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To the delight of all of us that enjoy simple and inexpensive items, MUJI continues to expand their collection of home/office accessories. This desk is just that: simple, inexpensive, and completely MUJI.

“Components of MUJI’s Stainless Steel Unit System, these gray desk legs and smooth ash desktop coordinate to form a sleek and simple desk that is suitable for any décor. Desktop and desk legs sold separately.”

Ash Desktop: 49.25w x 21.5″h;
$245.00 ($220.50 members)

Gray Desk legs, 47w x 20.5″l
$180.00 ($162.00 members)

total: $425.00, ($383.50 members)

MoMA’s designer bio on MUJI…

Wow, a lacquered buffet for under a grand…color me surprised. And, man, wouldn’t this be the center of attention (all while providing excellent storage space)??

High-Gloss Ferrari Red Lacquer over MDF
Metal Legs, 3 Doors of Storage

71″W X 16″D X 28″H

Update: This item is unfortunately no longer available in red or for the original price, but Cantoni does have the buffet in black with different handles for $1,899.00. (10/15/09)

Update: This item is unfortunately no longer available. (10/5/09)

I’ve had my eyes on this desk for a while and now it’s on sale. I’m not sure how I feel about the limed blonde wood, but I think a nice coat of white paint (almost lacquer-like) would make it stand out nicely.

parsons desk with drawers

I love this shelving. Conceivably, you could use it all over a room and not need any other storage. The shelving would unite all the disparate items into one theme, thereby reducing the visual clutter.

A suitably priced stacking stool in oak plywood…if you choose to add the tray, it becomes a side/coffee table, or an upholstery option also exists just in case you’d like a little extra padding…

Natural Oak or Wenge stain.

20.5″ x 13″ x 17.75″h

Stool: $254.72

(Tray, add $138.24)
(Upholstery, add $74.24)

Assembling furniture is definitely not my favorite thing to do, but saving money is, so that’s why this shelf is a sight for sore eyes…nice classic modern shape would fit very easily into any room and budget.

Assembly required.

Available in acorn, chocolate and white.

46″l x 16″w x 77″h.

Finally, some truly modern children’s furniture that’s not too expensive and looks great.

“Resembling abstract building blocks, the Solo Junior, with its bright colors and firm but comfortable foam material, calls out to be sat on, flipped over and climbed upon. A petite scale of a chair designed for the Seattle Public Library, it has a unique shape and makes a startlingly comfortable perch for bodies small and large. Inspired by the modern world’s constant state of flux, Arne Quinze and Yves Milan design furniture that expresses playfulness, creativity, quality, excitement and ingenuity. Made of Quinze & Milan’s proprietary polyurethane foam, which was developed as an alternative to upholstery. The Solo is weather-resistant, nontoxic, recyclable and easy to clean. Suggested age: 3 yrs and up.”

This is a delightful little side table who’s inspiration came from a visit to grandma’s house. The table is constructed of two layers of hard acrylic with a thin layer of laser cut felt between.

“The inspiration for this design emerged during lunch at the home of Enrico Fratesi’s grandmother, Luisa. For Fratesi, the fact his grandmother’s furniture was covered in plastic was no surprise, since this method of keeping furniture clean was a practice he’d seen all his life. But for his partner, Stine Gam-Pedersen, a native of Denmark, the plastic covers were odd, unexpected and exactly the inspiration needed for their next design.”

Luisa can be used in multiples to create a coffee table, in either three of the same color or a mix.

I collect vintage interior design/decorating books, and a particular favorite I found at a university library sale: Bloomingdale’s Book of Home Decorating, published in 1972. The first picture you see as you flip through its sepia tinged pages is of a sunken living room, resembling a cave, with white fur covering almost every surface, from the floor to the walls to the ceiling. It’s so far over-the-top that I love it, that is what was so fun about decorating in the Seventies!

Imagine my surprise as I was shopping around this morning to find this amazing sofa from cheeky design firm Moooi. If you happen to have a sunken living room, I highly suggest you purchase this sofa in conjunction with several yards of faux fur to complete this designer look. The link below provides some inforamtion with more to come.

A look at the cover shot for Bloomingdales Book of Home Decorating:

Anyone else think the “window” looks trompe’loie?

Great new chair from Blu Dot available in black leather, brown leather and robin’s egg blue leather.

White on White just relaunched their new site. While perusing it today, I found the WB chair for only $135 (while the original sells for around $500). Such a great deal. Mind you, it is a reproduction, but if you’re in the Ikea price range, you may try White on White.

This is a pricy chair but I currently can’t imagine anything prettier. It’s so delicate. I also really like the muted color of the upholstery.

Blu Dot is one of those companies who can’t seem to misstep; every product they introduce becomes an instant favorite of mine. The new Couchoid upholstery group is no exception. A recessed chrome base makes the solid sofa appear to float, and the dense seat, back, and arms have just enough detail to avoid looking like a big block of foam. The only problem is that I don’t think any pillows would look good on this, so let’s hope it’s as comfortable as it is striking.

Hardwood frame, high density foam. Upholstered in a leather alternative in dark brown,
white, or robin’s egg blue with contrasting stitching.

H 28″ (Seat height 15″) x W 75″ x D 34″ (Seat depth 24″)

I’m such a sucker for different-looking furniture. You know, the type that not everyone has or can get, or for that matter, even likes. Now, why someone wouldn’t like simple lines, a strong graphic presence, and such a suprising color is beyond me. Green goes with everything, right?

Solid Ash, Powder Coated Steel