'The Golden Age of Couture' in Bendigo

There is nothing I enjoy more than a good art exhibition, especially after the hectic preparations for Christmas festivities have ended; it is now time to switch to holiday mode...
Today I visited the Bendigo Art Gallery to see the 'Golden Age of Couture' Paris and London 1947-57 exhibition, traveling to Australia from the V&A, London. This is the second fashion exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery this year - a great coup for a regional art gallery. I hope the fashion / textile theme continues!
For a textile designer, this was a wonderfully inspiring collection of dresses, suits, accessories and fashion illustrations. What glamourous existences the owners of these creations must have lead!

Evening Dress by John Cavanagh, silk brocade, 1953.

'Bar' Suit & Hat by Christian Dior, jacket - silk shantung, skirt - wool crepe, 1947.

'Zemire' evening ensemble by Christian Dior, Cellulose acetate, 1954.

'Les Mugeuts' Evening dress by Hubert de Givenchy, 1955.

A new book from Paumes Japan

Another one for the bookshelf - Paris flowers and florists....

Claire Basler - nature paintings

Claire Basler's paintings have been featured in many French interior magazines over the last ten years, with good reason. Her textured oil paintings of natural subjects are absolutely stunning, and her home studio is an inspirational place, based in a former metal workshop. I can remember being captivated by her textile designs for Etamine back in 2003, one of the finest examples of painterly subjects captured sublimely on printed fabric for interior use.

Kids style: Swedish style

I love these children's interior shots from the wonderful Swedish magazine 'Family Living'. Styled by Åsa Clerksen and photographed by Jakob Fridholm.

Japanese Textile Design - Naomi Ito

Delicate washes of watercolour, painterly florals and layers of whimsical dots and dashes make up the portfolio of Japanese designer Naomi Ito's beautiful textile designs. View her printed textile range here.
Naomi's fabrics can also be purchased at Repro Depot.

Le Cirque - children's ceramics from Gien

Just doing a little Christmas shopping for Mum when I came across these lovely children's ceramics from French label Gien. This collection features circus imagery designed for Gien in 1887. Timeless design and perfect for a lovely bowl of porridge on a chilly winter morning (or even a chilly summer morning as here in Melbourne at the moment!)

And some more beautiful ceramics from Gien

These Gien Desserts Gourmands designs were on sale at Minimax. I love the hand writing on the plates - very French, very chic! You can find an assortment of beautifully illustrated French recipes on these ceramics for tarts, pies, flans and gateaux. Is anyone hungry?

Charley Harper ABC's

My local bookshop said that this title has been one of their most popular pre-christmas sellers in children's books, and I can see why. Gorgeous colours and elegant clean illustrations are the hallmarks of Harper's work, and this board book is a great way to introduce the littlest of readers to the paintings of a 20th century design master.





Visit The art of Charley Harper website for a large selection of the artist's illustrations available online.

Hiccups in Vogue Living Australia

Here is the Hiccups 'Hummingbird Stripe' single quilt cover set and 'Pick-up sticks' floor mat in blue, as seen in the Jan/Feb 2009 edition of Vogue Living Australia.

Children's bedroom inspiration

Children's bedroom inspiration from the housetohome.co.uk website.
Vintage style loveliness!