The Cultivated Home

Situated in the quaint Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts lives an amazing accessories store called Black Ink.  We love home accessories, and when we came across this gem we could not pass it up!  Black Ink was founded in 1994 in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston.  Since then they have opened a second store, which is the one we spotted, in Cambridge and the Museum of Useful Things, which besides offering well designed utilitarian house wares and necessities, displays an array of vintage items.  The stores carry everything from kitchen accessories and office trinkets to art books and bath supplies.  Some of our favorites include the Baby Buddha Bowl, which nestles perfectly in your hand for eating on the go or when a table-less situation may arise, the Square Saké Cups paired with the Saké Handbook, Toothpick Bird, the Archie Grand Journals to store all those contacts we come across, and the Floating Ducks (you’re never too old to have a rubber duck in the bath).

Not in the Boston area?  No biggie.  Check out their online shop at www.BlackInkBoston.com.

To find our next new obsession, we had to skip across the globe to Japan!  What did we find?  A fabulous, freshly opened (as of December 2009) design store just waiting for us, Truck Furniture!  We may not be able to understand everything written on the website, but the only language we need to know to respond is the language of love, for their pieces!  With an influence from spare wood and metal works, and with a bit of a retro feel, Truckload reminds us of ever so classic pieces from the time of the inspirational Eames, and we cannot get enough.  They create pieces from everything—from chairs to sofas, dressers, home accessories, and more.  The best part is shipping to the US is a snap!  So if you see something you like, don’t hesitate to contact them, these unique pieces are needed NOW!

It is always great to get a little more for a little less and today we’ve found it at Urban Outfitters apartment shop. The great modern furniture company, Blu Dot, had recently launched a small line called +oo™ exclusively for Urban Outfitters. Staying true to their signature style, the collection includes pieces ranging from a sofa to a console to a coffee table. Each piece has style and soule, while still paying homage to the Blu Dot philosophy. Some of our favorite pieces include the ‘Benzo Sofa‘, which folds out to double as an extra bed when needed, and the all-purpose ‘Lily Pad Coffee Table‘, which can be adjusted to fill a variety of spaces. Another amazing component to the collection is its prices!  All the pieces range between $98 for an end table to $648 for a a sofa. Affordable and architectural, the pieces of the +oo™ collection will go great in any home.

In the midst of summer, we wanted to show our favorite “knot-ical” inspired and affordable pieces for the home. We love the Knot door stopper from Haus Interior, which can also be used on a console or entry way table. The jute baskets from Pottery Barn are a great addition to any beach home entry way, just to throw your sandals in or in the living room for your stack of “to read” magazines. The rope placemats and coasters are perfect for any summer dinner party, available at Seaside Inspire starting at $18. To complete the look, use this great nautical tray from Iomoi. Get Knotty!

Its officially the unofficial start of summer, which means picnics, potlucks and parties, oh my! Now, a seasoned party-goer knows to never show up empty-handed, so we’ve made the perfect potluck party picks to ensure you’re always bringin’ something to the table.

Nesting Bowl Tupperware : So handy, yet so…tupperware. Tossing your homemade culinary creation into such an undeserving vessel just feels wrong!  Thankfully, A&G Merch has designed top tier Tupperware that is as beautiful as it is practical. Their “Nesting Bowls” come in sets of three and are available in four fun and fresh patterns.  The best part?  They make a great thank you gift to leave behind for your party’s host!

Flex-it Prep Bowl Set : A great summer salad or yummy dessert both make delicious donations to any event, but it’s tricky to find the perfect packaging to store your homemade dressing or chocolate sauce.   Enter, Flex-it Prep Bowl Sets.  These stackable bowls are great for that side sauce or tasty topping.  Made of flexible silicone they are easy to manipulate and allow you to form a spout for easy pouring. Check these out at the MoMA Store to get your own set.

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