The Secret World of Dressmakers’ Pins

 animation, fun things, textiles, texture  No Responses »
Jun 262012
 

PIN from Elise Fachon on Vimeo.

PIN by Elise Fachon. Final for Intermediate Stop Motion Fall 2011.

I have to confess, I’m not entirely sure what this one is all about but I like it. PIN was an entry into Vimeo’s 2011 challenge to create characters from the simplest shapes and forms. This definitely does that. A nice black ‘sky’ with ‘moon-like’ mounds covered in a tiny-gauge cream knit makes for a most effective and instantaneous scene. I like dressmakers’s pins and I like the texture of knitted wool. So, throw them together with some funny noises and a bit of a story (if you can enlighten me, that’d be great) then I’m yours. It’s like a texilean (yes, I made that up) Clangers. I do especially like the final clip where the headed-pin growls, but I shan’t say any more than that so I don’t spoil it for you all. She’s in her final year of college at the Rhode Island School of Design and she’s got some other fantastic animations on both her Vimeo page and her website, so do have a look. Clever lady.

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

The Return Of The Plait

 collaborations, colour, decorative, homewares, interiors, product design, textiles, texture  No Responses »
Jun 042012
 

WovenGround Trenzas by Gandia Blasco ivory lifestyle The Return Of The Plait

Laugh you might, at the blogging of thick woollen rugs at the beginning of June, but having spent the weekend up in Lancaster not only in the rain but also in single figure centigrade (8 degrees), I’m not worried about bringing you something warm and snug. However, even if we were still enjoying last weekend’s mini heatwave, I reckon they’d still be appropriate as extra special multi-seasonal floor coverings as these are Spanish rugs and they truly do warmth and sunshine. This trio of muted-shaded beauties designed by Gandia Biasco come to you from WovenGround. This isn’t the first time I have brought you fantastic rugs from Woven Ground, so apologies to those disappointed by reptition but to be fair it was 4 months ago and these are most definitely worthy of a mention. Simple in fabric, colour and execution, there is no fear to be had in matching with decor or style of abode. I am secure in my conviction of one suits all, which is regularly not the case when stated to be so. Delicate understated luxury resides in these fibres in an old traditional method. Craft at its most basic. Hats off to Gandia Biasco and Woven Ground.

Available in two sizes, please contact Woven Ground for prices, local stockists and delivery information.

Woven Ground Trenzas The Return Of The Plait

Pinning It All On Thread

 Art, decorative, Designer-Maker, fun things, illustrators, inspirational, nice things, textiles  1 Response »
May 292012
 

Debbie Smyth Pinning It All On Thread

This is precisely reason why I love Origin, the yearly craft design exhibition by the Crafts Council, so much and why I shall sorely miss it this year. To be fair, it wasn’t the first time that I’d come across textile artist Debbie Smyth’s work but nonetheless a welcome reminder and good to see it up close and in action. It’s such a simple idea and yet exquisitely effective and clever. This is textile art at its finest. Debbie has taken the art of the pencil and line drawing and turned it into a softer and more playful finished creative product that is not defined by either its context or subject. The world has embraced her talents with open arms and she now has a wealth of experience and commissions under her belt from gallery installations to smaller domestic artworks and has worked for a number of well-known companies, inc. Sony, Ellesse, New York Times, Not On The High Street, amongst others. There is a wealth of pictures of her work on her website so go and indulge yourselves with the simplicity and power of dress-making pins and thread. Bet you didn’t know they could look so good, eh?

Images with thanks to Debbie Smyth

Pretty Pattern and Print

 books, colour, decorative, Designer-Maker, inspirational, nice things, pattern, textiles, texture  No Responses »
May 222012
 

Pattern Orla Kiely Pretty Pattern and Print

This hard-backed book is an absolute must for all Orla Kiely fans. Her work is now instantly recognisable and practically a house-hold brand. She was at the forefront of the resurgence of 70′s style patterns, colours and designs in both fashion and interiors which has taken the country by storm infiltrating even the most unexpected corners. Pattern is rammed full of information, tales of childhood, her university days, the learning of her trade and with plenty of colour photos of her patterns (from the well-known to the lesser-known), catalogue photo-shoot imagery, product shots and even childhood photos. This is the perfect book for anyone not initiated with much colour theory or knowledge of textiles. As a textiles graduate I’m always pleased when someone becomes celebrated for their textile design rather than a product (Cath Kidston/ Lisa Stickley/ Margo Selby) bringing the art of fabric to the forefront. We are surrounded by textiles whether we realise it or not, most of which is taken for granted (seat belts, bus seat fabric, astronaut suits) and overlooked. This gives you a very good grounding in all things textile designing-related; colour, pattern (obviously), fabric, fabric construction and fashion. A good ‘dip in and enjoy’ whilst drinking your coffee on a Sunday morning, informative without being too demanding, pretty without being too surface-based. Ideal coffee table tome.

