Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I receive a commission if you visit a link and buy something on my recommendation. Purchasing via an affiliate link doesn’t cost you any extra, and I only recommend products and services I trust. All opinions are my own. For more details see my Disclosure Policy and Privacy Policy.
Every once in a while, I stumble upon things that make me audibly gasp—like the internet just reached out, grabbed my soul, and whispered, “This is for you.” These finds aren’t always practical (or budget-friendly), but they fuel my creativity, get my wheels turning, and make me dream in high definition. I do a roundup of these items every month and bring them to you.
All it takes is doing a little research, which is my specialty. And if you don’t particularly like spending hours finding spectacular items, I will gladly go down the rabbit hole in search of unique and beautiful products for you.
If you’re into curating your Pinterest Boards like a beautiful piece of art and you love beautiful things like me, please check out the first two blog posts from this year. If you would like to see even more, do a deep dive into my Lifestyle category on the blog. You’ll find more “Giving Me Life” posts.
Giving Me Life – Black History Month
Giving Me Life Right Now – First of the Year
So, here’s my latest roundup of what’s been giving me life lately.
Furniture
Forget standard four-legged furniture—chairs that look like abstract sculptures and tables that defy gravity are where it’s at. I’m talking about wavy-legged side tables, chunky, amorphous coffee tables, and dining chairs that make you do a double take. Who needs conventional when you can have a piece of functional art?
Unusual Chairs
I love chairs because you can always be more traditional with your sofa and add an unusual “accent” chair to spice things up. Whether in the fabric, the material or the shape, there’s so many cool chairs out there to choose from so why not be adventurous. It used to be that artisanal chairs were not comfortable, but now designers are really zeroing in on form and function.
How in the world did they even do this? A chair carved out of a tree is amazing.
Vintage has always been my jam and this ski lift chair with an orange powder coat is fabulous for a mountain cabin or just because.
Remember back in the day when our parents used to have these chairs attached to tables where you would put the house phone. No, just me? Well they were a thing and you would have somewhere to sit since the phone cord only stretched so far. This brutalist chair table is awesome.
Tables
Same thing with tables in that you can and should do something totally different in your decor that speaks to only you. Take the time to find something unique whether vintage, built by a talented furniture maker or found at a curated website that searches the world. So much goodness out there.
This ceramic, brass and glass coffee table certainly qualifies as something unique doesn’t it?
Onyx is one of my favorite materials because the light shines so beautifully through it. And who doesn’t love marble?
This is actually a pink quartzite (not marble) table with amber glass inserts. You can keep the top all pink or funk it up if you flip the inserts to the amber side. I love the dual action on this.
Lighting
Lighting should never be an afterthought. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with lights that look more like art installations—squiggly sconces and pendants, lights in unexpected materials, and lighting that belongs in a modern art museum. The weirder, the better. Because if your lighting doesn’t make people pause and say, “Wait, what is that?”—is it even doing its job?
Chandeliers
Wavy patina on brass pipes with hand blown round light bulbs. This would certainly make a statement in any home or office.
Silver and Murano glass. A match made in heaven on this pendant.
This is so dope, and yes I’m aging myself, but I couldn’t think of another word for this cool green drop pendant lighting.
Sconces
I’ve always loved brass and this hammered brass sconce looks so great on a moody wall.
I’m always looking on Etsy for unique items, so don’t sleep on them. This hand blown glass and stone sconce is just stunning.
This is very Modern Flintstone. If you don’t know what I mean, check out my blog post on what I’ve coined “Modern Flintstone”. It looks like Fred and Wilma would have this on their wall and I love it. Modern Flintstone is a Design Style
Very funky light sconce that would make anybody swoon, right?
Wood Mashups
Wood is classic, but when you throw in unexpected materials like metal, marble, or just about anything else, it suddenly becomes next-level. Think sculptural wooden tables with brass inlays, oak chairs with woven leather seats, or sleek walnut cabinets with stone accents. That’s just a few of the mashups. There’s literally a million ways to use wood with other materials and I’m here for it.
Flooring
This is so spectacular that when I saw it, I stopped scrolling immediately. It looks like the marble is pouring down onto the floor. You could literally do anything when it hits the wood floor. Outlined with brass and it’s giving me life for real.
Wood tiles with metal edges? Sign me up.
I’ve been wracking my brain trying to figure out what this is. Is it wood tiles with red grout or patchwork wood with red grout? Whatever it is, I like it.
Mother of pearl inserts are so elegant but edgy at the same time.
