i woke up at 4 am on sunday morning, my head spinning with wedding thoughts. like an idiot i’ve been pouring over way too many websites and magazines lately and my mind is overflowing with decorative details like lace, beading, tulle, fondant and piping- everything. after all that overly-ornate thinking i could use a little simplicity so my mantra for the morning is: think ’simple’. so designer james lear’s email could not have come at a better time. a senior in risd’s furniture design department, james is a fantastic student designer who has already produced some pretty incredible pieces, including a piece for the swarosvski crystal booth at last year’s icff. but my current favorite is this wonderful simple, but stylish, wood “check” chair. i’d love to line up dozens of these around a long country farm table and invite all our friends over for dinner. james has worked with brooklyn’s bettencourt green building supply is committed to environmentally sustainable design. you can view james’ full collection right here.

*if you’re a student designer like james looking for some help with your bills, school fees, supplies or just inspiring travel tune in on friday for the 2008 d*s scholarship. we’ll be donating twice as much money as last year and maybe even more. i can’t wait to see everyone’s work!