I am about to move house and I am becoming obsessed with all the interiors material available online, there is just so much!
One item I love are these bean bags from the Belgium carpet companay Casalis who named them Slumber Poufs. Designed by Aleksandra Gaca they are made of three dimensional elastic, (whatever that is) they take the shape of your body when you sit on them and bounce back into shape when you get up.
Of course I am also lusting after the fab locations these shots were taken in which are at least two or three times the size of the rooms I will be moving into.
Slumber poufs by Casalis launched in Milan 2011
Slumber poufs from Casalis and gorgeous loveworn old door
Slumber pouf by Casalis, could maybe suit an empty corner?
Slumber poufs from Casalis, so chic
Slumber poufs by Casalis, for me that red carpet is just so Italian, I think its the combination with the Icon painting too.
All photos from Casalis – All rights reserved
All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009-2011
These soft cotton printed dresses are so cute, printed with retro style designs and in vintage shapes for little girls, the prints which feature either Snow White or Tinkerbelle will be available later this year from Selfridges and Harvey Nichols childrenswear depts. Made by Vintage Kit the sizes are from 1-6 yrs and retail from £46.
The Disney label is full of surprises at the moment as well as the vintage look Mickey Mouse cushions by Paul Smith for the Rug Company they also have an amazing fab red metal chair perfect for a modern interior.
Gorgeous vintage look dresses by Disney for winter 2011 girls fashion
Snow White retro print for girls fashion from Disney winter 2011
Snow White retro print for kidswear from Disney winter 2011
Brilliant and somewhat expensive Mickey Mouse cushions from Paul Smith
Mickey red ribbon chair by Disney for winter 2011
All photos by Smudgetikka- all rights reserved
All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009-2011
Selvedge shop summer clearance, one of the best places for the handmade and unusual in London
August 4, 2011
Selvedge has a summer clearance running on August 5th and 6th and if you are anywhere near the store do go as its a fabulous little shop with some of the most beautiful hand made items around.
I’ve popped a few of the online treats on here, some favourites include Apolline a Paris and Jess Brown dolls, Abigail Brown birds and Claire Fletcher angels and tambourines.
Selvedge shop clearance 5th and 6th August
Abigail Brown Kingfisher at Selvedge Dry Goods store
Abigail Brown blue tit bird at Selvedge Dry Goods
Claire Fletcher angels at Selvedge Dry Goods
Pero children's dress at Selvedge Dry Goods
Apolline double faced cat at Selvedge dry goods
Jess Brown dolls at Selvedge Dry Goods
All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009-2011
An invitation to visit the wonderful Donna Wilson’s East End loft workrooms was not one to be passed by even on a day where the rain bucketed down in tropical style storms. Now in her 8th year of business and with an international reputation all the goods are still hand made in the UK.
New goodies for winter 2011 and 2012 were on display in a wonderland of colour and inspiration. freshly laundered cushion covers were hanging up on a giant ceiling rack to dry, they are knitted elsewhere but then washed for a felted effect and sewn in the workrooms and pile upon pile of vibrant woollen knits surrounded the display area.
New in this season are baby blankets with a nautical theme with brightly coloured waves and a new round cushion with the Owl and the Pussycat sailing away in their boat. Hot water bottles show the same theme. There is a new knitted swan scarf for women and children and a new soft toy called Koala with a smart green neckerchief.
Other new cushions feature bold bright Icelandic patterns, with scarves, armwarmers and mittens in the same distinctive patterns and colourways. I can report that Donna is delightful and showed off her ceramics with a selection of fruit and pastries for those who made the journey. She will also be selling through the online store Theo featured on this post here.
Donna Wilson in her loft workroom and warehouse
The new 'Message in a Bottle" knitted range for winter 2011 from Donna Wilson
The new giant teddy 'Koala" and Icelandic patterned cushions from Donna Wilson for winter 2011
' Ship in a bottle' hot water bottle covers from Donna Wilson for winter 2011
Amazing stuffed shelves and the new scarves featuring Scandinavian style houses from Donna Wilson for winter 2011
The range now includes a brilliant ceramics collection too at Donna Wilson
Cards, quirky shaped cushions and felt place mats are also in the expanded ranges at Donna Wilson
The decorated loft with drying rack at Donna Wilson
All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009-2011
I thought I would take a break from fashion today and show you some pieces from one of my favourite shops, Mint. Last season they stocked Lucky Boy Sunday amongst their wares but a on recent visit I discovered a much darker side emerging to the whimsy and designers dream emporium.
It is one of London’s most extraordinary shops, you are as likely to find a recent graduate’s degree collection pieces as a well established innovative design piece and items are often one off’s which wend their way back to their makers if unsold and allow the store to experiment with constantly changing merchandise. I caught an exhibition titled Diamonds and Dead Things which has now ended which had some truly macabre items, very Victorian curiosity cabinet. They are featured on the Mint blog and can be purchased still if so desired.
