I’ve been reading a lot of posts from fellow bloggers that say with the new year should come a new effort to organize.  I agree completely, but must confess that while I’m pretty organized mentally the same is not always true for the stuff in my home. 

This holiday season brought a lot of great gifts with it, for which I am very thankful.  One of the most useful was a storage ottoman.  We needed an ottoman anyway, and the added storage is truly a blessing.  It’s a great place for all those things you aren’t quite sure where to put, but need to have available- magazines, remotes, DVDs, and even the instructions to that new blu-ray player (just in case we ever decide to read them).

Two of my favorite recently spotted storage ottomans are picutred above. The first is the Pandora Ottoman and the second is the Plaza Storage Ottoman. Both of these also feature a built-in tray, because let’s face it – it can be very tempting to use the ottoman as a table so you might as well be prepared.

Most of us put a lot of effort into the design of our living rooms. This makes sense, since it’s the room we most often find ourselves spending time in whether alone or when guests are over.  If you stop to think about it though, just about every gathering or visit involves food of some sort.  This is why it’s so important that your table wear show off your style just as much as your living room.

Thomas Paul offers the answer with his wonderful and bold collection of plates, trays, and coasters.  Each is made of heavy-duty, glossy melamine.  His collection includes a diverse selection of designs that includes Gothic, Coral, Aviary, Folk, Artifact, and more.

The first image is part of the Folk Collection. The plates pictured directly above are part of the Aviary, Gothic, and Sea-Life collections.  

We are all guilty of eating dinner at our coffee tables at some time or another. (This blogger is no exception and my guilt is even further compounded by the fact that I have a dining table that seats eight in the very next room).

Well I say if you going to go ahead and eat in front of the TV, and who am I to stop you, you might as well do it with style.  Designed by Bernard Vuarnesson, this coffee table has six pull out sections which make it very versatile and also interesting to look at.  I absolutely love this table and think it’s great for drinks, snacks, and even full meals if you must.

Let me start out by saying yes indeed this has been done. Yothaka has always been known for its use of natural fibers to create modern home furnishings. It now introduces a line of furniture made form Pineapple Paper.  I for one never imagined furniture made of Pineapple, so I’m pretty impressed.  The furniture is in fact made of pineapple leaf fibers, meaning it’s both green and very creative.

Above is the Nut Bench and below is the Zeason Arm Chair.

View more from the innovative Yothaka. 

From Dutch designers Ward Hunting and Gerald de Hoop comes the Fire Table.  This table was created to bring the warmth of a campfire (both physical and social) into the home.  Its shape enables it to work well among mid-century modern pieces.  A built-in candle casts a glow through the room and offers a heated surface for enjoying coffee, tea, and snacks. Multifunctional means I’m a fan.

What a unique concept! See more from these talented designers. 

Who wouldn’t want to work at this desk?  Its cool white is highlighted with an orange accent- the color that supposedly inspires creativity. I think I could write some pretty good blog posts sitting here.

 The Omega Desk has a simple shape and clean look that make it hard not to love.  This desk and chair combo was designed by David Münscher.