Laura Ashley kids fashion and interiors for summer 2012, look out for the Pirate ship light!

From Pirate boy’s bedrooms to nautical colour tones and prints that complement mummy’s sailing yacht dress, add in a strand of beach hut fairy lights and you have a pretty good nautical summer from Laura Ashley.

It’s not of course the whole story but it did have some of the strongest design elements, the items you would really want and top of that list for any young boy has to be the pirate ship light.

Loving the Pirate ship light for boys bedrooms from Laura Ashley for summer 2012

Keeping it nautical, fairy light beach huts by Laura Ashley for summer 2012

Brilliant 'Shiver me Timbers' colouring wallpaper, those pencils are supersized by the way, Laura Ashley summer 2012

Pirate theme bedding for boys at Laura Ashley summer 2012

Nautical colours for girls prints with pink letter bedding behind

Womens styling links well with the girls without being a copycat

The stripe story is strong on the High St for summer 2012

Other prints for girlswear were retro inspired or childlike

Candy coloured prints in simplistic prints at Laura Ashley spring 2012

All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved

All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009 – 2012

Midcentury Modern last weekend, maybe I am falling out of love with this?

I ventured out to the Midcentury Modern fair at Dulwich last weekend on a very foggy day. Maybe it was the weather but I suddenly felt it all seemed a little dull, too much brown everywhere.

I have decided it was probably just the proximity of so much classic midcentury design all crammed in together, I think the individual pieces are beautiful still but need to be mixed in a modern setting, put against the dark brick walls and wood floors of the interior of Dulwich College and without the strong sunlight coming in it was all a little too much. The advantage of this is to see a huge range in a one stop shop of the midcentury design classics.

There was not much kids design on display with the exception of Molly Meg who had a cheery stall there, its a shame that the kids version has ended.

Quite a few visitors were carrying small goods away with them, notable stalls included in the new goods section upstairs were Thorsten Van Elten with small finds from his Theo website and Donna Wilson’s cushions, By Nord with a simple Christmas tree and their photo printed cushions, new name to me Eleonor Pritchard with her stunning wool blanket range and Mini Moderns with a great selection of their wallpapers and crockery.

The main hall at Midcentury Modern in Dulwich College

Molly Meg stand with lots of cute vintage kids chairs and Lucky Boy Sunday goods at Midcentury Modern Nov 2011

Molly Meg had sone great vintage toys including dolls from Japan at Midcentury Modern

Beautiful wool blankets by Eleonor Pritchard at Midcentury Modern Nov 2011

Great presents from Theo at Midcentury Modern

Mini Moderns had some good offers at the Midcentury Modern fair in Dulwich

Wallpaper and cushions by Siecle

It's good to look down on the exhibitors and get a different perspective on the furniture

All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved

All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009 – 2012

Joules shows Little Joule children’s fashion and a new Nursery textiles range for babies.

All for summer 2012, the new Joules fashion ranges were launched yesterday with a new addition to the expanding children’s section which included Nursery accessories and bedding in cute prints and fresh colourways.

The Kids fashion ranges appropriated prints from the Joules adult back catalogue with a retro vibe and a new collaboration for the boys with rugby clubs which produced new styles of badged and contrast trim rugby tops and cool striped knee high socks.

Wellington boots had all the prints in many versions to co-ordinate with the outfits including swimwear styles which should look great on the Brit beaches and rock pools.

Picnic and home baking ranges are also expanded and notebooks for all the family have been introduced too as the lifestyle sections of the brand also increase.

Joules retro style print for summer 2012 kids fashion

Joules favourite Rugby tops for boyswear summer 2012

Love the satin ribbon tied pumps for Joules childrenswear summer 2012

Crisp and refreshing nursery products for cots, sleepbags and toys from Joules for summer 2012

Cute picnic hamper in signature print from Joules for summer 2012

Jolly print notebooks for kids and adults from Joules for summer 2012

Photos by Joules and Smudgetikka – all rights reserved

All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009 – 2011

Gant sneak peak summer 2012 children’s fashion preview and some jolly nice home linens too.

