Tables and Chairs

Great Balls of Bulbs

2010-03-30T23:20:00.007-04:00

I've never bought a lighting fixture before. But, with closing day right around the corner, I'll soon have a house with several empty holes in the ceiling, begging for enlightenment. I've thought long and hard about it, and I think the effect I'm going for is this:

(This bad boy was designed by Julian Schnabel for the Gramercy Park Hotel rooftop terrace.)

But since my budget is $100 or less, what I'll probably end up with is this:

Globe Pendant from West Elm ($99)

Of course, I could always string up some of these filament bulbs to approximate the look:

$9 from Pottery Barn

Hardwiring ain't easy. I'll let you know how it goes.

Bed Bites

2010-02-19T14:42:00.004-05:00

A good night’s sleep in our bed requires the flexibility and stillness of a Chinese acrobat. Each night I carefully fold my legs to accommodate one dog at the foot of the bed, while another dog wedges himself horizontally between me and my husband, usually giving me the butt end. Upon opening my eyes this morning I saw dog #2 sound asleep with both paws pressed into my husband’s mouth.

We are a constantly shifting, groaning, griping tangle of human and canine limbs, we are. Part of the problem is that we’re still sleeping in a full-sized bed. This is an issue I vow to resolve with the purchase of a queen-sized, sturdy iron bed. My first choice is the iron and brass bed from Anthropologie, seen below.

However, my thriftiness does not allow me to spend $1600 bones for a bed that I'm just going to throw some dogs into. Wesley Allen ones are just as good, and a fraction of the cost. My current favorite is the Hillsboro bed, which costs about $608 for a queen-size headboard, footboard and frame (if you get it from a site like HumbleAbode.com the shipping is free).

Tick Tock And You Don't Stop

2009-05-14T09:25:00.003-04:00

Much like Cinderella, I always awake with a song on my lips, a spring in my step and a sparkle in my eye. As little blue birds help me pick out an outfit while cherubic mice brush my hair, I have to wonder what the big deal is with rising and shining.

Over on the other side of the bed it's a different story -- one that involves hissing, thrashing, threatening and sobbing.

Help is at hand in the form of these fetching, durable and cunning alarm clocks. Exhibit A, the Iron Radio Alarm Clock from ModCloth ($18.74, was $24.99) lets you plug in your iPod and wake up the way you want to, be it with Enya or Motorhead. Exhibit B, Clocky the Mobile Alarm Clock from Target ($49.99) is an impish fellow. If you reach for the snooze button, he'll jump off your bedside table and roll away, sounding his alarm in defiance. Exhibit C is the MUJI Rubber Alarm Clock from the MOMA Store ($36). Throw this guy all you like -- he'll always bounce back. And Exhibit D is the LED Wood Clock from Home Republic ($59.95). I just think it looks cool.

Foo On You

2009-05-13T16:29:00.007-04:00

This just in: There are people out there who are willing to pay $500 for this:

Chinese Foo Dogs from Inside Avenue ($487.50)

When they could pay $30 for this:

Chinese Foo Dogs on eBay ($29.99)

Who knew Foo Dogs were such a must-have? The world is a strange and frightening place.

Forbidden Fabric Fantasies

2009-05-08T11:35:00.005-04:00

While I was home in Virginia, I picked up an old piano bench from a second-hand shop for $10. I figured I could sand it, stain it, swap out the fabric and have myself a cute little ottoman. (Stay tuned for the results). The hardest part was choosing the fabric -- I must have called Matt over to the computer to evaluate 50 different prints. I ended up settling on some Betsey Johnson fabric I already had, but that doesn't mean I don't dream about these other designers every night. Dreams don't count as cheating!

All of these swatches range from $8-$16 a yard.

Summersville Screenprint Basket Weave

Etsuko Furuya Pig in Eggplant

Heather Ross Mendocino Mermaids

Joel Dewberry Gensing Collection

Retro Carnival Fabric

Etsuko Furuya Animal Damask

Amy Butler Floating Buds

That's a Wrap!

