Inspiration for interior design can come from high fashion, art, music, landscapes, and other cultures. This shot from Domino magazine nearly sent me into a frenzy, lusting after bright pops of color to update my rooms.

The warm weather must have something to do with it as well–all of the colorful, vibrant flowers peeking up out of the ground, the cerulean blue skies, and playful summer fashions in haven’t-seen-since-the-80s hues. Did you see the Chris Benz S/S 08 collection? Crazy neons! I love them…it’s like Prozac for the mind and soul.

Instead of painting an entire room, such as above, it is less time consuming (and less permanent) to add a few colorful accessories that will provide ample visual punch to any room. Here are a few of my favorites.

Denyse Schmidt Pillows
$50-$60
ThreePotatoFourShop.com

Little Caymen Plates
$0.95 each
CB2.com

Artecnica: KnoWhere Clock - You & Me
$81.00
VelocityArtandDesign.com

Componibili 12.5 in. Stacking
$105.00-$167.00
Design Within Reach

Supernatural Chair by Ross Lovegrove
$208.00
MossOnline.com

Sitting Buddha by YO CO
$450.00 each
Vivre.com

Two Tone Voile Curtain
$19.99-$36.00
Urban Outfitters

–By Kate Bailey

Technorati Tags: bright home design, vibrant accessories, bright pink, bright blue, bright green, bright colors, new colors for home design, neon furnishings

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Margaret and Josh Smith of Dovetail Studio produce some of the most fresh, simple and quirky ceramics on the market. I love their unexpected designs, ranging from sketches of “neighborhood” buildings, to my favorite, a flying skull mug ($28).

Each piece has an organic quality to it, the edges are slightly imperfect, and you can see and feel that every one was crafted by hand.

The Toaster Doves, which contain a hidden rattle in the base($20/ea), make perfect gifts for brides-to-be (after all, it is almost wedding season). Or you can combine several different plate designs ($20-$30) for a whimsical outdoor table setting.

Browse their online shop, or see if the duo’s pieces are carried at a shop near you. I know you are going to love them!

–By Kate Bailey

Technorati Tags: sculptural ceramics, fun sketches, funky vases, chic mugs, whimsical dinnerware, funky ceramics, stylish plates, skull mug, gift for bride

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OK, so I have a little problem: I’m a bit obsessed with ceramics. Especially ones with unusual glazes and arresting profiles. I can’t get enough, yet I already have too many to fit in my petite home. But, really, that’s the beauty of pottery. You can always find more room for it! If you run out of tabletops, place a few on a bookcase. If you run out of shelf space, sit them in your windowsills. No more ledge space? Get an artful planter for the floor. And on and on it goes. To me, a piece of pottery is like sculpture–but with more use value.

So you can only imagine my excitement at discovering Teco. Designed by acolytes of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie School, these strikingly modernist vases were originally produced between 1899 and 1920 by the American Terra Cotta & Ceramics Company (i.e. TeCo). Now, the Prairie Arts Studio (run by husband-wife team Bryan and Lisa Kelly plus Lisa’s brother, Eric O’Malley) is putting a select few back into production. Slip-cast formed and glazed by hand, the seven shapes come in six retro-ish hues.

Check ‘em out here: Teco Art Pottery Collection, through Prairie Arts. –Jen Renzi

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I just received a little eye candy in my mailbox: a beautifully printed brochure from Haviland announcing its upcoming launch of two exquisite, all-white china collections. While they look stunning as a set, the pieces were also designed to mix easily with other, more decorative plates, cups, and serving items should you desire (a look that I think is utterly chic and modern).

While browsing Haviland’s many lovely designs, this fanciful confection caught my eye: Jardin Francais, embellished with a sprightly hedge inspired by a French garden. Oh, how I wish I owned a china cabinet (or, um, a dining table) so I could by a whole set and show it off! I love how the pattern is so boldly graphic and yet subtly, even daintily articulated.

Jardin Francais was designed by Toulouse-based watercolorist (and former fashion designer) Veronique Lataste. I mean, really–with a name like La Taste you can’t help but to have amazing taste and design tableware, no?

–Jen Renzi

Technorati Tags: Haviland China, garden print tableware, Veronique Lataste, modern porcelain

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No one makes me want to throw a party like entertaining impresario Colin Cowie. Just had a chance to check out his new spring/summer home collection for HSN, launched last month. The party personality tops himself yet again with a coordinating line of lovely yet affordable items, from smart double-walled glassware (which keeps beverages at their ideal temperature longer) to coral-print china and pretty pillar candles in restful colors like azure and chocolate brown. The jet-setting Cowie took design inspiration from beach resorts across the globe; if you’re too overworked for your own seaside getaway, some chic new tableware might tide you over for a little while:

Floral-print pillar candles, which come in a trio:

Rattan serving dishes with porcelain inserts:

Chic double-walled glassware:

Coral print china:

Fern-colored flatware!

For more, check out his website. –Jen Renzi

Technorati Tags: Colin Cowie for HSN, outdoor entertaining staples, best summer tableware, colorful flatware, modern dishes

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