18 Jun 2010

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!

16 Jun 2010

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.

13 Jun 2010

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!

11 Jun 2010

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 .

8 Jun 2010

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!

5 Jun 2010

Harking back to the Homeland - Gleena ceramics

Russian born ceramist Asya Palatova founded Gleena ("clay" in Russian) in 2002, producing fine china that hearkens back to summers spent in her grandmothers garden. Decorated with very delicate organic and natural designs, her bowls and plates are simple and feminine, coming in soft pastel shades that themselves recall the floral hues of a garden in full bloom.

3 Jun 2010

Bringing those air plants home to roost!

As a follow up to my post about Mudpuppy's lovely ceramic air plant pods - here is a glass alternative, made by Roost and sold by Pigeon Toe Ceramics in Portland (see blog post "Bowled Over" for more about their beautiful products). Blown from almost entirely recycled glass, this
"hanging terrarium" is designed for the interior and can be used for air or soil-based plants. If, like me, you're a frustrated non-garden owner then it might be the way to bring a litlte more green into your life!

1 Jun 2010

R U Area-aware?

I stumbled across the New York based manufacturer Areaware this week and love quite a few of their very contemporary, city-slick designs. Offering everything for the home from mirrors to roller-skate doorstops, they work with a group of highly-talented, innovative designers, several of which are featured below:

Decals by Florence Manlik

Acrylic Mirror by Oliver Peyricot+ Sylvie Chanchus

Porcelain plates by Jason Miller (birds) and Dylan Martorell (black and whites)

I'll be looking more closely at the individual designers soon!