2009-05-08T11:14:00.007-04:00

Pip & Fig offers the mother-of-all-DIY-fabulous-table-setting-money-saving deco necessasity: the wrap vase. For $4.00, that's right $4.00 (as in 4 one dollar bills!) you can have a wrap vase to call your very own.

"What IS a wrap vase?" you ask.

"It's a 8 x 11-1/2 sheet of heavy card stock," I say before adding, "Look."

Yes. That is a 2 liter plastic Fresca bottle. Props to Pip and Fig.

Pop!

Fizz!

Ahhhhh. So refreshing. Much like a Fresca I might add.

Of course the way P&F explains it, the wrap vase is better than a citrusy soda:

Create a wild rumpus atop your table for pennies using our fun new Vase Wraps. With a little tape, you can turn a empty soft drink bottle, a juice glass or a jelly jar into a fabulous vase for your next special occasion dinner, shower or party. Set a table where modern sensibility meets wonky illustrations meets humor. Dish up affordable high design.

Simply assemble your Vase Wrap with tape and slip it over a repurposed jar or glass and fill with fresh flowers.

Well I am all about rumpusing, people.

This Just In

2009-05-07T11:58:00.009-04:00

LOYAL FOLLOWERS (ALL TEN OF YOU) STOP UNABLE TO RESIST THE RETRO CHARM OF HOOP.DEE.DO BULLETIN BOARD STOP THEY’RE PRACTICAL STOP THEY’RE VIBRANT STOP THEY’RE ADORABLE STOP THEY’RE FREAKIN’ AFFORDABLE STOP NO GO TO THE NEAREST COMPUTER AND ORDER THEM FROM LITTLE PRETTY STUDIO STOP AVAILABLE IN 6” ($12.50) 9” ($16.50), 12” ($21.00), AND 14” ($24.00) STOP HELL, GET SOME FOR ME WHILE YOU’RE AT IT REALLY STOP.

I <3 Mom

2009-05-02T10:48:00.008-04:00

I always wait until the last minute to get my mom a Mother's Day present, and end up scrambling to order flowers the day before. Not this year. This year I'm going to get her a vase and flowers. She'll never see it coming. Here are some cute and cheap bud receptacles sure to please your dear old mum.

Hand-Crafted Bud Vase from Mud Puppy ($16)

Polka Dot Passion With Poppy Bloom from Amy Jane Clay Addict ($38)

Milk Carton Vase from CB2 ($6.95)

Arbor Trunk Vase from Target ($24.99)

IKEA FARM Vase ($1.99 each)

Coffee Tawk

2009-04-30T09:47:00.004-04:00

Folks, yesterday was a doozy. My Macbook crashed and burned, causing me to panic and eat a pint of Key Lime gelato. But today is a new day. In fact, it's looking like a good one: The sun is shining, the pups are snoring and I am enjoying the day's first cup of coffee. The only thing that could possibly make it better would be a sweet little message in my mug. Maybe something like, "Don't worry, new hard drives are very affordable these days."

These reusable stencils are brought to you by Coffee Stencil and will set you back $10 a pop.

Needles and Pins

2009-04-29T10:15:00.009-04:00

I'm just gonna sit back and let the cross-stitch do the talking.

Drink it in people.

If your interested in actually buying these lovelies, you should click here for Satan and Whore, here for Bastards, and here for Dumb Shit, etc.

Daily Affirmations

2009-04-29T10:06:00.005-04:00

Sorry for the lapse in posts. Kendra and I have been hunkered down on the family farm in Virginia with coyotes, snapping turtles, baby bunnies and tree frogs. It was quite a party.

Today's post features a new installment in our affordable art series. OK, so we don't have an affordable art series, but now is as good a time to start as any. Today we send you warm and fuzzy sentiments from The Love Shop. Each print will set you back a mere $15. Enjoy, lovelies.

Flower Beds

2009-04-20T10:56:00.005-04:00

If there's one thing I hate (besides war, taxes, intolerance, disease and Perez Hilton) it's cheap and ugly bedspreads. I shudder just thinking about all the poor children out there wrapped up in poly-cotton blend Sponge Bob comforters. The humanity!

