mini trend: polka-dots

i've been obsessing over dots and stripes for the past few weeks. i'm not normally drawn to either look but something about this classic pair has intrigued me lately. more often than not i find myself drawn to tiny black and white dots, rather than a larger variation, but i thought it would be fun to flesh out a full mini trend on each. i'm starting with dots today because i'm in the process of having a black and white dotted cushion made for the bench in my kitchen. there's something delightfully fresh and preppy about dots so i hope you'll enjoy the mini-trend. there's certainly a lot of it in the market right now so you'll find something for every price point. enjoy!

[image above, clockwise from left to right: iomoi paperweight $65, dotted canvas slingbacks $328, blue polka dot notecards $10, wallpaper from studio printworks, etched dot decanter $125, marimekko bedding $20-$165]

[image above: double dot fabric, $19.95 per yard]

[image above, clockwise from left to right: "bead" fabric from hable construction, newport bedding $65-$290, polka dot gift wrap $3, polka dot flats $30, polka dot vanity seat $150]

[image above: "seeing spots" flor tiles $11.99 per tile]

[image above, from left to right: shadow dots beach towel $26.50 (via domino), iomoi paperweight $40, dot pillow $19.99, pink dot fabric $8.50 per yard]

[image above: riviera bedding by dkny $60-$315]

[image above: pin dot linen pillows $88, "ooh la dot" fabric $8.50 per yard, little dot grosgrain ribbon $1]

[image above, left to right: etusko dot fabric $15.95 per yard, bailey dot fabric $15.95 per yard]

[dottie outdoor pillows $19.00]

[image above: "building blocks dot" fabric $8.50 per yard]

[image above: dottie cushion $25]

(mini) mini trend: chain link

this trend isn't fully fleshed out yet but i think we're going to start seeing a lot more of the chain link trend in the months to come. i'm dying to see if there's much of it at icff and brooklyn designs. we'll see. until then, here are some of my favorite chain designs in the market right now (home and otherwise). have something to add? drop a line via email or the comment section below...[photo above, clockwise from left to right: mollie dash bracelet, link cheese knife set ($38), chain pull ($16), chain link earrings ($15), chain knob ($8) and chain handle ($14)]

[chains wallpaper by flavor paper- due out this spring]

[chain link scarf project at knitty.com]

[photo above clockwise from left to right: chain link bathmat ($59-$89), chain link mirror ($499), sarah cihat porcelain and chain bowl, chain shower curtain ($33)]

[chain link pillows by nate berkus $15]

[boatman geller stationery and kelly wearstler fabric via style court]

[gift wrap by eieio studio. thanks karen!]

mini trend: kelly green

i was inspired by a post at modern-roost the other day and decided to flesh out one of my favorite mini trends going around right now: kelly green. the kelly wearstler post, anthropologie furniture and pieces from our h&g color issue really got me thinking about this bold green hue. it's often paired with navy blue and written off as a preppy choice (think whale prints and izods) but designers are starting to bring kelly green back in a way that's thoroughly modern. i love it for summer because something about it is so crisp and clean. and, unlike some other bold colors, the preppy edge keeps things looking classy and rarely garish. what follows below (and above) are some of my favorite examples of kelly green in the market right now. some aren't precisely kelly green but have that same bold green color that i felt was in line with the trend. hope you enjoy! [photo above, clockwise from left to right: ivana helsinki fabric, modernica chair in grass green $239, judy ross pillow $190, nouveau knob $8, ditte sofa $3498]

[photo above, clockwise from left to right: kelly wearstler "imperial trellis" fabric, hybrid home print $40, kate spade "larabee road" dishware $80]

[photo above, clockwise from left to right: pia wallen felt baby slippers $38, unison bedding $33-$300, judy ross runner $875, suzani pillow $29.95]

[photo above from left to right: twinkle living bedding in "cosmic" $155-$190, heather amuny-dey print $40]

[photo above, clockwise from left to right: kelly wearstler's viceroy, domestic wall decal $80, elum greeting cards $12 for set of 6]

[photo above, clockwise from left to right: josef frank chair $2498, offi mypetlamp $59, foxy and winston print $33, heather amuny-dey artwork $700]

mini trend: rough wood

one of the wonderful by-products of the trend towards green design has been a resurgence of wood in the market. it came first in the form clean, smooth designs (and veneers of all types) that mimicked the modern look of materials like steel or resin. but as the green movement has become more of a permanent category we've seen the industry open up to include rough, chunky cuts of wood that let the natural beauty of the material shine. whether it's with burl bowls, rough carved wooden vases or reclaimed railroad ties, the design industry seems to be embracing beautiful wooden objects that have been left relatively natural. here are some ideas to bring the look into your home. [above: guava wood coasters $28, artisan wood vase $18-$38, burl wood bowls $31-$68]

