All booked up - (or "where to put those accumulating volumes?")

I'm an avid reader and seem to be constantly accumulating books that I find it hard to let go of. Here in Paris, appartments aren't big and storage space is really restricted. One great solution that I've found for creatively "shelving" my favourite reads is this shelf by Umbra . The books look as if they're suspended in mid-air! I've put two in my washroom and they look fab!



I've also just recently come across this cunning device from
Studio Smeets Design in Holland : a shelf that is a light and bookstand all rolled into one!

It is sold via the Lili Lite website and gets lots of points for solving several problems in one go. Ideal for the more cosy city homes!

Handled with care - ceramics with a soul

Here at The Poppy Club we're big fans of all things ceramic, and this week what caught my eye at Etsy are these pieces by Villareal . I totally love the idea of stirring my tea with a ladder!

I find the "handmade" look of uneven surfaces and visible traces of handling quite endearing and indeed their creator chooses to leave such "individual imperfections" on her works. I think too that a large part of the novelty of form comes from the technique used to make them: all the items are made from slabs of porcelain that are then cut and folded before being sanded and glazed for a smooth and shiny finish.

The wall box below with clustered flowers reminds of me of the funny way that in spring everything suddenly goes crazy and the buds have to fight to find a spot a the sun!


I also love the coolness of the pine forest design. Must be the pristine white of the porcelain and suggestion of mint green, but whatever the cause, they strike me as fresh and serene. I can escape from the city in a glance!

Quilty secrets

I was inspried this week by the new exhibition at the V&A in London (" Quilts 1700 - 2010") to hunt out some attractive quilts in cyberland. Surprisingly, although there are literally thousands of websites devoted to patchwork, Amish quilts and quilt patterns, it's not that easy to find pieces that are original but not avant-garde, attractive but not too "folksy".
I've come up with a few designers that produce what I think are lovely pieces - being handmade they inevitably come at quite a price. Oh well - it costs nothing to oggle so let's enjoy browsing!

First up are Napoleon Quilts from the USA - my favourites by a long chalk, they are entirely hand-stitched and are produced in limited edition - no more than 8 of a design are ever made and some are totally unique. Created for children, their use should certainly be extended to adults!



I also am pretty fond of these pieces by Sun Moon Lake . Two reasons: 1. they are based in a place I actually visited at Christmas, a little gem of a town tucked away in the moutains of central Taiwan and 2. they are made from soft cashmere, re-worked from cast off jumpers . Each piece is soft, warm and hand-crafted, as well as re-cycled!




Sally Campbell in Australia is a up there with the very best, designing quilts that as she says are either "hand-woven, hand-stitched, hand-dyed or hand block-printed". She works with artisans in rural parts of India using traditional techniques to keep ancient handicrafts alive. All the items are carbon neutral and part of the sum paid for them goes back to the community. The results are exquisite :





Raggidyragdolls are another pick from down under producing locally made hand-crafted children's toys and cot quilts. Featuring Red Riding Hood, magic animals and birds and all being machine washable, they make bedtime beautiful!



Like Sally Campbell, American John Robshaw has long been interested in the printing techniques of Indian craftsmen. Working closely with local artisans, he spends much of his time in India, creating beautiful designs that combine a "painterly aesthetic" with traditional block-printing, producing elegant quilts that retain the spirit of age-old handicrafts. All I have to do now, is get to the V&A!!

New "Tamarillo" collection from Ink and Spindle

Just wanted to mention that one of our favourite fabric deisgners, Ink and Spindle have brought out a new "Tamarillo" range in lovey reds and rusetts. They also now print exclusively on organic textiles. Way to go!
See The Poppy Club post of Feb 26th A Spindle to Prick your Fancy for more designs by this great team!

A feast for the eyes! Food themed kitchenwares in vintage Swedish style.

New House Textiles are perhaps based known for their blinds and textiles, but what caught my eye is their homewares collection based on 1950's "Swedish Chic". The new range of vintage tea towels focus on the "kitchen" theme, featuring olives, fish, kitchen utensils and even Danish pastries. All are were designed in the 50's by Swedish designers. Before we get to that though, check out this herringbone table cloth - my pick from their collection:



Warning: Not to be eaten.

A bookworm's dream - an armchair and library in one!

My flat is too small for storing anything much, so ingenious, elegant storage solutions are always welcome. The Italian company Nobody&Co have come up with the brilliant idea of storing books in the armchair itself - so lazy readers don't even need to get up to reach for the next volume!
There is even a "pouf" version for more exotic tastes. Cunning, eh?

The collection

Was browsing through the French The Collection on-line store this week and have found my latest wallpaper crush : this "trompe l'oeil" wallpaper by the Dutch Studio Ditte imitating a wall of china plates. Can we call it "Neo Kitsch?" Reminds me of those collections you see in Royal Palaces. Love it!



On the same site there are several great designs by the British Lizzie Allen, who celebrates some of the quirky London City symbols, such as telephone boxes and businessmen in bowler hats:


Again from England, Tracy Kendall produces a whole range of "stack" themed papers - this one re-producing piles of books. If you check out her site she also designs single piece wall designs featuring feathers, cutlery and flowers that fill the whole wall!

Oh and this one gets points for wit and audacity - a skeleton wallpaper by "Dumnies". Up close it's a bit too Gothic but funnily enough once spread out on a large surface the effect is pretty slick!





Oh and I just had to mention this lamp by the Swedish Design Dessert group because I love the bright colours it comes in and the shape which actually reminds me of the lampshades of fellow Swede Kicki Moller (see The Poppy Club post of decmber 15th : Naughty but Nice ) that have similar-shaped frames and share a fascination with transparency.

A real home decor treasure trove!

It's that industry thing again - the aesthetic of the utensil

I've mentioned before how urbanity is increasingly the "new floral" of graphic design and just wanted to adjust that statement slightly to include "industry" and "machinery". The recent discovery of Portland based "House of Bouton" selling via Etsy confirms my belief that tools and everyday objects are just as aesthetically pleasing as a posey of violets or budding rose. (see The Poppy Club posts of March 10th 2010 "An autopsy of the Everyday"and of Dec 9th 2009
"Cityscapes - the new floral" )Produced using a low-impact process using un-bleached cotton and non-toxic inks, these flour sack tea towels are up-beat, green and great-looking.

I also like these block prints which are hand-printed and come signed and dated by the artist.