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From chairs to chocolate, I couldn’t help but ooh and ahh over these items I’ve seen in the marketplace recently. Some are new and some are classic. Either way, I thought I’d share them with you:

Hand-Felted Metal Folding Chairs by Tanya Aquiniga

• Hand-Felted Metal Folding Chairs by Tanya Aquiniga – We all recognize this classic chair but the felt takes it to another level. Each chair is made to order which takes about 2-4 weeks,  for $1,200. Aguiniga has put her spin on some other iconic chairs too. See her full line of work at her website.

Ikea Lusy Blom Rug $39 approx 5x7

• Ikea Lusy Blom Rug I love this rug from Ikea. The colors and the pattern just make me happy. And for $39, how could you not run out and buy it? Size approximately 5×7.

Lacquered Leather iPhone Case ahalife.com

Lacquered Leather iPhone Case ahalife.com

• Lacquered Leather iPhone Case Embossed deerskin leather covers from Japan designed by Maruwakaya. Created using traditional Japanese techniques from the Edo period and decorated with heraldic emblems known as kamon, which were used to identify aristocratic families, they’re subtle and sophisticated. Fits the iPhone 3GS. Available thru ahalife.com for $199.

The Sartorialist Blog

• The Sartorialist Irresistibly chic people on the streets of Italy and New York are photographed in this blog. When you don’t know what to wear, just check-in with The Sartorialist and get a quick read on where fashion is now. These folks make clothes look effortless.

Spoonfudge

• Spoonfudge The Mississippi company making this decadent treat says Spoonfudge was designed to make us feel better about eating right out of the jar. Cool! With 15 flavors to offer including: like Dark Chocolate, Chocolate Caramallow, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Mexican Cocoa Zing it seems hard to go wrong. For $6, why not try a jar?

Swirl rug Paul Smith

• Swirl by Paul Smith I am so smitten by Paul Smith’s multi-stripes! Clearly, this is my dream rug since I can hardly even afford Paul Smith socks. But I’ll just keep wishing. Entirely hand made in Kathmandu, resulting in a stylish decorative accessory that will last a lifetime. From The Rug Company for approximately $125 per square foot.

According to one of my favorite websites, Apartment Therapy, “Showhouses are a bizarre animal — and the third Showtime House is no exception. Pulling inspiration from 7 Showtime original series, the designers mix high-concept and high-design into themed rooms for the public to tour. The Showtime house is especially interesting for its inclusion of several high-tech and emerging technologies — from computerized fabrication of furniture to design-your-own wallpaper.”

Here are a few images from the SHO House to whet your appetite. There are many more photos to see but I found these particularly intriguing. Check out all that’s going on in this lively room designed by Zatista’s very own September Guest Curator, Jason Oliver Nixon:

SHO House Weeds Lounge designed by Jason Oliver Nixon and John Loecke photo: apartmenttherapy.com

SHO House Weeds Lounge detail photo: apartmenttherapy.com

I’d like to take a look at this back lit art in person. I wonder if it’s digital?

SHO House hallway photo: apartmenttherapy.com

A bizarre tableau of unexpected elements: flat screen TV and living plant wall framed to look like a painting, all guarded by a giant bunny and glowing egg floor lamps…!

SHO House The Big C Clarity Lounge & Contemplation Room Living wall by Kokobo Plantscapes photo: apartmenttherapy.com

Speaking of bizarre, I love this trippy photo of a room with a mirrored floor. Cool reflection effect!

SHO House Californication: A State of Mind by ECCO Design & Space 4 Architecture photo: apartmenttherapy.com

Here’s a detail of the room that makes it a bit easier to see. I love the floating letters.

SHO House Californication: A State of Mind detail by ECCO Design & Space 4 Architecture photo: apartmenttherapy.com

Ceiling art is a good thing. The white relief work on the back wall provides great contrast to the colors and circle shapes up above.

SHO House The Big C Clarity Lounge by Francesa Bucci & Hans Galutera, BG Studio International photo: apartmenttherapy.com

This is a fun effect for artwork; tile an image among a wall of frames to make a bold statement.

SHO House Dexter's Refuge by Jeff Andrews and Gregory Okshteyn photo: apartmenttherapy.com

I’ve never seen the show Nurse Jackie before, but this image makes me want to start watching!