Orla Kiely snaps Pretty Pattern and Print

Pattern by Orla Kiely

  • Hardcover: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Conran Octopus Ltd (6th September 2010)
  • Language English
  • ISBN: 9781840915532
  • Price: GBP 25
  • Product Dimensions: 279 x 240 x 38 mm

The Perfectly Easy Based On Uneasiness

 colour, decorative, Designer-Maker, furniture, homewares, interiors, nice things, product design, shopping, shops, textiles  No Responses »
May 082012
 

Uneasiness and Triangle The Perfectly Easy Based On Uneasiness

Seeing as I liked yesterday’s post on the animation, Uneasiness and Triangle, by Masanobu Hiraoka, so much, I thought I would continue it on today by concentrating on the lovely colour palette. And here is the result. A nice selection from across the UK’s interiors high street (the virtual one as well as the one made of bricks and mortar), not too girly but a nod in that direction. Nowt wrong with that. Warm and inviting without the chintz and the twee normally associated with these sorts of colours. There’s a lot of candy hues continuing over from last year’s trends and we’ll see it continue into AW12 whilst getting bolder and smokier. Lovely tonals of ‘dirty’ colour. Nice. One could say ‘pretty but gritty’ which is just how I like it.

1.) Large Nostalgia Vase, TRJ3234, £18.95, Graham and Green, 2.) Set of 6 coloured glass tumblers, £59, Dwell, 3.) ‘This Storm Would Pass Me’ collage print by Sabrina Tibourtine, £16.95, Pretty Dandy, 4.) John Lewis Barbican Large Sofa, Cossette Green / Light Leg, £1,200, John Lewis, 5.) Candy Stripe Pink, 100% cotton, £22.50 per metre, Ian Mankin, 6.) Centro carafe in purple, 870ml, CX27, £15, LSA, 7.) Leff Amsterdam wall clock ‘Scope 45′, £85, Design 55, 8.) Mutabilis Cushion, Rectangle, £98, Anthropologie, 9.) Cockatoo candle, £14, Rockett St George

Mr J. Adler’s New Season’s Range

 animals, ceramics, decorative, Designer-Maker, fun things, homewares, interiors, nice things, product design, shopping, shops, textiles  1 Response »
Apr 182012
 

JOnathan Adler Mr J. Adlers New Seasons Range

Jonathan Adler’s new range is looking suitably superb. Bright colours, classic designs and delightful geometrics, Adler pulls out the stops to bring a injection of fresh new colours and styles to his classic range. If you’re new to Mr Adler, he’s been stocked in Heal’s (amongst others, such as Shelf) for a long time now but last year saw the launch of his first London-based store, down in the wilds of SW3 otherwise known as Chelsea. If you’re in the area, I do recommend you go an indulge in some bright and white humorous interiors products. He’ll have you smiling in no time and will, no doubt, help lighten your bank account.

1.) positano melamine dinner plate, 27.94 cm dia x 15.24 H, product code: 10623, £12, 2.) chartreuse positano rocks glass, 3.5″ dia x 4″ H, product code: 10630, £9, 3.) ikat melamine serving bowl, product code: 10637, £28, 4.) rat, 8.89 cm tall x 8.25 cm wide x 31.75 cm long, product code: 8032, £88, 5.) enamel serving set, 27.94 cm long x 5.72 cm wide, product code: 6057, £78, 6.) ,charade square studded box, 25.4 cm long x 12.7 cm wide x 10.16 cm wide, product code: 10246, £175, 7.) positano melamine serving tray, 43.18 cm wide x 29.20 cm long x 5.07 cm deep, product code: 10628, £48, 8.) moustache bottle stopper, 4.45 cm tall x 6.35 cm wide, product code: 10131, £18, 9.) brasilia circles pillow, 20×20, Product code: 9740, £195

Coming Over All Oriental

 ceramics, colour, decorative, homewares, interiors, nice things, product design, shopping, shops, textiles  No Responses »
Apr 122012
 

Oriental1 Coming Over All Oriental

The Vapors really started something when they sang “You’ve got me turning up and turning down and turning in and turning ’round / I’m turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so”. This season sees an introduction to a new trend for orientals which will continue on strongly into AW12. Bold colours, delicate brushstrokes, Japanese ceramics and classic imagery will cover textiles, wallpaper and homewares and how better to get involved than with this collection that I have scoured the shops to bring you. There is enough available for you to choose how involved you get; from name-only inferences to gentle ink swishes and unadulterated all-over repeats, you can commit to a range of a single hue or go multi-coloured.

