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Hey, just a quick note from our sponsor Modernica. They're having a DIY Design Contest where you can submit your interior before & after pics and have a chance to win a Case Study Shelving Unit. A pretty great prize, right? See Modernica for more details. (Photos on left of Kim's kitchen at desire to inspire.)...Read more

This is a gem of a book for anyone interested in Japan, architecture, or just a good, solid interview! 20 Japanese Architects is the culmination of Roland Hagenberg's work as an internationally renowned author and filmmaker, who has been lucky enough to delve deep into the lives and souls of twenty of Japan's most influential modern architects. The book is 308 pages featuring conversations with major forces including Tadao Ando...Read more

The International Contemporary Furniture Fair is almost here! What is it? Four days and 145,000 square feet of the world's coolest contemporary home goods from 500+ international exhibitors! And next week, forecasting giant Trend Union will be presenting their trends for 2011 and 2012! The ICFF is North America's most important annual trade show for contemporary interior design. For four days, May 15-18, tens of thousands of designers, manufacturers, architects,...Read more

Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, to the new eco-smart AM/FM radio from Elium Studio. Two minutes of hand winding gives you half an hour of listening and it can also be used as an MP3 amplifier. Maize bio-plastic and bamboo covering gives a nice matte finish. Rechargeable on AC adaptor (not included). Designed by Elium Studio, Pierre Garner, Elise Berthier, 2010 5.5" x 3.7" x 1.8"...Read more

Can you take it? Are you man/woman enough to add some strong pink and purple zig zags to your home? Yeah, you might talk the talk, but when it comes to getting some real color and pattern contrast, can you walk the walk? 100% jaipuri cotton 24x24 Also availble, Jodphur Pouf (shown at upper left)....Read more

Consider this a designer birdhouse. Made almost completely of plexiglass and assembled without glue, it's the sort of cage you won't mind looking at. Pricing starts at 160 €; email designer to order. Designer: Vadim Kibardin Material: plexiglas. wooden sticks Big: D 400 mm x H 700mm Small: D 400 mm x H 420mm...Read more

The Nimbo Slap-on watch is a new, thickset silicon watch band which just slaps on the wrist with no fuss of buckles or snaps. It's available in a seven bright colors (including black and white) and comes in both analog and digital versions. Because of it's generous size, it looks best on a bare wrist so it's doesn't compete with sleeves or other jewelry. It definitely has a very casual...Read more

This smart piece of furniture is made of two low tables that 'embrace' each other to form a storage unit and/or bench. Originally designed as a modern take on the Isokon Penguin Donkey (which dates back to 1939, as a bookcase for Penguin books). Designed by John Green. Available in Oak or Walnut. H.375 W.850 D.350...Read more

Mother's Day is fast approaching, folks. If you're still searching for a gift, you might want to check out the Gift Guide for ideas. It's there for you to use, after all. As usual, shoot us an email if a link doesn't work and we'll do our best to fix it in a timely manner. Update: We've changed our Gift Guide to tags... Gifts (all) Gifts $1-$25 Gifts $26-$50 Gifts...Read more

Originally spotted in The World of Interiors, this Cahier Rug would definitely give a room a graph paper-ish feel, which I'm guessing most of us would appreciate. Designed by Alberto Artesani (Note: If you had this rug, you might have to sip your tea/coffee from a Graph Paper Mug while boxing up a package with some Check Notebook Tape. Oh, and you'd also have to get an Agnes Martin Print.)...Read more

At first glance, these two pictures might appear to be of the same table taken in different lighting, but perhaps the more discerning can pick out a few tiny details that sets one apart from the other. There's not much, mind you, but there is a difference, most noticeably in the price. Can you guess which one is $900 and which is $300? Answer and info on both below. The...Read more

Organize all your fresh herbs together in one spot, with scissors at the ready to cut however much you need. Material: Melamine Dimensions: 15.4" x 6.9"h x 4.5...Read more

Speaking of color, check your color vision here at X-Rite....Read more

A change in color is part of what keeps things fresh. It's a technique that designers in most fields use (you'll see it at work everywhere from The Gap to IKEA) and it was the idea behind the color-changing lights in AA Studio's Scenography Apartment. AA Studio is known for their contemporary, thought-out, and constructed interiors and the color-changing lights help to continually re-invent and re-define what could be an...Read more

We've been fans of Iannone Design for quite some time now, so it's no surprise that this low storage unit would eventually have its turn in the spotlight. Just under 2 feet, it's low enough to fit a good sized flat screen above or on it without sacrificing a reasonable viewing height, and the cork doors and plywood core edges add just the right amount of natural elements to balance...Read more