Prized ceramics

I've been wanting to post for a while about these lovely ceramics by Misa Tanaka. They have been in the "Design News" (so to speak) quite a bit since October when they won a prize at the celebrated Takaoka craft fair in Japan. I think that the delicate fusion of glass and white porcelaine is just so exquisite and unusual I had to inlcude a post about them.

While we're at it, Catherine Gray from Bristol in the UK, combines digital photography and traditional ceramics to make these striking vases, which won the "Best Homeware" prize at the "Top Drawer" trade fair this autumn. They are being sold on-line by Pedlars amongst others and will be available from feb 2010.

Meet "Envelop" - cushions to order

Envelop is a Belgium based project born out of the desire to promote the design and sale of printed textiles. With a consciously green ethic behind every aspect of their production, Envelop invite designers to up-load their creations and then allow web users to order those they like. That way, these 100% cotton cushions are all made to order and no un-wanted products are produced. Cunning eh? Below is just a sample of the many great designs on offer, but there are heaps more on the site, as well as pinnies, oven-gloves and runners. Thanks Bloesem for the introduction!

Reka Kirali (Heksinki)
Bart Aalbers (Holland)
Kerozen (France)
Pol&Mik (Switzerland)
Camille Reynders (Belgium)

Floral armchairs - I'm getting hooked!

OK, at the risk of overkill I'm posting again about flowery chairs, these two more affordable and easy to obtain. The Habitat "Daborn" armchair has a straight back and pretty rasberry coloured design.
This one is from Ikea and is aptly named "Stockholm". It also comes a more autumnal version in browns and beiges. Both are fabulous and certainly easier on the pocket than many of the others on the market!

A finer type of frenzy

Ummmmmmm, it's hard to do justice to the extraordinary originality of these wallpapers by P van B . Subtly combining the delicate themes of classical wallpapers with futuristic colourings and metallic sheens the results are quite fabulous. Bold and daring they have a vitality and energy about them that race out of control yet remain refined and elegant. Hugely beautiful - a real treat!

Check out the Chairs

I spotted this funky chair on the Japanese Cocca website and love the cushion design. The site is in Japanese so if you're a non-speaker you might need help to to do more than admire the designs but they're so edgy and sharp it's a fun visit in itself!














Irish designer Orla Kiely is perhaps best known for her range of handbags, lampshades and textiles. Her creations go much further though, including clothes, wallpapers and furniture, such as this chair sold via the British store Heals.

Bringing the Outside In

Creating some of the most elegant furniture around, the husband and wife team that make up Pinch are a rare find. Based in London and designing for many of the great names on the market (Ercol Conran), they also produce a series of divine hand made pieces, including this gorgeous floral armchair and sofa. Their creations are smooth, light and have a freshness to them that brings the cool air in!

The hottest hot botties in town

I've been hunting for hot water bottles recently and have come across several I just have to share. The monsters below are totally divine for children and are made by Dawanda in Germany.


This super soft Alpaca bottle cover is produced by the non-profit organisation Minka who work with poor communities in Peru to ensure that local artisans get a fair price for their goods. It is sold by Traidcraft in the UK.

Based in London, knitwear designer Row Oxo creates throws, cushions and these cheery hot water bottle covers made from superfine Scottish lamb's wool and cashmere. They are all handcrafted with individual care and sold on the Rowpinto website.



Opting for a unique rectangular design,the Greenshop stock this lovely appliqué bottle cover, made from organic cotton (with polyster wadding so ,it's easy to wash!) Toasty and warm, they make a great green gift!

Traditional handicrafts survive in Mexico

Preserving a traditional skill in danger of dying out, the Otomi Indians in Mexico continue to produce beautiful embroidered bed covers and runners (top left) sold by Jacaranda

in New York. Amongst the many South and Central American crafts on offer, are this beautiful hand embroidered fabic from Oaxaca (centre) and velvet emroidered cushions (bottom left).