Owlmania!

I don't have to turn my head to notice the latest fascination with owl decor that has been popping up everywhere. This nocturnal creature has quietly become the design inspiration for a diverse collection of accessories for your home  — in a very interesting range of interpretations. This novelty has come and gone through time, but this recent reincarnation seems to be most playful. From lamps, throw pillows, sculptures to even wall art, bringing any of these adorable pieces into your nest will add, for sure, a dash of fun.

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A ceramic affair

Yes, I know I'm a junkie when it comes to crisp white interiors, result of my obsession with cleanliness (and no, I didn't have to pay a therapist for this diagnosis). But in this case what captivated me about this glorious space is that the architect, Héctor Ruiz-Velázquez, used ceramic tiles as the leading element in this project — hence the name Ceramic House. His idea was to create a continuous space and to have unobstructed flow between the open rooms and different levels. The layout of this attic apartment in Madrid maximizes space to perfection, creating a roomy and luminous space to relax in. One of my favorite things about this home is the love affair between the cold ceramic tiles and the warmth and richness of the wooden décor — what a perfect romance!

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Holiday Gift Guide: part 1

OMG, can you believe it's November already? I certainly can't. Time is flying by so fast and before we know it, the Holiday Season is upon us. I don't like rushing into things, but I hate to partake in the last minute shopping frenzy that comes with this time of year. I think the secret is in the planning, especially when our list tends to get bigger and bigger every year. So I decided to give you a head start by sharing my first Annual Gift Guide starting today.

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Trick or Treat

My dear friends,
I want to take this festive day to sincerely thank you for your devout readership and for making the TheDesignerPad's first couple of months a complete success. I hope you're finding it exciting and inspiring — and you enjoy reading it. I'm absolutely having loads of fun gathering the best and most innovative treats out there in the design stratosphere to share with you all. Have a safe and spooky Halloween — and a handful of sweets, from me to you!

Artwork design ©TheDesignerPad

Who's there?

Aren't these adorable? What a fab way to add some whimsy to your entrance door. These fun peephole covers are the perfect disguise for such boring-looking piece of hardware. And on top of it, they're made out of birch wood from sustainably managed forests, making them a great eco-friendly product. I'm sure they'll put a huge happy smile on all those guests knocking at your door.

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Contain yourself

Some of the massive freight containers that pollute our landscape every time we drive by any of our country's many ports, are now seeing better days. They're being recycled into very affordable and innovative living spaces. Container architecture is becoming a hot trend. From having a lonesome purpose in life, these dreadful steel boxes are now becoming small homes, vacation cabins, business and even multi-unit buildings. It's an eco-friendly and a very flexible option to build.

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Now you see it, now you don't

People are living in smaller and smaller spaces, especially here in the Big Apple where square footage is a luxury. Most New Yorkers live in very small apartments and have to be extremely creative to make their space work for them — especially those living in studios. Having guests is a sure thing for those of us living in Gotham, but having a guest room is not often a option. This is why we always have to be in the lookout for smart solutions that will make our lives a little easier

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Soothingly Neutral

Images by William Waldron and Magnus Anesund (below)

From the Fall/Winter 2010 Pantone color report, Oyster Gray is one of the few neutral hues that made the list. This cool, clean and contemporary shade is ideal for home decor since it creates a relaxing and serene ambiance. Be confident when using gray. It works best when keeping a simple palette and restraining the use of contrasting colors. Soft pastels are great compliments, but bright primaries not so much.

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