summer has finally arrived and the time for gatherings with friends is here! nothing beats lounging around with a good friends and a good drink, but not everyone has room for a full-fledged bar in their home. so, in the interest of facilitating summer drink get-togethers, i thought it would be fun to compile a roundup of 48 great bar cart options in the market. a small group of you have been demanding this roundup for the past few months so i’m happy to finally push this live today.

a quick note about barcarts- these days the particularly cool looking modern bar carts seem to cost an arm and a leg. so i’ve tried to include both the highs, lows and in-betweens in this guide (as well as a few small, stationery bars). that said, i’ve also included a special “fixer-upper” section of the roundup devoted to good, basic, affordable bar carts and trays that are just begging to be upgraded with a little DIY love. you know, a coat of paint, a piece of wallpaper on the shelves to dress it up. so, if cost is an issue (and these days, it’s pretty much an issue for most of us) be sure to scroll all the way down the guide to check out this special section. they may not look pretty on first glance, but they are perfect for customizing and making your own- without breaking the bank. need some inspiration? here are two great bar cart makeovers from d*s readers right here and here.

[TOP image above, clockwise from top left: luxembourg trolley in apple green $487.50, circa bar cart $1309, cetra trolley $639.54 (so cute), cosmopolitan bar cart $125, panton bar boy $3210 (my fav), vintage 'jamaica' rolling cart $4500, colorful acrylic bar carts $1100 each, gastone folding trolley $766.70]

[image above, clockwise from top left: vintage paul mccobb bar cart $3800, polished nickel bar cart $999.91, vintage faux bamboo bar $5500, formosa tray table $49.95 (great for small spaces and small parties)]

[image above, clockwise from top left: duncan bar cart $700, butler tray and stand $139+ (great for small spaces), gable bar cart $299.49]

[image above, left to right: sydney bar $399.99 (safe for the outdoors), three tiered serving cart $95.79]

[image above, clockwise from top left: capri bar cart $639 (safe for the outdoors), modern serving cart $64.90 (i'd paint this sucker a bold glossy color, with a lacquer-like finish), bordeaux bar cart $119.95]

CLICK HERE for the rest of the bar cart guide after the jump (including the budget-friendly fixer-upper selections)

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big pieces of furniture may be a little out of reach in economic times like these, but thankfully there are reasonable prices to be found in accent furniture. so my winter intern sam and i decided to put together this roundup of great side and end tables. fun, decorative, and functional, these tables are perfect for the end of the couch, next to low beds, or placed side-by-side to serve as an impromptu coffee table. we’ve rounded up over 65 examples for you to check out so hopefully there will be something in here for everyone. if we’ve missed your favorite side/end table, feel free to add it in the comment section below for everyone to see. click here for the full guide or just click “read more” below. there are many, many more tables after the jump so i hope you’ll check them out.

looking for more furniture guides? just click here and scroll down…

[top image, clockwise from top left: jules tables $199-$299 each, cork stool/table $406, acrylic timber table $325, ukiyo table $509, strut side table $249, william and mary end table $636, marie side table $696, trollsta side table $79.99, hollow end table $475, pumpkin table $1685 (this is my "just window shopping" table)]

[image above, clockwise from top left: williams cube $1950 (i'd love to save up and invest in this piece- it's timeless), barbarella side table $349, recycled aluminum table $299, trollsta table $99.99, orla kiely table $716 (darn the weak dollar), desi table $199, hive table $89.95, acrylic nesting tables $180, foley tray table $395+]

[image above, clockwise from top left: marcel wanders table, magino side table $450, floating table $980, rolly table $300, ginger table $299, aries side table $39.95, taper side table $69.99, alden table $99.99, formosa table $49.95, ]

[image above, clockwise from top left: tree stump side table $199, reversible side tables $229, salvaged wood nesting tables $289, organic side table $2800 (just for eye candy), branch and glass table $198]

