This picture captured the best of an inviting home for me. It is perfect for entertaining and living. You get plenty of comfortable sitting spread around the table. I imagine the kitchen to be in front of the purple sofa (but I am not clues). Luckily for me, I should it to my husband and he loves it. I bookmarked it for our next home.

Louis Poulsen Fixtures

The PH5 and PH50 designed by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen are not only superb pendant lamps, they produced a beautiful glare free illumination. The cones and the legs were carefully studied to produce a warm tone of light. The visible reflectors direct light both vertically and horizontally.

Remark that the fact there is 3 pendants over the dining table assures that they are no shadow on the table surface. I never tried it, but I feel that taking pictures in a dining room with PH5 fixtures will create better results than if you have a chandelier over your dining table.

Another element to consider when you are buying light fixtures for your dining room is the tone of light produced by the lamp. In any room where you entertain, favoring a warm tone of light ensures that people look better on photos. Plus, a warm tone creates a more inviting and intimate ambiance.

Paul Henningsen also designed PH Snowball pendant for Louis Poulsen, which is another stunning light that produces gare free and even illumination. You can see it in the beautiful modern interior of Müzede Changa, a restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey.

I wish to thank the excellent kitchen designer Susan Serra for sharing on Facebook the cool cozy luxury open space dining and lounging room.

SOURCING:
+ H5 Pendant Light $698 USD
+ PH Snowball Pendant $2200 USD
+ PH5 and PH50 designed by Poul Henningsen, manufactured by Louis Poulsen
+ photo: RUM Magazine december 2009
+ photos: Müzede Changa restaurant

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My parents had a cute Swiss cuckoo clock. I was fascinated by the magic of the striking. I still find it charming but I prefer the style of a modern clock. Designed by Riccardo Paolino and Matteo Fusi for Progetti, Cucuruku is an Italian design with a German mechanism. You can choice between a wenge colored wood and white tree design or a black colored wood with an orange tree.

The cuckoo clocks are more intelligent. A sensor light keeps it quiet at night. Waterfalls play in the background while striking. Naturally, the striking can be turned off, if you get tired of it.

+ Albero – Cucuruku Cuckoo Clock $350 USD
+ photo: the new Twitter’s new headquarters via TechCrunch and Design Milk

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I like the warmth of the wood decor backsplash against this modern sleek German kitchen. Browsing their collection, I get the impression that the backsplash is made of finely textured melamine resin, not wood. Regardless of what it is, it is gorgeous.

+ Poggenpohl
+ via Living etc.

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The diagonal pocket fold is not harder to make than the (square) pocket napkin fold. I prefer the diagonal pocket fold for its elegance. It is a twist on the basic silverware pouch. The difference is that you create a band instead of simply diagonally folding the top layer (step 1). I think that the band creates a more sophisticated look.

Before we go over the step by step instructions, let’s review a few basic rules. Any sit down dinner, even the most casual one, requires that you use cloth napkins. Ideally, you should keep around several solid and pattern cloth napkins that go well with your tablecloths. The bigger the napkins, the easiest it is to fold it. I recommend that you use 20 to 22-inch pressed napkins.

How to Fold a Napkin into a Diagonal Pocket for the Silverware

Step 0: Fold a square napkin in half, then into quarters. Orient the napkin so that the open corner is facing the top left side.

Step 1: Gradually roll up diagonally the top-most layer of napkin and press it down to form a band. I usually start rolling a band that is 3/4 of an inch and adjust as needed to get the look I want.

Step 2: I stop rolling when I reach about 1 inch from the lower corner. It is easier to secure the wrapped sides if you stop before reaching the corner.

Step3: Turn the napkin over so that the open corner is now facing your body. Fold that 1/3 of the bottom side.

Step 4: Fold 1/3 of the top side and tuck it in the bottom corner to secure in place. Press well. You can iron the napkins for a crisper look. I did not took the time to do it for the pictures.

Step 5: Use the pocket to place the silverware, a flower (with a florist vial) or a menu card.

