floatation device.

          
Looking for a shelving fix that works like a charm? Try the Floating Books Wall Shelf ($15) from Plasticland. No need to “swish and flick” a Wingardium Leviosa spell when your books can appear to float in midair with this clever ledge.

Easily mounted with one or two screws, the invisible shelf can hold a stack of five to 10 books. There’s also a larger size ($18) to hold more robust volumes, like your entire Harry Potter series.

These shelves are a great solution for small spaces. I spotted them in JoAnn’s 400-square-foot Chicago pad, which was a finalist in Apartment Therapy’s 2012 Small Cool Contest. While her place was definitely large enough to show off her adorable style, she made great use of space while avoiding clutter.  Rather than squeezing a nightstand into her teeny bedroom, she made use of the floating bookshelf so “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” could be within arm’s reach.

If you have a small bathroom, Plasticland pointed out that the shelves can also be used to hold towels. Ta da!

Photo credit: Plasticland

all up in my grill.

This weekend we’re celebrating a true American holiday: Memorial Day! The glorious three-day weekend is the official kick-off to summer, bringing us the greatest spectacle in racing, an invitation to break out the white jeans and a reason to buy charcoal briquettes in bulk.

Those who know me know my love of all things grilled. I can’t tell you how much I love cheeseburgers. Srsly, I can has?

Even if you’re a city dweller, there’s no reason you shouldn’t enjoy the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness brought by outdoor barbecues. That’s why I looked high and low for a portable grill that can easily be fired up on a fire escape or toted to a park. I’m proud to present the aptly named City Boy Picnic Grill ($229) from Finnish Design Shop. It’s a bit more than I’d hoped to spend, but can you really put a price tag on the ability to cook meat virtually anywhere?

This little bad boy measures 7.1″ x 7.1″ and is 8.7″ tall. Made of powder-coated steel for durability, the tiny grill has a gas burner with a 225g standard gas cartridge. (Is anyone else turned on?)

So whether you’ve got an envy-worthy outdoor kitchen or a portable grill on a tiny balcony, I raise my tongs and salute you!

Photo credit: Finnish Design Shop

Thank You, Veterans!
All silliness aside, I hope you can take the opportunity to personally thank a veteran for his or her service to our country. Without the sacrifices of these heroes and their families, we wouldn’t enjoy the amazing freedom we’re so blessed with.

marrakesh express.

I love the movie “Casablanca.” The classic one-liners, the heartbreaking ending, the ridiculous amounts of soft lighting on Ingrid Bergman—it’s absolute old Hollywood glamour. But my favorite thing is that it’s set in North Africa’s hottest desert oasis. Even Humphrey Bogart with his white dinner jacket had some Moroccan swagger going in Rick’s Café Américain—and you can too!

One of my current design trends of choice is Modern Morocco. While I love midcentury mod and clean lines, I also like to mix in pieces that offer texture and warmth. I keep finding myself drawn to classic Moroccan and Moorish style elements like mosaic tiles, intricate lights, gorgeous trellis patterns and vivid colors.

So to spice up your space, I’ve put together some Moroccan-inspired items that will add a little exotic to your hum drum.  Word to the wise: there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. A few well-planned accents will go a long way to add some culture to your abode without seeming too theme-y.

Here’s lookin’ at you, kid.

Photo credit:
1. Moroccan Pattern Carpet, Bev Hisey (contact artist)
2. Filigree Urn, Z Gallerie ($99.95 )
3. Marrakech Pillow, Room Service ($70)
4. Casablanca Lanterns, Z Gallerie ($7.95 – $49.95)
5. Morocco Headboard, West Elm ($299 – $449)
6. Moroccan Inspired Marble Side Table, The Well Appointed House ($2,497.50)
7. Reyes Wall Mirror, Home Decorators Collection ($219)
8. Marrakesh Honey Wallpaper, Urban Outfitters ($98)
9. Silver Moroccan Hanging Lamps, Vivaterra ($179 – $485)
10. Casablanca Tea Set, Mighty Leaf Tea ($64.95)
11. Moorish Iron Windlight, Lombok (£95, $153.67)
12. Merola White Porcelain Lantern Mosaic Tile, Home Depot ($6.95/sq. ft.)
13. Traditional Pouf in Gold, Imports from Marrakesh ($275)
14. Morac Hex Garden Stool, Fine Garden Products ($199)
15. Sivaana Sheesha Diamond Pillow, Gracious Home ($200)
16. 5′ x 8′ Ironwork Trellis Dhurrie Rug, Shades of Light ($279)

reading rainbow.

