Pretty Little Green Things

Posts Tagged ‘Tabletop’

Yesterday I showed tabletop displays from the DIFFA Dining by Design event at the Architectural Digest Home Show.  If you didn’t see this post, take a peek because they’re just as amazing as today’s round.  I always love tabletop displays because they’re just raw creativity.  Since no one is actually eating at the table, there’s no need for practicality.  These designers have truly let their imagination run wild, which is why I always find them so inspiring.

Diane Von Furstenberg (yup, she’s got a home collection now)

I’m not sure who designed this one but I love the cityscape in the background.  If anyone know’s who this is, leave a comment below.

Echo Design

I’ve been trying not to comment on these tabletops and let them speak for themselves, but I have to tell you this was one of my favorites.  It was just so creative with the umbrella chandelier and rain pouring down on all four sides of the wood trellis.  Designed by Evette Rios for Hayneedle.

I’m also not sure who designed this one, but it’s gorgeous, no?

Anki Spets of Area for the New York Times

I also thought this display, designed by the students of Pratt with Alfredo Paredes (VP of Design at Ralph Lauren), was one of the most creative and unique.

Rockwell Group

Tracy Reese for Effen Vodka

Goil Amornvivat and Thomas Morbitzer of Tug Studio

Every year DIFFA hosts a Dining by Design event at the Architectural Digest Home Show with tons of tabletops by well known designers and tastemakers.  The acronym stands for Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS and is one of the country’s largest supporters of HIV/AIDS care & education.  Merging great design with a worthy cause seems like absolute genius to me.  Plus the tabletops are fun and absolutely inspiring, so I just had to share the whole event with you.  There were so many tables and so many I loved that I couldn’t possibly narrow it down, so I’m going to show more tables tomorrow too.  Enjoy!

David Stark (swoon!) for Benjamin Moore

I’m not sure who designed this table, so if you know leave a comment below.

The students of the Fashion Institute of Technology with mentor Preston Bailey (swoon again!)

2Michaels Design for Flor

Jeffrey Brooks Design

Brad Ford for Moore & Giles

And last but certainly not least…

Coffinier KU for the NYDC

I suppose the saying is true – when it rains, it pours.  I have, not one, but TWO guest articles live on the very same day.  I was honored to be asked to contribute to the Inside Source, eBay’s digital style magazine with my picks for a chic and eco-friendly Thanksgiving table.  Make sure you pop on over to their site to check out my picks and peruse other stylish insider tips as well.  Happy reading today!

It’s been a gray & rainy day here in New York and it looks like it’s going to stay that way for a little while.  So rather than wallow in the humidity and gloom, I wanted to brighten your day with Perch!, a lovely ceramics company out of Brooklyn.  Perch! modern ceramic products are designed by Amy Adams (from Minneapolis – shout out for my home state of MN!) and are totally eco-friendly.  The finishes are non-toxic, they use low-impact materials & processes and are the perfect way to support your local economy.  As someone who never takes herself all that seriously, I’m loving the mix of whimsy, clean lines and bright colors of these pieces.

Here are a few of my favorites, although make sure to check their website for more.  You can buy their products online, but there are tons of retailers around the US  and abroad selling their products too.  Enjoy!

I mean, how could you not smile if a Henrietta the Bird (or seven) was hanging in your house?  I’m smiling just looking at the picture!

I’m loving their signature fade technique as shown here on these Mini Pots.  It’s such a pretty detail.

This Diego Desk Lamp also has the gorgeous fade technique.  I think I might be partial to this sunny yellow color, although I could be persuaded in favor of turquoise, green, grey, brown or orange…

You could spell your entire name out with these Letter Lights or write funny messages to your guests.

This Plant Pod is another option for your greenery.  The inner and outer layers are genius.

I can think of a million uses for this Spot Bowl.  And I’m loving the colored interior – it’s like a surprise on the inside!

I mean, seriously?!  LOVE!  I don’t think I’d be able to keep a straight face when using these Shake a Leg Salt & Pepper Shakers though.

I’m going to finish up this post with something a bit more serious (although not too much thankfully!).  I want to go get a new plant just so I can get one of these Campy Planters.

Photos from Perch! Modern Ceramics

While I’ve never planned to write up recipes or take pictures of my cooking in this blog, I do think there’s a profound connection between living a greener life and eating locally grown organic food. As part of our unplugging weekend in Vermont, my husband and I made it a goal to eat as much locally grown or locally made food or beverages as we could.  This is easier said than done, and (spoiler alert!) we did cheat in a few times.  All in all I think we did a fairly good job.  Thankfully tomatoes were out in force and Vermonters have an appreciation for locally made food, making our objective a lot easier.   Here are a few pictures of our successes.  Makes me hungry all over again.

