Sleek Streak

DC superfriend and badass interior designer/blogger Raina of If the Lampshade Fits found the silver foil lining of the clouded real estate market when she landed a sweet 70s home in Denver. In celebration of her spectacular find, I'm posting a cornucopia of 70s inspired interiors that manage a modern twist on classic geometric lines. You don't have to import an entire Karl Springer showroom to get the feel -- just a dab will do ya. But a ton of brass, gold, chrome and glass never hurts, because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that bling.

Don't worry if you're a shy wallflower. See how subdued the 70s can be? No disco balls necessary. Via Richard Powers Photography.

Or you could go the other direction and bring it all on. Baughman chairs: check. Chrome and smoked glass table: check. Driftwood sculpture: check. Via Joe Serrins Studio.

Ahhh... it's quiet again. A smoked glass chandelier and muted color palette ooze restrained elegance. I want to knock that superfluous flower pot off the table, though. Via Desire to Inspire.

Wheeeee, it's loud again! You could apply lipstick in the reflection of that wallpaper, and the light fixtures are divine. Not loving the starburst wall clock. Via OWI.

Foil wallpaper may be the most ingenious backsplash, ever. I might have to do this in my kitchen... Via Style Files.

Of course, I would trade my entire kitchen, the house and everything in it for these cabinets. BRASS cabinets, people. Holy Jeebus Moses! Via Philippe Stuebi.

And while we're on the gold trip, I think I want to cover something, anything in these gold mosaic tiles. Maybe a headboard...? Via Colombe Stevens.

Nina Campbell's brass mantel is almost as delicious, but the clutter kills. Just take a mental snapshot of the brass and mirrors and close your eyes and mmmmmmmmmm. Via Domino.

If I had enough space and didn't think I might burn my house down, you can bet your sweet ass I would have an indoor firepit. Hello fondue party! Via Jerry Samuelson Photography.

Milo Baughman is definitely the go to designer for all things sleekly seventies. Fawn Galli breathes new life into his iconic chairs with some rockin' fabric and more awesome foil wallpaper.

My gay boyfriend Nate Berkus' apartment with his Baughman chair. Copious amounts of mirror action, the chrome coffee table, Arteluce lamp, and tufty time sofa complete the look. The hand chair is available here for $69. Spraypaint is the nectar of the gods. Via Elle Decor.

Cultivating a 70s vibe doesn't mean you have to keep your original 70s bathroom. Just say no to the triple threat of fiberglass tubs, formica and linoleum and say yes to burnished golden tiles, a black (!) pedestal sink and some fresh accessories. Via Living Etc.

Finally, the bathroom we all dream of. If not, you may be reading the wrong blog. Via Joe Serrins Studio.

Whew, that was a lot of pictures, but Raina's dreamy home score deserves nothing less. Congratulations, Raina, on your swingin' seventies pad -- can't wait to see it shine!

Pracilio is the Dealio

Following the story on The New Antiquarians in The New York Times that Karly blogged about here, there remains little question that taxidermy is hot. Of course, that be old news around these parts (see here and here). In fact, it's hard to remember way back to the time when taxidermy was seen as belonging exclusively to the domain of rednecks and long expired Victorian arcana. Now that taxidermy is trendily displayed by hipsters and preppies everywhere, many clever mutations of the original stuffed animals have been spawned -- for example, the works of Rachel Denny and our pal Hope Perkins. Well, the newest dead heads on the block from the Swarovski Safari series by Peter Pracilio are pretty fierce. Check it:

So I'm thinking this stuffed deer, courtesy of famous French taxidermist Deyrolle,

Plus this diamond studded skull by Brit brat pack artist Damien Hirst,

Equals this crystal encrusted deer mount by Peter Pracilio.

Agreed? Since we're already grazing on the wild Savannas of Fifth Avenue, let's bust out our binoculars and view some of Pracilio's other gems that I've hunted down for you.

Swarovski unicorn: uptown version of the jackelope?

via theashenledger (check out her cool prints, too)

So, what do you dudes think? Would these fine specimens be at home on the Hovey sister's walls?

And what would you choose: flash or fur?

Things Made From Things

I love things en masse.  Take something small and insignificant and multiply it by 100, suddenly you have an interesting collection.  Take something small and kinda cool, then multiply that by 1,000 and shape it into something awesome then, well, then you have a blog post. 

Scott Jarvie Recycled Straw Clutch Chair

Nendo Designed Fabric Scrap Cabbage Chair

Fully Loaded Chair made from shotgun shells by Alexander Reh (yes, I've blogged about this before here)

balloona stool confetti by natalie kruch for umbra made from 500 balloons

Tide Chandelier made from collection of man made debris washed up on Kent coastline by Stuart Haygarth

Tail Light Chandelier Also by Stuart Haygarth

Mr. Haygarth is pretty much the king of making things out of things, view his entire site here

Volivik 347, Bic Pen Chandelier by en Pieza

#2 Pencil Chandelier by Daisuke Hiraiwa Gallery via inhabitat