Accessorizing, Shopping Guide

COOL FREESTANDING COAT RACKS

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Freestanding coat racks are a great way to liven up an entryway or office corner.  Unfortunately, cool coat racks are also surprisingly expensive (Exhibit A).  We scoured our favorite sites and found a handful of racks that pack a punch without price tags that feel like a sucker punch.

 

The enchanting Twig coat rack from Z Gallerie looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale illustration. $149.95

Twig Coat Rack - Antique Silver

 

In its berry hue, the Coming & Going rack from Urban Outfitters is a fresh spin on a style grandma would have had in the front parlor. $79

Coming and Going Coat Rack

 

Room and Board offers a colorful range of these, including this vibrant green. $229.

Large Six-arm Coat Rack

 

The Colore rack from Chiasso nods its head to the Eames Hang-It-All  Rack. $78.

colore coat rack

 

CB2’s Telephone rack is modern, playful and cool, all wrapped into one. $89.95

telephone coat rack

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Friday Finds

FRIDAY FINDS

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Happy Friday readers, how’s your summer going? It’s turning out to be a busy season for us in the blogosphere, so write to thefrugalmaterialist@gmail.com if you’d like to be a guest blogger!

Today’s finds, $55 or less.

Lava lamps are the ultimate accessory and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. Liven up a minimalist room with this one from Wal-Mart.

Lava Lamp, $14.44

 

Or, what about this lipstick lamp from Target? You know you want it, don’t lie.

Lipstick Lamp, $24.99

 

Think it’s tough finding a no-nonsense, yet stylish umbrella stand these days? Think again.

Adesso Triton Chrome Umbrella Stand, $54


 

This rubbery ducky towel will make you want a baby if you don’t have one already.

Cath Kidson Rubber Duck Bath Towel, $40

 

Don’t forget the art, like this beautiful signed Baldomero Fernandez 8×10 print from Notahipster.com.

Parque Bacona print by Baldomero Fernandez, $50

 

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Coffee Table Book of the Week

COFFEE TABLE BOOK OF THE WEEK: PRIMATE PORTRAITS

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This week’s pick, Like Us: Primate Portraits, is an outstanding collection of black and white portraits of primates acting casual in suburban households.

Like Us: Primate Portraits

Taken in the late 80’s/early 90’s, the interiors are a hilarious backdrop for this curious subject. The photos are as interesting as they are gorgeous, and printed at 4×6, framing a bunch of them might not be a bad idea.

 


 

To read about Robin Schwartz’s most recent work, Amelia’s World, check out her gallery on Flavorwire.

 
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Get the Look

GET THE LOOK: THE GUEST ROOM

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If there’s one thing most New Yorkers never have to grapple with, it’s the Problem of Having Too Much Space. But for those out there (in New York and beyond) lucky enough to have an extra room just lying around, consider turning it into a proper guest room. The ingredients for a successful guest space are pretty simple: a cozy bed, mood lighting, something soft under foot and little touches, like flowers and stationery. All of the relatives, friends and friends-of-friends who come trailing through your life each year will thank you.

 

West Elm’s Moroccan headboard provides structure and flare (starting at $299). Propped up with pillows, it’s good for leaning back for a nighttime read. For bedding, think light-colored sheets with a high thread count. Good ol’ flannel works too, especially in colder months.

morocco headboard

 

Back up any overhead lighting with a floor lamp (or sconces) that have dimming shades, like this CB2 Midrise Floor Lamp with a linen shade. $99.95.

midrise floor lamp

 

A fluffy rug is always nice and the sheepskin ones from IKEA are an affordable $39.99.

LUDDE Sheepskin

 

Presuming that your guests won’t blast AC/DC until the wee hours, definitely include some iPod docking speakers, like this Logitech model from Amazon. $85.99.

Logitech Compact Docking Speakers for iPod & iPhone

 

Kate Spade’s darling striped notepads are great for dressing up a desk or side table. $12.00 for a pack of three.

Kate Spade Small Notepad Set

 

These Minnetonka Moccasin mules are a nice spin on boring, white hotel slippers. $40 from Zappos.

MINNETONKA PILE LINED MULE

 

Regardless of whether they’re from the florist or the corner store, flowers are a small touch that go such a long way.


Shopping Guide, So Hot Right Now

SO HOT RIGHT NOW: GRILLS

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Just because you don’t have much outdoor space doesn’t mean that you can’t get your grill on this summer. These little numbers are cute, compact and affordable.

Weber’s classic Smokey Joe is just $29.99 at Target.

Weber® Smokey Joe Silver Compact Grill

 

This fiery orange grill from Bodum has side clasps for easy portability. $49.95 from Crate & Barrel.

 

Bodum® Fyrkat Grill

 

Also from Bodum, this cone grill will turn your neighbors green with envy. $179.99 from Amazon.

Bodum Fyrkat Cone Charcoal Grill

 

The Aussie grill is great for those with a balcony or small patio. $39.97 at the Home Depot.

Aussie Portable Charcoal Grill

 

The Notebook grill from Fire Sense is collapsible—perfect for lugging to the park. $27.00 at Walmart.

Fire Sense HotSpot Notebook Portable Charcoal Grill

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Store Profiles

STORE PROFILE: Fashion4Home

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Fashion4Home

A few months back, we stumbled upon the site of a furniture company called Fashion4Home (www.fashion4home.com). The promise: designer furniture for up to 50% less through a system of made-to-order pieces shipped directly to the customer. This being right up our alley, we were even more intrigued to learn that the company is based in fun-loving Berlin. We stopped by the Fashion4Home offices on a recent trip across the pond and took a peek at the company’s only showroom—a light-filled space off of Alexanderplatz.

The company’s gracious blogger and media person, Laura Keidel, guided us through the Who, What, When, Where and Why’s of this up-and-coming company. She also let us bounce around on the showroom furniture to ensure that it is, indeed, comfy.

 
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Who: Fashion4Home was started by Marc Appelhoff and Christoph Cordes, who are joined by a team of about 70 sprinkled worldwide. They work with all kinds of designers, including cardboard king Reinhard Dienes.

 

What: An online shop for exclusive designer furniture at lower-than-store prices. The company sells couches, beds, tables, chairs, etc based on designs voted for online. Only popular designs go into production and are then made to order. Some of our favorite pieces are the whimsical Cloud Coffee Table ($299), the mod Moon Armchair ($699), the versatile Copperfield Sofa Bed ($799) and the regal Aldgate Armchair ($699).

 


 

When: Since 2009. The company has achieved a lot in a relatively short time frame, in no small part due to its endeavors to include customers in the decision-making process and forgoing brick-and-mortar growth in favor of direct shipping.

 

Where: Company headquarters are in Berlin, Germany, along with the company’s only showroom.  The company currently ships to Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, the UK and the US. All of the furniture is manufactured in China (apparently, their furniture is manufactured at the same plant as BoConcept’s stuff).

 

Why: It’s affordable furniture that doesn’t look like it’s from IKEA. You will also have a say in the design process by voting for the pieces you’d like to see go into production. If a design you vote “yes” to reaches production, you will receive 10% off said piece if you order it.

Bottom Line: The quality is surprisingly good for the price. Couches, chairs and tables seem well made and the designs are compelling. The interactive website, free fabric samples and no-questions-asked return policy make it a great option for those who don’t mind a 4-12 week shipping time.

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