Wicker often seems relegated to boxy outdoor furniture or whimsical bohemian pieces. As these lovely rooms show, however, there are plenty of wicker pieces out there for people who just want elegant, textured pieces. 

It may be Monday but I'm already thinking about the weekend. With Memorial Day coming up in a few days, my mind is preoccupied with thoughts of summer grilling and weekend parties. That means it's time to shop for new summer entertaining essentials, starting with a fun modern grill.

Modernist style is everywhere! And why not, it's a gorgeous era of design - with so many classic that deserve to be revisited and made enduring parts of our home. Unlike some fads or trends, this is one that will weather well in my house.

Known for its original colorful graphic textiles since 1951, when Marimekko first showed their cheerful prints in Helsinski, the company was an instant hit. For years only available in capsule collections or in Europe and Scandinavia, New York City finally has its own flagship store that is a welcome dose of color therapy.

As the daughter of a painter and an organic farmer, artist Molly Hatch spent her youth alternating between creative play and physical labor. This early training ground would prove important later in life, providing the discipline and hard work for life as an artist. Today, Molly's colorful designs and illustrations adorn tableware, wallpaper and furniture. 

Industrial cool doesn't need to be confined to just grown up spaces. Look at how wonderfully these wire baskets work in Silas' Poised for Adventure Room. If your baby or kids space is a little too fluffy and soft, why not consider adding some wire baskets to your bookshelf, or like Lindsay, to the wall?

The Goodhood Store has been selling clothing and accessories for men and women since '07 but this year saw the launch of their Life Store, stocked with fresh and funky goods to outfit the home. The folks behind The Goodhood Store set out to be the destination for design in London's East End. Luckily for those of us who don't get the UK often (or ... ever) they also have a great web shop. 

Whenever friends visit my apartment, they remark it's a “happy place” exhibiting a love of color. Playful shapes, patterns, and vibrant elements all reflect my affinity for the cheerful, and I'm always on the look out for a few more additions. Here are a few playful tech accessories currently on my Pinterest wish list for a future home office update project...

Name: Daniela, Damon and Sidonie Burton (17 months)
Location: Newport, Rhode Island
Size: 1,200 square feet
Years lived in: 4 years; owned

While a young Czech girl spent her summers at a family cottage built by her great-grandfather in the country outside of Prague, playing hide and seek with her great-grand mum and eating cherries right off the tree, halfway around the globe a young Florida boy, immersed in the world of NASA, was developing a lifelong love of space travel. Three decades later, Daniela and Damon’s disparate pasts come together in a home filled with collections of sentimental objects that keep their individual histories very much a part of their everyday lives.

Furniture designer Cameron Helvey cites Japanese design as an influence on his aesthetic. And, in fact, with the simplicty and minimalism of his designs, it's easy to see that influence in his collection. The San Diego native sat down with us to discuss his designs and influences in our latest Meet the Maker post.