Shades or blinds always seem to enhance a room and can infuse an ethereal vibe into any living space. You can now make your own rice paper roller shades and for more information head over here.

Materials:
rice paper
1 wooden dowels
2 white cloth tape
roller shade hardware

Tools:
tape measure
carpenters square
carpenters straight edge
shears
pencil
sewing machine
crosscut saw for cutting wood dowels
screwdriver or screw gun for mounting hardware

The Measuring:
You start out measuring your windows for roller shades; width and height. Here�s where you need to decide where they will be mounted; on the wall or trim (outside mount) or in between window casing or shelving (inside mount) and which side of the window you want the controls. At least 13/4� depth is needed for an inside mount shade. The paper will be narrower than this overall measurement by 1� to 1 1/2� to allow for hardware. The shade is limited by the width of the rice paper. The widest I�ve found the rice paper on a roll is 38�.

The Rice Paper:
You need rice paper sold by the yard on a roll. You will need a piece of paper the length of your window plus 12�. Great resources for paper are Miki�s Paper, Kozo Arts, and Flax.

The Hardware Store:
Pick up 1� dowels for the hem. They will be cut to the width measurement of your finished shade. Also cloth tape, wood screws, and any tools you lack. Some of my favorite hardware stores are Cliffs in The City (that�s San Francisco) or Pastime in the East Bay.

The Rollers:
Order the rollers from a custom roller shade shop. Ask them to make the allowance for inside or outside mount shades. Order a bead pull, not a spring loaded roller.
Specify left or right control. In S.F. try Art Shade Shop. In Berkeley, Alcatraz Shade Shop.

You don’t need big bucks to purchase paintings for your bathroom. Just do what Kim from Desire to Aspire did by making her own art. Her “1” and “2” paintings look great don’t you think?

HOW TO: Make Your Own Bathroom Art

“Esprit de Corps: Bench Marc” is one of the weirdest seating solution we have ever seen on Bedzine. A brainchild of Rob Pruitt, the bench is certainly not for design connoisseurs. So what do you think? Will you put this in your livingroom even for just laughs?

Esprit de Corps: Bench Marc

Bed Bath and Beyond is a favorite among consumers and the company recently gave some handy tips to students who are in the market for college furniture. Bed Bath and Beyond recommend the following:

Check it out
Call the school to find out what furniture is provided and how big the beds are. You don’t want to buy sheets that don’t fit.
Check it off
Make a list, this way it’s easier to keep track of what you bought and what you need.
Split it up
Talk to a roommate so you don’t buy duplicates.
Don’t panic
There are bound to be stores nearby where you can find those forgotten items.
Get help
Ask friends or relatives who have already gone through the freshman experience for some survival tips.

Via Lehigh Valley High

Bed Bath and Beyond Gives Tips to Students

The Cemia Bed is a simple yet chic bed from Peter Maly. Maly has designed the bed for Ligne Roset and offers the headboard in two widths, allowing the bed to suit rooms of varying sizes. The bed frame is also available without the headboard.

The Cemia Bed

There is something extremely cool and hip about the Typography Wall Graphic. Ideal for a dorm room or even a loft, the Wall graphic  includes 11 characters and 47 flourishes from Estilo Script and Expletive Script. The decals are a blik Re-Stick product, so you can use them over and over again.

Typography Wall Graphic

“’Esti’s talent has resulted in the production of exemplary and bespoke designs which complement our schemes perfectly. She demonstrates great talent and ability in understanding colour, style, layout and mood. Top Floor rugs are fluid pieces. “

Esquire Rug

Via Curbly

Post It Wallpaper

Via tranism

Automated Brooming

The concept is simple yet modern. Themes of round and simple conceptualization are what these bathroom vanities have to offer and it will surely captivate that new look your bathroom always needed.

(via Freshome)

Atmosfera and Onda Bathroom Vanities

The beauty of it is that it can be assembled in any manner you wish and knowing people today, they will want to try out the different possibilities to see which actual design will fit their room.

The aptly named Folding Lamp is made from a 0.8mm sheet of stainless steel pre-scored so all you have to do is fold along the dotted lines. In what order you choose to fold is entirely up to you making each piece a unique item.

(Source) Yanko Designs

Steel Based Folding Lamp

So if you think about it, having this trendy multimedia coffee table will not only be something unique, but also a certainly new room complement to people who want to enjoy and relax with some great music.

Owing to its immediacy and accessibility, the table lets you and your green-eyed guests to browse through the music libraries and select the favorite tracks. You can even use your portable music players to download the music directly. Details are sketchy regarding the full specs, but we do appreciate the concept of a coffee table that plays music.

(Source) Bornrich.org

Multimedia Coffee Table

Firetable, as the name suggests, is a table that emits fire. I sure don’t find it very practical where I live, but those in the colder countries could probably appreciate it. It’s a coffee table, for living rooms or large rooms that would appreciate a heater but need something more fitting to the theme of the room. I wouldn’t call it the safest thing around, but hell it’s cool!

