Joe Versus the Volcano Inspired . . . Trunks!

So. Yeah, it’s been awhile. Mind you, I keep a running list of topics (with links!) on which to write . . . it’s just been finding the time to write that’s kept me from doing so. So, sorry, my 3 dedicated readers.

I recently re-watched (for the billionth time) the classic film Joe Versus The Volcano . It is appropriate that I love that movie, considering it’s one of the more whimsical films out there. Brain clouds, suicide by volcano, a tribe of South Pacific Islanders who only want orange soda?

Everyone remembers Joe’s trunks. He buys four of them in Manhattan, at such a hefty (unrevealed) price it prompts the salesman to say, “May you live to be a thousand years old, sir.” I don’t know about you, but the salespeople at Payless Shoes have never said that to me. He then goes on to use the four trunks as a raft that saves his and Meg Ryan’s lives (back before the lip injections, so she was worth saving).

Anyhoo, today’s post is in honor of that movie and those trunks. Decorating with trunks and suitcases is nothing new, but it is a favorite of mine. Especially vintage, old stuff. There aren’t a ton of links for ones to buy here, because you really just need to start heading to your local flea markets and thrift shops and hunt them down.

What to do with them? With trunks, use them as a coffee table or as storage or a bench at the foot of your bed. You’d obviously want flat-topped (as opposed to domed) trunks for this purpose. The more brass, buckles, leather straps, and wear and tear the better, in my humble opinion.

Here’s a link to some vintage ones sold online at Brettun’s Village.

Here’s a great one for sale, but, since this is Pottery Barn, its $1300.

What? I’ll just get a vintage one, thanks. Lots of stores carry versions from time to time… Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, etc.. . . you just have to look.

This armored trunk is pretty fabulous. Less than $300, and look at all the colors it comes in! This is a different, but equally fabulous, decor idea-- it's not vintagey, but it's very mod. Consider your existing furnishings and the look you're going for when picking out any new piece of furniture or decoration. The white and silver would work in almost any décor. The navy and wine are really sleek. Get the purple or pink for a kid’s room…

Look at how great these look . . .





For vintage suitcases, the most popular use is to stack them. You can stack them anywhere as “art” or just to show them off, or you can stack them to make tables, like end tables. Depending on what sort of look you’re going for, I’d get matching suitcases for a more elegant look, and mismatched in color and size for a more vintagey, bohemian look.
Here’s a picture of matching ones as a bedside table. Gorgeous:


Here are some mismatched ones stacked as an entry table. How great is that hallway?


Brettun’s Village also has an ever-changing: selection of suitcases, too.

Of course, if you’re really into DIY are are very handy, the options are unlimited! Take a look at this suitcase chair and ottoman. Fantastic.

Decorate with "flowers"-- part two.

Part one of this series dealt with vases. In Part two, I discuss what wonderful whimsical things to put in those vases. And why I keep putting "flowers" in quotation marks.

First, as I said in part one, it pays to think outside of the "fresh flower bouquet + vase = decor" equation. There are lots of other ways to incorporate plants, botanicals, and even fresh flowers into your decor:

If you love fresh flowers, consider bud vases. On a dining room table, place a bud vase with a solitary flower in each at each person's place setting. Or, group a bunch of bud vases in the center of the table. If you group them, make them coordinate but contrast to make this work: go for the same color vase but in different heights and/or shapes, or the same shape but in different colors. This is much more visually interesting than a plain solitary vase with a sad little bouquet from the bodega. : (


I love Chiasso's pear vases as bud vases to use at each person's place setting. Remember part one, though-- anything can be a vase. Use classic drinking glasses as bud vases!

Another idea for fresh flowers is to carefully take the flower tops off the stems and float them. Three or four floating in a big bowl is nice. I also love solitary flowers floating in vases or cups.

For whimsical centerpieces, big, naked branches are great. Manzanita is known to wedding planners the world over. These sturdy and pretty branches can be used as centerpieces or in a vase. I like them naked in the middle of a table, but you can hang small votives from the branches, or decorate it with the tops of real or fake flowers. If you want it in a vase, get a large one, like a giant candle hurricane, and put it on the floor-- big branches looks better resembling a majestic tree than trying to pass itself off as a flower. You can buy nice branches at florists, but Blooms&Branches have a great selection of manzanita, grapewood, and Ghostwood.

Similarly, dried grasses, fun-looking twigs, dried plant pods, and pussy willows are widely available. A bunch of one kind of these in a tall, cylindrical vase looks fresh and modern and goes with any room decor. Blooms&Branches has a good selection of pods, pussy willow, curly willow, and the like.

Another more whimiscal alternatives to fresh flowers are fake flowers. But stay away from cheap silk ones-- you can usually tell, and these make you look like your couch should be covered in plastic. Beaded flowers and glass flowers all look gorgeous, and celebrate the fact that they are not real (ie, you're not trying to pass off silk flowers as the real thing. . .).

Another idea is paper flowers. Pop Flower Shop makes really cute, statement-making arrangements. One in the bathroom and on the guest room nightstand would look great, and they never die!


