House Things

It’s January. The holidays are over and the end of winter is so far down the tunnel, it’s hard to see the light. What better way to brighten up a day than with some vibrant hand-painted furniture? While you couldn’t have pieces like this chair everywhere in a home, having one as an accent might be perfect. It’s the kind of idea I look at and think I could do that … and then reality sets in and I realize I should just contact an expert like Lisa Frick. Frick, who sells her goods on Etsy, paints tables, chairs and everything in between. Check it out.

Kicking off Top Three Thursdays on Etsy is a little animal magnetism with this fab vintage chair that’s been given new life with a touch of zebra … print that is. The chair, which is about 38″ high, has been lovingly restored by in the shop of Inged Design and Decoration. Shipping is free via Greyhound. Price is $460.

I’ve been a little obsessed with terrariums recently. I just love the idea of a mini gardenscape someplace in your house or say on a desk at work where you can daydream about being somewhere else. I do not, however, have much of a green thumb. (As I type this, I am not sure that two of the five plants currently in  my office will be alive when I arrive there on Monday.) Anyway, this terrarium with an air plant that requires no soil at all — and virtually no water! — caught my eye on Etsy. The glass globe, which has a flat bottom so it can sit on a desk or be hung, is about 5″ in diameter and high. Each kit includes a tillandsias, or air plant, dried poppy pods, cream colored reindeer moss and neutral stones. Just soak the plant in a bowl or faucet once a week, allow it to fully dry before putting it back in the container, add a little light, and you’re good to go. Price is $25 and it’s available in Sea & Asters’ shop.

And finally because while  I don’t own one, I find it virtually impossible to pass an Eames chair of any kind without clicking. This classic Eames wire chair is from the early 1950s and apparently in great condition. It’s available in Cathode Blue‘s shop for $275 with free shipping in the continental U.S.

And if you’re still wavering, here it is with its original bikini covering!

Looking for side tables (or maybe some last minute seating as stools)? How about these (cutely) named Goldie Blocks from Ecofabulous? The creation of architect Eugene Stoltzfus, the tables are made of cork, which is known for its durability and sustainability. They are sealed with a low-VOC Aqualente sealer,

I’m a pillow fan. Switching out pillow covers or buying new ones if the price is right is such an easy way to update a room, add a pop of color, make yourself feel better on a dreary wintry day — i.e. whatever your need, pillows often can help and they’re a lot less caloric than, say, that container of dark chocolate. Anyway, this pillow cover caught my eye to kick off Top Three Thursdays on Etsy. It’s made from 100% recycled wool sweaters that are washed and dried to felt them. The 12X18″ pillow cover also features a zipper for easy switching out with another cover (see above) and dry cleaning, which is what this cover requires. The pillow cover, which is available in Ply Textiles‘ shop , is $79.

This next Etsy find goes in the not-for-everyone category, or more particularly if you’re not a fan of the NRA, you might not like this. I thought, however, it was an intriguing use of a gun icon and could totally see it in a man cave for the right person. The sconces are actually ceramic and slip cast through plaster molds, i.e. gun-inspired rather than the real thing. The gun measures 4X7″ in height and has a 4″ shade. They come wired and ready to use. Total height is about 13″. Price for the pair, available in Ceramic Ryan‘s shop , is $150..

And finally, love this rethinking of the classic Eames fiberglass chair from Bomb Factory Furniture. Shop owner Freddy Hill grabs tired, rejected (who rejects Eames????) mid-century chairs and replaces the steel legs with these made from bent laminated bamboo. You can pick the leg color (natural or carmelized). Price is $350.

It looks like a giant hackey sack, but as additional seating/ottoman/conversation piece, poufs (pouffes? people should pick one spelling and stick with it!) like this one from Horne, a new website for home decor for me, are just so cool. Handmade by Donna Wilson, this particular one is knitted in Scotland from lambs wool and then stuffed. Just love the pattern and color! How about you? $336.

I know poufs aren’t “new” as a fad, but I’m still loving them and just wish I had the right place for one in my home. I also am intensely jealous that these little numbers are all hand-knit since I am a knitter and clearly (in theory) could make one of these — except I’m not that clever. So instead, I may just buy one from La Casa Decoto‘s Etsy shop. These are cotton and are perfect for floor pillows in a family room, bedroom or even a dorm. You can buy it stuffed or just the covering with a case inside for stuffing yourself. (Which might be easier for shipping.) Please specify in your order which color you would like. $63.65 for one.

Interested in grouping some art on your wall but not sure how to pull together the various frames? Mountain Cove Antiques can help. The sets in this Etsy shop are varying sizes, colors and shapes. All are sold as empty frames; no glass or backings folks. The upcycled frames here are painted in lovely autumn hues to get your redo of a wall going fast. All come with hangers. All you have to do is fill them and hang. Sizes in this set include 2 8X10, 1 6X8, 3 5X7, 1 4X5, 1 5″ square and 1 2.5X3.5. Price is $54.

And finally a pillow to freshen up your family room or wherever, and add a little autumnal flavor. This 18″ pillow cover top in Warm ‘n’ Fuzzies’ shop is sewn completely by hand and features 100 percent cotton batik fabrics. The fabrics were pre-washed, although she advises hand washing in cold water just to be safe. Price is $47.50.

I know poufs aren’t “new” as a fad, but I’m still loving them and just wish I had the right place for one in my home. I also am intensely jealous that these little numbers are all hand-knit since I am a knitter and clearly (in theory) could make one of these — except I’m not that clever. So instead, I may just buy one from La Casa Decoto‘s Etsy shop. These are cotton and are perfect for floor pillows in a family room, bedroom or even a dorm. You can buy it stuffed or just the covering with a case inside for stuffing yourself. (Which might be easier for shipping.) Please specify in your order which color you would like. $63.65 for one.

Interested in grouping some art on your wall but not sure how to pull together the various frames? Mountain Cove Antiques can help. The sets in this Etsy shop are varying sizes, colors and shapes. All are sold as empty frames; no glass or backings folks. The upcycled frames here are painted in lovely autumn hues to get your redo of a wall going fast. All come with hangers. All you have to do is fill them and hang. Sizes in this set include 2 8X10, 1 6X8, 3 5X7, 1 4X5, 1 5″ square and 1 2.5X3.5. Price is $54.

And finally a pillow to freshen up your family room or wherever, and add a little autumnal flavor. This 18″ pillow cover top in Warm ‘n’ Fuzzies’ shop is sewn completely by hand and features 100 percent cotton batik fabrics. The fabrics were pre-washed, although she advises hand washing in cold water just to be safe. Price is $47.50.

Branch Home always has interesting eco-friendly, sustainable goodies on their site. This seating combo from Kalon Studios caught my eye. Inspired by trees, it’s made in Gardner, MAss., once known as the chair capital of the world. Where the community once supported 5,000 craftspeople, it now has fewer than 350. By locating in Gardner, Kalon Studios is making an effort to revitalize a community. Stump, the small stools, is inspired by the original sitting stool — a tree stump. This one is made of raw unfinished green wood from a tree trunk. As it ages and dries each piece becomes its own unique self. Choice of wood is ash or maple. size is 8.5″ W X 9.5″ D X 12″ H. Prices start at $85.

This bench, appropriately called Trunk, starts at $995.