Current Obsessions: Pep Talk

It’s April, and everywhere we look there’s a fresh dose of design energy. For color encouragement, Ikea’s latest Scandi-cool releases, a glorious new garden book, and one thing we’re eyeing from Salone del Mobile, read on…

Above: If you needed a sign to just go for it with color, this is it: green-painted panels, blue industrial flooring, a painted steel sheet, and standout chairs that somehow works. See more in this week’s Marvila House: A New Modern Extension for an Old Charming Townhome in Lisbon. Photograph by Francisco Ascensão, courtesy of Atelier José Andrade Rocha.

• Ikea’s Stockholm 2025 collection is out…and what are we ordering, you ask? Fan has her eye on this verdant cabinet, and Annie’s awaiting this cheerful yellow light and woven rug.
• In bed with Laila Gohar and Marimekko at Salone del Mobile.
• Our friends at Area are hosting a spring sale online and in the NY store, April 14-21: “Time for some of the collections to be discontinued to make room for new ones. Most are 40 percent off.”
• We’re still obsessed with these clever light fixture cover-ups—and now they’ve launched kid-approved versions.
• Inside Erika Toogood’s East London place.
• On view at SFMOMA: Ruth Asawa: Retrospective (and pop by the gift shop for goods made for the occasion by MQuan Studio).
• There’s much to admire in this Rome flat—including irreverent hand-painted illustrations.
• Mind blown. A hybrid fruit tree that, thanks to grafting, will grow plums, cherries, almonds, a King George IV peach, and more.
• Clare has a new book out! Here’s a peek at Wonderlands: British Garden Designers at Home.
• Heads-up for fans of Margot’s botanical flatlays: You’ll get the chance to learn from the master herself at her May 18th NYBG workshop.
• Laura is admiring the gorgeous Frances Palmer x KRB collaboration.
• One of our favorite orgs (the Native Plant Trust) is hosting an online symposium about one of our fave topics (native plants) featuring some of our favorite plantspeople (including Uli Lorimer and Edwina von Gal). Registration info here.
• Ever heard of clorotipia? Thanks to Kier, we now want to learn more.
• A must-read excerpt from Doug Tallamy’s new book, How Can I Help? Saving Nature with Your Yard.
• And dropping April 26: dahlia stamps!