Agate Ikebana Vases

I used to work at a museum gift shop in college called Dinosaurs, etc. I got to know my dinosaurs alright, but it was the etc., that was a lot of fun. We sold rocks, agates, hematite and I really learned my stone and stoneage lingo. I thought I knew everything about rocks, but I NEVER thought of making a vase out of one! Ah, to think of the fun I would have ordering merchandise for the store now!

Agate Ikebana Vases
Demystify the art of Ikebana to create your own Japanese floral design in minutes. Simply insert the stems of one or two fresh flowers and shoots into the pronged frog and add water as needed. Cut and handpolished from the highest quality Brazilian crystalline agate, each displays patterns and colors unlike any other.

Smart Flooring!

Cork Flooring. Cork is harvested by peeling layers off of trees—not by cutting down the tree. In fact, removing cork from an oak tree actually helps it grow faster. This fact makes cork one of the best renewable and ecologically friendly resources. Habitus Architectural Finishes (http://www.habitusnyc.com/) offers custom flooring made from the waste of the cork-winestopper business.

Cost for the mosaic cork flooring is approx. $12/sq ft. Check out the online catalog to see the wide selection--the downloadable pictures on the site don't do the product justice!

Urban Cowboy

So, you may not want to fork out $998, but you're going to be tempted. Urban Cowboy Hickory Chair's Gunnison armchair gets its sublime style from a clever marriage of the rugged and the refined. Featuring a rustic metal frame and supple antiqued-finish leather upholstery, it measures 40" h. x 24" w. x 28" d. For store locations, call 800-349-4579 or visit hickorychair.com.

Nows the time

Look at your favorite websites and check out their clearance sales on holiday ornaments. I found some cute ones on Anthropologie's sale page. No time like the present to stock up on great stocking stuffers for friends and neighbors!

Great stuff

I found a wonderful site specializing in unique home decor and authentic, as well as imitation, antiques. Check it out. http://flowersandfantastics.blogspot.com/2007/02/great-stuff.html

Wine Barrel Cooler

This full wine barrel on an iron stand actually houses a cooler - complete with a watertight liner and drain faucet. Previously-used white oak wine barrels, which are usually discarded after several years, get reincarnated in this functional furniture piece. Handmade in Georgia. It's $875, so it might be that you splurge on this little gem and can't scrape together enough to buy a 6pack and some ice to throw in, but it's a great idea and if you're at all handy, perhaps could make your own for a fraction of the cost.

Living outdoors inside

I love this bowl. The perfect nest for your favorite seasonal fruits, this unique bowl brings a touch of nature to your dining or coffee table. The pretty lattice of willow tree sticks and twigs manages to maintain a light feel, while appearing to be the work of creatively industrious birds. Display on its own to show off the lovely construction, or use in the kitchen to contain nature's most recent bounty. Imported, or go outside, gather some sticks and make one yourself, then you won't have to pay shipping!