If you have some friends who can't get enough of Hello Kitty lamps or tongue-in-cheek embroidered throw pillows when it comes to decorating their homes, don't despair, embrace it! Some of my favorite friends' abodes are peppered with fun accessories from Kid Robot, Upper Playground, Sanrio, and other hip and youthful stores. Maybe you don't want your pals to take the theme as far as they did at the Hello Kitty gate lounge in Terminal 2 of the Taipei International Airport, but I think some fun, arrested adolescent accents in a home can provide a lovely youthful spirit.
To indulge their obsession, check out my gift guide when you read more
It's not often that I have top-secret papers that need to be shredded, but it happens occasionally. I can't justify cluttering up my house with a clunky shredder, or spending the dollars on something I rarely use. I would, however, throw down for a pair of The Container Store Stainless Steel Shredding Scissors ($8.99). For that periodic confidential envelope, or when I want to make confetti or packing stuffing, these shredding scissors will come in handy. Yeah, they require a little more work than an electronic paper shredder, but it's fun work.
Garnet Hill is currently offering 30 percent off all of the towels in the shop. I know that my towels have seen far, far better days, so I'll definitely be hitting up this sale. Some of you may be expecting guests for the holidays, so perhaps you should consider giving them a fresh bath sheet to dry off with. There are also some cute hooded towels in animal shapes that might make good gifts for any kids you know.
This room, which uses Michael Devine Home fabrics, is quite extravagant. Between the pedestal, chandelier, floor lamps, six different textiles, and floral arrangement, there's a lot going on. Normally, I'd pass over this style of interior design, but I was immediately drawn to its tented drapery. With a busy pattern like the fretwork shown here, I'd pare down the furnishings and accessories to solids and clean-lined shapes, and lose the fringe! The tented drapery is already the center of attention; too much else going on just competes. You could also go with solid fabric for the tenting, and upholster the sofa in a bold pattern to create a focal point within the room. What do you think? I think it's a wonderful alternative to wallpaper, and it creates an intimate setting.
Source
Yves Saint Laurent
Michael Kors
Top Studio