The sun has come out, and with it, our annual lusting for light and bright things to sprinkle around the house, reflecting the new season and our hopefully tasteful aesthetic. It’s a challenge, what with the recession and all, but we still love to look.

You’re going to hate us for what we’re about to do, because once you see the picture of Artful Home’s Pixie Vases, you’re going to want them, and you’re going to want them all. (Evil, evil Web site to show (more…)

The Style Insider believes that champagne flutes should be a party unto themselves. Yes, they must be classically shaped — tall, with the small mouth that preserves the bubbles so they tickle your nose. But they must also be effervescent in their design. To that end, we’ve found a dozen pretty glasses worth ringing in 2009:

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You know how right before the Super Bowl, all the jocks and party-givers start thinking about buying a new television? A really, really big, expensive one with high def and picture-in-picture and all the bells and whistles? For a single football game?

OK. Now, focus. Thanksgiving is game day. It’s the big one. You’re the jock of the table, the duchess of all party-givers. And you need your big-screen TV: You need new dishes!  And while we love white too, what we want here is color, style and, well, high definition.

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There are wine glasses for sipping Chardonnay on the patio, and they can’t cost much or you wouldn’t take them outdoors. There are large wine glasses for when you’ve had a tough day at work, though we prefer to call them tumblers. And then there are wine glasses for the Thanksgiving table, which can be all exquisite shimmer and delicate shape.

Make that holiday toast to good health and thankfulness among your family and friends a beautiful one with some striking stemware.

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Are you stuck in a teeny tiny apartment or squeezed walk-up? Too bad winter’s coming and you can’t sit in front of a warm comfy fireplace. Good things the fine folks at Carl Mertens have been busy being creative.

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How is that pearl grays and tomato reds are going to be dominant colors in 2009 home décor and furniture? It’s not some kind of weird serendipity in which Ethan Allen just happens to pick the same colors as Ralph Lauren (above). No, color forecasting is an art in itself. The big kahuna in issuing colorful edicts is the Color Association of the United States, a forecasting service that has been on the forefront of color since 1915.

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If you’re sick of your summer surroundings, make a stylish seasonal shift by tossing on a new slipcover; one of heavy, rich fabric in deep, warm fall colors.

No, these are not your grandmother’s flowery slipcovers. Today’s stylish sheaths hug your furniture for a sleek custom-fit look.

For a solid, try the soft microfiber faux suede in deep reddish-brown cordovan ($99; $22 for box cushion cover) or the waffle-textured pique covers in garnet (on sale from $80 to $130). The Home Trends coffee satin striped cover (above) is elegant without breaking the bank: $50 for a loveseat; $60 for a sofa.

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