The New York Times is running an article online about extravagant fish tanks: $200,000 tanks with $1000 monthly maintenance fees.  What I find particularly jaw dropping about the story isn’t the cost of the homeowner’s decor, it’s the fact that the homeowners consider fish decor in the first place.

Fish are animals.  They do not belong in little glass boxes and they do not exist to decorate your room or to amuse you.  They are living creatures.  And seriously, before I get a bunch of hate comments (I’m not changing my mind) yes, yes it is different from having a cat or a dog, both of which are allowed outside to roam and coexist in a mutually beneficial relationship of companionship with their care givers.  I do not own a cat so that my living room looks prettier.  In fact, my cats make my space look much worse, but I love them more than my things so I manage.

(sorry for the long disclaimer, I just really don’t want to fend off hate comments today.)

The designers interviewed in the article note that aquariums answer the age old questions: “How do you humanize this space, how do you introduce natural elements? How do you make it feel like you’re not standing in a white, pristine, soul-less box?”

8 fish swimming endlessly around 2 rocks doesn’t feel soulful to me.  Fail.

The owners of this 6,000 pound, $200,000 suspended tank “get lost in it” at night rather than the television set.  I’m so so glad that nature’s creatures are able to provide you with endless entertainment.

It is noted that the owner’s of this tank’s other point of pride in their home is the tanning bed in the basement.  Need I say more?

Ok, really, I’m sure there are lots of people who will disagree with me today.  I’m sure several of you have aquariums and love your fishies and I’m sure you make great homes for them.  And, no, they are not being hunted and eaten.  I know there are several sides to the fish-in-home debate, and I could probably be persuaded to accept several of the gray areas, but the bottom line is that fish as decor creeps me out.  Please try not to get too hatey today.  Besides, this whole look is really 80s, and not in a good way.  xoxo

As per your excellent suggestions, I have been feverishly scouring Craigslist for a credenza with sliding doors that will hide our fugly electronics. Last week, I found an insanely underpriced six foot long teak masterpiece that was practically located in my backyard (which matters because I am way too lazy to drive across town for even the bombest piece), but when I called it was gone. HELLFIRE. I am still obsessing about that stupid credenza, so note to CL sellers: delete your ads once items are sold, otherwise you are just a flagrant tease. Anyhoo, I thought I might toss a few goodies your way that I’ve noticed while searching for my own treasure. Hopefully there is something in here that will make you pee your pants with joy.

Let me tell you what makes me feel a lil leaky: Jack Lenor Larsen. I really love his vintage psychedelic prints, but you can be sure that the understated cobalt velvet upholstery on these fly chairs is still P.I.M.P. Buy them before a dealer (or I) get to them first. They’re even close to my house… $150.

It’s vintage 60s, it has a wooden frame (mahogany, according to the ad, but I doubt that is actually the case), and the upholstery is stupid good. Could it be a reupholstered Lafer on rosewood? Or is that the og fabric on walnut? Inquiring minds want to know. Buy it and tell me all about it. $300.

Vintage Wassily chairs “purchased decades ago at a Scandinavian store.” $225 is not a bad price, but they have been reposted several times. Lowball these suckers.

Four shell chairs with Herman Miller bases, if you’re into that kind of thing. $250 here.

Vintage chrome, lucite, and smoked glass, dinette. Change that upholstery, stat, and you’ve got yourself a winner. It’s taking all my energy not to buy the set just for the chairs. $150 here.

80’s black lacquer and brass bedroom set, made by Lane so it should be real wood under the lacquer. Comes with a six drawer dresser, vanity, corner unit, nightstand, and a full/queen headboard… All for $95. Say what??? That price is dumb. Snatch these puppies up for your disco shag coke pad.

Ok, this gem comes courtesy of a person that Karly and I can only refer to as troll lady — I would recognize that filthy gravel trap of a yard anywhere. Friends, I shall never deal with the troll again (even though I see her EVERYWHERE around town, even at our very own garage sale), but if you do deal with her, don’t take her meandering directions to her house in BFE for the gospel truth, and make sure you spray yourself for mosquitoes and chiggers. Also, I hope you like dogs and cats and chickens and geese and other wild animals. Motherbleeping chupacabra probably lives out there. It is a really cool coffee table, though — reverse painted glass on iron, and a very nice size. $125. Check it out here, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Yep, it’s that table. You know… THAT table. $99, which is half of what reasonable vintage dealers around town are currently charging. Offer less, because for some reason this gal has been up for a while. Buy it here.

Chintz is back, beeyotch! Even better when paired with woven rope end pieces. Such nice colors. This dude is a nice dealer, and he delivers. $300 here.

$50 for a two tiered, shapely glass and brass table that will go anywhere. Get it.

Is it wrong that I really like the cushion fabric? $35 here.

This fabric, however, is downright bilious. Someone PLEASE rescue these adorable Thonet cafe chairs (so hard to find with arms!) and rip that vile fringe off and burn it. $55 here, and consider your purchase to be a mission of mercy.

