A friend of mine just shared this great Etsy shop with me and it's pretty much the coolest thing to happen to the Internet.  Salty and Sweet is the side project of an industrial designer based in Arizona "whose design style is rooted firmly in sense and nonsense". Whether you like it cute or a little cheeky, there's something for everyone. The hooligan series is by far my favorite (who doesn't love a molotov cocktail in their hanging mobile??), but the zombie uprising is pretty rad, too.  

So which one are you? Salty or sweet?

Hanging mobiles from Salty and Sweet - $30

There has been quite a bit of talk here at Grassrootsmodern about the Corona Sofa from Macy's. The consensus from everyone was that it is a pretty great looking sofa at a great price. It looks like that price just got better. Macy's has several sofa's that are currently on sale for $699, including the simply stylish Ava Metro sofa shown above, and the much adored Corona Sofa shown below.

Both are available in a variety of colors to suit your taste. The sale ends March 1st, so if you have been procrastinating you have one week left to make up your mind.

Available from Macy's for $699.

I've been seeing this retro-inspired telephone popping up all over the interwebs lately and it almost makes me wish I had a landline. I'm still tempted to get it simply as a decorative piece! The Scandiphone by Wild & Wolf is based on the Ericofon and is available in five great colors: Red, White, Black, Orange, and Brushed Chrome. You can pick it up in the US from UnicaHome for about $60 (original Ericofons go for several hundred dollars). Unfortunately, UnicaHome only offers this device in three colors. If you must have the brushed chrome version, you can try ordering from Graham and Green if you can rationalize fronting the shipping costs!

Scandiphone by Wild & Wolf available from UnicaHome for $60.

Truly one of the greats! Unfortunately the music on this video isn't as good as the pictures. Still worth a watch though.

Some of you may have heard of Jill Dryer already, but for those of you who haven't, well.. Here you go!

Following a 15 year career in marketing (and 7 years at Architectural Digest), Jill decided to finally do what she loved: painting. Her "Design Meets Nature" series has received loads of attention and she has gone on to write and illustrate a children's book, provide Imagination workshops for parents and kids, and even started an Etsy shop to sell her wonderful creations.

I can't get enough of her paintings! So imaginative and full of humor! My favorite piece is the "Calderooster". If you could pick any painting to add to your own collection, which one would you choose?

Originals for sale from jdryerart.com from $650 - $1200.
Prints for sale on Etsy from $20 - $35.

I'm a big fan of Muji, but I have to admit I've continued to be disappointed by their online presence. I was checking out their USA website the other day and the "play Muji" game. While it is sort of amusing to see all the goods that are available, why is it that it tries to redirect you to the Muji Japan site where you can't buy anything online? I was hoping that they would someday get an online store specifically for the USA. It looks like until then, we are limited to buying from MoMA online of the UK Muji online.

Has anyone ever tried ordering big items (furniture) from Muji UK?

Jens Passoth is a German photographer with an absolutely stunning portfolio. His architectural work is truly inspiring! You may recognize some of his work from Dwell as well as from the 2009 Mies van der Rohe Award finalists - he had the good fortune of photographing the Oslo Opera House for this prestigious contest. Be sure to take a look at the rest of his portfolio as well!

Jens Passoth Photography: www.passoth.de

Continue reading for more photo's.

Check out these incredible illustrations from the 1958 USSR Pavilion Brochure. Traveling to the sunny, palm tree swathed shores of the Soviet Union never sounded so good!

One word: AWESOME.

From the "Brussels Universal and International Exhibition 1958" - See more great mid-century illustrations via jericl cat!

It's no secret that I am a big fans of ofuro tubs. There is just something about the Japanese efficiency of these little soaking tubs that gets me excited. While our DIY stainless steel ofuro project turned out well in our last house, I'm always looking for other alternatives. I stumbled across this Takagi Ofuro on JenJapan's site and I have to admit it looks like it may be a winner. Priced under $800 it definitely meets the affordable requirement, and while it's no Victoria & Albert Sorrento Series Bathtub I still think it looks good (actually, maybe even better). Best of all is the fact that it can be used as a temporary or permanent solution.

Available from At House online for $780 plus $80 shipping.

Full review and write up at Jen Japan.

Call me weird, but there is something strangely appealing about these porcelain mushrooms and miniature gnomes from BROOKLYNrehab. Designed and hand made by New York fashion designer Alyssa Zygmunt, these little curiosities are popping up in the most unlikely places like Bloomingdales windows. If you think you've got just the place for one of these little porcelain exotics the good news is it will put you out less than $20.

Available from BROOKLYNrehab's Etsy shop for $14 - $18.

What do you think, gorgeous, hideous, just plain weird?

The debate about "designer inspired" pieces is one that has been around as long as good design has. What some people see as blatant knock offs others find are an affordable alternative to the real thing. I tend to be split on the issue. For example I didn't mind saving a couple grand buying a knock off of Castiglioni Arco lamp, but something in me cringes at the thought of a fake Eames Lounge Chair. For those that are still on the fence and looking for some Eames Styled shelving, check out Modern Wood Works. They offer several different variations at reasonable prices.