If you're willing to dig a little, you can uncover plenty of soft, all-natural linens for less than $60. I went for a flora theme and found these pretty duvet covers.

So suck it, Sponge Bob!

Isaac Mizrahi Peony Duvet Set from Target

Jorun Vaxt Duvet Set From IKEA

Branches 3-Piece Duvet Cover Set at Overstock.com

Nice Weave

2009-04-17T16:50:00.007-04:00

I just gave myself a daunting mission: to find attractive, natural weave area rugs for under $100. This involved spending hours surfing the net and terrorizing my eyes with awful patterns, colors and textures. I do it for you, folks. All that research brought me back to to tried-and-true retailers like IKEA and Urban Outfitters and the sales section of Pottery Barn and West Elm. I did get myself a fantastic 5x7 southwestern rug from Overstock.com for $90, but their prices change frequently so you have to catch them on a good day.

5x7 Kaui Printed Rug from Urban Outfitters ($68)

Graphic Cotton Mat from Pottery Barn ($29.99)

Hellum Rug From IKEA ($79.99)

Word Up

2009-04-17T14:08:00.003-04:00

I have a vision for Kendra's living room that is simply beyond. I want to festoon a wall with an assortment of mix-matched decorative letters for each member of her family, anchored in the middle by a big "L" for their surname. I think it will look faboo. Maybe I'll sneak in and surprise her one of these days. (Don't worry, she never reads this blog.)

Below are some of my top choices for eye-catching lettering. Of course, you can always go to your local Michael's or Jo Ann Fabrics, pick up some plain wood ones and decorate them yourself. Jo Ann has them on sale for $1.87 each.

Frippelous Paper Mache Letters ($14.95)

Urban Outfitters Enamel Letters ($4.99, reduced from $14)

Hand-Crafted Letters from A Bushel And A Peck ($14)

Hand-Painted Wood Letter by Kailey Hawthorn ($30)

Pottery Barn Kids Lowercase Letters ($10)

Revenge is a DISH Best Served Cold

2009-04-17T11:42:00.007-04:00

Things haven’t been going so great for me in the dishware department, you know, with Sarah Cihat and Rosanna Bowles mocking me with their too-rich-for-my-blood wares. And while I’d like rant about the injustice of having zero dinero for pretty dishes because I ~~must spin hay into gold for my creditors~~ need to buy diapers, pay for school pictures, and save for college, I’d rather just say, “Sweet melamine bitches!”

You may know melamine as the wacky chemical substance /resin/thermosetting plastic most recently used to poison defenseless puppies and babies. Horrifying to say the least. So you may have forgotten it is also used to produce a variety of house wares. Like cheap plates. But just because something is cheap doesn’t mean it can’t look good. Which is why I’m introducing you all to Thomas Paul, the King of stylish AND affordable plates. Cihat and Bowles take note:

Thomas Paul Gothic Side Plate Set ($28)

Thomas Paul Folk Dinner Plate Set ($36)

Thomas Paul Gothic Dinner Plate Set ($36)

And look what else I found:

Working Class Studio Salad Plates ($6)

You can find these dishes on Elsewares, a self-described “catalog of unique products from independent designers, artists, and entrepreneurs.” I'll say!

Olive My Love To You

2009-04-16T10:06:00.003-04:00

If you have a low threshold for anything remotely cute, adorable, precious and the like -- skip this post. Everyone else, I present you with the impossibly charming creations of Fallon Akers for her Etsy store, Olive. I don't know about you, but I want to buy every single one, pile them on my bed and have a slumber party with kittens and puppies. They range from around $20-$50 per pillow.

Jack Be Frugal

2009-04-15T11:32:00.008-04:00

A while back, I saw these Jean Pelle candle holders featured on Oh Joy! and thought they were the bee's knees. That is, until I checked out the price tag and discovered they ranged from $115-$135 per candle holder. As I am not one to squander my doubloons on such finery, I adjusted my monocle and set a course to unearth some more affordable wood housing for my votives and tealights. Here are similar, yet more sensibly priced, options.

