1. HEP CATS

Handcrafted Italian Fotunata ceramics in different sizes and shapes feature lion-head handles. Shown, Footed Ovale, 14 by 23 inches, $332.50. Schreier Home, 124 S. 2nd St., Stillwater, 651-757-3499.

2. FLEUR ALLURE

Metal-rimmed pink and orange votives; with removable dangling heart-shaped glass and bead flowers, $5 each. Linden Hills Florist, 4300 Upton Av. S., Minneapolis, 612-922-9303.

3. COLOR THERAPY Slap on a coat of optimism with a happy hue. Try "Risque" (top) from the new Devinegreen Breathable collection, 99.9 percent free of volatile organic compounds, about $40 per gallon. www.devinecolor.com for Minnesota retailers or to order. Or Valspar's Signature latex with a flat finish in "Tropical Bud," about $25 per gallon at Lowe's, www.lowes.com for locations.


4. TREASURE CHESTS

Star Tribune, Star Tribune
Metal-rimmed pink and orange votives with removable dangling heart-shaped glass and bead flowers.

Hide utilitarian items such as matches or stamps inside a clever set of nesting boxes made from dyed capiz shells, $6 and $10. Same design available as food-safe trays. Suka-Rama Boutique in the Park, 2301 Como Av., St. Paul, 651-646-2423; www.suka-rama.com.


5. TABLE ART

Working Class Studio's 10-inch raspberry melamine dinner plate enlivens a table, or serves as a catch-all for keys or change. $8. Truly, 2175 4th St., White Bear Lake, 651-426-8414, www.trulyonline.com.

6. NO WALLFLOWER

Maya Romanoff's natural shell mosaic tile in mother-of-pearl lends shimmer to surfaces. 18-inch square, to the trade, 1-312-822-0766; www.mayaromanoff.com.

7. PAPER CHASE Corral your school papers, hockey schedules and the rest of your countertop flotsam with the 9- by 12-inch Kitchen Folio by Mom-Agenda, $32.95. Interchangeable tabs for 48 heavy plastic pages, faux lizard cover in pink or sky blue; www.momagenda.com for Minnesota locations.

Text and styling: Kim Yeager