Oriental Rugs

A number of you have asked about my sources for small and inexpensive oriental rugs. Flea markets and thrift stores are the best places to look (my two kitchen rugs are from Brussels fleas - 5 euros each!). But if you don't have any good auctions or flea markets nearby, and you have the patience to search through the junk, eBay has some great finds. Here's the search that I use.

I love this 2x4 rug, it's the perfect size for a kitchen - $50 Buy It Now with free shipping:

eBay Art

I love to buy inexpensive art on eBay.

This is my favorite search:
Paintings, original, oil, pre-1800-1969, $0-$200.

Here are a few favorites up for auction right now:

floral still life


seaside scene


pretty landscape


un-floral floral.


Another floral. Love this one.


Village street


Painterly hydrangeas in a bamboo frame? What's not to love?


Tiny lovliness


Moody abstract


This oil is my favorite piece of art in our home. I bought it on eBay last year for almost nothing - it felt sort of dishonest, I got it for so cheap.

I love the lady peeping out behind the flowers. And the colors just sing to me.

I think it's from the 20s or 30s. The canvas is pretty crusty and a little saggy. It could use a professional cleaning and it really needs to be restretched, but all that can wait a year or two.

Do You Bouf?

This summer, while reading English House & Garden, I came across a webwatch link called Bouf.

Bouf is a new online marketplace selling housewares and accessories from around the world. The products offered are from independent designers and are all available to you.

Created by Alex Griffin two years ago in England, Bouf was created to offer original artwork and design pieces to the market at prices that aren’t affected by the middle-man.

Bouf's products stand out from the crowd and cannot easily be found elsewhere. They offer limited edition items, design innovations, luxury goods, debut (new-to-market) items, iconic items, custom-made or bespoke items, rare goods, exclusive lines, collaborations and one-offs. Their goal is not to create a large flea market (like eBay), but a specialist selection of the world's most distinctive design, including house wares, art and gifts.

I am quite impressed with the selection of designer furniture, textiles, accessories and more. Take a look at some of the offerings.

Maia Lasercut Lampshade with Cascading Glass Crystals. Very elegant and has the look of constant movement.

Bespoke Handpainted Vintage Cabinet. I think this cabinet is lovely. It can be used in a myriad of places, including a teenagers room or an fun, young entryway.

Sponge Light Fixture. These remind me of jellyfish, but with a bit more sparkle!

Stucco Leather Wallpanel. I think this is just gorgeous. Available in custom sizes and colors, I think I want one for my dining room and a few for my living room!

Oak Radiator Bench. What a really unique way to hide a radiator! We don’t have a radiator in our house, but if I did, I would definitely think about covering it with something like this dual purpose piece.

Walldots Wallpaper. The graphic design of this wallpaper is both relaxing and striking at the same time. i.want.it….

Allium Table Lamp. I’ve seen paper lamps similar to this before, but none with this dandelion motif that makes me want to blow on it and make a wish!

Merino Wool Black Bird Pillow. This pillow looks so soft and cozy that I was immediately attracted to it, but add that black bird sitting in the corner and I was smitten.

Table OM. I love, love, love the fretwork cutouts of this table that looks like they extend into the ground. Cut out of plywood, I think one could easily paint this any color to suit any decor.

New Objectivity Stool in Hair on Hide. This stool is fantastic! The cutwork in the base is beautiful and that combined with the hide on top give this piece a richness.

White Sunburst Mirror. We’ve all seen the sunburst mirror, but I haven’t seen it in white! I love it! It’s very refreshing and crisp.

A shipping cost caveat: Since Bouf is located in England, but the designers are from all over the world, if the Seller of the item is located in a country outside of your own, you may be subject to import duties and taxes which are levied once the package reaches your country. A small price to pay for such spectacular designs, don’t you think?

I now Bouf. How ‘bout you?

Polished nickel and adjustable

I almost bid on this pair of polished nickel, adjustable sconces for a client, but I think we're going to go in another direction. I decided to spread the love. Hurry though, they're cheap (at least right now) and ending soon.


{Here's the retail shot and link}

Suzani-Covered Ottomans

I saved these images from someone's blog ages ago. Does anyone know whose?


I love the idea of buying a large suzani on ebay and making a custom ottoman to highlight the suzani's design. It would be an easy project with some plywood and furniture legs. Or use an old coffee table.


Pretty, right?


Here are a couple suzanis that would work well for a project like this. All of these are less than $100 right now.

here

here
herehere

and here

Because I love my readers so much... (and because we're poor)...

To me, the perfectly decorated room is mostly traditional, but has a few very well-chosen modern elements thrown in for balance. As far as modern furniture goes, I think you can't go wrong with a Saarinen table and the C&B Petrie Sofa. Both are clean and white and look great mixed in with more traditional furnishings. I'm always on the look-out for these.

If I needed a sofa, you can BET I'd snag this almost-new Petrie off Boston's Craigslist for $450. (This sofa is $1500 normally). You'll need to sink $100 into a professionally upholstery cleaning, but you're still $1000 in the black.


I think the Petrie is a pretty dang good-looking couch...

Jason Martin Designs via Desire to Inspire

I thought it was the best part of the movie "The Break Up"

via

Design by Summer Thornton

via Blueprint

via Flickr

And who doesn't love a good Saarinen table? If you only need a small plain white (non-marble) top, I've used the IKEA Dockstas before and think they are great for their price. BUT! If you're like me, and really, really want the oval-shaped marble top, and you live anywhere near New Jersey (you can pick it up for free), this eBay auction is an absolute steal. The same looking table retails for $6800 at DWR.
I think Saarinens are completely classic and will forever be in style. Check out these marble beauties...

via Domino

via Erik Piasecki Photography

Tom Scheerer (a huge fan of the Saarinen) via Pure Style Home

Photo by Grey Crawford via Katiedid

Design by Tom Scheerer

Other "modern" favorites of mine - the Parsons table and the sputnik chandelier. What's your favorite way to add a splash of modern to a room?

Either a Drug Dealer or an eBay Fanatic

The hubs kissed me goodbye this afternoon as he left for school, then showed up in my office again about 10 seconds later. This time with a package in hand.

"Ummm. Were you expecting something from Uzbekistan?"

Check out the crazy wax seal:

I told him 'no' and denied his claims that I was a secret international drug dealer. I opened the (shockingly well-glued) package and realized that I just might be something worse than a measly drug dealer.

I'm an eBay addict.


Two hand-embroidered Uzbek Suzani pillowcases.



I honestly didn't even remember buying them. I had to go into my eBay account to see if they were really mine.


I think I need an intervention.