That’s it for today’s goodies — get them while they’re hot. I think I’d like to end with a little checklist for buying stuff n things off Craigslist:

DO:

Don’t jack around — leave your name, number, and email address, when responding to ads.

Follow up IMMEDIATELY, like within 2.2 seconds, if the seller responds.

Offer less than the listed price. Always. Well… almost always. Don’t be an asshat.

Go look at this crap before you buy it.

Have a plan of action to pick up said crap. This may require requesting dimensions beforehand. Duh (and that is really a “duh” to myself).

DO NOT:

Offer less than the listed price in your email to the seller. Do your dickering in person.

Respond to the seller’s ad with vague inquiries and possibilities. Save that fun for later.

Give anyone your address unless you’re sure they will follow through on delivery. And that the sellers aren’t psycho killers.

Buy anything from the troll lady. Ha! Just kidding… that’s totally up to you. Sucker.

Practice safe craigslisting and see you dudes Friday!

Despite the fact that I haven’t had anything to drink in 26 weeks (but who’s counting?) I woke up today (the 5th of July) feeling hopelessly hung over.  All that independence celebrating (sitting in the shade by a pool) has me plum tuckered out and all I want to do is:

Stop back by tomorrow (the 7th) where we will be

and saying happy birthday to Ike (he’s turning one) and my mom (she’s turning a little older than one)

Da Vinci Alarm clock by Marc Owens

I want a new rug

One that won’t make me sick

One that won’t make me spend so hard

I think a Persian might do the trick

I want a new rug

One I hope won’t shed

One that really catches the eye

One that just might be red

One that won’t make me nervous

Wondering what to do

One that makes me feel like it’s a great value

Like it’s a great value

I want a new rug

One that won’t pill

One that won’t cost too much

Or increase the bills

One that won’t make me nervous

Wondering what to do

One that makes me feel like it’s a great value

Like it’s a great value

I want a new rug

One that won’t go away

One that won’t make Ben put up a fight

When I say that it’s got to stay

One that won’t make me nervous

Wondering what to do

One that makes me feel like it’s a great value

Like it’s a great value

I want a new rug

One that does what it should

One that doesn’t make me feel too bad

One that does makes me feel oh so good

I want a new rug

One with no doubt

One that won’t cost a lot

Or make the bank freak out

One that won’t make me nervous

Wondering what to do

One that makes me feel like it’s a great value

Like it’s a great value

Like it’s a great value

Oh yeah, great value

Summertime gives me a naturegasm. With all the lush verdure, I sometimes feel like I can hear things growing, and it’s good to be filled with a sense of purposeful renewal. That’s why I’m so excited the nice folks at Woolly Pocket are sponsoring a GIVEAWAY for us, plus I’m guest posting over at their blog today. How’s that for cross pollination? Now, what the bleep is a Woolly Pocket, you may ask? Friends, prepare to be amazed.

Woolly Pockets are gardening systems that can be used indoors or out. They’re made from recycled materials formed into flexible, breathable pouches that have a moisture barrier so you can hang them on walls or set them right on your more delicate furnishings. All you have to do is add soil, plants, and water, and then — blammo! Instant garden. You can read more about the how tos right here.

Wally is a modular, wall hung pocket that can be used outside to build a vertical garden, creating a cool oasis (ok, a pool helps, too).

Or Wally can be used inside to recycle all that dirty carbon dioxide you’ve been shuffling around.

Wally is space saving and maximizes moisture, so you don’t have to water 1000x times a day.

Here are two Wally pockets placed side by side in the kitchen, where they’re being used to grow all sorts of yummy edibles. Brilliant idea for those of us with small outdoor spaces, or poor growing conditions (hello, Austin!).

You know you want to try a Wally on for size, and today is your lucky day! We’re giving away one lined Wally pocket in peacock blue, so you can use him indoors or out. All you have to do is leave a comment by 12 noon CST on Sunday the 13th for a chance to win. Due to shipping constraints, I’m afraid this contest is open to US residents only. The winner will be announced on Monday the 14th, so tune in to see if it’s you… it might be.

Now I hope that you’ll all hop over to the Woolly Pocket blog where I’ve written up a little guest post that includes lots of images designed to inspire you to get busy gardening, indoor style. You know you want to go to there, so what are you waiting for?

Go! Now!

But leave a comment first, ok?

As you can imagine, the largest decor undertaking in my house right now is la bambino’s room.  In fact, I was more stressed about how to decorate it then I was about whether he’d be a boy or a girl (I figured I had no control over that).  Over the last few months I’ve already picked up quite a few prints that will eventually form the little dude’s first cluster art wall.  Don’t you just think he’s going to be so excited to come home to all this:

Since he’s going to be born in the year of the tiger (as was his father, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather and great grandmother) I thought we should pay homage with a few pieces of tiger art.  Note: THIS ROOM IS NOT TIGER THEMED, just tiger friendly.  This print, rock candy, was found by Erin and purchased by me in approximately 2.2 seconds.

Continuing the tiger non-theme I also grabbed this year of the tiger print from the same shop.

And finally, I picked up Tiger Phone from the Two Rabbits Studios booth at the Renegade Craft Fair.

