Below are a few of my favs. See them all at domestic.fr.

Grassrootsmodern is hosting a pretty awesome affordable kitchen contest. It’s a great idea and will certainly be a great resource for those of us who are mid-project. Enter your kitchen for a chance to win $100 and be featured on their site.

Check out all of the details and prizes right here.

And no, the dog and the cowskin are not included. See the ad here.

If you’re in the Chicago area, I would highly recommend attending one. Lucky for you, there’s a modern design auction tomorrow, October 7th. It’s kind of like seeing a museum show before everything makes it to the museum. Also, some pieces may never see the light of day again as they end up in private collections around the country. Also, you never know, you could find a deal.

Check out their latest auction catalog here.

Most importantly, compared to the tons of plastic dishes and plates coveted by moms everywhere, these will undoubtedly be passed down.

Get them at Heath here.

Ok, this is not really house&fig relevant; unless you count the fact that there are 50 things I should be doing with the house today (Joe is outta town) and instead I’m watching short films on the internet. But if you have ever procrastinated even you over-achievers out there, watch this. It’s a really beautiful, creative, silly, and spot-on ode to the art of procrastination. I relate most to “doing 8 things at once and not getting any of them done and making lists.” I wish I was more of a sock-drawer procrastinator because at least that’s getting something done.

Nonetheless, watch this video. While you’re doing that I’m going to make a list of what I should be doing to the house:

• cleaning up dead plants in yard

• weeding the garden

• removing blackberry bushes that seem to sprout up daily with vicious force

• sweet stairs, clean, re-arrange storage space (sell crap on ebay to make room for more stuff)

• research kitchen appliances, counters, and storage

• hose down garage door

• clean fridge.

Ugh…

$1 each

vintage locker, $375, The Apartment

tall wood case, $325, The Apartment

abstract painting, $148, The Apartment

Vintage children’s desk, $675, The Apartment

If this isn’t on your radar already, perhaps it should be. The AIA Chapter of San Francisco is hosting the 5th annual Architecture and the City Festival. Lots of great programs have passed but there are still plenty to attend, including this weekend’s (hugely popular) home tours.

Joe and I went last year and enjoyed it despite the teaming crowds. We’ll likely skip this year and opt for the free gallery exhibition and cocktail hour (figures…). However, I do see a few lectures that are relevant to our project (Building Green in San Francisco, Sept. 30) and tons of family programs that look like fun.

Learn more on the AIA website, click here.

For as long as we’ve had this house and probably even before that Joe and I have followed the Salt Lake City based blog, GrassrootsModern. It was created by Creede Fitch and his wife to document their modern house renovation (on a budget) as well as super-cool products for home and baby. We admired their speed and agility in remodeling (did I mention they are already on their second home), not to mention all the great products featured.

Here’s a video of a demo in their kitchen. This is the kind of stuff we relate to, especially the mess. Keep up the great work, Mr. & Mrs. Fitch.

kitchen from Creede on Vimeo.

Oh and we’re blushing! Creede’s reading H&F!

If you’ve never been to Stem, go now. Maxine has an incredibly well designed store, with lovely and unique flower arrangements, as well as all the best gifts for the home and baby (plus big kids, too). Better yet, they are right next door to Bi-rite creamery. Get some salted caramel ice cream on your way home.

Click here to visit Stem online.