The Times They Are A'Changin'

I've never liked the barrel/drum side table/stool/ottoman thing. I tend to favor straight lines. Lately, though, I've begun to think they're the bee's knees. In their February issue (that of the infamous Zac Posen dress-induced despair), Domino showed where to find a "cheap" version. I will look tonight and post the picture and link of that. I especially like the Gervasoni take on the table; it's made of pressed newspaper. How cool is that?
I have a small space next to my adored $35 gold craigslist armchair that would be perfect for this table (without the black top though...). Pier1 has something similar--the "Handan Stool." I like it, but the color wouldn't work for me, and I'm not crazy about the trim or little dot things. Is there a technical term for little dot things? Crate and Barrel has the "Congo," but it's $379. Ouch. Do any of you have know other sources for similar pieces?

By the way, how do we feel about all this rattan/wicker/natural grass stuff? Pottery Barn's latest catalog featured tons of it--I liked the cover and the picture in my previous post, but wasn't nuts about the rest. And Pier1 has always had a lot, but they're just loaded with it now. By the way, the one chair I do really like, the Dayton, is on sale for $65. You still have to buy the cushion (for around $44), but I find the chair price rather reasonable.

And finally, you know what I find the most exciting thing in the whole world? I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE when I'm looking at a website and they have something that I found a near replica of at Target. It makes me feel like a winner. And perhaps I need to seek another source of validation, but the sense of satisfaction is no less real. Behold: Crate and Barrel's Kingston for $199. I bought almost the identical table at Target. Crate and Barrel: 0; Casey: 1.

Cool Idea

Much like my students, my flowers never do what I tell them to do. They all lean to one side. Or they hug the rim of the vase, creating 360 degrees of stupidness. I've seen those things that go on top of vases. You know what I'm talking about, right? They're a wire grid? And kind of ugly? Anyway, I was checking out Pottery Barn today, and they've come up with a clever solution to that problem that ruins my every Thursday (Farmers Market day, you see (sub-parenthetical statement: look at the research I do for you.)): the "decorative wire sphere." Neato. And they're on sale for 4 and 5 bucks.

I just got my new PB catalog this weekend. I think it starts out strong, but I wasn't so impressed with the stuff in the middle. I am particularly ambivalent about their Francesca rug, which is supposed to be "inspired by early American quilts," and picks up on the multi-print trend I discussed last week. I don't really like the picture of the rug alone, but I do like it in a room. Go figure. Click on the image to see it bigger. What do you guys think? As if I will ever be able to afford a PB rug...

I Just Can't Help Myself...

I am really drawn to these balls by CB2. [Yes, jerks, insert your "Well, Casey's always drawn to balls" joke here. Then grow up.] [Okay, I admit it, I still mentally make ball jokes. Someday I'll be an adult.] Anyway, the balls pretty much match my living room color scheme. I can picture a bowl or hurricane lamp full of them. I'm usually not a huge fan of these sorts of things, but I guess there's a kindergarten/yarn/plaster of Paris aspect to them that I like. While I'm on the subject of CB2, let me say that you should definitely visit their page. They are very reasonable about incredibly well-designed pieces. I covet the haiku platter. Sadly, I am destined to years of retro-red, as dictated by my kitchen.

I think this brings me to another subject. I'm really wondering: Are other people as crazy as I am?? So, I have this 1950s-ish kitchen. I like it. I put in the Pottery Barn cafe curtains, and I have a bunch of old (and, frankly, slightly bizarre) family pictures up, and Fiestaware galore, and I'm happy with it. I'm also sort of stuck with it. I feel as if every item I buy for the kitchen must be red. I don't even really like red. And really, I should let go. Take the aforementioned haiku platter, for example. It's a platter. As in, take an appetizer to a party. As in, take an appetizer to a party given by people (ahem, usually your mom) who most likely do not have a 1950s-inspired kitchen. As in, these theoretical people will love your appetizer and compliment you on your cute haiku platter which will lead to a discussion of CB2 which will lead to a discussion of your blog and maybe you'll finally get readers. Now, I know I should buy the darn platter. But I JUST CAN'T DO IT. I can't buy something that doesn't match the kitchen. Do you want to know why? Promise not to laugh? Okay. Because my cupboards won't match. I know, I know, I'm insane. It's not like they're glass-front or anything. Nope. It's just that I'll know. I wonder if there's a program for people like me.

What else, what else? Ah...I recently discovered Textile Arts. They've got a limited but cute assortment of gifts, as well as large-print Marimekko fabric, like the oilcloth piece below. I am, I must say, a little sad that I haven't been able to work this color anywhere into my apartment. There are about a million beautiful vases in the same shade. Target, Pottery Barn, and every little knick-knack home store has such vases in abundance. There are also a bunch of lamps that I want. Do you know what I mean? It's a kind of milky material? It's somehow modern and beach and farmhouse all at once. Argh, if only I didn't have a yellow and orange bathroom. I like the whole milk blue vase/white starfish combo.