Object of Desire

I'm totally in love with this ottoman/stool (dubbed a chakki by Serena & Lily). Available in two finishes (white and a dark walnut) and 12 fabrics (including some fantastic prints), it's a truly versatile piece that would work in a bedroom, living room or den. Even better? The cushion is slip covered for easy washing; perfect if you've got small children or pets. The one downside? It's on the pricier side at $450. That said though, it could really make a room.

A little retail therapy...

How did I not know Jonathan Adler was coming out with a diffusion line over at HSN?! Mayhap I've been focusing far too much on babies and nurseries over here. In any case, get yourselves over to HSN.com pronto and check out all the Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler line, which includes plenty of candles, lamps, vases, pillows, throws and other accessories in Adler's signature motifs and bright colors. I just picked up the greek key throw and greek key diffusers. What a nice little shopping pick me up for this otherwise tired Monday!

La la la Lucite

I'm thinking about getting this chaise for my home office (in a lilac fabric though, not the black). Not only does it have killer Lucite legs but it's also got a nice, curvy back which perfectly suits the super glam, Hollywood Regency look that I'm going for in there. Even better, I can get it (tax and shipping included) for under $1000. A very good price considering how expensive Lucite/acrylic pieces often are.

Anyone have any experience with this particular manufacturer (Light Energy Studio)? I'd love to get some feedback on quality as I hate purchasing furniture sight unseen.

10% off at D. Lawless Hardware

Back in April, Camila of High-Heeled Foot in the Door shared with us her secret source for beautiful, budget-friendly hardware: D. Lawless Hardware. I'm excited to announce that Derrick Lawless has graciously offered 10% off everything on his site to all Odi et Amo readers. To take advantage of this discount, simply enter the coupon code odietamo at checkout. I've been meaning to jazz up my Pottery Barn dresser and side tables and some new, colorful glass knobs are a quick, easy way to give these basic pieces a bit of character.

Happy shopping!

10% off at Rugs USA!

If you enjoyed Janell's recent guest post in the Shop like a Design Blogger series, then you'll be excited to hear that Rugs USA has offered Odi et Amo readers 10% off their entire order from now until July 4th. Simply enter coupon code WINRUGS at check-out.

I've been searching for a rug for my master bedroom for some time now so I'm off to check out their inventory.

Happy shopping!

Save or Splurge: Peacock Mirror

Kristen Hutchins and Hillary Thomas

I love a gorgeously detailed mirror, and one of my current favorites is the Indian peacock mirror. Peafowls hold a lot of meaning in Hindu religion and the Hindu god Krishna is often portrayed wearing a peacock feather in his headband. Right now, peacock feathers and motifs have also been enjoying renewed popularity in interior design and fashion. A peacock mirror is a great way to bring in some subcontinental style into your home, and it works beautifully with exotic fabrics and accessories, as Kristen Hutchins and Hillary Thomas did in this Californian living room. A neutral palette doesn't compete with all the pattern and luxe detail and works beautifully with the Spanish-style architecture.

Jonathan Adler

This exotic mirror is also a great counterpoint to more modern interiors. I love how the antiqued and intricate detailing of the mirror brings some patina and richness to all the sleek newness in the rest of the foyer. It's also a great hit of sparkle and light against the white walls and ebony floor. Very glamorous. Note too the placement of the mirror in this room. By placing the mirror at the end of the long wall, Adler creates a great focal point, leading the eye into the house.

Fortunately, there are iterations of this mirror in just about every price point. Do you think you can tell the difference between the ATM version (on sale for under $200) and the platinum one (priced at a jaw-dropping $2400)? Take the poll below to test out your eye (and don't cheat by clicking on the links first!) -- I'll post the answer tomorrow. And, if you were wondering, both versions can be hung either horizontally or vertically.

poll by twiigs.com

{6} I'm craving this Spring.

1. Jonathan Adler's new stationery line. I'm a huge paper freak so I was ecstatic to see that the purveyor of Happy Chic had delved into a new line of stationery and paper goods. Aside from the usual note cards and journals, Adler also offers wrapping paper, paper plates and paper lanterns (prices start at just $4.95). Now I just need a great excuse to throw a party....

