There's still time to win!

Don't forget that there's still time to enter for a chance to win one of three design books. To enter, simply leave a comment on the previous four posts entitled "Optimum Optimorum". In your comment, be sure to let me know your favorite:

dining room chair

table lamp

accent table

mirror

Entries will be accepted up until midnight on Tuesday, July 14, and three winners will be selected by 10 am that morning when I return from vacation and re-enter the "real world". And remember, multiple entries (even to the same post) will be counted -- just be sure to let me know a different favorite each time you enter!

I'll be back blogging regularly starting next Tuesday and I've got a lot of exciting posts in store for everyone, including pictures of my trip, a few new DIY projects and the first ever OetA-exclusive discount to one of my favorite online retailers. But until then....

GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY THE WEEKEND!

Optimum Optimorum 4: Mirrors

Mirror, mirror on the wall, whose the fairest of them all? Mirrors are a favorite design element of decorators not just because they're pretty, but because mirrors have amazing space (and light) enhancing properties. While any old mirror will help make a room look larger and brighter and, when properly positioned, can maximize a good view, a beautifully designed mirror can function as art in its own right.

While many of these mirrors would work beautifully as vanity mirrors, try placing one large mirror over a fireplace or sofa. Smaller ones can be grouped together for a big impact. In short, the possibilities are endless and I've already got several of these mirrors tagged in ever-growing wish list for the new house. While searching for my favorites, I found a ton amazing mirrors both at Horchow and at Wisteria that I was unable to feature here due to space constraints, but you should definitely check out both sources.

From top left:

1. Marisol Mirror from Restoration Hardware ($278.99). Sunburst mirrors are a classic dating back to the reign of King Louis XIV, the Sun King. Of course, you can find various versions of this iconic style just about anywhere and for just about any price point, but I love this one from RH for its generous 48" size and antique silver foil finish. And at over 30% off [and with all the promotions RH has been running, I imagine you'll be able to score it for even less], the price on this one is very reasonable. In fact, I'm thinking that this may be good, less expensive option for my dining room over the flower mirror (#6 below) that I've been dreaming of.

2. Mansard Mirror from Mothology ($89). The distressed gray paint gives this mirror a certain vintage appeal that will help balance out a lot of new furniture. Since this mirror is on the smaller side (about 20" high), try grouping this in multiples. If you're looking for a slightly larger version, Wisteria has a larger lookalike (HERE) for $399.

3. Four-point Mirror from Horchow ($295). While I generally shy away from gold finishes, the modern shape of this mirror and softer gold tones keep it from looking dated. Several of these would be absolutely stunning in a dining room.

4. Queen Anne Mirror from Jonathan Adler ($595). I realize that something from Jonathan Adler has figured into just about every optimum optimorum round-up. Certainly, Mr. Adler knows the way to my heart, though absent a sale I'm usually resigned to lusting for his pieces from afar. At 26" x 38", it's the perfect size for a powder room mirror and graphic black or white frame would really pop against contrasting walls.

5. Perspective Mirror from CB2 ($149). For some reason I'm more drawn to antique or transitional mirrors than I am to truly modern ones, but if you're looking for something uber-modern, I really like CB2's highly affordable perspective mirror. If you need a larger mirror, try hanging several of these tightly together for the look of one larger mirror.

6. Flower Mirror from High Fashion Home ($599). Although this mirror is available in both white and black, I strongly prefer the lighter, more whimsical feel of the white version.

7. Art Deco Venetian Mirror from Wisteria ($329). I have a weakness for just about anything labeled "art deco" and this mirror is no exception. With its antiqued glass frame it looks like you could've picked it up at your local antiques' dealer. At over 44" high, this would help raise the ceilings of just about any room and, in particular, would be stunning over a fireplace. Actually, that gives me an idea for my own family room...hmmm....

