Ottoman Empire

I am a big fan of the ottoman. While most of us have seen them as a great place to rest our feet, they are really so multi-functional. I have four of them in my living room. One placed with a big matching arm chair and then a set of three matching cubes in front of my couch. When we aren't lounging with our feet up, we can pull them out for extra seating or use them as a coffee table. I particularly like them as coffee tables when there are little ones running around because they are typically soft with no sharp corners. I find this one (from the fabulous people at the Wisteria catalog) particularly appealing. It is graceful, yet substantial. This could easily be placed in a living room with a tray on top to use as a coffee table or go at the end of bed to rest a suitcase (or clothes that you're just too tired to put away), or it could stand alone in front of a fireplace as extra seating. No matter where you put one, you are bound to get ample use out of it, and if you are tight on space or need to stretch your dollar, you can't find a better piece.

L-O-V-E Lacquer

I was flipping through the pages of Elle magazine at the gym when suddenly the elliptical came to a screaching halt when this lime green lacquer floor appeared in an article about the inside of Tory Burch's house. L-O-V-E this! While I am partial to all things lacquer, this may be the best use of it I've ever seen. Not everyone may want a lime green floor, but the possibilities are endless as to what color and patterns you could do, and as someone who has a textured tile floor (installed by the previous owners) in my kitchen that I hate because every spec of dirt gets trapped in it and it's impossible to clean, the smoothness of it is incredibly appealing to me. It is officially part of my kitchen re-model (that is only happening in my head right now until I hit the lottery).

Photo by Paul Costello for Elle.

The Art Of Monogramming

Jack & Lulu is a company known mostly for its high quality stationery in both fun and sophisticated prints, but my favorite item from them is their framed monogram print . It comes in 20 different patterns, including a few for boys. While it's a great gift for any age, I think this might just be the perfect baby gift. It's fun, attractive and they'll never outgrow it. At $50, it's also reasonably priced, especially for such a high impact, personalized gift.

Lounge Lizard

First there was the bean bag, then there was the papasan and now there is the ultimate in lounge chairs, the Fatboy . But the difference with the Fatboy is that there is something sophistacated about it, and it comes in awesome colors and prints like the Marrimeko one. A room with nothing but Fatboy lounges could easily be very chic and not look like your old dormroom.I can also totally picture a sleek pool with nothing but the outdoor Fatboy lounges surrounding it. Outdoor items in general are also great for any room where your kids hang out since they are meant to stand up to the elements. And of course, I couldn't overlook the super sleek metallic Fatboy. Wouldn't you love to sink into one of these with a glass of bubbly in hand? Whichever you prefer, be prepared to lounge for a long time.

Globe Trotting

Few things are more classic than a globe. Perfect for your den, study or child's room. While this one isn't going to teach anyone where specific continents, countries or oceans are located, it looks like it's been passed down a few generations and will also never be out of date (at least not until global warming kicks in and continents are partially under water). Plus, there is something about having a globe in your house that just makes you appear smarter. This one will make you appear smart and stylish, and who wouldn't want that.

Drink Up

I love these recycled Boylon Soda Bottle glasses by The Green Glass Company . The colorful, retro inspired designs are just the type of thing that will put a smile on your face in the morning when you go to pour yourself a glass of juice, and I love filling my house with smile inducing objets. Not only are they cheerful, but they are actually salvaged from New York City restaurants to save the bottles from landfills, and as an added surprise you never know what combination of glasses you're going to get since there are a total of 16 different bottles.

You'd Be MAD Not To Check This Out

There are few designers I love more than Jonathan Adler . The man is a genius! So when I opened my email this morning I practically jumped out of my seat with excitement over the notification of his upcoming warehouse sale . I quickly checked my mental calendar to see what I had going on October 22-24th and then started planning who I would rope into watching the kids while I made the 3 hour drive to New York so I could enjoy a little piece of heaven-my favorite items at 30-70% off!

About 10 seconds later, reality set in. I don't have a job at the moment so making the 3 hour drive to swim in fabulous design would be thrilling, but I'd be crying the whole way home when I left empty handed. So instead I'm going to encourage all of you to play hooky and take advantage of this fabulous sale and then share with me any of your great finds so that I can live vicariously through you. And if you feel like treating your favorite blogger to a little something special, I've been really missing my whale butter dish since it broke.

One last thing that really shouldn't be overlooked, the sale is in conjunction with Calypso St. Barth which has equally fabulous clothing, accessories, candles and more at 50-75% off. So call in sick and run, don't walk to this fantastic sale.

Paper Statement

Wallpaper can either be spectacular or horrible and often there's a very fine line between the two. One of my favorite ways to use it is with a really bold pattern paper in a small space such as a powder room. I love the Grand Jubilee pattern by Mod Green Pod which also comes in coordinating fabric. And it makes twice the statement because it's vinyl free and hand printed with non-toxic inks.

Chalk It Up To Good Style

Chalkboards are no longer just for the classroom. They are a great way to keep tabs on all the happenings about the house and can be a fabulous addition to the kitchen, home office or playroom. While I love chalkboard paint , it's difficult to frame out so unless you're going to paint the entire wall with it, it's not always the best option. This chalkboard is one of the first I've found that makes a utilitarian object so attractive you can use it any room of the house. First on my list of things to do: Order one.

Show Me Your Mussels

Nothing says New England more than a good ol' clambake...mussels, clams, lobstah and all the fixings. However, they are an awful lot of work and really only doable in the summer season. Now you can enjoy your favorite crustaceans and bi-valves in new form all year round with serving pieces and tiles made of crushed shells by Artful Wares.

Anything but Beige

Even I have to admit that despite my love for all things eco-friendly, the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of organic and natural fabrics is beige linen. Thank god there are companies like Rubie Green to remind me just how wrong I am! All of these 100% organic upholstery fabrics and bedding come in bold patterns and bright colors that are printed with non-toxic, VOC free inks and use a very limited amount of water in their printing process. Fuschia, yellow, aqua, black and red are just a few of the new shades of green.

Where The Wild Things Are

Finally some old floral wallpaper you'll want to put up instead of tear down! These adorable animal and arbor cutouts made of vintage and reproduction wallpaper add the perfect pop of color and personality to a room. Add just one or create your own zoo. Comes with everything you need, takes no more than 30 minutes to put up and it's a great new use for an old product. Available at Romp.

Personalization Perfected

Nobody doesn't like a personalized gift, but sometimes it's been hard to find just the right one. Enter iomoi. With everything from glass coasters, ice buckets, trays, pillows, bags and stationery in patterns that range from preppy to modern to funky to classic, the hardest decision to make will be which is your favorite and in what color combination. All of my friends out there that I still owe wedding gifts to, speak now or forever hold your (newly monogrammed) piece.