[clockwise from left to right: palm wood napkin rings $6 for 12, honeycomb canister $38, wooden puzzle $42, root bowl $160]

[above, clockwise from left to right: wood wheel $169, cedar post box $25, salvaged wood nesting tables $269, tamarind platter $65]

[couldn't resist these: tiny wood skull beads $3.25]

[above, clockwise from left to right: reclaimed railroad tie plinths $59, reclaimed teak swivel box $49, amboyna burl vessel $425, acacia platter set $39]

d*s mini trends [glass lamps]

i was chatting with kristina at three layer cake about what she saw at maison et objet and she mentioned a real trend towards dramatic glass lighting (especially those with a clear glass base). i've always loved a good glass bottomed lamp (especially in color), so it's great to see european designers spinning the look in a high-end direction. i myself favor the regular old retail versions (that seem to come with a cheaper pricetag) so i compiled a nice collection of glass lamp bases that are available for a wide variety of prices. what's nice about this look (which is far from new but seems to be experiencing a resurgence lately) is that it's virtually timeless. a nice subtle, blown-glass lamp base will work with a modern, traditional, retro or minimalist decor. the simplicity of most of these designs makes them a great investment. and if you're willing to splurge on something a bit more dramatic check out the gorgeous european designs within the group that kristina spotted in paris. enjoy! [lamps above by les heritiers and anthropologie]

[lamps above left to right: mist table lamp, thomas o'brien for target, phantom lamp, glass lamp by les heritiers]

[lamps left to right: cairn lamp, olive oil lamp, lykta lamp, clover honey lamp]

[all lamps above by niche modern]

[lamps left to right: glass lamp by nicolo taliani and mercer lamp by conciluce]

[blister lamp at greener grass design]

d*s mini trends! [textiles in design]

this is a movement i've been seeing for months now (and saw the first inklings of years ago), but just now gathered enough samples to fully illustrate (i think it's important to give examples of a trend rather than just announce one willy-nilly). textiles have always been popular in the design world but never have they been more integrated into the product design world than in the last few months (or even the last year). starting with hella jongerius's embroidered tablecloth design of 2000, designers have started to investigate methods of integrating textiles and, most recently stitching, into ceramics, furniture, lighting and tableware. perhaps not the most functional method of detailing, this stitch+furniture marriage has been a stunning one to observe as designers across the globe test out their own unique versions. what i love most is the "hand-made" feel it gives to objects. so here is a collection of objects designed with stitching and textiles in mind, enjoy![stitchwork products above by designer claire coles]

[textile-detail chair from free people (via oh joy!), textile wrapped wire lamps by jed crystal, bracelet by hella jongerius, chair by tord boontje and woven chair back by chrissy angliker]

[ikea stool by d*s spring spruce up winner]

[table, chair and breadboard all embroidered with thread by design studio reddish. via kristina at three layer cake]

[crochet covered lighting by cai lighting at icff]

[embroidered tablecloth/plate by hella jongerius, woven mat by charlotte lancelot, textile covered throw/stool by tazana design at icff, bovist embroidered floor cushion by hella jongerius for vitra]

d*s mini trends! [red and white]

it's been a while since i delved into the mini trends, so i definitely need to make up for the lost time. over the past few weeks (and after a trip to europe) i've been noticing a ton of red and white in the market. i noticed this in vintage textile patterns that are popping up all over, as well as in wallpaper designs at this year's icff. pillows followed and now i'm finding fantastic tableware in shops that pops with bright white and red. nothing quite says summer (or packs a punch) like a crisp red and white accessory. red might be way too bold for a main color in a home, but rich red accents can be a fantastic way to change the look of a room. they may even inspire an accent wall! so, without anymore yapping from me, here are some of the great red and white pieces i've been seeing out in the market (there's something for everyone's budget in here...) [photo above: yoko fabric for $7.99 a yard and a gorgeous print by camilla engman, $20-$30]

[clockwise l to r: pillow by k studio $124, skirt at anthropologie $118, wallpaper by twenty2 design, tablestory plates by tord boontje $50]

[fabric at reprodepot $8.50 a yard, pillow by not neutral $48, plate by john derian $180, bowls at anthropologie $32 for 4, plates at anthropologie $32 for 4]

[vitra home collection: red algues, red and white chair by jean prouve and organic chair in red]

[nectar fabric by tord boontje for kvadrat]

[clockwise from l to r: anne black vases $86, fatboy meets marimekko $299, sharon spain pillow $64]