… is a theme that has been (over?) done in fashion for some time now.  While I am not willing to subscribe to many of its incarnations (monkey fur coats?!!! thanks, but I’m not trying to wear the pelts of my distant cousins as outerwear), the aesthetic can be pretty marvelous and unexpected when brought to the realm of home accents.  Case in point:

Based on my experience staring longingly at samples sold in various neighborhood boutiques, I can vouch for their exquisite craftsmanship.  Light one up in your front hallway to make those unwelcome houseguests pee in their pants, or place next to the potpourri in your powder room so they won’t have to.

All images via DL & Company website; select items also available at Mercado in Silver Lake

I really don’t know why I get so excited when Built by Wendy releases a new collection. It’s not like I can afford anything. Still, I can’t help looking/lusting at Wendy Mullin’s creations, and daydreaming about finding large sums of money on the ground. Here are some of my favs from Spring 2010:

All photos by Annabel Mehran via Built by Wendy

In one of the coolest collaborations of recent memory, No Age provides the soundtrack to Aanteni, a bizarre-o, high-fashion, sci-fi, short film directed by Todd Cole for superstar design sisters Rodarte. Damn! Watch the weirdness (and I mean that in the best way!) over at Nowness.

Film still via GvsB

Somebody purchase these for me, and I promise that I won’t wipe my sandy beach bum on them come summer, but instead will hang them up in my room and stare at them all year round, and they’ll never have to absorb a goddamn thing but my ever loving reverence.

Raymond Pettibon and Ed Ruscha Beach Towel images via Third Drawer Down, towels available at same (Pettibon sold out, but restocked soon!)

Lovers of geometric patterns on a budget- it is time to pounce.  Select items from Mary Meyer’s fall line are on sale!  I have been stalking this Brooklyn-based designer’s wares for some time now, and cannot wait to sport her bold triangle print all over town.  Plus, if you live in the Bay Area and would like to ask questions, you can call the designer’s studio sans long distance charges, as this Bay Area lady kept her native 510 area code.  This deal just keeps on giving!!

P.S. The correct URL is marymeyerclothing.com, not to be confused with marymeyer.com, fine purveyor of teddy bears since 1933.

Images via marymeyerclothing.com

Some of the goods on Etsy look like they were made by midwestern housewives for the local church bazaar. Yokoo’s creations don’t look like that. At all.

If ever knitted items could scream art, these do. The shapes, the colors, the photos: ART!

But totally wearable- if you’re a badass.

Images via Yokoo’s Etsy Shop.

Perhaps you share the rumored predilection of certain Nordic black metal figures for bone necklaces, but unlike these individuals, you’re not cool with having the raw materials for your accessories sourced from your band mate’s skull.  All you faux hardcore peoples can rest easy:

“a broken jaw is hard to mend” 

“teal jaw bone”

Both not cruelly sourced and available on Etsy.

I’m constantly trying to steer my wardrobe towards garments other than t-shirts and jeans. Sometimes, though, a rad t-shirt just can’t be denied.

Designed by Cali Dewitt, and available via Blood Is the New Black.

…or you could stand in close proximity to the best knick knack stalls at the flea market and initiate a magnetic field around your neck.  But why start a vendor riot/risk a spinal cord injury when you can just hit up Etsy?

Buy it at designer 135 Etsy shop (image via same)

Human Hair and Leather Strap Necklace by Kathycoleman Etsy Shop

Bullet on Chain Necklace by Rackk and Ruin Etsy Shop

“I scalped the last guy who messed with me and am currently wearing his hair around my neck like a medal, but feel free to take a tango and see what happens.”

For those moments when you gotta to wage some serious warfare, but also ought to be restrained.  AKA perfect for nights out at the cluuuub, when you need to send the “I AM crazy and I WILL kill you” message to errant sleazeballs in a subdued, aesthetically appealing manner.

Images via Garbage Dress, which I check everyday.  

Similar harnesses currently available at the Garbage Dress Etsy page.

A baller-ass cure for writer’s block.

Image via Erica Weiner Jewelry.