Got Yule?

Two white squiggle ornaments by Will Squig Design.

Just a little Christmas eye candy for some yuletide cheer. Whether you adorn your home with scented garlands of pagan pine, kitschy pink tinsel trees, or yards of colorful LED lights, decoration makes this time of year feel extra cozy and special. Forget about hanging stockings by the chimney with care, or baking cute cookies, I prefer to decorate!

Above, are some of my favorite ornaments, collected over the years. Many are vintage, but some are brand new. This season, I purchased two beautiful hand painted ornaments with an allover white squiggle pattern from Will Squig Design, who was selling wonderful Christmas ornaments at Artist & Fleas in Williamsburg, reminiscent in feeling of vintage Keith Haring grafitti inspired patterns. You can also check out his affordable pop-art on Etsy.

Table Talk

What does your coffee table say about you? Modern coffee tables are more than just accent pieces for your living space. They are the focal point in a seating arrangement, so it's wise to consider all your needs before taking the plunge!

Are you an uber modern sophisticated type? My father was, which is why he purchased the Knoll Platner table back in the late 60's. Growing up, I was both in awe and somewhat horrified by my father's taste in furnishings. Particularly, the pink-red-orange geometric jacquard couch, and hideous cork and glass bead curtain that separated our living room from the dining room.

Are you confident in your mix of color? I prefer to keep things neutral, yet I can't help but love the laser cut birds taking flight across the Orange 22 Botanist Flight cocktail table. The bright pop of color reminds me of a NYC couple that decorated a deceptively traditional looking East Hampton summer cottage, with orange modular shelving, parson tables and Hellerware dishes. Ah, the 70's.

Do you demand form with function? In our apartment, the coffee table is a work horse. We chose a minimalist glass and steel table table, with a bottom shelf and casters, so we could re-arrange our space instantaneously. We eat on it, pile books and magazines, and use it for our design work. I love the functionality and mod Scandinavian bent wood design of the Function Works Tre table. And it's perfect for small spaces, where the furniture needs to multitask.

Post sponsored by All Coffee Tables.com.

Boo!

Meet Numbskull Van Dyke Brown No. 256, a modern vintage photographic print by Matt Shapoff for Handmade On Peconic Bay. A proponent of sustainable design, Matt uses solar radiation to expose his Van Dyke brown prints outdoors, while the sun is shining. Combining a 19th century photographic printing process with 21st century digital design, each print is a unique exposure, with a brush mark signature of the photochemistry applied to 100% cotton rag fine art paper.

Numbskull is a perfectly creepy yet memorable hostess gift for that Halloween bash you're attending. He's also ready for framing in something dusty, dark and old, for that year round Gothic touch!

Image courtesy of Supermarket.

Dead White

Move over Martha. Here's a spooky chic take on DYI Halloween decorating tips, from the talented and crafty new team at Sweet Paul. In their second issue I found winter white knitted skulls, white washed pumpkins, and vintage glass bottles labeled with icky contents and white coral stoppers, cool enough to display as year round curiosities. Take their advice and don't follow the rules this year. A white Halloween looks pretty sweet to me! Read on for more DIY white Halloween projects here.

Images courtesy of Sweet Paul Magazine.

Staycation

In these troubling times of economic uncertainty, and environmental disaster on an unimaginable scale, it has become ever so popular to take a staycation, venturing out on daytrips, to sample the local cuisine and explore new neighborhoods. So why not stay home in seasonal style? It's easy to add some great summer items to your living space or closet with just a few mouse clicks!

1. Anthropologie ~ Rope Frame
2. Thomaspaul ~ Portland Dessert Plate Set
3. Anthropologie ~ Large Rope Magnifier
4. Anthropologie ~ Paper Sketch Vases
5. Anthropologie ~ Driftwood Hurricane
6. Jennifer Sitko ~ Patterned Stem Lamp
7. Thomaspaul ~ Large Coral Tote
8. Thomaspaul ~ Crab Pillow
9. Anthropologie ~ Sundried Hat