Very Pleased To Meet

 colour, decorative, fun things, illustrators, nice things, paper, product design, shops, stationery  No Responses »
Apr 172013
 

PleasedToMeet Very Pleased To Meet

I spotted this company’s products in various hotspots around New York and liked their style instantly. Pleased To Meet is the lovechild of two German designers, Daniela Könn and Marcel Hornung, who met and fell in love whilst working in New York. Founded in 2004, they now have a lovely range of simple and charming designs spread over a variety of paper-based goods, contemporary eco ethics with a hint of mid-century style illustrations. Good colour choices too. They do have stockists worldwide but they also do international delivery so no need to panic. Here are my top-picks.

1.) I Love You wrapping paper, €2.60, 2.) New York wrapping paper, €2.60, 3.) Fawns wrapping paper, €2.60, 4.) A Good Catch wrapping paper, €2.60, 5.) Flying Birds notebook, €5, 6.) Lovebirds notebook, €5, 7.) Travel Journal, €19, 8.) Paris notebook, €7, all available from their website.

Our Feathered Friends in Print

 animals, Art, colour, decorative, Designer-Maker, illustrators, interiors, nice things, paper, texture  No Responses »
Dec 062012
 

Fanny Shorter Our Feathered Friends in Print

Another favourite from Cockpit Arts has to be these splendid little bird prints by illustrator and printmaker, Fanny Shorter. They are printed to scale using silk-screens, and represented here are some of the world’s smallest birds, and gosh, aren’t they teeny tiny? Bless ‘em. Makes the Finch look like a right little porker. The birds are printed in coloured layers, so each little bird comes alive after 5 or 6 different pulls of the squeegee. Their feathers are represented with different patterns making these truly lovely works of art. Utterly charming.

Get in touch with Fanny Shorter for a full list of birds and prices on 07890 920136, or via email at fannyshorter at gmail.com

Alternative Wrap

 Art, collaborations, colour, decorative, Designer-Maker, illustrators, London, nice things, paper, pattern, shopping, shops, stationery  No Responses »
Dec 052012
 

YCN wrap1 Alternative Wrap

On a post-lunch stumble with my jolly good friend Elias from Social Nesting, he took me to his new favourite treasure trove, YCN. Oh hello. A lovely mishmash of stuff, all beautifully designed and presented, you’ll be finding yourself craving all sorts of things you never knew you wanted. I think that’s the best sort of shop. I like to be surprised and fear predictability like I fear getting old. If you’re on the look out for some tasty wrap, and I don’t mean lunchables, then here’s the place. Three different designs by three different designers, you’ll bound to coo over at least one of them, if not all. I love ‘em all. At the top is ‘Cyclists’ by Evgenia Barinova, in the middle is ‘Stationery’ by Jamie Brown, and last, but not least, is ‘People & Animals’ by Daniel Frost. Lovely stuff.

A single sheet of wrapping paper is £2.50, A2 in size and printed on a 130gsm Cyclus Offset stock, available on-line and in-store at YCN, 72, Rivington Street, London.

When Paper Becomes 3D

 Art, craft, decorative, Designer-Maker, inspirational, nice things, paper, treats  No Responses »
Nov 022012
 

Jennifer Collier When Paper Becomes 3D

Oooeeee, look at these pretties! I love paper craft, and as much as I try, I just don’t seem to have the knack (or patience) for intricate and detailed pieces. But paper artist, Jennifer Collier does as these images of her fantastic creations testify to. Just thinking about how she’s done them makes my brain hurt so I shall just go back to looking and cooing. Very clever and very inspiring. Do have a look at the rest of her website and treat yourself to an early Christmas pressie. Or me, if you feel so inclined.

Papel de Flores

 Art, craft, decorative, flowers, fun things, inspirational, nice things, paper, photography, things to do  No Responses »
Oct 102012
 

paperflowers Papel de Flores

No, these aren’t particularly Spanish. In fact, Spain nor Latin America has anything to do with any of these images. It was just a little flourish, a little fluffing up as paper flowers just doesn’t sound as exciting, does it? However, this wee blog post is merely a pictorial pleasure ride than anything of meaning or substance. I like paper flowers and soon shall be having a go. I’ve done origami flowers before as you can see in my portfolio, but I want to try something different. Fingers crossed, they’ll work out lovely.

With thanks to all the contributors on We Heart It

For The Attention Of:

 decorative, Designer-Maker, fun things, homewares, interiors, lighting, nice things, paper, product design, shopping, shops, stationery  No Responses »
Oct 092012
 

FAO For The Attention Of:

I’m always up for a well-curated shop and FAO is most certainly that. Its selection of products covers all your basic requirements (bit of lighting, bit of homewares, some nice fashion items and the all important bits and bobs section). The entire shop is a wealth of desirability. The other points of worth, that tickle me no end, are the design and layout of the site. It’s layout is clean and tidy ensuring easy navigation and presents itself with a simple logo and brand identity. No frills shopping in the very best way, this is how it ought to be.

It’s All About Paper Balls

 craft, decorative, fun things, homewares, inspirational, interiors, nice things, paper, random, things to do  2 Responses »
Jul 252012
 

paperballs1 Its All About Paper Balls

I recently did a job that involved a lot of craft and I thought that I would revisit it for this post because it was surprisingly good fun. I always enjoy making things more than I think I do. It’s good fun even if it doesn’t work. And with the summer holidays upon us, what better way to keep one out of mischief than a good old session of homemade ‘Blue Peter’ in the garden. You don’t even need kids. What could be better? The key is to engage your lateral-problem solving brain and don’t worry about either the mess or the outcome. It’s all in the doing. Here are the pages for the above ideas. Get to it.

