Spring Cleaning

As it's that time of year when most people feel like de-cluttering, I thought this would be a perfect post. My life, I feel, is un-declutterable (new word I think) but I can do something with my desk and these cute little houses might just be that kick in the rear I need to get started.

Under my Roof is a new project by artist Christian Vivanco and they are inspired by the very traditional red roofed cottages and typical dollhouses. You can create a whole little village on your desk by mixing and matching the three house variations. Let the cleansing begin!

FPM Design - Gift Guide

As we're in full swing of the holidays I thought I'd share some great gifts I have come across in my browsing. These gifts are of all price ranges and the only thing they have in common is that they caught my eye for their look, their ingeniousness or simply because they made me smile and that is really the point behind a gift.

For Him:

Chemex Classic Coffee Maker & Filter

The inside story of NYC Highline

Ice Tube Decanter

John Houshmand Coffee Table

Keiji Ashizawa Drawer Shelf

Restoration Hardware wood watch

Clue board game

Window Farm 

For Her:

Notecards by Castle on the Hill (Available on Etsy)

Claus Porto soap set

Dean Harris ring

Kobo Candles

'Louis Vuitton: Architecture and Interiors' Book (available at Rizzoli) 

Natalie Chanin Ceramics

For the Kids:

Batik print - by Anakijo (Available on Etsy)

Custom correspondance kits - (available at http://thompsonfamily.typepad.com)

Lego Architecture - Fansworth House

Lego Architecture - Taj Mahal

'I Love Wind' print by Montse Miquel (Available on Etsy)

Felt Tea Set by Pixiekids (Available on Etsy)

Faux fur hats by Restoration Hardware

Unless otherwise stated these gifts can be searched for online.

Window Shopping

To continue with the holiday theme, what is more iconic than the wonderfully artistic store windows which each year grace the streets of New York City? My absolute favorite was Bergdorf Goodman. They always put on quite a spectacle, but this year, in my humble opinion, they outdid themselves with their "Carnival of Animals" theme.

Then there is the always fantastical world of Macy's. They worked with 'Make a Wish' and narrate the story of a spacecraft which goes into space to grant wishes.

Tiffany's went bigger than usual and transformed their smaller windows into carnival rides to astounding and playful effect.

Lord and Taylor always manage to have the most creative windows year round. For the holidays they went with a family oriented theme keeping with the more traditional interpretation of Christmas.

Saks' windows keep a less colorful but nonetheless playful approach to their holiday windows. Their theme is from the book "Who Makes the Snow".

Last but not least, Bloomingdale's went with interactive windows where passers by can take a photograph of themselves which will then be posted on the store's Facebook page, very amusing and addictive if I am honest. The theme is a play on the iconic Bloomingdale's shopping bag with the addition of penguins, reindeers and of course a skating Santa.