I honestly can't believe that another year has come and gone. 2011 was a roller coaster for me, but I've got high hopes for 2012. I'll hopefully have some exciting new projects to announce shortly, but in the meantime, lets do a 2011 roundup and look at the top 5 most read post from the year.

#1 The fantastic Loop 3D chair was quite the hit. With those gorgeous lines, it's no surprise either.

#2 Everyone like a good DIY. With my post on DIY vintage cage lights and a little elbow grease, you can have the look without paying the high price. Those looking for something that involves a little less elbow grease, keep your eye on the Modern Union etsy shop. I'm working on getting something up there with some amazing cloth lamp cord soon.

#3 Arian Behzadi left us all swooning for more graphic collage goodness. Let's hope 2012 doesn't leave us hanging.

#4 Speaking of graphic goodness, Jill of Beau Ideal hit all the sweet spots with her screen prints.

#5 Last but far from least come the intelligent and attractive twin one cutlery utensils. Putting sporks to shame all year long.

Thanks to everyone for supporting Grassrootsmodern by reading and sharing with your friends. We couldn't do it without you! Also a HUGE thanks to our sponsors. Without them we couldn't afford to keep blogging.

Oh man... I totally want to cover my office walls with these recycled cardboard "wall pockets"!  They're available in three colors, but I'm sure you could paint them to suit your needs.  I'm thinking a blast of white spray paint for the outside and maybe some neon pink for the interior would suit me just fine.

Wall pockets from Ampersand: no price yet! Sorry, kids.

[via Jonathan Lo]

Simple, sturdy, attractive.  The Standard Chair from Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co. may just be the perfect little chair. With it's classic steel and bent wood design it is available in black or white powder coated steel with a oak seat and back.

Standard Chair $325

About:

A minimal portable floor or table lamp. Chick lamp is made of oak wood with box joint, white or black laquered iron rod and sandblasted glasses on both sides. Chrome toggle switch. A simple form created according to the golden section, enclosed by an iron frame stuck in a groove perimeter. The whole structure is fixed by only two small screws located under the wooden box. Best used with low energy bulbs.  Looking for a producer..

Chick Lamp

I had this exact Expedit bookcase in my old office (along with a million other people), but I never liked the door and shelf inserts that were available from IKEA.  If it were still in my possession, I'd be more than half tempted to try this raw wood door hack that Karla Jean Davis and James Abercrombie shared recently on IKEA Hackers.  What do you guys think?

Generally speaking I have a hard time getting excited about something like a soap dispenser, but I'm going to make an exception in this case. The Birillo liquid soap dispenser from Alessi is quite the looker. Available in PMMA, white or mirror polished stainless steel.

Birillo liquid soap dispenser $43

These limited edition letterpress calendars are sure to make a splash in your--okay, sorry.  I mean, hello, how often do I get to drop a swimming or water related pun on here??

Please forgive me and just buy a calendar.

2012 Synchronized Swimmer Calendar by Mae Mae Paperie: $39

[via Crow and Canary]

Paula Lopez-Otero is having a closeout sell on her gorgeous jumbo sized ceramic cups. Price is $20 each and she currently has Buttercup, Beige, Pistachio, and Coral. Better scoop one up before they are all gone.

Jumbo sized ceramic cups $20

David Lemm is a UK-based illustrator... he also holds the key to my bold, graphic style-loving heart.

LINK: www.davidlemm.co.uk

More pics!

[via HR]

I've mentioned before that I love to cook, mostly because I love to eat. That has caused me to have a keen interest in all things kitchen related, especially those that make cooking easier. Being a fan of a sharp knife, I'm always on the lookout for a good knife sharpener.  While I have found some good ones, I don't know that I have ever seen one as good looking as this modern Chantry Knife Sharpener. In Love.

Chantry Knife Sharpener £42.00

I don't know if these lamp shades by Debbie Powell are for sale, but my-oh-my are they gorgeous!  They could certainly inspire a DIY lamp shade makeover, don't you think?  Check out more of her work here.

LINK: debbiepowell.net

[via Design For Mankind]

Furni is one of my old favorites that consistently makes good looking quality products, and never seems to get the recognition that they deserve. I was delighted to see over the weekend that they are on Fab.com. Once again inspired, I checked out their website for the first time in a year or two, and I happy to find that they still have great stuff. The new and improved ALBA clock for example is not only fantastic looking and well detailed (see below) but it has some great features too. iPod/iPhone integration with a custom app available with purchase, 10 stage dimmable display, metal grill etc. Available in white, black, barn wood, walnut, concrete and all sorts of other amazing materials/finishes.

ALBA Alarm clock from Furni.

I love these upcycled material tea light holders from London-based designer James Tattersall.  With the right skills, I have the feeling they'd make a pretty easy DIY project, too!

LINK:  www.jamestat.com

I love these prints by Rob Bailey, especially this first one entitled "YOU". I'm pretty much a sucker for any overlapping translucent style prints. Some of his latest work is available on his site for a very reasonable price.

Rob Bailey

via Alison of Creative Capsule fame.

So, right, I don't know how to surf (if we're being honest, I barely know how to doggie paddle--WHAT?), but I love these surf boards so, SO much.  I mean, it's kind of absurd how much I love them... considering I don't surf.  Or swim.  Or live anywhere near a body of water that would warrant the use of a surf board.  But anyway, surf boards by Chandelier Creative in collaboration with Saturdays.  They're awesome.

Available from Awesomeville.

I love cooking. Mostly because I love eating. Thus it follows that I love holiday's, because at my house that always means good cooking.  So I thought it applicable leading up to this holiday weekend that I share these great Kitchen Art Prints by TexturedINK. Three 11" x 14" prints for $38.

Kitchen Art Prints, 3 for $38

PS There are lot's of other great prints at TexturedINK worth checking out too. Which is your favorite?

Frankly, I've never used a charger plate in my entire life, but that doesn't mean these awesome painted birch chargers from Wolfum won't make me start!  Are you with me??

Naoki Yoshimoto invented this puzzle in 1971 after trying to discover a way to divide a cube equally.  The result is a peculiar polyhedral dyad consisting of eight interconnected cubes that can be divided in multiple ways.  As for those flashy metallics?  No one can resist a shiny object!  That's a universal truth.

Yoshimoto Cube by Naoki Yoshimoto: $65

I love shou sugi ban, and have even thought about using it for my next house. Maybe getting a iPhone case of faux shou sugi ban will be a good way to ease into it.

Custom iPhone cases from Decouart $25

Turns out, dual/flip/reversible sectionals are all the rage (remember this Gus-inspired one from CB2?), and I'm totally okay with that.  I mean, why would you want to invest in a quality, modern sectional only to have it not work in a future space??  That would be sad.  What's not sad is G. Romano brand's newest piece, the Porter Flip Sectional.  It looks super comfy yet clean and tailored--and--it's available in 11 fabric options!  It's all kinds of 'win'.  Moral of the story: fixed position sectionals are lame; flip sectionals are smart.  Get one.

Flip Sectional available from Velocity Art and Design.