THE MINIMALISTIC BEDROOM

A minimalistic bedroom is great for minimizing distraction and fostering relaxation. It should look intentional, however, not as if you’ve just moved in and haven’t gotten around to buying furniture yet. A simple color scheme and including a few well-edited accents helps in this. Oh, and another great thing about minimal? It really brings your costs down. This whole look is just $889.98.

The minimalist bedroom eschews flashy beds and headboards. The tall wood bed frame from West Elm also comes in white and dark brown. $169.

tall wood bed frame, $169 ON SALE

A utilitarian striped wool blanket makes for the ultimate minimalistic bedspread. $148.

Wool Blanket by Coyuchi, $148

The CB2 Fold Desk is streamlined and sturdy. $279.

fold desk , $279

Ikea’s Urban makes a good basic desk chair and won’t get in your way. $39.

Ikea Urban Chair, $39.99

It doesn’t get more minimalistic than Koncept’s LED floor lamp, available through The Conran Shop. $200.

I-TOWER LED FLOOR LAMP SILVER, $200

The barebones Hyllis shelving unit from IKEA in silver screams functionality. Get a few bins to conceal clutter in. $14.99.

Hyllis Shelving Unit, $14.99

Stash this sleek twin bell alarm clock from The Conran Shop next to your bed, using a stack of books as makeshift nightstand. $36.00.

TWIN BELL ALARM CLOCK, $36

A vintage movie poster adds a touch of color and flare. From $3.99 on Ebay.

Strangers in the Night vintage movie poster, $3.99


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1stDIBS PICKS: REAL ANTIQUES UNDER $200

Should you ever find yourself in the market for a 1955 Frank Lloyd Wright lounge chair (to the tune of $15k+), 1stDibs is most likely where you’ll want to look first (www.1stdibs.com). This online middleman for luxury antique and vintage items has a dizzying selection of beautiful things, making it a daily destination for interior designers on the hunt for special pieces. Not surprisingly, 99% of the things listed on 1stDibs on any given day are beyond the reach of most mere mortals. But he who seeks shall find, and FM has managed to find some absolute steals for $200 or below, no schlepping to the flea market required. – FM

Every room needs an antique French chalk Jesus watching over it, I always say.

Antique French Jesus, $108

Does one need a vintage opera hat? No. Does one want one? Yes, one does. $150.

Vintage Opera Hat, $150

Love your pooch? Prove it, with this old-school iron dog bed. $175.

Iron Dog Bed, $175

This gold painted mirror from the 1920’s is great for adding a bit of age to an otherwise modern bedroom or living room. $175.

1920's Detailed Wood Mirror, $175

Wondering what could possibly follow the antler/taxidermy phase we’re slowly coming out of? Well, here you have it: old snow shoes. This antique Canadian pair is by no means cheap ($200), but could prove entirely practical should Snowpocalypse strike again.

Canadian Snow Shoes, $200

PRESIDENT’S DAY STYLE

Happy Presidents’ Day, everyone. If your pad is decidedly lacking in presidential representation, consider adding some with any of these fun and very unimpeachable items.

The eagle: beloved national bird of presidents past and present. This brass eagle has great potential as wall flare. $58.99.

29" Wall Eagle in Antique Brass, $58.99

Today is also George Washington’s birthday. This Washington bust would make a regal bookend. $18.95.

Sale- George Washington Bust, $18.95

Let Honest Abe keep watch over you with this nifty replica painting. $199.

President Abraham Lincoln: Classic Art Reproduction, $199

Make use of these placemats and you’ll never again forget that Millard Fillmore was actually a president (1850-1853). $54 for a set of four.

Our Nations Presidents Set of Four Placemats by Simrin, $54

Like Bill, this corkscrew may not be entirely classy, but boy, it sure is charming.

CSB Bill Clinton Corkscrew, $18.24

Stick this life-sized cardboard Reagan in a corner the next time you throw a party and he’ll have your guests a-chattering in no time. He was “The Great Communicator” after all. $34.99.

President Ronald Reagan Life-Size Cardboard Stand-Up, $34.99

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FRIDAY FINDS: BAMBOO FOR $25 OR LESS

Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world, capable of growing 39 inches or more per day. It’s also eco-friendly. Bamboo yourself with these Friday Finds for $25 or less.

My, these are playful. The 4 bamboo spatula set from Target, just $9.99.

Good Cook Bamboo Spatulas 4-pk., $9.99

The Norpro citrus reamer—when life hands you lemons, use bamboo. $6.15.

Norpro Bamboo Citrus Reamer, $6.15

This precision soap pump from simplehuman will keep your soap-dispensing process civilized. $24.99.

bamboo precision soap pump, $24.99

Slice and dice in an organized fashion with this 4 bowl prep board from World Market. $19.99

Bamboo 4-Bowl Prep Board, $19.99

The pagoda of wine racks holds nine bottles. On sale at Macy’s for just $18.99.

Lipper International Wine Rack, Bamboo with 9 Bottle Storage, $18.99

Stick your iphone in this sleek case and the whole world will know you’re down with bamboo. Available through Horchow. $25.00.

Bamboo Earbuds & Case, $25

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HUMIDIFIERS

Unless you live in a swamp-like region, chances are your space could use some humidifying this time of year. The only problem: humidifiers tend to be huge eyesores. But never fear, we at FM have found some downright cool ones. Or shall we say, steamy?

The Middle Colors drop shape humidifier could easily be mistaken for a vase or an objet d’art. $119.97.

Middle Colors Humidifier $119.99

For those with a sense of humor, there’s Crane’s penguin humidifier. $39.99.

Crane 1 Gallon Cool Mist Humidifier Penguin $39.99

The Stadler “Fred” humidifier clearly takes the cake. We’re pretty sure Judy Jetson had one just like it. $99.99.

Stadler Fred Humidifier $99.99

The Stadler small-space model is sleek and great for tucking in corners. $80.

Swizz-Style Stadler Form Aquila Humidifier $80

The Air-O-Swiss 7145 Ultrasonic humidifier looks like a snazzy espresso maker and would blend in nicely in a room with dark furniture. $128

AIR-O-SWISS 7145 Ultrasonic Humidifier $128

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MANCAVE MAKEOVERS: COFFEE TABLES

Coffee table, beer table–whatever you call it, you need one. And no, a cardboard box doesn’t cut it. Rectangular tables tend to work in more spaces than round ones, and you’ll want something high enough that you can perch your feet on it, but not so high that it blocks your view of the boob tube. Whatever you decide, just remember to use a coaster, young man! Here are some we find swell:

Beautifully simple, this Muji aluminum coffee table can weather all sorts of abuse. Available at the MoMA store and a good value at $180.

Aluminum Coffee Table made in Japan by MUJI, $180

This contour rolling table from Target is great for storage or display. $187.49.

Contour Rolling Natural Coffee Table, $187.49

Fan of the distressed look? This grey-weathered farmhouse table is sure to please, and its large drawer provides ample storage space for all of your remotes.

Grey-Weathered Farmhouse Coffee Table, $199.99

If an ottoman and a coffee table were to mate, it would surely produce something like this. Simply place a tray on it any time you need a flat surface for drinks. $199.

Soho Tufted Square Ottoman, $199

The Adair black acrylic coffee table is space-age chic and the footrests double as magazine holders. $247.99.

Adair Black Acrylic Coffee Table, $247.99

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