2. A bold blue bag. I'm a big believer in the power of a great bag (or pair of shoes) to perk up your wardrobe. This Spring, a bright blue bag is the perfect alternative to black or gray (and it won't show dirt like white or cream would). My pick is the "Branded Stud" leather bowler bag in cobalt blue by Ted Baker ($245). It's perfect not-too-big/not-too-small size and outer pockets make this a sensible choice, though it's the contrast purple stitching that really pushes this one from "love" to "lust".

3. Trina Turk's indoor/outdoor pillows and linens. Trina's latest offerings in her nascent expansion into home goods are the epitome of Palm Springs cool. Trendy brights are paired with clean white in retro, yet on-trend geometric prints. I'll take one of each, please.

4. Restoration Hardware's Klismos collection. Speaking of outdoor decor, I'm drooling over Restoration Hardware's Klismos collection of outdoor furniture. [See? I'm not a total hater of RH, I promise!] The pieces feel modern with their matte gray finish and sleek lines, but the collection is grounded in classic shapes and forms, from the urn pedestal base of the dining table to RH's interpretation of the klismos (a Greek chair style marked by its curved back and legs). Of course, I'd perk up these pieces with some of Trina's pillows.

5. Stony gray espadrille wedges. Bettye Muller Menu Wedges (Piperlime, $195). For me, nothing says spring or summer like a pair of espadrilles. I love the sensible height of these wedges and the gorgeous putty gray color. As a bonus, these are sophisticated enough for the office (or at least mine).

6. The perfect pairing of color and scent. UK companies Jo Malone and Farrow&Ball have teamed up to create a new line of candles inspired by F&B's gorgeous paint colors. When Dave and I are in London in May, I'm going to have to swing by a Jo Malone outpost to get a nose on this new collection, but I'm already wild about the very idea of their Wild Fig and Cassis in Pelt. The aubergine hue is the natural choice for the warm, fruity (yet woodsy, thanks to the cedarwood) scent of fig and blackcurrants.

This really irks me...

Restoration Hardware is peddling antique unbound "book bundles" as objets de art. Firstly, I despise the idea of buying books as purely decorative items. Certainly, bindings and covers can be -- and even should be -- beautiful (see the new Penguin Classics series HERE), but I'm a firm believer that books you display in your home should be books that, you know, you've actually read and enjoyed. Secondly, the idea of filling your shelves with packages of mistreated, long forgotten literary works to achieve some monochromatic, industrial "style" strikes me as incredibly sad.

Salvaged Wood Kitchen Island ($2695) + {Reproduction} Vintage Barstools ($295)

On a related note, can Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Wisteria, etc. just stop with the "found" and "antiqued" furniture and accessories? I'm all for vintage and antique, but can't we just buy real vintage instead of faux? Decorating your home with items that look like they have history (but in reality either don't or, if they do, said history has no particular meaning to you) strikes me as incredibly fake.

Burlap sack turned tablecloth, for a mere $69

I don't really understand spending the big bucks just to decorate your home with discarded soda boxes and burlap. I know that many antiques are (quite rightly) expensive, but why is 50-year old trash suddenly a design statement worthy of a mark-up befitting its newfound trendy status? If you're going to decorate with inexpensive, "humble" materials, then the prices should reflect that. It's like buying a plain white tshirt for $100: just plain stupid. Beyond the absurdity of these prices, the idea of elevating the ordinary and everyday (of the Great Depression!) to designer status strikes me as bizarre and even a bit condescending: We aren't poor, we just decorate like it.

On a final note, prices and subtext aside, the Belgian/industrial look is just too damn depressing for me. I'm a big fan of gray, but we've taken the whole gray, linen, limed wood look way too far. A piece or two here or there (or gray walls) is one thing, but when its thrown altogether (as staged by Restoration Hardware in particular), a monochromatic color palette in gray tones makes a room look like it's had all the life sucked out of it. When used en masse, gray is just as blah as beige. Where's the joy?