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today’s guide belongs to barstools- thanks to a request from d*s reader craig. i always have a soft spot for bar stools because they remind me of my elementary school best friend’s kitchen counter where we would eat cappelletti soup after school. as always, i’ve tried to include a range of prices and styles- i hope you’ll enjoy it! please note: this is a mix of high and low bar stools so please confirm the stool’s height before you buy if you’re looking for a specific size. stools are a great place to test out diy upholstery so if you see a piece beyond your price range consider buying fabric to create something similar with a basic stool base from target, ebay or ikea. there are over 50 stools in this roundup so be sure to click here (or just click “read more” below) to view the full selection, which continues after the jump. if you’re looking for more guides (product or city) just click here. [image above: bryce stool $199]

ps: if you missed the debut of the d*s + nypl “design by the book” video series please click here to check it out!

[image above, clockwise from top left: bamboo counter stool $695, charles ghost counter stool $280, st. honore bar stool $189, malte bar stool $39.99, window seat bar stools $89.95+, industrial metal bar stools at 1stdibs, LEM piston stool $725, jim bar stool $229, swivel bar stools at 1stdibs, brass bamboo bar stools at 1stdibs, red tolix stool $235-$325]

[image above, clockwise from top left: reform bambar stool $514, spin bar stools $99.95+, tabouret bar stool $979, kong bar stool $1435, flower stool $180, agne bar stool $25, bertoia bar stool $749, draftsman stool $149 (best for low counters), magino bar stool $560, royalton bar stool $2031 (just for inspiration or a major, major splurge)]

[image above, clockwise from top left: key back bar stool $89.99, lyra bar stool $1776 for set of 4, julius bar stool $49.99, weinberg bar stools at 1st dibs, diego bar stool $129+, franklin bar stool $19.99, paris bar stools $639 each, deja vu stool $577, skew bar stools $89.99+, espresso bar stools at target]

[image above, clockwise from top left: emerson bar stool $169, precision bar stool $495+, andres counter stool $120, hi-pad stool $1044, julian barstool $83.99, saddle bar stool $99.95, flo stool $1867 (i wish this was $18.67 instead), bottega stool $850, timber stool $349]

please click “read more” below for the rest of the roundup…

read more …

several of you have emailed about trying to find a great doorstop so i thought i’d go on a little hunt. after searching all around the web i didn’t find an overwhelming amount of great options, but i did find a little over 25 that i thought might be cute in some of your homes. so i hope you’ll enjoy the roundup!

stay tuned for the ugliest pillow finalists and voting!

[looking for more product roundups? click here to check out our full archives of furniture guides]

[image above, clockwise from top left: wedge door stop $15, scottie door stopper $34, weedo door wedge $14.39, key doorstop $17.95, james the doorman $21, bar of gold doorstop $79, foot door stopper $85, black door stop $55, stop door stop $37.61, roller doorstop $95, fleur de lis doorstop $38, rope ball doorstop $98 (cheaper version here), wooden scallop door stop $14.99, foot in the door doorstop $10.99]

[image above, clockwise from top left: fabric doorstop by punchanella $25 (there are many more to choose from at this site), fabric doorstop $46, bear door stop $38, fleur de lis door stop $45, ]

[image above, clockwise from top left: tube doorstop $29, ornato iron doorstop $18, sitting bunny door wedge $26]

[image above, clockwise from top left: shoemaker doorstop $18, watchdog doorstep $24, owl doorstop $24, gold beaked doorstop $24]

d*s reader sarah sent a sweet email requesting a flatware guide this month. and because i’ve spent the last few months trying to find the perfect replacement set for our flatware (we have a knack for losing spoons), i thought the timing was perfect. so whether you’re looking for something traditional, organic, or uber-modern this roundup has got you covered. have a favorite i missed? feel free to leave your suggestions in the comment section below. bon appetit! (need something to eat with your new flatware? click here for recent recipes from our favorite designers)

[image above, clockwise from top left: meret flatware $42.95, twig flatware $48, ferran adria flatware $138, pott flatware (5 piece set) $1050, deluxe plastic 4-piece setting $120]

[image above, clockwise from top left: arne jacobsen set $115, certo flatware $250, busig cutlery $12.99, pantry cutlery $77.55, magnussen 5-piece setting $762]

