There’s nothing more symbolic of the February winter slump than bare trees silhouetted by dusk.  Designers from nearly every home goods and accessory category have infused their direction into this trend, moving away from the cozy appeal of eco-friendly design.  Tuleh’s S/S09 patterns possess a whimsical stillness that alludes to natural transition.  Flora detailing can also be found on glass plates sold at Lancelotti Housewares in downtown Manhattan.  Each plate is an interactive experience for both the chef and the diner, as the transparent canvas provides a scenic backdrop for every meal.

Embracing tonal medleys, Forest Tales speaks to a darker feminine side of contrasts.  Selfridges of London sells pillows with sunrise/sunset references.  Using only a narrow silhouette and silver embossing, this metallic leather-bound notebook from ABC Carpet is both bold and simple.  [...]

On a recent trip to West Hollywood, I ventured into TableArt, a high-end home goods store with playfully decorative merchandise.  I stopped in my tracks at the Landscape collection, a recent collaboration between Patricia Urquiola and Rosenthal China.  The honeycomb reliefs within each plate, bowl and stem had accidental precision that was both delicate and striking.  It reminded me of all the times I wanted to leave personal markings in wet cement as a kid, a thought that undoubtedly crosses the mind of every child.  Though the writers from Cool Hunting and Design Boom covered this release a few months ago, it’s noteworthy to observe and compare other relief projects that have recently emerged and continued to shape this ongoing trend over the past few months.  Below are a few [...]