Another extract from decor8 website – very cool!

IIKH

smart. stylish. sexy. green.

No, we’re not referring to Kermit the Frog, although I had a huge crush on him when I was, like, two. Nowadays, I’m crushing on something quite different. Seeking balance in the world despite all the chaos.
IIKH seeks the same. Mara Kloiber, Jim Kloiber and Erin Hawker decided to relocate from Wisconsin to the big apple, jumping knee-deep into the world of fashion, advertising and luxury goods in fast-paced NYC. Although their careers were exciting, weekends were mostly spent at Yoga, eating extra healthy, working hard to restore the very balance that they knew they’d soon lose all over again on Monday morning.

Then things changed, perhaps over soy lattes (who knows), when these hip health conscious amigos had an aha! moment and decided to launch a business that would combine their professional strengths and talents with their personal eco-friendly interests. IIKH was born.

Shopping at IIKH is, "An experience that is wonderfully indulgent while also being informative, enriching and meaningful… brought to life in our personalized approach to service, our unique and exceptional products and the look and feel of our store and online home."

Offering everything eco-friendly for the home, body, baby, pet and kitchen, you’ll have a hard time not finding something special. Contemporary aesthetics paired with evocative textures keep it simple, yet beautiful. From root bowls to bamboo chopping blocks and tactile sculptural lighting, you’ll enjoy this crisp contemporary store located at the corner of Tenth and 17th between the Meat Packing District and West Chelsea. Or, you can visit them online where they offer free FEDEX shipping on orders totaling $50 or more.

Restore balance in your life. One word: IIKH.

(photos from IIKH)

 

Everything Swedish…

It’s time to post more pretty things that we can’t yet purchase here in the states. At least we can browse so that if they do drift to our shores, we can show how design savvy we are and say in a most nasal snobby voice, "Oh sweetie, I’ve known about them for years"… (dragging out the word ‘years’) So! onto fresh finds from Sweden, shall we?

decor8 reader, Husmusen, just sent decor8 a link over to her Swedish design blog and wow, amazing finds! For obvious reasons, it’s in Swedish, but I still was able to navigate myself through it to find some great links to share with decor8 readers. Question: Does Husmusen mean house mouse? I’m thinking it does because it reminds me a lot like haus maus (German). Just wondering…

So, First up from Sweden, Spira! Textiles in bright crisp floral patterns, punchy and contemporary, fun, fun, fun! Bedding, aprons, plates, lamps, hand towels, curtains, all with zing! Spira had a space at the Stockholm furniture fair a few weeks ago, can you even imagine attending that? The hairs on my arms stand up. Something for me to think about for 2007, perhaps. How delightful to visit postcard-pretty Stockholm and attend a furniture fair. Ahhh, one can dream, can’t I?

SPIRA

Maybe these vinyl decals for walls and windows tickle your fancy? Fresh from Form and Function, a Swedish company located in Stocksund (a suberb of Stockholm). More amazing design, love those Swedes!

FORM + FUNCTION

If you’re not up to vinyl, then visit Cult Design. They carry lovely porcelin and many fabulous wares from designers Bjorn Nilsson, Marita Lord, Monika Ofverstrom, Marianne Abelsson and Ami Matz. I’ve got a crush on cult! I want everything!

CULT DESIGN

I’ll wrap up with a few more fantastic mentions, visit Form Design and Inreda, for Swedish home accessories and more. Just in case you’re interested, I found a good read on design hotels in Sweden that I enjoyed, click here.

Hope you enjoyed a touch of Sweden, friends! You have to admit, peeking in on our friends over in Sweden and earlier today, in Denmark, is quite fun.

(photo credits: top photo from cult design. next up, photos from spira, next grouping from form + function, last two from cult design)

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Pillows

Angela Adams Bedding Update!

Just circling back with a January post on Angela Adams bedding. Back then, only one pattern was available at Marshall Fields, however they’ve just added three more patterns along with some pillows. View the collection here. What do you think?

