(AUM musette, $70)

by Jess Chamberlain, Sunset home & design writer

At Sunset, we love finding smart companies making beautiful sustainable products. And I'm personally crazy over modern products made from salvaged materials (look out for our March story featuring aluminum tile made from retired aircraft parts).

I was recently reminded of Vancouver-based Red Flag Designs (thanks Paul), a company making cool handbags from old sail cloth, complete with marks of their nautical origins. Turns out they're also now making handbags from surplus canvas from military tents—which I like even more.

(AUM shelter clutch, $80)

(AUM shelter bag, $130)

by Miranda Jones, Sunset style editor

I have been meaning to write about this for a while but haven't (you can call me lazy if you want to) ,so when I saw it covered today on design sponge, I knew that it was time (past due?).  It is no secret that we at Sunset love Flora Grub (see exhibit A and B for starters) and now we have just one more reason to add to the ever growing list!

Flora has paired up with Susie (wife of Flora's business partner) to offer beautiful arrangements and potted plant gifts on line. Check out the online cutting garden  and design sponge's report HERE.

by Jess Chamberlain, Sunset home & design writer

I read about this curious looking upside-down planter on Inhabitat about a year ago, but was sad that it didn't seem to be available in US stores just yet. No longer true!

Velocity Art & Design in Seattle (and online) now carries a variety of sizes, starting at $25.

About the Boskke Sky Planter, designed by New Zealand's Patrick Morris:
Conserve water - Reduce your watering of household plants by up to 80%.
Purify your air - Breath fresh naturally filtered air.
Save your time and save your plants - Refill the self-watering planter only once or twice a month.
Save floor space - A practical planting solution for modern living areas where space can be limited.
Transform your view of nature - Look up and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Materials - Stoneware ceramic, stainless steel wire, ceiling hook and plastic plug.

The Sky Planter addresses my two favorite home topics: small space (no surface space needed!) and eco-friendly innovation. Can we get more of this combo please?

More info here. And don't miss the 20-second how-to video.

by Jess Chamberlain, Sunset home & design writer

I was crazy sad to find out about the Altitude Design Summit way too late to beg my editor to send me, but am thoroughly enjoying reading glorious reviews about it (as my heart beats with envy). Bless the internet. Check out Victoria's recap of this design and lifestyle blogger frenzy at SFGIRLBYBAY.

by Miranda Jones, Sunset style editor

Check out this great 1stdibs article on super talented LA based interior designer Kishani Perera! (By the by, I love their tag line of, "The Most Beautiful Things on Earth". You had me at "beautiful", 1stdibs.)

Remember when Kishani showed us how to fake a Roman shade in last October's issue? (I don't mean to imply that we scooped 1stdibs, but we might have scooped 1stdibs.)

by Miranda Jones, Sunset style editor

The other day I was wandering around the internet and stumbled on the Home Shopping Network. (Ok, ok, I followed Nate Berkus there. Is that so wrong?) I wasn't that surprised to see Mr. Burkus there, considering his past tv relationship history,  but I was pretty surprised to see John Robshaw on HSN, pimping his pillows.

If that weren't enough of a shock, I realized that you can purchase the pillows outright or with 2 or 3 (dare I say, 'easy?) payments. That, readers, is NOT available on John Robshaw's other site. I had never considered purchasing pillows on lay away but, with pillows that cost over $100, I can see the point. Check it HERE.

by Miranda Jones, Sunset style editor

In case you have not yet had the pleasure, I wanted to introduce you to my favorite section on one of my favorite blogs.

'living in' by Amy Merrik is a filmophile & decor nut's dream. She shows stills from beloved movies and then puts together collages full of home & clothing items that set the mood. And she nails it every time. Check out her Out of Africa post. Swoon!

Today's post is The Fantastic Mr. Fox. Enjoy!

It's fascinating to see how such artists look at texture, color, light, and shadow through the lens of a camera-—finding beauty in repetition and life in mundane moments.