8. Hampstead Mirror from Williams-Sonoma Home ($595-795). I featured this mirror in the mood board for my dream master bedroom and I still think it's just about perfect...well, everything except the price. That said though, it's a wonderful touch of chinoiserie that's still neutral and modern enough to work in just about any space. The honey stain version has a more "island" look if you're going for an India Hicks sort of vibe.

9. Chevron Bone Mirror from Pottery Barn ($249). Don't get me wrong, I love Pottery Barn for its solidly built basics and fun accessories, but every so often PB comes out with a product that really blows my mind -- and this is one of those times. Does inlaid bone in a chevron pattern sound like PB to you? It doesn't me, anyway. You better believe though that at this sale price, it won't be available for long.

10. Areaware Songbird Self Portrait Mirror from Velocity Art and Design ($55). Areaware's self portrait mirrors are a whole lot of fun -- perfect for a kid's space (especially since it's from unbreakable acrylic) or for a room that you just want to take down a notch. Even better, at this price you can afford several to switch out as your mood changes.

11. Gallery Mirror from Modern Dose ($342.95). I love the nautical styling and sophistication of this gallery mirror. The brass finish has an antique mirror but if you're looking for a more modern look, try the nickel finish with the plain mirror.

12. Roost Carved Bone Sunflower Mirror from Velocity Art & Design ($150-$190). Roost has quite a few beautiful, well priced mirrors, but this bone sunflower version is my favorite.

Don't forget that the competition to win one of my favorite three design books is currently going on. To enter, simply leave a comment to this post filling us in on your favorite mirror(s). For more information on prizes and rules, click on over HERE.

Optimum Optimorum 3: Accent Tables

Occasional tables. Accent tables. Side tables. No matter what you call them, they're the undeniable workhorses of any room. But not only do these small tables hold books, lamps, accessories and the occasional evening cocktail, they also serve a strong decorative element as they help create conversation areas and finish off the look of a space. A small table on either end of the sofa can keep it from looking adrift in the middle of a room while another small table, placed in a corner and artfully styled, can fill a forgotten void and pull it into the flow of the rest of a room. I'm also a big believer in playing with interesting shapes and/or colors for these tables; after all, their diminutive size means any statement you make will serve more like the exclamation point to your style rather than the dominant element.

But let's get down to business, shall we?

Clockwise, from top left:

1. Circolo Nesting Tables from PBTeen ($299). PB Teen is a never ending source for fun (and more affordable) furniture and accessories. Case in point: these Circolo nesting tables. While you may be tempted to disregard the green and pink versions as too sweet for an adult space, I think either one could work beautifully in a more neutral space. Imagine the green ones flanking either side of a creamy beige sofa. A few green throw pillows would tie in the color scheme without being overpowering. I only wish these came in turquoise -- wouldn't that be fun?

2. Umbra U+ Collection Rolly Table from Velocity Art & Design ($300). I've been eyeing this particular table for some time now as I think it would work perfectly in my guest room with some existing Ethan Allen furniture I inherited from my mother. The style here is very MCM, of course, but I think these are flexible enough to work well in just about any space. Also, $300 for Umbra furniture is a totally decent price.

3. Lola Side Table from Revival Home and Garden ($350). Red lacquer + a modern interpretation of a lion's claw = be still my beating heart. Since this piece is such a statement maker, I love the idea of allowing it to stand on its own, perhaps in a forgotten corner of a room, like a piece of sculpture. This table is also available in white and black for $345 from Modern Dose. I'm planning on picking this one up in white for my new study.

4. Warner Side Table from Layla Grace ($870). While the majority of items on Layla Grace are more shabby chic or French country, the site also has more modern pieces, like this stunning Warner Side Table (also available in white). While this piece is definitely a budget-buster for most of us, it's certainly a piece that you could own for a lifetime.

5. Turned Wood Pedestal Table from Brocade Home ($199). Brocade Home is a great online source for more modern (with a touch of Hollywood glam), solid wood pieces. Even better, their pricing is very reasonable. I love this pedestal table for its lacquer-like black finish and its gorgeous undulating curves, which recall the shape of many of Jonathan Adler's lamps. This table would be a great compliment to very linear furniture.

