Strange Things

Les choses bizarres translates roughly as as "Strange Things" into English and goes some way towards describing the unexpected creations of Audrey Pellegrini. Born and raised in the coastal city of Marseille, her designs reflect a love of nature and passion for the visual image  - she has a self-confessed love of photography and recording the world around her, its' "colours, lights and forms". Making bags, wallets and baby bibs, the pieces I like best are her cushions, which are drole and adorably naive,often juxtaposing apparently incongruous images or styles. The results are great!

Crazy Paving

During my stay in the med, I cam across a few little benches carved into the cliff face and decorated with bits of broken tile. I thought they were so pretty I'd take a few snaps. In fact, the tiling everywhere in Sorrento was gorgeous - the final tile is part of one of the old floors in a 19th villa.

Mediterranean interior

I've just got back from a quick break in Italy (courtesy of my dear ole Pa - thanks Dad!) and just had to share a few piccies of this absolutely gorgeous hotel in Sorrento - the Minervetta. Really beautiful use of sea blue tiles and a quirky collection of modern art and photography. The coast is just paradise outside and with an interior like this you're really in heaven!

camilla diedrich

From time to time I come across something that really steals the show and I think this month it has to be the wallpapers of Camilla Diedrich in Sweden.  Often using the electrical imagery of sparks and frazzled cables, her papers are sharp and mouthy, yelling big ideas and bold sophistication. Used in strips as in the pictures below they make a dazzling wall feature. No need for shots of cafeine with such instantly energizing decoration!

Petals in Print by Bloomsong

I was strolling along the Canal St Martin this week and came across these pretty homewares by the French company bloomsong at the Espace Beaurepaire. Their tea towels, cushions and homewares, printed with line-drawn dandelions, peonies and poppies are simple and attractive and can be bought on-line at Big Cartel and Etsy. Naturally charming!

Isabelle Abramson

Oh wow. Yet another ceramics heart -throb! This time the craftswoman in question is Isabelle Abramson from Boston. Her pieces are a celebration of elegant finesse - classical, smooth and refined. For some reson they remind me of the elegant homes in Lond Island described in the "Great Gatsby" - sweeping green lawns and airy, afternoon tea in the drawing room...must be the summer weather going to my head!

Bulle

Bulle are probably the people I've posted about that are located geographically the closest to me! They are based in a workshop in the 11th arrondissement of Paris - a district with a long tradition of furniture manufacture and retail. Not dissimilar in their approach to the UK's Zoe Murphy (see "The Poppy Club blog post "Viva Margate" for info), Bulle renovate and re-design old pieces of furniture found in flea markets and sales. They will also adapt your own items or hunt out something specific for those with a particular idea in mind. I like the use of uniform bright colours and will certainly be at their next open day which takes place on June 26th, 27th and 28th.

The grand bunting parade

The inspiration for this post was a pretty string of bunting in my best-friend's newly decorated nursery. It's such a great way to prettify a room and is easy to remove as kids grow-up and tastes change.

I decided to hunt around and see what was on offer - below are some of the more creative pieces I came across.

ThePaperButterfly is the work of Canadian photographer Caitlin Brookes, who uses some of her pictures of flowers and insects to make dreamy streamers :

It's worth noting that her beautiful pictures can also be bought on-line at Etsy.

In California,Yreina Flores of Aymujer, makes lacy, hand-cut paper banners sporting snappy messages, best-suited to wedding or party decoration. They're all made from recycled tissue paper and have a very festive, frivolous feel:

This funky banner is by Birdspoke from Aukland, NZ and features cheeky pixies, appliqued by hand onto vintage fabrics and bed-linens. Too sweet!

For a more outdoorsy look, try this unusual garland by SaraTops which uses old maps cut into triangles to produce a bright, colourful streamer:

In Australia, Ponyrider make these great 50's style screen-printed flags. I like the use of rough canvas which is a nice contrast to the girlishness of the garland itself :

Back to Europe again and to England's jellybelly-jellybrain who sell a whole range of designs for children's rooms including cup-cakes, buses and Russian Dolls :

A quick zip around Australia now, starting with Littleboombalada , who produce several more classical designs all handmade from carefully selected fabrics :

Anna and Sally sell this attractive piece of rather retro bunting. Really it's all about the cloth but this one works well!

And while we're down-under, we just have to mention Mosey in Melbourne who produces a gorgeous range of handmade garlands made from vintage fabrics :

 

And to finish, a pink feathery garland by Scalae . French chic at its best!

Light of my life by Koet

Something French today - ceramic lamps that I like for their rather crumpled, rough to the touch type look. Poppy Club followers will have noticed my penchant for anything that plays with light and shadow which naturally these pieces indulge!

The smooth-finished industrial-style lamps below are also worth a mention. I particularly like the sea-green version with its modulating colour.



They're all made by Delphine Lahens, the brains behind Koet .

Heaven is a place called "Haven"

Originally from New Zealand and based now in London, Haven is one of those rare places where ethical values, fine craftsmenship and a pure love of beautiful handicrafts come together to produce something truely exquisite. Working from vintage and/or organic fabrics and privileging traditional techniques such as patchwork and quilting, they make one-of-a-kind cushions, bedspreads and lampshades. They favour natural fabrics and strike out with brave colour and pattern combinations that really catch the eye.

Check out the sumptuous green patchwork bedspread made from a  1930's Japanese kimono below. Truely divine!