Glassy Baby Will Light Up Your Life

I've seen many colored votive holders in the past, but very few have rivaled the beauty of the Glassy Baby. Perhaps it is the fact that with nearly 100 colors available, you can find exactly the shade of blue you're looking for or perhaps it is the fact that it takes four glass blowers to make just one of these glasses that consists of three layers of glass. No matter what the reason, they are sure to provide plenty of smiles whether you use them for votives, as a bud vase, or even to sip on something. Of course, something that requires such care to make isn't going to come cheap. The Glassy Baby retails for $40. That's each. HOWEVER, one of my most favorite things about this company is that they rent these beauties out for your special event at $5 apiece. If you are looking for an alternative to your typical table setting, these sure would do the trick to add that extra something. Oh, and just to make it even better-I bet you didn't think that was possible-Glassy Baby also donates a portion of their proceeds to charity. Founder Lee Rhodes developed the Glassy Baby while battling lung cancer and is using her product to give back to people in need. Be sure to check out GlassyBaby.com, and if you are in WA state or NYC, you can check out one of their stores too.

Ikat Bowls

I know these Ikat Bowls from Anthropologie aren't exactly the newest thing on the shelf, but they are my newest obsession. Of all the ikat things that have hit the shelves in the past few years, they are by far my favorite. I love the gold rim and the colors in general. While I'm partial to the navy one, I would really like them in every color. They are perfect to keep on a side table or as a way to dress up a buffet. And at $8 each, you can't beat the price. Fill one with fine chocolates for the perfect hostess gift.

On the Chopping Block

I am in love with these serving trays and cutting boards by Darien based Soundview Millworks. And in addition to be beautifully made, they are also made from FSC certified wood which makes me twice as happy. The cleat board comes in three sizes and is also available as a double cleat board. This is the first of their pieces that I saw and must say it really fulfills that nautical decor urge I tend to have, and looking at them sure does make me dream of cocktail cruises on Narragansett Bay.

The bar blocks might just be my new favorite gift to give whether it be a hostess gift, a shower gift or a birthday gift, but it's especially great for guys! These 7" square blocks are perfect for chopping fruit at the bar, and did I mention all of these pieces can be monogrammed or engraved with any image you want!

Some of the stock images Soundview Millworks offers include a lobster, crab, turtle, compass, sand dollar, starfish, anchors, seahorse, lighthouse and more. Or choose your monogram, logo or any other image you want.

All of the pieces are equally utilitarian and beautiful so they can be used for prep as well as for serving making them twice as fabulous. If you've got a wedding or event coming up in 2011, this is a gift that is sure to be a winner or just treat yourself to a piece you'll likely have forever.

Scalamandre Fabric and More for Less!

For a few years now, I've been driving by this tiny shingled storefront called LooLoo Design in Portsmouth, RI and have always been intrigued by it. For one reason or another, I've never had the time to stop in, that is until this past Saturday. I had seen in their ads that they had discounted Scalamandre fabric, and while that sounded wonderful, I assumed that discounted Scalamandre fabric would still easily be in the $50-75 range per yard.

Well, I was wrong! Sometimes I love it when I'm wrong. LooLoo Design goes directly to the Scalamandre warehouse to select the fabrics they sell. While some of them are only sold by the bolt, the prices are still fabulous. I believe I saw some bolts of maybe 7-10 yards for around $140, which is closer to what the price of Scalamandre fabric retails for 1 yard.

They also have fabric squares that sell for about $7-10. Fabulous for a small project.

And there are plenty of trims to go along with it all.

I loved this large square of crewel (which I adore) fabric. It was $50. I was trying to figure out if you could cut it to make pillows and still see enough of the design, but then I decided that the best thing to do with it would be to make an oversized square ottoman and upholster the top with it. That would be amazing!

Here are some of the bolts and bolts of fabric that you can purchase by the yard, mostly in the range of $18-30/yard.

More bolts.

This Turquoise Linen was just about the most beautiful thing I've seen. I bet this would make great curtains for my bedroom with that new headboard I just finished.

Red vases on black would make a great wingback chair or drapes or I would even be tempted to upholster a wall in this.

This strawberry fabric has just the right touch of vintage in it.

LooLoo Design also has drapery panels that once hung in the Scalamandre showrooms. Because they were sample panels, most of them are singles, but there were a few in there that had multiples. For $35 a piece, sometimes you can make anything work. If you only have one window in a room, a single panel pulled back with a great tieback is all you need. I actually almost bought one for my daughter's room, but decided the colors weren't quite right.