6. Mia Nesting Tables from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams ($785). Okay, so these are pricey, I grant you that, but they're so incredibly versatile. The drawer in the largest table pulls out to double as a valet tray (brilliant!).

7. Carved Mango Wood Stool from ZGallerie ($189.95). ZGallerie is definitely my "go to" source for glamorous, interesting -- yet still accessible -- design. A pair of these stools would look great in an entryway, tucked underneath a console table or even as end tables in a sunroom or patio.

8. Trellis Side Table from Modern Dose ($225). I absolutely adore the paired down Chinoiserie style of this table. Even better, it comes in a ton of colors (gotta love options!). I'm thinking a pair of these is in order for my new family room.

9. EDLAND Nightstand from IKEA ($79.99). Sure IKEA markets this piece as a nightstand, but there's no reason why it has to stay by the bed. The petite size of this table makes it perfect for just about any tight space where you'd like to be able to squeeze more storage and/or table top. Besides the great price, I also love the hanging pull. This may be a bit of a stretch, but this table instantly reminded me of Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring. I only wish IKEA sold this in white or a natural finish, but at this price, you can afford to repaint it whatever color you want.

10. Mix Side Table with Two Shelves from Crate&Barrel ($199). I love the strong industrial vibe of this piece, which would be a great way to modernize a room with strong traditional leanings. Lots of glass shelf space also means you'd have ample room for display.

11. Twisty Stool from Viva Terra ($165 for the short, $195 for the tall). Like the mango wood stool from ZGallerie, this organic wood stool definitely blurs the lines between accent table and stool, but I decided to include it here because I think the addition of a strong organic element can really be a great statement in a room for folks who are a little intimidated by strong color.

12. Curvee Shelf Table by House Eclectic from Burke Decor ($371). Another modern interpretation of Chinoiserie. Like the Trellis side table from Modern Dose, this piece comes in an array of candy colored hues (as well as black or white). By the way, Serena and Lily sell the same piece in melon, yellow or white for $2 less, but since Burke Decor offers free shipping to the Continental U.S., Burke is definitely the way to go.

Don't forget that the competition to win one of my favorite three design books is currently going on. To enter, simply leave a comment to this post filling us in on your favorite accent table(s). For more information on prizes and rules, click on over HERE.

Optimum Optimorum 2: Table Lamps

I'm back after the long weekend with a second installation of my Optimum Optimorum mini-series, which is highlighting "the best of the best" in home accessories available for purchase online. Today, I've got a roundup of my favorite table lamps. Lighting is an often ignored -- but incredibly important -- element of design and table lamps are a great way to create atmosphere in a room and provide specific task lighting for a small area.

Table lamps are also an opportunity to go for broke and get a little crazy in terms of color, texture and shape. Just think of them as functional pieces of sculpture and really go for something that speaks to you and your style.

From top left:

1. Uma Lamp from Modern Dose ($185). Gorgeous green silk shade, modern squiggle detail (in matching green!) on a traditional base, and good price -- what's not to love here? By the way, Modern Dose has dozens of great lighting options. From ultra-modern to more traditional, the selection is truly unique. I had a lot of trouble picking my favorite in fact and this faux bois one comes in a close second.

2. Photographer's Lamp from Pottery Barn ($99). Of all the major home decor stores, I think Pottery Barn has the best lighting for the money and I have quite a few of their lamps in my own home. Right now, my favorite is their Photographer's lamp, which is a great iteration on the increasingly popular industrial trend that's been popping up in design this year. With its adjustable height and canister-style heads, this lamp is perfect task lighting for the office or bedside table.

3. Palladian Urn Table Lamp from Restoration Hardware ($351). Crystal lamps are a design staple: they go with everything, reflect light beautifully and add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any space. Restoration Hardware is a great place to go for high quality, moderately-priced crystal lamps and I like this Palladian Urn table lamp in particular for its modern take on a classical shape. This is definitely not your grandmother's crystal.

