Buddha Of Suburbia From Mini Moderns

Love Love Love the new wallpaper designs to come from the forthcoming 'Buddha of Suburbia' collection from the mighty duo Mini Moderns. Camberwell Beauty is the first print to come from this collection. Stunning, bold, intense and guess what?! It has butterfly designs which I am utterly obsessed with at the moment! So let us take a sneak peek at these fabulous designs...

And on another note I wish you guys a Happy Pancake day! I already started with a mini celebration as you can see :)

It's All About Love...

I don't really celebrate Valentines day. That doesn't mean I don't have a heart in fact I am a hopeless romantic. Love is all around us and should be celebrated everyday with the ones dearest to us!

From top left clockwise: Stylizimo; Creative Mint; Crescendoh; Martha Stewart; A field Journal; This is Glamarous; Stylizimo; Martha Stewart; Own wedding photo.

Sonia Rykiel Maison 2012 Collection

I don't know about you, but I have had enough of this cold weather and frankly would like Spring to come as soon as possible. But as we can't have everything in life, I can at least start dreaming about the upcoming season and this is exactly what I'm doing today. I love the New collection from Sonia Rykiel Maison 2012. With seven new designs it is ultra feminine and bang on trend with this year's key Spring looks. Yes, I feel much better already...

Rue Visconti - Romantic roses in soft colours interspersed with black on supple heavy linen. 

Rue Princesse - Roses amidst the writing for this reversible woven Jacquard. 

Rue Casanova - A big dog-tooth check in vibrant heavy cotton. 

From top left clockwise: Rue Visconti, Rue Madame, Rue princesse, Rue du Dragon.

 Rue des 4 Vents, Rue Mazarine, Rue des 4 Vents Rose, Rue Casanova.

Real Homes: Modern & Vintage Curiosities

People sometimes assume that Italian design is only crisp, white, modern lines but on the contrary they are also big lovers of vintage too. Here homeowner Alessandra Santi immediately fell in love with her 1930's home in Milan. A lover of art, photography and travelling her home is a nest of interesting curiosities. Modern twists with vintage pieces fills this place with so much personality. Totally inspiring don't you think? 

All images from At Casa, photos Cecilia Frattini

Introducing Matilda!

As mentioned on my 'Butterfly' trend post, I discovered a new Brand, Matilda and have fallen utterly in love. 

Founded by Jenni Carbins, an Australian living in London since 2005, Matilda aims to have as many products as possible manufactured locally – either in the UK or in Europe – while maintaining the freshness of Australian design. The company launched with a pilot showcase as part of the London Design Festival 2010. 

It's cool, fresh and I am pretty much loving their style!

Spun dining setting - love the coloured stools!

Gorgeous Coco pendants.

Chrysalis decorative wall butterflies - My absolute favourite!!!

Full moon chair with Spun light and abstract wall hanging.

Hot Trend: Butterlies

Everywhere I turn I see butterfly prints on home accessories. It is obviously the hot trend of the season. Whimsical and endearing, it seems it's all about nature and pretty bugs at the moment. Here's a look at some of my favourite designs out there...

Probably one of my favourite designs, this 'Bugs & Butterflies' wallpaper from Ella Doran is exquisite. Now who thought I would be saying that about bugs?!

I came across this Brand Matilda at Home London on the Dezeen stand. I was immediately captivated by the Chrysalis collection which are these decorative wall butterflies made from recycled fine bone china saucers. Delicate and so feminine, a complete winner for me!

Adore these pretty cushions from the 'butterfly collection' from Natural History. 

Love this new wrapping paper from Prey, Butterflies on Flowers. The perfect combination it seems.

An all time favourite brand of mine, The New English is also on trend with some butterfly action. Here we have the Lepidoptera Maximus Platter by Maxim.

I have just discovered Helen Morris from the Stencil Library and wow I love her work! Especially this butterfly stencilled project with the Queen's head - fabulous!

