We’ve posted before about the unique and green offerings at Viva Terra, and the company has me swooning again, this time over the statement-making Lotus Flower Chandelier. The $329 price tag put a temporary damper on my swoonfest, that is, until I saw this ingenious post by Reichel Broussard of Copy Cat Chic. A true deal detective, Reichel found this similar chandelier at Island Woods for just $162.25! Swoon on. Stop by her blog to experience her knack for finding low-cost look-alikes or turn up your own deal at the Viva Terra summer clearance sale, going on now. – Sarah C.

Last week was the summer solstice which means it’s officially picnic season! From the extravagant wine-and-cheese variety to the ultra casual take-out-chili-dogs-on-the-beach, nothing beats the luxury of dining alfresco. Let’s hear it, readers: what are your picnic essentials? It is a ‘can’t miss’ potato salad recipe, a cooler you love more than your TV, or a picnic spot you swear by? Share the wealth and slather on the sunscreen. — Katie D

image by flickr member margaret.stranks

I’ve been intrigued by the idea of “remote” interior design services for some time now, and I recently decided to give it a try. I wanted to get a designer’s reaction to our master bedroom because I was having issues with color and needed help with finishing touches to pull it all together. I decided to go with the design services offered on Decorati.com.

With their Design Advisor service, you can choose from six advice types. The quickest and most affordable is e-decorating, which is what I chose. In this option, you communicate with the designer via email and/or phone and pay either a flat or per-hour fee depending on his or her policy. Each designer sets their own price for their services. To read more about Michelle’s adventures in remote design, click here! (more…)

I think you can safely say that you’re a true design geek when you get distracted from the freaky performances by Daryl Hannah and Rutger Hauer in the classic Blade Runner because of a chair! After seeing the Canopied Porter Chair in person recently, I picked it right out of the gloom in J.F. Sebastian’s apartment — I’d know those curved lines and brass tacks anywhere. In long shots, it looks like they retrofitted it with some kind of weird contraption on top, but that’s not exactly surprising given the context. — Mary T.

Photo via Brick My Lane
Related: What’s your favorite movie home decor?