Marshall Fields also has beautiful bedding from Sigrid Olsen and Thomas O’Brien, too!

(photos from Angela Adams collection at Marshall Fields)

 

Pollen anyone?

[ATLANTA] Step Inside Pollen

Ahhh Pollen!

From the website at least, it looks simply amazing, doesn’t it? It appears to contain all of the elements that make a good garden shop/home store in my opinion. Showcasing the beauty found in nature, combining this organic beauty with objects and colors that mimic nature. I’m thrilled that they offer floral design. I’ve always dreamt of owning a store like this, a home store that sells fresh beautiful flowers where I could employ my wonderful mother to handle the floral side of the business. You could enjoy the warmth of the sun, dessert and expresso with friends, al fresco style. I digress…one can dream can’t she? 🙂

Back to beautiful Pollen. I found a review about them on citysearch cited below:

"At this rustic Buckhead boutique, garden lovers can find everything from pots and vases to garden hardware, vintage vessels, bags, pillows, furniture and unique floral arrangements. Also available are outdoor containers, artwork, wicker chairs and painted rockers. Gardening types who find their way here become loyal customers. Pollen’s experts can be called upon to arrange flowers for themed parties and events ranging from swamp-inspired bayou bashes to gatherings with a vintage picnic vibe."

Doesn’t this sound great?

Looks like they sell Hable Construction, Judy Ross, Lotta Jansdotter and John Derian goodies, too. Fresh flowers and home accessories from these designers? Catch me, I’m falling!

(photos by Pollen)

 

Chicago P.O.S.H.

[CHICAGO] Tour P.O.S.H.

To follow up on an earlier feature about P.O.S.H., Carrie was nice enough to send photos of their space so decor8 readers could take a peek inside of their Chicago store. They’ added some fun new wares to their site this afternoon too, so clicky clicky to get your shop on!

Enter P.O.S.H.


(photos from Carrie at P.O.S.H.)

Labels: chicago, store tour

 

April Cherry Blossom, anyone?

Cherry Blossoms a Bloomin’

Life is a bowl of cherries, and I’m completely thrilled to see delicate pink and white cherry blossoms influencing design. From bedding to dishware, they’re popping up all over! Maybe it’s not just a coincidence, given that cherry blossom festivals are in bloom worldwide. In fact, the national cherry blossom festival kicks off in Washington D.C. in just a few days. (Learn more about these graceful trees here.)

"The blossoms usually only last about a week, and that’s what we as Japanese find so beautiful," said Reiko Hirai, special events coordinator at the Japan-American Society of Washington, which is involved in organizing the National Cherry Blossom Festival (also called Sakura Matsuri) in Washington, D.C., starting March 25. "Our tradition is to go underneath the tree and sing and dance and drink and eat. In this country, it’s more cultural." – Quote from this article.

Enjoy hints of cherry blossoms in your home this season with these delicate accents.

branch bedspread at urbans, $32. jardin celeste sugar bowl from devine, $125. hand painted bone china from Big Pagoda, $45-255.

paper source album, $36. blue plum blossom bowl from big pagoda, $90. custom wedding invitations from hello lucky, prices range.

aviary cards from jack + lulu.

birdcage panel, $28. martini glasses, $7.99. panel, $28. sheet set, $36-50.
All items below from urban outfitters.

cherry blossom stem from crate + barrel, $7.95. Aunt Sadie’s candle, $19. crochet pillow by etsy seller lindamade, $100. ring by etsy seller tigerlillyshop, $5.

(all photos from companies linked above. Top photo from bath + body works)

 

Design! Design! Design!

Design My World

Just in…Wildly imaginative designs at Design My World!

These sculptural lily lights are a real turn on. Created by New Zealand artist Jenny Keate, they are available in a table and pendant version in white, red, green, yellow and orange. Constructed of fiberglass and lacquer. $93 for the table light and $63 for the pendant.

