Home and Garden
| Hot Products |
|
|
|
|
|
Pop Flowers table lamp  Proving that a simple black and white pattern can be anything but boring, this lamp will spruce up any room in the house. |
'Can Can' can opener
Leave it to Alessi to make even the most boring tasks fun -- cleverly named, this can opener is functional and totally something to smile about. |
Garnet Hill's Whirly Gig Rug
(Available January 31) Fun for children, funky for adults, this colorful hand-hooked wool rug is a 1-2-3 solution for brightening up a room or entry way. |
Klein Reid Hybrid Platter. Taking serving pieces to the next level, this platter is a fresh twist for the dining table. Try this: place a vase of flowers on the plate to make a beautiful centerpiece. |
Lumiere's Fresh Air Candle Clean and crisp, it's an easy way to get that breeze-through-the-house scent during cooped up winter months. With a slow-burning wick, it lasts a looong time. |
| Tip of the Week |
|
Want to add a little kick to your walls without the hassle of painting or wallpapering? Check out Wallbands. These decorative wall strips are easy-on (activate with water, smooth on with a sponge) and easy-off (they're not permanent, just give it a good, hard pull). What else makes them special? You can hang them anywhere -- horizontally or vertically, and at any level on your wall. Plus, they come in lots of fun colors and patterns--far more exciting than your mother's floral wallpaper. |
| Blog |
|
If I had to pick the one thing I love most about my friends having babies (aside from the fact that I get to play with them but don't have to change their diapers) is shopping for them. For many, this shopping proves to be a chore. For me, it's like reading a magazine story about some crazy over-the-top mansion that I'll never live in. I'm mesmerized. Shopping for kids becomes an escape of sorts, one that takes me into a new world where the major difference between me and most others there, is that I actually get to sleep at night. For me, it's downright fun. There are a plethora of seriously cool, hip kid furnishings out there that, quite frankly, I wish they made in big girl sizes. Like this table I found the other day on Modernseed.com. It's called the Chalker Table. I don't know about you, but I'm constantly scrambling for a piece of paper while on the phone. More times than not, I end up jotting down my notes on an important piece of mail. Maybe it's time to take a cue from the functionality of kid's furniture? I mean, could this piece be any smarter? Too bad for me, it tops out at 18". For your little one, however, totally cool. |
| Seasonal |
|
For many, Valentine's Day is a time to do something sweet for your sweetie. Sometimes, this sweet gesture takes us places we wouldn't otherwise go. For some, that place is the kitchen. If you're determined to bake for your valentine this year and you're not quite the culinary whiz, check out the Cook N Bake pan from Le Creuset. It's made of 100% silicone so it's super flexible and has highly-efficient heat distribution. What does that mean for you? Basically, it's less likely to burn because the heat is evenly dispersed and will pop out of the pan easily. |
Video Review of the Week
The Rival Seal a Meal Vacuum Food Sealer
Home Furnishings and Decor
| Hot Products |
|
|
|
|
|
Yves Delorme's Wilson Tapestry
Cuddle up to this guy. This pillow makes a cool accessory in the home because chances are, you don't have a collection of pet pillows. Mix things up! |
Mitchell Gold and Bob William's Miles screen Room dividers are all the rage these days. They double as the obvious, a room divider, but they're also super eye-catching and work as a decorative accessory. This one's got a cool Chippendale pattern and special antique brass hardware. |
DKNY Scattered Garden pillows
Simply elegant, these pillows have floral embroidery, special touches of velvet and flocking, glass bead accents and rows of ribbons. They look lovely just about anywhere in the home. |
Damasco Coffee Table by Patricia Urquiola It's not cheap (coming in at just under $2,000) but it's a beautiful and unique keeper. This lacquered table has a combination of damask and Asian silkscreen patterns -- an investment most definitely worth it. |
Cross Medicine Cabinet by Thomas Ericksson for Cappellini
A super-cool spin on a classic must-have, this medicine cabinet is made of lacquered metal and is available in both red and white. Bathroom storage couldn't look cooler. |
| Ask the Editor |
|
"Between my kids and the dog, my living room furniture is as good as done. Upholstery cleaners don't do a thing anymore. The pieces look worn but I don't want to splurge on a whole new set. Slip covers are so 1970s. Any help?" -Elizabeth M., San Antonio, TX
Hey Elizabeth,
Hang on one sec. Slip covers were so 1970s in well, the 1970s. There are a great selection of slip covers on the market now in styles made to fit all furniture shapes. They offer an ample selection of colors, patterns and fabrics. Plus, they're great for high-traffic homes -- all you have to do is toss them in the wash. That's far easier than scrubbing away with an upholstery cleaner. You just have to decide how much you want to spend. There are two brands that I love: the notoriously-affordable Sure Fit slip covers (left) and Rachel Ashwell's higher-end Shabby Chic brand.
