i don’t use calendars as much as i should, but fabric calendars are so appealing they might make me switch from digital time-keeping to something more tangible. these beautiful new designs are from michelle at cicada studio. her two new 2010 designs, queen anne’s lace ($42) and forsythia ($42), measure 16×20 inches and come with a wooden hanging rod secured with a baker’s twine hanger. the fabric is a mix of linen and cotton and, when the year is over, makes for a great drying cloth. you can pick up one of michelle’s calendar’s right here. thanks, michelle!

i couldn’t resist posting these incredible wood and felt rugs from designer monika jarg of tekstiil ruumis. based in estonia, monika designs “carpets of wood” by drilling holes into wood and weaving directly into the surface with fibers. the result is nothing short of stunning. click here to have your socks officially knocked off by more of her work. [thanks to raina for the tip!]

i have a real weakness for milk bottles. i love them filled with farm-fresh milk, or emptied and filled with branches and flowers. so naturally i’m loving alyssa ettinger’s cast porcelain milk bottles on etsy. these bottles, cast using vintage milk bottles from grandview dairy in brooklyn ny (established in 1901), are a half-pint size and are available for $25. they would look so sweet filled with a fall-inspired bouquet and placed bedside. click here for more info and to buy online…

good morning! erin and nicole are keeping their anniversary theme going at the d*s guest blog today, moving from paper to cotton. their cotton roundup includes some really beautiful necklaces and custom embroidery ideas so click here to check out their full selection….

when it comes to buying things during tough economic times, one of the areas in which i allow myself a little wiggle room is tea towels. these small squares of fabric make me happy because they let me indulge my need to have something colorful and new in my home without spending an arm and a leg. so when i heard from christina weber of studiopatró about her new line of graphic linen tea towels and aprons, i was hooked. not only did she embrace my favorite kitchen color (orange!), but she included some really lovely typography in her collection. christina’s tea towels and aprons are all for sale on her website, but she also has a really fun section of her site called “use me” where she displays clever ways to use her work in your home. whether you belt your tea towel for an insta-apron or sew a cute window seat from the fabric, she’s got a whole slew of really beautifully shot ideas to check out. click here to view (and shop) the full collection online. thanks christina!

before we jump into home tours and reader questions, i wanted to share these beautiful new pieces from naochina and yaling of flowie. first up- naochina’s new set of glowing ceramic lights.

based in shanghai, naochina is a group of product designers who have recently launched a collection of home decor designs. i’m really loving their “snowlights”- a series of ceramic cones that include ambient LED lights for a really beautiful and subtle glow. they remind me equally of little shining snowdrifts and glow-in-the-dark conical mushrooms. click here for more information and to shop online ($138 for a set of 3 lights or $42-$53 each).

yaling from flowie (click here to check out her adorable home), just released a new series of bags, pillows and tea towels with tie-dye patterns. although i shed my hippie ways after college there are a few things i still have a soft spot for: handmade hemp belts (i know, ridiculous) and tie dye. so when i saw yaling’s new tea towels with a tie dye pattern i was hooked. it’s just such a happy look. click here to check out yaling’s new collection and shop online.

good morning! i wanted to start off the week by welcoming artist elisabeth dunker of fine little day, studio violet and lula to the d*s guest blog. elisabeth will be joining us all week to post some of her design favorites, and is kicking things off with a beautiful collection of ceramics, textiles and home accessories. click here to check out her first post! (click here to check out a sneak peek of elisabeth’s beautiful home)

i’m always excited to see new work from heather at skinny laminx- especially when it fits our friday kitchen theme so well. these lovely new “teapots and jugs” teatowel is available in french grey and dutch orange for only $12.50 right here. thanks, heather!