Blooms and Blossoms, again, also sell their own version of fake flowers that look much more elegant than cheap silk ones. I love the 1" B&B Special flowers and the Sola Ming Roses. .

I have an almost fetishistic love for succulents. These are also really hardy-- you only have to water them once ever 1-3 months! Put them in the sun and you are good to go. They always look fantastic to me. There are numerous directions online for how to make your own "succulent garden"; not that it's hard-- buy a bunch of different succulents, remove them from the plastic containers, and re-plant them in a nice looking planter. I especially love them clustered together in a bowl or long, narrow planter. I'm working on one using Jamali Garden's slate tray. If you're not a DIY-er at all, Greenware Design's Etsy shop makes small, beautiful succulent gardens in handmade pots.

Finally, air plants are something you don't see everywhere. They are even less work than succulents, as they don't need water or soil! Plop a bunch of these beauties on a gorgeous tray or plate, or place individuals in clear glass vases. I lurve Viva Terra's Recycled Glass Terrarium with air plants. Another option to make your own is to use Sprout Home's glass orbs . Air plants can be found online and in florist shops.

Decorate with "flowers"-- part one.

Unlike most people, I would think, I'm not really a big fan of real, fresh flowers. They are wonderful to get as a present, but for me that's because of the thought and generosity involved. They are also beautiful to look at and do make me happy, of course (I'm not a monster!). But then they die, and I forget to clean the vase, and then I have decomposed flower remains stuck to the bottom of it. And then I put that in the sink to soak, and forget about it, and then have wet decomposed flower remains and a scum ring on the sink . . .

As for use in decorating, they don't serve a purpose for me. You put a bunch of flowers out, and then they die, now you have a big empty spot! It makes more sense to put a more permanent flower-y decoration there. There are too many other things that don't die, and, more importantly, are more interesting than a bouquet of flowers. Decorating with flowers and plants is another opportunity to show creativity and a love of nature, and they can really enhance a space. So Part one is "let's talk vases," and part two is about what to put in those vases.

I'm guilty of it too-- someone sends me gift flowers, and I re-use the free, clear glass vase that came with them. It's easy and convenient. But really, this just broadcasts that my decorating skills extend as far as lazy and convenient. And that's not me, or you. Don't just look at vases and planters as a holder for the plants inside them. Vases should be pieces of art themselves, something to look at, something that enhances whatever is inside.

Secondly, don't restrict yourself to shopping for things labeled/marketed as "vases." Any receptacle works as a vase! Think outside the box: creamers, sugarers, statues, candle holders, bowls, glasses, teapots, etc. . . Just make sure that if you're going to put something in it requiring water that the receptacle is water-safe. The options are limitless if you don't need water (which is mostly what I decorate with. See part two.)

Here are some ideas:


Here's an example of a non-vase that would make a great vase, as it is technically a creamer. This is so clever, a glass version of the old-skool school milk cartons. I'd use this on a small nightstand or side table. Get it at FredFlare.



This vase is a piece of art in itself, exactly what you want. I love the simple, clean lines. This would look great anywhere. Find it at the MoMA Store.



This vase is fabulous-- it just crash-landed! Again, a piece of art itself, so you don't need to go crazy embellishing it with 2 tons of peonies. Keep it simple so both the "flowers" and the vase are highlighted. Buy this at Molla Space.

Cool, modern planters are harder to come by, and tend to be very expensive. Again, though, think outside the box and remember that most anything can be used. With planters, though, you're planting a big plant, and not using it for "flowers." So you have to be careful, because most plants require soil, and most soil needs drainage for the water.

Some other great places to find vases/vase alternatives are CB2, IKEA, and Jamali Garden (all three of these are also super cheap in addition to having great design). But remember to look everywhere.

Make everyday things nice.

We all need things. Most of these things have to do with storage. This is especially true in NYC, where storage and general space is often limited, so lots of things can no longer be hidden.

But instead of frowning on such situations, rejoice! This is a decorating opportunity to be seized! Make those everyday ugly things into something to celebrate.

Can't hide your laundry bin in the closet anymore? Huzaah! Invest in the Blomus Squaro Laundry Bin from All Modern.



No one will suspect your dirty socks are inside. You can even put a plant on top of it when you're not actively disposing of laundry and it doubles as an awesome-looking side table.

Garbage is another one. In my previous apartment, the kitchen did not have those swanky pull-out garbage cans. I had to have one right there in plain view. If this is the case, why not get a garbage can that will win you compliments instead of that unceasing sense of shame? Blomus to the rescue, again.


The Blomus Squaro Wastepaper Basket on the right is the twin of the laundry bin. Doesn't it look like a little industrial apartment building? The Blomus Intro Pushman Trash Can on the left is so retro-cool.

Even if we're not talking about the kitchen trash, don't let the plastic bucket steer you wrong in other rooms of the house. Check out the fantastic lobster and coral designs on these more-upscale bins, perfect for the bedroom or office.


