Strings of subtle art. The natural pearly shells that make up the Capiz Strands will capture and reflect sunlight, brightening your home as they sway in a cool spring breeze. Not only will their white, almost translucent material illuminate whichever room they are hung in, but their artistically strung layout is light and airy as well. Each strand is hand crafted, so you will get unparalleled attention to detail and a unique look with every piece you purchase. These work as a unique window blind, or they can be strung from a door frame to become a luminous room divider. Visit WestElm.com to purchase the Capiz Strands for $22.00 a pair.

Floating fixtures. The V-Trough is a centerpiece that is air (and water) tight – it is a hand-crafted piece made from sheet metal with a raw, rough steel finish that has a rustic appeal. Perfect for a modern patio or mantle, this accent piece is given an air of originality with the triangle-shaped ends and the appearance that the structure is floating on the two thin metal supports. The trough is watertight, so you can fill it with water and float candles for an ethereal glow. The inner base is flat, which allows for pillar candles to sit upright as well. This modern home accent will be an attractive addition to any room that needs a touch of style. You’ll find the V-Trough at CB2.com for $69.95.

Neutrality meets personality. The brown tones and understated, simple lines that make up the bulk of this sofa may appear to be nothing out of the ordinary, but like all great things, what makes it special is in the detail. The flecked white running throughout the fabric, the bright rainbow array of pillows and the flat, low-lying seats are what sets this sofa apart. Rather than your average black sofa, this Modern Sectional Sofa incorporates an active pattern into its fabric, and the pillows are the icing on the cake – they are the perfectly unexpected compliment to such a mellow sofa. This Modern sectional sofa, pillows included, is available from LAFlat.com for $2,200.00.

A simple design that is out of orbit. The three circular glass tabletops and glass base that make up this unique coffee table can be moved and rotated to increase both their form and function. You can stylize their placement to best display your curios, or use them only when they’re needed for a quick spot for your coffee mug. Either way, the tabletops will appear as if they are floating in their own orbit, only connected to the base with slender chrome poles. The modern coffee table has landed, and it can float into your livingroom if you’re looking for an infusion of contemporary style. You can purchase the Alice Motion Glass Coffee Table for $799.00 from ModernCollections.com.

Make every load of laundry a little lighter when you add the Nautic Laundry Container to your home decor. It features teak wood in a lattice pattern to keep the laundry and linens safely secure inside, and to exude style outside. The light wood will work with almost any current decor, as it blends in and will act harmoniously with its surroundings. Although your guests might not see it, your whole house will benefit from the touch of elegance that this laundry basket will bring. And you might even find yourself enjoying your chores a little bit more. The Nautic Laundry Container can be your for $663.00 from Spacify.com.

Invite a piece of the past into your functional furnishings. Designed by award-winning, internationally renowned designer Joe Colombo in the 1960s, this Boby Trolley has stood the test of time. It remains an iconic piece that reminds us that furnishings need not be there to please the eye and nothing else – they can be flexible, functional and fashionable at the same time. This trolley features a vertically modular storage system that can not only hold numerous items, but can also withstand up to 150 pounds of total weight. It is available in black, red, orange or white, and is perfect for almost any room in the house that needs an infusion of style and organization. The 2-Section Boby Trolley is available now starting at $312.00 from HiveModern.com.

Sweet and low chimes. This piece of interactive art will add mystique and a calm presence to any room, indoors or out. It is made of iron with a rusted finish to give it an antique or “found” vibe. As you walk by, you can wave your hand over the tips of the bells and create a low, soft chime. The iron bells will move in harmony, and create a sound that is as hauntingly beautiful as the pieces itself. This piece can rest comfortably on the floor or it can be raised and put on a side table. It is made for both indoor and outdoor use. The iron floor bells can be purchased at CB2.com for $129.00.

When light becomes lighter, you get the airy design that Finnish sculptor Harri Koskinen created in these magnificent large lanterns. There is nothing overbearing about these candle-holders. They are simply a vessel to bring light to whatever warm, romantic setting you envision. They are designed so that the flame will appear to be flickering and floating on its own, suspended in the middle of the lantern. It comes in three understated colors – grey, white or clear, and can be used effectively for a celebration or to bring some ethereal atmosphere into your everyday. You’ll find the Koskinen Lantern Large at Nova68.com for 345.00.

Recycle materials without reducing style. If you are looking to add some original, creative, functional art into your living space, look no further than the Transglass Beak Vase. This hand-crafted vase is made from recycled glass by true artisans. It is smooth and elegant in appearance, and comes from an eco-friendly production facility. The vase comes in green, brown and clear, and your color will be chosen by the artist that produces it. This is the next step in eco-friendly furniture with both a global and a local outlook. Your dining room table will shine with the inner beauty of this recycled, well-loved and quality crafted glass vase. The Transglass Beak Vase is available from PlushPod.com for $48.00 (polished) or $55.00 (satin).

Compact characteristics, expansive elegance. Hallways can be tight places as it is, but if you’ve been trying to strategize how to fit more storage into this already narrow corridor, you understand the need for compact furniture pieces better than most. The Modern Hall Unit from LaFlat.com is a sleek and small piece that offers plenty of functionality. It has six mid-sized drawers, a tabletop, mirror, coat rack and umbrella stand – all fit into a 37” x 11” x 77” area. It is designed for the modern home, with chrome accents on the wood veneer base structure. This Modern Hall Unit is available for $630.00 from .

Elegant and effective bar furniture can be a good value too. For only $549.95 you can order the Elegant Modern Bar Table at ModernLineFurniture.com, and receive a functional and fashionable table with two hydraulic stools. The table is long and slightly curved at each rounded end, and is made from high-quality tempered glass. Along one of the chrome legs are two rotating shelves, so that your bar storage needs are easily accessed.  You can order the chairs in either white or black.  The thick chrome base of the chairs and the table, along with the overal minimalist, upscale attitude this set exudes, will transform any home bar into a relaxed, sophisticated lounge.

Drink to good friends, good health, and great style. This set of Sake cups is not only inspired by the tradition of sitting across from good friends, sharing a bottle of sake and enjoying each other’s conversation – it is also inspired by the Japanese wood-crafting technique known as Magewappa. Practiced for over 400 years, this technique is known for its smooth lines, the use of cedar to bring the natural world indoors, and its overall calm, relaxed shape. The cedar used in these cups has low conduction, meaning that cold Sake will remain cold, and hot Sake hot. You’ll find the set of two Cedar Sake Cups at DWR.com for $85.00.