Does The Pottery Barn Catalogue Count As Summer Reading?

"Decorate your home. It gives the illusion that your life is more interesting than it really is." ~Charles M. Schulz

I could have spent the last two months pursuing a great many edifying projects. I could have finished the five or six John Piper books I stopped reading after two chapters. I could have memorized "Rhapsody in Blue." I could have learned how to cook a pot roast. I could have planted an herb garden. I could have picked up conversational French. Sadly, I didn't do any of these things. Instead, I spent the last two months scouring the internet for home decorating ideas.

Thus, I can't post on Piper's insights, Gershwin's genius, a pot roast recipe that will make your mouth water, the health benefits of thyme or how to order strawberries with whipped cream in French. However, I can show you all of the adorable home decor objects I discovered.

I know that I'm swimming in the shallow end of the pool, but think of the benefits you might receive because of my intellectual sacrifice. Since I've already done the heavy lifting, you can just skim through the following links and perhaps find something for your place while still having time to finish Anna Karenina.

Disneyland Attraction Posters. Many of you know that proximity to Disneyland was a major deciding factor in my choice of college. As a little kid I always liked looking at the attraction posters in the entrance tunnel and eagerly planning which attraction I'd ride first. Now you can hang one of these posters in your very own home. They come as large as 36" x 48" and feature all your favorites including "Autopia" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" as well as classics like "Adventures Through Inner Space." I'm planning on hanging the "Peoplemover" poster in my guest room.

Marimekko Tea Towels. I've been a big Marimekko fan since high school, but haven't found a way to incorporate their crisp and colorful fabrics into my decorating until now. Anna at Door Sixteen had the brilliant idea of framing a tea towel (they're huge - 18.5 x 27.5!). It's a wonderful alternative to a poster and gives a room a nice punch of 1960's whimsy without overwhelming it. Plus, the tea towels are under $20. I particularly like the "Mansikka" print with the gorgeous strawberries.

Anthropologie Bowls. I've never understood how some people are able to skip breakfast. Even when I had early morning classes in college, I always made sure I woke up in time to run to the cafeteria and grab a sourdough bagel smothered in peanut butter and honey. (On Saturdays I substituted the honey for handfuls of white chocolate chips - don't knock it 'til you try it.) I still eat breakfast every day and have recently taken to meals of hot chocolate, nectarines, and oatmeal. Eating out of any one of these bowls (especially the Pink Inside Out Bowl - it's microwave safe!) will ensure that breakfast won't just be the most important meal of the day, it will be the most glamorous.

Prestidigitation Artwork. This is some of the coolest children's artwork I've seen and if I ever have kids, I desperately want to decorate the nursery with the alphabet series. Where else can you find prints such as "A Is For Alligators Who Wear Too Much Argyle" or "X Is For Xiphias And X Marks The Spot?" There's also some great prints of interesting words like "Dactylonomy" and "Intertessellation," featuring their definitions, pronunciations, and the way to form the letters in American Sign Language. "Circumambulation" is one of my favorites and would look splendid in my bedroom.

Target Monogram Doormat. I adore monograms and if I could, I'd incorporate my initials in every room. (Frighteningly narcissistic or delightfully whimsical? You be the judge.) This doormat allows me to tastefully indulge my monogram mania without going overboard.

So there are a few ideas to get you started. Enjoy Anna Karenina. I need to get back to the Crate And Barrel Summer Sale catalogue.