Caroline Rees

The 4th artist on my favourites list from the Smiths Row exhibition is the wonderful papercut and glass artist Caroline Rees who works from her studio near the beach on the Gower Peninsula.

She creates wonderfully detailed papercuts inspired I assume by her beautiful surroundings. She also creates equally lovely window and door films which I am very tempted to buy for our bathroom window. They are so much more interesting that any of the others films I've seen.

Liam Treanor

2. The second on my list of favourites from the Smiths Row exhibition is Liam Treanor. He creates beautiful hand produced furniture. Each product is designed by Liam and produced in-house at their London based workshops.

I particularly love the Homemaker Bookcase with it's nod to mid-century styling. It's even available in two beautifully cheerful colours, pale blue or primrose yellow.

Just had to post about...Bluebellgray blog

This is my 'Just had to post about...' section, where if I see an idea or image or something that instantly inspires me I have to share it with you.

Todays post is about a newsletter email I received from Bluebellgray and link to an image on their blog showing their wonderful fabrics framed in wooden cross stitch hoops. It was actually a link to an article announcing selected John Lewis stores will be stocking the fabrics, which in itself is very exciting, but I just couldn't take my eyes of the image. What a perfect way to use up remnants or bundles of fabrics, especially if they are as pretty as these.

Image from bluebellgray

11am sales on Made.com

If you are fan, like me, of designer furniture but not of the often ridiculous price tags, then check out made.com. There prices are usually very reasonable but over the next 2 weeks they are holding 11am sales with different products reduced everyday. 

I posted a few weeks ago about there Fonteyn Desk and I am crossing my fingers and toes that it appears in the sale, but knowing my luck it won't. Why is it the things you really like never get reduced in the sales?

My favourites so far are the Bergman Cabinet and the Bergman Coffee Table both in Chalk White.

All Images from made.com

Willow Collection from Bluebellgray

I was recently sent a newsletter about the new Willow collection at bluebellgray. It's a beautiful new collection of cushions and fabrics inspired by the classic blue willow pattern that we all know and recognise but with a modern twist. I remember my grandmother having this original patterned crockery, and even though I didn't appreciate it as a child, it does have a timeless look.

It's a shame we didn't keep any of the original crockery because I am loving the plate collection on the blue wall, maybe I'll have to start re-collecting it.

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!

Heart Home Mag

I am very excited to post about a wonderful new online magazine Heart Home. Launched in September 2011, it is a quarterly interior design publication set up by Arianna Trapani, Carole King and Daniel Nelson, it champions British designers and showcases fantastic British homes. It's free to subscribe so check it out here.

Image from Heart Home

Tent London 2011

Apologies for not posting yesterday or Monday but I was feeling a bit under the weather so had a day under the duvet and now I'm playing catch up.

On Sunday we visited Tent London at the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, East London. I try to go to at least one London Design Week event a year and Tent is becoming my favourite, especially now as I'm decorating my own house (Just to let you know we have now exchanged on the house so it's all go for the completion on Thursday, getting seriously excited)

Anyway back to topic of the post, below are my faves from the Exhibition that I thought you might like to hear about, enjoy:

1. I couldn't go to an interiors and furniture exhibition without encountering the ever popular Ercol. They were showcasing two new prototypes of chairs, a new bar stool and stacking chair in collaboration with Russell Pinch. The colours used on the stand are a good indication of the new hues for Autumn/Winter in interiors. Loved the use of orange with royal blue.

2. Zoe Murphy was exhibiting her wonderful array of up-cycled mid century furniture again this year. Every time I see her pieces I get so excited, I really would love one but I think they might be a bit out of my price range. However, she does do commissions, so if you have a piece of retro furniture you really love but needs some updating, she's your girl!

Images from Zoe Murphy

3. Ary Trays new products were also really exciting, my husband and I particularly liked their Alabasta Folk Stripe range designed by British textile designer Asta Barrington. They were displayed on foldaway stands to create fantastic occasional tables, they would look great in the garden.

Image from Ary Trays

4. London Timepiece had a great stand. They deal in a huge range of vintage and retro clocks with everything from Industrial to traditional styles. My husband took a fancy to a few of them, maybe a birthday pressie possibility.

5. Famille Summerbelle was possibly my favourite stand of the day. The company is run by husband and wife team Simon Summerscales and Julie Marabelle. Julie is the very talented artist of ridiculously intricate, personal and lovely papercuts of their favourite cities, London Paris New York and San Francisco. She studied Fine Art and Theatre Set design at St Martin's College in London and her inspiration comes from bringing up their young family between London and Paris. The original papercuts have been vectorised into prints and laser cuts that you can purchase in limited numbers in particular colours. They also produce Paper banners, family trees, cushions and wallpapers all with Julies signature illustrations.

