i’m a crazy pack rat when it comes to magazine clippings. i’ve been holding on to this clip from cookie magazine since december of 05 and have been trying to track down this traditional guadalajaran fabric for what feels like ages. this month domino mentioned a coverlet with a similar pattern but when i called the source they didn’t have it and didn’t know when it would be in (ugh). so i thought i’d appeal to my talented and oh-so-savvy readers. do you know where (in the usa) i can order or buy fabrics like this? i want this pattern (in red and white, please!) in my home in some way and i’ll do just about anything to get it. any advice would be so, so appreciated. thanks!! [photo from cookie magazine, dec 205]

this week i’m catching up on updating the d*s podcasts and mini trends. the podcast will come on thursday or friday but today i put together a fresh new mini trend: red and white! i’m seeing it all over the place and it’s a great trend for adding a little spice to a room. so click here to read the full piece and feel free to suggest any great red and white pieces you’re seeing in the market. enjoy!

it’s been a while since i delved into the mini trends, so i definitely need to make up for the lost time. over the past few weeks (and after a trip to europe) i’ve been noticing a ton of red and white in the market. i noticed this in vintage textile patterns that are popping up all over, as well as in wallpaper designs at this year’s icff. pillows followed and now i’m finding fantastic tableware in shops that pops with bright white and red. nothing quite says summer (or packs a punch) like a crisp red and white accessory. red might be way too bold for a main color in a home, but rich red accents can be a fantastic way to change the look of a room. they may even inspire an accent wall! so, without anymore yapping from me, here are some of the great red and white pieces i’ve been seeing out in the market (there’s something for everyone’s budget in here…) [photo above: yoko fabric for $7.99 a yard and a gorgeous print by camilla engman, $20-$30]

[clockwise l to r: pillow by k studio $124, skirt at anthropologie $118, wallpaper by twenty2 design, tablestory plates by tord boontje $50]

[fabric at reprodepot $8.50 a yard, pillow by not neutral $48, plate by john derian $180, bowls at anthropologie $32 for 4, plates at anthropologie $32 for 4]

[vitra home collection: red algues, red and white chair by jean prouve and organic chair in red]

[nectar fabric by tord boontje for kvadrat]

[clockwise from l to r: anne black vases $86, fatboy meets marimekko $299, sharon spain pillow $64]

i’m loving this cartoon series of ceramics by italian artist licia martelli. kristina at three layer cake did a fantastic interview with her today and introduced me to her ceramics. martelli outlines the ceramics to enhance the “cartoon” effect. it’s a fun and welcome change to the sometimes too-serious world of ceramics. clearly not for everyone, but it’s good monday fun. [thanks, krisina!] ps: speaking of interviews, i did a fun interview with judy ross on my hg blog today. if you have a chance, check it out!

i’m a big fan of rori at paper monkey press. i have a few of her prints framed in my home, so i was excited to hear from her this morning. rori added some great new (affordable!) notecards (i love her font choices) and beautiful coasters to her site (just in time for july 4 parties). rori also does custom work so whether you’re in need of some gorgeous pre-made goods or something a bit more customized, click here to check out rori’s work at paper monkey press. [thanks, rori!]

i’m listening to lily allen and finishing up an interview with textile goddess judy ross this morning so i’m going to collect some reader recs this morning and see if anyone has some ideas for those d*s readers in need of design advice. i’ll be back in an hour or so, just need to tie up loose interview ends. so, without further adieu:

• leslie needs some help with a dual religion wedding gift: “Right now I’m having a problem in the gift area. My best friend is getting married at the end of the summer; it’s a Jewish/Hindu ceremony, and I don’t want to get her something off her registry I want to get something more thoughtful and unique. I want to get a gift that combines both religions but that is not religious. I saw the Henna dessert plates on Roseanne’s site (rosanneinc.com) and I love them. But, I’m having real trouble finding something “Jewish” to coordinate with them, maybe another set of four plates, desert spoons etc. So, if you could help I would really appreciate it!”
• mk needs help with a storm door: “I am currently trying to find an attractive storm/security door for my back door, it needs to have steel metal bars so I feel safe, (my kit door is all
  glass) but I have yet to find something that doesn’t have a tacky 60’s palm springs look, and I was wondering if you or your readers would have any advice? Also I live in a brick 1860’s townhouse, so an ultra-modern may clash…”
• robyn needs help finding some great fabric: “What are the odds that you’ll know of any shop in North America that carries Form & Design’s “Bloom” fabric/yardage line?(http://www.form-design.se/bloom_eng.htm) I’m trying to hunt it down but the internet seems to know nothing (!) and Form & Design have yet to reply to my request for a retailer list. I want to buy bunches and bunches of it for bedquits that I’m making, but so far, no luck!
• and last but not least, kate needs some great montreal design shop recs- any ideas?

[thanks for any suggestions guys!]

just saw this and had to post quickly. ms. lena saw some great textiles by scandinavian designer satu makkonen via hoping for happy accidents. satu designs for scandinavian label hau hauz and her work has a gorgeous moroccan/spanish feel that i love (but still with that great scandinavian sense of color and line). i’ve been turning to all things spanish lately (inspired by some bourdain food reading) and i’m loving black detailing on textiles and tableware. i’m waiting to hear where they’re available in the states so i’ll update soon. in the meantime, click here for more info. have a great weekend!