Location: Pasadena
Specialty: Handcrafted artifacts and furnishings that embrace the cultural and traditional arts of the Indian sub-continent
Price Range: ($$) Mid-Range

De-Cor's founder, Deepali Pareek, had a vision for bringing global goods to Southern California. To do this, she set up shop in an 8,000 square foot building, outfitting it with the help of AkarStudios to create an open warehouse concept, and stocking it with handcrafted, antique and vintage items from South East Asia.

More

I love a good "get it for less" post, just like I love a good "before and after." Today is all about creating a beautiful kid's room for a range of parents' budgets. Click to see what this room configuration costs, then explore ways to get a similar look and feel, for a variety of prices. More

This one goes out to the urbanites; the kids that love cab rides, underground trains, escalators and chasing pigeons around the park. More

I've been completely sick all week, and all I want is a sweet, wiggly puppy to cuddle while I whine and moan. As a kid, I would have loved this collection of comforting (and cute!) stuff, all designed to make me feel better.
More

Round throw pillows are the easiest way to decorate your sofa or bed. Unlike square or rectangular pillows, round pillows are never crooked, never need their corners pulled out, and don't look as much like a jumbled pile of mess as square ones can right after a guest gets up from the sofa. They are throw pillows in the true sense of the word: throw them on, and they always lie right! More

My husband's favorite Christmas gift this year was a pair of quirky argyle socks from the Swedish company Happy Socks. It surprised me, but he loves wearing the turquoise-and-red-on-navy socks, and I noticed the other night as he relaxed with his socked feet up on the coffee table how much the socks "popped" in our living room. Why not bring argyle into home decor? So I headed off in search of ways to do just that. Here are some favorites I turned up: More

Trompe l'oeil has come a long way since the Baroque period. Think you are looking at rustic tin? Not so much. Crumpled paper? Gotcha again. Digitally produced materials, like the wallpaper from Bodie & Fou above, mimic other surfaces and play with our sense of perception. More

While pregnant with her first child, Julie Marabelle found herself designing art and accessories for her new baby's room. Since that time she and her husband, Simon Summerscales, launched their own company, Famille Summerbelle, selling Julie's adorable designs on a line of accessories intended for children but smart enough for adults. More

Alphabeasties Pillows
• $100
• Walker Art Center Shop

Fans of Alphabeasties, the book, may like this more huggable version of the type-heavy animals. Choose from a dog, elephant, alligator, giraffe, lion or penguin.

Whenever possible, I love shopping local, especially with classy, independent artisans. In the Pacific Northwest, we are lucky enough to have some of the most talented designers on the market. I rounded up some of my favorite modern homegoods from the good old P.N. for gift ideas this holiday season (plus, I have to admit I own some of these myself). We'd love to hear about some of your own local favorites! More