A combination of two things I love: nature and gold. This table looks like someone grabbed some twigs and dipped them in burnished gold. Then they snapped on a mirrored top and called it a day. Not only is this table versatile (you can't put a label on this one), it's easy to clean (just wipe and go) and while your date's in the bathroom, you can easily lean over and make sure there's no spinach in your teeth. Lovely!

Traditional. Transitional. Contemporary. These words no longer apply to the new paradigm of furniture design. "Boutique Traditional", "Clean Transitional", "Modern Contemporary", New Eclecticism", and "Warm Modernisim" is how people are describing all the latest furniture designs that don't quite fit the old model. Every designer from Jonathan Adler to Thomas O'Brien has coined a new term to express their unique designs.

And if you ever wondered how retailers and furniture manufacturers come up with names for a sofa, it can be a very random process at times according to this article from the New York Times.

We came up with a lot of our names using a top 100 names for baby's list.

Every room has a burst of color surrounded by airy whites and neutrals. The look is organic, clean, and California cool.


My favorite room has to be the room she created for her baby girl. While it's definitely girly, it still has an air of sophistication by resisting the pastels and going for the gusto with hot fuschia.


Grouping photos and art as she's done above is so easy to do and has a great effect. It doesn't require large paintings- just simply framed photos of family with a few pieces of eclectic art thrown in.

If you haven't picked up this issue of Domino yet, drop everything and get it now. The house is packed with ideas to inspire. And that's precisely what I'm here to do- point you in the direction of inspiration.

Fun Fact: I met Amanda Peet while working at Club Monaco in New York City and she's very nice.

If you are like me, you are still waiting to buy your first gift this Holiday season. Well, I saw this inspirational list via the NY Times: 2007 Holiday Gift Guide. Here are some of my favorites from the list.

Anthropologie's Curator nightstand resembles a stack of frames; $698 from http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp. Great look. It's a subtle, statement piece that I think will add some punch to any room setting.


The Cat L.E.D. flashlight is $10 from https://www.mxyplyzyk.com/v03/index.htm. Everyone has a friend that's a cat-lover for life.

Wall O Photos holds 28 4-by-6-inch pictures. Everyone is always looking to add an element with some height in a room. The Wall O Photos accomplishes that and adds a very personal touch, with great interest. It's only $15. http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/index.jsp.

The Magnet Note Clock is $25 from http://www.uncommongoods.com/. This is for everyone that does not own a Palm Pilot and forgets to pick up loved ones at the airport.


The Coyote Fur Hammock is $8,225 at CITE, 131 Greene Street, (866) 764-0888. This hammock probably works better in Hamptons. But if anyone is looking to get on the good side of PETA, this is a decadent way to lounge around on a cool Sunday afternoon.

Inside Out liqueur glasses come in a set of two for $55 from http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/StoreCatalogDisplay_-1_10001_10451_. Unique look with a classic edge.


The Minnen rocking horse bench is $39.98 at http://www.ikea.com/. I've got a new nephew, so I'm definitely feeling this affordable/cute piece for the little one.


The Rise and Fall peacock pillow is $30 from http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/index.jsp. Peacocks are actually very aggressive birds. But the pillow, much like their real life counterpart, is a gorgeous piece.

I'm seeing a theme lately and it has nothing to do with Christmas. Plants and birds are everywhere lately and all set to brighten up and Spring-ify your home.


For an easy change, start with the Chinoiserie bedding from Dwell Studio (left). The look reminds me of old botanical prints. It's feminine, but not so precious that a guy couldn't live with it. Pair it with simple grey sheets and a couple throw pillows to break it all up.

Are you tired of your husband bumping you into your oven while taking out the roast for dinner? How about having your dishwasher five feet away from the sink? Of course, no one really thinks about functionality until after they have battled their kitchen only to discover that the builder had no idea what he was doing when he was constructing it. Now, don't blame the builder. Instead, take on a new perception towards your kitchen. You can make it the dream kitchen you've always wanted, the only question is how.


