Friday 9 December 2011


I am always thrilled to come across a new wallpaper talent and Sarah Milton is one of the most interesting I've seen in a long while. Inspired by typography (always a good start), she has developed a unique process called 'Legible Process/Illegible Type' where she abstracts typography into obscure geometric surface patterns and then mixes them with marks and textures she has collected during the screen-printing process. The result is a series of striking, rhythmic prints which tell a visual story about how they have been made. Nice.
The papers are available to buy from www.sarahmilton.bouf.com/products.

Friday 18 November 2011

Small Pleasures




I have just purchased a set of Small Garden Seeds from The Balcony Gardener - not because I have any intention of growing any vegetables (I tried gardening and found myself wanting) but because the packets are small pieces of patterned art.
£3.25 per packet from www.thebalconygardener.com

Thursday 22 September 2011

Beauty before Utility


Gabi Bolton's upcycled suitcases are quite simply the most beautiful pieces of luggage I have seen. No, they don't have wheels or pull-along handles and yes, they probably are rather heavy, but sometimes perfect form really is enough.
Vintage Cases covered in printed linen, made to order from www.originallittlebird.

Wednesday 27 July 2011

Papery Perfection



I've just come across these exquisite pieces by Japanese artist Eiko Yoshido. Made from twigs and scraps of old paper (books, wrapping paper, food packages etc) which she finds on the street, these decorative accessories are a reflection on nature's ability to regenerate. And very, very lovely they are too.
Snow White, £40; Eco Apple, £37 available from www.madebyhandonline.com

Friday 3 June 2011

Rough Beauty


Upcycling old junk from the back streets of London's edgier boroughs is hardly news these days but Hendzel + Hunt's 'Made in Peckham' collection is worth writing about nevertheless. Why? Because each piece has been built using proper cabinet making jointing techniques (Oscar Hunt is a trained joiner) and the Hinkley table, with its patchwork painted top, is really rather pretty.

www.hendzelandhunt.com

Friday 20 May 2011

Modern Classic


Another Country's furniture collection launches at Twenty Twenty One tomorrow and I for one am lusting after their Day Bed One. Simple, functional and utterly contemporary, it's a piece to gladden the hearts of everyone who has grown tired of all things vintage.
www.anothercountry.com
www.twentytwentyone.com

Thursday 28 April 2011

Wallpaper Tiles




Rejoice, rejoice for Louise Body, one of our most talented makers of papers and fabrics, has just launched a new wallpaper range. 'Paper Tiles' is, as its name suggests, a trompe l'oeil print featuring original Victorian wall tiles to which Body has added her own photographs and delicate drawings of flowers. What's more, the seven designs have all been printed onto paper so robust that we can really can use it in place of ceramic tiles. Buy now and get papering that kitchen.
www.louisebody.com

Tuesday 29 March 2011

Thoroughly Modern Mottos


Ellen Calvert combines upcycled textiles and furniture with traditional craft techniques (mostly embroidery and knitting) to create quirky home accessories which are so of the moment that I suspect she moonlights as a trend forecaster.
Her 'Honey I Stole your Jumper' collection is full of gorgeous things but my favourite pieces are the Motto Samplers (from £60). Inspired by every wholesome home's most treasured wall decoration, these framed pictures are made from vintage handkerchiefs and feature Calvert's distinctly contemporary take on the embroidered homily.

You can catch the samplers at the 'Something Blue' pop up shop from 26th April - 1st May (21 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1) or view the whole collection at www.ellencalvert.co.uk

Monday 7 March 2011

Table Delight


I don't need a new dining table at the moment but if I did, this is the one I would buy. Made by Glenn Rushbrook and Samantha Robb of Pacha Design from sustainably sourced British oak and lovely grey steel, it is a thing of simple, streamlined beauty which celebrates the inherent charms of its materials. Available (with matching benches) from www.pachadesign.co.uk, it's worth every penny of the £1,700 price tag.

Friday 4 March 2011

Fabulous Fabric


Rejoice all you fans of Jocelyn Warner for she has turned her fabulous floral wallpapers into a range of furnishing fabrics. Yes indeed, all your favourite prints (Blossom, Tree Tops, Flora and Leaf) in the sophisticated, dull metal tones she has made her own are now available on 100% linen. Buy now and celebrate the arrival of Spring.
www.jocelynwarner.com

Friday 28 January 2011


Cushions should be soft, luxurious things designed to bring some beauty and comfort into our lives. Any other features, including top notch Eco credentials, are secondary.
Newly established designer Lorna Syson understands this. Her Linear Fold cushions happen to made from a planet-friendly mixture of wool and stinging nettles but they are also gorgeous: feather-filled, soft to the touch and adorned with striking three-dimensional flowers and ruffles. She will go far.
Cushions start at £32. www.lornasyson.co.uk