It’s two days before Christmas. Are you panicking over last minute holiday gifts? We celebrate Chanukah in our home, so not only am I finished buying, we’re just about through with our eight nights of giving. If you do the whole Christmas celebration thing, you’re probably required to come up with a whole slew of presents for friends and family. It’s now officially too late to order online unless you’re willing to pay exorbitant overnight shipping costs, and even then, it’s risky. So, off to the mall it is. Here are 25 last minute holiday gifts you can pick up at the mall and/or the free-standing chain stores in town.
S H O P P I N G
1 Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker, $129.99 at Target.
2 Brass Love Object Paperweight, $29 at West Elm.
3 Back-Zip Pullover Sweater, $69.50 at Madewell.
4 Pagoda Salt & Pepper Shakers, $34.99 at Jonathan Adler.
5 Downing Embossed Leather Clutch, $88 at J.Crew.
6 Nate Berkus Faux Fur Stripe Pillow, $29.99 at Target.
7 Magical Thinking T-Bar Jewelry Stand, $34 at Urban Outfitters.
8 Gilded-Edge Agate Coasters,$98/set at Anthropologie.
9 Buttery Leather Satchel Crossbody Bag, $100. at Gap.
10 Oh Joy! Acacia Serving Board, $19.99 at Target.
11 Pascale Monvoisin Georgia Ring, $125 at Club Monaco.
12 Pop Art Dry Erase Calendar, $19.99 each at The Container Store.
13 Tom Dixon Eclectic Mini Candle Gift Set, $120 at Anthropologie.
14 Ribbed Cashmere Hat, $78 at J.Crew.
15 Fuse Sweatshirt, $71.99 at Athleta.
16 Space Age Floral Crystal Studs, $58 at Kate Spade.
17 Printed Tablet Case, $33.99 at Gap.
18 Glass Bud Vases, $14 each at West Elm.
19 Marc Jacobs Beauty Lust For Lacquer Lip Vinyl , $28 at Sephora.
20 Fujifilm INSTAX Instant Smartphone Printer, $199 at Urban Outfitters.
21 Ray-Ban Sunglasses, $104.95 at Sunglass Hut.
22 Selvedge Japanese Chambray Utility Shirt, $98 at J.Crew.
23 Chemex Classic Drip Coffee Maker, $34.95 at Sur La Table.
24 Dipped Leather Bill Holder, $128 at Jack Spade.
25 Mauviel Copper Butter Warmer, $90 at Williams-Sonoma.
I’m not sure if you remember, but a couple of years ago I decorated my friend Meredith’s apartment in New York. I’m not a designer, but Meredith and Daniel somehow trusted me to put together the rooms in their beautiful condo in a high rise building on the Upper East Side. Meredith and I had a great time choosing wallpaper and furniture that summer, and we did it all remotely, me on the Cape and her in New York and Connecticut.
Although I posted some mock up designs, I don’t think I ever revealed the finished rooms. Here is the post with the inspiration and plan for the master bedroom: Scheming: Meredith & Daniel’s Master Bedroom, and below, a detail photo of the finished room, picturing the upholstered headboard with nailhead detailing against that the fabulous arc-patterned wallpaper, and glass-topped white nightstand with cerulean blue glazed ceramic table lamp by Robert Abbey.
The bedroom had been on my mind after yesterday’s post about the current lighting trend of using low hanging pendant lights by the bedside in place of table lamps. I know I said I prefer a sconce, but I certainly recognize the decorative value of a beautiful table lamp, especially in a classic bedside vignette such as this one. I particularly like this table lamp by Robert Abbey for its simple, slightly tapered silhouette, subtle detailing, crisp color, and plain white lampshade. Plus, it’s available in many colors.
Today, I’ve teamed up with Boston-based online furnishings behemoth Wayfair to offer you an exclusive promo code for 15 percent off any lamp featured on Wayfair. (You get a discount and I get a $100 gift certificate). Promo code WFLAMPS15 is validtoday through Monday(Nov. 6 to Nov. 10, 2104). One more time: StyleCarrot readers get 15 percent off all lamps with promo code WFLAMPS15.
Have a look at Meredith’s bedroom (I realize the table isn’t styled, but still I think it looks pretty good), check out the half dozen turquoise table lamps I chose (including Meredith’s Robert Abbey Isis lamp), and then shop for your own table lamps at Wayfair with the 15% off table lamp promo code WFLAMPS15.
Meredith’s master bedroom in NYC, designed by StyleCarrot.
In addition to the features, I put together the StyleWatch product page, which highlighted seven colorful upholstered swivel chairs. Swivel chairs are a perennial favorite of interior designers. A pair of swivel chairs can bridge the two separate conversation areas in an oversize living room. In the family room, swivel chairs can face either the sofas or the television, allowing for multi-function flexibility. Designer Alys Protzman, who decorated this yellow and white cottage on Cape Cod, likes to place a cluster of swivel chairs around a table to create an entire seating area that delights kids and adults. (Spin, spin, spin.)
There are lots of different types of swivel chairs available for living spaces, including mod styles on pedestals. Other than the one Jonathan Adler swivel chair I included here (because I just couldn’t resist it), these upholstered swivel chairs resemble traditional easy chairs that one would not expect to rotate. These upholstered swivel chairs would work in any room, whether to serve two functions near a television or open kitchen, or used as a reading chair by a window in the bedroom. (Or just use it to pile clothing on and swivel it away from you when it becomes overloaded.)
Here are 45 upholstered swivel chairs in every color as well as some patterns from StyleCarrot partners and others.