[image above, left to right: cutipol goa flatware set (my favorite!) $85, luna flatware $45+ (we own this and love it)]

[image above, clockwise from top left: zaha hadid 5-piece place setting $250, noguchi flatware $220, bettina 6-place setting $352, nero flatware $75, duna place setting $69, low 98 place setting $60.50, mono clip 20pc. flatware set (for 4) $356, bettina 6-place setting $352, teak flatware $49]

[image above, left to right: frond flatware $55, sambonet place setting $84, ]

[image above, clockwise from top left: katharine flatware $40+, mezzo flatware $55, whisper by nambe place setting $55]

[image above, clockwise from top left: kyoto flatware $36.95, sundance cutlery $59, citterio matte 98 collection $10-$17 per piece, twig flatware $82.50, lotus stem flatware $40]

it’s been a while since my last product guide/roundup so i thought it was high time to pick up where i left off and start with a reader request- wardrobes. if you’re like me and are blessed with an apartment completely devoid of sufficient closet space, you may need room for clothing storage- especially something with hanging space. so today’s product guide is dedicated to armoires/wardrobes. i’ve also included a few standing storage options and media armoires that are easily converted to clothing storage. there are 44 examples to choose from in a huge range of styles and prices so i hope you’ll enjoy the full roundup. there are 22 more examples after the jump so click here for the full roundup or just click “read more” below.

looking to make your own? click here for angie’s diy jewelery armoire project. or here for more 46 more product guides

[image above, clockwise from top left: mondo armoire $1899, odda wardrobe $199, elan armoire $2199, vintage french armoire at 1stdibs, mandal wardrobe $499, planar wardrobe $4275]

[image above, clockwise from top left: louis bromate armoire at 1stdibs (would be fun to diy a version of this with an ikea armoire), white mirror armoire $199.99, parisienne armoire $189.99 (my favorite and such a great price!!), sparrow wardrobe $1160, blake armoire $1899]

[image above, clockwise from top left: charlotte armoire $1099, garment rack $140, kids armoire $1540, clarissa armoire $1918, cadet wardrobe $649, empress armoire $1799]

[image above, clockwise from top left: sumatra armoire $1299, eina wardrobe $99.99, shutter armoire $360, iannone armoire $3,995, aneboda wardrobe $99.99, mirrored armoire by lyle and umbach]

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today’s guide is the second half of our patterned rug roundup. last week i posted part one, which was only a small portion of the rug guides i’ll be posting over the next week or two. so far we’ve posted runners and patterned rugs part one so i hope you’ll enjoy patterned rugs part two and stay tuned for basic/solid-colored rugs next tuesday!

[image above, clockwise from top left: unni rug $19.99, talitha rug by madeline weinrib at abc home, alvine rug $129, lovebirds rug $270+, dwell studio rug $75]

[image above, clockwise from top left: nelumbo rug $75+, richard nixon rug $600, delos rug $799, wonder wool rug $310+, flock rug $150]

[image above, clockwise from top left: palm rug $1800, suzanne rug by madeline weinrib, marrakesh rug $895, bloomery rug $439, optics floormat $76]

[image above, left to right: feather rug $270+, delos icon rug $379+, emma gardner 'flowers on water' rug, giraffe rug $295+]

[image above, clockwise from top left: angela adams birch rug $349, carousel rug $1800, martha stewart journey rug $420+, pieter van tuyl rug $7500 (splurge!), liam celery rug by madeline weinrib]

[image above, clockwise from top left: rug by amy helfand, kenga rug $349+, ranunculus rug $309+, emma red and zig zag (red and white) by madeline weinrib, hedda rug $249]

[image above, clockwise from top left: mini lulu rug $54, pat nixon rug $600, coqo rug $78+, morocco rug $249+, fuller rug by peace industry $2020, dwell studio striped rug $79.99]

[image above, clockwise from top left: lace flower rug $450+, spray rug by emma gardner $4950+, pixel crewel rug $295+, vintage lace rug by georgia chapman]