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!

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!