When it comes to design type, nothing gets me like simple symmetry. I was obsessed, for example, with West Elm’s Morrocco windows rug when it came out, and lived vicariously through my twin sister when she got her hands on one for her living room. It’s no wonder, then, that stumbling upon Jill Rosenwald’s Etsy shop was love at first click. Her Hampton Links collection of earthenware is right up my alley, but her other, more abstract designs, (like the Ferris Melt patterned bowl, $150, shown above) are one-of-a-kind pieces that may make it under a Christmas tree or two come December. Visit her shop to browse the changing stock or find her latest musings on her blog. –Sarah C.

Back when I was in college, my dorm decor aesthetic could best be described as “concrete chic”. My roommate and I made the best of what was around, namely Bed, Bath & Beyond, but resigned ourselves to the idea that only so much could be done within the bounds of our stuffy open double, whose lacquered concrete walls actively resisted posters. Not surprisingly, I was floored when I came across this article on Maximilian Sinsteden’s dorm room in New York Magazine’s Home Design issue last year. Then a senior at Drew University, Sinsteden, who clearly has an innate design talent, had interned for designer Charlotte Moss and has started his own interior design company. His transformation is proof that even the most disagreeable spaces have potential. Dorm days may be fleeting, but the need to creatively maximize small spaces is one that follows many through life, and dorm decor blogs can be great resources to that end. The slideshow of Sinsteden’s space is high on inspiration, but for more ideas check out justflewthecoop.com, where Jesse, a junior at the Memphis College of Art shares design tips, DIY ideas and apartment tours that can be carried to the dorm and beyond. –Sarah C.

What could make an already awesome birthday cake better? How about these Kaboom Candles from Spoon Sisters! The cartoon-friendly candles sparkle like Acme bombs as you light the wicks but, don’t worry, the Spoon Sisters’ website site assures us that the candles “are for decoration only, they will not explode.” . . .unless you’re a cartoon coyote, that is. –Katie D.

I was on one of my “Alice down the rabbit hole” eBay adventures when I ran across a listing for horse brass. Apparently horse brasses were used to decorate the harnesses of draft horses and date back to medieval times in England. There’s even an entire society dedicated to the collectibles. Go figure. Although it seems like they would have been used in this country as well (Budweiser anyone?), all the examples I ran across were English. I’m sure there are other decorating possibilities, but for now, the two I scored are hanging from our banisters and providing much-needed camouflage for the scratched-steaup wood. At three inches across, they’re the perfect size and for once, I’m able to let go of my brass hatred and appreciate the beauty of these working day beauties. — Sarah L.