimekko wool dress (size small)

Etsy item of the Day

2006-09-05T21:51:00.000-05:00

Yup; I'm food-obsessed. But, day-yam, these are just too cute...

...welcome to the nest...

2006-09-05T21:29:00.000-05:00

Everyone is a Designer, whether they realize it or not - it's in the daily choices we make about what our living environment will be like, in what we surround ourselves with. Join me as, in between full-time work and part-time grad school, I forage online and in the Metro Boston area for Good Design that could feather your nest - without breaking the bank.