--Allison
And PS- Believe it or not, most people I know who use slip covers swear that white ones are the way to go. You, like most skeptics, wonder how? One word: bleach. |
| Keep an Eye Out |
|
Eileen Fisher, the fashion designer known for her products' simplicity and durability, is launching a Home Collection in conjunction with Garnet Hill for Spring 2007. In keeping with her fashion style, her line is inspired by light, air and water. Think shades of blue, white and taupe. The Collection covers bedroom essentials like coverlets, blankets, comforters and more. They're a perfect fit for the bedroom because these colors help calm frazzled nerves. Look forward to the line's signature element -- Lustrous Cotton Sateen Bedding. Hello luxury! |
| Tip of the Week |
|
If photos of family and friends don't cut it anymore and you're on the hunt for new wall decor, try this simple craft -- frame some fabric. Framed fabric has a really rich, vintage feel to it when done right and it couldn't be easier to do. Choose your fabric from the vast array of colors, prints and patterns. Then, pick a frame that compliments or contrasts. These pieces are all about your creative genius. Make them work to fit your style and taste. Maybe you have some old fabrics at home or a piece of clothing that you love but is simply unwearable? Use them! If not,Waverly is one of my favorite brands -- search their selection here. |
| Did you Know? |
|
Sunlight's UV rays can fade the pigment in fabrics, especially darker ones. Before you head out for the day, consider closing your blinds or drapes. It will keep your sunny-room furnishings from fading fast. |
Workshop and Home Improvement
| Hot Products |
|
|
|
|
Carrand's 2-in-1 Easy Reach Squeegee It's different from most squeegees because it boasts a 2-in-1 function. One side allows you to dust molding, balconies and other hard-to-reach areas, while the other is a squeegee for cleaning glass surfaces.
|
Tykho Fan This fan adds an instant splash of color to a typically drab space in your home. Not to mention its obvious benefit, quality ventilation. It's got PVC blades and a two-speed motor. |
Alligator Lopper An easy, innovative tool for the gardener, this lopper has a clamping jaw that grabs and cuts in one motion. It's also got a 4.5 amp motor for powerful and fast cutting. |
Workmate Handtruck This roll-along totes your tools and materials but when unfolded, becomes a work surface. It's got a 30" bench height, 19" parallel leg clamping and supports 450 pounds. |
| Keep an Eye Out |
|
Some of you have written in about the Irwin Cast Aluminum Pipe Wrench. You've said it's the best thing going. Well, prompted by your rave reviews and my own curiosity, I had to get my hands on one. Cheers to you shoppers. I couldn't agree more. While not brand new, it deserves mention. Here's why. Irwin claims it's 40% lighter than most other wrenches and while I haven't weighed a thing, I'd have to agree. It's a smart concept because if you've ever been face up and on your back under a sink, you know the dull ache of a tired arm (not to mention the fear of smacking yourself in the face). It's got a beam handle and wide design which gives it better weight distribution and it even has a built-in hammerhead. |
| Did you Hear? |
|
Pantone, the company renowned for their research and unbeatable mastery of color, has just launched their own paint line. They've partnered with Fine Paints of Europe to produce over 3.000 designer colors. They claim to use high-end resins in combination with high concentrations of finely ground pigments. What does that mean for you? Super-intense color in your home. They're pricier than most paints on the market, but with such rich color, it's possible to get away with just one coat. Check out their Web site for more information: www.pantone.com. |
| Ask the Editor |
|
"Painting a room is such a daunting task and it's not something you can stop midway so I put it off for a really long time. I finally bit the bullet and my room looks awesome but what's the deal with the painter's tape? I used the blue one that you see in hardware stores. When I pulled it off, parts of it got stuck in the corners of my wall and I have thin blue lines trimming my newly painted walls. Needless to say, it's really frustrating." -Mike L., Springfield, IL.
