Ever heard of Zara? Good, then you heard it here first. If you haven’t heard of it, you’re probably not much of a world traveler. Zara is a hot brand that has just become the world’s largest clothing retailer. That honor was given to Gap until this week. A slumping U.S. consumer sales market has dropped Gap’s revenues by 10 percent in the first quarter of their fiscal year. For your edification: Zara clothing is trendy , chic, inexpensive, you can’t buy it online and there are 3,900 Zara stores in the world, compared to 3,100 Gap outlets. There are five Zara stores in New York City and surrounding areas. The retail giant was born in Spain (in the bedroom of 72-year-old founder and chairman Amancio Ortega, who made bathrobes) and the first store opened in 1975. Now you can shop in Zara stores in Bahrain, Croatia and Iceland. British Vogue says the Zara philosophy is fast fashion: they quickly take (more…)

You can’t buy love. But you sure can surround yourself with beauty that is good for the heart and soul. That notion would seem to be the organizing principle behind the eclectic offerings at Rian Rae Interiors & Gifts, which specializes in unique but comfy home décor pieces that make use of elements found in nature and are, quite simply, beautiful to behold. They’re also so sensually and texturally alluring that you might just long to reach out and touch them, like these geometrically shaped hand-crocheted pendant lamps ($224; pictured) or this French crinkle pendant made of white glass ($379). The Bamboo Cloud chandelier was designed by a Thai artist using traditional bamboo-weaving techniques in a nontraditional way ($690). The roof of this handcrafted lantern ($1,898) is covered with oyster shells. Cuddle up on the couch with this crocheted wool throw ($148), and put a cup of hot tea on this coffee table made from an antique Fench pigeon basket ($1,385). (more…)

Multicolored anodized aluminum is back and as sleek as ever for the home. First popularized by the Art Deco movement, the process of making the metal’s surface harder and less reactive with acidic substances resulted in beautiful objects for the home like these rare English Art Deco anodized pink ($375) and green ($175) aluminum vases from Decollect. For the noncollector, we found a set of six tumblers at Sur la Table ($30) just right for outdoor entertaining. And for keeping the ice cream cold, Betty’s Attic has a retro aluminum ice cream bowl set ($18). For cocktails, Target offers sets of colorful martini and margarita (pictured) glasses ($30 for a set of six), and for nondrinkers there are juice tumblers ($20 for a set of six). Each one features a different color on the outside (like turquoise, eggplant and olive), and a mirror finish on the inside. Pour the beverages from a huge 98-ounce retro pitcher ($20). And if you’re in the market for a bud vase, TVA has a charming example of anodized aluminum that comes in your choice of red, purple or silver. Hand washing is recommended for all items.

Thank goodness for the Web. How else would you be able to score handmade home goods from around the world? (Unless of course you’re going to pull a Phileas Fogg?) Enter Poppytalk Handmade, an online “street market” showcasing handmade goods from artisans worldwide. The key differentiator from other craft sites like Etsy.com is that Poppytalk Handmade features a monthly theme. July’s market is themed “Home Sweet Home!” and features goods to make a house a home. August’s theme is “School Days!” appropriately enough. Much like an antiques emporium, the site features a limited number of screened “sellers,” who rent their space by the month. We were drawn to artist Michelle Brusegaard’s unique take on formalwear, which includes striking, signed digital prints of gowns hanging on clotheslines ($15 each). Also nifty: Domestic Construction’s pendant lighting made entirely of tea cups ($58). Beehive Kitchenware’s bird measuring spoons ($88; pictured) and other kitchen goods are the antithesis of standard issue culinary wares. The same can be said for Flappergirl Creations’ sexy aprons and coffee cup cozys ($28, $12).

Office organizers with style and a green streak should take a look at a new line of goods from design giant Herman Miller: The Teneo storage system was designed by Ayse Birsel and Bibi Seck (Birsel was just honored by the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design) and has earned the Silver “Cradle to Cradle” eco-certification, partly thanks to the recyclability of most of its components. Designed in modules that can be combined to fit the storage needs of workspaces both large and small, Teneo lets users decide how many shelves, drawers and mini-closets they want. It also offers a pleasing array of surface materials — from metal and wood veneer to felt and cork — and encourages customers to mix and match using an online Color Tool to visualize choices. Pricing varies, depending on finishes and options; a thorough price breakdown can be downloaded here. Teneo is availabe through Herman Milller dealers; to find a dealer in your area, enter your state or Zip code here.