Lobster and coral bins at the Well Dressed Home.

What about Fluffy's food? I know, we all have the matching plastic bowls from the drugstore. Fluffy doesn't care, but people in your house see that. Don't give them the opportunity to judge your pet-parenting skills.

Why not invest in the Alessi feeder , in four cheerful colors? Fluffy likes it better, too.

There are other things in our homes that, while not inducing the embarassment that unchecked trash and pet food does, could be upgraded to show your personality. Why re-fill the coffee cups at the dinner party with the old carafe from the coffee maker? This carafe from the MoMA Store lets you serve in style. I adore the bright red color and bulbous belly.

The MoMA Store gets it right again with this pot lid. Look at the little pig face! Imagine the envy of your friends and family (which, let's be honest, is what we all crave) when you whip this out and they're stuck using a boring cast-iron lid.

The point is, think outside the box. Everyday things don't have be ugly, even if all they're doing is holding rotten food. Your home is a reflection of you, and the essence is in the details.

Today, one day only-- animal heads!

I love them. Done right, they are not tacky. Done right, they are green and eco-friendly. No deer died in the making of these heads!


This is an example of a head done poorly. This = tacky. Don't do this. Ironically, this is from a catalog/website called A Touch of Class. Um, no.

A Touch of Whimsy's rule of thumb for animal heads: if it's inflatable, realistically painted, or plush, it's a no.

This is my favorite. Husband, if you're reading right now, I want this for my birthday. At $200, it's not chump change, but it's acutally a good price for one of this size. The white keeps it modern and minimal.

Imagine how great it would look over a slim-line couch. Put a little pizzazz in your sex life by hanging it over your bed. Nothin' says lovin' like being watched by a resin deer. Buy it here from Z Gallerie. They also have a moose!

This smaller, more antique-y looking head can be found at The Well Dressed Home.
I love the little wreath around his neck. Good price at $65.

Below, this deer and moose head on are just on the verge of right. At $70, they are very affordable. However, the bare-wood look is not good, unless you're going for that hunting cabin look. But buy a can of spray paint and go to town, and you're in business.

White is obviously a good choice, but black, hot pink, or really any neon color would be cool too. Just try to make it coordinate with the rest of the room decor, and keep other bright objects to a minimum. If you have a lime green moose head on your wall, that should be the focal point. Ya dig?
Buy them from Amazon here for the moose and here for the deer.

Finally, for the truly adventurous, check out Jen Khoshbin's creations at her Etsy store, Ruby's Lounge. She covers her deer heads in all manner of wall paper, and will even do a custom head for you.

At $375, they're the most expensive, but you pay for the artiste. $100 off all heads right now, too. Again, make sure something like this coordinates and is the focal point of the room.

Trees and botanicals-- live in a forest!

Or approximate one.

I don't know when my love of tree- and plant-designs began, but it's been a lifelong affair. Below are some of my favorite decor ideas involving botanical designs. They inspire nature without being tacky, and, of course, are all just a liiiittle bit curious. You won't find these in the Plaza Hotel, you know what I'm sayin'?

Z Gallerie's twig coat rack is fabulous in coat rack form. In silver! I'm a silver girl-- it looks more clean and modern. Brass and gold look too Louis XIV to me, especially in decorating. You don't even have to hang coats on it. Stick in the corner as a statement all it's own.
But it here.

I first saw this wallpaper (on the left) in the now-defunct Domino magazine, as the background to a piece on speakers. Then it was on an HGTV show. Then it was supposed to be in my bathroom, but then I found out that its $200 per roll, and the only distributor in my area serves "the trade" only.
So then I found THIS wallpaper (on the right), which costs half the price and comes in several different color combinations. Put it on one wall of a bedroom with minimal, modern furniture and white curtains and bedspread.
Buy the less expensive version here.

While I'm on it, look at all the wallpaper on this site. It's called Wallpaper from the 70s, which makes me think of brown and lime green swirls or something, but they're actually really, really gorgeous.

I love birch design above all else. This vase makes me very happy. This designer, Michael Aram, actually does a lot in birch motifs.
Find the collection at Macy's.

I saw these napkin rings at ABC Carpet & Home in NYC and died and went to heaven. Is $60 too much to pay for 4 napkin rings? I don't even own linen napkins! But they're birch. So. . . . no.

Would it be tacky or whimsical to put napkin rings on paper napkins? I jest, of course.
Buy Michael Michaud's version here.

Whimsical stuff makes me happy.

Recently, my husband and I had to renovate our house. "Had to" is a strong word, but it does apply to half the renovations. In any event, the whole house was taken down to the studs and brought back up. As this is my first real house, I was suddenly opened to the world of being able to paint walls and decorate like crazy.

So began my quest to design and decorate the house. My whole family has an artistic streak, and I think I have a pretty good eye. As it turns out, my love of whimsical and weird in all things in life extends into decorating, as well. Although I like to think I avoid crossing into tacky, this blog is my outlet to share the curious things I love. Enjoy.