elle decor

It's hard to pick the "best" items when it comes to decor because personal tastes can cover such a wide range - not that this stops most list-makers - but when Elle Decor put together their top picks for room screens, they stayed away from the label. They simply called all of their choices stunning, which they are. The screens range from a Pacific island inspired mahogany piece to one made of industrial-looking steel rings and from the expensive to the more affordable. Whether one of their choices will turn out to be the best for you remains to be seen, but they are all certainly worth a look.

The Cross Extension Table was the recipient of the 2006 Elle Decoration Best in Furniture Award, rewarded for its clean lines and bold profile. The table is made from solid oak and oak veneers and is available in both a light oak and a dark wenge (pictured) finish, each of which is versatile enough to fit most rooms. The tabletop can be expanded - hence the name - by inserting two additional leaves, increasing the length of the table from 78.75" to 116" and creating seating for 10. Price: $1,998.

In this month's issue of Elle Decor, their design team picked out the 10 most inviting pool chaises. Each and every one will have you lounging luxuriously at the poolside. The only real objection I have to their selection is the inclusion of several chaises with wheels, a feature that can be practical, but still looks a bit dated to my eye. The Duval Sun Chaise ($6,080, in blue or white) reminds me of the Gandia Blasco Day Bed, with its simple, geometric lines, and the Paola Lenti Wave Chaise by Francesco Rota ($4,850) is striking and comfortable-looking. The list is definitely worth a read.