Lest you think I've got something against the big name retail stores (which I really don't -- much of my own home is filled with PB, RH and C&B), here are two items that I'm drooling over:

Weathered Zinc Single Fex Mirror ($849)

I adore the quatrefoil shape of this mirror. And, while I think I'd prefer the frame's finish in something a bit more glamorous (silver leaf, perhaps), I don't even mind the weathered zinc. As it is though, I'll be waiting for this piece to go on sale before I consider making the purchase.

Lafayette Chandelier ($399)

I was absolutely shocked when I saw this chandelier in the latest Pottery Barn catalogue. It's so chic! So Pieces, etc.! The red faux coral is the perfect hit of color for a breakfast room or den. I'd maximize the beachy feel of it by pairing it when blues and turquoises -- and speaking of turquoise, wouldn't this be fabulous if there was a turquoise version? [Are you there, Pottery Barn? It's me, Averill. Bring back your Summer 2008 collection!]

High versus Low: Pop Quiz Time!

It's been a while, so I thought it was time for another pop quiz. One of these mirrored-top tray tables costs $699. The other, $69.99. Can you tell the difference? Place your votes below and I'll let you know the answer tomorrow!

poll by twiigs.com

Update: The majority is right. Table A is the Mirrored-Top Tray Table from Horchow and retails for $699. Table B is the Country Living tray side table from Kmart and is currently on sale for $69.99. Sometimes it absolutely pays to shop around!

Object of Lust: Moreno Nesting Tables

My jaw literally dropped when I saw this pair of Moreno nesting tables from Crate&Barrel. Not only are the tables a departure style-wise from the typically very contemporary C&B (these look more like something you'd find at Jayson Home & Garden), but they also look way more glamorous and high-end. Between the antiqued brass finish and the polished shell top, it's as though C&B were channeling Kelly Wearstler.

Sure, $399 is some serious dough to pluck down for a pair of accent tables, but these look as if they cost twice that. Even my very frugal hubby loved them and wanted them for his man room.

Trend Alert: Soft or Antiqued Brass

Palmer Weiss

A few years ago the very notion of brass fixtures was positively revolting. The polished brass faucets, door knobs and shower enclosures that were all the rage in the late '80s and early '90s had become the ugly duckling of the design world by the late '90s and early 2000s as designers and builders began favoring bronze over brass as the new metal du jour. Despite this fall from grace over the last decade, designers have recently been reintroducing brass as an acceptable metal. This time around though, the high sheen of polished or lacquered brass has been replaced by a matte (aka "soft") or antiqued finish.

Kelly Wearstler

The hallmark of the "new" brass is its softness and its subtly. The metal also has a way of giving a certain sophistication and age to even modern interiors. Brass coordinates perfectly with warm neutrals but is also a great foil for the cooler grays that have increased in popularity in the past few years. In short, the metal is just as versatile as nickel, but has the advantage of being a bit more unexpected. Like all metals, soft or antiqued brass is perfect as an accent, so accessories and fixtures are the ideal way to incorporate the trend into your existing decor.

Massucco Warner Miller Designs

I particularly like how a soft brass works with pinks and corals. The effect is pretty, yet sophisticated. And another example of how well brass works with pinks from the great Mary McDonald:

Mary McDonald

Alessandra Branca

In this bedroom by Alessandra Branca, brass nail head trim on the headboard coordinates with the vintage brass bedside lamps.

Canadian House & Home

I'm absolutely in love with this hanging pendant lamp. It's shape is traditional, but its oversized scale feels incredibly modern to me. While brass is often thought of as very traditional, this breakfast nook illustrates that it can work just as successfully in a more modern interior.

Elle Decor

A traditional brass nail head trim is the ideal way to subtly work this trend into your home. Don't worry about coordinating your other metals to "match"; oil-rubbed bronze (as shown above) is a beautiful and natural compliment to the warm gold tones in the brass. For a truly eclectic look, try mixing brass with nickel or silver.

