BASIC DECOR

CB2 NEW FALL CATALOG — GREAT READY TO DROOL

I just received my new CB2 fall catalog and OMG! Talk about cool stuff. Their collection is focused on “back to school/back to work” theme. But the home decors they have are amazing. They have vases from $6.95 (longneck vases), they have their famous lumiere candleholders $4.95, hanging candleholders for $3.95. They also have this cool Ghost Table Lamp, it’s a glass ovaloid that glows from within and it’s only $69.95. One of my favorites is their new stainless cylinder vases (large $29.95, small $24.95) and the conical cylinder vase for $12.95. Seeing these vases made cylinder shape look very chic. I am definitely getting one those.

They also have great collection of bedroom, bathroom and tabletop decor. If you are looking for great looking red, orange and green color accessories, this is it. They got it.

I suggest you guys go and order your catalog through their website. It’s free. And while you’re at it, check out their website and browse their products. I am so sure that you’re going to see one or two things you’d like. CB2 catalogs are one of the top catalogs I always look forward to because they always have cool stuff. IKEA would be the next one.

CB2 stand for Crate & Barrel 2 and check out their website at www.cb2.com.

BLACK+BLUM — CONTEMPORARY AT A NEW LEVEL

If you see any contemporary home decor, often times the products are designed and produce outside the United States. Let me introduce you to Black+Blum.

Designers Dan Black and Martin Blum founded Black+Blum in 1998 and headquartered in London, England. They design and produces contemporary home accessories and has created a collection of cool and playful accessories of everyday use and decor. I was first introduced to this company 4 years ago when I was a retail buyer in San Francisco. I saw their showcase at the San Francisco International Gift Fair and got my attention. I thought that their design was unusual, different and very interesting. I was fascinated by their collection. Their design is so simple and yet they’re out of the ordinary. Their creativity is mind-blowing and they definitely has put contemporary design at a new level. Continue reading »

IKEA — A HEAVEN FOR “HIGH SYLE-LOW BUDGET” PEOPLE

If you are not familiar with IKEA, I suggest you get to know this company. If we are going to talk about low budget decor products, IKEA is the big daddy of them all. IKEA is a gift from heaven for people who are looking for high style and low budget furnishing and accessories. Once you step in their very large blue buildings… you would not want to leave. I personally can spend the entire day in a IKEA store. Thank goodness they have a restaurant in there or else I would faint from starvation. And you know what, I wouldn’t even care because I’m in paradise. Continue reading »

EGGLINGS — TOO CUTE… TOO COOL!

Check out a hot new trend. EGG HATCHES PLANT! That’s exactly what these little things are. They look and feel like a real large egg. You crack the top, just like how you do to a real egg. Start watering and place in a bright spot like your kitchen window sill or balcony. Plants started to grow up to 5 months and after which it can be planted or transfer directly to a larger pot.

They are extremely popular in Japan where it originated. Egglings are made of white porous ceramic and comes with a terra cotta tray and seed pack. There are 10 egglings available: three herbs (basil, mint and thyme), three flowers (chrysanthemum, phlox, petunia) and four special edition varieties (lavender, cactus, red pepper and wild strawberry).

Imagine giving them as a gift. So unusual and different. Anyone would love them. They would look great on your window sill or your desk. You can collect them all and create a little herb garden in your kitchen. How cool is that. It will definitely add some charm in your kitchen. If you want to learn more about egglings, check out their website www.eggling.com. They can be purchased at www.elsewares.com for only $9.50! That is way too cool.

SHOW YOUR PERSONALITY ON THE DINNER TABLE

Melamine plates, a fresh new concept in the art of dining. These high quality plates provide a perfect canvas for art work, color and themes. If you want to add personality on your dining table, in-door or out-door, melamine plates will do the work for you. They’re light, durable, and easy to wash. Plain colored plates are out. Melamine plates will give you character, color and fun in your kitchen and dining table.

What is a Melamine? Melamine is a resin known as a thermoset plastic, a plastic that is fixed after molding. If exposed to enough heat, melamine will melt. For this reason, melamine dishware should not be exposed to high temperatures like those in the oven and microwave. And because it is a thermoset plastic, melamine resin is difficult to recycle. Continue reading »