Designer Harry Allen’s Brush Vase in White brings back the raw excitement of a blank canvas that I often felt as a child in art class. Of course, that was before I realized that I’m terrible at painting. Even if you are a Picasso of sorts, this vase allows you to put down your brushes and take time to assemble the roses. Your guests will inquire about your eye for design as well as art.

Harry Allen’s Reality Series celebrates a tradition of found art by immortalizing objects that typically pass unnoticed. He dips objects like Rollerskates, nuts, bananas, (even his own hand!), in resin to create a mold. The result becomes art that wins the approval of Marcel Duchamp appreciators. The Brush Vase in White as well as the Bestow Vase/Candle Holder recently featured in NY Times Home and Garden, are both part of this curious collection. For more work by Harry Allen, please go here.

Stow me, store me, but please don’t throw me away! I moved recently and I could not believe all of the treasures (the word “treasures” is disputable) that I had collected over the years. Some of course, I was able to part with, but others, I could never get rid of. With storage solutions becoming sleeker, more beautiful, and space conscious, the possibilities are nearly endless.

Creative storage solutions are excellent investments because they themselves are conversational pieces. For the sleek minimalist, take a look at the MASH Studios LAX wall mounted shelf. Neutral color, great wood grain details, and creative mounting.

For those envy inducing living spaces with large open walls… what about the MASH Studios LAX bookshelf. I can never get rid of my books and I love to display them. Friends come and borrow them, or give me theirs to read. It is my own personal library. If you don’t want to take up wall space, this can be a great room divider in an open loft space. Separate your eating area from your living area with ease.

I love the concept of modular stacking storage options as well. While these are pictured in an office like setting, I can see these in an industrial kitchen. Display your dishes and teacups and saucers in the open top shelf, put your cereal and flour and pantry items in the closed shelving. A perfect and bright storage option for kitchens that lack built in cabinets.

The next time someone tells you to get rid of your “junk”, kindly correct them about the importance of your “treasures” and pick up any one of these great storage options while adding some great design to your living space.

Artwork can be extremely expensive and these days buying it can be a fringe expense. Typographic themed products are an excellent way to add some brightness to a neutral room, especially if you are limited by what you can change about a room, like the flooring or the wall color.

DP has some great examples of how typography can produce some POP! in your home. If the majority of your color scheme is neutral, your freedom to choose an accent piece is almost limitless. Strewn across muted bedding or casually thrown on a monochromatic sofa – your eye will be drawn to the bright break in color.

When all you need is love, a simple word can be statement enough. Here is a Columbia Forest Alexander Girard PLYprint. What could be bolder than this?

For some interesting and conversation inducing wall artwork, Keep Calm Gallery, located in London has a wide selection of creative prints. All are printed on recycled paper.

Another company I love has some great silkscreened prints…here are a couple printed on acid free paper. Village is “type co-op” founded in Brooklyn. The union of eleven young type foundries created the great products below.

Thanks, Kirin! To view more of Kirin’s favorite design pieces check out her blog: Rakish Beaute

Check out all of the Spring ‘09 Gus Design Group pieces on DP.

View all of the new upper playground designs on DP.

View all of the Thomas Paul Lighting options on DP.

View all of the Qubus Waterproof Boot Vases on DP.

Look at Ali in action with her deeply coveted bag:

Thanks, Petunia Pickle Bottom. You guys rock.

Peruse our Q&A with Jesse Johnson, Co-Founder and CEO of Q Collection Junior, and check out all of their baby furniture and bedding options on DP.