Gant showed their kids fashion for summer 2012 yesterday and kept to the clean cut preppie style they are renowned for with some neat little touches with contrast collar flip ups and mixed colour striped shirting.

The theme was the USA whereas winter had been about the UK classics of tartan and tweed. This was all California sunshine and Hamptons beach chic.

They also showed their expanded home interiors offering which is gaining a lot of fans in the UK. Pure cottons and linens are woven into vintage looking throws and cushions with chunky cotton knits in nautical or natural tones are key here and the textiles are really fab. Vintage looking embroidery decorates the plainer items in a simple country mode.

Beach moods for Gant childrenswear summer 2012

Interesting mixed striped cotton shirtdress for girls fashion at Gant summer 2012

Classic 3 button shirt and Hawaii floral shorts for boys from Gant for summer 2011

Bold striped shirts and blazers for kidswear at Gant summer 2012

Cool collar flip detail on a classic rugby shirt at Gant

Beautiful bedlinens at Gant interiors for summer 2012

Vintage look prints and chunky knit cushions at Gant summer 2012 interiors

Oh my, loving the 1970's Gant campaigns on the wall!

Scarves and accessories in nautical tones, great quality linen at Gant

All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved

All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009 – 2011

Purple Dragon, the new super amazing children’s dream club open in London’s Chelsea

It is a truly incredible place, the new members only children’s club just opened in Chelsea that is a sister club to the Purple Dragon Battersea kindergarten and nursery, already a byword for the best day nursery in London. Founder Sharia Meyers has a background that included working with Roland Mourier so knows a thing or two about style.

No expense has been spared to entertain the little ones from babyhood to 12 yr olds with a soft play area to rival many paid for separate establishments, a fake volcano and dinosaur play area, a music centre where songs can be recorded, interactive white board play, a child friendly sized kitchen and even a swimming/paddling pool.

The opening party last week saw Chelsea and Kensington residents Elen Rivas, Eva Herzigova, Jasmine Guiness, Sara Parker Bowles and Tamara Beckwith enjoying the facilities.

The club is open to parents also with a grown up lounge,restaurant area, library and virtual golf area to hang out and have a coffee or lunch after dropping your offspring off. Parents are encouraged to stick around but can book up to 2 hours of childcare if they wish to shop.

Its expensive but if you are a Chelsea resident, hard to see why you would choose anywhere else and perhaps will provide inspiration for others further out from the centre of town.

Quirky Clocks at Purple Dragon Chelsea October 2011

Dinosaur & Volcano at Purple Dragon, Chelsea, London

Soft Play at Purple Dragon Chelsea opening party October 2011

Soft Play - the ball pit at at Purple Dragon, Chelsea

Superheroes HQ at Purple Dragon Chelsea

The kids kitchen at Purple Dragon, Chelsea, London

Gaming and Interactive wall at Purple Dragon, Chelsea

The Music Lab at Purple Dragon Chelsea

Purple Dragon swimming and paddle pool in the Chelsea kindergarten

All photos from Purple Dragon – all rights reserved.

All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009 – 2011

Aravore in Crouch End, a chic kids fashion store in a chic road!

Aravore are well known for their quality organic and ethical children’s fashion range. As one of the leading UK ethical fashion design companies they recently won the Eco fashion Junior Magazine award and had a little celebration in their Park Rd, Crouch End store.

Not a part of town I am very familiar with but I was taken with how great the area is for shopping, Park Road has a fantastic cross section of stores selling mid-century modern desirables such as Solomon antiques shown below, vintage and new eclectic clothing and a wonderful chandelier store where the owner makes modern chandeliers in the classic Italian style.

Well worth a visit to the area, the Aravore store is a sweet boutique and has some quirky little gift items as well as the ever expanding superb kids and baby fashion and gift ranges.

Aravore Boutique, 31 Park Rd, Crouch End, London N8 8TE

Classic Aravore styling, draped dresses and handknitted soft baby blankets share the display space

Quirky gift items include these lavender sachets made by a local Crouch End mother, she makes Christmas stockings to match in the festive season too!

