Free Glass & Cutlery Silhouette Stencils

Elle Decoration offers the best free stencils -- just check out these fabulous animal stencils they've given us in the past. Now they've released a glass and silverware set, and we can imagine getting a bit stencil-happy with them on napkins, placemats, kitchen walls....
Anyway, the free stencil download comes with some very welcome instructions on how to make, cut and use the designs. Thanks again, Elle Decoration!
Get them here.

Inkspot Workshop Tags & Stickers

The holidays are now just weeks away (we can't believe it either!) and these cute round gift tags and mailing labels might add a special touch to holiday cards and presents. All orders are custom-made and can be personalized. We especially like the idea of stickers, which can be used as mailing labels, gift tags, even a way to dress up homemade cookies.
@ Inkspot Workshop, from $6
(also at Etsy)

Free-Standing Glass Window Shades

This is such a smart idea. It's a free-standing frosted glass shade that sits on a window sill. It lets in light, while obscuring street views and adding extra privacy. And when privacy isn't important, it can easily be moved elsewhere. Plus, the patterns are very nice.

Crafty types might be able to make their own versions using glass etching cream and finding a stable base. Here's a tutorial from Martha Stewart's team on how to work with glass etching cream. All-in-all, a standing glass shade is a clever solution, and one we haven't seen before.
@ Scandinavian Design Center, $74

Marimekko Sateen Prints

You can never really go wrong with Marimekko fabrics, and these new sateen prints struck as a perfect way to add a dash of luxe to room. They've also got some fun velvet options, but the sateen prints really caught our eye. Since we can't sew, we'd use this fabric for simple projects, like a wall hanging, but handier types could consider pillow covers, window treatments, tote bags and more. Browse through their online catalog for ideas.
@ Velocity, $52/yard

Wheeled Animal Baskets

These funny little baskets caught our eye because (1) the animal thing and (2) the wheels. The come in a few sizes, the smallest can hold a few eggs and the largest easily holds a large potted plant. They'd definitely add a little French country goodness to even the most modern rooms.
@ Wisteria, from $34-$139

Trend Spy: Tea Towel Calendars

Tea towel calendars probably falls in a category called 'Everything Old is New Again,' but the idea seems fresh to us. These are all so adorable, we can't think of a sweeter way to welcome in 2010. They'd look great hanging in any room, and we think they're far too pretty to actually dry any dishes.
Above: Queen Anne's Lace by Cicada Studios @ Etsy, $42
[via Design Sponge]



Forsythia by Cicada Studios @ Etsy, $42
Vintage Gardeners Go to Scotland @ Made For You By Mrs. Woo, $10
Under the Sea @ Linea Carta, $26
Laurel towel by Hello Handmade @ Etsy, $26
[via Seesaw Designs]

Easy Peasy hand-embroidered calendar by September House @ Etsy, $40
Nature's Sketchbook @ Calendars.com, $8
Classic Tea @ Calendars.com, $8

Diem Chau's Embroidered Ceramics

Diem Chau's wonderful ceramics are almost like dreams. After all, not everyone has figured out how to embroider ceramic plates and bowls. She hand-stitches silk thread onto transparent silk organza and then covers porcelain and ceramic plates, teacups and salt dishes. Her work, in our opinion, is just amazing. She also keeps a warm and lovely blog called the Pleasure of Tiny Things.
@ Diem Chau

Niki Jones Bone Inlay Furniture

We're loving the ornate patterns on these pieces by Scotland-based esigner Niki Jones. The black-and-white furniture is hand-made by Rajasthani artisans in classic India designs. The black pieces (top and right) are made from the camel bones, using bones that were responsibly obtained from camels who've died of natural causes. The white pieces (left), from the Bela collection, are hand-painted in the classic Rajasthani creeper pattern.
@ Niki Jones, from £65.

Quiet Sky Collection by Misa Tanaka

Isn't this porcelain + glass collection beautiful? It's designed by Misa Tanaka, who titled it 'Shizukana Sora,' which means Quiet Sky in Japanese. We discovered it via Spoon & Tamago, and the collection just won second place at the prestigious Takaoka Crafts Competition. It's just lovely.

Sneak Peek: Marimekko Holiday 2009

Apartment Therapy got an early preview of this year's Marimekko holiday collection. We think it looks festive and cheerful. It makes us want to say: Let the seasonal madness begin!

Silk Lampshades by Jamie Young

Jamie Young makes these elegant, silk shades, and the prints immediately caught our eye. They're have a luxurious look and they're sold in mix-and-match fashion with an equally upscale-looking collection of lamp bases. Imagine one of these on top a mercury glass or mother-of-pearl base? Ooh la la.
@ Layla Grace, from $157

Pillows by Inner Space Textiles

Artist Mary Beth Yates lives in Northern New Mexico and makes these pretty, color-soaked pillows using her own hand-dyed and handprinted silk. They're fashioned with an envelope closure, so they're easy to change out or dry clean. What a cheerful way to add some color and brightness to a room.... especially when the winter doldrums set in.
@ Inner Space Textiles
[thanks Monica!]

Apron Vase by Perch!

These vases by Perch! Design are so simple, and so very appealing. Empty, they have a lovely, uncomplicated design that would complement so many styles. But they'd look even more charming filled with a bunch of cheery daisies.
@ Nest Living, $48

2010 Calendar by Albertine Press

There are so many fantastic letterpress calendars out there (check out Decor8's super-comprehensive round-up), but this one from Albertine Press is on our short list. We're smitten with the subtle colors and drawings, and its 5"x8" size.
@ Etsy, $29

Nasturtium Rug by Angela Adams

This rug has such a soothing effect, with its serene palette and a modern organic pattern. It'd be perfect in a bedroom, thanks to the dusky blue and gray colors. Just lovely.
@ Angela Adams, $1400

Winter's Respite Throw

Warm, woolen throws are on our mind lately. Our sister site, Nook, just did a big round-up of some yummy blankets and throws to warm you up this winter. This one didn't quite make their list, but we loved its vintage-y charm. It'd be nice to see a bright bouquet of flowers once the snow starts to fall.
@ Anthropologie, $198.

Diptyque's Beauty & the Beast Candle Set

Diptyque makes the most unbelievable -- and unbelievably expensive -- candles, but if you can afford the splurge, they're so worth it.

This month, they've released the Beauty and the Beast-themed candle set, which are designed so the scents harmonize when they're burned together. The Beauty candle is scented with rhubarb, Egyptian geranium, black currant, rose and sandalwood while the Beast smells like Indonesian patchouli, java vetiver and wood.

Beauty & Beast @ Diptyque, $78/pair. (Call to order from their NYC store.... apparently, they're not very user-friendly).
Regular Diptyque candles, including the fabulous Baies and Feu de Bois @ Bigelow Chemists, $60.

Brocade Desk Collection

Remember when 'career gals' hesitated to show off their girly side?
We're glad those days are gone, because these lacy desk accessories are fit for a corporate CEO.
@ See Jane Work, from $8