Marimekko Madness

Finally! I got a chance to pop into the Crate and Barrel at the Grove late last week and couldn't be more excited to share with you these photos and the news that Marimekko has teamed with C&B to roll out shops in select stores throughout the U.S.

Crate and Barrel has had a relationship with Marimekko since the 1960s,. Sadly, in recent years at least, its been a limited selection of  products and usually in muted colors. I'm happy to report that they have not backed down on colors this time around and they're offering everything from personal accessories, like totes and coin purses, to dinnerware, kid's products and even fabric by the yard. And did I mention pillows? So many fun pillows!

Enjoy the eye candy and for a complete list of a Crate & Barrel stores that include the Marimekko shop, check it out here. Right now it's limited to CA, NY, and Chicago. There's also a great selection of products online though and C&B and is offering free shipping through August 7th. 

 Photos by Grace Hilton

Lourdes Sánchez for West Elm

I was immediately drawn to this rug (first image) introduced at West Elm a few months back. It's one of those elements that just instantly cheers up a room. I've heard over and over again how just a gallon of paint can transform a room. Very true, but a rug like this can also have major impact and at West Elm prices, it's nearly as affordable as paint. (Well, at least low-VOC paint plus all the supplies and the labor involved.  You get the idea.)

How great is it that retailers like West Elm are able to make work from artists like Lourdes Sánchez available to the masses? I know that in today's world, there's a trend toward creating one of a kind rooms assembled with unique pieces that you're not going to be able to craft from goods at mass retailers. That said, it's hard to ignore how fabulous this rug is! Not to mention the artwork that was just added to the Lourdes Sánchez for West Elm collection.

"Cuban-born artist and textile designer Lourdes Sánchez trained at New York's School of Visual Arts and spent 20 years creating in-demand prints for the fashion industry." - Learn more at West Elm

New Arrivals From Ferm Living!

There's an exclamation in the title for a reason. I don't think I've been this excited about a pillow in my life! (Given my affection for textiles, that's really saying something...) I spotted the Peacock pillow in the Ferm Living catalog what feels like a century ago, but it was not available in the U.S. until now. Also available in rose, it has a silk cover with 100% down fill and behold the bold blue and yellow combo contrasted with a white background and that black piping! Other new goodies available stateside are fresh kitchen textiles, ceramic designs, and a new line of children's products. For all the latest Ferm Living designs, check out the U.S. shop. 

All images courtesy of Ferm Living US

In Memory of Lucienne Day

Lucienne and Robin Day, often compared to U.S. contemporaries Charles and Ray Eames, were a British power couple in post-war era design. Sadly, Lucienne passed away on January 30, 2010 at age 93. She is best known for her textile designs which were hugely popular in the 1950s and 60s, but also had partnerships with leading carpet, wallpaper, and ceramics manufacturers such as Rosenthal, Rasch, and Wilton Royal.

Read more about this duo on the London Design Museum website and you can buy Jack Purcell sneakers with Lucienne Day designs right here.

Top to Bottom: Robin and Lucienne Day, 1951 Milan Triennale room setting with furniture by Robin and textiles by Lucienne (Both images courtesy of Design Museum), Textile patterns via Design Boom

Show Your Table Some Love!

Plan on making a special dinner for your significant other or friends on Valentine's Day? Dress up your table with this runner and napkins from Unison Home. The beautiful color, called Punch, will totally put everyone in a lovey dovey mood. And did I mention, both the runner and napkins are on SALE. Get it right here!

New Amenity Home: 20% Off today and tomorrow only!

Ready, set, place your orders! That's right, the  new spring collection from Amenity Home has officially launched and all products are available for purchase right here. Okay, that's big news, but it gets even better! Today and tomorrow only, you can save 20% off the new collection.  Use FERN20 at checkout. What will you order? The cream + peacock Fern duvet is definitely on my list, but the amber, celery, and grey are equally irresistible.  Special thanks to Nicole and Kristina for offering this discount, making the decision easier to well...not decide at all and just order something in each color!

Well-Divided

I've finally turned my attention to today's post after spending waaaay too much time playing around with this fun configuration tool from Swedish company, Abstracta. They have a super stylish selection of room dividers and my favorite is the moulded fiber felt Airflake modular system designed by Stefan Borselius. Available in four patterns and five colors, put your imagination to work and configure a solution that goes beyond a simple room divider. The acoustical properties of felt also make it perfect for sound control, so think wall hanging or window covering for noise reduction. I've left the coolest feature for last though. There's a tile that can be used as a ... wait for it... magazine pocket! Stylish, functional, and multi-purpose - Those clever Swedes!

New Amenity Home Collection

I few weeks ago I stopped into the Amenity studio in downtown LA to meet Nicole and Kristina.  I got a sneak peek of what was to come - beautiful new textiles with gorgeous colors and vibrant patterns - but I had to keep my lips zipped and couldn't take photos to share. Until now!  Drumroll, please.  The first press image has been released and you can sign up for the newsletter so you can get your mitts on this new collection as soon as possible.  They'll ship right from their studio to your home!  Just look for the newsletter sign-up in the bottom left corner of their homepage.  Oh, and the newsletter will also keep you in the loop when they put things on sale.  Bonus!

Holiday Exclusive

Excited about the holidays yet?  Okay, I know Halloween is barely behind us, but to accomplish a less stressful stretch between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, it's smart to begin your holiday prep now.  Hygge and West has made it easy to get started. Known for their great selection of art, ceramics and wallcoverings from talented artists such as Julia Rothman and Ferm Living, they have just lauched a special Holiday website to make gift giving a no-brainer. From cozy slippers and wraps, stationary, jewelry, and adorable items for the littlest gift recipients, your cart is sure to fill up fast! Don't forget to also treat your home to new items like these amazing 100% wool pillows with hand-cut flower embellishments from Isolyn.

From top to bottom: Big Daisy $45, Big Daisy (detail), English Rose - Red $60, English Rose - Red (Detail), English Rose - Black $60

Textile Designer For A Day

Have you always wanted a fuchsia and orange houndstooth rug?  How about a peace sign pillow that coordinates perfectly with your pad?  It can be yours!   Jonathan Adler now offers a customization option for rugs, pillows, and totes.  Choose with or without monogram and between dozens of patterns and colors.  With just a few clicks of my mouse, check out the fun creations I made this morning!

Insert your monogram, a number, or even a question mark

There are many possibilities with this pattern, which allows you

to make six color selections.  Adler is a firm believer that

colors can't clash, so let loose and pick your favorites

Does this look familiar?  Adler used this rug in Liz Lange's Country House featured here

I had the Viceroy Santa Monica in mind when I designed this one

Nautical color palette meets funky concentric square pattern

The red and orange take pink from prissy to perfection

Looking for something really different?  How about a sky blue

and orange houndstooth pattern for a faux-animal hide rug

Classic combo of pink and navy blue

All products are made from Peruvian wool or 100% hand loomed cotton.  Pillows range from $98-$198 and rugs from $720 for a 4'x6' to $3240 for a 9'x12'.  Totes are $125-$137.  It takes 12-14 weeks to receive your order.

Want more ideas?  There's entire gallery of designs created by Adler customers.  Now, get your creative juices flowing, click here and get started on your own design.  When you're done, add it to the gallery to share with the world.  Have fun!