From Chronicle: Selected from the personal photography portfolios of some of the world's most innovative graphic designers—including big international names such as Ed Fella, Jeri Heiden, and Marian Bantjes—the images in The Graphic Eye offer a glimpse into the working methods and obsessions of this unique class of visual creatives. Detail-oriented and aesthetically demanding, graphic designers have a special way of looking at the world, and the photographic images they create for their own reference and enjoyment—from micro details to monumental cityscapes, funny vignettes to found fashion—are as unconventional as they are inspirational.

by Jess Chamberlain, Sunset home & design writer

Ways to donate to the Haiti earthquake relief efforts are everywhere you look. Here's a great one we heard about this morning: Architecture for Humanity, a San Francisco-based non-profit organization that brings design, construction and development services to communities in need, is working on a long-term reconstruction plan for the Haitian community. Learn more about it here.

Also, many business, like Heath Ceramics, are donating a portion of their proceeds to support efforts like this. This weekend (January 15-17) Heath is donating 25% of all sales to the Architecture for Humanity reconstruction efforts in Haiti.

Please join us in support.

by Jess Chamberlain, Sunset home & design writer

I was very sad to receive the news today that Phoenix's Haus Modern Living is closing. I first met owners Lew, Greg and Brad four years ago at the New York Gift Fair, and they have remained some of my go-to design contacts ever since. In fact, they lead me to this beautiful ranch-style Phoenix home we featured in Sunset couple years ago.

If you're in the Phoenix area this weekend, stop by Haus to find all the merchandise on clearance. Everything must go by Sunday, January 17th.

This sad event reminds me to remind you to support independent businesses. 

The images here are from my visit to Haus in November.

These gorgeous tables above are built by Lew Gallo from scrap wood.

by Miranda Jones, Sunset style editor

So pretty right? It is called a Bel Canto chair (I love that name and not just 'cause I loved the book. Did you read it? No? You should.) and I really want to sit in it. It rotates 360 degrees and when you sit down, it moves so that you are perfectly balanced in the most ideal position.

Designed by Joseph Nazari, the chair is currently available by custom order only. Prices start at $1, 500 but the hardwood beauty above starts at $4,000. Think of it as an 'investment' and not just a 'chair'.  PS. The base is made from 100% post consumer aluminum, which is just what you hope to expect from a designer like Mr Nazari - he runs a company that designs sustainable packaging solutions.

If you loved paper dolls as a kid (or, let's be honest, as an adult, with your kids), you'll love this new website Looklet. (Shout out to my friend Elisabeth who told me about this treasure.)

Dress yourself (or, ahem, the model version of you) in looks you'd only dream of wearing—or affording. Chose a model, chose a background (location scene), and then play around with clothing, shoes, jewelry, handbags, scarves, etc. Warning: this is addictive and a time suck, but so much fun.

Now, my dream, of course, is that someone will come out with a similar version of this website, but instead of 21st century virtual paper dolls, it'll be 21st century virtual doll houses where we can play around with real furniture designs, texiles, and the like. Who's working on that?

by Miranda Jones, Sunset style editor

I am not convinced that this bed round up from Apartment Therapy really deserves the title of 'fantasy'. Or maybe it does and I am just clueless about people & their bed fantasies. Totally possible.

This bird bed is so amazing and beautiful but I can't really imaging crawling into it every night. Unless I pictured myself as a little chick, tucking in for the night. On closer inspection, the entire thing looks like a float that lost its parade. 

By Sarah Gaffney, Home Programs Manager

Some people have shoe fetishes, for me, it's chairs. Side chairs, dining chairs, desk chairs, outdoor chairs. I just love them all. Good thing I live in a right-sized house, otherwise my family would have to share space with my obsession.

Here's my new favorite, the Louis from Room&Board. Love it in the slate houndstooth fabric.

by Miranda Jones, Sunset style editor

I was riveted by the recent story in the New York Times about a young couple (along with their baby) living in a yurt (425 sq feet) on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska.  They have no running water, no bathroom, no shower and no car or truck. When they need to go into town to do laundry and take their weekly shower, they walk. An hour each way. Did I mention that they have a baby? The one thing that the pair decided that they couldn't live without was broadband. I love that. Check out the story here.