Images above from Famille Summerbelle

6. Bluebellgray by Fiona Douglas is a company I have posted about before, but she had something new and exciting to show at Tent this year. She has now released her signature prints in fabric that can be bought in panels. Simply beautiful!

Image from Bluebellgray

7. Finally last but certainly not least is Mini Moderns. As well as being nominated for an Elle Decoration British Design award this year for Best British brand, their stand was one of the best on show. Showcasing their ever increasing range of wallpapers, cushions, fabrics tea towels and much more. My husband was particularly taken with the Whitby Wallpaper below, featuring a wonderful pattern of waves and boats in the Lido colourway, a lovely mid century Turquoise tone. 

Image from Mini Moderns

Personally I'm a big fan of their Festival Wallpaper in concrete below.

Image from Mini Moderns

Tent London

When I first started this blog it was as a response to visiting Tent London (here's the link to my first post), a fantastic multi-faceted design event where companies big and small display their new products for the home. It is a truly inspirational show and even better it's held in the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane which in itself is a great place to pick up ideas. This show and many others around London are all part of the London Design Festival. So get down there between the 22nd and 25th September for your chance to see the movers and shakers in the interiors world.

Images from Tent London

Another exhibit you might be interested in is 100% Design the UK's leading Contemporary design event held in Earls Court between the 22nd and 25th September.


Living Etc are currently promoting an offer where you can get tickets for free to Tent London and a 2-4-1 offer for 100% design. I will be heading there on the Sunday for my fill of fantastic products.

Jessie Ford Illustrations

Jessie Ford is a freelance illustrator based in Brighton, she has worked for big clients such as major newspapers and magazines as well as collaborating with Mothercare and the Early Learning Centre. She also happens to have an online shop where you can buy all her prints in A3 format. Here are a few of my faves.

I love this print for Transport for London, it pretty much grabs the essence of London.

A To B

 This print below is pretty much my mantra for life! Yum

All I Really Want

The colours and use of patterns within the fonts looks great here,

Alphabet

Love - to raise funds for the Demi McKenzie Cancer Trust

 For some reason this reminds me of a Picasso print.

Musical Dreams

Beautiful Day Bed from Another Country

I was flicking through Elle Decoration and started to dribble over a page that featured the 'Day Bed One' from Another Country. I've told you before I have an irrational love of furniture!

This day bed is just begging to be laid on, perfect for reading your favourite book on don't you think? It even comes in a choice of fabrics that include this 'Red Bird Garden' by Mark Hearld for St Judes.

Images from Another Country

The curved features and solid European Oak are so warm and welcoming and it is all made here in the UK. Even the organic wool and latex mattress is made in Devon and the Bute fabrics in Scotland.

If you love the clean lines of this piece, check out there other products which include everything from coffee tables to benches. I am particularly loving the console table and bench, they would look great in my new hallway.

All Images from Another Country

M&S and Conran

I was thrilled to hear about the recent collaboration between Conran and Marks and Spencer. Over recent years M&S has been trying to improve it's homewares offering, making it more modern and contemporary so this collection makes complete sense.

Images from Marks and Spencer

An exclusive preview collection is available from mid-September. It will include everything from rugs to the sofa pictured above in classic mid-century hues and timeless shapes, making them collectors items for the future. I recently bought the Ideal Home magazine and it included a free M&S catalogue containing the rest of the collection, so go take a look!

Mini Moderns for Magpie

Mini Moderns, the creators of fantastic wallpaper inspired by the 1951 Festival of Britain, have teamed up with homeware brand Magpie to create a selection of mugs, plates, and cups and saucers under the same theme. Using lovely mid-century colours the geometric patterns illustrate London landmarks such as the Royal Festival Hall. Mix and match the colours for an fab eclectic look!

Image from Homes and Gardens

I was reading Decor8 recently and noticed this fantastic photo showcasing the talents of interior designer Pippa Jameson. I love the natural shutters against the white walls and wooden floor. I am also in love with the Ercol 2 seat sofa with in-keeping mid-century print cushions. That arm chair in the corner looks very similar to the Bailey sofa from John Lewis which we have selected for out new house, so at least half way there!

'Changing Guards at Buckingham Palace' Wallpaper

I was flicking through Living Etc and noticed this fab 'Changing Guards at Buckingham Palace' Wallpaper. It's available in two colourways Spring and Autumn Gold shown below.

Inspired by a A. A. Milnes poem, Changing Guards is a whimsical scene of The Royal Guards marching in front of Her Majesty's palace wearing the distinctive red and black uniform and busby hats. 

The spring versions would look great in a little boy's bedroom.

(Images from Lizzie Allen)