Items of Interest - Part 3

British artist Sam Orlando Miller's work has been in the design world for a few years now,  and while perusing Gallery FUMI in search of inspiration for my meeting I came across his mirrors once again and just had to include them in this weeks feature.  His play with different mirror finishes and colors, shapes as well as the positive and negative makes his work truly unique.  These are gallery quality pieces (and come with a price tag to match) each is hand-crafted and after seeing them in person, more stunning than you can imagine. As with most coveted design items these days, there are knockoffs a plenty (Restoration Hardware and West Elm to name a couple). So if you just have to have one, there are budget versions available, however don't expect the same detail, depth or craftsmanship - that is reserved for Sam's pieces.

 Sam Orlando Miller

Items of Interest - Part 2

There has been a surge in the design world with brass and copper.  What has been thought to be 'traditional' (and sometimes tacky in it's likeness to gold) is now regarded of as 'cool' and 'refined'. The Cloche lamp by Lars Beller Fjetland fits perfectly into this scenario. By creating an anchored cast iron base, the ash wood stem of the lamp rises elegantly to the bell-shaped shade which were made in either brass or copper - I think that the copper adds that extra little bit to it. The piece comes in four essay to assemble parts and really plays to the Norwegian designer's fascination with how materials and form work together.  Unfortunately this piece is just a prototype, but hopefully in the support of up-and-coming designers we will be able to have pieces like this on our projects soon.

Trendland

Items of Interest - Part 1

I have been doing research for a project into new and interesting Galleries, suppliers and artist.  As designers I feel that we are always searching for what is new, exciting and interesting and this project is no exception - especially since the client has several other properties and seems to know everything about the industry and the furnishings we show her.

Over the next couple of days I thought it would be good to share the things that have really stood out to me, and while we aren't using them, perhaps they can help inspire other designers or those reading for what they need. Hope you all enjoy!

The Virtu Series by DE INTUÏTIEFABRIEK (a Dutch design studio) features this wonderful vanity/dressing table.  I am not a girly girl, however there is something about this table that makes me want to sit, take time, and be a girl!  With it's simple palette, lines and change in finishes for me this vanity really is everything one should be.

Priveekollektie

The Cut of Perfection

Okay, so I have a thing for paper. I have always loved all things paper (even have a pinterest board dedicated to it), so when I came across the work of Bianca Chang I was mesmerized   She's an Australian paper cut artist with immense precision - each cut is done by hand (see here for a video)! and I really cannot believe that these works are made up of layers and layers of paper. I don't know about you but I know I wouldn't have the patience!

Photos courtesy of Bianca Chang

All Wrapped Up

I am obsessed with paper, paper products and wrapping. I think that the amount of effort one puts into a gift (and yes, the wrapping part counts) says so much about a person and really helps to elevate any gift big or small.  Last year I did a post on wrapping (see Wrap it Up) and had such fun putting it together, that with only a few more days left until Christmas I thought it would be good to do another.

Wishing you all a very happy Friday and a wonderful weekend ahead.

A x

I just love the plan white box or papper with a little twine and then the use of paint cards as the notes - so simple and can be used throughout the year, but make the colours more festive (or add a little red way mark) and you are ready for the holidays.

Apartment Therapy

liebesbotschaft

Nothing better than some simple paper and then a really great bow!

Julep

I just love the simplicity of materials for this wrapping but you can really see the effort that has gone into the wrapping.

A Gift Wrapped Life

I drive my husband crazy by keeping interesting papers in the hopes of one day using it as wrapping.  Well this NYC subway map is a great idea and just looks so fun!

The Knot

Finally, I think that the ultimate way to re-use paper is wallpaper as wrapping.  In the design field we always order too much just to be sure we have enough, and some of the colours and patterns (as below) really do make for great gift paper.

The Clever Blog

Spreading Holiday Cheer

Last year I had a lot of fun with my post on wreaths (see Decorations all Around), so for this years Holiday decoration ideas I thought that I would spread my reach a little further.  With Hanukkah starting tonight and Christmas being only a few short weeks away, I am sure this weekend is when most people get their decorating hats on and set to the task of making ones house look festive for the holidays.  Here are some ideas that will really help you spread some holiday cheer in your home.

Marion House Book

Paper Statement Christmas Ornaments

Apartment Therapy

Camilla at Home

Although traditionally wreaths are a Christmas decoration I think that they are just festive!  Over the last couple of years I have seen more and more that are just decorative and add a little winter cheer to ones home.

Lizzie Joe Designs - Cork Wreath

Embellished Living - Felt Rosette Wreath

Sweet Paul Mag - Photo Wreath

Before & After : London Cafe

I am so excited for today's Before & After post as it is very close to my heart!! Friends of ours in London have embarked on an incredible adventure and have come out on top.  Leyas coffee shop was born out of their dream of converting an old deli in London'd Camden area into an artesian coffee shop.  The vibe is fresh, fun and trendy, and  it is wonderful to see how the owners managed to turn their vision into reality. 