I love my Kindle and no longer loathe waiting rooms for fear of eight-month-old issues of “People” magazine. But there’s still something to be said about the feel of a book in your hands. For those of you who still have a personal library collection, here are some pretty faboosh additions.

These aren’t the tattered paperbacks you read in high school. Rediscover the stories you loved during sixth period English with the beautiful hardback Penguin Classics Set of 10 ($200) from Juniper Books. Each cover, designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith, has a lovely graphic element pulled straight out of the book, from the scissors used to cut Jo’s hair in Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” to the flamingo croquet mallets in Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.” Other authors of these must-reads include Jane Austen (“Pride and Prejudice,” holla!), Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde. You can customize your collection by choosing 10 books from the titles available. Or you can purchase all 30 books ($600)—there’s no cost savings, but maybe you have a really big book shelf.

And because LeVar Burton isn’t around to tell your kiddos to read, Juniper Books also has a collection of eight children’s books for little bookworms. The sweet and colorful Puffin Classics ($135) boast fanciful binding designs by illustrator Daniela Terrazzini. And with titles like “The Secret Garden,” “Peter Pan” and “The Call of the Wild,” these books are perfect nighttime reads for kids of all ages.

Photo credit: Juniper Books

hang in there.

An easy, affordable way to add big style to a room while spending little cash is the IKEA KNAPPA Pendant Light ($29.99). That’s right. I’ll write it again in case you didn’t believe me the first time: $29.99. So for less than dinner out with apps and zerts, you can give any room a high-fashion upgrade on a low budget. The price is right especially for apartment dwellers not looking to spend too much on a rented space.

This IKEA staple has been around for several years, but its modern, artichoke-inspired design is, in the words of shoe shinest Andy Dwyer, awesome sauce. KNAPPA was designed by Brylle/Jacobsen, a Scandinavian light design team founded in 1965 that’s all about simplicity and functionality.

I bought this light to hang above my dining room table, but I’ve seen it used for bedrooms, living rooms, nurseries and offices—sometimes in sets of two or more. Assembly is required, but trust me when I say if I can do it anyone can. The cord can be plugged into an outlet and comes with two ceiling hooks for hanging. You can find hardwire kits for ceiling mounting, but that might be a good reason to call in a fine-looking handyman.

Unfortunately this item isn’t for sale on IKEA’s website, but you can splurge on some gas money for what you’re saving on this pendant light. Heck, you’ll even have enough left over for some Swedish meatballs.

Photo credit: IKEA

word to your mother.

My mom is the shiz. She’s the woman who brought me into this world (with frequent reminders she could take me back out) and refused to let me get glamour shots. She taught me to ask if a restaurant serves Coca-Cola before sitting down (because no, Pepsi is not okay) and shop for things on sale (or add discounts to price tags in red pen if they weren’t before Dad got home).

This year, Mom was thoughtful enough to pick out her own gift and ask me to send her a check. But if she wasn’t, she’d probably want me to just buy myself this stylish daily reminder to drop her a line. Because for a mama bear, the Call Your Mother Pillow ($99) from Alexandra Ferguson is the “gift that keeps on giving.”

Or if you want the world to know who that special lady in your life is without getting inked, the Mom Tattoo Pillow ($109) will give you just enough street cred. I can’t get enough of Alexandra Ferguson’s color-blocking and typography!

And giving a nod to Mother Earth, the applique pillows are made from 100% recycled post-consumer water bottles melted down and turned into soft, high-quality felt. Each is handmade with love, and no two are exactly the same—just like moms, awwww.

To all the mommy-jeans wearers, MILFs and non-moms like me whose cats can’t send them a card, I wish you a Happy Mother’s Day!

Photo credit: Alexandra Ferguson

whale of a good time.

