by Allison Arieff, Sunset editor-at-large

By Jennie Nunn, Sunset Associate Editor

The flexible Ribbon lamp is definitely a showstopper. Designed by New York's Ecco Design, the modern, eco lamp uses DynamixLux Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lighting (CCFL) for dimming and color-changing options from daylight white to warm white.

And, the CCFL bulb will last for about 15,000 hours—perfect for catching up on nighttime reading.

For more information, visit eccoid.com.

By Jennie Nunn, Sunset Associate Editor

    Growing up, I spent a lot of time visiting my grandparents in Palm Springs.When I came across Newport Beach–based design duo Pal+Smith's Sui armoire (shown below in citrus lacquer), I couldn't help but flashback to their mid-century modern house with bright Florence Broadhurst-like patterns, Chippendale chairs, and armoires painted in bright, bold cobalt blue hues.

This makes me happy just looking at it.

Thanks to Pal +Smith's new e-commerce site, it's now available online at shoppalandsmith.com.

by Amy Anderson, Sunset editorial intern

Since my first post for Sunset magazine was about "tweeting," I thought it would only be appropriate to end my time here with another bird-influenced blog.

I have a huge collection of little birds all over my room--paintings, sculptures, bookends, you name it. I just love decorating with bird-themed art, so I searched out Etsy for the best pieces to start out your own bird collection.

Red Hot Pottery, Christine Tenenholtz's one-woman studio in Sedona, AZ, handmakes porcelain and stoneware, including this simple, shiny vase featuring a couple of sweet love birds ($54).

Fall Down Tree's bird art print is perfect for a playful kids' room--or honestly anywhere for that matter ($20).

Get this hand painted salad plate by Aedriel Originals personalized with a family name or memorable date. Makes a great housewarming or wedding gift ($30).

The Mincing Mockingbird, aka LA-based artist Matt Adrian, did this vibrant painting titled "In This Poignant Moment of Finality, The Vibration Of Atoms Sounds Like Singing" ($25).

There's a great retro Scandinavian influence in this linen screenprinted pillow by roddy&ginger ($35).

by Allison Arieff, Sunset editor-at-large

by Jess Chamberlain, Sunset home & design writer

It's clear this is going to be one of those weeks when I'm longing for the east coast. I've been a westerner all my life (well, okay, including a couple years on the west coast of France), and while for the most part I can't imagine ever living move than an hour's drive from the Pacific, every year around this time (heavy design season in New York) I reconsider. If only for a few days.

Thankfully, we have cyberspace to thank for almost being able to say "we were there." Last week Grace at Design*Sponge shared two incredible videos of designers and their products from Brooklyn Designs 2009. You can feel the energy and contagious-like creativity through your screen.

(Pictured above: Some favorites from the Design Sponge Flickr page: Jill Malek, Uhuru Design, Michael Weaker, Grow House Grow, Dana de Vega)

Grace shares great interviews with designers as they talk about the inspirations for their work. I adored this description by Michael Weaker (a recent graduate of the industrial design masters program at Pratt Institute) of his "Franklin lamp" (above left): “It contains a lot of American cultural icons to give people a sense of warm American nostalgia and childhood whimsy.”

Check it out:
Brooklyn Design video, Part 1 (more images and info from Grace here)
Brooklyn Design video, Part 2 (more images and info from Grace here)

And this week, it's ICFF (the International Contemporary Furniture Fair). We're keeping up with the buzz through Design*Sponge, Apartment Therapy, and Inhabit.

Photography By Jess Chamberlain

On Wednesday, I went to check out the Decorator Showcase in Pacific Heights. Built in 1910 by architect Nathaniel Blaisdell, the grandiose four-story Georgian mansion with a red brick facade and white trim is hard not to miss. I look forward to the month-long event every year. 

It's hard to choose my favorite rooms, (there were so many I loved) but here are a few standouts:

   
Her study by Benjamin Dhong

The desk in Her Study

I love this canopy! It's such a great idea and a creative way to define the desk area.

by Jess Chamberlain, Sunset home & design writer

By Amy McKay, Sunset editorial intern

I promise, after perusing the entries in the Spring Greening DIY Design Contest over at Inhabitat, you’ll never look at old egg cartons and phone books the same.

Participants in the contest were asked to repurpose everyday, household items into functional examples of DIY design … something we should all think about, especially during Earth Week.

 
Photo courtesy of inhabitat.com

The winner of the Spring Greening Contest—Rodrigo Jaroseski—fashioned a trendy coffee table out of a bunch of old phone books.

One ingenious entrant repurposed the cardboard box her MacBook arrived in. By covering the box with strips of brightly patterned fabric, this innovator turned what was once a blah box into a fabulous briefcase.

Two do-it-yourself phenoms chose old egg crates as their mediums. One designer broke apart the cartons and hand-stitched them back together in the form of a tall chic vase. And Federico Otero, an industrial designer, created the beautiful Origen chandelier by interlocking several 30-pack egg crates around a light bulb.

Finally, this post wouldn’t be complete without suggesting how to reuse those old pieces of colorful Tupperware that are collecting dust in the back of your kitchen cabinets. Flip them upside down and refashion them into hanging lamps—just like Frank Criscione, whose Tupp-a-lamps can be found online at Apartment Therapy.

By Jennie Nunn, Sunset Associate Editor

Last week, I packed my bags and headed to the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles for Westweek, an annual three-day market event filled with interior designers, design professionals, architects, and students.

                                       The Pacific Design Center on Day One

On Wednesday, March 25th Feng Shui expert Janice Sugita spoke at Giati Designs about using your creative space and balancing your environment to create the things you want in 2009. Some of her tips included eliminating clutter and distractions from your workspace, and adding metal to your space if you feel stuck or are experiencing delays in projects or finances.

                                       Janice Sugita speaking at Giati Designs

"You have to be proactive," said Sugita. "Don't think small, think big."

For more information, check out Janice's book or website: jssugita.com.

Later that afternoon, I headed to Schumacher for a panel discussion with Trina Turk and David Dalton on the impact of fashion and interior design on the California lifestyle. Trina Turk is one of my favorite designers, so I was so excited to see her and her new outdoor fabrics in person. I love her bold use of color, and her fun, geometric patterns. They just make me happy.

Next, I headed upstairs to Dan Marty Designs for a presentation by color consultant Joa Studholme on Farrow & Ball’s new Lotus wallpapers and zero VOC paints. Her expert tips? When choosing paint colors, look at colors in isolation to see how they work. Even though it might seem obvious, you must look at paint on the vertical (or, on the wall). The paints are made from naturally occurring pigments such as chalk, Linseed oil, and China Clay. My favorite hue is Drawing Room Blue. So regal.

After the presentation, I walked around Dan Marty Designs. I love these pretty apothecary jars and this gorgeous brocade-inspired room.

On Thursday, I walked outside to the plaza for a tour of the KAA Group’s brand new prefab dwelling, Hom 1, and a panel discussion on Value and Transparency in the new economy with panelists including the KAA Group’s Grant Kilpatrick, furniture designer Cisco Pinedo, and San Francisco interior designer Suzanne Tucker.

A view of the exterior of the HOM 1

An interior view of the bedroom suite

The kitchen complete with cork flooring

                                                        A few of the panelists

The 1,000-square-foot house just debuted last week and is equipped with a kitchen, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms. And, it's delivered as a single unit on a truck. For more information, visit homlifestyle.com.