Monday 30 April 2012

Prints Please


Pattern lovers rejoice for Neisha Crosland, undisputed queen of the repeat print, has just launched a collection of glazed terracotta tiles in collaboration with  luxury surfaces specialist De Ferranti. Hand made and hand painted, they come in six glorious  patterns to be mixed and mis-matched over your patio or exterior walls as you wish. With these in your garden, you won't care if sun doesn't shine.
Navaho Tiles, £540 per meter square from www.deferranti.com
www.neishacrosland.com

Wednesday 21 March 2012

Perfumed Perfection


When it comes to home fragrance, I've always been a flowers and freshly brewed coffee kind of a woman but today my bathroom is enveloped (as I believe the perfume people say) in the fresh scent of Lime Basil and Mandarin courtesy of a Jo Malone Diffuser. I had never used a diffuser before so it took me a while to work out that the bundle of black sticks I discovered nestling in the bottom of the presentation box were, in fact, diffusing reeds designed to be artfully arranged in the neck of the bottle. The look is a bit hotel chic for my rather utilitarian bathroom but the smell is quite wonderful.

Jo Malone's Scent Surround Diffusers cost £45 and will be available from April. www.jomalone.com


Friday 6 January 2012

Underground Storage


Good news for lovers of industrial chic: Transport for London has de-commissioned its Metropolitan Line A tube trains, which means that - from this February - those understated aluminium luggage racks which have been transporting umbrellas and briefcases to and from Metroland since the 1960s are now available to buy. Yes indeed. But hurry, stock is limited.
Prices start at £150 www.ltmuseumshop.co.uk

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