Call it crazy, call it bold decor, but definitely call it a conversation piece.  Rugs designed by FredriksonStallard are sure to catch some eyes and spark up some interesting convo.  Why not tap into your own psyche or find out what’s going on in everyone else’s!?  Ink blot, the blob, or murder scene, take your pick!

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I love when I come across a company that addresses my only two addictions ... style & gadgets. 
Slide Design out of Italy does just that --- With their perfect blend of high design and a little kitsch, they produce a great line of products made of high grade plastic for indoor and outdoor use. 

See Slide Design ...

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I like to think I have some style when it comes to my own home.  My decor? Modern.  My taste?  Questionable SOMETIMES.

So while in Miami, at the local Kid Robot store in South Beach, I fell in love with the most bizarre thing, the huge Snorkin’ Labbit.

I thought to myself… “What’s a thousand dollars for a limited production piece of ‘art’??”

In my spontaneous way, I snagged the only one they had in the store and asked it to be shipped to my home in Austin. 

Then while on the way back… I started to think again.... “Where in the hell am I going to put this thing?!” and… “How am I going to explain this?”

Details Details.

So here’s the new object of my affection ... and after the jump, you’ll see my excitement (and the the excitement of a friend) over this strange Rabbit Labbit…

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LED’s are so great and eco-fabulous, I just love them!  Try LED flex strips under your platform bed or behind your cabinets for a discreet lighting effect that will really set your room off.  LED flex strips can be purchased from many online LED distributors or a store near you; there are many colors to choose from.  If you need accent lighting outdoors for the deck, you can also weatherproof the strips by coating it in any clear flexible waterproof sealant.

Industrial designer/architect Giovanni Pagnotta’s bold creations capture the benefits of the ultimate lightweight material carbon fiber in his furnishings.  His prototype line of carbon fiber furniture demonstrates what can happen when a material is taken to extreme limits of its strengh-to-weight ratio. His products are layered in plies of carbon fiber to create an extremely thin profile. The Z5 chair for example (chaise pictured below) weighs a mere 14 pounds, with a maximum thickness of half an inch, yet can carry 3,000 pounds with no indication of impending structural failure.  For the price, that chair better see a lot of a*s!

Veterinarians recommend that your pooches eat in the upright position which helps alleviate Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) or bloating (and hopefully prevents your dog from flatulence!).  Now if only that could be true for pet owners!  WETNOZ offers some sleek, luxurious modern pet accessories for your good ol’ pals.  And it will look good in your place too!

A mouse is a mouse is a mouse… is felt? is square?

Check out Joey Roth’s quirky idea of a modern mouse. 

see it here....

We’re counting down the days until we land in NYC for 3 days full of modern & contemporary design.  ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) is the largest exhibit and trade show of cutting edge lighting, furniture, and fixtures ... and it’s calling our name!  Come back and read our daily updates, product photos, and manufacturer spotlights.  often where we go to get inspired for our private design projects.  Look for our mobile blog to launch the evening of the 17th while we feed pictures from the ICFF opening party!

SCRAPILE does!  Designers Bart Bettencourt and Carlos Salgado have the right concept in mind - Discarded / Recovered / Repurposed.  Both designers take the eco-friendly approach with collecting and repurposing discarded scraps of wood to create exotic pieces of furniture.  Each piece of furniture is unique in design and no two pieces will have the same woodgrain pattern.

I have to face reality, I’m a real estate junkie.  I’ve owned more homes in the past few years than some people do in a life time.  Why?  Because when I find awesome new architecture, I fall in love with it and I MUST buy it… immediately - That being said, a friend directed me to this great website with modern homes & lofts for sale or rent all over the country.  In the end, I think it’s a ploy - My friend Michael is a mortgage broker who’s just trying to make me a sucker and buy another house (of course financed with him) Visit architectureforsale.com —and if you fall in love with one—finance it [ here ]

And you thought modern living is only for people!  Pre-Fab-Pets.com has some interesting modern pieces for your pets to live the fab life!

Now available at puremodern.com - the sorapot by Joey Roth. 

The simple beauty of this minimalist tea pot captures attention from everyone.  Not only is it a functional teapot, it’s a work of art.

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I came across this elegant Frieling coffee press at a hotel I was staying at for business a while back.  I feel in love with it’s simplistic design and sturdy feel.  The coffee press is made out of 18/10 stainless steel with a gorgeous mirror finish, and brushed finish inside.  The press includes a steel mesh plunger and comes in a few different sizes (even a personal 2cup for brunch party of 1).  If you are concerned with keeping your hot coffee scolding hot and your cold water perfectly cold, these presses & pitchers are also double-lined!  Frieling also offers a complete matching coffee set and many other unique kitchen essentials. 

Forget the drapes, this is one clear alternative to keeping your privates private. Solyx offers a wide selection of window privacy film. If you don’t mind spending a few bucks for privacy, you can’t go wrong with these selection of window treatments. They are fairly easy to install, come in an array of patterns and color, and are completely removable!

Have you ever wondered how some people make it in life? 

I do all the time.

I generally like the idea of the Darwin theory where survival of the fittest really works.

So one of our dear correspondent bloggers tried to help a friend and promote his cool product… (yes, that post WAS right here… ) —and the “friend” calls and was upset to find that his product was featured on this very blog. 

One would think… “Wow! Free publicity… Great exposure… etc etc etc”.

But no.  Instead there is some fear of exposure or something (who knows...)

So here’s where I get confused - the same pictures and info are on *THEIR* own website.  Maybe it’s just me, but last time I checked, I’m pretty sure the internet reached from the USA to Europe ... and god forbid CHINA, where the product will surely be knocked off if they see it.  Oh wait, they can see it at Chameledeon.com

On that note, I will gladly remove the post/pictures and expect the Darwin theory will present itself with this particular company. 

[ edited by PJ May 1,2008]