Furniture Shopping

December 17, 2008December 17, 2008 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

Since it’s been almost a year since we bought new furniture for our apartment, I thought I’d finally get around to shopping for the miscellaneous pieces we still need — a coffee table and an accent chair or two. This time instead of hitting the huge department stores, I thought I’d start out looking for something made by a real person. I still haven’t decided on anything, but I thought I’d share the shops that are at the top of my list:

Framework Designs coffee table (photo courtesy of Framework Design) — Framework Design's "coffee" table (photo courtesy of Framework Design)

This stunning modern coffee table from Framework Design is as clever as it is beautiful. The indented squares spell out”coffee!” in braille.

: Lunar Lounge Design

Lunar Lounge Design, while mostly out of my price range, has a fantastic collection of mid-century modern tables and seating that owners Colin and Jonathan make to order. Love their innovative designs and fab color choices.

On the other end of the spectrum are these gorgeous natural wood tables from Michael Arras. Each one is completely unique and custom made of organic oval discs finished with your choice of stain.

Revival Home Goods Petite Paisley Chair — Revival Home Goods' Petite Paisley Chair

I’m also loving the fab recovered chairs over at Revival Home Goods. Joan is an avid antique store shopper who finds pieces with great bones and gives them an update. I’m a sucker for all things paisly so this black chair is definately on the short list!

Last but absolutely not least: dust*furniture. Their complete disregard for the way furniture “should” be results in gorgeous pieces worthy of Dr. Seuss himself!

Clear Mountain Craft

December 15, 2008 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

Clear Mountain Craft is a beautiful union between Andre, a master glass artist, and Kristin, a phenomenal ceramicist. Creating work that is both functional and beautiful, she creates a variety of ready made and custom pieces. I particularly love her glaze work because it is exactly what I always used to strive for when I was working with clay in college but could never achieve — letting the glaze move and mix and do all the beautiful things melting glass can do while staying where it was put.

Poppy Bowl Nesting Set in Brown and Turquoise

French Landscapes

December 14, 2008December 14, 2008 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 3 Comments

Since it’s raining and all the snow is turning to gray slush in southern Wisconsin today, I needed something beautiful to cheer me up. The top photo did the trick!

A very, very lucky photographer, Patrick of French Landscapes does a wonderful job of capturing the beauty that surrounds him at his home in Provence. The colors in his work are so stunningly beautiful they seem almost unreal. What an incredible talent to be able to capture such beauty and share it with the world!

Beehive Kitchenware

December 13, 2008 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

Sandra and Jim of Beehive Kitchenware both hold a Masters of Fine Art, and yet their work, while beautiful, thoughtful and perfectly executed, consists of pieces anyone can identify with. The one that first attracted me was their signature heart measuring spoons — they are so adorable and so clever! I love the simplicity of their style (probably because it’s so similar to mine) and the fact that they make everyday tools so much fun!

Peace

December 12, 2008December 12, 2008 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 2 Comments

Thanks to Dawn, who left a comment asking for help finding gifts for her eleven-year-old daughter who is obsessed with all things peace. I remember this middle school phase, in which “Peace, Love and Happiness” was the coolest saying ever and the ’70’s were like, totally awesome. While I have a lot less self-doubt these days, I still think peace, love and happiness are pretty great, so here you go, Dawn:

Lavander Peace Sign Earrings for Sensitive Ears from pink dotties