Firetable

Check out these awesome shade lounges you can enjoy your favorite beer, wine, or cocktail while watching your beautiful ocean view from your back porch. (Well, if you have one that is…)

via charlesandmarie

Shade Lounge

Check out this cool design that is basically customizable with plug-n-play arm and back rests. You could probably use this also as a bed.

A set of furniture which places flexibility first. An innovative, patented, plug-in system for arm-rests and back-rests allows for individual design requirements. The diversity of possible combinations and coverings gives Materassi a completely personal touch.

via trendir

Matteo Thun Sofa

The Coiba BED seems to have the perfect design for anyone looking to make their bedroom look longer. (if your bedroom is boxy that is…)

via usona

Coiba BED for modern long look

Wow, check out these cool chill out sofa beds you can get. With the modern look and chic style, you can go wrong by putting these in your livingroom or even your bedroom.

Manfred Wakolbinger’s vivacious, futuristic sculptures have made him famous well beyond Austria’s borders. Wakolbinger’s first furniture piece for Wittmann is both sculptural and functional. The artist also drew inspiration from visits to the Orient and suites of the 1970s.
Chill Out has an exciting new look and invites you to explore new ways of sitting and reclining. As a sofa and double recliner it is a very communicative piece with room for several people. Chill Out is also available as a solo recliner for those who simply want, as the name suggests, to relax.

via trendir

Chill out sofa beds!

Wow, check out this cool Metroplitan bed from B&B Italia. It looks very good for complementing any modern bedroom especially if you have colors.

The Metropolitan bed has been designed by Jeffrey Bernett for B&B Italia, who has created a stylish Italian bed that should be universally appreciated. Characterized by the continuity of materials between the sleek upholstered headboard and the integrated side tables, the components of this bed seems to flow effortlessly from one to the other. Its sensuous curves and the slimness of its elements creates a modern and chic aesthetic.

via trendir

Find stylish sleep sets shopping form home. We have a great selection of bed linens and comforter sets at he best site for beds, BestInBeds.com.

The new Metropolitan bed

Check out some of the cool modern bedroom inspiration posts over at freshome.

via freshome

Bedroom Inspiration

Wow, check out this scrabble sofa. If you are a scrabble lover, you will love this one.

these Scrabble Sofas are made by Stephen Reed for employees in the London offices of Bloomberg financial services. Users can make words and leave messages with the screen printed letter cushions.

via freshhome

Find a beanbag chair for kids of all sizes. Our beanbag chairs  come in a fabulous fabrics, and the Royal love sack is the ultimate in lounging luxury at TheBeanbagChairOutlet.com.

Scrabble Sofa

This Letto 4 BED seems like the perfect bed base for anyone living on the edge.

via usona

Live on the edge with a new Memory Foam Mattress. Find great information in these and many different Mattresses and bedding sets at BestInBeds.com.

Letto 4 BED

Wow, check out this cool lookin’ sofa from Tom Dixon!

Tom Dixon Sofa

Wow, check out the Noho BED that is basically a modern circle bed but also transforms easily into a modern sofa!

No hard edges here, the Noho is perfectly round at 79 inches in diameter. This advantgarde bed features a one position adjustable head elevation for comfortable lounging and in bed reading. Available as shown in black leather look upholstery with black microfiber mattress cover and chrome legs.

via Manhattan Loft

Noho BED

Remember the Murphy Beds and the TableBEDs? Well, this one combines all of them into one. You get a Table Desk, Drawers, and a BED!

via Tilaway Beds

TiltAway Beds with Desk

Wow, check out this cool Testata 12 Headboard which would be perfect platform for any memory foam mattresses.

[via] usona

Testata 12 Headboard

Here’s G – Nadia BED , which is another cool lookin’ modern platform bed.

G – Nadia BED

Check out this cool corner BED for your dog. It’d be a great big bed you can simply place on the corner of your wall.

Here is a super soft bed you can tuck away in a corner. We have one in our bedroom and the dogs love it. It’s become a favorite place to sleep. This extra large bed is 44″x44″x64″. It is very thick (10 inches or so) and the bolster around the corner provides a place for your dog to tuck up against or rest his head on. The fleece-like surface is mottled so it hides hair nicely. The poly-cotton cover can be removed and washed in your washing machine. You can either hang dry or dry in the dryer. The polypropylene liner with Hypro-Loft fiber filling is removable, washable and dryable. Caddis uses Hypro-loft which is their exclusive blend of virgin and recycled fibers providing unmatched loft retention that won’t break down with use. This bed is not chew proof. If your dog chews fabric, it’s not a good choice for you.

Corner BED for your dog

Check out this cool luxury (see-through) dog bed. I’d want this for myself. (maybe a little bit bigger…)

WOWBOW is a new luxury brand committed to pampered pets & their discerning two legged companions

Luxury Dog Bed

Check out this cool bed that can be transformed into a table during the day.

Transforms from a generous size dining or work table to a comfortable bed in seconds.

TableBed – BED that can also be used as a table

Check out this cool Redwood Burl BED by Artisan. It features real redwood. (It must give off that cool redwood smell…nice) This is great for anybody who likes to go camping and be outdoors. (Why? You can smell the wood at home too and feel like your outside…duh~)
Just looking at this bed makes me want to get one…(Yes, I am an outdoors person…really…)

Beds are custom built. Here are a few crafted for excited customers.