This season, major retailers have begun to get on board with the trend and there are a ton of gorgeous (and even affordable) accessories and fixtures in brass to choose from. Below, a selection of my favorites:

Source list (clockwise, from top left): 1. Moreno Nesting Tables from Crate&Barrel ($399). 2. Hampton Upholstered Bench from Ballard Designs ($359 plus cost of fabric). 3. Meurice side table from Jonathan Adler ($295). 4. Albany pendant from Restoration Hardware ($49.99). 5. Van Dyke cocktail table from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. 6. Derrick Tower small table lamp from Circa Lighting ($420). 6. Mother-of-Pearl knob from Anthropologie ($14). 7. Greek Key nut bowl from Williams-Sonoma Home ($28). 8. Orion Convex Mirror from Avid-Home ($240). 9. PB Standard drapery rods in Warm Brass from Pottery Barn ($79-$119).

Source List (clockwise, from top left): 1. Nate Berkus Etched Feather Tray from HSN ($69.95). 2. Basil Flush Mount from Circa Lighting ($420). 3. Brass Oval Lattice Planter from Ethan Allen ($119). 4. Brass candleholder from Pottery Barn ($59). 5. Sabine Brass table lamp from Revival Home & Garden ($315). 6. Calvin Leather Chair from Tonic Home ($1,585). 7. Costello Stool from Modern Dose ($365). 8. Egolomise coffee table from Beeline Home. 9. Bamboo brass table from Avid Home ($645).

On My Love of Quatrefoil

My love affair with quatrefoil is hardly new for those of you who've been following this blog for a while as the motif has frequently popped up in my mood boards for the new house. Like greek key, I find it hard to resist just about any product that includes even just a hint of the motif. While the roots of the symbol are ancient, and the motif is frequently found in both Gothic and Moorish architecture from the Middle Ages, the quatrefoil is enjoying a renewed popularity in recent years.

And while my love of quatrefoil probably doesn't extend to the full-on obsession that would be required to compell someone to cover every square inch of a room in the motif (as in the old domino photo above), I do think a little bit of quatrefoil goes a long way to bringing sophistication and style to your home (or your jewelry box!).

Source list:

1. Quatrefoil Tole Tray from Ballard Designs ($69). Trays make any mess look organized and "decorated". I'd use this one to corral all my remotes (I think I have 4 for one TV!).

2. Reims knob from Anthropologie ($14). I love the inlaid mother-of-pearl and the gilt finish. Very Kelly Wearstler.

3. Maharam Quatrefoil pillow from Velocity Art & Design ($150). A classic mod pattern is a modernist's take on the ancient motif.

4. 'Tini table IV from Oomph ($495). This accent table comes in 16 great colors -- my favorites are dorian gray (shown) and blue peacock.

5. Alexandra Chair from Hickory Chair. Designed by Suzanne Kasler, this chair is destined to become a classic. I'd love one or two of these for my master bedroom.

6. Quatrefoil Table Lamp from Circa Lighting. Also designed by Suzanne Kasler, this quatrefoil table lamp comes in gilded and aged iron and in a floor lamp model. And don't miss her new quatrefoil wall sconce -- it's seriously breathtaking and a steal at under $300.

7. Signature Clover chandelier earrings from Stella & Dot ($49). A pair of earrings go with just about any outfit and any occasion, but I love chandelier earrings with a casual look, so I'd dress these down with boyfriend jeans and a great sweater.

8. Quatrefoil headboard from Ballard Designs (starting at $449). I'd love to see this upholstered in a clean, neutral linen for a lovely Belgium look.

9. Quatrefoil key pendant from Tiffany's ($1000). Alas, I didn't get this for Christmas, but it's still on my wish list (ahem, Dave!).

10. CAS Pollux wall mirror from CSN.com ($329). I love how the quatrefoil is inset into the circle and that the frame is gilt. Mark my words: brass and gold are making a comeback!

11. Fabrics: Bocce (in Godiva) from Calico Corners ($42.99/yd.) and Anna's Drawing Room Pressed Flowers (in Gold) from Fabric.com ($10.49/yd.). Two great, albeit different, fabric options at reasonable prices. I'd use the bocce print for larger projects like curtains or a great slipper chair and the wilder, more bohemian print for some seriously bold pillows.

