I’m willing to bet you could scare a few people with this shower curtain from Urban Outfitters. I think even if I bought it myself I might get freaked out walking into my bathroom now and again. The semi-opaque curtain has a shadowy figure screenprinted on the front that’s sure to shock bathroom goers. Pick one up for $28 here. — Erica P.

Related: Psycho shower curtain

Only the truly dog-devoted will understand: one of the best things about warmer weather is getting to watch your dog swim. This past weekend, we took our dogs on an inaugural summer lake outing, along with brand-spankin-new Wubbas. These simple, floating retrieval toys are the absolute hit at the dog park — so much so, other dogs will ignore their tennis balls and try to retrieve our dogs’ Wubbas instead. My theories on why dogs love them: they have not one but two balls to chew, and they have a big, flying tail that makes them super visible (and probably looks like some kind of bird). I also want to give this Chuckit! Amphibious Bumper a try. Oh, and we do plenty of plain old Tuff Balls retrieval, too — oversized to fit our mastiffs’ giant mouths! — Mary T.

A wall decal from Shutterfly, above. Could it inspire you to create something as artistic as what’s below?

If you like the look of photo wall murals or decals but want a more personalized image, Shutterfly could have the solution. Using your own photo, you can use your own photo to create a wall decal up to 5′ x 3.75′. You can make a life-size photo image of your son or daughter — that could be fun for a kids’ room — but we kind of like the idea of experimenting with other photos to see if you could capture the look of a wall mural like these seen on Apartment Therapy, but with more your personal touch (and perhaps less cost). You won’t be able to fill an enormous wall perhaps, but we have a feeling our readers could get plenty creative anyway. Shutterfly photo decals range from $60-100. Anyone tried them? — Mary T.

Strolling near downtown last night, I saw a chair in a shop window I’d never seen before: a strange mash-up of modern and old-fashioned, upholstered in burlap, secured with brass tacks, edged in mahogany, and labeled “Porter Chair.” Needing to learn more, I found this comprehensive post by Anna Hoffman at Apartment Therapy on the history of canopied, or porter, chairs. She writes:

“Canopied chairs carry a sense of drama and ceremony fit for a monarch. Kelly Wearstler, glam queen, loves to use them in restaurants, to add a touch of romance…. So it surprised me to discover that historically, they were used as chairs for hall porters to sit in while they kept watch at the doors of grand homes and palaces — like very well-appointed bouncers!”

The chair I spotted is the Canopy Chair by Jayson Home & Garden, and you can pick one up for the tidy sum of $1,895. Be sure to see Anna Hoffman’s post for all the great information and, especially, photos of all manner of canopy chairs. — Mary T.

1) You’re ready to collect hair to help with the oil spill. Ellobie says: “No. Way. That is crazy gross & awesome at the same time. I’m going to Swiffer tonight!” Read about how pet hair, human hair, and nylons will help clean up the Gulf, and how to donate yours.

2) Not everyone likes fruit on a stick as a gift. Beth Ellen says: “Edible Arrangements are a TERRIBLE idea unless there will be a party — they must be eaten immediately, or taken apart, since they are generally (in my experience) too tall for the fridge. Also, the fruit must be preserved in some way to keep it looking fresh — when I have received them I’ve thought they were kinda gross….” This right after Mary T. (who has had good experience with them) decided to send one to her mom. Sarah L. says: “I think Edible Arrangements is a franchise, so there are probably good ones and bad ones. I have sent them as gifts to new moms to rave reviews. The one closet to me is awesome.” See the rest of Paola’s Mother’s Day list here.

3) Drying closets aren’t new to everyone. CityMinx says: “I lived in Sweden about 20 years ago and those were pretty standard in home laundry rooms. I remember the clothes came out a little crispy, but softened up once you put them on.” And Kimberj says: “They’ve had these in old English cottages in the Cotswalds for years. They were just small closets with hanging rod and shelves. the walls and shelves were full of holes to let the air pass through.” Obviously still great ideas! See the new drying closets.