How would you like to sleep in nature’s hands? Give us a call – we’d love to tell you how.

Redwood Burl BEDs

Here’s a cool sofa wall bed for your house guests.

• Available in King, Queen, Full, and Twin. Accepts standard size innerspring mattress with maximum thickness of 8 inches.
• Mattress floats on a European slat system for a super-comfortable night’s sleep.
• The sofa is sturdily constructed with hardwood, plywood, and kiln-dried architectural grade lumber.

Sofa wall BED

Check out some of the cool kid’s beds at kidsquarteronline.com like this one. I wish I had one of these when I was little. The prices are pretty decent too. (around $300-$400)

The Indy Race Car Beds are a wonderful choice for your little one. Quality construction and detailed painting with a high gloss finish make this bed as attractive as it is sturdy. Available in your choice of a Indy Red or Formula Blue, your child will love to hear the words “it’s bedtime!”. Bed comes complete as shown with mattress supports and accommodates a standard twin size mattress (not included). A matching 5 drawer Gas Pump Chest is also available.

Indy Race Car BED

Here’s another cool hideaway wall bed that give your bedroom or livingroom a modern look.  This looks much better than the Murphy bed.

The LGM 02 double swivel bed converts with just one simple movement, LGM becoming a desk/bookcase or at night a comfortable bed with slatted base.

LGM 02 – hide away swivel wall bed with desk

FunkyFurniture’s got some funky beds such as the Far Out Beds shown above.

Our newest addition. It’s something we’ve been toying with for a long time as our Clients wanted something fashionable, like our cool beds for the bedroom, but for their living room or sun room. This is just the piece. It comes ready for your own “extender” sized Futon. Lots of funky detail in this one.

Funky Furniture’s Far Out BED

This stock bed is kinda scary… But you can actually order these if you are into this kinda stuff. (It’d be great for amusement parks and Halloween though…)

Stock BED

Check out this cool Bosai Futon that turns into a bed. (Well, maybe that’s what a futon is…duh~)

Anyways, this futon doesn’t have angles when in “sofa mode” unlike the ones I’ve seen. This might be good.

The Bonsai Sofa-bed with its simple push pull mechanism is ideal for casual rooms around the home.
Sprung wooden slats and a rapid sofa to bed action makes this popular for teenagers wanting a double bed with a cool sofa for day use.
Recommended for general seating in any area of the home / ideal for long stop overs or permanent bed The futon mattress is sumptuous with a lighter core than natural futons and new style-fillings make these futons winners for sit & sleep use.
Available in a wide range of modern fabrics to suit all tastes

The Bonsai Futon BED

Here’s a cool Juicy Couture Love Me My Dog Bed for your lovely doggy and also match your Juicy Couture style.

Juicy Couture Love Me My Dog Bed

Check ot some of these cool metal platform beds. Platform beds can be great for memory foam mattresses.

Platformbeds.com offers the Amisco model lineups from contemporary to traditional platform beds. Since 1954, Amisco has specialized in the design and manufacture of top quality tubular and sheet steel furniture. Their lineup of high style metal platform beds will satisfy just about any decor.

Metal Platform Beds

Here’s a cool Yang L BED. You can probably get this nice modern bed set for your bedroom if your style seeks modern brown.
Check out the features:

Grey oak and leather, col. 530, bed and table with exposed stitching. Vitra wardrobe with silver leaf coloured glass doors.

Yang L modern BED – Composition Y06

Check out the LapDawg for all your lazy computing in the mornings and late night blogging. You can actually use the LapDawg for more than just for your bed. The LapDawg can be used in a sofa, table, desk, and can be very portable for traveling along with your laptop.

The LapDawg portable laptop stand is a new laptop accessory designed to change the way our body interacts with laptop computers by simply holding our laptops to a more comfortable, natural angle. It will eliminate your laptop’s weight, heat and discomfort from burdening your lap while at the same time re-positioning your body and arms to ergonomically correct angles, enhancing comfort and reducing strain on our bodies.

via boingboing

LapDawg for computing in bed

Here’s some really cool sofas than are long enough to be guest beds for your stay-over friends.

Apt-ny.com has some killer modern sofa beds. You gotta check them out for addition to your modern livingroom or bedroom.

Modern Sofa beds

Need a nice present for your cat? Get one of these cool looking cat beds for your furry friend.

Cat Beds

Here’s a bed that looks like one came out of an old medieval movie. It’s slightly costly but great if you want an authentic custom made Italian bed. These guys are pretty serious about beds and have been making beds so check out all their cool beds.

Classic Bed Claudio Rayes # 58 with Canopy

Check out this cool bed with a headboard that has a built-in TV and stereo. Very creative!

A headboard with a built in TV and stereo. How crazy is that? This photo came from an estate sale a couple of years ago. The bed was no longer there. Darn. I’d add a computer to mine and stay in bed all day.

via swapatorium

BED with a built in TV and stereo