Stitch on Two

I recently received an email from Kate Maloney Interior Design about a the new decor shop opened on the second floor of their design studio.  Stitch on Two, located on 875 Main Street in Cambridge, MA, is filled with an eclectic mix of furniture and antique accessories. Inventory is ever changing so visit often.



The store is open Fridays and Saturdays and also by appointment so contact the shop to plan your visit.



Also be sure to check Kate Maloney's portfolio and her blog The Velvet Fantastic.

Delightful Deal - Hammered Aluminum Bowl

This hammered aluminum ANGENÄM bowl from Ikea designed by Nike Karlsson has a delicious matte black exterior contrasting the glam gold interior and it's only $24.99.

Related Posts:

Delightful Deal - The Perfect Carry-on

Round Up - Petite Accent Tables

Stripe & Field

It's not often that I have the time to send someone a hand written note but now that I've discovered these bespoke note cards and lined envelopes from stripe & field I will certainly make the time.

P.S. Thank you to Bria for teaching me how to make glittery font. Who doesn't love glittery font?

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

Shop Local: Maplewood, NJ Pop Up Shop

Start putting some spending cash aside now because November 12, 2011 Melissa and Marichelle are hosting a Pop up Shop in Maplewood, NJ. The list of items that will be available at the sale are just divine. In addition to great shopping, there will be yummy treats and drinks to enjoy. Not to mention two wonderful hosts.

The details:

November 12, 2011

12pm - 4pm

Melissa's home in Maplewood, NJ

email Melissa directly for the address if you plan on attending

A few of my favorite artists that will be represented at the sale (clockwise from top left): Shanna Murry, Flores del Sol, Leah Duncun, Stepanka, Clementine Jewelry, and Secret Holiday.

If you're coming please let me know in the comments so I can look out for you and say hello. 


Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

Hand Knotted and Unique

These beautiful crocheted rugs are for sale at Le Souk. The rugs are hand knotted from remains of cotton which would normally be thrown away and because they are handmade each rug is completely unique. I would put these in the category "Modern Granny Chic" and think they are absolutely lovely.

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

Whats Poppin?

Are you ready to meet the raddest office supply store ever? Poppin sells sleek, candy colored office supplies all designed in house. The fun, graphic product photography was enough to suck me right in and the witty product descriptions sealed the deal.

Back to school shopping season is right around the corner and even though I'm not headed to school and don't have kids to shop for I still love the stock up on new notebooks and pens. Thanks to Poppin I'm adding a new stapler and tape dispenser (and maybe some highlighters, a few clipboards, binder clips, okay somebody stop me) to my "back to school" shopping list.

website - facebook - blog - twitter

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

Impulse Purchase...

But who can resist temporary tattoos created for design-minded kids-at-heart. Tattly, started by Tina a.k.a swissmiss, was born from her distaste of the hideous temporary tattoos selection her daughter had to choose from. The list of designers who've contributed to the project include Julia Rothman, Jessica Hische, Jennifer Ward, and more.

The site went live today and I couldn't resist the aperture and you're late tattoos.

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

Shop Anaïse

I just discovered the online shop Anaïse thanks to a fellow pinner. Pinterest can be dangerous for someone who has a bit of a shopping problem, someone like me. This is especially true when it comes to beautiful kitchen tools and vessels. I fell hard for the simple wooden and ceramic dishes available at Anaïse - an on-line boutique with a select offering of timeless, well-crafted pieces from small, independent designers and artisans.

In addition to home items, the shop also carries really interesting clothing and accessories. I recommend you check out all the site has to offer.

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

Anthropologie For the Decorator is Live

There has been so much buzz about the Decorator Concept shops that Anthropologie opened this month in 11 U.S. cities + 1 in London. I am lucky to live close to one in New York City so I will be checking out soon but if you don't have a Decorator Concept near you Anthropologie has just launched For the Decorator online.

This section of the website is full decorating tips full for decorating with hardware , area rugs, wallpaper, and other textiles presented with beautiful graphics.

They have made it really simple to order wallpaper and upholstery swatches and there is a really fun hardware designer.

There is also a really helpful Decorator's Glossary in case terms like flokati and voile are completely foreign to you.

Have some fun exploring the site and let me know what you think.