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I have a love affair with orange. Since it is not everyone’s favorite color, I enjoy the fact that I can pitch more orange tablescapes during autumn.  The tabletop developed for a mid-class cozy café shows that you can create an impact by keeping things simple.

The casual elegance of tabletop is something that you can duplicate for your Thanskgiving dinner party. Finding a beige dinnerware is easy. Look no further than the IKEA 365+ or the Dinera line for beige modern dinnerware. Even the Cream Studio dinnerware that is currently in sale at Pottery Barn would fit the design.

You should not regret investing in a pure linen tablecloth since you will get many years of usage out of it. If you are on a budget, fashion your tablecloth with burlap. Lastly, I like the old-fashioned salt and pepper set. You could try to find something similar at flea markets or vintage stores.

+ via Design Work Life and Behance
+ project in Russia from Transformer Studio

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The easier road for stress-free entertaining is to equip yourself with versatile tableware. Casual chic tabletop is what most people are aiming for these days. After all, you celebrate amongst close friends and family. As I shopped at IKEA yesterday, I took pictures of tableware that delivers that spirit. I spotted affordable tableware that you will be able to use over and over.

The first thing that caught my eyes was this tabletop set for a fondue meal. Blue is popular at IKEA this season. I would serve water in turquoise patterned SNÄLL narrow tall glasses for a change. And you do not have to invest in RIEDEL wine glasses with the SKIR glasses. It definitely not the same quality but you get the look.

Then, I pay attention to the Dinera collection. Guys will love the blue-grey and the brown colors. I like the fact that plates come in many formats. You could mix colors or mix all solids with the ones with a white interior. I am partial to tableware with a white interior because typically food looks more appetizing against a white backdrop.

For entertaining, I keep a stack of tiny bowls for individual serving or to serve sauces. Believe me, they can transform a table. I bought a pack of small POKAL glasses for serving affogato. The POKAL  glasses are suitable for hot and cold liquids. You could get two sets: one to drink espresso and the other ones to serve your dessert. Keep in mind that the grey Dinera espresso cups and saucers (second picture) will look better, if you are willing to spend more.

If you are curious, I bought the small and the tall POKAL glasses, the big VÄNLIG glasses plus a few Christmas decorations and napkins.

SOURCING:
+ SNÄLL glasses $6.99 CAD for 6
+ SKIR glasses $6.99 CAD for 2
+ DINERA 18-piece dinnerware set $29.99 CAD
+ CHARMÖR small bowls $3.99 CAD for 2
+ POKAL glasses $4.99 CAD for 4
+ photo of affogato via Food Network Canada

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The way I decorate for Christmas has changed a lot over the years. The cool Christmas looks are miles away from what Christmas decorations were when I was a kid.

It is evident when we look at these pictures. In fact, the top picture constitutes a good example of the Comfort trend, one of the 4 Holiday decor trends for 2009. I love it!

Over the last few years, nature plays a big element in my Holiday decorations. This year, you could show that you care for the planet by getting decorations from 100% natural and recycled materials. A stylish collection is the one designed by David Stark for West Elm.

On my wish list are the Lupis twine trees and the sparkly decor wreath. The trees are available in a table version and a floor version. You do not need to add a lot to make an impact. See how adding a simple ribbon and a few Christmas baubles enhances the overall look.

MORE:
+ David Stark Natural Weave Tree 2 foot $24, 6 foot $99
+ David Stark Sparkly Décor Wreath $59

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This project illustrates the versatility of stickers. Out of necessity emerged an awesome way to add character to a two-story house extension. Rules regarding overlooking dictates a 75% opacity for second-story spaces. The gorgeous UV stable stickers simulate a grouping of mature trees. The stickers cost way less than any curtains or screens.

I love it when somebody find an artistic and efficient solution to an every day problem. I am not alone who appreciated their clever solution since they won the Master Builders national award 2008, the Master Builders Victorian award 2008, the best renovations of 2007 of The AGE and made Mocoloco’s top 5 for 2007.