12. World Notes (in purple) from Albertine Press ($15/set of 6). These would make the task of sending "thank you" notes pleasurable. The set also comes in green or gray.

Trend Alert: Canopy Beds

Thom Filicia

Canopy beds aren't just for little girls' rooms anymore. Lately, the classic furniture piece has been popping up all over shelter magazines and in interior designer's portfolios -- and I can't seem to get enough. Following the old mantra that "bigger is always better", builders today are making incredibly large master bedrooms. Sure, these may seem like a luxury to prospective buyers, but more often than not, homeowners are left wondering how to fill the vast spaces to create cozier, more romantic bedrooms. Canopy beds are a great solution for those oversized bedrooms as they not only take up a greater volume of space in the room with their height, but they also create the feeling of a room within a room. Additionally, canopy beds are a wonderful way to demarcate between sleeping and sitting areas, which also makes a canopy bed is a great solution for a loft.

When I saw this gorgeous quatrefoil bed in a recent spread in House Beautiful, my jaw literally dropped. {And for your reference, it's the Asilah bed from Ironies.} Hand-carved and inlaid with bone, it is, for me at least, the ultimate bed (I burn, I pine, I perish...).

David Mitchell

For a more modern look, keep the lines of the bed clean and architectural. Forgoing a fabric canopy will enhance the look. In this small bedroom designed by David Mitchell, the dark spare canopy is a wonderful contrast to the clean white walls as the vertical lines of the bed sharply set off the horizontal slats of the paneled walls. The height of the bed also highlights the height of the room, which is particularly important when the footprint of the room is small.

Kathryn Scott

I love the clean, Early American farmhouse feel of this bedroom. While both the headboard and floor-to-ceiling curtains sport an intricate floral pattern, the simple bed linens keep the look from being fussy (or stuffy).

Kara Mann

In this room by famed Chicago designer Kara Mann, I adore all the contrasts of the dark brown lines against the clean whites of the room -- from the floor to the bed too the walls, large white spaces are framed by dark brown lines. The more intricately carved wood sidetables keep the room from veering into cold and geometric.

Kara Mann

A second room from Kara Mann. While I generally prefer canopy beds without any sort of fabric on top, a simple, gauzy white fabric, draped casually on top has a wonderful beachy feel and would be a great way to change your room up for the seasons.

Kim Coleman

I love the metal work on the foot of this bed -- so much so in fact that I might have foregone a bench altogether just to show it off more. That said though, I do love how Coleman used simple white drapes just at the head of the bed to create the impression of a soft and dramatic headboard. By leaving the rest of the canopy unadorned, Coleman keeps the look from being too precious.

Tom Stringer

I love the look (and feel!) of an upholstered headboard. In this bedroom designed by Tom Stringer, you get the best of both worlds with this bed that features a canopy bed with an upholstered headboard. The soft yellow stripe, paired with yellow sidetables, is such a refreshing jolt of warmth in this predominately white and blue room.

Tom Scheerer

I love the coral color of this bed, especially in contrast to the china blue bedding and denim colored rug. I also like how Scheerer has designed the canopy with its tautly pulled cover and gentle pleatings on the panel behind the headboard.

Jodi Macklin

Another example of how well a canopy bed works in the light, beach-inspired bedrooms that I find myself so drawn to as of late. The injection of navy blue, in lieu of a lighter shade, is a refreshingly bold (but not jarring) choice for a bedroom.

There are literally dozens of wonderful options for canopy beds available on the market today. Here are my perfect dozen, from a budget-friendly IKEA bed to a "price upon request" (i.e., if you have to ask, you probably can't afford it) stunner by Oly Studio.

Sourcelist (from top left): 1. EDLAND bed from IKEA ($299). Since this bed is made out of wood, it's a great candidate for a bold paint job. 2. Turner canopy bed from Restoration Hardware ($999.99). I love the subtle tapering of the posts on this bed, crafted out of black cherry. 3. Canopy metal bed by Annie Selkie for Vanguard Furniture ($2,599). You can't get much more "Chinoiserie Chic" than this. 4. Modern Glamor Hayward Bed from Ethan Allen ($2099). This bed is a wonderful blend of British Colonial and Hollywood Regency. 5. Italian Campaign canopy bed from Anthropologie ($1250). This bed has risen to iconic status, thanks in no small part to Miles Redd. 6. Antonio canopy bed from Pottery Barn ($1,299). A great bed at a great price; swap out the headboard fabric for your own to get a truly customized look.

