Chakra Pennywhistle - returning July 5th

In a similar vein to the decals of the French company Harmonie-interieure (see blog post of Feb 19th: From French Industry to American Friezes) Chakra Pennywhistle design cushions that use the motifs of trade and industry to produce original and unusual furnishings. Using natural materials and recycling older fabrics to produce something new, Rikkiane chooses to work for a sustainable future and follows a consciously green ethic in her work. Alongside the federal reserve sack cloth pillows there are designs from nature including simple florals and block-print birds.
The Etsy store has been closed for several months due to a relocation but the good news is that it's re-opening on July 5th!

Where East meets West - ceramics with a hint of the Oriental

For lovers of Moroccan Zillij mosaics, and admirers of Islamic design in general, the vases of ceramist Jill Rosenwald have a wonderfully Eastern resonance. Although not in themselves produced using the mosaic technique, the geometry of the motif and bright background colours makes for a distinctly Oriental look that brings in the sun and will surely spice up a dreary North European winter day!

I also love this lamp that was apparently the result of a self-confessed "happy accident" - let's hope there are more as the effect is fabulous!

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!