Double Champagne Chiller

It's New Year's Eve 2008. I can't believe how quickly this year has flown by. Tonight we'll be saying goodbye to this past year--bidding adieu to all of the good moments and to the not-so-great moments we have experienced. We will also be celebrating the promise of a new year and all the potential it holds. So, let's raise our glasses to the New Year and toast with chilled champagne, kept cool by this Double Champagne Chiller by Old Dutch. The 7-quart container is made of copper and has an aluminum insert that creates a separate space for two bottles of champagne or wine, with a third partition for ice. The hammered design and cast brass handles add an elegant touch to your large party of intimate gathering and keep wine and champagne at the perfect temperature. The wine chiller also comes in a chrome-plated finish. Happy New Year everybody!

Wicker Hamper & Laundry Basket

Laundry has a way of piling up in my house, especially dirty laundry. It would be nice to be able to contain it somehow, in an aesthetically pleasing way. Enter the laundry hamper. Hampers come in all shapes and sizes, but the larger the hamper, the better it is for me. I like the look of wicker, with its woven texture made of natural materials. This Wicker Hamper & Laundry Basket Set from Neu Home has a large hamper with a cloth liner and a lid to keep all the dirty clothes out of sight. The laundry basket is also lined and features handles for easy transportation. The laundry basket can be used not only for dirty laundry, but also for sheets and towels or anything else you would like to store or display.

Contemporary Dining Set

I love the sophisticated style of the Nottingham 6-Piece Dining Set by Hillsdale. The round pedestal table and faux leather upholstered chairs and bench have an upscale and modern design that reminds me of an urban setting like a Manhattan loft, but also has a comfortable, laid-back feel to it as well. Hardwoods and climate-controlled wood composites create this rich-looking dining ensemble with a Dark Walnut finish for added warmth. The pieces of this dining set are also sold separately, so you can choose which pieces work best in your dining room.

Cupboard and Hutch

I love collecting dishes, especially antiques. I would fill my house with transferware, Flow Blue, majolica and Wedgewood, if only I had the room for all of it. The West Chester Hutch from Westmoreland Woodworks would be such a great backdrop for displaying and storing all my dishes and my antique glassware too. Solidly built from Eastern pine, this hutch has a classic design that hearkens back to the kitchens of yesteryear. Open shelves, three drawers and enclosed cabinets offer plenty of space for a variety of kitchen items, linens and tableware. The finish is hand-distressed and antiqued to give the cupboard and hutch a truly authentic look.

Endgrain Cutting Board

Proper tools in the kitchen make a difference towards your end result. Cutting boards are no exception. There are so many cutting boards and chopping blocks out there in the market it's hard to know which one to choose. I prefer natural materials myself, and can't resist the look of hardwood. This is the first time I have encountered teak cutting boards. These Proteak Endgrain Circle Cutting Boards are made with an endgrain construction and have a beautiful pattern in the wood, so they look great on the counter. The juice canal keeps liquid from spilling off the cutting board surface.

Personal Air Purifier

It's not what you think it is. The BlueAir AirPod HEPASilent air purifier is a personal-sized air purifier that can go wherever you go to provide cleaner and fresher air in your immediate surroundings. The electrostatically charged ionizer and power unit in the docking station trap small particles and filter them, leaving the air around you clear. This air purifier is only about six inches tall and six inches wide so you can take it to the office, in the car or anywhere cleaner air is needed. The 12 volt DC fan operates quietly, so you hardly know it's there. The filters are available in the Waves, Tree Branches or Paisley patterns, all of which are pretty cool. Don't be surprised if someone asks what you are listening to...

Entertainment Center

Large screen and flat panel televisions are here to stay. Finding the right entertainment center to fit both the TV and the room decor can be a bit of a challenge, but there are so many from which to choose, you're guaranteed to find exactly what you need and love. Many are available as a set, complete with credenza and pier cabinets to complete the ensemble. The Crescent Village Ovation Entertainment Center has a rustic look with an oak finish and black accents, which make a beautiful contrast. The credenza has room for audio and visual components and media collections, as well as open shelving for decorative accents. The pier cabinets are adjustable and can fit televisions up to 50-3/4" wide and 34" high. The black carpet behind the TV blocks out light to give you a better picture. Open shelves on the pier cabinets are the perfect place for books, plants or photos.

Canoe Bookshelf

This Canoe Bookshelf from Westmoreland Woodworks has a quirky and fun-loving appeal and would fit in well with my nautical and cottage-style decorating themes. I love them because they remind me of being by the water, and of vacations on Martha's Vineyard and Hilton Head, and of childhood summers spent on the Mississippi River in Minnesota. The bookshelf is made of pine and is hand-distressed with worm holes and indentations that make it look like it has been a fixture in the family cabin or beach house and has been passed down through generations.

Butcher Block Kitchen Island

When I dream of having a larger kitchen, I also dream of having a large kitchen island, one where there's plenty of room for food preparation and for storing all the kitchen items I use most frequently. I would love to be able to make it the prime focal point in the kitchen, as well as a gathering place for friends and family. The Harrisburg Kitchen Island with Butcher Block Top from Westmoreland Woodworks is made of Eastern white pine with a butcher block top and a distressed, antiqued finish. Three large drawers, an enclosed cabinet and open shelving provide more than enough space for my linens, utensils and small appliances like my blender and hand mixer. The traditional style of this kitchen island fits in with my heirloom-style furnishings and would definitely make an impact in my kitchen.