Source list (from top left): 1. Summerland Key bed from Cottage and Bungalow (call for pricing). This gorgeous faux-bamboo frame comes in over a dozen great colors. 2. Milleunanotte canopy bed by Emaf Progetti from AllModern.com ($7,161). The bed-equivalent of the Parson's table, this simple bed will never go out of style and would work in both traditional and modern interiors. 3. Legion Bed from High Fashion Home (pricing upon request). Low to the ground, this platform bed draws upon both Chinoiserie and Romanesque influences. 4. New Country canopy bed from Ethan Allen ($1049 bed; $179 canopy frame). The black finish and paired-down details on this bed skirts a traditional country look in favor of a cleaner, more architectural style. 5. ducduc Cabana canopy bed from AllModern.com ($1895). Technically a child's bed, I love the idea of using a twin-sized version of this bed (with the matching bolsters) as a wildly glamorous daybed. 6. Oly Studio Walker Bed from Tonic Home (call for pricing). Similar to Anthropologie's canopy bed, but with an upholstered headboard.

Deal of the Week: Greek Key Tray

18" brass greek key tray from Nate Berkus

My obsession with classical Greek art and architecture -- and particularly greek key -- is well documented at this point (see HERE and HERE). I've got bold greek key lamps in my living room and a smattering of the classical motif elsewhere throughout the house. So of course when I spied this brass and mirror greek key tray from Nate Berkus (on sale for $49.99!) over at HSN.com (which has rapidly become my new online shopping obsession -- HSN is so much more than costume jewelry and weird beauty gimmicks these days!), I couldn't resist.

The tray in its new home...my den

This was my first purchase from Nate's line and I was admittedly nervous about the quality as Nate's previous line at Bed, Bath & Beyond was very hit and miss. But, when the tray arrived just a few days later, I was pleasantly surprised by its quality. The tray is large, weighty and looks significantly more expensive in person than its $50 price tag would suggest.

All in all, I'd say it's just about the perfect gift this holiday season for the design aficionado on your list. But caveat emptor: you may want to keep this one for yourself.

Twinkle Toes

Kate Spade

Right now I can't get enough of all the sparkly flats that are popping up just in time for the holidays. Bedecked in sequins, rhinestones or even ornate broaches, these shoes are all on trend and perfect for holiday parties -- especially if you're playing hostess or know in advance there won't be much opportunity to sit down and rest your heels. Try them in shades of gray, plum or in metallics to update last season's outfit. Dress them up with a cute party dress or down with jeans and a casual top. Whatever you decide to pair them with, you're guaranteed to be the life of the party with your cute (and comfortable) twinkle toes.

Source list: 1. Belle by Sigerson Morrison Charm Ballet Flats ($225). 2. Vera Wang Lavendar Label Lisa Ballet Flats ($295). 3. Miu Miu Studded Bow Ballet Flats ($450). 4. Pour la Victoire "Janise" flat ($199). 5. Dolce & Gabbana Sequin Stripe ballerina flat ($495). 6. Banana Republic Presley Bejewled Flat ($120) 7. Kate Spade "Harper" sequin flat ($275).

Source list: 1. Chinese Laundry Good Times flats ($70). 2. Steve Madden "Kazler" flat ($59.90). 3. Jessica Simpson Belta flats ($75). 4. Jeffrey Campbell "Jewel 2" flat ($109.95). 5. Kate Spade Nicolena flat ($298). 6. Lanvin Embellished Ballet Flat ($640). 7. Juicy Couture Alleah Velvet Ballet Flats ($225).

And don't miss the Kate Spade online sample sale, going on now until Friday at midnight. It's a great opportunity to pick up some great gifts (or just a treat for yourself) at a fraction of the price.