Oh and the shop section of the website is really fun too!
Amazing owl light with vintage transfers from Mint in London
2 Ercol chairs bound together with velvet upholstery titled Mr and Mrs by Charlotte Kingsnorth at Mint in Lonodon
Stunning porcelean butterfly light at Mint London
Extraordinary sculpture mini people brush at Mint in London
Lozenge shaped metallic finish moulded seats at Mint in London
Great recovered vintage furniture by Bokja and a silicon cool touch lamp at Mint in London
Amusing floppy place mats at Mint in London
Butterfly wing brooch by Marta Mattsson from Diamonds and Dead things at Mint in London
Taxidermy from Kelly McCallum, the insects are locusts, from Diamonds and dead things at Mint in London
All photos except paintbrush by Smudgetikka, paintbrush shot by Inge Clemente – all rights reserved
All posts copyright to Smudgetikka- permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009-2011
Some really good kids fashion pieces from Next for the upcoming fall and winter season were shown at their press preview yesterday along with a selection of homewear and the adults fashion collections.
Along with all the best selling basics there were some really cute pieces reflecting current trends in childrenswear with animal motifs, layered tutu skirts, fun fur jackets and collars, tailored coats and tweedy pinafores in classic lines.
I am just loving the monster sweater below, and the camel and black wool coat is pretty desirable too.
Fantastic monster sweater for boys from Next for winter 2011
Brilliant tailored wool coat for pre teen and teenage girls from Next for winter 2011
Cool fake leopard coat with a swing shape for girls from Next winter 2011 fashion
Delicately beaded girls party dress from Next for winter 2011
Children's tutu's in many different colours are completely mainstream now
Retro 50's/60's style print on a classic cotton dress from Next for fall 2011
Animal styling for the toddler age group with a sweet panda intarsia knit
Boots have a rugged look with knitted details from Next for winter 2011
From the homewear ranges at Next I rather liked this teacup and saucer light stack
Also from Next homewear this bent plywood lightshade was intriguing
All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
Boden showed their fashion ranges yesterday in an inspiringly propped cavernous building showcasing the extensive Boden print collection, fashion from adult mens and women’s ranges plus the baby and children’s Mini Boden collection and teenage picks from Johnnie b.
Notice boards pointed out to us what makes Boden, Boden? As we all know a love of colour, stripes and print are high on the list and next winter sees many of the most loved styles returning.
New for kids is a cute birdie print for girls and a checked plaid woollen jacket in green for boys with random knit pull on hats in matching colours.
There are also great accessories from velvet ribbon laced spotty pumps to animal character hats and plenty of printed festival style wellie boots.
The covered props all looked fantastic and beg the question, so when is Boden launching homewear?
Johnnie b for winter 2011, key pointers for what makes Boden,Boden?
Amazing covered props centred display at Boden 2011 winter preview
Mini Boden display boards at winter 2011 children's fashion preview
How cute is this baby highchair wrapped in Boden print, A/W 2011 preview sweater.
The Boden boy's collection, stripes reign supreme for winter 2011
Mini Boden girl's fashion for winter 2011, spots and prints galore
New sweet birdie print for Mini Boden girl's autumn 2011
Fabulous wall display of Boden prints and patterns
Wonderful old shop cabinet display with Cashmere knits from the Boden cashmere shop opening July 22nd
Just loving the art installation of shoe boxes and Boden adult accessories for winter 2011
All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
Grand Designs Live at ExCel London May 2011
May 2, 2011
A few new exhibitors at Grand Designs Live caught my attention this year but the new and innovative was not in abundance as you might expect with the current economy.
The was an emphasis on stone for both hewn pebble Flintstones style garden seats by The Stone Chef and in many of the show kitchens. A laser cut wood trellis and iron work from Cut by Fire that owed inspiration to Rob Ryan and a wonky double floor playhouse straight out of a Disney movie by The Wishmaker who make to order your fantasy playhouse.
Simple and economic to produce, one of my favourite items was the paper bag light from Liqui Design and I really liked the clean lines of the furniture from James.
Also impressive were the giant wool letters on display in a promotion for the Campaign for real wool with fun textured surfaces.
The exhibition runs till May 8th and is a must for anyone contemplating building their own home as there is tons of advice on home builds etc as well as the more consumer based areas.
Hewn rock lounger from The Stone Chef based in West Somerset, stones are from sustainable sources
Grey is the new wood for Garden furniture at Grand Designs Live 2011
Laser cut trellis decoration from Cut by Fire
Paper bag light from Liquid Design
Paper bag light variations from Liquid Design
Love the simplicity of this chair from James Design
Always a great selection of vintage chandeliers from 20th Century Collectables
Amazing burgundy glass vintage chandelier from 20th Century Collectables
A future living room, reading seat rocker incorporating library, needs a pretty big house though!
Super batty double height playhouse from The Wishmaker
Nicely textured huge covered letter for a wool promotion
All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
smudgetikka 