Douglas Fir Candle Holder Trio ($25)

Pair of Walnut and Cedar Candle Holders ($45)

Set of 5 Red Cedar Tealight Holders ($25)

9" Birch Bark Candle Holder ($17)

Mission Accompli

2009-04-14T11:52:00.004-04:00

I completed Kendra's mission without even leaving my sofa. That's how talented (read: lazy) I am. So, Sarah Cihat's amazing repurposed plates are available online through a handful of retailers. Rose and Radish offers a selection on their website for between $44 and $64 per plate. Or, check out Willow and Composition for more options (the latter has plates on sale for $48, marked down from $60).

If $40-$60 for a plate makes you cringe, allow me to redirect your attention to Folded Pig's repurposed restaurant ware (available for $12-$18 a plate on Etsy). These guys may make you cringe for different reasons, but I happen to love the black humor.

Kate’s Mission, Should She Choose to Accept It

2009-04-14T09:43:00.007-04:00

Hi. My name is Kendra and I am an addict. . .a dishware addict. In the worst way. On Monday I was swooning over of Rosanna Bowles chic plates. Now she is yesterday’s news. Today is all about Sarah Cihat. I stumbled upon her website this morning and, HOT DAMN, it was love at first sight. Man, I am jonesin’ for a hit of these here wares:

The problem is there are no actual prices listed on said website. Red flag, people. I know. But I am going to remain hopeful that Kate can track down a plate (or two) and prove me wrong. The Future Perfect Store in Brooklyn (115 North 6th Street; at the corner of Berry) sells these plates so I am challenging Kate to get up off her thang, find this store, and give me (and by me I mean YOU) the dirt. I would do it myself but the only store in Boston that sells Sarah Cihat is Louis, which is a clothing store, and I find this terribly confusing. Perhaps ramekins are the must-have accessories this season. Or maybe the platter is replacing the clutch purse. I suppose you never know when you’re going to need a plate to smash your boyfriend over the head with because you caught him eying some honey from across the bar. Honestly, I don’t get out much so I have no idea what the kids are doing today.

Anyway, Kate, the ball’s in your court.

Tales From The Tabletop

2009-04-13T11:37:00.007-04:00

Whenever we host an event at our apartment, the first hour consists of me running back and forth between the kitchen and the bedroom, wooden spoon in one hand and hairbrush in the other, trying to simultaneously cook and beautify myself while our guests sit there patiently. If you're like me and time management is your foe, I have a solution for you. Keep some visually interesting books on your coffee table. That way your company won't notice if you accidentally start stirring the chili with your hairbrush. They'll be too busy thinking how erudite you are.

Here are some recommendations for engaging tabletop tomes:

"Geeky Dreamboats" by Sarah O'Brien and Lacey Soslow

"Found" by Davey Rothbart

"I Can Has Cheezburger?" by Professor Happycat

"I Like You: Hospitality Under The Influence" by Amy Sedaris

"True Norwegian Black Metal" by Peter Beste

I Didn’t Know That A Girl Like You Could Make Me Feel So Sad

2009-04-13T11:05:00.011-04:00

Dear Rosanna Bowles, Madame Purveyor of Magnificently Chic Plates:
I think I love you. Your dishware is divine with a capital “D”. At this very moment I feel an intense need to own both your Boho holiday and Twelve Days of Christmas plates even though December is about eight months away. Crazy talk, I know. But the madness doesn’t end there. NO. I simply must have Four Calling Birds. I covet Playdate so I can eat mini éclairs with my wee baby girl. And Mondo? Just knowing that sale proceeds benefit Doctors with Borders fills me charitable glee.

