Little pleasures in white, dimpled dishes...

Dimples really do it. Whether on small children hurling spoons of purée gleefully across the kitchen, or pressed into fine Limoges porcelain to leave a charming, characterful dent, the dimple is one of those cheery little things that just genreally makes life better. And Australia's Little White Dish use it to great effect, adding a trademark smile to many a cup, bowl and jug. Designed by Deb Taylor in Sydney, I love the simple delicacy of the pieces, which all seem to have their own, individual character. The little white jugs below are just adorable!

                               

                               
                                
                               

                                

New designs by Celine Saby

Celebrating the autumn - the time of falling leaves and mushrooming, Celine Saby's New Collection of lamps are light and airy, reminding us of life's simpler pleasures.

My favourite has to be the series of  "I can think everything" designs:  

"I can't do everything, I can't say everything, but I can think everything".

 Don't we all feel a bit like that from time time?

Murakami at Versailles

Finally got chance to see the Murakami exhibition at the Château of Versailles this weekend and thought I'd share a couple of his palace furnishings : happy happy lamps and a carpet that would have the French kings spinning!

Ideas from floor to ceiling with India Rose

I came across these pretty fabric lanterns by India Rose at the Once Upon a Tea time blog, and took a look at the web site which is a hive of interesting and unusual objects. Whilst I wouldn't be seen in public in an Argylle sweater or socks - I surprised myself by quite liking the design on a table set or bath mat!

There are several frilly tablecloths and napkins which are worth the detour and a whole range of unusal doormats. Certainly worth a browse around...

Yukari Sweeney

I totally love these wallpapers and lampshades by Yukari Sweeney. There's a kind of nostalgia for the drawing room chintz that is nonetheless contemporary in colour scheme and execution. I think they're really beautiful and love the warm, soft tones that she prefers.A new favourite to add to my ever-lengthening list of wallpaper designers!

Never felt so good!

So, the Poppy Club Club has been up and running for several months now - enough time to observe that there is one material increasingly used in all areas of interior design : felt. From tea-cosies to fake plants - passing through wall dividers, cushions and carpets - designers love the stuff and are hugely inventive in its use.
Made from matting and compressing woollen fibres, felt has traditionally been used in Central Asia in the making of tents, slippers and rugs but today it can be found in almost any place in almost any form! Below is a selection of a few pieces that celebrate the versatility and beauty of this fine man-made fabric :

Featured a few months back on the The Poppy Club, (see blog post of May : "Stars of the Silver Screen")Selina Rose has to be my heroine when it comes to felt. Cutting away delicate patterns that let the light through, her cushions, wall panels, throws and rugs are all refined and elegant - exquisite to look at and sure to be the focal point of any room. Divine.

In Finland,  Sirkka Kannusmaki makes a whole range of plants and flowers totally out of felt. They are great for those of us with decidely un-green fingers or for those with allergies. I actually think they are a lovely item in their own right and love the craftsmanship involved in their creation.

Mixko is a design studio set up by Alex Garnett and Nahoko Koyama

who design a variety of accessories and homewares including these gorgeous felt lampshades which come in a whole host of tantalising colours!

In Canada, Felt Studio describes itself as a "laboratory" led by Kathryn Walter, who works exclusively in felt, producing both large-scale artworks as well as smaller functional pieces such as this "Pearl" lampshade.

And above an Etsy find by atelierpompadour in Italy. Several cute designs for cushions can be found here including the "Swallows on a line" and "Rush Hour" pieces  featured above.

This one's also an Etsy find, this time from Regansbrain in Minneapolis, USA. There are heaps of fun combinations on offer and all are made to order. The felt used is in fact "eco-fi" made from 100% re-cycled plastic bottles and is appliqued onto a background fabric. I love the use of a garish backdrop against a monotone felt silhouette!

Devoted to "sustainable living", branch sell several felt items manufactured to a high degree from factory excess wool. I have a soft spot for the "Rosebud" bowl above...

Karen Hilton Designs in England, use felt to celebrate "Britannia", producing cushions that sport some of the best known emblems of "Britishness" : the Queen's Head, the Crown and the Union Jack. Favouring a Pop-Art type style that relies heavily on sihouette and striking colours, she also tips her hat at the USA, paying tribute to that emblem of all emblems, the Stars and Stripes.




And to finish, Canada's Argyle St,  who are amongst the master tea-cosy makers of the bloggosphere.

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 .

celine saby lamps

Celine Saby  gets the Palme d'Or for lighting this week, producing these funky cylindrical lamps with a variety of equally bold motifs. The Japanese style florals are probably top of my dance card, but I wouldn't turn down the shocking pink bark effect either!