Hello Kitty, Hello Liberty

An exciting collaboration between Liberty of London and Hello Kitty!

Five glorious new fabric prints available in eight colour ways, available from 26th September 2011. I love the blue apple print....

Pre-order Hello Kitty fabrics online here: http://bit.ly/qZYlbA

Yumi

Yumi is a Japanese Kokeshi doll and this picture book takes the reader on a cultural excursion into her bustling, colourful and pattern filled world.

Yumi loves to dress up, and has a fine wardrobe filled with beautiful kimonos and accessories. Today Yumi is off to a party with her friend Sakumi, and you can join them on a day filled with many adventures.

Annelore Parot's wonderful illustrations and clever paper engineering techniques combine to produce a delightful book that little fingers will love to peruse over again and again in search of the many hidden details. And much older readers with an interest in Japanese textile design will find this title becomes a favourite too!

Yumi by Annelore Parot is published in Australia by Hardie Grant, 2010.

Yumi was first published in French by Editions Milan in 2009.

Annelore Parot's website: http://www.anneloreparot.com/

Belgium Family Style

The lovely Japanese publisher Editions Paumes have documented the creative homes and lifestyles of 17 Belgian families in their latest book release Belgium Family Style. ( I have just noticed another Family Style book is also scheduled to hit the bookshops in the next few weeks - the next location is London).

Vintage treasures and contemporary design form a happy melange of family friendly interiors.

And as a pleasant surprise, the home of one of my favourite French singers Francoiz Breut (also a talented illustrator and painter) makes an appearance.

Belgium Family Style is available from Amazon Japan, and can also be purchased on the Paumes website.

Girly Interiors

A Girly Interior in London is yet another gem in the catalogue of lovely interior titles from the Japanese publisher Editions de Paris .

This little book features the inspiring homes of twelve creative Londoners: Virginia Armstrong - the creator of Roddy and Ginger textiles and homewares, textile designer and fabric artist Abigail Brown,  Nathalie Ducard - creator of Mimimouse,  graphic designer Clare Youngs, Laetitia Wajnapel  - creator of mademoisellerobot.com, clothing designer  Minna Hepburn,  Jeska Hearne - creator of the lovely Lobster and Swan blog, stylist and accessories designer Emma Cassi, Claire Oldman - creator of lolaisbeauty.blogspot.com , Ashlyn Gibson, owner of treasure filled kids shop Olive Loves Alfie,

Christina Strutt - designer of Cabbages and Roses fabrics and homewares, and Happy Harris from the popular blog and on-line shop Happy Loves Rosie .

Minimalism is nowhere to be found within the pages of this book - its all about vintage finds, car boot sales, cheery colour palettes and carefully curated family heirlooms.

The last few pages include a very handy list of London shops catering to the 'girly vintage style'.

A Girly interior in London is published by editions de paris 2010. Photography by Bertand Bosredon, styling by Emma Cassi.

Love these lanterns!

Very cute Japanese fusen paper lanterns from French online shop Mes Habits Cheris .

Sweet and nostalgic patterns from Japan

Modern Patterns of Japan Sweet and Nostalgic is a lovely collection of vintage patterns from the 1950's -1970's sourced from printed chiyogami papers, kimonos and old clothing by the artist Yonagadou . Yonagadou incorporates these nostalgic and whimsical patterns into her range of stationery and wrapping papers, sold under her label Modern Japan Reproduction Paper .

I love the pages of sweet birds - especially this first one!

Modern Patterns of Japan by Yonagadou is published by Pie Books , 2010.

Animal adventures Japanese style

More Japanese loveliness, this time from the very talented printmaker and illustrator Junzo Terada. All of these charming stationery products can be found on the Chronicle Books website.

Japanese delicacies

I would love to see the Mina Perhonen range of products in real life - everything looks so textural and beautifully hand-crafted. Had better start saving my airfare to Tokyo.....

Mina Perhonen products are available online from the Japanese boutique Lili et Nene .

Vintage pattern inspiration

Another Japanese book filled with retro pattern goodness - Vintage Dress Fabric from the States, published in 2009 by Pie Books.

Cheery Chiyogami

I can't resist a beautifully designed book of Japanese patterns and Isetatsu Collections (published by Pie Books) is jam-packed with colourful decorative delights.
These Chiyogami designs are created using woodblocks, and most are dated pre WW2.






I found my copy from the Avenue Bookstore in Albert Park.

Kirigami

Another little treat from the Kinokuniya bookshop - an inspiring visual diary by Japanese paper artist and Kirigami specialist Kanako Yaguchi. On her website Kanako explains that this is a journal combining photographic images of growing up in Japan, an insight into her daily life, and her artistic work in the medium of paper-cutting.

So beautiful - I wish I had the patience for this intricate work!

Take a look at Kanako's website for more images of her paper-cut designs on a range of other homeware and clothing products.