I updated the site this afternoon with a new feature—the ability to quickly send a tip from the left menu. Just paste the link into the box and click “Send”. If you want attribution, just click the “+ attribution” link.
So, if you see something interesting that you think should be featured on this site (e.g.: a nice print, a unique piece of furniture, your favorite artist, etc.), just send me the link and I will try to get it up.
One of my favorite inexpensive ways to add some interest to a room is to purchase a print, and one of my favorite places to shop for prints is Thumbtack Press. It is a website created “by an artist for an artist”. It features the work of 50+ artists. And, all of them have their own unique style, so I am sure you can find one that fits your taste.
The print above is “Smoking Fish” by Mark Frauenfelder. I think it is one of the more interesting prints at Thumbtack Press. It has great color and made me laugh.
[Purchase at Thumbtack Press]
Since the stock market is still down, I think it is time for another addition of Wednesday’s Stock Pick. This week I decided to find a picture of tractor (actually, a combine) for the stock pick. I have a bit of a fascination with farm machinery. I think it is because I use to drive by a farm equipment reseller every day on my way to work.
Regardless, I think that this photo would look good hanging on the wall. It has great color, nice contrast, tells a story, and would be a nice addition to any industrial decor. I do realize this is a bit out of the ordinary, but why not hang a picture of a tractor in your living room?
I think that bedding is usually a pretty difficult thing for guys to buy because department stores usually carry only solid colors or some type of floral pattern. So, I am constantly on the lookout for bedding that is simple, but also has a pattern that makes it stand out in a room. I think that Inhabit bedding does just that. Their Estrella (pictured above) features a sunburst pattern in a cool gray color. It looks perfect in a modern setting. They also sell pillows and wall art if you are looking for some accents to class up your dwelling.
I have been kind of bored with the old look-and-feel of the site, so I decided to put together a quick redesign to give it some new life. The main goal was to get the content closer to the top of the page, so that it is the focus of the site. The redesign is not a big change, but I hope it looks good. If any of the 10 or so readers of this site like it, then let me know.
There has been a trend lately that I first noticed with Zune Originals of adding art to consumer electronics. Personally, I am all for adding a little bit of interest to the normal drab landscape of laptops. Dell follows on this trend with their Dell Art series featuring Bruce Mau (art pictured above), Mike Ming, and others. While not technically decor, I am going to let this slide because I think it looks pretty cool. Hey, you can always display the laptop when it is not in use.
Purchase at Dell Art.
I was flipping through the latest issue of Dwell and an ad for the BDI Odeon caught my eye. This media center is an all-in-one mounting solution featuring a low-lying cabinet to hold your gear. Their website boasts about IR friendly glass and a wire concealing solution to keep your setup looking nice. I think this is the perfect solution for displaying your new flat panel if you do not feel like messing with a wall installation. The price was not given and they do not allow purchases through their website. But, a quick search of manufacturers even found some in my area (not NY or CA), so you should be able to find a retailer in yours.
You can find out more about the Odeon at bdiusa.com.
Its getting close to Black Friday, and that means some of our readers will probably be picking up a flat panel this season. I personally am in the market for a new one, so I am sure I will be featuring a few on this site in the coming months. But, first-things-first, if you are buying a flat panel, chances are you are going to mount it. I figured I should provide a few options. The first is the adjustable tilting/swiveling wall mount bracket from monoprice. At $60 (less than $100 after shipping), it is pretty affordable way to mount your TV and still have a little control over the movement of it when it is up on the wall.
Purchase at Monoprice.
Not sure what height to mount your flatpanel? Check out my article on the topic.
Apple has made one of the best looking displays on the market right now—the Apple Cinema display. While the tech specs do not necessarily jump out at you, the design certainly does. This would be a great complement to your office if you are already part of the Apple crowd. Now, if they could only make a 46″ TV with the same design, I would be immediately on board.
The displays start at $899. Purchase at Apple.com.
Sony has been hit-and-miss lately with their designs for consumer electronics, but I think the design for the Sony JS Desktop is a winner. Its simple design with a black-and-silver motif would feel right at home in any high-tech interior. And, its Dolby-based surround sound system might make it a good music box for any room. You can read about the device at Gizmodo and purchase at Sony Style. It starts at just over $1,000.
[Purchase at Sony Style]