+ photo by Peter Bennetts for Maynard Architects
+ via 2Modern Design Talk and  Acquitectura Arkinetia

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I like the curly lines of this modern architecture house designed by Johnston Marklee. I am not convinced about the practicality of a house that denies the traditional front, side, and rear yard designations but we have to admire the play on geometric forms. I wonder about the wisdom of needing instructions to find out on which door you need to knock when you come to visit. Many a proper landscaping could direct guests.

A totally round house is impractical when it comes to furnishing. For this project, the architect has taken into account the need for square angles, a must for any kitchen. Have a look, the portfolio of Johnston Marlee is filled with innovative design.

MORE:
+ via CoolBoom

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In case you missed it, the November 2009 issue of Wallpaper showcased forty of the best things from ten of their favorite global destinations. You will find the best from USA, Canada, UK, Scandinavia, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Brazil and Japan.

From Canada, I discover a few names that I did not know. On the architecture front, I love the work by Süperkul in Toronto. I am fond of the cottage they designed on an island in Georgian Bay. This is my type of cottage by the lake.

The best of the SHIFT cottage by Süperkul?

The SHIFT cottage has a must have feature for a summer place. It is a bridge to link the private and public areas. One volume contains the living spaces while a second section is dedicated to sleeping and washing areas. This allows you to have friends over for the weekend but keep your privacy when you feel like it.

Another good luxury is the wood deck terraces that fold into the island on three sides. Who would not want to read a book in this living room?

I am sure that I will present you more fabulous designers from their listing over the next few weeks.

MORE:
+ SHIFT cottage by süperkul architect
+ Fab 40: Canada on Wallpaper

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This is me! High gloss grey is a new addition in the IKEA 2010 Kitchen catalog. I like it a lot. Grey is easy to live with. It makes a wonderful backdrop on which it is easy to enliven your space with a punch color. This kitchen feels urban yet classic.

+ Grey Abstrakt Kitchen Doors and Drawer Covers

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Many apartments and condo units do not have a formal entryway. This is without counting the increasing number of units that lack a coat closet. Even if you have a coat closet, chances are, that it is almost full by all your coats needed to accommodate 4 seasons. For all these reasons, we often need to install a coat rack for our guests.

A coat rack can be more than utilitarian. Why not select a coat rack that will make a lasting impression? I found 5 coat racks that should become a conversation piece.

For the Art Lover or the Family

The Flying hooks are almost an art form. Instead of putting it on the wall, each hanger is attached to the ceiling using a stainless steel cable. Each hanger can be hung at any height. A family can decide to hang a few coat hangers extra low. This way, the young kids can reach their hanger. I am torn between the Flying hooks and the treehooked to elect a favorite.

For the Urban Girl

AlissiaMT (amt) designed the treehooked. They come in green or white soft-coated steel with screws and spacers in a matching color. Treehooked was inspired by organic form but when I looked at it, I see a subway map. You can put several together for a bigger impact.

For the Bachelor

I imagine the Dart coat hooks hanging on the wall of a game room, a teenager bedroom or a bachelor pad. At this price, you can stock a few for the Christmas gift exchanges.

For the Modernist

At more than $250 a piece, the Kangaroo hook is eye catching for two reasons. But you have to admit that this concept is ingenious. The two lower arms act as a coat hangar while the 2 upper arms can hold hats or coats. Overall, you can either put 3 coats or a coat, a hat and a scarf or 2 coats and a hat on a single hook.

For the Twitterer

The Umbra Birdeye rack reminds me of the Twitter bird. Besides the entry hall, this multi hook stand would be cute in a girl bedroom.

SOURCING:
+ Flying hooks designed by Ariette Bos and Tom Couvee 4 hangers $158.10, 9 hangers $300
+ Treehooked by amt $90 USD
+ Dart Coat Hooks by Suck UK $24.30 USD for pack of 3
+ Umbra Birdeye Multi Hook $13.49

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