Botanical paper art by Jeffery Rudell

A different take on botanical art by designer and paper artist Jeffery Rudell. These gorgeous and whimsical paper relief artworks are 6'' by 9'', and are available through the New York Botanical Garden shop.  A lovely piece of artwork for a little girl's bedroom.

Another one for the collection...

I have a weakness for anything connected with 17th and 18th century fashion, so coming across this title at my local bookshop (my Christmas gifts consisted entirely of book vouchers for some reason?) made me pretty happy.

'Paper Illusions - The art of Isabelle De Borchgrave' is a stunning collection of dresses entirely constructed from paper, featuring hand-painted and stamped patterns, in keeping with the textile designs from the courts of the Medici through to the legendary Fortuny silks of the early 20th century. So beautiful! 

Isabelle De Borchgrave was born and resides in Brussels, where she creates her paintings and design work for an array of mediums, including ceramics for Gien, table top ranges for Caspari and textile design commissions. Visit her website here.

A Swedish bedroom with a 70's style twist

A lovely vintage style bedroom for children from the latest edition of Skona Hem magazine. I love the wallpaper ('Cerisy' from Manuel Canovas) and wouldn't mind installing it in my own 'grown up' bedroom...
Photography by Patrik Engquist and styled by Sara Paborn.



And wishing everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR for 2009!

hiccups at Kleine Fabriek January edition

The next edition of the International children's trade fair Kleine Fabriek will be held at Amsterdam's RAI on January 11 and 12, 2009.
Our agents Danielle and Patricia will be exhibiting the new hiccups collection of bedlinen and accessories, so if you are attending, be sure to drop by the stand to check it out. The new girl's collection was very much inspired by all things Dutch - red and pinks predominating. I hope you like it!



Photography by Vera Cleassen from the July 2008 edition.

Great stamps from Ireland

I love these stamps from Ireland, designed by Steve Simpson. It is always lovely to receive snail mail, especially if emblazoned with these delights and even more especially if not a bill. Thanks Maire for your Christmas wishes!

Steve Simpson has documented the design process of these stamps for An Post here.

That's not funny!

'That's not funny' is a humorous (and may I say beautifully illustrated with a 50's kind of vibe) picture book by Adrian Johnson, published by Bloomsbury. This title was a big hit on Christmas afternoon, enjoyed under the shade of a tree in our front yard. Again! Again!

'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!