Tea towels are one of those things that I’m continually amassing, then wondering where they all came from. I love that it’s essentially an empty canvas of material that can be turned into an affordable piece of art. Then we display it on a hook or draped over the oven handle in our kitchen, and dry our dishes and our hands on it. A little under-appreciated, no? (Kidding!) I’ve got my eye on these beauties.
I know I’m not exactly behind the eight ball on this one, but I’m all about these faceted drawer pulls from Pigeon Toe’s new collection. In fact, I’ve been scouring Craigslist for a new-to-me dresser that I can use them on.
This past Sunday I went to a bridal shower for a good friend, her mom used to be a florist and blooms were everywhere. As I was leaving they handed me a vase that had been on one of the tables to take home. I never realize just how much I love having fresh flowers in my house until they’re actually there. Then the entire space feels lighter and brighter, and I’m happier.
My vase collection consists mainly of the glass variety, in all shapes and colors. My favorite is a clear short one that says You are my sunshine on the side. I think I paid three dollars for it in college. I love the beauties sitting up top there.
One of my favorite parts of the design blogging community is the rampant creativity that gets shared. A lot of this shines through in do-it-yourself projects that people take the time to figure out, organize, and explain. And lately? Just wow. The past week alone has been a minefield of amazing ideas that I can’t wait to bring into my own home and wardrobe.
In this day and age we’re accustomed to having a selection of magazines being devoted to modernism at our disposal, but twenty years ago when Metropolitan Home first began that wasn’t the case. Each year the periodical published a favorite issue called the Design 100, celebrating the best in residential design, architecture, and the allied arts and crafts. Sadly Metropolitan Home wrote its last page in December 2009, but recently they published this book – Design 100: The Last Word on Modern Interiors by Michael Lassell – focusing on the best of the best to have ever appeared on their pages. Each of the 100 spaces included is the best of something, think “Best Little Kitchen in the Midwest” or “Most Glamorous Dining Area in NYC”. There’s a little something for every modernist out there captured through show-stopping photography, I loved flipping through its pages.
Monday morning seems like an exceptionally appropriate time to discuss coffee, its accoutrements, and my obsession with all of the above. I brew my own with this Cuisinart machine and occasionally use a Bodum Press when I want to feel like I’m indulging. My favorite blend is the Purusha Reserve from local roaster Elemental Coffee right here in Oklahoma City. (It’s actually the only coffee I can drink black!) And like all things I’m obsessed with, I’m constantly on the lookout for new gadgety things and ways to prepare my brew.
Pourover is the latest trend when it comes to coffee, basically you pour hot water over your coffee grounds and let it drip through on its own accord to brew. Clive Coffee teamed up with Carthagh Craft & Design for create this beautiful salvaged Oregon walnut drip stand, and Pigeon Toe Ceramics for the cone.
Another Portland-based cafe, Coava, designed a metal Kone coffee filter to work with the Chemex glass pourover carafe. Completely gorgeous and waste-free. People in the Pacific Northwest take their coffee seriously, no? {via bltd}
The Clever Coffee Brewer is another pourover variety. As long as it’s sitting on the counter it stays closed, but four minutes later when the timer dings and you set the Clever on top of your mug the valve releases. Clever indeed.
The Kapu coffee scoop, designed by Teemu Karhunen, functions as both a coffee scoop and bag sealer. Let’s here it for multifunctionality.
I’ve never been a fan of flavored coffee, give me regular or give me none. But then I saw this post about naturally flavoring your coffee and it has me second guessing myself, maybe it was the fake flavoring that I didn’t like. I’m definitely trying this at home to find out once and for all. {photo/link via Design*Sponge}
I can’t convey how much I’m in love with these leather totes from gildem. I want to own at least eight, but think I’ll have to settle for this pretty keychain instead. {via Two Brunettes}
and occasionally use a 
when I want to feel like I’m indulging. My favorite blend is the 
