apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Want to bring something for the host or hostess but tired of bringing the usual bottle? Why not a simple, beautiful and very necessary 2010 calendar that you can print at home?

When reviewing design on a daily basis it’s very easy to get tunnel vision. We may focus on “want” rather than “need.” We may confuse “pretty” with “necessary.” Thanksgiving is a holiday of reflection – let’s take a look at how some designers are using their skills to help those in need.

This beautiful demi-lune table and rectangular mirror, both painted in a crisp white, are beautifully classic and could easily be paired in an entryway or bedroom. For more great shabby chic inspired furniture (perfect in winter white) read after the jump.

Unique artistry and sustainable, environmentally friendly design collide in the essential yet unglamorous world of shower curtains. You may think that creativity stops at the bathroom door but this social and environmentally conscious product will bring about a change of mind.

For some colorful inspiration in these dark winter months look no further than Blafre Design, based in Oslo, Norway. Although the online store and blog are in Norwegian it’s not difficult to find yourself inspired by the eye-catching graphics and cheerful designs.

What’s not to like about a good, old-fashioned general store? In older times the general store would sell everything from coffins to cough drops. It was the one-stop shop for outlying areas - a place to get what you needed and a space to socialize and trade news with your neighbors.

Nothing makes us happier than finding a product that is simple, multi-functional, good-looking and inexpensive. It may have been designed with baby in mind but we are hardly thinking of using this for baby!

Who doesn’t love a fresh bouquet of flowers or a vibrant, flowering arrangement? This time of year you’d be hard pressed to find any sort of blooming flower in the Northwest, at least one that wasn’t grown in a greenhouse or flown from another country. So we decided to make, as the saying goes, lemonade out of a whole bag of lemons.

They say that the best color for presenting food is white. But sometimes all-white china smacks of a certain maturity and may not accurately reflect the vivacity of your entertaining spirit.

Shapes and colors and testing of gravity: it brought back memories of the scribbled drawings we used to make, shapes that had no meaning or sense. A recent trip to the Seattle Art Museum’s exhibit of Alexander Calder reminded us of childhood: bright, loud colorful dangling arms swinging about perilously. But can we, as adults of a certain age, get away with such childish display in our home?

If you are thinking about how to set your table this season (and multiplying everything by eight or more) you may be carefully considering your choices for tableware. We’ve put together a starter list of some modern table pieces and serveware with some expensive and inexpensive options.

We love to entertain but when hosting a party we never feel as if there is enough space for everything: the coats, the food, the glasses, the drinks, the guests! Setting aside a spot for each “station” will help improve the traffic flow at your next party and help you stay organized.

Do you entertain dinner guests with real napkins or paper? Or maybe the napkins are the forgotten afterthought – until your guest’s face is dripping with gravy?

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and we bet you’ve been adding up your guest list and realizing that your mismatched plates and uneven number of utensils may not work for a crowd. Look no further than your local Craigslist for some fantastic deals.