ICFF: THE ROUNDUP

Once a year, New York City welcomes furniture and home decor designers and manufactures from around the world to showcase their new creations at ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair). So yesterday afternoon I headed over to this great spectacle ready for a design overdose. My expectations were surpassed. I was excited to see a lot of new talent among the veteran design houses, especially in wall coverings. The variety of materials and interpretations in wallpapers, tiles and finishes was quite extensive—actually more than I've seen in previous years. Another biggie was lighting (or maybe it was just me since I have a weakness for everything that illuminates). But seriously, the array of alternatives and designs was glorious. Last but not least, I was very happy to see a great deal of attention paid to the outdoors with a gorgeous and stylish selection of furniture and accessories for the patio and backyard. Overall, I spent a delightful afternoon drooling over such wonderful and inspiring work, but the cherry on the cake was running into design guru Karim Rashid. The fair will be open until tomorrow, so if you happen to be in this part of town, I recommend you stop by and see for yourself what's new and happening in the world of design. If not, here are a few of the many things that really caught my eye. Enjoy!

Click to read more ...

THROUGH THE LENSE OF: HEIDE LERKENFELDT

Let's be inspired today by the beautiful work of the truly talented Danish photographer Heide Lerkenfeldt. I'm so into her delightful compositions and sense of serenity she captures in every frame. Her versatility as a photographer is amazing. Not only does she shoot amazing spaces and products, but she also does a masterful job with fashion, food and people. But don't take my word for it. Please, go browse through her portfolio and see for yourself. You will love her work as much as I do.

Click to read more ...

CELEBRATING STYLE

What a treat to start the week. Est magazine is treating us to a magnificent 5th issue celebrating their first anniversary. Congrats!! They've put out a wonderful issue piled with gorgeous photography, drool-worthy interiors, inspiring features, delicious color trends and lots, and lots more. But don't take my word for it. Here's a sneak peek of what you can expect from our friends at Est. Happy Monday!

Click to read more ...

BRILLIANT INGENUITY

I've come across many multi-functional, space-saver pieces of furniture, but this slick desk is one of my favorites. Deskbox is a brilliant wall-mounted desk/cabinet unit designed by Israel-born, UK-based designers Yael Mer and Shay Akalay of Raw Edges studio for Dutch furniture company Arco. It has a retraction system that allows it to easily open and reveal a comfortable work space, and close to its original compact form. Either way, it's a beautiful piece of furniture.

Click to read more ...

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

What do you get when you leave a stack of cardboard sheets alone in a room with some of Europe’s brightest engineers? How about this amazing line of furniture made completely, you guessed it, of cardboard. Australian company Karton is all about keeping things simple and easy. By following their basic fold and tab system (without the need of any tools or glue), you can put together a whole bedroom essemble, a complete office, funky storage units and even a dining room table that will give your guests plenty to talk about. Besides being an impossibly strong, exceptionally handsome and conveniently cheap way to sleep, sit, store or live, these designs are also 100% recyclable. BTW, if you're digging this fun and unique decor concept, you will also love these other cool versions here and here.

Click to read more ...

PIN IT!

As we get ready to start enjoying the outdoors, why not begin thinking of new furniture and accessories to make the experience that much enjoyable. With this ingenious table designed by Norwegian designer Andreas Engesvik for Menu, you don't have to leave your style at home. The Pin Table is a tribute to outdoor activities since you can take it to the park, the beach or wherever you can pin it into the ground and use as a little side table for those refreshing summer cocktails.

Click to read more ...

FAB PADS FOR OUR PETS

It's not often that we come across furniture for our pets with such flair and beautiful details as this stunning collection by French company Bloom Room. Designed by Marc Ange, the Chimère line was just presented at Milan Design Week 2012 as part of exhibition Design France.Beyond comfort and functionality, each piece of furniture is a decorative element made with soft and sturdy materials combined with high quality manufacturing. The collection includes a dog niche, an aquarium, a rocking bird cage, a cat bed and a rodent cage. For sure, my Oliver would go mad for that cushy and über chic gray bed—plus it would look fabulous with our living room decor. Have a super duper weekend!!

Click to read more ...

SEXY LEGS

Just like buying a new pair of shoes to revamp and old outfit, you can give a little pizzazz to your furniture by just swapping its legs with a set of these witty Prettypegs. They're ideal for adding a punch of color and personality to any sofa or bed that lacks a bit character. They come in an array of colors and silhouettes. These pretty legs will be an instant makeover that won't break the bank.

Click to read more ...