To blame for my Overcrowded Kitchen: One Kings Lane

I'm a sucker for lots of things. Items monogrammed in my initials. Animals with human names like Jason or Chad. Anything (and I mean almost anything) that will help me rack up frequent-flier miles. And I'm especially sucker-prone to an outlet store or a sample sale--particularly if it has anything to do with brand-name home goods or kitchen items (be still my heart!). However, direct me to your sample sale online, and you will witness a woman sent well over the edge.

Such is the case for me and One Kings Lane.

Inspired, I can assume, by online sample sale sites like Gilt Group and HauteLook, One Kings Lane is a "private home decor sales" site that acts on your (okay, my) tendency to make impulse purchases when something seems a) scarce, b) desirable, and c) cute. Sales events are only 72 hours long, so you get that good old buy-it-or-it's gone adrenaline rush. Plus, it's nicely curated. For example, I recently bought this delish pink pie dish from Emile Henry.

(Please note that I bake pies about 0.5 times a year. But dang, the thing's gonna look real good when I bake that chocolate brownie pie in about 6.75 months, no?)

Sign up here. And be sure to mention my name when they ask for a referral (I'm sucker for that, too).

Could Be Cool: Rorschach Blots as Art

I'm constantly on the lookout for interesting things to frame as art, particularly if I can group them into a series (see my earlier posts on Eames lounge chairs and maps). And even before I was introduced to the coolness that is the graphic novel Watchmen, I've always thought that framing and hanging antique Rorschach Test ink blots would be a weird, conversation-starting sort of project.

They're not too easy to find online...they sometimes pop up on eBay and I've seen them here. That's because of the debate on the ethics of showing psychological tests like these to the public. And yeah, I get that. But come on! Wouldn't these be cool framed in good old-fashioned Ribba frames from IKEA and hanging on your living or dining room wall?

Image source: Wikipedia

Almost the Real Thing: Eames-chair Art

My favorite piece of furniture is an Eames molded plywood coffee table—a little reward I bought myself after a freelance gig. It sits in my small studio in the small space that I’ve carved out as my “living room.” It holds stacks of unread magazines, hard-back books, and mismatched coasters. It also, more often than not, acts as my dining table.

To reward it for its efforts, I’d love to buy it its accompanying Eames molded plywood lounge chair. But alas…studio apartments aren’t known for being spacious. Therefore, I’m thinking of hanging a little art collection of the chairs nearby, just to keep the table company. Here’s a glimpse of what I’m considering, thanks to etsy.com.

Eames Chair on on pine wood by thebeeskneesdesigns

Plywood Eames Chair linocut by PerlaAnne

Red Plywood Chair Notes by annacote

Home Sweet Home print by JennSki

Modern Eames Chair print by papelouette

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