Base Cabinet Pantry

If I could update the intertior of my kitchen cabinets, I would definitely want a base cabinet pantry like this one from OmegaNational Products. I love the fact that the sections swing out for fast and easy access to everything, and you don't have to go feeling around in the dark to find what you're looking for. This pantry also makes things more visible so you can see what you have at a quick glance. Adjustable shelves create space to store items of varied sizes. The pantry is made of maple hardwoods and veneers and is designed for base cabinets that are 24" high.

Closet Organizers

I have always wanted some sort of closet organizational system, but figuring out which components I needed always seemed like too much of a hassle. The Element Systems 64" Women's Silver Maple Closet inludes everything you need all in one kit to create the perfect closet, including drawers, wood shelves, wire shelves, pants racks, shoe racks, garment racks and a pull-out basket. The closet system fits a 64" space. I'm wondering if this closet organizing system will compel me to keep my closet clean.

Pot Filler

I'm all for added convenience in the kitchen. Anything that makes the process of cooking or cleaning easier and quicker gets an A in my book. Filling a large stock pot with water for soup or pasta can be a chore if your sink is not deep enough. Then you have to lug it across the kitchen to the stove, and it can be quite heavy. Pot fillers can be installed right over the stove so that the pot gets filled right there, without having to move it at all. The Franke Pot Filler swivels out to reach your pot, then folds back against the wall when it's not in use, so it doesn't take up valuable counter space. The wall-mounted kitchen faucet accommodates countertops up to 1-3/4" high and is available in a Polished Chrome or a Satin Nickel finish, which complements any kitchen decor.

Bathroom Medicine Cabinet

If your bathroom needs updating, try a new medicine cabinet. There are so many different types of bathroom cabinet out there: framed, frameless, single-door, double-door, triple-door, recessed, semi-recessed and surface mount. Since I like a more traditional, antique look, I fell in love with this Lido Recessed Medicine Cabinet from Empire. Rich in architectural detail, this double-door medicine cabinet creates a majestic focal point above the vanity, and keeps all my essential health and beauty stuff within easy reach. The frame is handcarved from Alder wood and is available in a Dark or Pearl White finish. Three adjustable glass shelves allow me to fit everything in, regardless of size. The two doors make it simple to access everything more quickly.

Bathroom Storage

Since bathrooms tend to be small, it's often difficult to find a storage solution that will fit without taking up too much space. The Palladian Three-Piece Bath Set from Aurora Collection II includes a spacesaver, a wall shelf and a floor shelf with an arch-top design. These bathroom storage shelves are made out of metal with a powder-coated White finish, so they are very sturdy. I like the airy design because it lets more of my bathroom show through, and doesn't overpower it. The wire shelves give me plenty of room to store towels, soaps, and other health and beauty items as well as decorative accents.

Jewelry Storage

Over the years I have collected a lot of jewelry. My current jewelry box is overflowing with necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings that continue to be in disarray because there are not enough compartments to separate them and there are no hooks for hanging necklaces to keep them from getting tangled. This wall mount jewelry armoire has a variety of places to store my jewelry, making it easier for me to keep everything organized. Since it hangs on the wall, it doesn't take up dresser or floor space. I can even mount it in the closet, where it is more convenient. The jewelry armoire even has a mirror, so I can see how everything looks.

Aquarium Stand

We always had a fish tank when I was growing up. My brother and father were into fish, so the aquarium was filled with Guppies, Neon Tetras, Mollies, Bettas and Suckermouth Cats, all of which are colorful freshwater fish. I could stare at the tank for hours...it was very relaxing. Of course, my brother did all the work. I did get to feed them every once in awhile. I used to love going to the pet store to pick out new fish. There were so many varieties and so many colors. It would be fun to have an aquarium again. This aquarium stand by Ameriwood is designed for a 29-gallon fish tank and has convenient enclosed storage underneath with two shelves to store all the fish supplies. The Mission style has a classic look that would look great in my cottage-style home.

Anti-Fatigue Floor Mats

Standing for hours on your feet can take a toll on your body. If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen or stand all day at work, an anti-fatigue floor mat could help alleviate the pain you feel at the end of the day. The Wearwell Rejuvenator anti-fatigue floor mat is made of 100% urethane and offers an ergonomic solution for hours of standing, with a resilient sponge compound that provides added comfort. The floor mat comes in Black and is available in 2' x 3' and 3' x 5' sizes for use in the kitchen, garage or workplace.

Wall Mounted Fireplace

It's December already and the air is cold outside and inside. We have a fireplace in the living room, but I always thought it would be nice to be able to make a cozy fire in the bedroom. With ethanol or gel fireplaces, you can have the warmth and atmosphere of a true burning fire without worrying about logs or chimneys. What's easier than this wall mounted fireplace? Made of stainless steel with a brushed finish, the Blomus Large Wave Fireplace has a contemporary design and adds instant appeal to any room. There's nothing more relaxing, or even more romantic, than the glow of a blazing fire. Wall mounted fireplaces make it easy to create that comfortable ambience without all the mess.

Baker's Cabinet

I have so much dishware, glassware and silverware that I have to store them in three different places, because the breakfront that I have now is simply not large enough to hold everything. Maybe I should get rid of some of my stuff...Most of the things I have were passed down through my grandmother or they were wedding gifts, so there's no way I'm going to part with any of it. I saw this Wilshire Four-Drawer Baker's Cabinet and thought voila! Here is the perfect solution!The four drawers are just the right size for table linens, flatware and seasonal decorations. The open shelving and glass door cabinets will store my dishes and glassware nicely, and the top shelf will hold my collection of vases. The cabinet is made of solid wood with fine details like English dovetail joints and antiqued finishes. I love it because it would make it so easy for me to have everything I need all in one place.