House Things

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.

Looking for a fun couple gift? Something for someone with a sense of humor? A coworker Secret Santa item? These fun coffee mugs from Nelson Studio caught my eye. The set is $38.50. They’ve got cute toothbrush holders too.

Sprucing up your table for holiday wining and dining? These candlesticks from Viva Terra can add a different twist — literally. Each is handcrafted from iron (with or without beads) by a  New Mexico couplw. One set of taper candles is included in each set. Beaded candleholders are 12″ high and a set of 2 is $135, while each plan candleholder is 18.5″ high and a set of two is $110.

A lot of bird feeders are more function than form. This one from Joe Papendick‘s shop on Etsy, though, is a stunner that would add a bit of art to your backyard. Hand crafted and welded from steel and copper, it is about 6 feet tall.  The design allows for the roots of surface vegetation to reach through and firmly anchor the piece into the ground. The top ‘feeder’ portion is designed to allow for enough gentle movement to replicate the subtle natural motion of tree branches. Price is $325.

Clearly I’ve got a metal thing going this week on Tope Three Thursdays, our weekly celebration of all things Etsy. Just take a gander at this fabulous holiday display from West Vintage Trading Co.

Each electric star fixture is made out of wood and metal. There is a in-line switch that turns the lights on and off and you can get them in colored lights if you prefer. Size is 24 X 24″. Price is $150. Meets UL specifications. LOVE THIS!

And finally, something decidedly not metallic. As regular readers know, one of my fantasies is about starting a reupholstery business in which I find sad furniture, re-paint/sand/reupholster, and sell it to adoring fans on places like Etsy. Delusional I know but in the meantime, I also stop when I see someone like the mother-daughter team behind  Found Design Miami who is doing it.

This ottoman started out as a small table with a marble top circa 1960. They removed the outdated marble and built a cushion upholstered with a hand silkscreened Dia de los Muertos fabric. Just perfect I think. Price is $75.

A lot of bird feeders are more function than form. This one from Joe Papendick‘s shop on Etsy, though, is a stunner that would add a bit of art to your backyard. Hand crafted and welded from steel and copper, it is about 6 feet tall.  The design allows for the roots of surface vegetation to reach through and firmly anchor the piece into the ground. The top ‘feeder’ portion is designed to allow for enough gentle movement to replicate the subtle natural motion of tree branches. Price is $325.

Clearly I’ve got a metal thing going this week on Tope Three Thursdays, our weekly celebration of all things Etsy. Just take a gander at this fabulous holiday display from West Vintage Trading Co.

Each electric star fixture is made out of wood and metal. There is a in-line switch that turns the lights on and off and you can get them in colored lights if you prefer. Size is 24 X 24″. Price is $150. Meets UL specifications. LOVE THIS!

And finally, something decidedly not metallic. As regular readers know, one of my fantasies is about starting a reupholstery business in which I find sad furniture, re-paint/sand/reupholster, and sell it to adoring fans on places like Etsy. Delusional I know but in the meantime, I also stop when I see someone like the mother-daughter team behind  Found Design Miami who is doing it.

This ottoman started out as a small table with a marble top circa 1960. They removed the outdated marble and built a cushion upholstered with a hand silkscreened Dia de los Muertos fabric. Just perfect I think. Price is $75.

A little whimsy to kick off today’s Top Three Thursdays on Etsy: a wall clock that really just sums it all up about our lives

Seriously. Does any other time matter other than the moment you’re in? This handmade clock is made of earthenware clay, with the numbers stamped on by hand along with the stitched border, both of black glaze. It runs on battery and is 8.25″ in diameter. Price is $50 in M Bart Studio‘s shop.

If you’re a mid-century fan, this stool might be just the thing for your home.

Kibster Vintage shop owner Kim Roberts has restored it with flat black paint and a new aqua vinyl seat. It is 15″ high and 12″ round. Price is $80.

And finally this origami lampshade from Nellianna! I’ve always been amazed by origami and also fairly inadequate in my attempts to do it. I get about two folds into the project and it’s pretty much over. So I was pretty amazed to see this lampshade — just one of many wonderful options I will add.

This lampshade is made of one folded piece of special grey paper and fits around a standard energy-saving lightbulb. It is suitable for use as the only source of light in the room. The lampshade, which is about $125 depending on the value of the euro when you order (it’s coming from the Netherlands) is 7″ high and 11″ around. Just love this!

When I was growing up my dog just slept on the floor. Then as an adult, I’ve had dogs who have slept in a variety of places: pre-husband, my two golden retrievers shared part of my bed with me; then they were relegated to outside the bedroom, where one of them, much to my husband’s irritation, slept on the couch. Our last two dogs had their own beds.

My point is that pet world has evolved and with it the accoutrements. I discovered this kittypod by Elizabeth Paige Smith on Design Public. It’s made from industrial strength corrogated cardboard is on a maple base. What I love about it is that it would certainly add to a room; no one is going to walk just past it without taking note, regardless of whether a cat is sleeping in it or not. What I’m a little less in love with is the price, which is $356. Seems a bit much for a cat bed? What do you think?

Mixing it up with patterns and prints is something I love to do. I’ve even reupholstered chairs in multiple patterns. It’s not surprising, then, that I found Pattern and Print alluring. They sell everything from scarves (beautiful!) and paper accessories to items for the home. Since this is a home decor blog, I’ll focus on those, but if you’re a scarfie (and I am for sure!), check them out — with your credit card far away so you’re not tempted.

Here are a few of the home goods that caught my eye. Which ones do you like?

Lambswool mini-blanket with vintage stripe, $125

Hand screen-printed pillow, $88

Large bowl by Jill Rosenwald, $175

Canvas hamper, $88