Do not fear the loyal doily! Listen to your grandmother, your lacey round friends can be quite practical and, with thanks to designers giving them a fresh creative spin, even trendy. And because they resemble snowflakes, I'm thinking this is another reason for their increased popularity in the cooler months. If you prefer to take the doily into your own hands (a little DIY'er are you?), perhaps this post will offer you a few affordable ideas where you have an ah-ha moment, "I can do that myself!". Because in some cases, you certainly can!

{via Inhabitat}

These look pretty simply pinned to a linen board as a decorative touch. This is the work area of Holly Waterfield's office space in the West Village at her boutique, Camp. Notice the many doilies framed above her desk...

Another modern use for a traditional piece - shape one into
something pretty just like blogger Sweet Paul did here.
Artsy! {via Emma}

While in Europe, I spotted the darling doily on linens and plates, even clothing, and now back in the states, I'm seeing them around town trying to win your favor and love despite how most tend to view them as, well old-fashioned and boring. Ah, c'mon... Show a little doily love. After this post, you may just start rummaging through the attic or hitting the local flea to find a few that you can bring forward into 2007. That's my goal.

Tips: I think it would be fun to hand sew a few to the bottom edge of a linen curtain (tone on tone is best for this look to stay modern vs. kitschy) or apply a few in random areas on a throw pillow. You can even use the paper ones and with a little spray glue, affix them to the exterior of a glass lantern or candle holder. Candles look so pretty glowing behind their intricate patterns.

Hannover-based German artist Evelyn Hahn incorporates doilies
into her mixed media art, on display here at Gross Stadt Rekorder.

Wrapping paper from Eieio at Rose + Radish, a doily chair by
the uber talented Tara Murray, the many ceramic bowls and plates
from Country Creek Pottery, the gorgeous work of
London artist Mhari McMullan. Are you a believer yet?

Unblossom salt crystal bowl vis Inhabitat.

Of course, you can always count on the craft queen Martha Stewart
for a few good ideas. I like the Lacy Luminarias, the
Lovely Lace DIY idea, doily envelopes, and
the doily-edges shelves - this is a nice idea for a kid's room.

Thomas Paul is in on this motif, he has some
dinner plates offered over at Velocity Art + Design with
a goth vibe.

Floating vintage doilies framed from Dima Designs,
Small Stump "Tea For Me" Silkscreen print
(she churns out the cutest stuff), and
sweet retro pillows from Dottie Angel.

Or you can be all fancy pants with these 22K gold plates
by notNeutral, also at Velocity.

Modern doily gift tags and cards created by May Third.

Crocheted doily jewelry, and another darling creation from
Dottie Angel: dish towels. Tea towels "Tree House" from
new Scandinavian design store (in the USA - yeah!), Huset.
Love this store. You will too. Contrary uses a doily in her
dyptych painting, "When I Was Happy".

Doilies influence New Hampshire-based artist Gina Adams.

This is perhaps my favorite of the bunch based on the story alone. How cute is this?

"The doily will be handmade by my mother who has been crocheting for over 50 years! She has made nearly 2000 of these doilies and therefore I guarantee the quality. The cost is $15 for up to 8 letters. Each additional letter would be $2.00."

The Suspect Shop seems to be inspired by our little lace friends too.

First Snow patterned dinnerware just released by Rosanna at Kekk2.

Crate and Barrel has some dessert plates, felt placemats
(I picked one up for my coffee table over the weekend),
and some very dainty glasses with a doily motif.
Perfect for something a little boozey. :)

Psst: Free crochet doily pattern links {via Inhabitat}.

And for all the fashion victims out there, this doily tee from Urbans is a great piece to throw on beneath a cardigan or black velvet blazer.

So now I ask, do you or don't you desire a doily?

(images: All from those cited in this entry, with the exception of the intro image via Inhabitat.)