Socket is a porcelain candle holder that can be used in four different positions, according to thickness of candle. Designer Jan Kuusisto studies furniture design at the University of Art and Design Helsinki, Finland. He is also member of IMU, the Finnish National Design Team. Contact Jan (jan.kuusisto@uiah.fi) for more information about this unique candle [...]

Designer Patricia Urquilo is still in the Spotlight. Today her Crochet carpet is featured. This pretty hand crocheted rug, is designed by Urquila togeter with Eliana Gerotto for Italian company Paola Lenti.

The flowers and leaves that form the rug are hand crocheted, assembled and sewn by hand to a support net. The stitching is executed [...]

Christien Meindertma’s label FLOCKS is the result of her cooperation with a farmer in Wales. The Dutch designer created a clothing collection from the wool of a small flock of the farmer’s sheep. Each garment in the collection was produced from the wool of one single sheep. Her new Black Sheep collection is celebrating the [...]

The Pavo Real is another great chair from Patricia Urquiola, who is in this week’s Spotlight. The chair, designed for Italian company Driade, is made from painted steel covered with wicker in a brown color. The fixed cushion is made of a polyurethane foam with black leather cover. I love the tropical feel that this [...]

To get into the holiday spirit, I thought I’d give you some more holiday gift wrapping suggestions. I love the simple but gorgeous designs of Snow & Graham. They have a great line of holiday wraps. Their website in under construction at the moment, but you can see their collection at luxe paperie.

Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola is in this week’s spotlight. Yesterday her Tufty-Time seating elements were featured. Another gorgeous design of her is the Bloomy chair which she created for Moroso. The Bloomy series evokes images of a growing flower. The bud has become a chair, the open flower a lounge chair and the armchair is [...]

Looking for wrapping paper to wrap your (design) gifts in style? Finnish design company Marimekko, famous for their gorgeous patterns, has created this fantastic holiday wrapping paper. It is available in different modern designs and colours.

To brush up or perfect your gift wrapping skills, check out these wrapping instructions on eHow and Shimojima. The latter [...]

I would like to share with you the work of one of my favourite designers, Patricia Urquiola. For B&B Italia the Spanish designer, who now lives and works in Milan, created Tufty- Time. This modular system is made up of an ottoman, the basic unit, which can be matched with other central, corner and end [...]

Earlier this week I posted about the Domus series. Publisher TASCHEN has the best books about design, art and life style. To me the books are a great source of inspiration (and they look good on my coffee table as well!). TASCHEN’s Hotel series books are much more than simple hotel guides. They not only [...]

Jan Dijkstra graduated from the Eindhoven Design Academy in 2005. For his graduation project the Dutch designer created this kitchenette, which provides you with all you need in a kitchen.

The design, made out of wire and coated with a plastic layer afterwards, consists of four modules. Every module has its own function and shape. [...]

I still haven’t decided on Christmas cards (big dilemma..), have you? In case you haven’t, check out iomoi’s website. They have some great cards which can be customized. The cards come with coordinated envelopes and can contain up to eight lines of your custom text and choice of font. Visit the iomoi website to see [...]

Packed with gorgeous illustrations of architectural and design ideas, the new Taschen domus series is a must have for design and architecture lovers.

Taschen has truly done a fantastic job of bringing seventy years of domus, one of the best design periodicals there is, together in a set of volumes. The twelve-volume reprint features selected highlights [...]

This house will make a great gift for kids. Not only is it a fun toy for children to play in but not so fortunate children can profit as well. Online design store POAA will donate €2,50 from each House sold directly to Unicef. This money goes directly to the project that supports Russian children [...]

Last week I posted Gift Ideas for Friends (€ 0 - 50). If you would like to spend more on gifts then check out the gift suggestions below which are in the price range €50 - 100 (US$60-120). In case you would like to splurge on your friends and family, then wait for the Gift [...]

If you, like me, love designs made from recycled materials then you should definitely check out this gorgeous stove made from old Volkswagen parts.

H.O.T. Creative Designs is a little firm run by artist blacksmith Daniel Harding in Cornwall, United Kingdom. His HOTPOD stove was born out of necessity as he tried to stay warm while [...]

Jewellery designer Corina Rietveld has combined the old technique of embroidery with modern silver rings. The designs featured above cost €115/$143 and can be ordered online. Check out Corina’s website to see the rest of her gorgeous and unique collection.

For Italian company Bardelli Tord Boontje designed a collection of ceramic tiles named Primavera. These gorgeous tiles are great if you want to bring some colour into your kitchen or bathroom. Check out Bardelli’s website for more information and to see their full collection of tiles.

Timea Sido is a British designer based at the prestigious Cockpit Arts in London. She graduated from Central St. Martins College of Art and Design in 2001 and has since embarked on a successful design career.

Timea’s Tangled Web Bespoke Collection replicates an ever-tangling spider’s web, which no longer has its symmetry and well-structured lines but [...]