Maybe there’s no window in your office, or maybe there is but you don’t like the view.   Worry no more, thanks to Fantasy Shades from Melissa Borrell. These shades do exactly as their name implies, enabling you to look out at a more favorable reality. There are city skylines and several nature-inspired scenes to choose from, though custom shades are also available so there’s really no limit to the scenes available.  I think this is a great idea, though it’s another one of those things I can’t believe no one (including me) has ever thought of before. Well done Melissa, I think these are going to be big.

See more or get yourself one of these fantasy shades here.

I’ve been paying a lot of attention to prints lately, and I’ve been seeing some good ones.  My favorites are those that combine an inspirational message or words of wisdom with perfectly selected fonts or otherwise intriguing designs.  I’ve always found it fascinating how a few little words can spark hours of thought and reflection.  I hope that’s what you find in these wonderful prints.

These first 2 images are from Freya Ete, an amazingly talented artist who I actually just discovered last week via one of my favorite blogs Decor8. Her prints combine simple designs with words that are truly inspiring. Each and every one makes me stop and really think, and that is why I love them. And of course, they are beautiful too.

These next two are from the Etsy store of Laurel Denise. Probably most well known for her jewelry, I think these prints from owner/designer Laurel Smith are pretty fabulous.

The last and most simple comes from one of my favorite online shops MadeByGirl. I just ordered a print from her last week actually. I don’t have this one, but in looking though her designs today, this one really caught my eye. So simple, but the message is clear.

I hope at least one of these has inspired you today. I woudn’t mind having each and every one of these (if only I had enough walls!) All of these images are from their respective designers’ sites, so be sure to use the links to check them out.

Remember the band Linkin Park? Of course you do. How about Mike Shinoda?  I recognize the name and immediately think of the aforementioned band, but there’s another term you should start associating with him- artist.

While many people think they are artists (and shouldn’t!), Shinoda backs it up with work that not only caught my attention but that has even been featured at the Japanese American National Museum.  His 2008 show Glorious Excess (Lives) earned him plenty of recognition and his new one Glorious Excess (Dies) takes that to a whole other level – this time really seeming to get the attention he deserves.  His work addresses our society’s obsession with celebrity (which is something that definitely needs to be addressed in my opinion) and although extreme I find it very interesting.

You can buy his art from his website as a book or as printed on a collection of skate decks (shown above). Money from all artwork and merchandise will go to the Michael K. Shinoda Scholarship at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

Designed as a place to enjoy a coffee break or lunch with coworkers, I see a lot of possibilities for the Flower Table. Of course it can easily handle its intended function, but I also see it working great in crowded bars and restaurants because it is so compact. I’m not sure it’s designed to handle outdoor use, but if it is or could be wouldn’t it also look great on a deck or patio? Plenty of seating, and when not in use it is designed to be (and succeeds) as an interesting visual work.

The Flower Table is the work of Fatih Can Sarioz. Like I do with all of my posts, I read a little bit about this designer to better understand his work.  And though he has an interesting background (as do most) there were two lines from his website that I found really interesting and inspiring and wanted to share with you. The first is that he thinks about “possibilities not objects” and the second that “he knows the design never ends”.   Both food for thought in my opinion.  See more innovative and inspiring work from Fatih here.

Check out some of Dylan Gold’s work. A graphic designer turned furniture creator, Gold sees his furniture as his art and the hardwoods and reclaimed materials he chooses to work with his media. “My furniture pieces are intended to combine fine art and function, craftsmanship and creativity, and blur the line between focal point and background in a physical setting.”

Above is the Stink Tree. I love the way it plays with positive and negative space, and that its design is created by what is not there.  It’s also made of entirely recycled material, which makes it even harder to resist.

Above is the Shady Bed. Simple design, but I love the idea of relaxing in the “shade” of its branches.  This bed is available as both a platform bed and just a headboard, and in all sizes. I might have to seriously consider getting this for myself. See more from Gold here.

Clocks are nothing new of course, but this great modern interpretation certainly is. I love its use of words instead of numbers, and the simplicity of how the time just seems to show up, rather than seeing the hands move.

What do you think, would you buy a clock like this or would you rather stick with something more traditional?  See more from Biegert& Funk here.