There’s nothing like a great coffee table book from a hip designer when it comes to searching for home decor inspiration. One of our favorites, Kelly Wearstler, is fearless in her approach to design projects, incorporating color, periods, and styles in imaginative ways. It’s no surprise that she brings the same vivid imagery and creativity to her books, providing “hands-on” inspiration by demonstrating how to put a modern spin on pieces from the past. Her book, aptly named Modern Glamour: The Art of Unexpected Style, has been on book shelves for a while now, but if you’re starting a design project and haven’t perused it, it’s worth it’s weight in British glossies. Her website, KWID, showcases her eponymous fabric, wall-covering, and rug collections, currently available to the trade only. However, later this Fall, she’ll be opening up a small, exclusive boutique in Bergdorf Goodman, showcasing her glamorous, one of a kind objects. Further study for all design afficionados in how not to play it safe…

After perusing, Furniture Seen, I noticed that Established & Sons has teamed with Bono and his project RED to sell the Aqua Table, in the signature color of RED. Twentieth sells the Zaha Hadid table, through their store as well as in the signature black glass finished with polyurethane.

If you’re familiar with this cult favorite, you know that it’s a surprising blend of opera and classic rock that somehow works to produce a great song. Likewise, designer Jennifer Ramos puts a modern, rocker spin on classic Chippendale style coffee tables with her original leather and studded designs. The Custom Rock n Roll Table is painted gloss black and covered with distressed leather bordered in heavy antiqued brass tacks, and then adorned with smaller tacks in a guitar motif. Another original design, not for the “easy listening” crowd, is the Cross table, a mahogany Louis XIV covered in blood- red hide decorated with a silver studded cross. Visit her website www.madebygirl.com to view the entire collection. Rock on.

Owner, Chris Baisa is always looking for eco-friendly, organic materials to add to his rug collection for Delinear. While his contemporary patterns are traditionally made with the finest fibers from craftsman in Nepal he now uses materials made from banana fibers and cacti. Apparently, banana fiber is harvested from wild banana plants that are used in textile manufacturing and in food. It is difficult to distinguish this interesting material from the look of silk without the hefty price tag. Walk in Peace.

Mondo Cane, a jewel of a store located in Tribeca, NY, has a fabulous selection of antique mirrors with a modern vibe. In particular, the selection of Curtis Jere mirrors are stunning, such as the Raindrop, Eyelash, and Sunburst mirrors. Other stand-outs include the Faux Bamboo Mirror, Welded Brass Mirror, and the Gold metallic crackle-glaze ceramic mirror from France, 1950’s. For other “antique glam” mirrors, visit Blinkdecor’s Mirror Guide.

Despite your feelings about Martha, and we know people have strong feelings one way or another, you must admit she is a business genious. As if Kmart weren’t enough, she now has the marketing muscle behind Macy’s at her back. We can’t attest to the quality but we have heard it is good. What appeals to us is that she brings the Martha color palette and simplicity of design to some otherwise mundane things. We love the kitchen accessories and bedding. And why is it that she makes otherwise clutter-free people want to decorate for Halloween and Valentine’s Day? There is a marketing know how that we could all take a lesson from. Set of four cannisters, $29.99; Bedding is Egyptian Cotton, 300 thread count on sale; Tibetan Wool Rug with silk-$1025.

Brocade Home, an unexpected offspring of Restoration Hardware, keeps its promise “to bring flirty romance to the domestic scene” with the introduction of their Fall 2007 collection. I am partial to the Petit Boudoir Collection that showcases their twist on tradition for the younger set that won’t break the piggy bank. The laser cut headboard comes in a twin size finished in high gloss white for $599. Decorative accessories such as the circle and diamond ledges, glass tinted table lamps, and white brocade wall mirror are great complements to the look.

Nettleton Hollow the source for decorative floral products, has curly willow back in stock, ready for delivery. Although ubiquitous in many types of decors, they are great if you are an admitted black thumb. Another great look and rarely seen are the Bell Cups or the Thika.

Dutch designer Patrica Weusten has created a contemporary take on the traditional family tree. 2Modern recently highlighted her whimsical wall design aimed to showcase yourself and your ancestors. The Ances Tree is a connecting system with little boxes in each “branch” for photographs and keepsakes. Of course the Ances Tree can be expanded, allowing plenty of room to grow your family tree. For fun, architectural inspiration, check out this model of a mid-century modern house. Can be painted or stained or displayed as is! Found at Zippergifts.com.

Tucked away on White Street in New York’s lower East Side lies a veritable jewel when it comes to mid-century furnishings. The owners of Donzella have a fine collection of antiques with a spirited mix. The A and R Abbondi Conical Club Chairs are a unique testament to their edited selection process. Another vendor with an equally keen eye, is Deborah Buck of Buck House Antiques on the Upper East Side of New York. Buck demonstrates her artistic background in her ability to mix and match periods and styles to create a stylized, yet seamless decor. The pair of French Deco chairs with ebonized legs are newly upholstered in a velvet silk. Two examples of mid-century club chairs with an avant-garde look.