Yup, potty. I'm going to go ahead and just say "That's one sexy potty!" as well. The new potty training chairs from European brand Hoppop have it all: looks, user friendliness, and easy cleaning / 'content' disposal. There's an amusing/creepy video that demonstrates that last part on their site. I'm not sure if there are any U.S. distributors yet, but you can order online from several UK sites, including JollyTots and KiddiCare. Price is around £14 or about $23. Once your little one has graduated to the big pot, consider one of Hoppop's colorful stepping stools.

Hoppop Potty available from KiddiCare: £14.99

via

Boon has been a favorite around our house for some time now, in fact our daughter just started using our Boon highchair. Boon just announced a bunch of new items which look absolutely fabulous. Some of my favorites include the Creature Cups bath toys (top left) and the Peep wall mounted mobile. Check out their press release to see descriptions of all the new goodies. I haven't heard about pricing yet, but if their other products are indicative at all, pricing should be quite affordable.

Available this fall from Boon.

This weeks way back when is a mix of the old with the new...

This house is just down the street from mine, and I have been slowly watching it transform as Tyler works on it. He has done an amazing job making a fairly typical 50's home look good. I didn't know just how good until Tyler sent me some pictures of the interior and then I was literally speechless. I'm usually a fan of preserving mid century architecture in it's original form, but this is one update that is both respectful of the original structure, and so much better than it ever was. The house has been completely gutted and redone on the inside, and the pool area in the back yard makes me feel like I am in Palm Springs again. This is a wonderful example of breathing new life into an old house. Ohh and did I mention it's for sale? Anyone have $749,000 they want to give to me?

3602 Apollo

All photo's by Tyler, cast concrete by Future Form Designs.

Heath makes some of the most beautiful tile I have ever seen. I have been drooling over their tiles for years now but the prices have always kept me from seriously considering them for any project. The seconds and overstocks section on their website has always been a temptation to me, although they state that they are for pick up only and they won't ship. I wonder if anyone has ever been able to convince them to ship seconds? If not, it looks like I may have to take a road trip to Sausalito one of these days.

Heath overstock and seconds, prices starting at $5 sq/ft

I ran across these great shots of some Eichler homes in the San Mateo Highlands area on Flickr. I'd love to live in any of these, wouldn't you? I just really love all the colors and different materials - truly stunning.  

  
Images via thomasfj

For more inspiration, check out Flickr group Modern Living Interiors

It looks like Ikea may have some new goodies later this fall about the time we will be getting around to redoing our bathroom. The Ikea 365 collection is expanding and includes the GODMORGON and LILLÅNGEN collections for the bathroom. The collections contains some great double and single bathroom sinks, plus some really good looking cabinets.

I'm an especially big fan of the LILLÅNGEN sink and accessories. The chunky square lines have a nice look to them, and they make for some great storage solutions for all the junk that accumulates in the bathroom.

The last thing that I am excited about is the new pendant lights from the 365+ collection. The 365+ BRASA pendant is powder coated steel and it has an inner diffuser to create a soft light. It comes in black, red or white. White is my favorite.

The last new piece of lighting is the 365+ LUNTA which looks a little like a throwback to the MCM days. Pricing an all items is of course super aggressive as all Ikea goodies are.

You can see the whole collection and all the details, including pricing by looking at the new product 2009 flyer. Which is your favorite?

I got this email from Paul today, and I didn't have any good answers off the top of my head, so I though I would throw it out to the crowd for and answer. Paul asked;

Our house was built in 1951 and it has two bathrooms that were done in Carrera Glass blocks....or vitrolite. Some idiot in 1982 when the second owners bought it decided to smash several of them to install new towel racks and they have covered all of the glass with a layer of clay like plaster and then they wall papered the walls. I really like the tile HEATH Ceramics in Calif has but who can afford them? I also like ModCraft. But there seems to be a real shortage on mid-century modern tile. Do you have any ideas for us on a source for tile?

Any good ideas?