WIth the use of reclaimed materials, old furniture and some very creative thinking, this interior has become a hip spot in this ever trendy area of the city.  I had a chance to ask one of the owners a couple of questions to get an idea of where their inspiration came from and how they managed to put this amazing transformation together with a cery little budget.

Where did your inspiration come from?

Inspiration came from loads of other coffee shops , mainly in east london, and my love of antiques. also rummaging through scrap yards and reclamation yards finding the odd pieces and trying to build around that.

Where did you purchase most of the furniture?

Most of it came through a small antiques shop in north london run by a 60 year old japanese man who would always suprise us with his new finds. other places were ebay, collecting from all over London and a few odds markets here and there.

What is the front of the upstairs counter made from?

The upstairs counter was always going to be the first piece people saw so we wanted to make something unusual. we luckly came across loads of old fruit crates, some were broken but we bought them anyway. we decided to make a supporting frame and nail loads of these broken fruit crate slats all over, we were happy with the look, so it then became our signature look that we applied all over. to tie upstairs with downstairs, we also did a similar piece to "hide" our under staircase storage cupboard. 

The sop is decorated very creatively, and so many materials have been repurposed.  There are some great little details that really make the space - check out the old coffee grinders and the little easels and chalk boards displaying drink prices (see image above for both). 

There is a brilliant mural going up the stairs to the food service area which is not just a great piece of street art but it really helps bring the space together.  

Leyas has delicious food, perfect coffe and a fantastic atmosphere.  For all those in London you have to go now, and for those on their way, I highly recommend this stop.  You can link up with Leyas on facebook and twitter as well.

Inspired By

Fall! It is hard to ignore that the seasons are changing.  Although the weather seems to be holding out now the colder days have hit Manhattan and so it is only a matter of time until it turns for good.  I am worried for what the colder weather will be like this winter, but for now I am putting that out of my head to enjoy the amazing colours of the fall. Since it has been a while since I had an Inspired By post, I thought it would be good to ring in the week with my favourite feelings of fall!

Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens

Elle Decor

Pinterest

I love these chairs and know that there is nothing particularly autumn-like about them, however I love that they are upholstered in an old Hudson Bay blanket and they just feel so warm and cozy.

Sit and Read

Fall and getting into the colder seasons for me has always been about cable knit. I think that it is great that knit no longer only means sweaters - whether lining for hunter boots, or a little texture for your home, it is a comforting and cozy and reminds me of the change in season and wardrobe.

Image Credits : Photo 1,  Photo 2, Photo 4,  Photo 3

I just loved this selection of yarn. What a stunning Fall Palette this would make - a nice selection of warm neutrals with a little pop of colour.  

Flickr

Before & After : Dresser

This weekend was the first that I was home for I don't know how long so I thought that it would be the perfect time to do a little DIY project that I have had on the back-burner for a little while.  My hubby and I love all the treasures that you can find in this magical city, and out new building has the most amazing market-place that I have ever seen.  We are firm believers in "one persons garbage is another's treasure" and so when we came across this simple IKEA dresser we knew that it had lots of potential.  I have always liked the idea of adding a little wallpaper or wrapping paper to a project, and thought that this would be the perfect time to try.  

Although a little time consuming - literally waiting for paint to dry - all in all it was a very simple and rewarding project. I needed three main things:

1. Paint : Pratt & Lambert, colour 30-18 Witching Hour

2. Wrapping Paper : I decided to go for something whimsical with a little pattern

3. Hardware : Horton Brass 3 3/4" bin pull in Dark Antique

After gently roughing up the finish of the wood with sandpaper, I applied two coats of paint, cut pieces of wallpaper to fit and pasted it on with Mod Podge and then fit the pulls.  I think that the dresser looks like it has a new lease on life and we have a little pop of interest in our bedroom.  This really was a fun and easy project and in total cost me about $40 - not bad for a complete make-over!

Danish Delight

Happy 5th of July all! Yesterday was Independence Day here in the US, and it was very strange having a day off right in the middle of the week - not going to complain, however I really feel that I should have taken advantage and either taken the couple of days before or after as an extended vacation.  Anyways, back to reality, and back to work on this hot Thursday.  I am wrapping up this project in Aspen, and as I posted here, I'm in the middle of accessory shopping and thinking about how the project is going to be styled for the client hand-over.  Lately I have found myself going back to basics with websites such as Tine K Home. They are a Danish home accessory supplier (to the trade only I am afraid), however not only do they make great home goods, but their have a simple palette and an incredible eye for styling.  Definitely worth a look at their site and their blog for all those creative holes that need to be filled!

Tine K Home - Inspiration Gallery