LINK LOVE

Yeap, the Homies are here again!! Apartment Therapy started their annual search for the crème de la crème of home blogs. Last year, you all made it possible for TheDesignerPad to reach number 11 on this coveted list... how awesome is that? It really showed me your love for my blog and made me out-of-this-world proud :) So how about helping TheDesignerPad make it into the top 10 this year? It would be crazy cool and pretty easy. All you have to do is go here, sign in, and vote for TheDesignerPad in the Best Home Design Blog category. The nomination process is open until this Friday, March 2 (midnight EST). Thanks soooo much for your great support, I really love you for it. xo, Eduardo

My top 10: Rockers

Did you know that some attribute the invention of the rocking chair to Benjamin Franklin? We may never know for sure since there is no historical evidence proving to that. Historians can only trace its origins to North America during the early 18th century, and in England in 1725. What started as an ordinary garden chair with two rockers at the bottom, the rocking chair has become a chic and versatile decorative element. Although it's often associated with maturity and class, the modern rocker appeals to everyone. The range of styles is huge, but here are some of my ultimate favorites that can absolutely rock your world. 

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My top 10: Outdoor Seating

How you feelin'? HOT HOT HOT! Yes, it's time to be out in your backyard, or terrace, enjoying this marvelous summery weather. So why not treat your outdoor space to a little style with these chic and modern thrones that will most certainly add a touch of sophistication and make you feel like the queen, or king, of the outdoors. Here are some of my favorites. I hope they'll be yours too.

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White As a Feather

As our feathery friends start making their way back into our gardens, let's welcome them with these fun and stylish bird houses and feeders. They deserve a nice place to hang out while filling our terraces and backyards with sweet melodies. For sure, if I was lucky enough to have some outdoor space, a couple of these would be part of my decor. Although you can find them in different colors, I picked white — not just because I love everything white— but because their colorful plumes will stand out even more.

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My top 10: Umbrella Stands

The forecast in New York calls for rain showers for most of this week, a sign Spring has finally arrived. So I thought this would be the perfect time to dedicate a post to my favorite umbrella stands. There's no need to have dripping and soggy parasols sitting by your entry door when you can find so many chic and fun stands out there. Besides adding character to your foyer, these containers will also help protect your beloved floors and keep them puddle-free. Any favorites?

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My top 10: Stools

Being one of the earliest forms of seat furniture, the stool is a key piece to have in any home as it provides extra movable seating. Its origin is lost in time, although it is known to be one of the earliest forms of wooden furniture. This basic household item has gone through many transformations and nowadays some are even considered pieces of art. You shouldn't underestimate their design value since these little guys can be a wonderful accent in any room and add that extra touch you're looking for. Also, stools are ideal for pads where square-footage is limited as their size allows you to be creative and use them in unexpected ways. It's amazing the range of stool designs you can find these days so I had a hard time narrowing my choices. But after much deliberation, I've come up with my new faves to share with you.

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My top 10: Loveseats

Image by Mel Yates

The month of love and friendship has arrived and what better way to start celebrating it than by cuddling up with your sweetheart in one of these darlings. The loveseat, also known as settee or British two-seater, is a very versatile piece of furniture that can be used in most rooms around the house. In cases where square footage is modest, one of these cozy two-seaters is the perfect alternative for a couch — plus it secures an intimacy that a couch cannot. Remember that two's company and three's a crowd.

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Showing The Love

Pssst, have you heard about The Homies Awards? It's a way for the great Apartment Therapy to discover, share and honor the best shelter blogs out there. It's not quite a competition, but a way of surveying the blogosphere for the best new home design blogs and sharing them with everyone. And it's also their way of celebrating the richness and awesomeness of shelter bloggers around the globe. Looking at the nominees from last year, I'd be lying if I said that I woudn't be extremely honored and thrilled if The Designer Pad ended up on this year's list. But the only way to get there is to have my lovely readers nominate my blog. Here's what you can do by following these three easy steps:

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