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Lately, I can't seem to flip through a design magazine without seeing some sort of horse motif in one of the rooms.  It's either a sculpture or a painting or a very large scale photograph.  Sadly no actual ponies.  This month's issue of House Beautiful featured 3 different homes all with a nod (and perhaps a whinny) to our equine friends. 

But I'm noticing a new trend.  One that seems restricted to the bath for now but may soon, ahem, spread it's wings and branch out to other rooms of the house.  Behold, the owl.
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One of the design magazines, I think it's House Beautiful, has a feature that's titled "Why Don't You...." that offers some fun suggestions of things to try in your home.  These aren't major investment items but instead small things that add a little flavor to what you've already got going on.  Well, in the interest of avoiding a possible intellectual property conflict, I've tweaked it a bit.  For instance, you know what you should try?  Something purple.
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Ikat done right 06/22/2010
 
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Table setting, Eddie Ross
I've made my feelings on ikat clear in previous entries.  I like it, but I don't feel it's worth a huge investment.  In 10 years, that ikat print club chair (with ottoman) won't be rocking your living room quite the same way.  Of course, there are exceptions.  You've got a neutral room with lots of African art?  That bench with the ikat print is still going to work really well.  For the rest of us,  Eddie Ross has a great article on his site that shows how to do ikat beautifully (and temporarily).
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Silhouette pillow from West Elm
When you're five going on six there's not too many Christmas presents you can give your parents that are going to wow them.  Macaroni necklace? Ashtray?  Is that lump even an ashtray?  But I (and every other kindergartener at Bowling Green) brought home a custom made silhouette, suitable for framing.  I hope they're holding up that tradition at the old alma mater because silhouettes are the height of style these days.
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Flag tray from Target for $15
There's just something about this time of year that practically forces us to embrace decorating with Old Glory.  Perhaps it's because you've got Memorial Day, Flag Day and July 4th, all within a 6 week span.  Or maybe it's because some people think summer and think crisp beachy Nantucket style.  Whatever the reason, the kick off to summer always coincides with a bit of red, white and blue.
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Contain Yourself 06/03/2010
 
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There's an interesting article in the Times today about the growing (pardon the pun) popularity of terrarium gardens.  They're an easy and inexpensive way for us apartment dwellers to have a tidy little garden.  But see, I've been cursed with the black thumb of death (RIP herb garden....) and would like to avoid an arrest for herbicide.  Could this supposedly self-sufficient set up be the answer?
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image courtesy Traditional Home
There's a scene in that movie "Along Came Polly" where Ben Stiller's character calculates the amount of time he spends removing and replacing the decorative pillows on the bed over the course of his lifetime and then promptly freaks out.  I imagine most men feel this way, but pillow "murder" is hardly the answer.  There is a better way.
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Rattan Accent tables from Pottery Barn
A common phrase on design shows and in shelter magazines is "bringing the outside in".  Most of the time that refers to a nature inspired color palatte or the addition of plants and greenery to a setting.  But as more people start using their decks and yards as their summertime living rooms, companies have stepped up to introduce products that are suitable for both indoors and outdoors.  Here are a few great finds.
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Anthropologie retail store in London
This entry is not so much design as it is gardening.  Considering I have the "black thumb of death" (seriously, I managed to kill a catctus), it's a little surprising for me to write about gardening type issues.  But one trend that I've noticed in both retail design and backyard design is vertical gardens.
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Benjamin Moore DIFFA table
This weekend I hit up Design Nerd Expo '10--better known to laypeople as the Architectural Digest Home Show--and came away with lots of great ideas and sneak peeks into what's new out there.  One element I saw consistently was the use of potted succulent plants grouped en masse as centerpieces.  This works out perfectly for several reasons.
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