Item of Note: An oval ottoman/table for an affordable price!

An ottoman/table was something I always imagined having, I had seen it used in so many beautiful ways, as a living-room table even as a center sitting piece in a walk-in closet! It had eventually become a piece of furnishing that I always wished I had but never could afford. Cost Plus World Market now has an ottoman/table that is more than affordable, $99.99 (on sale from $199.99)!

Not only can the Mulberry Lucille Oval Ottoman be used as an ottoman or for sitting but also for storage! Now that is one versatile furnishing.

Cost Plus World Market sale items tend to go pretty fast so if you're in the least bit interested get in on it fast! Click here for more details on the Mulberry Lucille Oval Ottoman @Cost Plus World Market. Save yourself an empty-handed trip and remember to call your local World Market first to see if they have it in stock.

Item of Note: tld Desk

The tld desk designed by Jannis Ellenberger and available at CB2 is noteable for it's unique design that concentrates on the bare minimum; this truly is a simple desk perfect for a person who is trying to maintain a simple life in this craaaazy world.

tld facts:
Priced at $399.00
Measures 49.75"w x 24"d x 38.5"h
Materials used are solid oak for the frame and an oak veneer top

Tld desk features a hook-on drawer that is engineered wood and steel and also a hook-on shelf made of steel. Both hook-on shelf and drawer are powdercoated white.

The Portable Buffet

When it comes to talking buffets I immediately find myself wondering 'portable or built-in?' My home came with a built-in buffet and since my home was erected about a century ago it's no special feature, I find that most old homes have the built-in buffets. The built-in buffet has many great aspects to it, the most obvious one being you move into a home that already has a beautiful buffet in an alcove like setting. But a part of me so loves the portable buffet, afterall, you can't move the built-in buffet to a different area of the room and you can't pick the style of buffet you so desire, plus, there's just something so charming about a stand-alone buffet that was placed exactly there to house your beautiful China or other dinner-setting whatnots.

In the back of my mind I've definitely been toying with the idea of how great it would be to get a buffet, even though the fact that I already have a built-in one stops me from squandering money in such a way (my husband is in my head!) and for awhile there I did stop thinking about the buffet, but then I saw the Emmerson Buffet by West Elm with it's rustic charm and it's simple design... so now I'm back to fantasizing about portable buffets.

WEST ELM

EMMERSON BUFFET, $849

So the Emmerson Buffet inspired me to imagine a life with a portable buffet, a buffet that can charm me everyday with its rustic charms.  My honest opinion on the West Elm Emmerson Buffet? I absolutely love it! Price? Fair, but that fair price is still too expensive for me, especially for a piece that looks like it can be made in your garage (though I'm absolutely sure it is a lot harder to make than I give it credit for). 

So on I go with the hunt for an equally charming and rustic buffet!

CRATE & BARREL

CUCINA PINOT GRIGIO SIDEBOARD, $1,299

The Cucina Pinot Grigio Sideboard by Crate & Barrel is priced at $1,299! While it is a beautiful piece the price is all I can pay attention to, although in the back of my mind someone or something is whispering 'you get what you pay for'- And while this may be the truth for some things is it true for the portable buffet? Hmmm. The Cucina Pinot Grigio Sideboard has plenty of space to store items with pegged shelving for extra storage for larger items, I can picture a set of beautiful collector urns all in a row sitting down below.

COST PLUS WORLD MARKET

ANTIQUE BLACK VERONA BUFFET, $399.99

For $399.99 Cost Plus World Market has the Antique Black Verona Buffet. While I think that red would have made for a more rustic and charming look Black is, I have to admit, rather chic. The Antique Black Verona Buffet features an overall appearance of chic (via color) and rusticity (via design *ahem barn-inspired doors). With storage for wine, two exposed shelvings and enclosed cabinet space the Verona Buffet is very user friendly.

IKEA

LIATORP SIDEBOARD, $350

But my favorite buffet today is Ikea's Liatorp Sideboard. Not only is the price right but I've completely fallen for the side glass cases and the center exposed shelving. The white color lends itself to charm and a country-vibe. I look at the Liatorp Sideboard and I can imagine it in so many other places other than the dining room serving as a buffet (although yes, it would be quite beautiful there), but what about the bathroom? Even the nursery! - Oh~ that is exciting.

Central Station original interiors

When I think of an ideal interior decor for myself I see an urban structure with lots of wood, many would say "modern rusticity" is where my heart falls.  This is the reason why I fell in love with the pieces at Central Station, the epitome of modern rusticity is seen in every single piece.  The wood carefully chosen, handmade, designed and polished with the kind of wood it is using in mind.  The Signature pieces combine wood with metal to create the ultimate modern rusticity effect, and if this wasn't awesome enough, Central Station has done one better...

Creating simple wood pieces in it's Basic collection, a line of pieces that forego the metal to keep it all wood, creating a more rustic and simple effect.

*As read on the Central Station site:

is a furniture manufacturer unlike most others in that each piece is custom built by hand with hand-selected materials from various parts of the world.  Paul Delaisse, owner and creator of Central Station Interiors is originally from Antwerp, Belgium.  He travels the world extensively searching for new materials nature has to offer.  Every piece of wood used to make this unique furniture is chosen for its natural elements - the grain, the burl, and the knots all become a part of the overall design.  Reclaimed teak, as well as French oak, African Walnut, American Black Walnut and Belgian Bluestone are some of the materials used in CS' designs.  This distinctive, custom-built furniture is created for lasting beauty - furniture that nature has had a hand in forming, whether it is for classic, transitional, or contemporary spaces.

