Whats on Trend: Woven and Natural

Image from New York Design Center

I was on the New York Design Centers' website today and was struck by this image.  All of the natural woods, the warm tones, woven and hand hewn elements creating a pretty modern space.  

Knit Pouf $89.95 - CB2

Large Traditional Wooden Bowl $39.99 - West Elm

Although we've been seeing this trend of the handmade coming for quite some time, it has truly hit the mass market with stores like CB2 and West Elm carrying items that fit this trend.  This gives the consumer an affordable way to add that primitive, woven or hand-hewn touch to their space.

Cozy winter's night

From:  Elements of Style

This photo makes me want to drink hot cocoa and open presents while the snow falls outside!

Advice for the New Year...

http://www.aestheticinterlude.com/ai_blog_images/1109/Mies-van-de-Rohe_1109.gif

How refreshing, thanks Mies!

TOMS does Sunglasses

People can't seem to get enough of socially conscience TOMS shoe company.  They seem to have exploded overnight, you can't walk down the street without seeing a pair of their super casual, super comfortable loafers.  Now they are expanding their offering to eyewear so fashionistas everywhere can sport a hot look while supporting a great cause. 

These sunglasses aren't reinventing the wheel, actually they are taking the wheel and calling it TOMS, but they have added a beautiful design twist with the colorblock detail that represents their One for One foundation.  When you purchase a pair of the iconic sunglasses you are giving "sight" to one person, whether it's medical care, glasses or eye saving surgery.  Now that is a purchase I can get behind!

I covet...

Images taken from dwr.com

I love the Stacked Shelving System from Muuto.  It's fun and completely re-arangeable.  Purchased as separates, you can make it the shape and size you want.  My place would look so great with this in it!

Barcelona Living

If you haven't discovered the blog Design Elements, you have to visit.  It is one of my favorite blogs!  I couldn't resist re posting this beautiful Barcelona home.

** Notice all the brass accents in the bedroom **

all above images taken from design elements blog, original post here

Such a fantastic clean and beautiful space.  I love thread of gray running throughout bringing unity to the space.  The concrete floors make it modern and the wood elements in the furniture and ceiling add a touch of warmth.  This space is designed by Barbara Aurell of Espacio en Blanco.

Trendy Metals

Whats old is new again in brass!  Its back and more trendy than ever.  Looks great with warm and worn wood and is really bringing some glam to interiors.

Brass Kaleidoscopes and Aventurine & Fluorite brass bauble box by Kelly Wearstler

Anthropologie's Who's the Fairest Mirror

Brass Star Trivet from Lekker Home

Pendant Lamp A330 by Artek (image from Architonic)

Vintage Prancing Horse from Etsy

Adding a touch of bronze, whether vintage or new.  Setting it with a backdrop of white, grey or a loud funky fabric will bring your space up to trend.

Design Inspiration

I loved this Paris apartment so much, originally posted on the blog This is Glamorous, I had to repost!  The mix of camel, wood, a touch of reflection with the mirrors with the white backdrop is so chic!  

Small Space Design

I am moving from a 3 bedroom house that I shared with one roommate into a studio apartment and I am having a little downsizing anxiety.  I needed some inspiration and these images are doing the trick! Hopefully you find them inspiring too!

Small but striking desk/shelf combo 

MisoSoupDesign, K Workstation

Photo taken from MisoSoup website

 

Images taken from Kotamulia.com

All above images from Apartment Therapy

And now, the smallest of them all...

A small movable "box" placed in airports, hostels and anywhere else you could dream up where tired travelers pay a minimal fee to take a cat nap, charge their electronics or take an conference call.

These personal hotels provide a secure place to nap in style.  Sleep Box was designed by Russian architecture/design firm Arch Group

Images from Arch Group website

Animal Magnetism

After seeing Areaware's wooden bear box in this month's Dwell magazine I had to share - I can't get enough of these cute little animals!

Any of these would make a great stash box on a bookshelf, a bedroom or in a kids room containing a special treasure and they're under 50 dollars!

White on White

I love this white on white office interior by What We Do, a Danish multidisciplinary design studio who create visual identity, interiors, graphic and web design.

The layering of textures in this space like the rug, throw on the sofa and the frames on the wall really bring this space to life

Green pops of color through out the space add a beautiful freshness and bring nature in to the white on white decor

The change in lighting creates a drastically different space at night 

All photos taken from the What We Do website.

White is clean, simple, understated and a difficult palette to do well.  What We Do did a fantastic job of keeping it interesting and giving this space a very high design yet approachable look.  Such a great and inspiring space!!

Good Design for the Dogs

Sick of Fido's unsightly dog bed cramping your style? Time to check out Etsy shop Pawsitively Modern!  They have created a dog bed that even Frank Lloyd Wright would approve of.

Doesn't that look like a happy dog?!  Classic elements like the cantilevered roof and hair pin legs make this more then your average dog bed