Hey there Mary! How does your city garden grow? I recently came across Urbanware who has the most delightful urban platters, especially designed for city dwellers trying their hardest to utilize small spaces to grow and display their green friends. Steel planters handmade by British craftsman that are completely weatherproof, colorful, and stylish – for outdoors or in! The Hanging Garden for the balcony comes with a lockable attachment to keep it in place. Try the Wall Garden that can either be fixed to walls or railings, or used as a free standing container. It’s slim and very sleek. Have a windowsill? Try the Still Garden, ideal for herbs. The Sitting Garden is another free standing container that is perfect for use in your rooftop garden or terrace. Then there’s the corner garden and standing garden designs too. All were designed to meet the needs of the urban dweller, and I’d say they score big on every level!

But wait, there’s more… You can even design your steel planters with lasercut weatherproof stickies, too. (Urbanware can also customize (bespoke) an exclusive design just for you or your business.) Currently, you can choose from the following motifs: Ostrich, Ivy, Ibis, or Camouflage. Sweet, huh?

In addition to their wide array of steel planters, Urbanware creates hand thrown terracotta pots that are anything but typical of what you’d find in most garden shops. Some are tall and slim, others Asian-inspired, all combine simplicity with form, function and beauty. For a full view of all Urbanware products, pricing, and retailers, click here.

If you’re interested in obtaining a 15% discount, simply enter your email address. As soon as Urbanware officially launches their website, they’ll give you a discount on your purchase! Easy!

(images from urbanware)

Don’t you just adore this fresh citron chandelier? These delicate lemon slices in handblown glass are simply lovely, I’d really like to place a few of these over a work table in the kitchen or in a trendy cafe over a bar. Problem is with nearly all of Anthropologie’s lighting, it’s soooo super expensive. Most of my clients would never throw down $3,000.00 for a light fixture, neither would I for that matter — for two reasons. For one, I get tired of material goods quite quickly, always looking to upgrade or replace with a new style. It’s not a good trait, I know. And reason numero deux, I’m a renter and certainly not able to replace current fixtures even if I did fall into a truckload of cash.

It’s still lovely to peek at these designs, despite how unattainable they are for most of us, and perhaps scout for something similiar that is more in our price range. I still love Anthropologie though. Sigh.

(images from anthropologie)

Danish designer Claire Requa from Accent Design creates these flirty 2-dimensional chandeliers constructed of acrylic that you assemble yourself, and then on the other side of the spectrum, she designs the more conservative barrel lampshades that can be used for pendant lighting or floor lamps. Find a retailer here.

Chandeliers seem to be changing these days, taking on fresh new designs, lighter, more playful. I see acrylic versions everywhere here in Germany. What do you think of these acrylic chandeliers with the single lightbulb in the center?

(images from accent design)

Time to do the TGIF happy dance! I love Friday… Ever since I was a little girl, Friday equals total freedom. I’m especially excited today since I have an assignment in the Netherlands this weekend. I can’t wait to travel on the ICE (high speed train), attend the 5th annual Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven and meet with my new friend Danielle, whom I met online via decor8. I have no clue what is actually in store for me over in Eindhoven, but I’m sure the fair will keep me pretty occupied.

Today I’ll post some fresh finds along with a few studio tours from some local hot talent (local to Hannover Germany), and then I’m outta here. I’ll return on either Monday or Tuesday (pending) with lots of goodies for you to enjoy, so I hope you’ll meet me back here then.

Back in a minute!

(images from ddw)

decor8 reader Julia needs our help.

“OK, so I know linoleum isn’t exactly the hottest thing going these days. But we have a storage room with a cement floor in our basement that I’d like to turn into an exercise room and after thinking about tile and laminate, I thought, “hey, what’s up with linoleum these days?” I’m wondering if you or your readers have any ideas on a hip, modern take on linoleum. Or any suggestions of where to look.”

Julia — Try Forbo – Marmoleum (Dutch) a nice sturdy flooring that seems to be a big hit by various homeowners out there. There’s also flooring giant, Armstrong, they have great linoleum that can give your space either a retro or a very modern look. It’s quite enviro-friendly, long lasting (up to 40 years!), and it’s very easy to clean. May work nicely in your basement gym. The saturated solids are fresh and lively, and you can mix and match colors to create a fun floor if you feel like getting a little creative.

In addition to linoleum, have you considered cork flooring as an option?

Anyone else have some suggestions for Ms. Julia????

[UPDATE 10/27: I was so excited to see a comment from reader Vanessa on this subject, complete with photos of her own DIY project. "My boyfriend and I recently installed a new linoleum floor in our kitchen. We based our pattern on an idea from "Domino" magazine; each piece was cut in two, and we alternated colors for a rectangular arrangement of blues, greens, tans and greys (see photo below). Overall, we're quite pleased with the 50's-yet-modern vibe, and it's nice to know that the linoleum was both cheap and earth-friendly. Not a combination you often find in home decorating! You can see pictures of our upgrade here."]

(image from armstrong)