The Quite Bearable Lightness of Urban Outfitters
There's serious decorating. And then there's UO.
SOMETIMES you just want to add a light touch to daily design. And while it targets a young crowd, Urban Outfitters is a surprising but satisfying place to start (especially if what you're looking for is a small stool shaped like an ear of corn—but I didn't go there). Here's what I spotted on a recent visit.
The black-and-ivory Wiggle Tufted Duvet Cover, in "gauzy cotton," also comes in ivory-on-ivory, and is $129 in full/queen size, $149 king. And a pair of standard-size shams is $39. If it's for the kids, the duvet cover in twin size is $109.
Maura Squiggle Shape Light Switch Cover
The Maura Squiggle Switchplate cover is just grownup enough. It comes in the paddle style shown, also in a standard single-toggle switch and as an outlet. Maura is usually $16 each or two for $25, but has been promoed for a limited time at $13.50 apiece.
I think the XL Globe Floor Lamp has great appeal. the larger one, shown here, is about 20 inches across ($199), the smaller one is 15½ inches ($129).
The Minerva duvet cover and shams can be seen as boho or traditional, depending on what's around them. UO says they’re a soft, gauzy cotton so good for the weather ahead. The duvet cover goes for between $79 (twin) to $119 (king). A set of standard-size shams is $29.
Still in bed! I admit to being a sucker for toile (I've had toile canvas espadrilles, for goodness' sake). But this one really tickles me: You won't find maidens cavorting in the glades on these cotton-blend bedsheets, only cheerful, contented frogs, swinging on a tree swing, lounging on a hillock. I mean, if you can't have fun in bed . . . Frog Toile Patterned Sheet Set (it includes two standard pillowcases) comes in the green shown and red, pink, and chocolate. Psst! There's also a Frog Toile shower curtain.
This Is the kind of item that makes me wish I had an extra room to build around it. I mean, a cow (print on cotton) on a lampshade. $49. UA will also sell you a lamp base and cord if you don't already have a lamp crying out for this. Just know that the fitting inside the shade is the kind that rests on the socket, held in place when you screw the light bulb in.
Notebook Paper Dry Erase Peel and Stick Wall Decals
I'm wondering if this dry-erase board decal will help keep me organized. The notebook-style "paper" is divided into sections and is peelable. $39.
I know we're not kids anymore, but the geese on this Lana Patterned Dessert Plate charmed me. There are other motifs, but this one wins, IMHO. It's $14--and you don't need a whole set, just the one will do.
I’m planning to scout offbeat retailers (and even on-beat retailers!) for offbeat items for the home. Send me any places you want me to check out: mckeondc@gmail.com.
Nancy, love this. Muji? Anthropologie? Hardware stores?