Magnificent Modern Marvels

My hubby and I took full advantage of the sunny Seattle weekend last week with a trip to Pike Place market. After stopping to take several pictures and to eat a scrumptious piroshky at Piroshky Piroshky (I now understand why the line is always out the door at this shop. Yum!), we then headed into a couple of shops in the area. One of my favorites is Inform Interiors. They have a mix of wonderfully creative modern furniture. Two items caught my eye that I have seen online and in catalogs, but had never seen in person:

Ecosmart Fire:

(Photo courtesy of EcoSmart Fire)

These fireplaces are not only environmentally friendly (they fueled by renewable green energy) and require no installation, but many of them are portable. Use the fireplace as a divider between rooms or add one to your bedroom for a romantic glow. And I can now tell you from personal experience that these modern marvels give out a lot of heat. Who wouldn't want a toasty fire about now to warm you through the rest of the winter months?

Brent Comber Alder Cubes:
(Photo courtesy of Brent Comber)

These beautifully organic cubes are made of alder trees and a smooth, clear finish. They are created by Brent Comber, a relatively local designer from Vancouver, Canada. He finds much of his inspiration from the forests of the Pacific Northwest. Comber is a truly creative designer who uses sustainably harvested wood, and is often wood leftover at sawmills or found on the ground after forest clearings or construction.