Do you surf flickr photo pools for inspirational images? I’m a huge fan of flickr; I have built quite a collection of interesting groups that I flip through each week. Most of these people aren’t bloggers, they simply love to snap photos and use flickr as a tool to reach out to one another.

Did you know that even Domino magazine has a flickr pool? It’s not very active, but you can easily join and post, so please do. So far there is only 9 of us, but I’d like to see the group grow, so if you’d like to join… About the Domino group: “We invite domino magazine readers to share photos of their homes. Get decorating advice. Show before and after photos of your reno project and more!”

I found these images of vintage button packages (so pretty!) in the seaside rose garden flickr pool. Lovely! I’m especially fond of the package shown above in peacock blue with the lady twirling her parasol. Don’t you wish such care went into designing button packages today? Last time I checked, they were just plain white paper…

(images from seaside rose garden)

Don’t you just adore Sesame Letterpress? Their happy coasters are just too sweet, and a much smarter way to rest your beverage vs. a cocktail napkin. Glasses tend to bead up with ‘sweat’, especially in the summer, and like toilet paper stuck on the bottom of your shoe, sipping a drink as you chat it up with a cute boy or business partner only to notice a napkin stuck on the bottom is quite embarrassing. I’m a coaster girl or linen napkin lady. I don’t like paper beverage napkins. I’m not being snobby here, but they just don’t do it for me.

In addition to being just plain cute and affordable, coasters are perfect for your summer patio parties, simply scatter them around to add hints of festive modern graphics to your decor. It’s fun to write cheeky messages or quotes on the back of them, or even a few revealing questions. During your party, ask all of the guests to flip over a coaster and read aloud what it says, perks up the party by adding a little life. Also shows your guests that you put some thought into the event.

Anyone have any non-traditional uses for coasters that you’d like to comment about? I love hearing quirky tips on how to use items in different ways…

Please contact Sesame Letterpress in Brooklyn for more information.

(images from sesame letterpress)

Of course, we all know and love Angela Adams for her magnificant rugs, stationery, handbags, homewares… But did you know she offers two collections of jaw-dropping tile, Forms and the second, Graphics, through Ann Sacks. I love her geometric, organic patterns… Seeing them on tile is completely awe-inspiring. Makes me want to tile my entire kitchen and bath with them someday…

Graphics (above) is a collection of fresh decorative tiles available in many colors, sizes, and finishes.

Forms (below) are pressed in earthenware tile to create a subtle relief with soft imperfect lines – they’re so tactile, I just want to run my hands over these luscious beauties.

Bio: Angela Adams’ designs reflect an aura of timelessness, simplicity, and balance. A native of Maine, Adams began at an early age to assemble a library of her sketches capturing the remote and harsh natural beauty of life off the coast of Maine. These renderings, based in her experiences, were thoughtfully transitioned from paper into a versatile mix of textiles, rugs, hand bags, belts, and home accessories.

Tip: If you don’t own a home, wouldn’t it be pretty to mount some of your favorite tiles in individual wood frames and display them on your wall? Or, add felt ‘feet’ and use one as a trivet or to place a candle.

(images from ann sacks)

‘Tis the season for entertaining countless friends from out of town… Some drop-ins, others, well invited (smirk). For both sets, here’s how to deal with the Real Simple online guide to preparing your home for your overnight guests, complete with a nifty houseguest checklist that you can download.

(images from real simple magazine)

Talk about attention to detail! Bumping up the total kitcsch factor today, we have crazy kooky gifts from The Sarut (pronounced Sa-roo) Group based in Brooklyn, New York. Alan Ceppos and Frederic Rambaud, the principals of The Sarut Group, hand pick numerous distinct collections designed to “inspire, educate and entertain”.

Their contemporary-designed gift items and decorative accessories are as fun as they are functional and, in a world of plain red dust pans and ordinary metal cheese graters, why not take simple things and transform them into something kitcschy chic. Fun! [shown above: veggie peelers, graters, dust bins + elephant funnels!]

(images from the sarut group)