4. Allison Lamp from High Fashion Home ($549). HFH is a huge four-story home store here in Houston and only minutes from my house. It features a great collection of furniture and accessories and their lighting in particular is a lot of fun to browse. The Allison lamp is absolutely stunning in person -- the smoky greige glass base and silk shade are inject a huge dose of glamour into any room. Perfect for a living room or sultry master bedroom.

5. Geometric Lamp Base + Ribbon Shade from PB Teen ($19.99 and $35, respectively). I love PB Teen and Pottery Barn Kids for fun lighting and rugs that work equally well in an adult space as they do in a child's. The shapes of these lamps are dead-ringers for Jonathan Adler lamps, but at a fraction of the cost. I'd snap these babies up quickly before they're gone.

6. Kate Table Lamp from Circa Lighting ($336). But for Dave's moratorium on home purchases until we get into the new house, I'd be at the Circa Lighting store here in Houston in a heartbeat buying a pair of these for the new dining room. Ah well, you can bet I'll be there later this month when the house is done doing some serious damage with my Discover card.

7. Globe Lamp from West Elm ($228). What I love about this lamp is its incredible scale -- one of these babies stands over four feet high! Conventional wisdom is that a lamp shade should be no taller than the height of the base and yet somehow, this really works for me (perhaps it's the contrast between the cylindrical shade with the squat, rounded base). One of these on either side of a bed or sofa would make such a statement.

8. Cameo Lamp in Gray and Yellow from Burke Decor ($220). Burke Decor is another great online lighting source, especially if you're looking for something very modern and/or very unique. Cameo lamps have long been a popular lamp-style and I love how this one is updated in a very "of the moment" yellow and gray. A pair of these in your living room would definitely add a certain je ne sais quoi.

9. Retro Lamp in Brushed Nickel from Pillows and Throws ($250). A great MCM-style option, but updated in brushed nickel in lieu of brass. Of course, if you're looking for the real deal, eBay has tons of great original teak-and-metal (or teak-and-porcelain) options.

10. Perch Frida Desk Lamp from Velocity Art & Design ($300). For some reason, this goofy lamp makes me smile (and it comes in an array of colors besides mustard) and would be a nice way to incorporate color into a neutral space. With its burlap shade and beaker-shape, its also got a homemade quality that I sometimes find appealing.

Don't forget that the competition to win one of my favorite three design books is currently going on. To enter, simply leave a comment to this post filling us in on your favorite lamp(s). For more information on prizes and rules, click on over HERE.

Optimum Optimorum 1: Dining Chairs

As I mentioned yesterday, Optimum Optimorum is a Latin phrase meaning "the best of the best" and I thought that, while I was away on vacation, I'd bring you some tightly edited selections of the best of the best in home decor. Today, we'll kick things off with dining room chairs.

My obsession with finding "the perfect" dining chairs for my new house continues unabated and I've spent entirely too much time scouring the web for my favorites. In this roundup, I've tried to highlight an array of styles, from traditional and transitional to mid century modern and just plain modern. And, while some of these are certainly more aspirational than attainable, I've also highlighted several moderately priced options for the budget-conscious (i.e., 98% of us). If you find yourself in lust with a more expensive chair, you can always just purchase a statement-making pair for the ends of your table -- or use one or two as desk chairs or extra seating in the living room. After all, there's almost always room for just one or two more chairs.

From top left:

1. Beau Hall Chair from Baker Studio: Baker Studio is a more contemporary and casual line of furnishings from the big name furniture maker. I love this chair for its modern and sleek interpretation of classic Chinoiserie. This chair would play well with a more traditional space, adding a great jolt of color and sleekness. I see a pair of these on either side of an amazing Chinoiserie-style buffet or console table in an entryway or dining room. This chair is also available in a mid tone wood and black lacquer, but I love the red lacquer (shown here) best.

