The Style of Stephen Knollenberg

Interior Designer Stephen Knollenberg has fresh, clean designs with interesting choices that add to the art of display. The ceiling fan in this first shot is so cool and it's a nice surprise where he chose to add a picture below the windows. Other great pieces follow. If you're in the great state of Michigan, you should know about Mr. Knollenberg.

Special Silhouettes

Freehand silhouette artist, Jenny Fowler has taken her art to another level. Nature never disappoints, and these carved leaves are like nothing I've ever seen. I marvel at their beauty and delicate detail.

Sunday Fun Day

The folks at Dadada Studios crack me up. What would you do with a giant jar of pickles wall sticker? I have no idea. Regardless, these "Wallys" make me laugh.

Martin Lawrence-Bullard Goods

You know Martyn Lawrence-Bullard's work, now you have the chance to get decorative goodies from his personal stash! One Kings Lane will be selling some of his items as part of their Tastemaker Tag Sales event starting today.

Seen above: Embroidered African Pillowcase, Moroccan Lanterns, and Tangiers Side Table

Standout Student Photographers

Photo Disctrict News held a contest for standout student work. Among 1600 applicants just a handful of photographers were selected in various categories as either winners or honorable mentions. Here are a few of my favorites among the chosen.

Ashton Rodgers: Travel and Landscape Category

Heather Quercio: Travel and Landscape Category

Kristi Montague: Fine Art and Personal Work Category

Drew Weinsten: Documentary and Photojournalism Category

Dustin Damron: Still Life Category

Brendan Kingsley: Fine Art and Personal Work Category

Local Focus: Scout

Oakland rocks. One of its treasures is the design shop, Scout. P. Scott Silvera, a.k.a. "Mr. Scout" has built an admirable business that will help stage your home that's up for sale, decorate the one you want to keep and outfit it with things you'll love. From paint selections to vintage decorative accent pieces, you'll find something special at their 5026 Telegraph Avenue location.

The Look of Cork

The cork used for wine-stoppers and for the production of cork floor boards comes exclusively from the bark of the cork oak tree. These trees produce Suberin, a waxy substance which adds to the versatility and functionality of the cork, making it a valuable investment. The Suberin possesses qualities allowing it to resist rotting caused by moisture, mildew, mold, and insect infestation. But still the question remains: Is all cork flooring really environmentally friendly? The answer is a kind of two-part answer. Environmentally speaking, Cork is environmentally safe, and can be seen as a renewable source of materials.

Cork oak trees are grown to be approximately twenty-five years of age before they can begin to be harvested. Using age-old techniques, the bark is gently stripped from the tree and generally sent to factories where the cork is processed and used in the production of wine-stoppers. The excess waste product that is produced in this process is then gathered and processed into sheets of cork, used in flooring or wall tiling. This process is extremely eco-friendly due to the fact that all of the cork is used either in the initial process or by gathering the waste using it productively. The on going production and the fact that cork is recycled down to the waste are the two main reasons cork can be seen as eco-friendly. Photos: This is Glamourous

Aruliden's Chalk Ping-Pong Table

Cool Hunting got me so excited yesterday when they shared the Chalk Ping-Pong table. They write, "Designed for the "after-hours athlete," the Chalk ping-pong table by studio Aruliden for Puma puts a seriously social spin on the game. A chalkboard surface allows players to keep track of the score, claim the next game or provoke opponents with a little written banter, and the convenient compartment underneath safely stores beverages and party favors for the ultimate in casual recreation."

Sydelle and Jay Livingston

Selections from Sydelle and Jay Livingston include some beautiful 19th century intaglios, birch bark lidded containers, a giant clam shell, vintage chairs, and a stone coffee table from the 1970's.

Alexandra Angle

L. A. Interior Designer Alexandra Angle has some fresh ideas on the art of display. She uses some fun color combinations and mixes old and new items in unique ways.