House Things

Sobu is a brand new design duo dedicated to creating innovative products for the home. They just launched their company in January after working in the architecture/furniture/photography/graphic design world. The bed below is their first baby and I think it’s just great. Who isn’t in the need of more storage? I love this, and, of course, the slogan is just perfect. The bed, which features a solid pine platform, does not need a box spring. Sadly, it only comes in a twin size so far, but hopefully that will change. Price is $650 plus shipping. If this had been available when my kids were younger, I would have bought three in a heartbeat. What do you think?

I am new to the world of duvets. While I’ve always loved sleeping under one whenever I’ve slept in a hotel or at a friend’s house with one, I’ve been a tried-and-true heavy quilt gal my whole life. I just love the weight on top of my with just my nose sticking out into our cold bedroom. For years, my husband has been bugging me about all this extra weight and I finally gave in a few weeks ago while at Ikea. Now, however, I see what a fool I’ve been because the beauty of duvets is that you can buy multiple duvet covers to fit your mood and season! Here are a few at Pottery Barn that caught my eye. Do you duvet? And do you switch your covers to fit your season/mood?

Nanette Palampore Organic Duvet Cover & Sham

Spring Sparrow Duvet Cover & Sham

Doyle Stripe Organic Duvet Cover & Sham

I’m kicking off this week’s House Things with a giveaway from Roxy, available at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  Hooray! If your favorite tween or college student is in the market for a bedroom upgrade, this Roxy Be True duvet cover, standard sham and sheet set might be just the thing for her  twin bed. Here’s what it looks like.

The collection retails at Bed, Bath & Beyond for $99.99 and comes in twin or twin XL in case you want to surprise your favorite college student. The collection is also available in full and queen sizes, but this contest is for the twin size only.

All you have to do is leave a comment below with your email. One lucky reader will be chosen at random at the end of day on Friday, Sept. 17. The winner will be announced next week. The set will be mailed to your home. Let the contest begin!

I discovered this great decor deal of the day website, Wuslu, and am passing on the good news to you. Here’s how it works: The owners of the site post a deal a day, thanks to their extensive database of manufacturers and suppliers. They offer it up to you, one at a time, a day at a time. Once it’s sold it’s gone (or if the time hits 10 a.m. EST). How great is that! You can also sign up for alerts on their website, which seems like a no-brainer to me. Anyway here’s a sample deal from last week to let you see the possibilities: Buy two pillar holders and get four free pillars. Total price: $21. It’s like Christmas every day at Wuslu.

As we become increasingly aware of our planet’s fragile condition, it’s heartening to read about the increasing number of sites devoted to reusing, reclaiming and recycling. Today’s find is Redefine Home, which has a cool section devoted to found objects. Each of these one-of-a-kind items has a story, and obviously if you like it, you should click and buy because there won’t be two of them. Anyway, below is a sampling of some of the items that were there when I visited. If you want new items for the home, not to worry. Redefine Home has plenty of those as well.

Blue Industrial Cart, $215

Barnwood Display Cabinet, $849

Vintage Milking Stool, $40

I see fabric headboards and think to myself “I could make this myself” … and then I don’t. This queen-size headboard from Holley and Gill’s Etsy shop is a wonderful example of how distinctive a fabric headboard can be. It can set the tone for an entire room and become its own piece of art I think. This one is made of 100 percent cotton in Montreal. Price is $950. If this doesn’t fit your color scheme, there are others to choose from.

Something else I always say I’m going to do — and have actually done once to our dining room chairs — is reupholster chairs. Maybe I’ll just go to Rubbish Rehab’s shop instead, since he creates fabulous chairs like this arm chair. He also is offering free shipping to the continental U.S., which you’ve got to love. Price is $450.

And, finally, I admire and think I will make, but clearly don’t, small gardens in bowls for, say, my office desk or other spots in my house. This individual cactus garden is exactly like the kind of low maintenance mini-garden I would make … or just buy from McCheek’s Mayhem’s shop. She makes the bowl, fires and glazes it, and then fills it with three lovely round cacti. It is 7 inches in diameter and 3 inches high. Price is $35.

I’m in the market for a new bedspread. While this one from CB2 doesn’t exactly fit my bedroom color scheme, I liked the floral print and the general brightness. It’s apparently patterned after an Asian kimono. If you’re interested in eco-friendly linens, these fit that bill, too. They’re 100 percent organic cotton. Prices range from $24.95-$109. Sweet dreams!

Fabricadabra does something magical with textiles. The brainchild of Donna Halloran, the online store features absolutely gorgeous pillows, all of them organic and eco-friendly. Some of her pillow covers use a style of weaving that involves a tie-dye process; others involve batiking; all are beautiful. Take a look and see what I mean. Enjoy!

Batik pillow cover, $45.

Silk/cotton Ikat pillow cover from Uzebekistan, $40.

Dutch wax printed/batick cotton pillow cover, $40.

Wool felted pillow cover made in Nepal, $45