In fact, all the remaining prints were picked up at renegade.  If you have one happening in your area, I highly suggest you go.

Because I am having a wee little baby, I thought I should get a few little-kid friendly prints too.  Not just a bunch of insane tigers.  I grabbed this beep beep bike print from Tad Carpenter.

This 2-part pink monster is also by Tad Carpenter, but unfortunately, I couldn’t find it on his site and I think he’s sold out.

And because I bought so much at his booth, Tad threw this tiny bird print in for zero dollars.  Thanks, Tad!

Having stocked up on some baby goodies, I felt like I could return to my crazy art comfort zone.  I bought this Will Bryant print at the Public School booth.

And finally, because babies go goo goo ga ga over black and white prints, stimulating their little brains straight into mensa, I picked up this crazy eye print for the little dude.

Don’t be scared if you feel like some of these don’t go together, remember we have several walls to work with here.  Anything that doesn’t make the baby’s room cut will land in my office, but overall I’m feeling good.  I think he’s just going to swoon when he comes home!

That’s right, my thoroughbred friends — we’ve got an equestrian themed GIVEAWAY in honor of Karly’s sold out edition of Horsey prints! This one comes courtesy of the fine folks at CSN Stores, who sell everything from bathroom vanities to Knoll and Kartell housewares through their mammoth collection of 200+ stores. I’m sure you can imagine that sifting through 489,654 items before selecting La Horsey was quite the sweaty herculean task, but it’s ok. Don’t worry about me. Everything I do, I do it for you.

Now that I’ve drummed up an appropriate amount of sympathy and lodged a ridiculous Bryan Adams tune in your collective head, let’s move on to the good stuff!

Just look at those sweet baleful eyes… who wouldn’t want to give this little guy (or gal) a good home?

Measuring a substantial 22 x 22 inches square, our equine friend is hand screened with java colored ink onto jute, finished with leather piping, and stuffed silly — because no one wants a skinny pony. Our lucky winner can display him (or her) whether they be old money or poorgeoisie — this pillow has legs. Somewhere.

The Brass Tacks: Enter to win this FREE Thomas Paul pillow, valued at $80, by naming the horsey in the comment box below. That’s right — all you have to do is NAME THIS HORSEY to win a FREE Thomas Paul pillow. You have until Sunday, May 30, at 12 noon CST, to leave your comment below. A random number generator will choose the winner, who will be announced on Memorial Day, Monday the 31st. Sorry, due to shipping constraints, this contest is only open to US and Canadian residents. Please enter only once, but feel free to tell your friends and neighbors, announce this contest on facebook, and tweetaleet all about this bizness. We’re looking forward to some excellent names, the best of which will be announced along with the winner, because bragging rights are almost as good as a free pillow right? Right?

Now saddle up and get cracking. Yee haw!

It’s official, la horse print is sold out forever until the end of time.  Thanks to everyone who bought one, I’m beyond flattered to have my work around the world and in your homes.  Seriously, you’re awesome.

For those of you who were on the horsey fence but were hoping for a bit more metallic gold, might I remind you that lasers in general is still available

The general is ready to give marching orders HERE.

In other news…

The Oasis has landed.  And yes, it is the beacon of comfort it represents itself to be.  Why, I accidentally fell asleep mere minutes after laying my head on one of it’s downy soft pillows last night.  I’m not even kidding.

Styling it is another issue.  I can’t seem to find the right combination of pillows and or blankets to casually toss about it’s feathery mass as evidenced by the pillow graveyard across the room:

In the photo it looks great without any pillows or blankets, but it person it’s a bit too barren.  I’m totally and completely open to suggestion.  In the meantime, it doesn’t have to have a single accent upon it to be the perfect spot to nap.

Welcome back, me! After a long and lovely family visit, I’m easing into the daily routine. Which means that I’m still feeling a bit lazy. I’m looking forward to catching up with y’alluns, but first I would like to thank the fabulous Collyn of ModFruGal for sharing her amazing, inspiring home while I was away. If you were a naughty imp and you missed her home tour, catch it here.

Greetings and formalities are out of the way, so let’s get down to bizness — rug cruising.

Rug? Who? Wha? Yep, it’s a little hard to see past the tongue, but there’s a rug in there. Somewhere. Designed by Bartoli, the Rosetum is part of Nodus Rugs‘ enormous, eclectic rug collection. Featuring everything from the merely mundane to the beyond bizarre, Nodus stands at the forefront of the art rug movement.

Take, for example, this twist on the traditional by design duo Studio Job.

Perished Persian’s pattern is formed by tiny interlocking forms.

This one’s named Eros. Since we are a familyish blog (cough), I’m not going to zoom in on that.

Nodus does feature an array of more classic forms, like these fine specimens:

But their most interesting offerings seem to fly in the face of traditional warp and weft rugs.

And then there’s this dude from the ever zany Brothers Campana. Computer: zoom in.

Gold star for the best caption. And…. go!

Tags: brothers campana, nodus, nodus rugs, rugs, studio job
Posted in Accessories, Basics, textiles | 10 Comments »