The antique trunk used as a side table in my childhood home must have its grips on me because once again, a crave worthy coffee table trunk has caught my eye. This time, the new Williams-Sonoma Home Williams Trunk ($2,950) is on my mind. I love how its classic shape is balanced by updated nickel-plated hardware. And who would shy away from a table that moonlights as storage? I'd use it as a warehouse for cozy throws and timeless board games. I also think its golden raffia covering warms up the room, but still blends nicely with any color scheme. If you're not on the hunt for a coffee table, they've also got some cute matching cubes. What do you think?
Though it may be a bit untraditional, for young couples living on their own for the first time or for recent graduate student couples, registering for furniture is a good way to get the basics for your home, without running up credit card debt. In rare cases, a generous relative may pony up and buy you an entire sofa. For everyone else, there are retailers that will allow you to register for items at various price points (that will be affordable for all of your guests), and then
essentially exchange them for a credit to spend on a high priced item you actually want, such as furniture. You can also register for cash gifts on MyRegistry, which can be combined to get you the dining table you're hankering for. If you do decide to register for furniture, choose the basics: bed, dresser, sofa, coffee table, dining table, and ottoman, along with four to six dining chairs. Following those guidelines, I rounded up several furnishings that I myself would register for. My choices, I think, are a good combination of a masculine color scheme, some feminine curves, and classic designs that should last at least as long as a good marriage. We also have a downloadable wedding registry you can use, and for a look at all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.
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If you've yet to cash in on the faux bois trend, now's the time. A bona fide bargain shopper, I couldn't bring myself to pay full price for Martha Stewart's Faux Bois collection for Macy's, but now that some items are nearly 40 percent off, I'll gladly pony up. I'm loving the Martha Stewart Collection Faux Bois Towels ($5.99-$13.99), in particular. The soft color choices complement the rustic quality of the woodgrain pattern well — perfect for cohabitation design. The faux bois pattern is also quite realistic, which is nice; trust me, I've seen plenty of second-rate interpretations. What do you think? Need some fresh new towels for Spring?
Just like you've got to learn your ABC's before you write a bestseller, or even a discount bin title, you must learn the basics of planting seeds before you attempt to grow a full-fledged vegetable garden. So, to commence Good to Grow month, I'm going to start you off with the foundations of seed growth. Then, you'll be armed and ready to grow your very own hanging Solanum lycopersicums, and perhaps some Cucurbita pepos and Abelmoschus esculentus. So, for your first kindergarten (which, coincidentally means literally "children's garden") lesson in planting seeds, and to see a jazzy video, read more
Cottage Living's
From Neglected Schoolhouse to Chic Cottage shares the story of
Gotham magazine lifestyle editor Jason Oliver Nixon and decorator John Loecke, who purchased a run-down Federal-style former schoolhouse for $30,000 in New York's Catskills. In just one year, they revived the c. 1840 building to what I suspect may be more glorious than its origins. Check out this slideshow to see some of my favorite rooms, and be sure to
read the article and check out more of their photos.
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Considering that it's Good to Grow month and all, I figured I should hook you up with the best looking gardening gear around. That's where the Milk Pail Garden Organizer ($27) comes in. Constructed of six pockets in cotton and canvas floral and polka-dot fabrics, it not only serves as convenient place to store your garden tools, it's also chic and cheerful. It can be strapped to your waist or around your garden pail, if you have one. If polka dots aren't your thing, it's available in a variety of color options. I don't know about you, but the sight of this just makes me want to do some down and dirty (and adorable) gardening. What do you think?
Tod's
Episode
Saint Tropez