spice jars

Spice jars, $5 each at Anthro.

fold flat

Two space saving solutions for small apartment spaces. Joseph Joseph fold flat grater from Colloco; Alma Urban cot from bébé.

floral finds

With the temps in the teens, perhaps I just have spring on the brain, but there are some really nice florals over at Anthro at the moment. Clockwise, from top left: colossal bloom rug, mauve; verdant acres dinnerware; recherche dessert plates; colossal bloom rug, rouge.

hint hint

Among the many things I would like from Japan is... pretty much anything from Labour and Wait. More specifically, the items above would do. Later this month my husband will be in Tokyo, where Labour and Wait has recently stationed an outpost. Mostly, I'd like to go to Japan. Perhaps next time. 

blogroll:

I read a lot of blogs and sometimes I am reluctant to add another to my feed because – less face it – there are only so many hours in the day and you can't procrastinate for all of them. Design for Less, however, is one new blog that I didn't hesitate to add to my list. Sisters Julka and Kristin Almquist, finding themselves both trying to live on a strict budget, set out last August to write a blog on good design at affordable (and sometimes free!) prices.

The Almquist sisters have an excellent eye for style, posting clothes, shoes, and accessories at reasonable prices. Clutch purse from Payless ($25) and Seychelles shoes ($85) from Zappos.

I also like their taste in low cost housewears, such as this TEKLA towel from IKEA (49 cents), and this tray from CB2 ($34.95).

Best of all, Julka and Kristin have some great ideas about how to repurpose what you've already got. With countless design blogs out there tempting you to empty your wallet, their "working with what you've got" series, including this post about the different ways you can wear a scarf or this post about exchanging paperbacks through the website Paperback Swap, is the most sound design advice I've read in a while.

DfL has some good tips on where to find great artwork. They also recently started a series of interview posts, like this one with novelist Colleen Miloni to glean others' ideas about stylish and affordable ideas for living. I highly recommend! (Tiger from Berkley Illustration and bird from 20x200)

toast

I can think of several people who would like the simple wares from TOAST.

celeber

New porcelain and acacia wood soy sauce pitcher from Ikea. via notcot

rocket st george

This post is for my oldest and dearest friend, Anna, because this lovely British store, Rocket St George — where I found this ceramic bird salt dish and cake knife — reminds me of her. via Oh Joy

i heart japanese tea towels

From Seasons International: Japanese Antiques & Home Fashions, spotted on the way back to my office from lunch.

enamelware

We're really into enamel these days. These vintage-looking pans are from Manufactum, a German company with a great philosophy.

brooklyn flea!

Today I was so excited to go to the first Brooklyn Flea, only 7 blocks from my apartment! I think Chairloom (top left and right) was my favorite booth, aesthetically speaking, but there was a lot of great stuff, all around. I scored a fantastic vintage pot from Birch (above), a dead ringer for the pot posted in a picture on design*sponge on Friday. I can't wait till next Sunday!

culinhome hibiscus

I wish I had an excuse to buy these beautiful hibiscus knives and cutting board from CulinHome. Alas, I have knives and cutting boards already, but they're lovely to look at. You can buy them at Whole Foods and Amazon.com.

white/wood

I've been admiring this Czech side chair for a while since I saw it in Domino magazine some months ago, a not-so-distant relative of these attractive "3 chefs" utensils by Normann Copenhagen.