Handprint CanvasThis is a cool way to decorate your place while displaying some family pride. (It's also a nice Father's Day gift.) You get these four 10-inch colored canvas squares and matching paint. Then you and hubby and the kids slather a hand in paint and make some art.
$42.00, Red Envelope
Hollow VaseThis vase by Haruki Senda, which is designed to hold a single flower, is actually more like an outline of a vase. The flower almost seems to float in air. The vase is made of laminated bamboo and a glass tube. It's 10 inches tall.
$55.00, MoMA Store
Zebra Printed Cotton RugThere's nothing like a zebra print rug to give your living room a little va-va-voom, and this one is pretty reasonably priced. The five-foot by seven-foot cotton rug really makes bright furniture pop. It's way cooler than a real zebra rug, which to me always end up looking like an animal died on the floor.
$68.00, Urban Outfitters
Gorgeous HelenThe name of these little lamp shades designed by Anke and Katrin is pretty ridiculous, but they're a cool way to create mood lighting for a party. You just pop a tealight in a wineglass and put the shade over the top. Voila! Little table lamps. If only it came with a tool to help you get wax out of wine glasses...
$18.00 for three shades, Wishingfish.com
Aromatherapy Growing KitI don't seem to have the ability to grow or care for any types of plants (I even killed my lucky bamboo!), but I really like the idea of this. You get three cute little white pots, a water tray, soil, and seeds to grow chamomile, lavender, and lemon balm. Very soothing scents. If you can keep the plants alive, it'd be a nice thing to keep at your desk or in your bedroom.
$42.00, Red Envelope
Ibride Diane TrayIbride designs cool serving trays that make for nifty wall art. One of my coworkers put one up on her office bookshelves instead of paperwork. (I approve.) I really like this Diane design with its green color scheme and flowers. It measures 16 inches by 10.5 inches. To check out other Ibride tray styles, click here.
$65.00, Velocity Art & Design
Designer SwitchplatesMy light switches look so dull now that I've looked at the more than 70 cool switch plate designs from A La Mode. They have everything from silly sarcastic designs to kooky patterns--composed of sock monkeys or sushi--and pretty floral and brocade patterns. For an extra couple bucks you can even get your name or initial on the plate, which is nice for kids (or super possessive adults).
From $10 to $14 each, A La Mode
Apple Blue Pillow CoverThese pillow covers from PataPri are so cute. I love the cheery blue and orange apple pattern. I guess I just like apples in general (except for the Red Delicious, which always seem to be mushy these days). These 16-inch linen pillow covers are hand-silkscreened by Chicago artist Yuko Uemura.
$30.00, Etsy
Thomas Paul Magazine HolderWow, these are a way prettier way to organize your periodicals than my usual stack- the- magazines- on- any- available- surface method. These magazine holders, which come in four dainty Thomas Paul patterns, make your collection of gossip rags look super chic.
$16.00 each, Velocity Art and Design
Printed Glass Birdie HookI can't quite figure out how you screw these glass bird hooks to the wall, but I really like them. The funky patterns are awesome. These would look great in an entryway. You could use them to hold your jacket or keep track of your keys, which always seem to be wandering off.
$14.00 each, Urban Outfitters
Hula Bud VaseThese little 3.5-inch-tall vases, which come in yellow or green, are so cute. Though you can't put long-stemmed roses in them, they'd look very cheery with a handful of daisies. They're a nice compact size for a desk or bathroom sink.
On sale for $22.00, Red Envelope
Trollsta Side TableI like the baroque/mod look of this simple black side table. It's got these funky baroque-style legs that kind of contrast the a more square modern frame. Plus, it has a handy little shelf for storing books, magazines, or a few snacks for munching on while you watch TV.
$79.00, Ikea
Blue Thistle Outdoor PillowGussy up your outdoor lounges and couches with this cushy blue pillow. It's made of water-resistant material and the pretty cornflowers give your patio a homey feel. Plus, it's something to throw if someone says something you don't agree with.
$29.00, West Elm
Jade Polished ShellI was reading a piece in this month's issue of Domino about how objects inspired by nature (think coral and tortoise shells) make great decorations. I agree. I think these blue shells would add a punch of color to a bookshelf or side table. Each shell is about four inches wide.
$18.00, CS Post & Co.
Bulb Solar LampLooky, it's like your very own blue-light special. It's a night light that charges itself during the day on sunlight and the glow of your incandescent bulbs. I like the way it's designed to look like a lightbulb encased in a cube of glass. It would look cool on the nightstand.
$48.00, Chiasso