2. Spindle Chair from CB2 ($79.99): Classic shaker-style chairs will never go out of style and I love this interpretation from CB2 both for its price and for its sleek white finish. These would add a great dose of traditional style in a modern kitchen. Since they're made of solid rubberwood, these are also a sturdy, eco-friendly option.

3. Chippendale Chair from Jonathan Adler ($550 as shown): Of course, Jonathan Adler wasn't the first to invent the Chippendale chair (that'd be Thomas Chippendale), but I love Adler's interpretation of the classic design in lime green. Since there are plenty of lookalike options that can be found at your local antique store or eBay, I'd do some serious digging to find a less expensive set, which can always be repainted to the color of your choice. I just ran a search for "faux bamboo chairs" in eBay and came up with several amazing options for way less money. Of course, going the vintage route may mean you won't be able to find a complete set (rarely can you get more than 2 or 4 of any given chair at once), but you can always mix several styles together and then have them all painted and upholstered to match/coordinate.

4. Alexandra Side Chair from Hickory Chair ($840): I'm a sucker for a quatrefoil and I love how this chair is at once graphic and feminine. The detail work in this piece is also amazing -- note the quatrefoil detailing on the front of the chair legs. As with all products from Hickory Chair, this chair is completely customizable, from the fabric to the finish. You can even select contrasting welts or different fabrics for the seat and back. If I had the luxury of my own dressing room/vanity area, I'd put at least one of these in there upholstered in raw silk. Since I don't though, I think a pair of these upholstered in a navy velvet would be the perfect accent chairs for a small sitting area in my new bedroom.

5. Overlapping Squares Side Chair from West Elm ($169 or $329 for two): The overlapping squares chairs are instantly recognizable and wildly popular -- and rightly so, in my opinion. A modern take on Asian design, these West Elm chairs are rapidly becoming a modern -- and affordable -- classic. Each season West Elm puts out the chocolate and white versions as well as seasonal colors (like cinnabar or green). To keep your dining room from looking like a West Elm showroom though, I'd add some custom seat cushions in a fun pattern and would avoid pairing these with a West Elm table.

6. Juliana Armchair from DWR ($650): To be honest, I think MCM is getting a bit overplayed at the moment, so, despite my love of Saarinen's tulip chair, I've intentionally stayed away from several MCM classics in this list. However, I have to make an exception for this chair. Its simplicity belies its brilliant design and I love how fluidly the legs become the back which becomes the arms (which flow back into the legs). Simply stunning. I'd like to see these paired with a smoke glass-topped table, like this one from Williams-Sonoma Home.

7. Napoleon Side Chair from Pottery Barn ($199): Like the Overlapping-Squares chair from West Elm, this chair from Pottery Barn is ubiquitous, but its range of finish options and solid construction make it a good choice for those who are looking for transitional style at a reasonable price. To keep things interesting, I'd upholster the seat cushion in a fun fabric (like the zebra-print shown in the chair above). If you're looking for a more traditional chair-style, Pottery Barn's take on the classic Queen Anne ($249) is also a good choice.

8. Folio Chair from Crate&Barrel ($249): Crate&Barrel's folio chair is a riff on modern Italian design, but at a far more affordable price point. I've sat in these on multiple occasions and I can vouch for their comfort. C&B has also done a great job in offering the style in a range of color choices. Right now, I'm all for the cool gray.

9. Ava's Chair from Calico Corners ($799 plus cost of fabric): Last, but certainly not least, is Ava's Chair from Calico Corners. Since I included it in my wish list mood board for my new dining room a few weeks ago, y'all know already how much I love this one. Sure it's insanely expensive, but it's sure statement maker. And, with 25 wood finishes to choose from and hundreds (if not thousands) of fabric options, it's sure to fit in with any decor.

Don't forget that the competition to win one of my favorite three design books is currently going on. To enter, simply leave a comment to this post filling us in on your favorite dining chair(s). For more information on prizes and rules, click on over HERE.

