Everyone needs one of these and a pool to go with it. It’s from Summit’s Sundeck Collection. 

Outdoor furniture has come a long way in the past few years. Don’t you think? 

I told Arthur when were started dating never to buy me a gift that needed to be plugged in. I was talking about things like irons and microwaves. For some strange reason, those don’t say gift to me. I will admit that I changed my mind and asked for a fancy sewing machine. Once.

Anyway, I thought this was pretty funny. It’s from an email from Ace Hardware with gift suggestions for Mother’s Day.

Okay, I guess the wind chimes aren’t so bad. The planters are cutting it close because (a) they’re from a hardware store and (b) ugly. But the paint?! What kind of gift is that?

“Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. And make sure you don’t fall off the ladder.”

If the paint comes with the painter, that’s another thing altogether.

In keeping with my completely off-the-cuff outdoor theme today, I found these beautiful outdoor glass pillar candle holders.

They’re from Sundance and sell for $25.00.

 Why not send me your favorite ideas for decorating your patio? I’ll share mine, too. It gives me a good excuse to clean up for company.

Will you step outside with me for a moment? Here are some lovely hand-painted umbrellas I found at Home Infatuation, a site dedicated to all things outdoor.

Each design is painted on Sunbrella fabric using waterproof acryclic paints. They come in several sizes.

This is another way to add dimension to your patio design this summer. Add candles and lots of potted plants to add even more drama and dimension.

Which one is your favorite? 

Going to the Salone del Mobile was a wonderful experience. As I said earlier in the week, the most inspiring aspect were the kitchens. Of everything I saw, kitchen design was the one things that’s taking the largest step forward. The rule of the kitchen triangle principle is a thing of the past. And once the rules have been broken, everything becomes open to change.

Here’s a peek at some of the innovative things I saw.

In-line cooktops are a huge trend. The improvement in ergonomics is obvious - no more reaching for pots behind pots.

Smeg (more about them later) has introduced a horizontal dishwasher that opens with a touch. It sits higher in the cabinet, making access easier.

Miele has a built-in pressure cooker. For busy families, it’s a great thing to have. I use mine (not built-in) all the time. It makes perfect risotto in 9 minutes.

You might think there isn’t a thing anyone could do to improve a simple sink, but I saw a lot that were integrated into stainless steel countertops. A slope drains the water into the sink. Colanders and cutting boards were also built-in design elements.

Archlinea offered up a couple of nice ideas. One is a greenhouse designed for growing herbs and such - this one suspended from the ceiling. The other is a countertop warming tray.

Elica had a large display of artistic vent hoods. They’re designed to resemble light fixtures. Some looked a bit strange to me, but it’s an interesting idea and one that kicks the idea of kitchen as living space up a notch.

Finally, I fell in love with these tempered glass counters and backsplashes. Loaded with color, which you know I love, they broaden the creative aspects of kitchen design. Above are examples from Valcucine and DADA.

Now some bad news. Not all of these products are currently available in the states. But fear not, the US is such an enormous market that many are coming our way. We just have to wait a couple of years.

I’ve been a friend of Steve Perrin’s for years. He used to work in advertising. But he chucked it all to follow his passion, which is (of course) creating beautiful furniture. Steve’s work has won numerous awards. His Folding Wall Chairs have long been a favorite of mine.

Hung on the wall, the chairs are works of art. Useful works of art. Because, taken down from the wall, they unfold to become chairs. They’re made regularly, in limited editions, and sell for $1,400 each. Steve uses various woods, including Tiger Maple, Cherry and Birdseye maple. You can view his other furniture here.

I’m loving these trays from Angela Adams. They’re great for serving icy drinks at all your smart, outdoor parties.

They come in a variety of sizes and range in price from $10 to $65.

Everybody in the pool!

Everything is possible. This is the Danish designer, Cecilie Manz’s philosophy. It’s a good approach to take, though, in my experience, a costly one from time to time. Here is her Caravaggio pendant lamp for Lightyears.

It comes in black or white and several sizes. The starting retail price for the smallest is $195. It’s available through Hightower.

Ballard Designs is celebrating its 25th anniversary by teaming up with Southern Accents Magazine to sponsor a $25,000 home decor sweepstakes. The contest begins on May 1st and runs through August, 2008. The lucky grand prize winner will receive a $25,000 shopping spree, and a design consultation with Ballard’s VP in charge of merchandising and a senior editor from Southern Accents. 

An additional 250 entrants will win a tote bag. Yippee!

Designer Gerard Onley creates custom-made pillows in cotton and linen for his company, Onley Make Believe. He shared his work with me and I’m sharing with you. His work is made to order.

Newspaper inspired pillows start at $159.

Graphic designs are priced at $169 for the cotton version.

The standard pillow size is 20″ x 20″.  For a custom size, you can contact Onley Make Believe from their site here.

Gerard divides his time between San Franscico and Amsterdam. I asked him why and he said, “I still love San Francisco, which (by comparison) is indeed one of the most European-influenced cities in the U.S. Overall both cities are so full of inspiration for design, art, music, that it really is worth living in both places just to experience what both has to offer. I also find that both cities are indeed the eyes and ears of what is happening in the world of design.”

Here’s a nifty little chair that doesn’t cost a fortune. The Kyoto Chair is from Design Within Reach and retails for $110.

I’m an expert on chairs. Not designing them, but sitting in them. This one looks comfy. But then, I like a hard upright chair.

What’s your opinion? Is this chair reasonably priced in your opinion?

Continuing with the idea of kitchens and family rooms living as one, here’s a photo essay of kitchens from Milan. (Did you know that Italy ranks number two in the world when it comes to kitchen sales?) Notice how the dining tables are creatively integrated into the workspace. I also love the new way cabinet doors are opening and their larger widths.

Archlinea used larch for their table.

One of Snaidero’s kitchens with a more furniture-like look to it. I like the way the upper cabinet doors open.

Not such a great photo, but this was an interesting way to incorporate a cooktop with a dining table.

Another Snaidero kitchen. I like the way the shelving runs across the wall - moving from kitchen utility to decorative space.

See more after the jump.

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