Furniture

One Man's Recyclables Are Another Man's... Furniture?

Ida Hsiang on Jul 2, 2009 10:21 AM PDT

How is it that a living space can get so cluttered? Some people are lucky and are born with the "organized and tidy" gene. I got the "cluttered pack-rat" gene instead. With every new beginning, I promise myself that I will only keep what is absolutely necessary and all that is not under that category will be swiftly thrown, recycled or donated. Instead, there are piles of fashion and gossip magazines dotting my floor, suitcases holding clothes because my closet and dressers are full and shelves of random knick-knacks, accessories and souvenirs that I swear are sentimental, but probably wouldn't notice if they were gone. Some fellow pack-rats have found a creative and environmental way to rid our already small living spaces of junk and clutter and produce objects that are beautiful, funky and totally useful! From trash-cans and large vases made from old magazines (i could make a patio set) to bright, extravagant chandeliers made from "stuff" and a place to rest your feet made up of shoes that used to be on them, innovative designers are helping lighten the land-fill load and make our homes more fun and functional! Because the items are made of recyclables, subtle details will be different, ensuring that you truly have a one-of-a-kind piece. Sounds like something you've been looking for to help set the theme of a new house, or to spruce up a room? Check out the slideshow to see some favorite recycled furniture ideas and find one for your space!

Tags : style , shopping , recycling , recycled newspaper , furniture

Cool Coasters That Keep Your Furniture (And Your Drink) Happy

Anna Yu on Jun 24, 2009 8:17 AM PDT

With the beautiful weather these days, I've been keeping cool by wearing cute summer dresses and staying barefoot as long as possible. I've also been making use of my ice maker and blender to stay cool. Smoothies, iced tea, you name it and I've made it (or plan to!). Nothing beats sitting down with a cold drink, a fun book, and the afternoon passing by. But wait, don't forget the coaster! Nobody likes excess moisture, especially your wood furniture. Whether you have a valuable antique or a cheap Craigslist find, your furniture is supposed to last. Quite unlike the fast fashion scene we've been experiencing, it's hard to buy and then throw away your furniture after a season or two. So that's why we've got to take care of it to keep it in shipshape. Take a look at the set of slate coasters from Crate and Barrel. You can keep track of the owners of each drink by writing your name on the coaster with a piece of chalk. Another favorite are the pinecone shaped coasters made out of durable vinyl. Take a look at my slideshow for more!

Tags : wood , home , furniture , decorate

Spend Time In Your Backyard Or Patio With New Outdoor Furniture

Anna Yu on Jun 4, 2009 2:22 PM PDT

After a long and cold winter and spring quickly passing us by, it's finally getting nice enough to spend more time outdoors! From lounging by the poolside to spending some serious time at the grill, nothing beats spending time in your very own backyard. But if you've recently discovered that your outdoor furniture didn't survive the winter (cracked wood or rusted metal), then it's high time to upgrade. I've also got some buying tips to make sure you get the most bang out of your buck. When buying metal furniture, look for labels that say they're powder coated and rust resistant. For wood furniture, teak is best, but it's also very expensive and slow growing. Instead, look for eucalyptus wood, which is sustainable and is water resistant. Who says outdoor furniture has to be hard and uncomfortable? I'd be happy sit on the Corsica Outdoor Oversized Chair all day long. In need for seating space and storage? Get the Chesapeake Bench Ice Chest which keeps all your drinks ice cold and the lid lowers into an extra seating space. Check out my slideshow for more outdoor furniture ideas. Just remember to store everything in a safe place in the winter so you don't have to buy new outdoor furniture every year!

Tags : west elm , water resistant , tv , summer , furniture

Hot In The Hive: Missoni Brings Back The Bean Bag Chair

Alex Gambardella on May 26, 2009 6:25 AM PDT

If the silly (and not especially comfortable) trend known as the bean bag chair has already had its "comeback" in the realm of popular home furnishings, I guess I wouldn't have been the first to know. After all, I probably haven't "relaxed" in one since I was in preschool, where they could be found slumped in various corners of the room, misshapen and abused by rowdy children and patched back together with duct tape in the places where they had inevitably sprung a messy leak of styrofoam "beans." Yuck. Who in their right mind would try to bring back those sad sacks? Why, Missoni, that's who! But wait -- these aren't just any bean bag chair. With their soft and comfy exterior, eclectic patterns and coloring, and wide variety of shapes and sizes, these bean bags are the old garbage bag version's much chicer younger cousin. Could it be that Europe's home decor experts are turning an out-dated uncomfortable fad into the ultimate combo of laziness and luxury? Check out the selection at dotmaison.com and see for yourself!

Price: 377.00 GBP
Who Found It: xgalexy was the first to add the Arenas Bean Bag to the Hive.

Tags : missoni , hot in the hive , home furnishings , home decor , furniture

Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall...

Amber Fijolek on May 24, 2009 5:19 AM PDT

Let's be honest -- we all kind of love checking ourselves out. Whether we're sneaking a peek in the reflection of a street-side window, or openly (well, privately, really) gussying up to dance and sing in front of an imagined-audience-of-many, mirrors play an important part in our lives. Hell, I'm not sure many of us could go a day without seeing a mirror at some point. The best mirrors, however, are ones that are beautiful on their own, without the help of our lovely selves standing in front of them. And the best of mirror-makers are those that consider themselves artists, creating wonderful masterpieces that sometimes seem better fit in a gallery than, say, above your bathroom sink. Turn your home into a gallery that bills your face as the main attraction with the interesting accents that these artists have designed to make these mirrors of our pretty faces. Check out this slideshow to take a peek at some of the coolest mirrors out there!

Tags : wall art , wall , vanity , vain , furniture

Update Your Room's Look With Just One Piece!

kate napleton on May 13, 2009 2:18 PM PDT

Maybe it was that furniture design class I took in college, or maybe it was my mom allowing me to re-layout my room every few months, but I love me some small home updates. Whether it's a simple rearrangement or a bold change, nothing can freshen your outlook faster. I challenged myself to gather a few snazzy, well-designed, conversation pieces of furniture to brighten up a room, all under $450. Imagine giving your bedroom a sense of Old Hollywood glamour simply by placing Target's Button-Tufted Chaise Settee at an angle. Or spice up your studio with Target's Small Room Divider in Espresso. It's a great way to organize some of your media, but also give your room a little more flair. Check out my slideshow for other great room-spicing options!

Tags : target go international , target , ikea , housewares , furniture