I feel like whales are getting a bad rap. Between the dreaded Twitter Fail Whale, that feisty Moby Dick and the two hours of our lives we can’t get back from watching “Free Willy,” it’s time to show these marine mammals some love. So if you’re going to see a whale tail in your home, it should be a killer accent piece.

This playful set of Whale Bookends ($150) from Jonathan Adler is super cute. The simple design and clean lines make it perfect for a home office, yet it’s whimsical enough for a children’s room.

Each set is hand-crafted by fair trade artisans in Peru from high-fired stoneware or porcelain. Finished with a white matte glaze, the bookends also have a sturdy, solid wood base to keep your “Blue Planet” DVD set proudly on display.

So look no further for a fun maritime accessory. ‘Cause there she blows.

Photo credit: Jonathan Adler

polygotye.

If you haven’t been living in a cave (or at least not a cave with radio reception), you’ve heard Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know.” This song is amazing—so amazing in fact that I’m considering taking up the xylophone. And don’t get me started on the Aussie’s stop-action body paint video (or its SNL Digital Short parody).

So I was inspired by the polygons galore and set off in search of geometric accents that will help your style take shape. Here’s a little retail therapy in case your BF had his friends collect his records and then changed his number.

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Video credit:
gotyemusic on YouTube 

Photo credit:
1. Polyhedron Chandelier, pthmas610 ($1,950)

Note: This decorative light sculpture is made of poplar wood. Each one is handmade—taking almost two weeks to complete—and constructed of 120 pieces of precisely cut wood. The artist’s general price range is from $1,700 – $2,500 depending on size, complexity and wood choice. Please contact the artist directly for purchase. Thanks, Paul!

2. Themis Mobile by Clara Von Zweigbergk, The Future Perfect ($29)
3. Faceted Mirror Side Table, West Elm ($199)
4. Red Geometric Chair, LiveLikeYou ($262)
5. Dream Mirror by Gallotti&Radice, A White Room (£2925, $4,722.71)

Note: For a similar, less-expensive version, check out the Schaefer Mirror by ELK Lighting from First Choice Furnishings ($194.34).

6. P7 Coffee Table, CB2 ($299)
7. Triangle Cushion Cover, Howkapow (£40, $64.58)
8. Moon Palace Ceramic Vase, BHFO ($52.80)
9. Brass Paperweights designed by Masanori Oji and made by FUTAGAMI, MR KITLY ($60)
10. Geo Cutout Trash Can, Urban Outfitters ($29)

out of africa.

My number one fantasy is to go on an African safari. I’m not sure if that comes from countless viewings of “The Lion King” growing up or one too many trips to the zoo (have you seen their gift shop?!), but this is my ultimate dream vacation.

So until I get to put on a vest with way too many cargo pockets and hop in a jeep for the African plains, I’ll settle for Cardboard Safari’s Animal Trophies ($13 – $61). These charmingly low-budget, big-game souvenirs come in brown and white recycled cardboard but can be painted any color.

While the elephant and rhino are most reminiscent of the Serengeti, there’s a bison, buck and moose for the North American sportsman. If you’re a Texas Ex (or love good brisket), there’s also a longhorn steer so you can Hook ‘em Horns in your dorm room or man cave.

If tacky taxidermy isn’t your thing, I snagged a snowflake wreath ($32) for the holidays a few seasons ago. It might be the eggnog talking, but people go nuts for it.

Happy hunting.

Photo credit: Cardboard Safari

honey badger don’t care.

This is the honey badger. This pillow is pretty bad*ss. Look.

London-based designer Donna Wilson’s Badger Cushion  (£58.33, $94.18)  says that while you care about home decor, you really don’t give a shiz.

The cushion (or throw pillow as we’d say on this side of the pond) is near and dear to my heart. Sitting in my living room, the adorbs pillow would be a sort of hommage to my favorite sassy nature commentary (NSFW) about the most fearless animal in all the animal kingdom.

The Scottish seamstress’ cushion is filled with duckfeather and made of 100% lambswool knitted in Scotland. The three available “colourways” (how very Great Britain!) are blue, orange and gray. “Whoa, watch out!” says that bird.

This pillow is sure to get tons of attention. Because it just takes what it wants.

The honey badger.

Photo credit: Donna Wilson