It’s a garden of wonders at home decorating stores lately, as the classic theme of fruit has been revived with enthusiasm and now inhabits a wide range of home items. Fruit-themed pieces are fun, and an easy way to give your home a summery look. The pineapple has long been a popular motif in home decor. The pineapple hearth candelabra (pictured) is a graceful way to dress up the fireplace during the off season($55); it supports six pillar candles and is crowned with sculptural pineapple votive cover. The wrought-iron pineapple wall frieze ($80) is a striking adornment for any doorway. These lifelike porcelain pears and apricots will fool any guest reaching into a fruit bowl. Created by artists Lorraine Taylor and Nicky Smart, the sculptures are molded from real fruit and meticulously tinted and glazed ($72 to $400). Top off that mantle or sofa table with this handsome Belcaro pear box made of wood and decorated with bronzed leaves ($136). A & I Home Décor specializes in fruit decor, including grape, mixed fruit, strawberry and the pineapple (again!) kitchen wear, yet the perfect fruit for any country kitchen has to be the apple. We like the kitschy table clock ($30), the audacious big apple bread box ($32) or the cheerful ceramic three-piece tabletop set ($11). Finally, the Dale Tiffany fruit ceiling pendant lamp would look gorgeous over any dining table, with its warm fruity glow (on sale for $203).

It started with the latest e-mail from CB2 with this photo of a bedroom with the words “so boho” to describe it. I liked the room, so I decided to investigate other boho furnishings and home décor to see what the term actually means from a visual standpoint. The original Bohemians were travelers or refugees from central Europe; the French word bohémien means “gypsy.” DMI India describes boho as “a fashion look with fringing, patchwork, homespun and raw-edged fabrics, paisley and floral prints, embroidery, tassels, studding, tooled leather.” The lovely Women of Hope sandstone statue ($78) and tropical bamboo lounge chair ($74), both from Ten Thousand Villages, qualify as boho décor. So does the Tommy Hilfiger Bohemian Luxe bedding collection at Boscovs, which features a symphony of ruffles, paisley and stripes in fanciful designs. To see enough boho items to fill a room, visit Polyvore. I couldn’t find the featured ruby metallic vases at the U.K. Store The Pier, but I’m pretty sure this autumn gold vase ($138) and small bowl ($50) and this amber Sundance mosaic vase ($40) are equally boho in character. Both would look perfect with the Sofagarden’s Moroccan sunburst pillow in maroon and gold brocade ($100). I’m not so sure about this boho iron bed ($1,800 to $2,100) at Sundance, but what do I know? Described as a “bohemian rhapsody that evokes a fortuitous attic find,” the bed might pass with the right items piled up around it.

You’re striving for “curb appeal” with a manicured lawn, tasteful front door and lovely outdoor lighting. But your mailbox may stick out like a sore thumb. That’s a shame: it could contribute to your style of décor. For example, a wall-mounted Mission mailbox ($169) would complement arts and crafts, contemporary or  ranch houses. Rusty and rustic, it comes in several stains, including verdigris patina and slate. The Huntington and Manhattan (scroll down) are available in horizontal and vertical shapes and in beautiful, distressed finishes (prices $130 - $170 depending on size and stain). For the thoroughly modern urban abode: a bright yellow box or a striking green-toned box, both designed and made in Germany ($395 each). Another minimal mailbox is the Metropolis ($109). This bronze box ($119) would complement an elegant home, and is big enough for oversized envelopes. Another traditional choice, a hand-polished Peninsula mailbox ($205) has old world charm. The saddlebag style ($509) in copper has an artisan flavor. If you have refurbished an old home, there are superb reproductions of Victorian mailboxes (scroll down), including an ornate design featuring Cupid ($270, pictured) in brass or a bargain ($17.79) in baked black enamel. A hammered copper mailbox would be right at home with a mid-century remodel. Some of the most whimsical and fun mailboxes affix to a post, (scroll down) hand-carved and hand-painted likenesses of cats ($189.50) or dogs (pick from more than 50 breeds for $145).