View Central Station Collections @ Central Station

Shining bright with Shine furnishings

Manhattan Sofa
78" long x 36" overall depth x 40" high / 25" seat depth x 19" seat height

It is colorful, rich, ethnic, emotional and exciting, these are but a few words that can describe the results of Shine by S.H.O.  It's fashion in furniture to its upmost and what gets me even more excited about all of it is that you can look at a single piece whether it be a table lamp or sofa and see the possibilites of what a single piece from Shine can do to your overall interior decor look!  It makes all the pieces very fun and alive.

Edinburgh Chaise
73 " long x 44" wide x 34" high / 60" seat length

Shanghai Console, citron lacquer
34" high x 16" deep x 48" long

Moorish Side Table, natural bone & mother of pearl
20.5" high x 22" wide x 22" long (hexagonal shape)

Topaz Table Lamp
Overall 41" high x 16" wide / Shade 19" high x 16" wide

Catalonia Chandelier, large in Turquoise
29" dia x 48" high

As read in Shine by S.H.O. About page:

With a global-eclectic design sense, mixed with an artistic background, Susan Hornbeak-Ortiz creates one of the most fashion forward lifestyle linens in the interior design industry.

This world travelled, multifaceted artist, with a masters in fine arts in sculpture and installation, takes freedom in form and is not afraid to design unexpected avant-garde pieces and accessories.

The SHINE by S.H.O. collection takes you on a journey across the globe.  From modern to vintage, this collection will surely ignite your senses and encourage you to explore the many lifestyles of modern home decor.

"I have always been drawn to capturing the essence of beauty in all its forms."

View other Shine furniture and products

Paul Loebach furniture & designs

Orchard Ladders
18 x 1.5 x 78 in / 10 x 1.5 x 130 in / 44 x 1.5 x 61 in
Produced by Matter

The work of Paul Loebach first caught my eye when I did a short post on the Paul Loebach Credenza featured in West Elm, the design was simple and yet the detailing was something to talk about - this is what I immediately liked about Paul Loebach's design.  Naturally I looked into Paul Loebach further, and was pleasantly surprised.  Paul Loebach is not a fleeting designer, it does indeed seem, that he is here to stay as most innovative and out-of-the-box designers are.  The quality of Loebach designs is comparable to that seen in DWR (Design Within Reach) stores but the designs lean more towards a warmer and welcoming atmosphere.

Orchard Ladder

The Orchard ladder was inspired by 19th-century orchard equipment.

Tocotta & Fuga

Tocotta & Fuga
25 x 20 x 28 in
Produced by Billiani

The Tocotta & Fuga chairs are made via computer driven machinery that "articulates the contoured parts including classic mortise and tenon joinery" Paul Loebach.

Step Stools

Step Stools
25 x 20 x 28 in
Produced by Areaware

The Step Stools were inspired by the versatility of the American Shaker furniture.

Wood Vase

Wood Vases
6 x 6 x 10 in

The Wood Vases are the results of an experiment in wood construction and CNC machining.  Where the design of the vases articulates the profile of the polymorphic shapes through the 'parting line'.

Shelf Space

Shelf Space
45 x 12 x 21 in

The Shelf Space is the result of an experimental collaboration with an aerospace machinery manufacturer.

View more Paul Loebach items & his biography

West Elm's Notable Item: Paul Loebach Credenza

Paul Loebach Credenza @ West Elm

Paul Loebach's Credenza table... A modern vintage... eclectic?  Table.  I may be at a loss for words on how to properly describe and detail the credenza table but it clearly took my breath away the first moment I set my eyes on it.  Wood with high gloss, I'm not quite sure if I've seen this combination before, but it works.

The kind of table that can transform and hold a room together, now that's the type of furnishing worth paying for, which brings me around to the pricing of this beauty, at $599.00 - it is decently priced.

Front view

Also comes in white

Paul Loebach's Credenza Table was such an attention grabber for me that I became curious about the designer.  With the push of a few keys I was able to find his website that proves he is an eclectic visionary in the realm of furniture design.  Check it out for yourself at Paul Loebach.

New Items @ West Elm, Wood is big

When it comes to decorating my home I go with wood, that's my thing, wood.  I love wood.  West Elm has got a few new notable items made of wood, my favorite being the table pictured below, the Carved Wood Coffee Table, not so oddly it reminds me of my yoga classes... inner peace, oooohhhhhmmmm.

Carved Wood Coffee Table $299.00
Solid mango wood
32"d x 12"h

Next, the Salvaged Wood Shelf.  I think the black brackets really does a lot for the overall look of the wood shelf.  It's got a "this is a comfortable home" kind of vibe to it and I think the best part of the shelf is that I can picture it almost anywhere in the house, this is very important as you well know, multifunctional/versatile pieces goes along way towards getting your money's worth.

Salvaged Wood Shelf $79
36"l x 8"d x 1.5"h

I find it quite hard to find a nice standing clock of good size, I suppose this is why the Wood Mantle Clock caught my eye.  When I first moved into my Los Angeles apartment I hunted actively for an affordable mantle clock but to no avail, eventually my mother gifted me hers, a triangular clock with an orb foot base and round clock face from Ethan Allen.  The West Elm Wood Mantle Clocks, which I think are just adorable, a little too adorable to go on a mantle as suggested by their name but perfect for a kitchen counter clock or in the children's bedroom, perhaps even the work-room.

Wood Mantle Clocks $34.00
8.65"w x 1.75"d x 9.5"h