[COOL OR NOT COOL] Wall Decals

To be honest, the very idea of "wall decals" suggests to me, "Hey, I'm in college and I can't afford real artwork!"  I mean, really, why don't you just hang up a crooked poster of Sex & the City or something?

But then I see something like the photo to the left, and I think that in the right hands, wall decals could end up looking sophisticated.   

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[COOL OR NOT COOL] Baby, You've Got Me Over a Barrel

I often wonder how I can combine my love of typography and booze into a semi-classy decor idea, and BAM: here it is.

McKay, a Scottish flooring company takes old whiskey casks, disassembles them, and turns them into reclaimned flooring. 

I vote cool, but I'm probably an alcoholic, so I'm not sure that I count.  What do you think?

[Via Details Magazine]

[COOL OR NOT COOL?] Girls Who Buy Stuff Meant For Guys

My mother will cry approximately 1,000 tears if she ever reads this, but let me say it: I am drawn to things that are designed for men. 

This happens whenever I'm shopping for clothes.  I will spend exactly 5 seconds breezing through the silky, flowery bullshit in the women's department before sailing right on over to the men's section.  I never actually buy any men's clothing, but I appreciate the designs.  This is probably why I live in preppy polos and button-down shirts, because they're essentially unisex. 

I think the issue here is that I like clean lines.  Things that are simple.  This goes from my clothes to my home decor.  Like, honestly, the shoes I'm wearing right now are men's because all of the female variations of them are topped with a seashell or gold chain or glitter or some other bullshit that screams "I AM A LADY!  DONT YOU EVER FORGET IT!"

It's like the parents that have girl babies and force them to wear those big, brain-crushing headbands because GOD FORBID some idiot at the grocery store or airport mistakes her for a boy.  Hey, guys, the reason why no one can tell what sex your baby is is because it is a BABY and it doesn't matter yet. 

So is it totally Boys Don't Cry-sexual confusion-weird to have masculine tastes when it comes to design? 

I'm not talking about hanging up a huge, framed version of that stupid Girls Kissing poster, I'm saying no patterns, and definitely, definitely nothing floral.  What do you think?   

[COOL OR NOT COOL] Crocodile Tile

When I first saw this, I was all like, "You know what I don't want my house to look like?  A HANDBAG." 

But after seeing it implemented, I kind of dig it.  It's ceramic tile designed to look like crocodile skin, and it comes it a variety of colors.  

What do YOU think? 

[ed note: I vote: VERY FUCKING COOL].

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[COOL OR NOT COOL?] Oyster Hanging Strands from West Elm

Usually, I have so many decided opinions that I leave everyone around me wishing that they didn't have ears. 

HOWEVER, I'm posting this edition of "Cool or Not Cool" because I really can't decide how I feel about these Oyster Hanging Strands from West Elm.

The description says they're perfect for "bringing the beach indoors," and we know how I feel about that, so I'm leaning more towards "not cool."

I mean, really—if you can answer the question, "Does this look like something Ariel from The Little Mermaid would use to decorate?" with a resounding "YES!" then you should probably leave it out of your home and back on the beach.

But after seeing them placed in a room, I'm undecided.  

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