Modern Wood Works Shelving $195 - $1,500+

Anyone have any experience or feedback on Modern Wood Works?

You can always count on DwellStudio to deliver bold, graphic home furnishings and their new "Abstractions" collection does not disappoint! I am especially fond of the "Collage" pattern, which features abstracted, hand drawn geometric forms. If you're a lover of mid-century art, this new collection will definitely be up your alley.

More on the new collection: Designed for comfort, but beautiful enough to hang on the wall: DwellStudio's Abstractions collection draws inspiration from the world of modern art. Abstract motifs, simple lines, and bold colors predominate on styles that will appeal to the most discerning palates.

Available from DesinPublic from $75 - $350.

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I was looking around Flickr at photo's the other day and I came across Modern-R-Us' photostream. It is filled with all sorts of great Mid-Century modern content, from vintage photo's of MCM homes and furniture to recent photo's of restored MCM homes.

Check out the full photoset on Flickr.

I am really loving the products coming from Norwegian design studio Norway Says, especially these MHY Pendant Lights. Their products are manufactured by several companies, including muuto, who produces the MHY light as well as other products.

About this design:
"MHY has an elegant appearance and a strong personality. The playful shape of MHY draws inspiration from illustrations and characters from our childhood's literature. The neat size of MHY allows the pendant to be mounted in clusters or rows over your kitchen table, dinner table, in a hallway or somewhere else where you would like to add a design element with unique, but understated character." Made from lacquered aluminum shade with a textile cord. Available in White, Black, Yellow, Purple, Green.

For those of us in North America, try Generate Design, A+R Store, and Huset for Norway Says/muuto products.

Designed by Finish design god Harri Koskinen these bentwood storage cubes are not only absolutely beautiful, but they are also very practical. They are sturdy enough to double as a bench in addition to being a good place to hide your clutter. My cheap side cringes at the £170 price tag, but my design sense tells me this just might be worth it. I wish I could afford 5-10 of them to line up in a row. They also have a slightly skinnier model that is aimed at high style LP storage.

Available from A Place for Everything for £170.

If someone finds these stateside, let us know!

LP Storage

I 'm loving the idea behind this flower pot and calendar by the Nothing Design Group. It creates a sort of DIY floral calendar that you can switch out any time you want. The tall linear shape of the calendar creates a simple backdrop to frame your flower of choice and the dates droop down in the shape of a vase. I haven't found any US distributers, but the daring can get it in Korea for 14,700 Won or about $10. This might even make a good DIY project.

Nothing Design Group.

Flower pot and calendar (in Korean).

Allow me to introduce you to the work of photographer Daniel Everett. He and I went to school together, though he was always in a league of his own. I am especially fond of his aesthetic - very clinical and sterile, but beautiful and unsettling at the same time. It's hard to describe, really. There is just a strange sense of disconnection going on - and I love it. His ongoing Departure series has some of my favorite images to date. You can see more of his work here.

What do you think? Does this imagery do anything for you? Share your thoughts!

More photo's after the jump.

I ran across these great illustrations from Etsy shop Please Be Still and had to share! Illustrator Jen Renninger came up with the idea for her "Modern Design Deck" cards originally as a way to get out of a creative funk. Prodded by her husband to draw his favorite chair, Jen went on to create 30 of these deck cards inspired by modern designs. From Aalto to Zeisel, she's got it covered! So whether you're looking for your favorite chair or your favorite letter, I think you'll find something to make you smile. And for those prone to indecision, there is even a poster featuring all 30 illustrations!

Modern Design Deck series prints from Please Be Still from $25 - $75.

One of my favorite artists on Etsy is Portland-based illustrator Yellena James. Originally from Sarajevo, Yellena journeyed to the U.S. and received a BA in graphic design from the University of Central Florida. Her illustrations are incredibly vibrant layers of organic shapes, lines, and textures that feel otherworldly and cerebral - like something from a familiar dream. I could stare at her work for hours! She has a pretty incredible story as well, which you can read about here. I don't know about you, but I would love to have her work on my walls!

Archival prints from Yellena James from $10 - $40.

When it comes to office furniture the two big companies Steelcase and Herman Miller come to mind. While Herman Miller actually has a really nice line of home furniture, for some reason I have never really thought of looking to Steelcase for something for my home. That perception is starting to change. Last month I was able to get my hands on one of their coffee tables designed and produced by Turnstone a Steelcase company and I have been really impressed. While the price certainly is out of Ikea territory, the Alight coffee table is priced at $449, which is fair value for the money considering the sturdy build.

We opted for the dark walnut finish which goes well with our brown KRAMFORS sofa and Avalisa rug. The only regret so far is having a glass top, which never stays free of fingerprints thanks to our son. Still it's a good upgrade from our LAKT tables we got for for free off Craigslist.

Available from the Steelcase store for $449