It's hard to believe, but LooLoo Design actually considers their main business to be vintage bath fixtures. In fact if you go to their web site, that is pretty much all you'll find. Despite the fact that most of the walls are lined with fabrics and wallpaper (I found amazing wallpaper for the 18th Century Colonial Renovation we've been following), they do have some fabulous fixtures as well, like this swan neck faucet.

They also have some great antique frames and artwork. The above frame would be great to frame out some chalkboard paint if you didn't have a piece that needed framing.

More bath fixtures.

Brackets for shelving, including some really unique shapes.

They also have lots of vintage lighting fixtures ranging from modern to very traditional.

I loved these knobs.

These are vintage birthday candle holders. How cute are they! I think these would be an amazing christening or baby gift.

Vintage hand held vanity mirrors

Large spools of thread from the Scalamandre warehouse.

In case you couldn't tell, I was pretty psyched that I found this place. I have many more pictures beyond this. The owner, Jill, told me that a lot of designers try to keep it to themselves so that other designers won't find out about it. And I have to admit that the thought crossed my mind, but my feeling is that it's important to promote businesses that provide great products and services, especially in this economy. I want them to be around for a long time and so I want to encourage people to go there to make sure that they stay in business and keep offering these goods for both the benefit of myself and others so I'm letting the cat out of the bag and hopefully those other designers will inderstand why.

Etsy Pick of the Week: Jill Rosenwald Vases

If you don't believe in love at first site, then you must not have ever come across Jill Rosenwald's vases. The moment I laid eyes on them (all of 3 minutes ago) I knew they had to be my Etsy Pick of the Week. Why do I love them so much? Well, first of all the nice clean lines of the cylinder shape; second of all, the modern graphics; and third of all, the amazing colors. Plus, do you see how she picks a perfectly fun contrasting color for the interior of the cylinder. I would be happy with any of them, but if I could get my hands on all of them, I might just burst with excitement. As an added bonus, the prices are reasonable. If you need a wedding gift this summer, I think I just found it. I wonder if my husband would get the hint if I posted this picture on the fridge just a few weeks before our anniversary in August.

Irish Spotlight: Simon Pearce

Nantucket Lamp

While the internet is awash in green today, I decided to take a look at my favorite Irish home accessories designer instead of my favorite green rooms today. (Note: I couldn't not do an Irish post today. One of the hardest things I've ever done is change my last name from O'Neill to Fernandez after I got married, and I still don't understand why my husband wouldn't compromise and go with O'Fernandez.) Glassblower Simon Pearce opened his first workshop in Kilkenny, Ireland in 1971, and in 1981 he moved his operations to an old mill building that he restored in Quechee, VT. If you have ever been to his store/restaurant and glassblowing workshop, you know what a treat it is, and if you haven't, I urge you to make the trek. He has expanded his operations and you can get the same experience in his West Chester, PA location or check out his large manufacturing locations in Windsor, VT or Mt. Lake Park, MD. Unlike most glassware, all of his pieces are still made using centuries old glassblowing techniques.
Woodbury Vases
His designs are so simple, yet so elegant that they easily translate from daily use to formal entertaining effortlessly
Hartland Stemware
The collection includes everything from lamps and votives, to vases, cakeplates, barware and even pottery.

Oven-to-Table Pie Dishes
They also now offer oven-to-table bakeware which I'd like to get my hands on. His pieces aren't inexpensive, but they are worth every penny. They also make wonderful wedding gifts! And now through April 4th, they are having a special on dinnerware-buy any 4 piece placesetting and receive a soup or cereal bowl for free.

Belmont Dinnerware

In addition to his own designs, the Simon Pearce stores and web site also feature beautiful wood cutting boards, woven linens, and other artisanal items.

Happy St. Patrick's Day and here's to all things Irish!!!

Etsy Pick of the Week: Surf's Up

These customized surfboard art pieces by Sunday Treasures in two lengths, 27" or 4', are a great way to stake your place. They come in several different patterns and colors, and you can even have them customized to your own color specs to match bedding or wall colors. I think it would be a fabulous baby gift (and the price is right at $49 for the smaller one) for the beach lover in your life or even a great housewarming gift. Put a family's last name or address on it instead of a first name. Surf's up!

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.

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.