Check it out!
"The Kitchen Planner: Hundreds of Great Ideas for your New Kitchen" by Suzanne Ardley.


This is a spiral-bound, 112 paged book. From assessing your space and usage, kitchen style and planning, surfaces and finishes, to equipment, and quick fixes--you will have a plethora of choices. It even has static cling kitchen templates to build your kitchen in plan view on the inside of the front cover. How awesome is that? I do have to warn you though; you're going to need a lot of post-it notes to remember all the cool ideas you'll want to use for your new kitchen!

Sifting through the mounds of ornaments that descend upon your favorite stores during the Christmas season is, at the very least, a challenge. At worst, motive for homicide. Huge proponent of online shopping that I am (Christmas shopping in pajamas!), I've compiled a list of my favorite ornaments this year- all available online. Drumroll please...



10. Dasher, Dancer, and the whole gang (minus a light up red nose) taking a well-deserved break on your tree. Or better yet, hang them from your mantle! Set of four from restorationhardware.com

9. In general, I just think birds are pretty and this little guy from Anthropologie is one of the cutest I've seen thus far.


8. Like I said, I have a thing for birds. These remind me of my favorite season- Spring. For those of you dealing with blizzards, I'm very sorry, and here is your glimmer of hope. Set of three at smithandhawken.com



7. Who says ornaments can't be a work of art? This piece is from Jay Strongwater (sold at Neiman Marcus) and it is absolutely exquisite. And at $350, you may not even want to put it on your tree. Just put it beneath a box of bulletproof glass.










6. Raise your hand if you understand the Christmas pickle thing. Congrats, you're one of about two people that get it. Here's the deal for everyone else. The Christmas Pickle is part of an old German tradition where the adults would decorate the tree on Christmas Eve whilst the children slept. In the tree they would hide the pickle. The first child to find it in the morning was deemed the most observant and got an extra present. And now you know. From Sur La Table.




5. Let's face facts. Not every ornament on your tree can be a Strongwater. So, for tree filler, nothing beats these cute pinecones from Crate & Barrel (set of six). What's so great about them? They're pinecones- they belong on a tree!






4. Ornaments don't only have to be made of glass. This tweed owl from Anthropologie was just too adorable to pass up. And he looks very wise.





3. I am declaring Christopher Radko the King of Ornaments. After seeing the Nutcracker at the Houston Ballet again this year, I'm on a nutcracker kick. Radko delivered. His ornaments are handmade with precision and care. Start your collection with this guy!


2. I guess owning this ornament already makes me a bit biased. But, what is Christmas without mistletoe? Real silver-dipped misteltoe? That's what I thought. I ordered mine from Uncommon Goods and have been lurking in doorways ever since.


1. How does the song go? Pear in a Christmas Tree? No? Well, maybe they should change it, because this ornament is perfect. It's got everything I look for in an ornament- sparkle, simplicity, and a price tag under $350. Okay, a price tag under $10. Congrats Pottery Barn, you win! Save one for me- I'm on my way!

Check out Inhabit's timely blog on "Green Gift Guide: For Her".



Solar powered purse that can recharge anything from iPods to cellphones. Sweet!

It is quite true that comfort is absolutely key when it comes to the room you lounge in. You've found your perfect napping sofa, but there are times when you can't take up the entire thing (how dare someone sit on your sofa!). That is when you call in reinforcements: your ottoman. But rather than lugging it around the room every time you feel the need to put your feet up, leave it front and center. Make it pull double duty. Retire your coffee table and bring on the ottoman.

This next book is for everyone who has trouble with color. Let's face it; we ALL have trouble more often than not. Out of all the books out there telling you what goes with what- I have found your color bible!


Check it out! "Color for Interior Design" By Ethel Rompilla.



So here's the scoop: The book is divided into three sections- the history of color, color theory and meaning, and the application of color in an interior. Each segment is essential in understanding and using color. Now this isn't a picture book! So you have to commit time to read and scribble some notes. After that you will be left with so many ideas and inspirations you'll run to the paint store tomorrow to start working on your fire engine red kitchen!


Happy reading!!