The Industrial Revolution

Stainless steel vintage butcher blocks, work desks and storage cabinets are amassing in antique shops, flea markets, vintage retailers and upscale retailers, alike. Utilitarian is in with with clean, straight lines and flat surfaces that serve a purpose for storing goods and working.

To get the look, you certainly don't have to pay too much. Check out these options to emulate stark, clean style of pricier pieces:

A rolling side-table with a weathered wood top from Urban Outfitters. The damage is $158. Use to stack books or place a lamp on top. Having guests over next weekend? The table can double as a bar cart when you are in a pinch for counter top space.


Another idea for counter space: import your own butcher block. Ikea's stainless steel and pine wood kitchen island (below) services a dual purpose. Fold down the sides and aha, you have dining for two for just $2.99.
Just looking for an industrial-style end table? Wisteria carries the one above for $279.

From Anthropologie to Crate and Barrel to Pottery Barn, retailers across the board are stocking industrial book cases. You don't have to tell your friends that this one (below) is from Staples for $119.

See, sometimes going back in time is revolutionary.

Hunting Season

Hey, you don't have to be an Aspenite or a Tellurudian (feel free to use with ease at your next cocktail party: those are Google-certified terms) to bring the lodge fervor back to Manhattan.

Here's a few suggestions on how to bring the ski oasis glitz to your place, and the kicker --for less:

The Chic: a French antler rack (above) at a retail price of $650 (if you can afford, yes, a-m-a-z-i-n-g). The Chic for Less: mix-and-match individual antlers retailing from $15 to $20. They're not pictured, but available through www.grandviewmercantile.com or (614) 421-7000.

The Chic: Warm up your limestone floor with a Brazilian cowhide rug for $695 (below). The Chic for Less: VisitEbay to search cowhides straight from the ranch, starting from around $144.
The Chic: Something that you probably saw years ago in your great-granddad's basement: snow shoes, like these vintage ones for $400. The Chic for Less: Pottery Barn's snow shoes reproduction is a close second for $129, and is crafted of solid mahogany, split rattan and faux leather.
See, the Wild West is not just for gold-diggers. Giddy-up!