A fabulous coffee table just came into my sights and I just had to share it with you:

The Swiss Cream Coffee Table by Enrico Konig. On sale now at artfulhome.com for $2440. Sure, it’s expensive, but it’s the last coffee table you’ll every buy. It’s perfect!

From Elle Decor India, a Bengali interior designer’s own home:

So what do you think? A masterful design, a pastiche of color and texture?

Or just plain messy?

There’s a couple of great design ideas in this kitchen that I want to share with you:

It’s not the usual things that might catch your eye: the $100,000 cabinets, the crown molding, the turned-leg finish on the island. All very impressive and beautiful, to be sure.

I see hidden treasures here: affordable things you and I can actually do in our own kitchens.

Take a look at the bar stools, for example. They tuck! This adds so much space to your kitchen area. You don’t really need tall swivels with a high back unless your island is an everyday meal space; then you might want the extra comfort a more expensive bar stool can afford.

And how ’bout that light fixture? I love the idea of one chandelier-style light for $200 instead of three pendant lights at $150 each.  One open, airy light fixture gives you great design and interest plus plenty of light for your island top.

Thanks, William-Sonoma and Standard Pacific Homes, for a great kitchen that inspires beyond the price tag!

Here’s just a small sampling of the amazing black and white fabrics available through our line at Greenhouse Fabrics:

Note the touch of gold in the dragonfly print and the circles pattern just below it. A little golden-yellow is always an amazing pop with a black and white palette (and much more subtle than red). We’re working on this headboard right now:

NOT in the blah color shown above! Picture it instead in a mix of the black and whites…I like the square diamond pattern for the shirred edge with a fully padded dragonfly inset. And a bedskirt to match, of course! Take a look at all the wonders at greenhouse fabrics.com. And call Metamorefix to order yours today!

Here is the Baba Cool rug:

From the website: “German designer Michaela Schleypen was inspired by the 1960s when she designed the Baba Cool Rug (2009), which means “Hippie” in French. Embracing the thinking, feeling and design vibe of that era, she dedicates the Baba Cool to that time in our history and honors it with one of her favorite color palettes. Schleypen is grateful to be able to create her own floor couture, and claims her “floor passion” is a serious addiction, one that keeps her challenged and driven in her career. Powerful and eye-catching, the Baba Cool has an interesting juxtaposition in that it is handmade – the cotton loops are stitched into the backing, like embroidery – but also has a slightly pixilated or computerized look. “The color gives this rug its attitude,” says Schleypen. ‘It’s like bringing the summer into the home when it’s winter.’ ”

Tres jolie, no? The 6′ x 9′ statement piece is on sale now at dwr.com ($4080).

We love to work with our clients’ “character pieces:” those inherited or personal accessories or furniture pieces that offer more than mere function. They tell a story or maybe they’re just fun and different.

Here’s one from the fun and different category:

This does more than light up a space; it decorates it! Use this lamp on an entry table, side table or buffet in your entertainment areas. It’s 30″ tall, so there’s nothing demure about it. Sure to be noticed (in a good way!)

The pagoda lamp from gumps.com $399.

A holiday gingerbread house competition benefitting the Make-A-Wish Foundation had some interesting entries. How about this gingerbread replica of Tallesin West, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous creations?

Good enough to … live in? Here’s a couple more:

Do you recognize Falling Waters on the left? Wonderful! Check out http://designwire.interiordesign.net/events/auctions-benefits/6657/frank-lloyd-wright-in-gingerbread for more.

Get ready to say bye-bye to the standard coffee cup with plastic lid. Here’s the Compleat Cup:

100% disposable and  promises to “make use of all three surfaces for branding purposes” according to the press release. Oh, boy — more advertising! But if it ends up in the compost bin it’s worth it, right?

I think I’ve found the best gift idea so far this season. This is truly the present for the person who has everything. Ready? Here it is:

The Flying Pigs Picnic Shaker Pair by Gazelle Art Glass. $90 for the pair from Artfulhome.com.

I love Christmas!

Here’s an update on a Christmas standard: the door wreath.

These are made of recycled road signs. $150 each by Boris Bally at artful home.com . Knock, knock!