LIKE CATS AND DOGS

The main reason we at FM don’t have pets—besides being too big a responsibility for your average New Yorker—is that most pet accoutrement are fugly. No matter how stylishly dope your pad may be, one standard-issue cat tree and your whole look is foiled. Still, one does daydream of kitty purrs and doggy tail wags from time to time, and it’s nice to know there’s some cool-looking pet stuff out there should we someday bring home a four-legged friend. Our favorites:

Every cool cat deserves a turntable scratching post to practice on. $35 from Fred Flare.

Cat DJ Scratching Deck

Cat DJ Scratching Deck

 

$160 is a bit steep for a kitty feces receptacle, but this mod, top-entry box looks like anything but. Just make sure Garfield isn’t too fat to jump back out…

Modkat Litter Box

 

If they made these for humans, I’d want one too: The fleece-lined Pod from Hepper. $110.

Hepper Cat Pod

 

For dog lovers who also love the iconic Hudson Bay stripes, there’s this cotton twill dog bed (yes, they sell the dog sweater too, though we typically advise against matchy-matchy). $90.

HUDSON’S BAY COMPANY COLLECTION DOG BED

 

For the gluten-free doggie: steak and mackerel chew toys. $8.00 each.

Small Dogmeatâ„¢ Mackerel

Small Dogmeatâ„¢ T. Bone Steak

 
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FRIDAY FINDS: INDEPENDENCE DAY

No plans for July 4th? No problem! Throw a last minute party with these cheap I-day essentials.

It’s not a party if there’s no snow cone maker in sight. Snow Cone maker from Target, $39.

Snow Cone Maker

 

Spike your snow cone syrups with a heavy dose of alcohol and your guests are sure to have fun figuring out how to put these down. At Crate & Barrel, $6.95.

Set of 50 Snowcone Papers, $6.95

Set of 50 Snowcone Papers

 

For fancy in a flash, ditch the Christmas lights for these grown-up string globe lights. $12.99 at Target.

Room Essentials Clear Globe Lights (25ct)

Room Essentials Clear Globe Lights (25ct)

 

Show your allegiance with these reusable earth friendly cloth napkins. $29.50 from Pottery Barn.

American Flag Napkins, set of 4

 

Americana never goes out of style. These patriotic pillows from ChooseMoose on Etsy add comfort to any gathering. $7.99.

Americana Accent Pillow, $7.99

Americana Accent Pillow

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LEARNING THE ROPES

Rope isn’t just the preferred material of sailors and hillbillies. In measured doses, it adds a charmed, rustic flair to any décor.  Here are our favorite rope pieces for your wall, floor and more.

Lighting you’ll want to lasso—the Riata Lamp from Anthropologie. $168.

Riata Lamp Ensemble

If you paid attention during rope tying lessons in your Scouts days, then you can probably fashion one of these knotted doorstops yourself. For the rest of us, there’s this version from Haus Interior. $50.

Rope Knot Doorstop

Terrain calls this the ‘Suspended Crate Shelf.’ I call it the ‘Poor Man’s Pot Rack.’ $38.

Suspended Crate Shelf

This easy-to-hang rope mirror from QVC would look great in a small bathroom or entryway. $59.46.

Home Reflections Handmade 16-1/2" x 25"H Rope Mirror

Home Reflections Handmade Rope Mirror

 

Rope door mats, like this woven one from Brook Farm General Store, can take a beating and still look tops. $35.

Rope Door Mat

 

As a child, I had a reoccurring dream that I married a lighthouse keeper. In this dream, there was most definitely a rope clock like this on the wall. $80.99 on Amazon.

Two's Company Know Your Rope Wall Clock

Two’s Company Know Your Rope Wall Clock

 

These loose-form rope handles would look right at home on a whitewashed dresser. $12 each from Anthropologie.

Pliant Rope Handle

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THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES

Double-sided and easy to perch in small spaces, vanity mirrors are the charming way to primp and preen. Here are our favorites, from classy bronze to punchy plastic.

 

The wee songbird perched on this Anthropologie mirror will keep you company as you agonize over the size of your pores. $148.

Winter's Perch Mirror

 

Pretty sure I had some version of this growing up, though mine was most certainly covered in glitter stickers. $16 from Plasticland.

Red Heart Shaped Vanity Mirror

 

The shallow bowl below the IKEA Lillholmen mirror is the perfect catchall for jewelry, coins and all those random tubes of ChapStick you find when doing laundry. $14.99.

LILLHOLMEN Table mirror

 

This golden duck mirror from Shop Ten 25 is further evidence that animal legs make everything cuter. $102.50.

Duck Leg Mirror

 

Rouge your lips and kohl your eyes in this old-timey model from Urban Outfitters. $49.00.

Vanity Mirror

 
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FASHION FOR HOME: THE UK EDITION

We love Fashion For Home, an online store filled with gorgeous contemporary designer furniture at affordable prices. They have come out with some new pieces since we did a store profile of these guys. We highlight some of our new favorites from their UK store, all items ship for free.

 

Sleeper sofas never looked so good. With the Dendera Sofa Bed in Pink Polyester, guests will overstay their welcome (also available in the U.S. for $899).

Dendera B Sofa Bed, £429.00


 

The handsome Dowel Armchair is mid-century with a twist. A well-built classic available in several colors, it works in a masculine or feminine space.

Dowel Armchair, £469.00


 

Anything that looks like it came out of a Kubrick film gets our stamp of our approval, like this Danish-designed Aurora Pendant lamp.

Aurora Pendant Lamp, £49.00


 
This one-of-a-kind unicorn lamp is a bundle of sophisticated irony on a table.

Unicorn Clear Table Lamp, £119.00

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GET THE LOOK: DOWNTON ABBEY

I don’t know about you, but I sure do miss watching Downton Abbey. I miss Mary’s icy stare, Carson’s firm commitment to protocol and Mr. Bate’s scandalous ex-wife situation. Mostly, I miss it as a visual feast of set and design. Bringing some of the Downton look into your home is easier than you might think, and needn’t require a handsome dowry to achieve. So, until Season Three comes on the horizon, we give you Get The Look: Downton Abbey.

 

It’s always teatime on this slate-colored Buffet Sofa from ABC Home. Snatch it on sale for $1199.

buffett slate sofa

 

This Teardrop Chandelier casts a soft glow and won’t require a household staff to keep clean. $129 from Pottery Barn Teen, which has a surprisingly vast lighting selection.

Teardrop Chandelier

 

One never knows when unexpected visitors may come calling! Make sure your coif is intact with this ornate gold-leaf mirror from Wayfair. $272.90.

Howard Elliott Wellington Wall Mirror

 

The Dowager Countess is right: Hand-written letters are best read under the discerning gaze of a magnifying glass, like this wire-wrapped number from Anthropologie. $16.

Wire-Wrapped Magnifying Glass

 

I’m on Team Mary, so I’d put her picture in this Mulberry Picture Frame. Those on Team Sybil may do as they wish. Is anyone on Team Edith?? $55.00 from Supermarket.

Mulberry Picture Frame

 

Hide ugly store-bought planters with this Carson-approved ceramic beauty. $122.50 from Wayfair.

Tall Parisian Planter

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