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

Occasional Indulgences: Illume Good Nature Candle

I know most of us try hard to find the most affordable option to complete a project, or pull together an outfit, or even prepare a meal. The majority of the posts I write here on Design Evolution are focused on affordable design. While I love to score a deal as much as the next person I also believe that it's important to treat yourself every once an a while. Even if it's a small treat like this candle. Normally I would balk at paying $16 for an 8 ounce candle, especially because I often make my own candles at home, but this one is definitely worth it. These Illume Good Nature candles come in several scents but the Coconut Milk Mango is my hands down favorite. The scent throw is so amazing it will fill a room (but not overwhelm it) without having to light the candle. It smells just like vacation in a pretty gold tin. I love it so much I'm actually considering venturing out in the torrential rains we are having today to replace one that just burned out.

Related Posts:

Occasional Indulgences: Amala Purifying Toner

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

Round Up: Petite Accent Tables

I'm currently shopping for a pair of small side tables for our newly updated (and almost complete) guest room/office. A small foot print is important because space is at a premium in this multi function room. As always the price is important too since I need two of them so every table in this round up is under 18" wide and less than $200.

1 - wisteria 2 - urban outfitters 3 - cb2 4 - cb2 5 - west elm

6 - cb2 7 - west elm 8 - west elm 9 - pottery barn

1 - west elm 2 - wisteria 3 - kohl's 4 - world market 5 - jcpenny

6 - the company store 7 - ikea 8 - crate and barrel 9 - overstock

Any favorites in the bunch? I'd love your opinion since I keep going back and forth between a few. Feel free to suggest a favorite table that you don't see here, I'm open to suggestions.

Cargoh - A New Social Marketplace

A new marketplace is on the scene hoping to provide a simple e-commerce solution for independent artists, musicians, designers, and other creative types. Sellers of indie products from around the world must submit an application to cargoh before their shop is approved creating a curated marketplace with a more refined aesthetic. Great design and great product shots are a must for a shop to accepted though the definition of great design is open to much interpretation. Interestingly, cargoh may decide not to accept a seller if an existing shop already has similar products stocked. Their goal is to provide buyers an eclectic collection of well designed goods in a balanced marketplace. This is how I think cargoh will set itself apart from etsy where handmade goods sometimes appear in trend waves. The application process will help truly unique independent retailers set themselves apart from the pack. Cargoh is still in beta so keep an eye on them as the community develops.

Here are a few items that caught my eye:

1 - indie design photography 2 - ole originals 3 - landmark & lions

4 - terry irwin 5 - serephine 6 - sew zinski

website - blog - twitter - pinterest

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers

The stocking is actually my favorite thing about Christmas morning. We always open the gifts in our stocking last and I love discovering what little treasures are hidden within. It's the place for something sweet, silly, and precious.

I probably should have included as least one stocking stuffer for a man in this list so that it would not be so obvious that this just a wish list of items for my own stocking. Whoopsies. Here are some sweet, fun, pretty, and inexpensive items that would be great in any ladies stocking. Including my own ;)

1. solid fragrance pencil 2. a tiny circus for your finger 3. semi-precious stone soap 4. mini notepads 5. beaded barrettes 6. glittery nail polish 7. a book of insults & comebacks 8. mast brothers chocolate 9. mini lip gloss sets

Somehow when putting together this gift guide I forgot to include my favorite item, Homemade Cardamom Marshmallows from Whimsy & Spice.

That concludes my gifts guides for 2010. I hope they were helpful when shopping for the ones you love. In case you missed any of them here's the complete list:
Gift Guide: For the Friend Who'd Rather Stay In
Gift Guide: For the Friend Who Doesn't Stay in One Place Too Long

Gift Guide: For the Ladies

Gift Guide: For the Design Obsessed

Gift Guide: For the Friend Who Loves to Bake

Gift Guide: For the Friend Who Probably Made Your Christmas Present

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

Gift Guide: For the Friend Who Probably Made Your Christmas Gift

For the artistic friend or crafting goddess, gifts that are both beautiful and functional...

1. classics gifting kit 2. vintage stamp 3. vintage thread spools 4. glittery ribbon 5. washi tape set 6. paper pencils 7. handmade embroidery scissors

1. x-acto knife set 2. tabletop artist kit 3. pipe cleaners 4. alphabet rolling stamp 5. trompe l'oiel pencil case 6. walnut tape dispenser 7. fancy vinyl tape

Related Posts:
Gift Guide: For the Friend Who'd Rather Stay In
Gift Guide: For the Friend Who Doesn't Stay in One Place Too Long

Gift Guide: For the Ladies

Gift Guide: For the Design Obsessed

Gift Guide: For the Friend Who Loves to Bake

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

Gift Guide: For the Friend Who Loves to Bake

For the friend who's a wiz in the kitchen and loves to whip up fresh baked goodies for everyone, a round-up of gifts she is sure to love.

