Today Drew sent out an e-mail inviting us all to drinks after work tomorrow. In his e-mail he suggested that we wear our “office casual” attire. I guess we all need a little help in this department because he included guidelines on what to wear:

“Women: blouses, pulled-back hair. Men: ties, pastel shirts, Dockers, no sportcoats. See below for inspiration:”

We’ll see tomorrow how this all pans out…

***A little heads up…this video is in French.

Thanks to one of our ThisNext friends we were tipped off about the video featuring designer team Julie Klear and Moulay Essakalli of Zid Zid Kids. As of yet all of us at DP don’t really know what the video is actually about since we don’t speak French, but with the visuals it isn’t too hard to get the general gist. I’ll be in France next week so maybe I’ll either pick up a word or two and be able to translate for everyone or I’ll find a buddy who will give me the low down. Nonetheless, it is a great chance to see Zid Zid products in action and get to know the designers. Enjoy!

View all Zid Zid Kids products on DP.

The new jefdesigns Home Melamine Plates are a special treat…let me explain why:

1.) The most obvious of all, the plates feature the incredible graphics that are seen on jefdesigns lightboxes and wall panels. I’ve always coveted the wall art pieces but I don’t have any extra wall space for additional art. Ho hum. The best solution? A melamine plate! Yes, you can have it all.

2.) The plates are the first set in a collection of home pieces created by the new and noteworthy team of Joe from jefdesigns and the brother/sister duo freddy&ma. Amazing design folks pairing up to produce more amazing design. This couldn’t get any better.

3.) This is not a collection you will find at every store or in every home…the plates are exclusive to Design Public!

If you are like me and prefer to have a little something special from an amazing artist and not something everyone else can find…you’ve hit the jackpot.

Check out the Design Public exclusive jefdesigns Home Melamine Plate options and give our interview with Joe from jefdesigns a looksee.

A nice write up from AOL Home’s ShelerPop! on nature in home decor. In the spotlight: Inhabit’s Ailanthus and Summer Grass pillows as well as the Thomas Paul Chrysanthemums pillow. Thanks, ShelterPop!

Funny what something like the Vers 2X iPod Sound System will do to people. The other day I was minding my own business and working steadily on my laptop when a non DP related friend looked over my shoulder at my screen showcasing the sound system and he said “Whoa, I have got to get that. How soon can it be shipped to me?” I gave him the information and responded “Yes, I feel the same way as you; this thing causes major eagerness and excitement. My palms are sweating and I think I am pitting because of the sound system, are yours?” I looked over at him and beads of sweat were rolling down his face.

Ok, so maybe it wasn’t that extreme, but my plams did sweat.

Check out the Vers 2X iPod Sound System on DP.

For all gray lovers out there…Unison’s Fall ‘08 Collection includes charcoal bedding! Yes, I ran around in circles too when I first saw the images. While working in customer service I had many a call asking about the various gray duvet options we have and I am so proud/pleased to say that we have another beautiful piece to add to the list. The charcoal striped “Porter” print is a great clean and minimalist choice for guys and gals alike. Considering that I am going through a major gray loving frenzy right now, this is at the top of my wish list!

Check out all of Unison’s Fall ‘08 Collection on DP.

Thomas Paul has such a knack for color with regards to everything…pillows, rugs and now lighting!

When I first saw his pillows I had over a handful of favorites to don my sofa. Then I saw his rugs and imagined covering all of my floor space with pieces. If that was the case no hardwood would be seen! Now I imagine moving upwards and illuminating my ceilings and tables with his lighting collection. From my top ten list of lighting favorites I think one of my chief picks is the Louis II Floor Lamp, or maybe I might prefer the Gus Table Lamp, actually the Wide Drum Pendant Lamp is awesome, and then of course I can’t leave out the Ting Table Lamp. Ok, so again I can’t make up my mind.

Check out all of the Thomas Paul rugs, lighting and pillow options on DP.

Holly, a correspondent for The Boston Globe and decor8 blogger, passed along her recent Boston Globe article on modern, less theme-y nursery items. In the spotlight: OFFI My Pet Lamps and Pablo Tube Top Colored Small Table Lamps.

Thanks, Holly!

The Cavern Home Navajo Wallpaper makes me want to share a story: This past weekend I was home in the 100 degree dry Colorado heat and all I could think about was the longing for rain. The solution: teach your 2.5 year old niece how to do a makeshift rain dance. We danced our hearts out then ran outside. It took a few minutes but lo and behold it started to rain huge refreshing drops. We spent the next hour running around in the rain getting absolutely drenched. Now that I see the Cavern Home Navajo Wallpaper I feel inclined to buy a roll and make it into some fun wall art to commemorate our rain creating experience. (p.s. I read the forecast earlier that day and it called for thunderstorms, but to a 2.5 year old it was a big deal).

Check out all of the Cavern Home wallpapers on DP.

A great feature on outdoor seating from AOL Home.

In the spotlight: orange22 Botanist Flora Bench and OFFI Tiki Stools.

Thanks, guys!