Naughty but nice - lace lightshades

Lace isn't the first thing I'd have thought of to make a lampshade from, but in Sweden, Kicki Moller uses it to great effect. I came across her on Maloblogg and think it's a great find. I'm imagining that the split light shining through must make a really pretty effect and just love the suggested sauciness of the pieces. It's sort sort of punk meets Granny's curtains!

You can't keep this light under a bushel! - Lampshades by Suzie Brown

I was actually looking at greeting card designs when I came across Suzie Brown and discovered that not only does she print on paper, but she also makes great lampshades sold via the Urbanbird website. Her creations are novel and varied - themes ranging from tadpoles to junked out minis - but all have a fine visual harmony that is elegant and exciting.


Suzie also makes hand dyed screen-printed canvas bags that are equally cool!

Wrapping up winter

Fancy a snuggle? Donna Wilson makes some of the cuddliest blankets and cushions around - all of which incidentally would make lovely Christmas gifts. The "faces" design is my absolute favourite (top left) and comes in a variety of colour combinations. The knitted creatures for children are adorable too. For babies' beds or as a warm throw with cocoa on the sofa her creations have a cheery glow about them - perfect for this chilly winter climate!

Cityscapes - the new floral

Has anyone else noticed how urban landscapes have become prevelant in graphic design? I'm sure that in Granny's day it was all floral: tablemats, crockery, linens...
It's a growing trend that makes for some fabulous results such as the homeware of British designer Snowden Flood . Sold at Fenwicks, Liberty, the British Museum Museum and London Transport Museum as well as other outlets in Europe, the US and the UK, her mugs, plates glasses and textiles feature power plants, motorways and factories in bright bold-coloured silhouettes. The effect is terrific!
(Ok - so the trees are not urban, but the design is still great so they feature here too!)

Similarly, the Swedish designer Ylva w Franzen creates screen printed tiles of buildings and urban architecture that are a modern echo the Dutch delft tiles, (those blue cermaic glazed tiles, of farmers, sailing ships and windmills). The edgy photographic style is smart and sharp and I think that in combination like in the kitchen below they look pretty slick.


And to finish, another British design team People will Always Need Plates who also sell at a number of London museums (including the London Transport Museum, the Serpentine, the Royal Academy, the Barbican) as well as at various outlets worldwide. Immortalizing various parts of the UK from Kensal Green to Liverpool, their stark pencil drawings of national landmarks and cityscapes on a single tone background are reminscicent of architects plans and have a very cool, minimalist look. The tea towels are pretty snappy too and can be bought on-line from To Dry For .
Certainly no florals here!

Paper lanterns revisited

Still looking at lighting and am weak at the knees over the creations of Sachie Muramatsu , recently featured on Spoon & Tamago. They are exquisite! Sold via Baden Baden the designs delicately echo the natural folds and curves of flowers and leaves setting a simple, soft tone that goes just about anywhere and would lighten rooms with already heavier furnishings. A pretty variation on the concertina paper lanterns that have had so much success these last few years!

In the spotlight - bright lights à la Parisienne

With winter evenings drawing in, there's nothing better than soft lights and warm fires to raise the spirits. I'm generally a fan of floor lamps, but whilst hunting around for one, I came across the lamps of Tse Tse - a French based design company that not only have one of the most innovative and enjoyable websites out there (I loved it! Bravo to the Electrofrog team) but also produce original and attractive lights of all shapes and sizes as well as mirrors, kitchenware and accessories. They sell in various stores in Europe, Asia and North America (including the Conran Shop) but I recommend just playing on the site - it's a real voyage of discovery - you'll find more than just lighting!


The "Baladeuse" :The "Cornette":

The "Tablier d'ampoule":

The "Armlites à roulettes":

Ecological Christmas decorations

Just found a couple more Christmas ideas sold by Branch, a San Franscisco based store committed to sustainability. They sell a whole range of homeware which is all produced with an ecological conscience:

Silver Stars from Portugal made from reclaimed milk containers!




Made from 100% recycled cardboard in the USA, this wreath is sold flat and easily assembled from pieces that just slot together. It can be jazzed up with spray or glitter for that individual touch!




Happy Holidays!

Great Danes - lighting from Scandinavia

Well, I said I had more to say about Rie Elise Larsen and here it is : SHE. IS. GREAT. The lamp shades below have to be my pick from her collection but the quilted blankets (bottom photo) are gorgeous too. Truth: her designs are all fabulous so if you're looking for a tea-cosy, paper decoration or gift wrap, then her website a good place to go - they're all winners!