I confess I buy toys made for adults — and no, not what you’re thinking! A collection of Kidrobot Gorillaz and Smorkin’ Labbits have a place in our china cabinet. So I asked Kristen Rask of Schmancy to talk to us about the explosion in collectible toys for adults. Here’s what she had to say. –Mary T.

“I would say since opening Schmancy that the ‘gateway’ toy is Dunny by Kidrobot,” says Rask. “Those who know nothing of the urban vinyl toy movement still are attracted to them. Those are always, without fail, a big seller.” Can’t get enough toys? There’s more.

“Other toys that I really like and have been popular in the last few months here at Schmancy are the Treeson toys, Heidi Kenney Yummy Breakfast key chains, and Toki Doki toys such as the Cactus pups and Moofia. I also specialize in plush toys mainly handmade by various artists around the globe. The popularity of those vary a lot depending on what is in the store.

“Some folks collect things because they are color coordinating a collection, some folks don’t need to get whole series, and some folks spend massive amounts of money to complete a set,” Rask says. “Some get really into certain artists such as Frank Kozik or Joe Ledbetter. Others buy toys simply for the collectible aspect of it all. There really is no rhythm or reason to selling toys.”

See and shop more of what’s new at Schmancy. (A note that Rask is in the process of moving the store to a new site. Get updates on that at her blog.)

Roy McMakin originally started the company Domestic Furniture in Los Angeles and San Diego. Joining forces with talented craftspeople, his designs are now realized by the company Big Leaf Manufacturing in Seattle, Washington.

These are but a few of his playful creations.

Now that summer is on it's way, these pieces conjure images of beach cottages.

The colors are strong and clear, but the forms are described as "temporally ambiguous".

Architecture has also found it's way into the company's repertoire and goes by the name Domestic Architecture. While utilizing recognizable vernaculars, whether it be Tudor, Spanish, or Cape Cod, Domestic Architecture tweeks things just to keep you on your toes.

A remodel of a Tudor Style house carries it into another realm.

This house reminds me of a family house at Balboa Beach California where I spent every summer growing up. Perhaps this is what draws me to it, especially this time of year.

I can just see this space filled with kids in bright bathing suits and striped beach towels. The perfect backdrop.

Be sure to visit the Domestic Architecture site. The images there are wonderful, but not downloadable.

It's not even Summer yet and I'm already looking ahead to all of the great Fall book releases. Crazy, huh? One book that I'm excited about is Jeffrey Bilhuber: Defining Luxury. In the book, Bilhuber explores luxury- what it means and why we need it in our daily lives. To Bilhuber, luxury can be found in small things like fresh flowers or in grand statement pieces. But more importantly, he writes that "Luxury is cultivated from the inside out, not the outside in." So true! The book features gorgeous photos of Bilhuber's work, including many projects that have not been published before. Here is a sneak peek of a few of Bilhuber's projects that made it into the book.

New from Emma Gardner: Chinese River

Hand tufted wool, it comes in 6'x9', 8'x10', and 10'x12'

I can imagine this in so many places!

Personalised Stationery from Whitney English


Sunshine Pillow from Hable Construction

Moroccan Key Table from Burke Decor (via Creature Comforts)


Love Heart Map Scrap Art from Bombus


Pair of Vintage Cane Armchairs from C. Bell


Chinnoiserie Cushion from Thomas Paul


Vintage Pagoda Chandelier from C. Bell

Xi Li Chair from Burke Decor

Posted by Bluelines

Love or hate the label, there is no one who doesn’t appreciate the comforts of home from time to time.

Briton Jane Brocket, creator of yarnstorm, is a self-described “domestic, but not necessarily domesticated, mother of three.�

She shares her twist on stitching, baking, nature, art, and more in “The Gentle Art of Domesticity,� out this September in the U.S.

It’s filled with quirky, warm DIY projects. Whether she is knitting a tea cozy or baking jam tarts, Jane’s approach and accompanying photographs are always done with touches of wit and whimsy.

Witness this pairing of handmade socks and sweets.

And candy-bar-foil bookmarks for your classic novels.

If you can’t wait until September, check out her daily blog and revel in the domestic wanderlust.

OK, one more. A heart-shaped marshmallow.

Before I left home for college, my mother warned me about mixed drinks and alcoholic punches- too much and I might end up with a lampshade on my head. Well, I heeded Mother's advice and thankfully got through school without any major embarrassments. But after seeing these lamps by mat&jewski, I say bring on the Hunch Punch! I'm ready to wear these lampshades.

Now, I'm not really a fan of flouncy or cutesy lamps and shades. And despite the whimsy of the mat&jewski lamps, they unfortunately would not work in my home. But I just couldn't help but think of those great feathered hats that women used to wear. You know, women like Doris Day, Audrey Hepburn, and the like. Maybe it's time for feathered millinery to make a comeback. And you can start with one of these lamps at your next party. Just don't say that my mother and I didn't warn you about the punch.

All lamps by mat&jewski; vintage fashion photos from Conde Nast Archives; images of mannequins with feathered hats by Stephen Jones.

Cole has launched his new website!

http://www.colescegodesign.com

May’s Domino Magazine was chock full of inspiration for me. It introduced me to some items with which I was unfamiliar, such as the Zig Zag lamp by Jielde:

http://www.lightology.com

and “The Other” coffee table by Ilse Crawford (which looks better in a room):

http://www.studioilse.com

http://www.baleri-italia.com

i just wanted to thank elka for her incredible guest blog posts this week. her final post today belongs to the beautiful home of alma and nancy, artists based in joshua tree. there’s only one word to describe their home: spectacular. click here to check out their home photos and read elka’s interview with them.