Origami Heart Garland

Ever since we had a Japanese student visit our primary school and teach us the basics of origami, I have loved it. Making everything from beautifully colourful cranes to simple Christmas stars. So when I saw this post by Jessica on How about Orange on how to make an Origami Heart Garland I just had to post about it.

Images from How about Orange

Get the Instructions here. All you need is some brightly coloured origami paper and twine to connect and hang the hearts from. You can get some lovely striped bakers twine on eBay. There you go, perfect for valentine's day!

Lindsey Lang

I forgot to mention in my post last week that I had spotted a fantastic collection of homewares and textiles by Lindsey Lang. She was exhibiting her debut launch at the Home exhibition at Earls Court and the fab retro inspired prints drew me in. I love the use of a monochrome palette with dashes of bright colours.

Some of the collection was even been hand-picked by the Decoration Editor of House & Garden Magazine for their House & Garden feature at the entrance to the exhibition. Looks like she is destined for big things so watch this space.

All Images from Lindsey Lang

The collection includes cushions, ceramic trivets, tea cosies, tea towels, oven gloves, floor tiles and much much more. The website is currently being updated but should show the entire collection soon so check it out here!

Top Drawer & Home at Earls Court

On Monday I visited the Top Drawer and Home Exhibitions at Earls Court in London. I was on a research day for work but wanted to post on here about the wonderful and inspiring things I found while there.

1. Ary Trays are introducing a new collection of trays using the wonderfully pretty prints of Fiona of Bluebellgray.

Image from Ary Trays

2. Clare Nicholson was founded in 2004 and creates textiles, home accessories and stationery. With influences ranging from vintage textiles to patterned paper, it;s hard not to fall in love with the beautiful patterns.

Images from Clare Nicholson

3. Ferm Living is a Danish design and manufacturing company of interior products with a graphic touch. They produce wallpapers, wall stickers, textiles and accessories for the home. I particularly like their harlequin wallpaper (perfect for a nursery). Their Black board style Calendar Wall Stickers are also pretty cool, especially as I'm terrible at planning.

Images from Ferm Living

4. Jonathan Adler had some wonderfully colourful textiles and accesories on his stand. What really caught my eye were the wonderful blue hues used on this Cube Throw and the Carnaby Scale Vase. They are the kind of colours that make you look forward to the summer.

5. Marimekko were displaying their selection of Spring fabrics. I really loved the Helsinki-Helsingfors fabric which is available in tow colours 590 (Blue) and 690 (Lime Green).

Images from Marimekko

6. Pappelina is a Swedish manufacturer of household textiles. What really interested me was their plastic rugs in fantastically simple graphic designs. Shown below are Hugo, Mose and Mira

All Images from Pappelina

7. Last but certainly not least is Places and Spaces who sell the products of some of the best international interior contemporary brands. The Acapulco outdoor chair is the product I fell in love with though, created by Oficina Kreativa, it is available in this zesty lime yellow as well as Petroleum Blue, Light Blue and Black. Can't wait for summer!

Image from Places and Spaces

Image from Nest

It's started already!

I am now officially obsessed with all things baby. So why not start as I mean to go on with a post about nursery ideas. Below are a few lovely pics from Pinterest that I may use as inspiration.

I love this mobile and it would be dead easy to make if we have a girl, oh what the hell maybe I'll still make it anyway.

Image from Pinterest 

If you read any of my very first posts you'll realise I have a fascination with mirrors of all different shapes and sizes, to the point if I see one I have to buy it. These specimens below are from Pottery Barn in the us but I am going to have to hunt down some here in the UK.

Image from Pinterest

I love the subtle colours used in the nursery below, you could use the same basic principles for a boy too. Very calming, which is what I think I will need.

Image from Pinterest

I picked this image out purely because I love the collection of brightly coloured pom poms. What better view! Check these links out for instructions on how to make similar versions:

Fabric Pom Poms

Tissue Paper Pom Pom

Image from Pinterest

I love this aqua colour for a nursery, it's so tranquil and could easily be used for either sex.

Image from Pinterest

This mini wardrobe is soooo sweet. With the shelving above it looks clean and fresh. It gives me a great idea for the cupboard near the nursery to be.

Image from Pinterest

Last but not least, this picture rail is a great idea for displaying the alphabet or any lovely pictures that your baby can stare at but not reach.

Image from Pinterest

Happy New Year!

A little late I know but better late than never.

Hope you all had a lovely festive season and ate and drank far too much. Well I ate as much as I could (especially when Tom had bought me a metre of Jaffa Cakes, Yum). But I certainly wasn't drinking as I am now 4 months pregnant. Yippee!

I can't quite believe it has been four months already it has flown by and I'm nearly half way through. We now have a pretty tight deadline to get the house finished, aaahhh!

Here's a pic of the little wriggler, my dad (or grandad as I will have to refer to him now) has nicknamed it ducky because it looks like it has a beak, how rude!

Anyway I thought I should let you all know as you may notice my posts are interspersed with baby shopping and decorating tips and you might think I had got a bit obsessed.

Anyway hope you all had a good start to what will be a very exciting 2012.