Furniture
Japanese product design is one of my favorite aesthetics not only because they use “wabi-sabi” techniques, but because they use natural materials to make beautiful things that are so simple but stunning. This stone and wood bed frame is next level.
Mixing red metal inserts and a frame with wood on a table top takes this from “normal” to over the top.
Aluminum and wood tables are made to look so delicate.
A tree stump with cording turns this found item into a cute little stool.
A tree trunk inside a resin block? Sign me up immediately. Heart palpitations.
Ceramics
I have many loves, but ceramics/pottery is one of the Top 5. There’s something about knowing a hand was physically molding a piece of clay into a work of art that just gets me going. I’m surprised I’ve never tried a pottery class, but maybe I’ll put that on my bucket list.
Teapots
Call it my inner grandma, but a beautifully bizarre teapot just speaks to me. Whether it’s an exaggerated, sculptural handle, an unexpected color combo, or a shape that makes you wonder if it belongs in Alice in Wonderland, I love how a unique teapot can elevate a simple tea moment into something magical.
This cute little teapot is made unique with this exaggerated looped handle.
Can you even believe this teapot? Red, curvy and sexy at the same time.
These curvy teapots really got me in a chokehold this month like this pale blue looker. So many curves, so little time.
Black and White
There’s something so effortlessly chic about black and white tableware. Whether it’s graphic patterns, hand-painted designs, or simple yet striking striped dishes, these plates make even a sad Tuesday night dinner feel like an artful experience. Bonus points if they look like they belong in a European café.
Can you imagine a beautiful charcuterie spread on this? Nothing goes with black and white like bright colors as you can see with these tomatoes..
I love how all of the different black and white patterns go together. So chic.
This platter looks like it has hand drawn lines on it. Very artisanal and imperfect (wabi sabi) which I love.
Fashion
I always throw in some fashion items because I find that the world of interiors and fashion are intertwined. They often follow the same trends whether fashion being first or vice versa. I’m attracted to the uniqueness of fashion also.
Stripes
Stripes are having a moment (again), but this time, they’re coming in wild, playful, and in unexpected ways. Think mismatched stripe directions, rainbow-hued knit dresses, and wide-leg pants that make you feel like a Parisian artist with impeccable taste. It’s the perfect mix of classic and chaotic—exactly how I like my fashion.
This dress has a relatively simple silhouette but the origami layers take it up a notch. The black and white stripes and the colorful stripes make it so much fun.
I kept going back to this shirt and I think what gets me is not only the shape but the color scheme of red and gray.
Now, this is what I call an outfit! Even if you didn’t want to wear this all at once, try just the top with a white skirt or shorts, wear the pants with a solid shirt or you can even use the bag on its own. So many options.
Accessories
Accessories are definitely the jewelry of the outfit. Whether it’s literally jewelry, a fabulous handbag, a striking pair of shoes or some funky sunglasses, accessories make the outfit sing. I love to dress in monochrome outfits and use my accessories to do all the talking. Sometimes you only need one unique item to take it from ho-hum to fabulous.
Come on now. I can’t even find a word to describe this but I want it right now.
This dainty black purse was just elevated with this stunning ice blue acrylic chain strap.
Crochet and woven strips of cording were gorgeous at the Gucci runway show. I love the different colors and textures of this bag.
Bottega Veneta via Show Details
This would make me the belle of the gym with this cute blue Adidas bag and shoes. Almost makes me want to workout more.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses need their own category, right? Why have rose-colored glasses when you can have moody green and purple lenses or cherry red and happy yellow frames? I love sunglasses that are bold, oversized, and dripping with personality. Whether it’s a candy-colored retro look or a futuristic, geometric frame, these statement shades make me want to book a spontaneous vacation and channel my inner celebrity. Or maybe just go to the corner store. Why limit yourself?
Green lenses and a black retro frame; I want these so badly. The oversized chain will have you never losing your glasses again. If you know, you know.
I literally swooned when I saw these glasses and I spend about half a day looking for the designer. Couldn’t find it, but if anyone knows, do tell. These are spectacular.
Retro candy apple red. I can’t even explain how much I love these double framed glasses. From the cat-eye to the outer oversized frame, they’re totally making a statement.
Another pair of retro sunglasses in this Spring and Summer’s most trendy color, yellow!!!
The best part about these finds? They make me think about using materials and shapes in completely new ways. Even if I don’t own them (yet), they get my creative juices flowing and inspire me to take bolder, more unexpected design risks. And really, isn’t that the whole point?
Let me know in the comments what your favorites are and if you scroll endlessly looking at beautiful things like I do.
See ya next time!
0 Comments