bltd

I’m obsessing over 1970’s vintage leather right now, and mainly this arose out of living with a man who is allergic to my cat. My wool Bottoni sofa is a virtual sponge for cat dander, and my poor boyfriend can’t take it any longer. We looked at new leather–but if you buy a high quality piece it will cost about as much as a car. So, on to Ebay I went. I scored a cool 70’s Italian leather piece from B&B Italia for a song. There are similar listings on auction sites for around $8500, but if you’re not in a hurry, you can wait it out and get a good price like I did.

I’ve been looking for a table for my entry for things like mail, keys and other remnants from a long day of work. At the time, I wasn’t able to find anything, so I had something made by a local craftsman for under $300. It’s a nice sturdy piece, but it doesn’t have drawers, and that would definitely keep that area tidier than it is looking now.

This piece by WestElm is actually almost exactly the same size, but it has the drawers that I’m now wishing my custom console had. Constructed from solid mango wood, the piece has a nice muted look.

It looks like a large block of walnut, and probably feels like it too (it weighs almost 100 lbs), but there’s something else about this coffee table that makes it special. It hides two large drawers for tucking all manner of living room paraphernalia- remotes, magazines… and all that other stuff that create clutter. Be forewarned that this needs assembly, but that shouldn’t be too much of a surprise considering the price.
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You might have seen the natural oak version, especially as we’ve posted it before, but the black finish of this Reflect Sideboard is, shall we say, hot. Designed by Søren Rose Studio for Muuto, each drawer front has corners that curve outwards, reflecting light and capturing our collective interest.
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It really doesn’t matter if you’re into the whole ‘modern Windsor’ look or not, this chaise is on sale for $389 from $699. Spice it up with some colorful fabrics or leave it sparse, either way $400 for a chaise longue (not lounge!) is pretty darn good in the price department. And, yes, it’s from West Elm, so keep that in mind that there’s ‘simple’ assembly involved.
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Let’s face it, modular shelving systems are not pretty. Usually they look cheap, and if they don’t, it often means there’s a hefty price tag attached. Now, this system from Bambica has a little bit of an Erector Set feel thanks to the rods held together with plastic pegs, yet the bamboo saves it from looking too college dorm room-ish*. There’s fifty bamboo pieces in all, and you can combine sets to expand the system.

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My-oh-my, what do we have here? Indoor/outdoor chairs from Bend Seating that mix old fashioned flair with modern geometry. The backrest of the Farm House Chair (right) is inspired by the architecture of old Amish barns, while the Ethel Chair (left) is the straight lined sister of Lucy (below). It’s enough to make your head spin (with longing).

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So what, it’s a cabinet, you say. Well, so it is, but there’s something a little special about it other than the lowish price tag. If you view it from the side, it appears to float on its two front legs, which it does thanks to a secure wall mount. This clears up the clutter of legs and adds an extra oomph to the stream lined feel of the cabinet. And do I need to remind you that minimal-ish bath storage is quite hard to find? Designed by U.K.-based Lime Studio.
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The dull January sky has me itching for some color so, of course, this bright true-green metal chair caught my eye. With a little Ming Dynasty thrown in, it fits the bill for robust seating in a modern-yet-eclectic home. And it’s welded from steel, so you can have it indoors or out.
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Check out this Comic Shelf by Oscar Nunez. It’s a good size at just over 3 feet wide, which means it would fit it in a variety of spaces- bathroom, bedroom, hallway, you name it. It’s now available through Groopti for $249.
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In terms of coffee tables, how many decent ones are at or under the $300 mark? Not many, that’s for sure, especially if ‘decent’ means aesthetically pleasing to the eye. This solid ash base was inspired by the peace symbol*; the designer deconstructed it to form 7 intersecting triangles.
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Remember this bench? It’s definitely time for an update as Chadhaus now has its own online store. The Vollen bench is hand built in Seattle from sustainably harvested local hard wood. Modern and simple, they’ll fit into many a room easily, especially as there are several sizes and finishes to choose from. Also, use the code STORE LAUNCH for 20% off, effective now through 12/31/11.
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How do you feel about faux-bois woodgrain? Terrific or tacky? I vote for terrific in this case, as the pattern is grooved into the sides and top of a white coffee table. It adds an organic feel- “updated organic modern” would be the label if you’re in need of classification. Perhaps even more exciting than the table is the handy storage box (Stump Storage Box, pictured below) which provides a great place for all sorts of things- toys, blankets, pillows, etc.- and could double as a side table (or stool?) if need be.
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Here’s a great choice for shelving, especially in small spaces. This piece designed by Finnish Eeva Lithovius only takes up space when open; when closed, it lays flat against the wall. Whether you choose just one or several grouped together, you’ll have a home for transitory books and magazines and, of course, more options with your own space.

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I’ve been thinking about changing out my coffee table for a more appropriate size, and this caught my eye as a possible option. A walnut top and a brushed steel base makes it fully appropriate for a modern living space, and it’s simple enough it wouldn’t take center stage (important when you have a lot of other stuff fighting for attention). Plus, there’s three different sizes to choose from, which gives a custom feel without a custom price.
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