So what's a gal like me, with an embarrassingly low-paying publishing job; offensive amount of debt; and three lovely mouths to feed, to do? I mean I know you THINK you are selling goods that are “richly handcrafted and affordable” but let’s be honest: you’re really offering wares that are “richly handcrafted and unattainable when suffering from acute debtitis with a mild case of husband’s unemployment.” This makes me very sad which is why I am begging you to do me a solid and pull an Isaac Mizrahi. In layman’s terms this means, “Please create your own line for Target.”
Merci beaucoup.

Sincerely,
Kendra

Not Funny, Man

2009-04-10T10:00:00.003-04:00

I'm lucky to be surrounded by ladyfolk with exquisite taste in gifts. Case in point: my friend Erin who always finds amazingly topical and pithy presents for her social circle. This past Christmas she gave each of us this Astrology Glass from Urban Outfitters.

Fun, right? So we gathered around and took turns reading about our zodiac on the back of our glasses. This is when we discovered what Erin really thinks of us. Here's mine (AHEM):

"The world is unfair, dear Aquarian. You are ruled by Uranus, which is cruel enough, but to top that, the universe made you as flaky and cold as a day old croissant. Aquarians are also known for notoriously double-booking. That sounds like a good thing. You're popular and always have plans. People only make plans with you because they know you'll cancel. Oh, and when they call you eccentric, they just mean weird."

Well I never!

You'll be glad to know that these glasses are currently on sale for $3.99. Alienating your friends has never been more affordable!

Marital Meltdown

2009-04-09T16:47:00.010-04:00

You know how I said I was trying to collect heirlooms for posterity? I'd like you to know that my husband Matt has decimated almost every one of them. First to bite the dust was my vintage deer figurine from Japan (circa 1940-something). Matt decapitated it with his elbow. Then, on my birthday, I woke to the sound of Matt dropping a pan on the antique rosebud china that my mom gave me. And just recently he was brushing his teeth and smashed my adorable porcelain soap dish. Men!

I could go on, but I should probably segue into this post. Here's the deal -- I had bought this cool pinecone candle from Crate & Barrel a while back. The kind of candle that's too expensive to ever burn. The kind that's meant to sit in your bathroom simply to add some cheerful woodland whimsy. The kind that SHOULD NEVER, EVER BE LIT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! Long story short(ish), Matt melted mine down to a sad little stump this week, so I promptly sent him over to Crate and Barrel for a replacement. And looky here, they're on sale. I'm also including some others I found on clearance at Pottery Barn.

In conclusion, I love you Matt!

Pinecone Candles ($3.95-$4.95 on sale)

Sugar Cookie Candle ($5.99 on sale)

Metallic Wood Candle ($7.99-$9.99 on sale)

Let There Be Light

2009-04-09T13:56:00.007-04:00

I am a great lover of dim lighting, to the point where people don't want to come over because they become depressed and despondent sitting in my living room. Inevitably someone freaks out and turns on the overhead light, causing me to hiss and scuttle away to a dark corner.

OK, I'm exaggerating a little. But I do adore mood lighting, especially if said lighting comes from a delightful and reasonably priced chandelier. Here are some fantastic budget-friendly fixtures, perfect for your favorite 25-watt bulb.

Urban Outfitters Deluxe Chandelier ($49.99, was $140)

KNAPPA Pendant Lamp at IKEA ($24.99)

Silver Fringe Chandelier from Target ($59.99)

Operation Demitasse

2009-04-03T14:34:00.013-04:00

My BF Mary just gave me a great challenge: Find her some cute demitasse cups on the cheap and on the double. You don't want to get on Mary's bad side, so I got right to work and rustled up some winners.

Hipsters will delight in these ceramic "crumpled" cups brimming with irony. The MOMA store has them for $35 (set of 3), but after digging a little more I found the same trio for $23.39 on Cheftools.com.

For a less modern and more retro vibe, this set of 6 vintage demitasse cups from Etsy ($40) are not only far-out, they're also super swell.
Feeling preppy? Then pop your collar and grab these cable-knit demitasse cups ($30) on Etsy.
But, if I know my Mary, I think she'll like all the great vintage demitasse cups available on eBay.

Hope that helps! Now can you hook a sister up with an espresso?