1.) Paint Chip orbs, Readymade, 2.) lace doily lamp, Dos Family, 3.) Knitted hot air balloons, Butterfly Love 1, 4.) paper baubles made from paperbacks, no instructions so this is where you have to get really clever (by the clever Cathy of California) 5.) paper streamers, Martha Stewart

All images with many thanks to all those featured

Get A Bit Of Kuboaa On Your Walls

 colour, decorating, decorative, Designer-Maker, homewares, inspirational, interiors, nice things, paper, pattern, product design  No Responses »
Jul 192012
 

kuboaa Get A Bit Of Kuboaa On Your Walls

I’m very glad my friend and colleague, Charlotte Duckworth, reminded me about this company for I had clean forgotten all about them. Shame on me, for they are a splendid purveyor of fine wallpapers. Bringing the traditional bang-up-to-date with contemporary colours and modern twists, Kuboaa supply a fine line in postmodernist furnishings. Headed by illustrator, Andrew Hardiman, the company was created in 2003, not long after Hardiman graduated from the Royal College of Art where he studied and completed his MA. Obviously multi-talented, Hardiman may well have turned his hand to anything but luckily for us he didn’t. Us being the lovers of paper and internal spaces, we got him instead. And thank the lord, for he brings forth much happiness with his bright hues and bold patterns (Hardiman, that is, not the lord. Well, I suppose one might argue that the lord does too but this is neither the place nor the blog for it). This is my collection of personal favourites, as you can see, no theme or recurring trend. The ranges couldn’t be more different from each other if they tried. And that’s a good thing for it means that Kuboaa will keep you on your toes with surprises with every new collection. Let’s hear an ‘amen’ for that.

Product details, from left to right, top to bottom: 1.) ‘Sequoia Wellington‘ in Overcast Blue (K3SW06), Repeat: 530mm, 2.) ’Ginko‘ in Braken Lagoon (K3GK05), Repeat: 530mm, 3.)‘Fine Apple‘ in Apple (K2F02), Repeat: 530mm, 4.) ‘Fuchsia and Hummingbird‘ in Soft Blue (K2A04), Repeat: 600mm,  5.) ‘Allumette‘ in Broad Bean (KUAL01), Repeat: 540mm, 6.) ’Tulong‘ in Teeboo (KUTU01), Repeat: 195mm, 7.) ‘Hepburn‘ in Light London Red (K3HE02), Repeat: 530mm, 8.) ‘Rhododendron‘ in black (K3RH06), Repeat: 530mm, £57.50 per roll,  Roll Size: 10mx52cm

 

Dear Prudence

 colour, decorative, Designer-Maker, exhibitions, homewares, interiors, London, nice things, paper, pattern, product design, shops, textiles  No Responses »
Jun 282012
 

Rachel Powell Dear Prudence

Looking at her work and her new online shop (went live today), you wouldn’t believe that Rachel Powell only graduated as a print designer a year ago. She was part of New Designers 2011 at The Business Design Centre in London, and this year sees Rachel returning to New Designers (part two) as part of the ‘One Year On’ where she will be launching her new wallpaper collection. It currently features two designs; ‘Woodstock’ (top right) and ‘Prudence’ (top left) available in the colour ways seen in the bottom image. It’s a strong beginning which hopefully signals the way she intends to continue, and strong she will have to be to make room for herself in an already competitive area of design that is filled with numerous well-established designer-maker brands. Not content with playing with wallpaper alone, she also has a charming range of pendant lights and even has a tea towel or two. For those of you looking for a pared-down contemporary take on a midcentury style that’s a little bit more sophisticated and a little less shouty, then this is your gal. I shall look forward to seeing the next range of designs and colours.

‘Woodstock’ and ‘Prudence’ both £68 per 10m roll, available to buy on her website. Rachel also offers a bespoke colour-matching service, £80 per 10m roll, minimum order 4 rolls.

Finger On The Pulse

 animals, ceramics, decorative, Designer-Maker, events, fun things, homewares, interiors, London, nice things, paper, product design, shopping, textiles  No Responses »
Jun 122012
 

Pulse Finger On The Pulse

Here are my top picks from this year’s Pulse exhibition all of which are new to me from the show. It’s always nice attending shows as I get to see a healthy mix of old friends and get introduced to new favourites which is exactly how it ought to be. I also got to put a few faces to Twitter handles which was super, and none was I more excited by than by finally meeting fellow stylist, Poppy Norton. Lots of good stuff and a perfect way to spend a grey and chilly Sunday. My selection is not short of the graphically strong which is no surprise coming from me, there’s a bit of paper, bit of textiles, smidgen of textiles and even some kid’s stuff. Nearly all of which are designer-maker. All of my picks are on-line and most of them sell on-line too. If not, it’s worth getting in touch to find out where their stockists are. Happy Pulse-inspired shopping!

Product details 1.) ceramics by Jill Haddock, 2.) cushion by Mengsel, 3.) duffel bag by Laura Spring, 4.) paper pom poms by Miss Etoile, 5.) rabbit slippers by Sew Heart Felt, 6.) wooden postcard by Timbergram, 7.) Urban gridded notebook by Walking Things, 8.) embroidered throw by Sophie Pattinson, 9.) cushions by My Friend Yarn

all images with thanks to the exhibitors included

pixel Finger On The Pulse
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