In general, I think German lighting designer Ingo Maurer can do no wrong. But in the case of his Seven Rats Table Lamp ($4,680), which depicts seven plastic rats locked inside a steel, gold, brass, and plastic cage structure, I think he's done bad all by himself. If you like caged-rat art, and you like art in lighting form, then this is for you!
The T Table ($263) designed by Italian designer Patricia Urquiola for Kartell has a tactile embroidery-esque filigree top and is made of transparent batch-dyed plastic (Kartell's token material), which gives it a feminine-meets-techno look. Available in three heights and six colors, it can be cheerfully arranged in a group or used on its own. At that price, though, I won't be arranging many T Table groupings in my home. Fortunately, there's an equally fab alternative at a fraction of the price. To learn where you can pick it up, read more
I think the design of this Loop Dog Bed I found on Unica Home is modern and lovely, but I'm not quite sure why it comes in at $700 bucks — the hut is made of faux leather, and the bed itself is stuffed with silicone fibers!
For that price tag, I would have expected an ostrich leather outside, goosedown feathers in the pillow, and maybe some gold. Like 24 karats of it.
When it comes to most of the products I recommend, finances are usually the only thing keeping you from taking them home. OK, maybe your husband would be opposed to mirrored furniture, but, moving on . . . There's one thing that's never been an easy purchase, and that thing is a fireplace. Why? Because a fireplace requires a chimney, which requires a contractor, bricks, etc. 
To find out how to get around those pesky requirements, read more
We know its a joke everyone is making but we can't help but get on the "the flask is back" bandwagon what with stylish BYOB options being on everyone's minds. If you aren't up for recycling Coca Cola's aluminum bottles then here are plenty of other stylish options in a variety of price ranges. Our favorite is Neiman Marcus' travel humidor and flask. Now that is taking poverty to new levels of class.
Need a little Thumper in your study? Then throw down the bills for a Rabbit Lamp by Front for Moooi ($539).
The Dominic Wilcox War Bowl ($400) for Areaware is an art piece made from melted and partially melted plastic toy soldiers, that makes "a statement on the futility of war." It's also available in red, white, or blue. Coincidence? I think not. If you wanted to eat your Top Ramen out of it, or decorate with apples in it, you'd be out of luck: it cannot support food. What do you think? Would you put this bowl in your home? Do you agree with the statement it tries to make?
Though I'm not a mathematician by trade, I still believe that the Royalton Sofa ($9,335) — designed by Philippe Starck in 1991 — can be expressed by the following formula: Settee + Headboard = Royalton. The ever-resourceful and always surprising Starck is responsible for many unique designs, including my fave, the Louis Ghost Chair.
Of course, I'm more likely to spend 10G on my garden than on this piece of furniture — let's face it, if your dog secretly jumps on your sofa, it's never a good idea to drop a lot of money on such a royal piece. However, a girl can still dream, right? The Royalton, a few Louis Ghost Chairs, a luxurious rug . . . my dream living room's out there somewhere, even if it's only in my imagination.
. . . would you put this Bracelli floor lamp ($8,846) designed by surrealist artist Salvador Dali in your living room?
