This baby only cares for ... Mobiles!

With two of my best friends expecting babies in May, I've been hunting round for sweet and original gifts and in particular for mobiles. They are lots of cute designs out there so I've tried to limit myself to a few fun pieces. My favourites are the wooden designs of Petit Collage from California - I just love the natural appearance and simplicity of the shapes - would hang them in my room for sure!


I was also quite taken with this rather funky tribute to the capital cities of Europe, created by the German company Bomb Design (great name!). If like me you're a mixed-up European you can't fail to love the idea.


A bit girly this one and more of a work of art perhaps than children's play thing, but I really like the variety of textures and shapes and the overall "cobbled-together' effect. It's by Paris-based Helene Manche who also makes jewellery and accessories.


In Toronto, Bookhou produce this beautiful hand laminated "Flock" mobile, with a maple veneer. A studio that emphasizes "natural hand-made materials", the design stirkes me as soothing and quite peaceful - perhaps what's needed in those early days!


Hand-made by Hélène Millot / Bon Vent and sold via Favoritechoses these hand-made origami mobiles are pretty and delicate. The "P'tit Inventaire" below, features a paper bird, fish, antelope, elephant and rabbit - a unique introduction the animal kingdom!


The blue mobile below features 16 paper storks - a novel way to celebrate the traditional symbol of new arrivals.


In Hamburg,Fraenze Straessle gathers together clothespegs, keys, light bulbs and all manner of bric à bric to make one-off, unique, hand-made mobiles that are again more on the artsy side, but have an edgy charm that might appeal to parents tired of fluff and pink ribbons.

Getting graphic - an autopsy of the everyday

Based in Philadelphia, Girls Can Tell is the brain-child of Sara Selepouchin, who produces hand screen-printed oven mittens, tea-towels and coasters, inspired by architecture,industry and the daily landscape of a the city dweller.
Dissecting both the paraphanalia of modern living and the human organs that work it, her designs are daring, original and often amusing (dig the audacity of the "broken heart" jigsaw coaster set!).
I love the effect of the architectural-style sketched drawings and the novelty of themes used and would love to see the range extend to the rest of the house! Keep an eye on her blog - new designs are due out this week!

Love me Tender - Celebrating African textiles

It's Fashion week here in Paris and this morning the radio is raving about Jean Paul Gautier's new collection that mixes African, Oriental, Middle Eastern and Western influences in a festival of elegance and colour. They might not yet be on the catwalk with JPG, but the designs of Anne Monnier use original African fabrics bound with satin ribbon to produce gorgeous cushions that are fabulously vibrant and full colour. Named "Nooy" (meaning "tender" in the Wolof language), they are produced in limited edition and are sold via her website. What better way to spice up an interior?!

New at Missprint

I've posted about the wallpapers and lampshades of UK's MissPrint before and was overjoyed recently to notice that they've brought out a brand new range of cushions and vintage furniture as well as a some gorgeous new lampshade designs.
The cushions take up many of their popular themes (Saplings,Dandelion, Catkin, Box Bush, Panache) and include an entirely new "Central Park " range:



The new lampshade designs include the below and come in a variety of sizes and beautiful colours : The vintage furniture is as yet quite limited, but the combination of stylish chairs and commodes with MissPrints signature prints is a real wsinner ! Feast your eyes on the McIntosh sideboard!

Green interiors - environmentally friendly textiles and wallpers all the way from Texas!

Based in Austin, Texas, the fabric and wallpaper makers Modgreenpod have one of the most stringent environmental charters out there: they use 100% certified organic cotton grown in the USA, they weave and print totally in the US, use non-toxic dyes, water-based inks and non-vinyl coated, FSC certified papers. They are members of the Organic Trade Association (OTA)and support the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).


Not just passionate about their environmentally sound practices, Modgreenpod design some really lovely wallpapers and fabrics, combining bright, bold colours with delicate patterns. You can buy at their on-line store or check out their Blog for the latest news. If you live in San Fransisco you can even pop in to Lotus Bleu for a live view of the goods on offer!

Just how saucy can a French bowl be?

The French are said to be good at everything lacey, but few of us associate this savoir-faire with ceramics! The bowls, pots and plates of Nathalie Derouet however, give a whole new meaning to sensuality. Her pieces are exquisitely feminine in the delicacy of their colour and intricacy of their forms - almost too lovely to use! How do they do it? Even French pots manage to be sexy!

Bowled over

I came across this adorable little sugar bowl and milk jug by Portland based Pigeon Toe Ceramics a while ago, and since the new collection comes out today, it's the ideal time to post about them! Founded by Lisa Jones in 2009, Pigeon Toe produce hand thrown porcelain homewares, from deep bulbous hanging baskets, to factory-lighting style lampshades.
Below are some of the new designs - I totally love the "Striae" lampshades and the coloured "scribble" nesting bowls although my fondness for the sugar and cream set remains steadfast!









You can order on-line on the website or via Etsy and Supermarket.