Christmas things - boxes, angels, gift wrap and eco trees

The Christmas decorations are now up in Paris launching the ritual hunt for original ideas for the festive season. I can't somehow stomach the glitz of too much tinsel so was relieved to discover these pretty hand-made angels, created by
Jurianne Matter . They're fun to put together and would look sweet on the Christmas tree, the table or on top of a few mince pies!

She also makes these lovely lanterns that are lit with night lights and would look pretty in a bay window or on the table. Keen to limit the ecological impact of her products, Jurianne uses FSC certified paper and printing inks derived from vegetable oils. Everything is made in Holland.


The other great find this week are these gift boxes made in Paris by Zoe de Lascases . Bought flat you just fold them up to make a neat cube to pop your prezzie in. Nifty! There are various designs and sizes available but all have the same up-beat look.

Dutch designers seem to feature quite often here at the Poppy Club because they design just some of the coolest things! The Kidsonroof team have come up with a paper Christmas tree that can be assembled at home and come complete with angels, decorations, candles and even a star on the top! Even better there are no needles to clean up and and it can be re-used again another time.

All the above are sold via their own websites as well as this lovely French site for children's things : Mes habits Cheris .

And finally, someone whose designs I just adore, Rie Elise Larsen from Denmark, has created gift wrap, garlands of doves and tree decorations that are just beautiful. More about her soon!

Come fly with me - Decals with a simple innocence

I have to confess to being a bit of a sucker for wall stickers (!) perhaps because there are so many original designs out there to choose from and also perhaps because it's a simple and cheap way to brighten up an empty wall. These decals by Blanca Gomez of Cosasminimas in Spain are just adorable. She also designs posters, invitations, and prints with the same innocent flair.

It's a zoo out there!

Dutch designer Inke has come up with the great idea of using animal and tree sillhouettes cut out in wallpaper to create fun, original wall decoration for kitchens or childrens' rooms. You simply choose the paper (and there is a ton of choice!), choose the shape and simulate an image of the sticker of your choice before ordering! The effect is really funky!

Old world charm from the New World

I recently took a look at the Anthropologie website - I'm probably one of the few un-initiated not familiar with their great range of furnishings from across the planet and really liked quite a few of the items on offer. These folding chairs were my faves - I have quite ugly plastic ones that I bring out when guests arrive and think that these wooden ones but be a far more attractive alternative. I've also inlcuded a couple of bits and pieces that caught my eye. The photo frame is rather sweet - a bit cottage-y perhaps but appealing nonetheless. The pinny is almost too good for the kitchen and I'd be tempted to turn it into a dress! It's just one of many frilly old-style aprons on the site that I'm rapidly developing a weakness for.

Printed matter

Having read a few things about the textile designs of French artist Claire Leina , I took a look at her website and was quite taken with her wall stickers (above) which I like for their "painted" effect. Her wallpapers (below) are lovely too and she also applies her designs to fabric and ceramics with equally fab results!

Earth fire and water

I'm getting quite into pottery at the moment spending Tuesday evenings up to my elbows in clay. Hunting around for awe-inspiring models and sources or unattainable inpsiration I came across the following potters who all do amazing things in terms of shape and colour.

My absolute favourite has to be Samantha Robinson , who tucked away in her studio down-under, produces these absolutely sublime pieces. I just melt at the delicacy of her work and the audacity of the mix of colours. Swoon...















In San Fransisco, Diana Fayt designs pieces of more earthy style, combining rough shapes with bold colours. I particularly like the stripey cup and saucer, which is sort of naive and yet cheeky. I also like the etched flowers on the vases - pretty!

And to finish, a Danish pair of potters

Meyerlavigne who play on our childhood associations of paper plates, or old-fashioned tea parties, to produce fine china of quite unique style and decoration. True originals.

Fabrics that take your breath away

The Print and Pattern blog recently posted about Ursula O'Connor and her breathtaking fabric designs. I absolutely have to add my voice to the general acclaim as her designs are just out of this world. Below is a selection from her website, but there are many, many more just as beautiful - the site is an absolute treasure.

Pins and Needles

I'm constantly hunting for fabric for cushion covers and the like and keep coming back to Reprodepot Fabrics , which is where I found the material for the cushions below last year. The zig zag is vintage Marimekko. I wonder now if I shouldn't have put the pattern on the diagonal...




I don't think that either of these fabrics are now in stock but the site is still a great source for material and constantly changes it's offer. Below are a few currently available:



The other great place that I've discovered is good for fabric is Ikea . Not always what first comes to mind when we think of the Swedish giant but they have a great range of inexpensive material that is machine washable and can be bought by the yard/metre: