5 PRETTY PENDANTS

A large, billowy pendant can do wonders for a room in need of some soft lighting. These pretty pendants, in light whites and neutrals, would look stellar above a bed or couch, adding romantic ambience whether the lights are on or off.

 

This bulbous Chiasso pendant is a jumbled mass of aluminum and chrome that’s lit by eight small bulbs within. $118.

 

Designed in 1969 and composed of 69 pieces, the Norma69 Shade is nothing if not shagadelic.$130 from The Conran Shop.

 

This classy tiered brass pendant from Urban Outfitters looks way more expensive than its $64 price tag, and is likely to develop a cool patina over time.

 

Buttery capiz shells are trimmed with nickel and arranged like a lotus flower on this dreamy pendant from Pottery Barn. $199.

 

Simple does it on this chic and cheap IKEA paper shade, which is a nice update to the round paper lanterns IKEA is known for. $5.00.

TAKING OUT THE TRASH

Trash. Garbage. Rubbish. We all produce it—why not store it in an aesthetically pleasing manner? Here are some fun trash cans that will keep your refuse under wraps in style.

Shabby chic and industrial chic are happily married in this woven wire trash can. $29.00 from Urban Outfitters.

This angular acrylic trash can is pretty enough to double as an umbrella stand or extra storage. $49.99 from CB2.

 

Oscar called—he wants his domicile back. $9.99 from The Container Store.

Go all “office building reception area” with this stainless steel beauty. $93.99 from Sears.

 

Introducing the Big Red of Trash Can Land, complete with convenient foot lever. $99.99 from Sears.

 

It’s not entirely clear whether these awesomely simplistic shopping bag holders ship to the US (the company is Spain-based), but anyone with a surplus of plastic and paper bags lurking under her sink (i.e. yours truly) is going to want to give it a try. €18.90 form Un4Verde.

 

With convenient side handles, this little number has the look of leather and the price of polyurethane. $9.99 from IKEA.

CRAZY FOR COPPER

My infatuation with copper deepened this holiday season when I came upon—and attempted to ransack—my mother’s copper cookware collection (turns out she’s rather partial to the collection herself). The oh-so-shiny, oh-so-conductive metal looks great whether freshly polished or slightly tarnished, whether hung majestically from a rack or used as a casserole dish. With copper prices continuing their upward trajectory—and not wanting to have to lift and scrap copper in order to afford some of my own—I began hunting down some affordable pieces to get a collection going.

 

Moscow Mule fans will clamor for these solid copper mugs, but they’ll keep other drinks pleasantly chilled too. $19.99 each from Kitchen & Company.

 

A mixing bowl worthy of Julia Child herself: Mauviel’s copper 4.9-QT beating bowl with handy holding ring. $89.99 from Bed Bath & Beyond.

 

Made of copper wire and lined in mesh, this handmade tea strainer is pretty and practical. $58 from Canoe.

 

This 4-piece set of copper-plated canisters would look right at home in a French farm house—or your house—and is the perfect place to store flour, sugar, coffee and other staples. $61.99 from Overstock.

 

This very solid-looking copper and brass nautical oil lamp isn’t just for skippers and lighthouse keepers—use it in place of candles for a cozy winter dinner. In the warmer months it makes an awesome outdoor lantern.  $169.95 from Garret Wade.

 

Just imagine the sheen you’d achieve by hanging your copper cookware from a copper rack! The top shelf is ideal for storing lids or cookbooks. $144.99 from Home Depot.

HIP XMAS TREE ALTERNATIVES

Love the tradition of Christmas trees but hate the watering, needle vacuuming and potential de-squirreling associated with having a real one? Consider an alternative. From plastic to cardboard, these hip real tree alternatives add holiday cheer without the mess and space hogging. Best of all, instead of dragging these to the curb come January, you can stash them in a closet until next year.

Eat your heart out, Charlie Brown. This adorably sparse tabletop tree from Urban Outfitters is just $9.99.

 

Why did the Modernist cross the road? Why, to get this stark wooden Filigree Tree, of course. Available from DWR, it’s 5 feet tall and easy to assemble/disassemble. $124.50.

 

For extra-lazy holiday enthusiasts, there’s the cardboard Christmas tree. Just pop it up and let the good times roll. $19.99.

 

This pre-lit pink tree set from Home Depot doesn’t even need ornaments to achieve optimal festivity levels. $79.99

 

Vintage ceramic trees are undeniably kitsch and look undeniably inviting when lit in a window. Find them on Ebay or Etsy. $45 from Etsy.

If a single bay leave can infuse a whole stew with forest-like aroma, imagine how nice an entire bay leaf tree would smell. $79.99 from Pottery Barn.

 

GOING SOMEWHERE? THE DUFFEL BAG ROUNDUP

Weekend getaways and family holiday visits are on the horizon and your little rolly suitcase may not cut it in the Packing Department. Enter the perfect catchall: the duffel bag. Duffel bags are great because they can be packed to the gills, thrown over a shoulder and weather all kinds of travel manhandling. Here are some duffels that look good, are of enduring quality and fairly priced.

Made on the shores of Lake Superior, Duluth Pack is the ultimate in rugged craftsmanship. This Large Sportsmans Duffel—like anything from this outfitter—is guaranteed for life and will only look better with age. $265.

 

You may think of mock turtlenecks when you think of Eddie Bauer, but I think of duffles—my parents gave me a set when I was a kid and I still have them. This medium-sized Adventurer Duffel looks exceedingly durable as well. $119.

 

Patagonia’s Black Hole Duffel is sleek enough for the City Slicker yet entirely prepared for the Great Outdoors.  $149.

 

For the softer side of duffel, there’s Roxy’s muted multi-color Stripe Duffel. $62.

 

Is it a duffel or an accessory? It appears to be both. LeSportsac’s Extra Large Weekender in lush flower print. $138.

 

Anyone who has ever been near a hockey rink knows that hockey bags can fit just about anything. This vintage-style duffel is perfect for oversized items or heavy packers. $44.99.

GET THE LOOK: THE STEAMPUNK LITE LIVING ROOM

The next time you’re at a dinner party and there’s a sudden lag in the conversation, stoke the fire by asking everyone to define ‘steampunk.’ Chances are, there will be a delightful variation in definitions, underlining the fact that it’s a hard style to define with any authority. Is it Victorian? Is it Sci-Fi? Or is it rather turn-of-the-century industrial?

Whatever your definition, it’s a concept that’s much easier to identify than to define. This week, we’ve identified some stylish pieces that give a firm nod to the steampunk look, yet are modern and practical enough for everyday.

 

With its Victorian-era look and feel, the Luxe Fainting Couch from Urban Outfitters is a good place to start. Its rich dandelion color is also complementary of darker coordinating pieces. $649 Urban Outfitters.

 

The timelessness of Persian rugs means that they also speak ‘steampunk.’ $79.99 from IKEA.

 

The oversized Oliver Leather Ottoman from Pottery Barn is by no means cheap ($899), but look at it—it’s a tank and you’d have forever. Plunk a tray on top and it also doubles as a great coffee table.

This repurposed pendant from Rejuvenation is a throwback indeed—check out its wire-guard shade, cloth-covered cord and stained oak base. $156 each.

 

If one indisputable thing can be said about steampunk, it’s that gears and sprockets are its lifeblood. Pair open-gear clocks like these from Amazon as wall décor. $25 and $39.99, respectively.

 

It’s a (faux) painted map of the Old World!  $124.99 from Overstock.

 

These dark green velvet pillows are lush, yet stern—just like that steampunk barista at Starbucks you’ve been pining for. 2 for $25.49 from Overstock.

 

I do declare—this piranha does appear to be of the man-eating variety. Perch it on a shelf as both a study in nature and as a reminder to be careful where you swim. $39 from Evolution.

 

FRIDAY FINDS: TURKEY DAY

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, folks. Prepare without breaking the bank—all of these finds are $30 or less.

 Doily placemats are fun AND classy. $3.00 each.

 

Worried that your table is missing the necessary kitsch factor? You can rest easy with a set of these. Let guests make up stories about how this charming couple decided who got to carry the pumpkin. $4.99 at Kmart.

 

There’s no shame in making guests eat off of paper plates so long as they’re golden. $13.69 for a set of 24.

 

If you’re anything like me, you’re into centerpieces that are no fuss and highly flammable. $29.99 from IKEA.

 

And because your good-for-nothing friends broke half your wine glass collection the last time they were over, be sure to pick up some more of these while you’re at it. $1.49 each.

 

One wishbone is never enough. Arm yourself with plastic wishbones from Lucky Break. Vegetarian friendly! $ 4.79 for 5.