A new take on industrial-chic, baskets can bring both style and function to your decor. Not always woven, brown, or bulky — baskets have a multitude of uses and are a versatile investment for any space. We found nine ways to store with style, whether you use these baskets on your countertops or in your guest room.
Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member designingmainstreet from the Su Casa group:
Earlier this Summer I saw some cute baskets with starfish in a Pottery Barn catalog. I knew I had to re-create this look in our living room. We already have two sea grass baskets on the bottom of the bookshelf. They are functional but nothing special. 
I found the last two starfish that I had stashed away, some string, and scissors. Those are the only items I needed for this project. 
The first step was to loop the string around the basket handle and fasten it to the starfish. I find it's helpful to check if any of the legs are irregular and lumpy. Using a lumpy leg helps the string to catch. 
Then I used the remaining string and wrapped it around the starfish leg several times using the double length of string. The last step was to tie the string in the back and trim the ends. 
I spotted this image in Dutch design magazine VT Wonen, and I'm absolutely in love with the clever use of baskets as wall art! Not only is the large-scale wall treatment much more affordable than original art, it's also undeniably eyecatching. The rustic vibe of the baskets, rag rugs, worn wooden bench, and cacti and adorable orange tree instantly saves that not-so-pretty concrete floor and the simple white interiors. It's so inspiring to see how a blank canvas can be cheaply transformed into an engaging and photo-worthy home with just a little imagination and a few of those woven bowls that you're using to corral your fruits and veggies. Don't you think?
Would you try this in your home — or have you? Let us know in the comments! If you want to get the look, you can shop some similar wall-worthy weaves below!
Serena & Lily's new Senegalese Storage Baskets ($68-$148, or $290 for three) are my latest must-have crush. I can't imagine a storage basket any prettier than these beauties, and it's no wonder: they're handcrafted by artisans in Africa, and no two are alike. Better yet, they're made from brightly colored recycled plastic around coils of natural fiber so they're eco-friendly, too! Considering how trendy chevron is these days, I'm sure they'll be a hit. I love how each zig zag pattern is unique; owning the trio gives them a more playful look.
Always looking for a place to stash the surplus of throws in my living room, I think the large or medium Senegalese basket is the perfect candidate. My only trouble is which hue shall I choose? The baskets are available in pink, blue, and navy/green. Which is your favorite?
See what else Serena & Lily has in store for us these days in my Decorating Ideas to Steal slideshow!
My mother always kept a basket above the dryer to store socks that are missing their matches until they're found. So I do the same — I cannot for the life of me keep a pair of socks together. I was reading Centsational Girl's post on her laundry room makeover, and noticed she has a basket liner that reads "Lonely Socks," how cute is that? I guess I'm not alone in this laundry dilemma. Do you have a dedicated bin for single socks?
I've been busy this month showing you ideas for organizing your home, from small storage to options for organizing entire rooms. Now, Canadian House and Home points to organic, pliable containers, such as baskets, as a 2010 trend for organizing your home.
I use wicker, fabric, and woven baskets for a variety of purposes in my home already, from organizing my linen closet to storing seeds and gardening supplies in my garden shed. Now, though, I'm thinking about stocking up on even more baskets for organizing around my home. Looking for something for your own home? Check out some of my favorites below.
Log baskets offer a tidy way to store small amounts of firewood indoors, while keeping larger portions outdoors or in your garage. But what to do with yours when you're out of firewood or during the Summer? Use your log basket to store magazines, catalogs, and newspapers! The curved form of the baskets will keep your glossies relatively flat and in good shape, rather than bent or folded as normal baskets would. If you have as many shelter mags as I do, a magazine rack or basket is a must. Here are a few log baskets for you:
Ever since I discovered Marie Christophe's wire sculpture light fixtures, I've had a new-found love for wire art. My latest wire art discovery is the work of French designer Claire Rougerie, also known as De Beaux Souvenirs.
Her collection of modern wire designs includes handmade home accessories like sconces, table lamps, frames, baskets, decorative accents, as well as "snapshots" of scenery recreated in wire. I love this Wire Bingo Basket ($126), which has vintage wooden bingo numbers woven into the handmade structure (I <3 Bingo!). As you can see, it's a great place to stash shelter magazines. I might also use it to keep towels in the bathroom, or even shoes that pile up downstairs.
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I wont be hunting for any Easter eggs this year, but if I were, I'd want to put them in a contemporary basket. The requisite pastel pink and purple baskets are festive and traditional, but it's 2009. It's about time for some modern Easter decor — at least for grownups. Let the kids have their fun with dyeing eggs while you fill a sleek, mod basket with some cordials, some gourmet food items, and a bottle of bubbly for the big kids on Sunday. If you're with me, I've rounded up some contemporary baskets to help liven up your holiday!