4) Penguin backpacks: not just for kids. Simone says: “OMG!!! I have been looking for that penguin backpack for my 2 yo nephew — THANK YOU!! Ordering it today…wonder if he will share!!” See it here.

5) IKEA Kulla lamp help is helpful. PJ says of Marc’s DIY on fixing the Kulla lamp: “Marc! Thank you for sharing your repair instructions. I think everyone here would love it if you sent some photos to Shelteriffic so they might publish a visual how-to. I also own a much loved but completely broke-down Kulla lamp.” No photos, but you can read step-by-step fix-it instructions right here.

Shelterpop gives us a sneak peek inside Kanye West’s office. Love him or loathe him, you must admit he’s got style in spades.

Wheat has been a troublesome ingredient for some of us here lately. Thankfully, as Casasugar shows, using it as decor is much less irritating than ingesting it.

Cinco de Mayo has come and gone, but you can celebrate year round thanks to Craft. They’ve got a great tutorial on how to make a weather-proof papel picado out of oilcloth.

At a loss for a gift for the first-time homebuyer in your life? Thankfully, ReadyMade has got you covered with a roundup of cool custom rubber address stamps.

Here’s a helpful list from Consumerist for all you new parents (and gift shoppers): Things you don’t need to buy for a new baby.

Over at the BBC, we learned that UK fishermen have to work 17 times harder than they used to — for profoundly less fish. Guess a hundred years of poor managed fisheries takes a toll.

The Kitchn is talking tortillas — namely, the best way to heat them up. We’re big proponents of just toasting them over the burner (when we had a gas stove, that is!).

Love room porn and stockpiling design ideas? Sounds like you’ve got a fever and the only prescription is Houzz.com. An online community for architects, designers and décor aficionados, the site allows users to browse through thousands of designed spaces by style and room and create personalized ideabooks that they can save and share with friends. Best of all, the site is interactive; members can comment on each other’s ideabooks, pose questions on the “buzz board” and even tag items in photos to provide purchasing information for others. Architects and designers also have a home on the site to market their work, so those interested in making their dreams a reality need look no further than the professional ideabooks featured in their metro area. Three cheers for the encyclopedia of room porn! –Sarah C.

This Sunday, I’d love to sleep-in to the sinful hour of nine o’clock, but that probably won’t happen. Instead, the horde will scramble up onto our bed and before they can be whisked away, scream “Happy Mother’s Day,” at which point sleep seems like a waste of good snuggle time. As long as I will be getting an early start, I’d love to enjoy my coffee with Jasper Conran’s new book, “Country”. It promises to be as much about celebrating English landscapes, traditions and homes as it is about celebrating the people who live there. — Sarah L.

I have mad-crazy love for American Spoon Food’s Sour Cherry Spoon Fruit. Made in Michigan from locally grown cherries, it’s loaded with chunks (hence the spoon part) and uses juice as a sweetener instead of sugar for a fruitier — and in the case of the sour cherry, tarter — taste. Just in time for Mother’s Day they’ve introduced Jammys. Fifteen all-natural fruit candies in an assortment of flavors (Damson plum, Leelanau apricot, Montmorency cherry, Bartlett pear and crabapple) are just $21.95 plus shipping. How sweet is that? — Sarah L.

Apply to get one done by author Susanna Salk

Okay, before you get to excited, we have to say this only is ONLY for Tri-State area residents. (Sorry Mary!) We just heard that iVillage’s Home site (full disclosure, one of the Shelterrific team works there) is looking to create a makeover video series with design expert Susanna Salk. You may know her from her books, or maybe the TODAY Show. We were asked to spread the word to you about this is opportunity to get some professional help and a little digital love for you and your personal space. If you have a room that needs an update, click through to the next page to see how to apply. (more…)