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By Tracy Bulla -- Home Accents Today, 8/1/2005

Seductive Specimens

Driven by a horror of bugs and other creepy crawlies, Christopher Marley's fear slowly turned to fascination, even if it was out of desperation to avoid insects. Today, he creates unique art out of actual specimens under the name of Form and Pheromone. Form, for the structured, symmetrical appeal of his designs and Pheromone, for the chemical stimulant that insects (and humans) use to attract one another. "People like to have something that is a conversation piece," Marley said. "There is a design element that is both contemporary and architectural, as well as conservation-friendly." Prices range from $200 to $1,500 for pieces featuring rare specimens. eLink 538

First Glass

Ariel introduced its first-ever lighting collection in Dallas, designed to complement, but not match, current wall art offerings. Hand-blown glass table lamps feature hand-painted shades, but are also sold with a solid white silk shade for a less dramatic look. Chock full of vibrant color and bold patterns, these contemporary lamps can hold their own as individual works of art. By October, the initial selection will be expanded to around 75 lamps, as well as 45 coordinating accessory pieces such as bowls, vases and chargers. Retail prices range from $250 to $350 for lamps. eLink 540

Hail Britannia

Bath House, a bath and body line from the picturesque Lake District area of England, makes its cross-Atlantic debut this month. Bath House offers lush, intoxicating scents like Spanish Fig & Walnut and Indian Ginger & Orchid as well as Shantung, Riviera and Cloud Flower. Bath House is originally a design firm, working with companies like French Connection, according to Jessica Knowlton, co-founder of Latitude Partners, which imports the line. "The philosophy behind Bath House is beautifully designed products on the outside but good product on the inside." Bath House is Latitude Partners' second British import; Pecksniff's, which launched in June 2004 as a collection of bath, body and perfumes, is created by a high-end perfumery in Brighton that specializes in bespoke fragrances. Pecksniff's first soap collection will launch this month, in accord with the collection's concept of fragrance classification by personality type. Retail prices for Bath House range from $8 to $28, with Pecksniff's running from $12 to $80. eLink 536

Sea-Worthy

Gracious Living, a six-month-old tabletop and accessory company, is going for the Wow! factor. "It's been a knockout reaction," said Jay Weinstein, president. "People walk past and do a double-take." While designs run the gamut from wood-shaving vases to a decorative brass nautilus shell, Gracious Living's lineup shows off a strong fascination with the ocean and its inhabitants. All-natural, organic materials (nothing endangered) from the sea make up the bulk of the collection, spotlighting unexpected, highly stylish interpretations of the ongoing shell trend. "It's unusual," Weinstein explains. "It's the kind of line you either love or walk away from." Price points fall between $10 and $750. eLink 537

Glam Rocks

A little bling is a good thing, says Manorisms owner Merilyn Konnerth. Even better if the bling is Swarovski-encrusted earphones for your Ipod. Thanks to Manorisms' new Shuga Buds, listening to music has been elevated to a swank, stylish form of entertainment. Konnerth, who spends a lot of time on planes, has always traveled with her own small earbud-style earphones. While shopping in a bead store one day, inspiration struck and she decided to jazz up her earphones. Konnerth knew she had a hit on her hands during the Shuga Bud's very first flight when the female passengers and flight attendants were begging to know where she got them. A great add-on sale, these nifty earphones strike a chord with the fashionable set, glamorizing the already-hip Ipod craze, and are the perfect pick-me-up gifts. Five crystal colors offer a choice for outfit-matching types ($43). eLink 535

Floored

This past July, Shaw Living and Kathy Ireland Home debuted a new rug collection inspired by the traditional, yet modern quilts of Gee's Bend. Acclaimed as modern folk art, the exquisite hand-sewn quilts are designed by women of the Gee's Bend collective in rural Alabama. The quilts, which have garnered impressive reviews as they toured major museums across the country, have amassed an almost cult-like following as much for the story behind the art as the actual designs. Seven designs were introduced as part of the premier collection, including Blocks & Strips, inspired by a 1935 pattern made of work clothes, and Roman Stripes, based on a 1975 design created entirely from corduroy. "These artists are brilliant and their designs are treasures," Ireland said. "Bound by faith and family, these women invest their precious time raising children, working for their families, and sewing together old scraps, making objects of amazingly refined, stunning and abstract beauty." Rugs retail for $449 for a 5×8. eLink 539

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Current

By Tracy Bulla -- Home Accents Today, 8/1/2005

Seductive Specimens

First Glass

Hail Britannia

Sea-Worthy

Glam Rocks

Floored

Talkback

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