S H O P P I N G
1 Eos Swivel Chair, $999 at Room & Board.
2 Willy Swivel Armchair by Poltrona Frau at Switch Modern.
3 Alfosa Cow Print Swivel Chair, $278.54 at Wayfair.
4 Blakely Brown Swivel Chair, $480 at Bellacor.
5 Agathos Swivel Armchair by Antonio Citterio at Switch Modern.
6 Sutton Chevron Swivel Chairi, $499.99 at Bellacor.
7 Manhattan Swivel Stool, $986 at Seagrass Home.
8 Baxter Swivel Chair, $2,595 at Jonathan Adler.
9 Lazar Scroll Corkscrew Left Swivel Chair, $806 at AllModern.
10 Felix Chair by Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams, $2,115 at Bloomingdale’s.
11 Felix Swivel Chair, $1,545 at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.
12 Penta Swivel Chair by Viccarbe, $1,697 at Switch Modern.
13 Hugo Swivel Chair, $999 at Room & Board.
14 Feelin’ Groovy Swivel Chairs at Thayer Coggin.
15 Rothko Swivel Chair, $799.95 at Boston Interiors.
16 Milo Baughman Style Barrel Chairs, $895/pair at Chairish. 17 Duffield Swivel Chair in Brushstrokes, $799 at West Elm.
18 Duffield Swivel Chair in Ikat Chevron, $799 at West Elm.
19 Floral Arm Chair, $1,900 at 1st Dibs. 20 Luxe Slipcovered Swivel Chair, $1,299 at Crate & Barrel. 21 Azimut Swivel Chair by Marco Fumagalli at Roche Bobois.
22 Anda Swivel Chair at Ligne Roset.
23 Reid Swivel Armchair, $2,720 at DWR. 24 Brisbane in Sunbrella Canvas, $1,299 at Room & Board. 25 Swivel Ottoman at Ligne Roset. 26 Celeste Swivel Chair, $749 at Room & Board. 27 Axis II Leather Swivel Chair, $1,899 at Crate & Barrel. 28 Serene Slipcovered Swivel Chair, $1,499 at Crate & Barrel. 29 Linda Swivel Chair, $799 at Circle Furniture. 30 Anda Swivel Chair at Ligne Roset. 31 Morgan Track Arm Swivel Glider, $1,089 at Ethan Allen. 32 Colby Swivel Club Chair by Elegant Home Fashions, $496 at Bellacor.
33 Stockholm Swivel Chair, $399 at IKEA. 34 1980s Directional Swivel Lounge Chair, $3,850 at 1st Dibs. 35 Talia Swivel Chair, $1,399 at Crate & Barrel. 36 Nico Return Leather Swivel Chair, $2,545 at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.
37 Crest Swivel Chair in Sunbrella Canvas, $799 at Room & Board.
38 Modern Swivel Chair 805, $953 at Contemporary Furniture.
39 Mid-Century Custom Swivel Arm Chairs, $2,850/pair at Chairish.
40 Pumpkin Chair by Pierre Paulin at Ligne Roset.
41 Facett Swivel Armchair at Ligne Roset.
42 Fresco Swivel Occasional Chair at LaZBoy.
43 Otis Swivel Chair, $699 at Room & Board. 44 Barrel Back Swivel Lounge Chair, $2,850/pair at 1st Dibs.
45 Hathaway Swivel Glicer, $1,099 at Crate & Barrel.
I’ve been so focused on Florida (though not nearly enough, as I’ve yet to order rugs, shades, or decide on the pink problem in the bathroom), that I’ve neglected organizing and upgrading in Boston. Coming back in the fall from the Cape, I’m always bothered by the amount of stuff we have. Too. Much. Stuff. It’s particularly striking because not only is the place on the Cape a lot bigger, being a house instead of an apartment, it’s white and virtually empty.
Here, in addition to crown moldings and bookshelves lined with coffee table books (one of the best perks of being a blogger), there’s , well, everything. The piles of dishes still not put away from the bar mitzvah in February (because, after all, we’re having another one this coming February), our bicycles in the living room until it gets too cold to ride and we store them, etc.
I’ve been promising my younger son that I would work on his bedroom. Meaning, I would clear out all the outgrown clothing and extra bedding I’ve been keeping in there. Done! He has the upholstered armchair that I used to nurse them on when they were babies. It’s taking up a ton of space that would be better used for a desk. He’s starting to get a fair amount of homework, plus, like me, he’s very organized, so I think he’d love to have drawers where he can store supplies.
Our other son has a little desk from IKEA, which when it’s cleared, he actually likes to use (not for homework, though). When he was away at a boarding school program this summer he lived in student housing, with a room furnished in typical dorm style (by a company like Peelmount) that outfits dorm rooms with sturdy wood beds, desks, and dressers. It’s kind of incredible that those designs haven’t changed, in like, ever. Blocky oak stands the test of time, I suppose. In any case, I’m not looking for anything as practical as all that. A small, affordable, modern desk is all we need.
Here are 42 modern desks, almost all of them well-priced (and one very extravagant example) from StyleCarrot partner sites and other great resources.
S H O P P I N G
1 Soft Modern Writing Desk by Sauder, $210 at All Modern.
I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve done a furniture roundup, and since I’ve been thinking about mattresses, namely going up to a king on Cape Cod, where we have a platform bed, I settled on pulling together modern platform beds. We have a gorgeous white oak contemporary platform bed that we purchased before the house was done. We used the wood sample as inspiration for the white oak floors. We’re always bumping into its sharp corners though.
Here are 28 modern platform beds in a variety of materials and silhouettes from StyleCarrot partners and other resources. (The prices are for queen size, unless indicated, but many come in other sizes too.)
