Outdoor Room Ideas

House Beautiful has a nice slideshow on outdoor rooms. Since, My patio needs an update, I've been deconstructing pix to find affordable, easy-to-duplicate ideas that could work in an average garden.
* Pair bright, eye-catchy pillows with rustic furniture.

* Hang a simple candle lantern in a covered patio or porch.


* Emphasize prominent garden foliage, such as an ivy-covered wall and if the house has clean lines, choose furniture with the same.
* Hang an overscale sign or thrift-store piece, especially if a garden lacks color or a strong focal point.

German Silver Etched Tables

It's fair to say that these are German, by way of India. A classic Indian paisley motif is lightly etched on the surface of these gleaming tables. The effect is both contemporary and lovely. Very pretty, indeed.
@ Wisteria, from $279

Ceramics by Vika Mitrichenka

I love these pieces done by Minsk artist Vika Mitrichenka, who seems to specialize in Franken-tea sets. I can't find many details on her work, but suspect we'll see more from this young talent in the years to come.

Big Jars by Elizabeth Lyons

The playful scale -- the oversized stopper and organic shapes -- of these Big Jars creates such a unique, modern shape. But the knockout factor comes colors -- from opaline (yay!) to deeply saturated clear glass and that ceramics. The jars are handblown by artist Elizabeth Lyons at her Rochester, N.Y. studio and each dazzling piece is one-of-a-kind.
@ Elizabeth Lyons

Upholstered Cubes + Stools

Love the prints and panache of this room, especially the way it's punctuated with these tufted metallic cubes and lovely upholstered stools. Nice way to add some texture and impact to a room.
@ Brocade Home, $179-$249

Anthropologie Wallpapers

These new wallpaper patterns at Anthropologie are such eye-catchers. The Blooming Filagree pattern features a super-feminine scrollwork design and Lofty Lark has a flurry of cages and coral birds against a sky-colored background. On the bottom, Teacup Alley showcases hand-drawn mugs in blues and navy and, my personal favorite, is C'est Magnifique, which is such an adorable print of la vie Parisenne. There are also dozens other patterns worth a look.
@ Anthropologie, from $88

Donna Wilson Designs

Donna Wilson, a Scottish ceramicist and textile designer, is well known for fabrics used on chairs, ottomans and other furnishings. But her own collection is adorable, and she has a new spring collection with a number of charming new new pieces. I especially love the Staffordshire dogs and the house blanket. Check out her website to see the full collection.

@ Donna Wilson

Wine Glass Lamp Shades

These clever shades let you create an impromptu lighting on the fly. They are made from vellum and just add a tealight and wine glass, and voila! I think they'd look especially festive lined up down a dining table.
@ MoMA, $15/set of 3

Bye Bye Birdie Hooks

This little hook -- especially used as a letter holder -- is so adorable that I might have to add one or two to my entryway ASAP. They are magnetic, and designed so the beaks have a little clip for letters and what not. Love it.
@ Delight, $14

Made Good Mirrors

Made Goods has a pretty amazing range of mirrors in different styles -- from graphic shapes to gilded edges to shells and mother-of-pearl overlay. Clearly designed to be show-stoppers, Made Goods has obviously decided that mirrors might as well double as works of art.
@ Made Goods

[via Material Girls]

Dwell Studio for Target

Dwell Studio for Target has already created lot of great bedding designs, and I'm loving their spring collection. The colors and prints for these quilted-style coverlets are perfect for warmer weather. The Bird in a Vine and the Mandela (below) are my favorite designs, but there are dozens of others. Best of all, the affordable price tag makes it feasible think about updating the bedroom, even if you're on a tight budget.

@ Target, $70-$80 for quilts, $25 for shams

VIntage Mirrored Doors

Antique doors have an incredible presence and instantly define a room. They are pricey, but lean one vintage French door against a wall, and most of your design decision-making is done.

@ The Paris Apartment, around $3,400.