SHO House Nurse Jackie Master Bedroom by Laura Bohn and Katie Lydon photo: apartmenttherapy.com

If you’ve been able to tour the SHO House, share your thoughts and comments about what you saw here on WallSpin!

Treetop & Clouds by S. Josephine Weaver zatista.com

A tree house, a free house,
A secret you and me house,
A high up in the leafy branches
Cozy as can be house

A street house, a neat house
Be sure to wipe your feet house
Is not my kind of house at all-
Let’s go live in a tree house.

- Shel Silverstein

With Labor Day fast approaching, I’m already reminiscing about the loads of fun I had this summer. Here’s one thing I learned this season: kids love tree houses. I’m sure most of you veteran parents already knew this, but since I’m only three years into this parenting thing, I just this now remembered how magical a tree house can be. Ah…the squeals of glee and the hours spent in the branches! To whet your appetite for the infinite possibilities of next summer’s adventures, here are a few photos of some amazing tree houses. And they’re not just for kids; there’s a whole subculture of tree house hotels around the world where grown ups can hide out too!

Magical Tree Fort by Matt Gagnon www.mattstudio.com

Magical Tree Fort interior by Matt Gagnon www.mattstudio.com

Magical Tree Fort looking up by Matt Gagnon www.mattstudio.com

Tree House Play Room from Apartment Therapy Ohdeedoh

Architect Vic Johnson's Treehouse www.johnsonltd.co.uk

Artist Melinda Hackett's Treehouse in NYC

Architect Cary Bernstein's Treehouse www.cbstudio.com

"To Market" by Bonnie Jones on Zatista.com

Yesterday I arrived at my local farmer’s market to find one of my favorite young farmers calling out like a carnival barker. “This is it people! It’s go time! Get it while it’s good!” he shouted, smiling over the fruits (and veggies) of his labor.

"Hot Tomato" by Ann Painter on Zatista.com

I looked around and realized he was speaking the truth (ever earnest, he’s hardly one to spin a yarn). Everywhere I looked crates were stacked high with perfect vegetables, all color and gleam at high noon. Here in Maine where I live the growing season is mercilessly short–June to October more or less–and that means that by mid-August we’re in full harvest mode.

"Radishes" by Konnie Kim on Zatista.com

How could it be? How could the few short weeks of blushing tomatoes and luscious summer melons be upon us already? It’s a stark realization every year, but this year I have a new tactic.

"Peppers" by Tony Dunphy on Zatista.com

Sure, I’m going to stack my freezer high and gear up for some canning, but I’m also going to load up on some harvest art for the “less accommodating” months ahead. That way, at least my eyes can feast on some fresh local veggies when I get the trucked-in-from-California-or-grown-indoors blues. The color will do my place good, too, and remind me that once upon a time I drank iced coffee and wore shorts and worked up a sweat walking bags of fresh produce home in the hot summer sun.

John Hamm as Don Draper Photo: courtesy of AMC

Talk of the style-setting show Mad Men is rampant. Media outlets and audiences far and wide are intoxicated by the sleek mid-century cool of the show’s fashion, interiors, and cocktails. Now in its fourth season, Mad Men inspired style is in the spotlight everywhere from Design Within Reach to Banana Republic to QVC.

Steven Miller "Untitled #16"

I’m tickled that Mad Men is raising the profile of one of my favorite time periods, as far as style is concerned.

Alex Lupse "Noise"

The show’s set decorator Amy Wells, twice nominated for an Emmy for her work on the show, has created pitch-perfect early 1960s interiors representing Manhattan swank, Palm Springs modern (my fave) and suburban traditional.

Maude Andrade "Warm Snow"

If you love the look, consider adding a touch of Mad Men style to your walls. Whether you Draperize your living room with florals:

Ann Painter "Irises After Van Gogh"

Bernard Victor "Tropical Fruit, Flowers and Candle"

Elizabeth Miller "Bouquet"

or Sterling Cooperize your loft with abstracts,

Mary Lea Bradley "Intrigue"

Harold Smith "Jazzstract - Albert Ayler"

Sandra Wray "Untitled (13)"

these original works of art from Zatista will evoke a bygone era and help you mix a little bit of madness into your world.