I love this: keep calm rug

Don't let the dark orange fool you -- this rug would work in any room in your house. Plus the message alone should soothe your nerves and comes with a great story.

I love this: wire basket hamper

Pottery Barn’s wire basket makes a lovely addition to any bathroom and seems particularly suited for a guest bath or bedroom. It packs a lot of style without taking up much floor space. Whether vintage or new, there’s always a spot for wire ware.

Consider Carnations

I adore carnations, but I understand their bad rap --- they hardly stand out in the grocery store and as a gift, if you keep that bad plastic wrapper and the baby’s breath, they come off as cheap. But it’s precisely because carnations are budget-friendly and have a long bloom that you can buy several bunches and create a big-impact, even chic, arrangement. The shape of carnations allows you to create soft, lush and substantial displays; it’s all about playing up their strengths and packaging them the right way. Plus, carnations come in so many cool shades. I like to group them in one color, such as this pink arrangement I did for Valentine’s Day. The next time someone tries to disparage the dear old flower, remind them that the carnation is scientifically known as Dianthus caryophyllus, the "flower of love" or "flower of the gods."

Coffee Table Quest

I’ve spent the last few weeks searching for the perfect coffee table for one of my clients. The challenge is to find one that suits their great room, works with a white leather sectional, is kid friendly and, most importantly, is under a thousand dollars. Because of the children, glass is out - but there is another important reason to consider that materials this piece is made of: what kind of sound does the table make when you place cup on it?. Is it a cold “clink” or a warm “confident” sound? The sound a table makes also rules out metal. Also, this client lives in a new construction house with fairly modern furnishings and would like to incorporate some more natural elements. While the perfect table hasn’t been found just yet, here are some of my favorites so far:

I love this Mongo Cocktail table from Area 51 on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. Retail price is $825, but they are having a good sale right now. There is a better picture on the store’s home page.

I didn’t expect to find a table I liked for this project at Miller Pollard in Seattle’s University Village, but I really appreciate the mix of modern and rustic elements.

Pictures don’t do this table justice. Roost's Recycled Wood furniture at Velocity Art and Design is made from reclaimed railroad ties and the metal frames have been given a waxed finish. Coffee Table Duo includes two tables, the smaller of which can be stored under the larger. The sales person tells me assembly can be tricky but with a little patience you can do it on your own.

I’ve always been a fan of the Parsons table and love West Elm’s version. It is simple, substantial and contemporary.

If price and glass didn’t matter I would pick The Noguchi Coffee Table by Herman Miller. This table works in just about any room in any decade, the sign of a classic.