FlutterBy by Julien MacDonald for Graham & Brown, very pretty indeed.

Introducing Serpentine By Ligne Roset

I have fallen in love with the the Serpentine chair by Ligne Roset. There were many products that did catch my eye at Maison & Objet this year but for me this has to be one of my utmost favourites. Designed by Eleonore Nalet, a young French designer who is now working as assistant to Inga Sempe'. These outdoor chairs (which look great indoors too) are dressed with long coloured cushions that are entwined through the metal structure of the chair. I love their colour palette, perfect for these Monday blues I am suffering from... 

 At the Ligne Roset stand at Maison & Objet. 

A beautiful fresh colour palette.

Extremely comfortable...

One To Watch: Clare Nicolson

I am obsessed since discovering Clare Nicolson's products. Sweet and colourful her designs are heavily influenced by vintage textiles and beautiful patterned paper. Founded in 2004 Clare Nicolson has been going from strength to strength. I was lucky enough to meet this talented designer last week at the Home London show. What a lovely lady indeed, so friendly and charming just like her pretty patterns.

 

Here Clare tells us a little bit more about her lovely self.

 

  

When did you realise you had a passion for design?
I’ve always been creative since childhood. I was always making something! When I learned to knit and sew as a child I always had several projects on the go (most of them unfinished) making gifts for friends or things for my bedroom.

Where do you inspirations come from?
I’m heavily influenced by vintage textiles and ceramics, particularly from the 60s and 70s. Pattern was just so much more exciting back then. So many beautiful colours and florals! I’m also very much inspired by birds which are featured in most of my designs. I’ve always found them fascinating to watch and to create through textiles. They have such a familiar and friendly shape.

 

What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I think the highlight is getting recognition for my designs from lots of different magazines and being stocked in shops that I only ever dreamed of selling in when I started.

What do you hope to achieve in 5 years time?
I’d love to develop the range over the next few years to include more than just textiles. I’d love to have my designs on ceramics, and develop a successful homeware brand that will hopefully become a household name.

What famous artists/designers do you admire or inspires you the most?
I’ve always admired the work of collage artist Sara Fanelli. I also love Alexander Girard and illustrator Alain Gree

In five words how would you describe yourself ?
Independent, pattern obsessed, colourful, vintage-inspired, giggly.

What 5 things couldn't you live with out?

Guacamole, my sewing machine, high-waisted jeans, my camera, hot sauce.

 

 

Interiors UK Highlights

It's been a hectic weekend for me hence the silence on the blog. Thursday I went to Paris for the weekend where I braved the halls of Maison & Objet. Then on Monday I was off to Birmingham for the Interiors UK show. Here are a few snaps I took on my phone.

 Love the Love London, sofa by Digitex. On the right lovely new wallpaper designs from Emma Cowlam.

Top: You gotta love Jimmi Martin. Bottom: Always a fan of The New English.

Time for a snooze? These cosy bedsets from Donna Wilson (left) and House of Hackney (right) are lovely.

Top left clockwise: Lovely floral designs by Jane bridges; A stylish entry way; pretty tea sets by Ali Miller; Fabulous ceramic tiles designed by Birmingham City University Students.

Home Show Highlights 2012

The Home show is over and I finally get to put my feet up this morning - but not for long. Lots of fantastic brands, new & old which gave the show a really good feel! Here are a selection of some of my favourites.

 As always Mini moderns had a fantastic stand!

As featured already on the blog I was blown away by the debut designs of Lindsey Lang.

 Absolutely loved these ceramic plates from the Love London Barbara Chandler collection by The New English.

Excited to see SurfacePhilia's exquisite range of wallpapers!

Pretty designs from RawXclusive.

Another lovely stand from Chocolate Creative!

Loved these sweet patterned pastel coloured cushions by Clare Nicolson.

New Brand Chase & Wonder was an instant hit!

Stunning floral prints by Bluebellgray.

More fabulous products from Ella Doran.