1. for a little help with the math 2. to roll it, pat, & make it with a B 3. for saving grandma's recipes 4. to whip up sweets in style 5. for storing the ingredients 6. to make a cake look festive

1. for making retro cookies 2. to mold pudding of the sticky toffee variety 3. for scraping off dough stuck to the table 4. to serve the perfect pie 5. for decorating the workspace 6. to keep a menu organized 7. for adding a pinch, a dash, or a dollop

Related Posts:
Gift Guide: For the Friend Who'd Rather Stay In
Gift Guide: For the Friend Who Doesn't Stay in One Place Too Long

Gift Guide: For the Ladies

Gift Guide: For the Design Obsessed

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

Gift Guide: For the Design Obsessed

What better for your design obsessed loved one than a Pantone inspired gift? Who wouldn't love a gift from the world-renowned authority on color?

1. wallet 2. drawing pencils 3. my cuppa 4. mugs 5. nail polish 6. matryoshka 7. pepper mill 8. notebook 9. storage tins 10. cuff links 11. rubik's cube

Unfortunately the nail polish and the Rubik's cube are both concept products and are not actually available for sale but they are both too cool. For more Pantone inspired gifts check out my Pantone Pinboard.

Related Posts:
Gift Guide: For the Friend Who'd Rather Stay In
Gift Guide: For the Friend Who Doesn't Stay in One Place Too Long

Gift Guide: For the Ladies

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

Gift Guide: For the Ladies

Yup, that's about as specific as I need to get with the title for this gift guide. Face it dudes, we chicks like things that sparkle & shine. One or more of the items below will probably make most of the ladies in your life pretty happy.

1. doloris petunia 2. anthropologie 3. abejas boutique 4. brilliance found 5. macha 6. dolly bird design 7. priyanka sodhi 8. anthropologie 9. little white dresser 10. satomi kawakita 11. anne kiel 12. brilliance found

1. love rocks ny 2. need supply co 3. topshop 4. anthropologie 5. toto kaelo 6. erie basin 7. catbird nyc 8. anthropologie 9. satomi kawakita 10. urban outfitters 11. refinery29

Just a heads up, the jewelry pictured above ranges anywhere from $30 to $3,000.

Related Posts:
Gift Guide: For the Friend Who'd Rather Stay In
Gift Guide: For the Friend Who Doesn't Stay in One Place Too Long

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

Gift Guide: For the Friend Who'd Rather Stay In

I picked out these items with a specific friend in mind. A friend who always prefers lighting a fire, brewing a pot of tea, throwing on pjs, and curling up with a good book to getting all done up and spending the night in a loud, crowded night club. Truth - I picked these items out with myself in mind.

1. to display literature 2. to store kindling 3. to light the flame 4. to organize a library 5. to scent the air sweetly 6. to escape to another time 7. to sip & daydream of romance 8. to enjoy the sweeter things in life

1. to lounge in comfort 2. to serve a sophisticated tea time 3. to brew that tea with a smile 4. to make a room smell infused with tea 5. to make a cuppa cozy 6. to make bed linens inviting 7. to wrap yourself in warmth 8. to drink the finer things

Related Posts:

Gift Guide: For the Friend Who Doesn't Stay in One Place Too Long

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

Gift Guide: For the Friend Who Doesn't Stay in One Place Too Long

I've been having so much fun making Gift Guides for imaginary friends using Pinterest and I thought you might enjoy them too. If you are also on Pinterest and would like to follow my boards you can find me here.

If you have a friend or family member, like I do, that isn't happy unless they are in a new location every few months I'm sure they would love to receive any or all of these items.

1. for warm & comfy feet 2. to stash toothpaste 3. for a little nip to keep you warm 4. to point & shoot 5. for dry airplane skin 6. to keep your undies organized 7. to make a hotel room feel like home

1. to plot the travel route 2. to light the way 3. for jotting down adventures in the rain 4. to throw everything in and head out on the trail 5. because it's the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have 6. for the necessary identification 7. so they will always know the way home 8. for stashing a lot in a small space 9. in case carrying film would cramp their style 10. to stay hydrated in style

Since there are two more shopping weeks until Christmas it will be gift guide week on Design Evolution. Stay tuned, I have one planned for every day of the week.

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

Sweet Paul Goodies for Sale

The lovely Sweet Paul, master of the elegant craft and divine food styling, is drowning in props which is lucky for us because he's clearing out his stash.


New items will be added to the shop each week so check back often to see what goodies are available.

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.