Anthropologie - Fresh Finds

It only takes a peek at Anthropologie to make me weak at the knees, and this season, their collection is by far one of their strongest in my opinion. I'm finding that their buyers seem to pull together collections that don't simply speak to trend, they speak to urban-minded well-traveled women who want their homes to have a classic, timeless appeal. I feel like, with Anthropologie, I'm safe. Nothing is overly trendy. I won't have to edit my space in 6 months because what I purchased looks dated. Check out all of their latest adds to their home collection here, or for a quick view of my favorites, check out my fresh finds below.

I'm in love with the Turkish Chelsea rug. This would be a great add for a living room to really ground your space against hardwood floors. The clear edison lamp is a sleek find, and the divine cup and saucer set is charming (I love taking tea with clear hobnail mugs). If it's bold you're after, these red color wheel mugs from Japan won't leave you hungry for hue. Dove-grey jacquard sets the mood to dine in style with the ghost flower napkins (matching placemats also available). Serve up your sweets on the curio plates in black and white, or display them on colorful walls for style that stands out. I love this red antique inspired kitchen scale. When not in use for weighing, it can double as your fruit bowl by adding 12 of your brightest lemons or limes!


This is a creepy cutie poison tree shelf for your walls, something straight out of an Edward Gorey illustration. More stylish table settings to add to your shopping list, the slender leaf plates. The black bachelard chair reminds me of days spent in times past in a cafe on the left bank, agree? Black and white pendant love can be yours in a sweet graphic floral motif just by adding the garden gate, or if reversed the inside out light. I personally love the graphic circles light, imaging it above a white saarien table (or any white table with a sculptural base). Feel like sprucing up your bedroom? Try bringing the black and white motif into your sleeping quarters with the india ink bedding. Can't you imagine it with sunshine yellow walls? The laveau and the quicksilver lamps are lovely finds, aren't they? The laveau is also available as a floor lamp, too. Drool. Finally, add some folklore charm to your flat with the gorgeous green tulipam suzani pillow (also available in black).



Ah, Anthropologie. What a delight. I'm sure you've spotted several things that you're feeling lusty for. What are some of your favorites?

p.s. Don't you simply love the Antwerp chair in Paul Smith pinstripes? Don't miss all of the decorative wall decor... Looks like mushrooms are popping up as the next trend!

Hable Construction - New Pillows

Feeling a bit shy when it comes to introducing bold colors and wild patterns to your decor? Why not opt for something subtle with only a sprinkle of bold with Hable's new line of embroidered natural linen pillows. It's nice to see Hable experimenting with embroidered designs and linen vs. felt and canvas. These ladies have their finger on the pulse when it comes to trend, so when Hable produces a line, you can expect that it will be hot for several seasons to come. Look for others combining natural linen with bold embroidery in their collections, too.

(images from hable construction)

coffee + cre8tive {june 30 '06}

Did you notice? To your left, I shuffled around my favorite blogs, placing them into categories instead of lumping everyone together. If you're listed, and you don't see yourself fitting into the spot where I've placed you, please let me know. If you have suggestions on a better way to break up the blogs, fire away because I'm wide open for suggestions.


To your right, I've added a link to my flickr album and to my profile on myspace (if you're on myspace, link to me!), along with lots of new adds to the globetrotters space, with an expanded section for Canadian design resources as well as a few extra U.S. stores, too (have to represent the Americans!). Obsessed with stationery? Don't miss the new links beneath 'paper goods' as well.

In the next few days, I'll start adding shops and designers (with online stores) according to item, which I'll most likely blend into the bottom half of the right column. Of course, I don't intend to categorize everything under the sun, just the things that I love and often find myself referring back to often, like wallpaper, decals, artists I love, favorite etsy sellers, favorite ebay sellers, lighting (only table lamps and pendants), pillows, ceramics, and other misc. goodies that I'm sure you'll enjoy having at your fingertips, too. For now, the list will not include 'heavy' items like furniture, tile, paint, appliances, etc. Too many to add, I don't even want to go there yet.

So, as the days continue to roll by, more links will be added, so scan the columns as you visit. Make sure that before you travel, to visit decor8 for suggested design shops in your destination city. I started doing this in January because I felt it was important that decor8 readers have a shopping list to refer to from someone with similiar design taste, so I hope you've enjoyed it.

New links are always indicated with a little *.

If you have any stores to suggest, please email the name, city and URL to me at decor8blog[at]yahoo[dot]com.

Thank you guys, you're the best! ;)

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Off subject: Don't forget to go see "The Devil Wears Prada", it opens tonight - I've been anticipating the release for months so I'm grabbing some friends and making a night of it.
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Any plans for the weekend?

Sur La Table {sweet ideas for party girls}

Hosting a little summer gathering with your favorite gal pals? Why not add a touch of French chic and mingle to the beat of a few CD's, like Paris Combo's Living Room (excellent fusion of jazz and gypsy, superb vocals) or the gorgeous Amelie soundtrack. Girls love cupcakes, so pull out your pretty little apron and bake some colorful cupcakes, displaying them on this cupcake stand from Sur La Table. Of course, you must invite the gnomes (any Amelie fan will cherish your attention to detail) and by all means, serve up some fresh lemonade or some other fruity non-alcoholic concoction (punch recipes here). I have special affection for the lemonade jar and stand because we had several at my summer wedding and everyone loved them. We tied fresh flowers to the top with long cascading grosgrain ribbon. Serve your delicious refreshers either in these blue hobnail glasses or, if you're a green kinda girl, opt for the dainty charm of the fleur de lys glassware (also keeping with your somewhat 'Summer in Paris' theme). See, 'theme' parties don't have to be tacky? A few simple touches introduce charm without being too sticky sweet.



If you want to go beyond cupcakes + thirst quenchers, nothing is easier than fresh fruit slices and crackers with cheese. I love a nice brie, but everyone serves brie, right? Not my kind of brie. Unwrap and place your brie into the microwave for 30-40 seconds (we don't want it to bubble or melt, just lightly heat it). Next, take several tablespoons of apricot preserves and heat separately for 40 seconds in the microwave. Drizzle your warm preserves over the brie and immediately serve with crackers and cute little cheese knives. You can even put a dab of apricot brandy in the preserves before heating, it's positively delish.

Tip: For the girls with mega stress careers, keep a few chilled bottles of champagne in reserve in case some are interested in enjoy