Vacation and Prizes

Postcard courtesy of Jassy-50

Well folks, tonight I'm riding on a jet plane to London and I couldn't be more excited as I count down my last hour at the office for the next 13 days (Hallelujah!). Not only is this vacation long overdue, but it's a welcome escape from the stresses -- albeit mostly good ones -- of my life here in Texas. While I'm thrilled at the prospect of my first trip to Europe since 2002 (sad!), I really will miss both blogging and keeping up with all my blogging buddies. To be sure, I'll have tons to catch up on when I get back.

In preparation for my extended separation from the Internet, I've gone ahead and pulled together some posts to keep you entertained (and checking in here at Odi et Amo) while I'm away. These posts are on some of my absolute favorite things -- or in keeping with my Latin theme, optimum optimorum ("the best of the best") -- in the world of interior design.

In an effort to draw out my wallflowers and lurkers and to get a little audience participation, I'm going to host a little contest while I'm away. For every comment that you leave on one of the Optimum Optimorum posts, you'll automatically be entered to win a copy of one of my three favorite decorating books: Domino: The book of decorating, Celerie Kemble: To Your Taste or My Prescription for Anti-depressive Living by Jonathan Adler. When I return to action on Tuesday, July 14, I will select three winners (one for each book).

The Rules: The contest is open from tomorrow, July 2, at 8:30 AM (when the first installment of Optimum Optimorum goes up) and will stay open until midnight on Monday, July 13. You will receive one entry for every comment you leave on each of these "Optimum Optimorum" posts provided that each comment must list at least one of your favorite {fill in the blank}. In other words, if the post was on, say, my favorite dishtowels, you would tell me your favorite dishtowel -- not that I will be blogging about dishtowels, but you get the idea. Of course your favorite can also be one of my favorites, but I'd love it if you'd list one I didn't blog about. The ultimate goal is to assemble a sort of greatest hits list for various home decor items in one place for everyone's amusement and future reference. Multiple comments to the same post will be accepted, though each of your comments must list a different item in order to be counted as separate entries.

Breakfast Room Inspirations

I thought I'd kick the morning off before my big trip with a little eye candy. I've been scouring the web for inspiration for a breakfast room with a built-in banquette and I've come across so many beautiful rooms I had to share. Don't you just wish you were sitting down at one of these tables with a cup of coffee, the Sunday newspaper and some peace and quiet?

Canadian House & Home

Phoebe Howard

Amanda Nisbet

Carl D'Aquino via Metropolitan Home, July 2008

Mary McDonald

Katie Ridder

Frank Roop

Aerin Lauder, Elle Decor, July 2009

As for my own little breakfast room, here's what I'm thinking:

For now at least, I'll keep the walls the same greige as the kitchen and family room and bring in color with accessories. I'll order the Coventry bench from Ballard Designs in an L-shape (you can order various lengths to get a more customized fit) and have it upholstered in a spa blue Sunbrella fabric, which should be able to withstand Olivia, the cats and a messy husband. I'll then reupholster a few of my existing dining chairs in the coordinating spa blue and cream stripe (which is on sale for a reasonably $17/yard) and maybe throw in a few throw pillows in the same striped fabric and a coordinating modern floral for good measure. While I'd love to be able to buy a new kitchen table, I'll be making due for now with my existing dark wood table.

Because the back wall of the breakfast room is a long one (almost 115') and faces directly out onto the family room, some statement art is definitely a "must" here. I'm thinking about ordering a triptych of prints from the Biltmore collection by Artaissance, which conveniently comes in a sky/snow colorway. I'm keeping my standard-issue Pottery Barn great white coup dinnerware, but will punch it up with some brightly colored serveware from Kate Spade's "Gwinnett Lane" pattern. For the table top, some perfectly lovely pink ranunculas from Sophie Dahy Designs atop a gorgeous Pagoda sky lucite tray from Iomoni.

P.S. - Stay tuned for an exciting announcement later today.