Hey Mike,
Frustrating? Trust me, I understand. I painted my entire apartment myself, with no ladder mind you, just a step stool and I had the same problem. It's possible you let the tape sit too long after painting and when the paint dried it made the tape's adherence even tougher. Painter's tape is made really thin and meant to pull off easily. While it can be a bit messy with wet paint on it, in the future, try to remove it as soon as possible. A way to avoid the mess is to be a bit more careful when painting in corners where you have tape. Try not to slobber on it. Tricky, yes, but it helps. For now, try using a plastic knife or if you don't mind sparing one, a real butter knife to scrape it off. Spackle knives work too, but they tend to be a bit too wide to get in the corners.
-Allison |
User Video of the Week
Kitchen and Dining
| Hot Products |
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk Alibi Tableware This hand-painted tableware looks chic on a dinner table. Raised lines and circles create instant textural appeal. |
Galison Chocoliscous Recipe Notecards These note cards go beyond a standard card. They've got indulgent chocolate recipes on one side. Send them or hey, just use them yourself! |
Driftwood Wine Caddy With classic rustic charm, this caddy is an earthy adornment on the dinner table. It protects table cloths from wine stains and lends a special touch. |
lm-400 Screwpull Yet another tool to simplify the task of opening wine bottles. Secure it over the bottle neck, move the lever once up, once down and out comes the cork. A satin chrome finish completes this highly functional screwpull. |
Cylinda Line Tea Pot As reflected in its price, this is no standard tea pot. Made of stainless steel by designer Arne Jacobsen, this teapot is far more decorative than functional. Case in point, it is not for stovetop use. |
| Ask the Editor |
|
"I have a kitchen island that's pretty high and I want to put stools around it. Problem is, I'm nervous that my kids are going to slip and hurt themselves if they try to climb up and take a seat. Any suggestions?" --Kevin M., Providence, RI
Hey Kevin,
I recently saw this stool here at Target. It's the Retro Step Stool - Red -- appropriately named. Aside from it's cool 1950's design, it could be a solution to your problem. At about three feet high, it's got a tracking foldout step that can be used as a step stool or ladder. Your kids can step up, rather than climb up, to the seat, which means far less chance of slipping and falling. |
| Keep an Eye Out |
|
Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. In an effort to combat this statistic, Hamilton Beach has partnered with the Go Red campaign, a program designed to raise awareness about the importance of a healthy heart and educate people on how to take better care of their own. Beginning this month, the company will donate a portion of each sale from their designated Go Red products to the American Heart Association, totaling $350,000. For more product information, visit Hamiltonbeach.com. For more information on the Go Red campaign, visit GoRedForWomen.org. |
| Tip of the Week |
|
Love your glass-door kitchen cabinets but don't love the mess your guests can see right into?
1. Use your front-and-center cabinets to showcase some of your tableware collections. No need to fuss over a perfectly matched or complete set. A mixed-and-matched look is fun.
2. Using a hot glue gun, glue fabric to the inside of the door so that it acts as a drape. It will hide your mish-moshed dishes, bowls and glasses.
3. Add a splash of color on the inside. Consider a sheet of wallpaper or a coat of paint on the back wall of your cabinets. This looks especially cool when you've white milk glass, bone china or cream stoneware. |
User Video Review of the Week
|
Shopping Directory
Rival VS105-B Seal a Meal
kgallagher's Wishlist
kgallagher's Wikis
