Almost no other animal enjoys such popularity as the elephant. Admired for its majestic size and loved for its proverbial good-humor, it is part of our everyday experience as a child's cuddly toy, a storybook character and a majestic creature. Charles and Ray Eames also succumbed to their charms and in 1945 designed a toy elephant made of plywood. However, it never made it into mass production. The Eames elephant is now available for the first time in a plastic version for those it was originally intended for: children.

tags:

• kids
• , design public
• , modern
• , vitra
• , children
• , elephant
• , eames elephant
• , eames

I just recently traveled through Morocco and was dumbfounded by the array of colors, textiles, and details the artisans exhibited in their work. I saw a number of poofs while there and thought, “This is brilliant! It is decorative and functional, yet totally fun and different…if only I had more space to get one home.” Well, zid zid brought my dreams to life plus they added more of a contemporary edge to their poofs which is just what I wanted.

tags:

• morocco
• , poofs
• , zid zid
• , design public
• , modern
• , seating
• , kids

Paper Cloud is all about well designed art you can share. All products are hand printed and handmade in their studio -- one at a time. No factories or supply chains, just lots of creativity, fun, and love. Let your thoughts and doodles pop up all over this handmade mushroom journal. The outside of the journal features a mushroom design hand printed on linen. The pages are blank, and the front and back are lined with a matching decorative paper. Comes in two sizes. Small Journal: 120 pages. Medium Journal: 144 pages.

tags:

• paper goods
• , mushroom
• , journal
• , design public
• , paper cloud

This is the most amazing pillow ever! All kinds of other animals and prints available too!

tags:

• animal
• , pillow
• , design public
• , zebra
• , print
• , fauna pico pillows

Waay too many ugly rugs in this world. EXCEPT for what I've seen come out of Thomas Paul's studio. They are a mix of historic design -- Art Nouveau, 60's Pop Art, 70's Minimalism, 18th Century Baroque -- and reinterpreted into a unique style with a color palette that works with today's interiors.

tags:

• rugs
• , accessories
• , home
• , design public
• , thomas paul
• , decor
• , green
• , thomas
• , chocolate
• , interior design

The Cavern Home Navajo Wallpaper makes me want to share a story: This past weekend I was home in the 100 degree dry Colorado heat and all I could think about was the longing for rain. The solution: teach your 2.5 year old niece how to do a makeshift rain dance. We danced our hearts out then ran outside. It took a few minutes but lo and behold it started to rain huge refreshing drops. We spent the next hour running around in the rain getting absolutely drenched. Now that I see the Cavern Home Navajo Wallpaper I feel inclined to buy a roll and make it into some fun wall art to commemorate our rain creating experience.

tags:

• wallpaper
• , design public
• , home decor
• , modern wallpaper
• , wall decor
• , cavern home

I am so incredibly impressed with what textile designer Yaling Hou of Flowie has created. Her hand screen printed designs are beautiful and her fabric selections make me drool massively. I typically am pretty picky about patterns and fabric, but I can’t find a single item in her collection that I don’t thoroughly enjoy. My favorite is the Dumpling Bag...what shape! I just need some chocolate, a glass of wine, a chick flick, new shoes and a Flowie bag and I am girlie heaven.

tags:

• handbag
• , flowie
• , bag
• , textile
• , made in the usa
• , dumpling
• , design public
• , tote
• , hand screen printed
• , modern accessories

Hybrid-Home was born out of a need for fun and stylish home accessories at reasonable prices. A friendly approach to modernism. It started as a hobby for designer Dora Drimalas while living in Portland where she made small pillows for her apartment. Since then, Dora has incorporated her love of modern interiors with her graphic sensibility to create timeless accessories that warm up a room.

tags:

• design public
• , poster
• , wall
• , wall decor
• , hybrid home
• , print
• , home decor
• , wall art
• , owl

For all gray lovers out there…Unison’s Fall ‘08 Collection includes charcoal bedding! Yes, I ran around in circles too when I first saw the images. While working in customer service I had many a call asking about the various gray duvet options we have and I am so proud/pleased to say that we have another beautiful piece to add to the list. The charcoal striped “Porter” print is a great clean and minimalist choice for guys and gals alike. Considering that I am going through a major gray loving frenzy right now, this is at the top of my wish list!

tags:

• designpublic
• , bedding
• , porter
• , decor
• , modern
• , charcoal
• , unison
• , minimal
• , gray
• , home

The OFFI Mag Table is red hot during this freezing cold winter season. As a matter of fact, as I write this my hands are pretty much frozen from the cold Colorado air, but when I look at the new red Mag Table I get a flushed feeling in my cheeks because I am anxious to add a Mag Table to my collection. Oh, what a great table to hold my Mexican hot chocolate while I cozy up with a book and watch the snow fall.

tags:

• home
• , offi
• , offi mag table
• , design public
• , furnishing
• , mag table
• , seating
• , modern furnishing

Designer: Ross Meneuz Manufacturer: Salvor Fauna Dimensions (inches): Balsa Wall Hanging - Bamboo: 24 H 48 W Materials: Hand printed water based ink on small rectangular pieces of balsa wood, 100 percent cotton broadcloth.

tags:

• wall art
• , home decorating
• , design public
• , wall hanging
• , home decor
• , balsa
• , bamboo
• , home ideas

Thanks to Area’s newest bedding pieces, I just now came up with my New Year’s resolution (only 42 days late!): only purchase organic bedding (in addition to other environmental changes). I am sure a number of people resolved to make this idea a reality months or years ago. I just needed a little more time to come around and realize the impact organic bedding can have not only in my bedroom but environmentally as well. Do I really want to sleep for 8 hours under something full of chemicals? Nope, I don’t believe so. Do I want to support the organic farmers who employ environmentally friendly farming methods? Why, yes! Combine the clean and simple Area designs with the organic option and I can see myself drifting off into a dream world right now.

tags:

• modern bedding
• , area
• , design public
• , sustainable
• , organic bedding
• , area bedding
• , organic

I have developed a sixth sense: spotting Bugaboo strollers from miles away. No joke! What makes this special ability even more amazing is that 1.) I don’t have kids 2.) I don’t have the itch to have kids any time soon and 3.) I don’t have an eye for any other type of stroller. I have no idea where this ability came from, but ever since the special skill began I have been prone to letting all friends and family around me know that a Bugaboo stroller is within a mile radius of me, whether they have interest or not. I guess spotting a Bugaboo stroller is like eying your favorite type of car, or bike or jeans. Speaking of jeans…how about a Bugaboo stroller in denim! Yes, you heard me correctly. Denim!

tags:

• modern baby
• , stroller
• , bugaboo
• , design public
• , bugaboo cameleon
• , denim

If I were to have a “jumbo” lamp of any kind the new Lights Up! Meridian Jumbo Pendant Lamp would most certainly be a front runner. This big guy is a whopping 30 inches in diameter. I try to imaging how big the lamp is and I surmise it to be about three of my arms (from elbow to knuckles). This really is a large lamp! Unfortunately, my apartment is about 8 of my arms wide (from elbow to knuckles) so the lamp might take up more room than I can afford to spare. Boy, I can’t wait for the day when I have more square arm space.

tags:

• lamp
• , pendant lamp
• , modern lighting
• , design public
• , lights up

The Bloom coasters from Modern Basics, made of bonded layers of Ultrasuede, are like a fun, funky, reusable garnish, with the added bonus of keeping your table surface safe from whatever you might be drinking. (And you can spot-clean them with a gentle detergent.) They come in packs of four, with two coasters each in two opposite color combinations

tags:

• art
• , home accessories
• , home ideas
• , creative living
• , coasters
• , coaster
• , design public
• , table
• , home
• , independent

In viewing Blu Dot's new 2008 collection I realize now that goodness, did my apartment need the Blu Dot One Night Stand Sleeper this week! I had company visiting which meant five folks packed into 500 square feet. It was a challenge, let me tell ya. Thank goodness we had piles of bedding and pillows stashed away to make a few spots on the floor, but it would have been much more comfortable sleeping on a fold out couch. If only we had had that option.

tags:

• blu dot
• , sofa
• , sleeper sofa
• , design public
• , couch
• , furniture design
• , modern design
• , modern furniture

What a better way to buy your child his/her first piece of real estate than a phat crib…like an OFFI Nest Crib to be exact. No need to worry about mortgage payments or the housing crises with this choice. Rather, you’ll know that the purchase has many years of use beyond the baby days as the crib comes with a toddler conversion kit. Now that, my friends, is a great financial investment.

tags:

• nest crib
• , nurseryworks
• , offi mag table
• , crib bedding
• , modern baby blanket
• , design public
• , baby bedding

If you have been hopelessly searching for the perfect macabre, Edward Gory-esque forest landscape, or perhaps a dreamy, golden-lit classic landscape to envelope you, search no further! Graham & Brown have done it again, mastering the upper echelon of all things elegant with their Mode Enchant Wallpaper. The stunning overlaid tree design with surreal, iridescent highlights provides depth and picturesque beauty to your walls. Check out the Graham & Brown Mode Enchant Wall Paper, and get whisked far, far away!

tags:

• mode enchant wallpaper
• , wallpaper
• , design public
• , graham and brown

Habitual museum-goers and art-collectors may recognize pieces from our new designer, Artecnica, and we are proud to introduce their latest Design with Conscience Series. This series is the eco-friendly love-child of renowned designers and artisan laborers from all over the world. One of the most stunning pieces by Artecnica is the neo-chandelier, Come Rain Come Shine, fashioned by designer Tord Boontje. The combination of hand-crafted cotton, organza, silk and fabric flowers generates a magnificently eerie glow… like a drifting sea anemone, or something out of a Matthew Barney installation. These particular designs come in black, white, or multi-colored. We recommend you explore the several unique and ethereal pieces from Artecnica, whom we are enthusiastic to support in their congruent campaign for humanitarianism and the perpetuation of exceptional collectible art.

tags:

• come rain come shine
• , design public
• , design with conscience
• , tord boontje
• , artecnica

In honor of my dog nephew, Finney, I believe it is appropriate to attribute a corner of my apartment to him via a Crypton Petalonia Pillow. The colors match his chocolate coat oh so perfectly and the image of the pups on the pillow strikingly resemble his handsome dog physique from puppy days to his “grown up” years. Gotta love dogs!

tags:

• pillow
• , pets
• , dog
• , design public
• , mocha
• , chocolate
• , modern
• , crypton

Funny what something like the Vers 2X iPod Sound System will do to people. The other day I was minding my own business and working steadily on my laptop when a non DP related friend looked over my shoulder at my screen showcasing the sound system and he said “Whoa, I have got to get that. How soon can it be shipped to me?” I gave him the information and responded “Yes, I feel the same way as you; this thing causes major eagerness and excitement. My palms are sweating and I think I am pitting because of the sound system, are yours?” I looked over at him and beads of sweat were rolling down his face. Ok, so maybe it wasn’t that extreme, but my plams did sweat.

tags:

• vers
• , designpublic
• , modern
• , ipod
• , wood
• , design public
• , sound system
• , speakers
• , natural

The Fatboy Avenue can be arranged into any imaginable seating arrangement including an island, snake, or circle, providing you with your own personal lounge. The chic design is ideal for any space, from your office to your outdoor patio.

tags:

• fatboy avenue
• , pouf
• , designpublic
• , outdoor seating
• , modern
• , ottoman
• , design public
• , poof
• , outdoor
• , fatboy

Mibo designer Madeleine Rogers launched her first collection of lampshades in 2001. She draws inspiration from her surroundings on the British coast -- seaside resorts, bold deckchair stripes, and nostalgic patterns that would be at home on a 1950s bikini. Band stands, B & B’s, bingo halls and other colorful aspects of British seaside life keep firing her imagination, creating designs you won’t find anywhere else – at a reasonable price.

tags:

• home
• , lamp
• , home furnishings
• , designer
• , pillow
• , lamp shade
• , mibo
• , design public
• , wall paper
• , designpublic

Bringing food from the kitchen to the table or having a platform to plate a basic meal should be one of simplicity. The STAACH Enos Collection Serving Trays provide a wide range of sizes and finishes that's perfect for any modern home. Cheers!

tags:

• fsc wood
• , handmade
• , serving tray
• , design public
• , modern tabletop
• , staach
• , tray

tags:

• wall art
• , camel
• , design public
• , wall hanging

1.5R: you asked for it, we built it - the ideal compact AM/FM sound system for iPod with the rich, natural full-range sound you heard in the 2X. The extended 18-function remote allows you to master your iPod's menu and playlist navigation functions as well as standard audio functions and stored favorite station selection from up to 25 feet away. The 1.5R was designed to be a ‘hybrid'; great as a bedside alarm system, even better in the kitchen, den or office - anywhere great sound belongs.

tags:

• vers
• , gift for guys
• , sound system
• , gift
• , design public
• , ipod
• , modern
• , alarm clock

tags:

• pillow
• , home
• , design public
• , home accents
• , upper playground birds pillow

Thorsten van Elten is the bold design producer of a plethora of functional, yet artistically-witty design products, such as the Still Life Bowl, designed by Barnaby Barford & Andre Klausery. You either love it or hate it, but don’t be jealous that you didn’t think of it first! Bust it out for the upcoming get-together you are hosting, with your bf or gf’s friends that you’ve never met in attendance, and Thorsten van Elten will most indubitably start the conversation so you don’t have to... Give the Thorsten van Elten family a peek at www.designpublic.com for great gift ideas, or at least a hearty chuckle.

tags:

• barnaby barford and andre klausery
• , still life bowl
• , design public
• , thorsten van elten

There is something special about Flensted mobiles. I am not sure if my enthusiasm for them originates from the copious design options, or the bright colors, or the tranquility of the movement, or the delicate balancing act, or maybe the fact that they add movement to a room that typically can be very static. Whatever the cause, I think doctors should start prescribing Flensted mobiles to all patients. I bet there would be a dramatic increase in health and happiness nationwide if everyone had a mobile in their room.

tags:

• animals
• , art
• , design public
• , flensted mobiles
• , mobile
• , hedgehog
• , children
• , kids