You know you'll most likely have some extra time on your hands this summer, so maybe consider trying out some cross stitch kits like these offered by Fuldesign.

Each kit comes with aida weave fabric, embroidery yarn, pattern and instructions. Pattern fits 12.5 x 10 in fabric. Designed in Sweden.

Cross stitch kit “Continue pretending”, $20.00
Cross stitch kit “You can take…”, $20.00
Buy it here.

[posted by katie]

If you do a lot of recycling, at times it can take up quite a bit of space. Enter in the recycling center, with a few bells and whistles to organize your paper and plastic. If you don't need fanciness and/or have a tight budget, I'd recommend these bags for sorting (I have them and they work out just fine).

Premium All-In-One Recycling Center (left), $229.00-$269.00, Buy it here.

• Compaction System
• 3 Compartments for 17-gallon total capacity
• Nesting Bins
• H: 30" W:15" D:17"

Deluxe All-In-One Recycling Center (shown middle), $179.00, Buy it here.

• Nesting Bins
• 3 Compartments for 17-gallon total capacity
• H: 28" W:15" D:17"

[posted by katie]

For inexpensive art, take a good look at Areaware's vinyl wall decals. The 98" x 18" wall panels might be the perfect thing for the end of a hallway or a ho-hum room. I'll post the larger wall vinyls in the remodel section later on this week (since they would work/look more like a wallpaper as far as coverage).

Fountain of Desires, by Coco Tassel, $120.00, Buy it here.
Light Mix, by Florence Manlik, $120.00, Buy it here.
Verde (not shown), by Florence Manlik, $120.00, Buy it here.

Dimensions (all): 98.5 x 18.5 inches

[posted by katie]

In select stores for a limited time, Target will showcase the bedding, home décor & stationery line of products by NYC-based designer Dror Benshetrit. Some items are available online now, I'm assuming the others will show up soon.

Four Chore Dry Erase Board, $16.99
Plastic Wall Clock - 12", $24.99
Wood Accent Table - 20.4x16.9x22.1", $59.99
Present Portfolio Folder, $0.99 each
Toss Pillows, $19.99 each
Expand Accordion File Box, $5.99
Stick Table Lamp - 15", $19.99
Nesting Bookcase - Walnut (22x11x18.125"), $89.99/set (3 sets shown on right)
Buy it here.

[posted by katie]

Two affordable options for your entryway (or elsewhere) that will do the job without breaking the bank.

Porte-Manteau (20 x 27.5 inches), $96.00, Buy it here.
Wall hook. Oliver Peyricot + Sylvie Chanchus

Console (16 x 10 x 8 inches), $72.00, Buy it here.
Multi-ply birch console. By 5.5 Adrien Roverto.

[posted by katie]

Looks like summer sales are heating up; if you know of any significant savings from certain stores, let me know and I'll try to keep on top of posting them.

Vivid lobster red, sprout green and mellow yellow progress 1, 2, 3 on warm zen grey. Hand-tufted plush in fine 100% bikaner wool.

5'x8', $299.00 $249.00
8'x10', $599.00 $399.00
Buy it here.

[posted by katie]

Goodness gracious, these pockets are just about the best idea in gardening indoors and out. The gigantic installations shown on larger walls (not shown) are pretty amazing, but I think I'd be happy with one of the smaller Woolly Wallies (lower left) just to get some greenery indoors in a novel (and leak-proof) way.

Woolly Pockets are soft-sided nests for growing plants. They love to hang on walls and bring life to any horizontal surface in your home. Because Pockets are modular, they look great on their own and in groups, indoors and out. People love Pockets because they're flexible, easy to use, and help protect surfaces from getting wet, which makes gardening even more fun. Plants love Pockets because they're breathable, which keeps roots healthy and happy, so plants feel right at home.

Woolly Pockets are handmade in the U.S.A. from recycled plastic bottles.

prices range from $39.00-$247.00, Buy it here.

[posted by katie]

Act fast and get some Thomas Paul Pillows on sale...the bright colors and strong patterns might be just the thing your rooms need for a bit of summer updating. There's also some totes and such to check out. (Note: through Gilt Groupe's invite-only site.)

Most pillows: $55.00-$75.00 $28.00-$39.00, Buy it here.

[posted by katie]

This rug is spectacular with its rhombic shape and pink/blue/purple/grey color scheme.

In reference to the Japanese wrapping technique, that protects objects for transport, the Furoshiki seams like a folded cloth. The rug’s pattern combines 6 different colours and is produced by hand in 100% wool from New Zealand.

Dimensions: H112,2 x W60,2 in (H285 x W153 cm)
$2,770.00, Buy it here.

[via Dwell]

[posted by katie]

Check it: if you don't have the pounds for an original, you can now easily create your own copy of a contemporary art piece. Choose from IHIRST, IQUINN, IBANKSY, IEMIN, IWHITEREAD, or IPHOTOGRAPHER. Altogether a brilliant idea to get contemporary art into the hands of everyone.

IARTISTLONDON is a brand new way of creating your very own contemporary work of art. It's quick, it's easy and you don't need any artistic training or ability to start making great pieces! We supply you with all the necessary tools to produce your personalized copy of an original master.

Please see site for more details, as I certainly cannot do each piece justice in details.

IHIRST, IQUINN (£20.00), IBANKSY (£9.99), IEMIN (£15.99), IWHITEREAD (£4.99), or IPHOTOGRAPHER (£9.99-£15.00)
Buy it here.

[via designboom]

[posted by katie]