Cute picture card brooches for mum's and kids to share at the Aravore Boutique

Mid Century modern lighting in Park Rd, Crouch End London N8

Great Mid Century folding table in Park rd, Crouch End, London N8

Amazing Italian style chandeliers at Futuraneon Art in Park Rd, London N8

All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved

All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009 – 2011

Amazing fish tank but is it safe?

Wow, have you seen this amazing Fish tank by Psalt.

I can’t help but wonder if a toddler would pull it all the way off but I am very impressed with the design.

One of the items to be featured in Design Event 14th – 18th October in Newcastle, England showcasing design products from the North of the UK.

Fish tank by Psalt

Maarten De Cuelaer, Balloon bowls at Mint for the London Design Festival

Just browsing through Mint  shop website as I often do and I came across a wonderful post on their blog with a video of the process by which Maarten makes his plaster balloon bowls. Do go and watch because its fascinating and a true example of the creative process in action and where it can lead.

It would be interesting to show artistic children too as it shows how to think of a different application for an everyday object, and also the bowls are very beautiful.

Mint have an exhibition running till September 30th to tie in with the London Design Festival full of wonderful innovative ideas.

Making the balloon bowls by Maarten De Ceulaer at Mint Shop, London SW3

Balloon bowls by Maarten De Ceulaer at Mint Shop, London SW3

Balloon bowl by Maarten De Ceulaer formed in plaster and coated in resin

All photos from Martin De Ceulaer via Mint Shop

Moving home, an adventure!

Apologies in advance if I don’t make any more posts this week, I am moving house today and its going to be frantic. I probably won’t have full internet connections for another week or so but will try to post again asap.

Just so you know what I have been doing, nothing but painting the last two weeks, here are my before and after shots of my soon home to be!

Its just an ordinary London terrace town house but I hope to give it a little Scandi chic and a modern touch.

The living room with brown walls, didn't like those, they had to go.

The living room now painted white ( 3 coats) and vintage mirror in place

The upstairs bedroom that will be my study, pink carpet, magnolia walls ugh

The study now monochromatic, white walls, black painted floorboards

The sander in an upstairs bedroom, ready to go

I've kept the brown walls upstairs as the white painted floor lifts the room but they may go in time!

A lot of filler was used for the gaps in floor planks!

The smallest room, cream walls, pink carpet, looks like a rental.

With white walls and a white painted floor its a glowing cube

The loft conversion with magnolia walls and that same pink carpet

Becomes far more Scandi chic with a pale wood laminate floor

I still have to tackle the stairs which are still in the pink carpet and I am longing to extend the kitchen which is a galley style at the moment but that is a while away from now, one last pic, I did a car boot sale on Sunday to get rid of clutter and whilst I am usually really good about not spending any of my profits I couldn’t resist this glass vase, not cheap for a car boot at £20 but very beautiful.

Beautiful glass vase from the car boot sale at Chiswick community school. One of the largest car boot sales in London.

The Lollipop Shoppe and Its Nice That combine to celebrate London Design

This is sure to be a collectible, the bloggers at Its Nice That.com  and London’s Lollipop Shoppe have combined to produce a free magazine handed out at the London Design Festival to promote awareness of the event.

The Lollipop Shoppe is a treasure trove of design classics and features great kids items featuring almost every classic chair design ever so I can’t wait to see what they have produced.

London Design Festival runs from 15th September for 9 days with a wealth of events and exhibitions well worth checking out. In the meantime here are a few of the Lollipop Shoppe’s goodies.

The Marionette Collection from Ferm Living at The Lollipop Shoppe for winter 2011

Kay Bojesen Dachshund toy at The Lollipop Shoppe for winter 2011

Elephant Bookend by Zuny at The Lollipop Shoppe for winter 2011

Little Nobody chair by Hay from The Lollipop Shoppe for winter 2011

Pucci Rive Droite chair by Cappellini at The Lollipop Shoppe for winter 2011

All photos from The Lollipop Shoppe – all rights reserved

All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009-2011