So first things first, we had to stop off at the Mount Tom Farmers’ Market to gather all our yummy produce.  If you’re ever in the area, it’s just outside of Woodstock, VT.

Here’s just a sampling of the amazing produce the farmers brought that day.

We ate a lot of those brandywine tomatoes.  And they were amazing!

Whoever said the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach must have met my husband.  If you ever want to get on his good side, just cook him something with beets in it.

A few of the fruits of our labors.  Even the pasta noodles came from the farmers market.

This was one of the most amazing types of bread I’ve ever had.  If anyone has a good recipe for molasses oat bread, pass it along!

My husband showing off his Cabot yogurt.  Cabot’s from Vermont baby!

You’ll have to bear with me on this one.  I’m an AWFUL omelette flipper but this time I managed to flip both of ours without mangling either one.  And yes, I was jumping around the kitchen with excitement at this point.  My poor husband – I made him take a million pictures as proof, but it was all worth it because now someone else has seen it.

And of course, what breakfast could be complete without eggs, toast and an amazing view.

Photos from Lee Boykoff

I have a few stores bookmarked on my computer so I can visit them online every so often.  I always find their carefully curated collection of objects inspiring and a bit lust worthy.  As a big picture kind of person, it’s nice to get wrapped up in all the little details and touches that make a house so cozy and welcoming.  One such shop I love to visit is Redefine Home.  Founded by David Betz and Linsi Brownson, this shop has a great selection of one of a kind items, unique furniture and decorative pieces.  The shop is located in California but everything is sold online (great news for those of us who live on the East Coast!).  And as always, my favorite part is their inspiring social and environmental platform.  Most everything they sell is eco-friendly or fair-trade.  And if not, is stylish, high-quality and made to last.

I’ve put together a collection of my favorites to inspire you.  Make sure you take a peek online too at the rest of the shop.  Enjoy!

This Regency chair was a flea market find that they reupholstered in an eco-friendly metallic vinyl.  I’ll take the chair and the cute dog!

Here is a selection of few of their pillows.  The one in the back was handprinted by artisans in a fair trade program from Bali.

This basket was carved from teak root reclaimed after a plantation harvest.  It’s gorgeous pieces like these that make me wish I had more surface area in my apartment!

I’m always amazed by the creative ways people find to repurpose glass bottles and this one is no exception.  This Recycled Bottle Votive is made from beer bottles that are gilded with a silver coating.  Brilliant!

You might think I’m crazy for showing you a trivet, but I really love this one.  It’s simple yet beautiful.  And it’s only $10!  Fancy Leaf Trivet in white.

Okay, so this Quad Wall Clock is not technically eco-friendly but I just had to include it because I love it.  Plus with it’s slightly retro look and clean lines, it will never go out of style.

This Large Mansard Mirror is hand-carved from recycled pine and antiqued to give it that weathered look.

I love the look of these vintage foundry molds, especially as a collection like here.

I love this little guy.  And fortunately he’s totally eco-friendly.  Made from recycled metal in Bali through a Fair Trade program that helps to empower women and sustain the local community.  Hoot the Owl is super cute.

All photos from Redefine Home

Happy Monday!  I found the coolest vases the other day and decided to do Monday’s room scheme around them.  They’re from Phil Cuttance, who makes them from discarded off-cut ABS from a local London plastic fabricator.  They really unique and so cool.  So technically this isn’t a whole room scheme, it’s more of a table top setting, but you get the idea.  Enjoy!  Details are below.

1.  Perfect for your white wine, these goblets are actually made from recycled wine bottles.  Willow Goblet from the Green Glass Company.

2.  Why not try alternating patterned placemats to add a little interest to your table.  Linden & Maya Placemats in Plum from Hammocks and High Tea.

3.  I love the simplicity of these napkins with the reclaimed suede ties.  They’re made from vintage fabric of 80% hemp and 20% cotton from a family farm in Romania.  Napkins with Ties from Branch.

4.  No dinner party is complete without a fun apron for the hostess.  Try this bright colored Juniper Apron from Unison.

5.  These are the vases I mentioned above.  I mean, how cool are these?  Weld Vases from Phil Cuttance.

6.  I love the texture and the handcrafted feel of these glasses and carafe.  They’re hand blown from recycled glass.  Syrian Drinking Glasses and Carafe from Canvas.

7.  Instead of salt and pepper shakers, why not try little cellars?  These are made from low-fire ceramic which uses less energy than traditional ceramic.  Tiny Basket Bowl from Perch, sold through Branch.

8.  Instead of buying new silverware, buy vintage.  This set is old hotel silver.  Hotel Silver from P.O.S.H.

9.  Last but not least, you’ll need dishes!  These plates are also made from low-fire ceramic and really great quality (so you’ll never need to replace them).  Rim Line plates from Heath Ceramics.