Create an illusion with this show stopping acrylic table designed to appear as a floating tablecloth. Handmade in Denmark and available in clear, opal, grey and brown. Designed by Essay. $250. Running late? Yee Ling Wan created this transparent etched glass ghost clock, inspired by nineteenth century mantle clocks. Wan decided to throw some modern into the mix with this classy design. You won’t find cherry or mahogany here, it’s contemporary chic all the way for a most stylish little ticker. $145

Felt is huge in Europe, and for good reason. This creamy delight felt shade will set your sprit free with lovely butterflies in flight. Envision it floating in your hip home. Designed by Mixko, $75. psst… Mixko also creates felt rings, hats…trust me, you’ll love their website. Oh just click on it already!

Create a different ambience with a creamy dreamy marble felt chandelier. Too bad the photo below does it zero justice, it almost appears as though it’s black and cream when it is solid cream only. It also drapes much longer than this photo shows. For a reality check, look at the photos designer, Chris Labrooy, has on his site — a much better perspective of this stunning chandelier. After you see his photos, you’re certain to go ga-ga. I personally love it. So tactile and a super price for something so unique. $175

(photos from design my world, jenny keate and mixko)

 

Feather Your Nest

Feather Your Nest and Potluck Studios

Feather Your Nest not only carries beautiful vintage inspired notecards, but home accents that you’ll crave if your into vintage modern decor. I love the gloveables rubber gloves, washing dishes doesn’t have to be such a chore with these little cuties. They come in 9 different colors/patterns and for $15, who can resist? You can also find enticing ruffled dishware from the Flirt collection from Potluck Studios (based in Massachusetts). I’m in love with these sweet cake stands and these super cute compote bowls – they make me want to throw a dessert night for the girls. They are available in white, citrus green, jadeite green, yellow or pink.

By the way, if you’re lovin’ the table linens pictured below, you can view the complete collection online at Potluck Studios. They will be glad to let you know how to order them.

Spring has sprung!

(photos from Feather Your Nest and Potluck Studios)

 

Outdoor Wallpaper!

Susan Bradley Design

Susan Bradley creates this super innovative Outdoor Wallpaper that is so original that I had to post about it. She takes an original concept and steps it up a notch to something that’s very cutting edge and innovative.
Susan says, "It can be used as a unique garden trellis, screening or simply as a decorative feature or installation to create an immediate impact in any space. Its fixings locate it a distance from the wall, allowing plants to grow up it and adding depth and shadow to the piece." I really love these, especially the one shown in the silver against the brick wall. Stunning.

If you like her style, you may really love her Creep collection of shelves and tables. Nothing creepy about these, in fact, they are quite playful, functional, different… available in many colors (shown below in black). You can also purchase a few of her items online here.

(photos from Susan Bradley Design)

Labels: outdoors, wallpaper

 

Thomas Mylonas Design

Dot Kite

Thomas contacted decor8 to let us know about his newly formed brand, Dot Kite, where design is reimagined. After peeking at his website, I had to post about it because the designs are graceful, fluid, sophiticated…but at the same time functional and durable. Very Elle Decor and Vogue. Posh. I can imagine these in those nineteenth century apartments with high ceilings, ornate crown mouldings, hardwood floors and lots of flokati rugs. Thomas has this to add about his collection:

Introducing the CrossLink collection from Dot Kite.

Maia
Maia inaugurates a new generation of seating for the Dot Kite Collections in a fun and unorthodox way. Low and wide, Maia is informal and highly versatile, for relaxing in a lounge or for the night zone. Maia, with its elegant and sophisticated form adds value toevery SoHo environment. The construction technique has enabled a very strong and resistant seat to be obtained, making it also a perfect small armchair for outdoors. It is available in the colour chalk white."
Iride
Design care, refined sections and ergonomic precision. Sweet curves make the
essential lines of Iride sinuous. Perfect for the night zone of every SoHo
environment. Iride, enables the users to have a special emotional feeling
with the surrounding environment.

(partial text from Thomas Mylonas at Dot Kite. images from Thomas Mylonas)

::Core77 also wrote about them last month; read it here::