Here Comes the Sun: 10 Chic Patio Umbrellas

modern patio umbrellas, modern patio umbrella, modern pool umbrellas, modern pool umbrella, modern patio shades, modern patio shade, modern pool shades, modern pool shade, modern backyard umbrellas, modern backyard umbrella, modern patio umbrellas, modern patio umbrella, modern pool umbrellas, modern pool umbrella, modern patio shades, modern patio shade, modern pool shades, modern pool shade, modern backyard umbrellas, modern backyard umbrella,

Summer’s not exactly looming upon us, but with six weeks left of winter plus spring in between, we’re California dreaming for long, languid afternoons of cocktails by the pool. Today’s roundup of chic patio umbrellas only furthers the fantasy with updated, unfussy shade sails replacing the bulky rounded umbrellas of summers past. We’ve included a few tailored classics just for fun, but the ones we find most interesting are the Coolaroo shade sails, the Shade

Continue reading →

10 Cool Contemporary Benches

contemporary benches, contemporary bench, modern benches, modern bench, garden benches, garden bench, modern garden benches, modern garden bench, contemporary garden benches, contemporary garden bench

As we begin to realize the negative consequences of living sedentary lifestyles and start making strides toward getting outside and being on the go more often, we still need a little break every now and then. Today’s roundup of contemporary benches offers a host of creative moments of respite, brought to us by environmentally-minded designers who are using more and more bamboo — the darling of the sustainability movement — and repurposing previously cast-off metals

Continue reading →

Not Your Dad’s Boardroom: 10 Awesome Meeting Tables

meeting tables, meeting table, modern meeting table, modern meeting tables, cool meeting table, cool meeting tables, conference table, conference tables, cool conference table, cool conference tables, modern conference tables, modern conference table, cool conference room, cool conference rooms, modern conference room, modern conference rooms, conference room ideas, conference room design ideas

Nearly every single one of us has spent hours — or perhaps collectively, days, weeks or even months — of our lives sitting around meeting tables, arguably wasting time that we can never retrieve again once it’s gone. And it’s a universal truth that conference rooms can be some of the most snooze-inducing places on earth; ironic, considering the fact that meetings are supposed to be held to catalyze, inspire and spur employees into action

Continue reading →

10 Traditional Furniture Pieces Made from Upcycled Materials

traditional furniture, traditional home accessories, upcycled furniture, upcycled home accessories, upcycled home decor, eco-friendly furniture, eco-friendly home decor, green furniture, green accessories, upcycled lamp

It’s nice to be nice. More specifically, it’s nice to be nice to the earth, and today’s roundup of traditional furniture made from upcycled materials is a testament to the fact that there’s always a new way to be thoughtful when you apply a little creativity to a problem that needs solving. This collection is beyond resourceful; it’s inspiring. Although a few of today’s entries are things we could never make ourselves — does anyone

Continue reading →

Finding Zen: 10 Pieces of Modern Asian Furniture

asian furniture, asian patio furniture, asian outdoor furniture, asian pool furniture, zen furniture, zen patio furniture, zen outdoor furniture, zen pool furniture, yin yang furniture, asian-inspired furniture, zen-inspired furniture

There are fewer places where the juxtaposition of old and new is as stunning as it is across Asian cities like Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing, where pagodas proudly stand their ground amid 20th and 21st century skyscrapers. That oddly-jarring balance is present in today’s roundup of modern Asian furniture, too, where the homage to the designs of centuries past is still evident in sleek contemporary lines and curves. Antonio Lupi brings us a porcelain update

Continue reading →