それに向かって突き進んでください!

*meant to mean ‘go for it!’. If it doesn’t, oops*

1.) Dara in Turquoise, Code: 04758/01, Manuel Canovas 2.) Ching Large Storage Pot, £12.49, Typhoon 3.) Sonia Rykiel’s William Pear cushion, £81, Lelievre (call 020 7352 4798 for stockists) 4.) Clino pendant in purple, £95 , Heal’s  5.) Lau, lacquered bamboo large bowl in Jade green, product code: 23066, D20cm, £8, Habitat 6.) Malay teapot, £42, La Cafetière 7.) A Set of ‘Japanese Heart / Japanese Courage’ Prints by Hiromi Suzuki, £30, (fundraising for the Japanese earthquake disaster), Culture Label 8.) Mona Vase, inspired by Japanese Ikebana vases, £190, Jo Davies 9.) Kevin McCloud’s Orchid Leaf, £29.50 for 2.5lt matt emulsion, Fired Earth

images from websites and with thanks to all the PRs involved, you know who you are.

Dots and Circles

 Art, colour, decorative, Designer-Maker, events, exhibitions, flowers, fun things, illustrators, inspirational, interiors, nice things, photography, Pinterest, random, textiles, treats  No Responses »
Apr 112012
 

Dots and Circles Dots and Circles

Here is another of my recently deceased Pinterest boards. I’m still deliberating over it, would you believe? I like my growing collection of towards of ‘nice’ things and it makes it a very quick and easy reference board. But alas, I just cannot align that with the terms and conditions and the implications of these. So, I bring you ‘Dots and Circles’, the early beginnings of a cyclical mood board. You eager-eyed lot will no doubt spot the appearance of my favourite tumbler, Nezart Design, yet again. Big Fan. Lots of lovely imagery on there.

1.) paint tins, via: Nezart Design, source: For Art’s Sake, 2.) Car Atlas-Rainbow by David T Waller, 3.) back cover of Lombard Handicraft, 1970, source: Stopping Off Place, 4.) Time via stoppingoffplace.blogspot.com, source: Macdonald Educational (A Unit For Teachers), published for the Schools Council by MacDonald Educational Ltd., London, 1972-1973, 5.) Circles by James Neeley, Flickr, 6.) Artist Yayoi Kusama installation for Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane, source: Thisiscollossal, 7.) Crystal Circle by ▵, Flickr, 8.) Circle Packing Artifacts, source: blpmt_van, Flickr, 9.) Splash by ▵, from Flickr, 10.) Origami flowers by artist James Roper, source: ModernNet, 11.) clusters or the corruption of chance (2008) cs144, Frank Huelsboemer, 12.) clusters or the corruption of chance (2008), cs139, Frank Huelsboemer,
13.) Car Atlas-Rainbow by David T Waller, Flickr

You, Me, Betty and Dupree

 animals, Art, books, colour, decorative, Designer-Maker, fun things, homewares, illustrators, inspirational, interiors, nice things, paper, product design, recycled, shopping, shops, stationery, textiles  No Responses »
Apr 092012
 

Betty and Dupree You, Me, Betty and Dupree

Strictly speaking, I’ve got nothing to do with it and nor will you find Owen Wilson popping up. Nevertheless Bristol-based Betty and Dupree have some splendid things and it’s definitely worth your while having a good solid mooch though their charming range. Concentrating on a small collection of designer-maker illustrators that have extended their collections into homewares and stationery, you’ll find all sorts of goodies from greeting cards to tea towels, to art work to pretty sticky tape, all of which is made here in the UK (hurray!). Clean lines, graphic styles and geometric repeats; this is the first stop for those of you for whom contemporary graphics is a love close to your heart. They also have stockists around the UK, so you may have already have spotted them. Check out their blog for bits and bobs of interesting information on what they’re up to and their featured artists.

Here are my top picks…
1.) Leah Duncan’s ‘Raindrop’ cushion cover, 16″ x 16″, £20.00, 2.) Leah Duncan’s ‘Hills’ greeting card, Code: LD-003, £2.50, 3.) Gemma Correll’s ‘Animal Parade’ tape, length: 33 metres x 50mm, Code: TP-001, £4.95, 4.)’Leaves’ wrapping paper, Code: WP-104, £1.50, 5.) Jez Burrows’s ‘Walden’ screen print, Code:XAP-001, £40, 6.) Tom Frost’s ‘Fox’ greeting card, Code:TF-014, £2.50

pixel You, Me, Betty and Dupree
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