i’ve been obsessing over dots and stripes for the past few weeks. i’m not normally drawn to either look but something about this classic pair has intrigued me lately. more often than not i find myself drawn to tiny black and white dots, rather than a larger variation, but i thought it would be fun to flesh out a full mini trend on each. i’m starting with dots today because i’m in the process of having a black and white dotted cushion made for the bench in my kitchen. there’s something delightfully fresh and preppy about dots so i hope you’ll enjoy the mini-trend. there’s certainly a lot of it in the market right now so you’ll find something for every price point. enjoy!

[image above, clockwise from left to right: iomoi paperweight $65, dotted canvas slingbacks $328, blue polka dot notecards $10, wallpaper from studio printworks, etched dot decanter $125, marimekko bedding $20-$165]

[image above: double dot fabric, $19.95 per yard]

[image above, clockwise from left to right: "bead" fabric from hable construction, newport bedding $65-$290, polka dot gift wrap $3, polka dot flats $30, polka dot vanity seat $150]

[image above: "seeing spots" flor tiles $11.99 per tile]

[image above, from left to right: shadow dots beach towel $26.50 (via domino), iomoi paperweight $40, dot pillow $19.99, pink dot fabric $8.50 per yard]

[image above: riviera bedding by dkny $60-$315]

[image above: pin dot linen pillows $88, "ooh la dot" fabric $8.50 per yard, little dot grosgrain ribbon $1]

[image above, left to right: etusko dot fabric $15.95 per yard, bailey dot fabric $15.95 per yard]

[dottie outdoor pillows $19.00]

[image above: "building blocks dot" fabric $8.50 per yard]

[image above: dottie cushion $25]

last week i compiled my oodles of milan photos into some trend slideshows for easy browsing. i launched them today right here so if you’re interested in checking out my major trends from the show (yellow, red, wire frames, au natural and disco glam) just click here to browse some unseen photos and highlights from my visit.

this trend isn’t fully fleshed out yet but i think we’re going to start seeing a lot more of the chain link trend in the months to come. i’m dying to see if there’s much of it at icff and brooklyn designs. we’ll see. until then, here are some of my favorite chain designs in the market right now (home and otherwise). have something to add? drop a line via email or the comment section below…[photo above, clockwise from left to right: mollie dash bracelet, link cheese knife set ($38), chain pull ($16), chain link earrings ($15), chain knob ($8) and chain handle ($14)]

[chains wallpaper by flavor paper- due out this spring]

[chain link scarf project at knitty.com]

[photo above clockwise from left to right: chain link bathmat ($59-$89), chain link mirror ($499), sarah cihat porcelain and chain bowl, chain shower curtain ($33)]

[chain link pillows by nate berkus $15]

[boatman geller stationery and kelly wearstler fabric via style court]

[gift wrap by eieio studio. thanks karen!]

i was inspired by a post at modern-roost the other day and decided to flesh out one of my favorite mini trends going around right now: kelly green. the kelly wearstler post, anthropologie furniture and pieces from our h&g color issue really got me thinking about this bold green hue. it’s often paired with navy blue and written off as a preppy choice (think whale prints and izods) but designers are starting to bring kelly green back in a way that’s thoroughly modern. i love it for summer because something about it is so crisp and clean. and, unlike some other bold colors, the preppy edge keeps things looking classy and rarely garish. what follows below (and above) are some of my favorite examples of kelly green in the market right now. some aren’t precisely kelly green but have that same bold green color that i felt was in line with the trend. hope you enjoy! [photo above, clockwise from left to right: ivana helsinki fabric, modernica chair in grass green $239, judy ross pillow $190, nouveau knob $8, ditte sofa $3498]

[photo above, clockwise from left to right: kelly wearstler "imperial trellis" fabric, hybrid home print $40, kate spade "larabee road" dishware $80]

[photo above, clockwise from left to right: pia wallen felt baby slippers $38, unison bedding $33-$300, judy ross runner $875, suzani pillow $29.95]

[photo above from left to right: twinkle living bedding in "cosmic" $155-$190, heather amuny-dey print $40]

[photo above, clockwise from left to right: kelly wearstler's viceroy, domestic wall decal $80, elum greeting cards $12 for set of 6]

[photo above, clockwise from left to right: josef frank chair $2498, offi mypetlamp $59, bicycle basket from design house stockholm, foxy and winston print $33, heather amuny-dey artwork $700]

it’s monday and time for a new mini trend- one of the wonderful by-products of the trend towards green design has been a resurgence of wood in the market. it came first in the form clean, smooth designs (and veneers of all types) that mimicked the modern look of materials like steel or resin. but as the green movement has become more of a permanent category and less of a trend we’ve seen the industry open up to include rough, chunky cuts of wood that let the natural beauty of the material shine. whether it’s with burl bowls, rough carved wooden vases or reclaimed railroad ties, the design industry seems to be embracing beautiful wooden objects that have been left relatively natural. click here for the full mini trend post and some more ideas to bring the look into your home.

[i'm in meetings until 12:30 today so i'll be back around 2 with the last post of the day: an apartment tour you won't want to miss.]

i was chatting with kristina at three layer cake about what she saw at maison et objet and she mentioned a real trend towards dramatic glass lighting (especially those with a clear glass base). i’ve always loved a good glass bottomed lamp (especially in color), so it’s great to see european designers spinning the look in a high-end direction. i myself favor the regular old retail versions (that seem to come with a cheaper pricetag) so i compiled a collection of glass lamp bases that are available for a wide variety of prices. what’s nice about this look (which is far from new but seems to be experiencing a resurgence lately) is that it’s virtually timeless. a nice subtle, blown-glass lamp base will work with a modern, traditional, retro or minimalist decor. the simplicity of most of these designs makes them a great investment. and if you’re willing to splurge on something a bit more dramatic check out the gorgeous european designs within the group that kristina spotted in paris. [click here] for the full mini trend and lamp selection. enjoy!

this has been such a fun week of releasing new things that i thought it would be a good time to post a new mini-trend as well. this is a movement i’ve been seeing for months now (and saw the first inklings of years ago), but just now gathered enough samples to fully illustrate. textiles have always been popular in the design world but never have they been more integrated into the product design world than in the last few months (or even the last year). starting with hella jongerius’s embroidered tablecloth design of 2000, designers have started to investigate methods of integrating textiles and, most recently stitching, into ceramics, furniture, lighting and tableware. perhaps not the most functional method of detailing, this stitch+furniture marriage has nevertheless been a stunning one to observe as designers across the globe test out their own unique versions. what i love most is the “hand-made” feel it gives to objects. i’ve compiled a big collection of products, so check out the full mini trend right here.

[and speaking of textiles, lena has a great new textile designer named adrienne rogers on her guest blog today]

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!