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Vanessa Conyers Ceramics

Posted by deardesigner in I Spy | Interior Design - (0 Comments)

I’ve been a little in love with the work of Vanessa Conyers ever since I saw a couple of her pieces on the Mia Fleur website.

Vanessa Conyers Magic Weather Bowl

Via Mia Fleur

They are a combination of  glamorous deco-inspired nostalgia and wonkyness.  And yet they manage to convey a magical lightness and the gold touched rims give them a rather shimmering fairytale beauty.

Vanessa Conyers Magic Weather Jug

Via Mia Fleur

And you know how much I like black lace?

Vanessa Conyers

Via Vanessa Conyers

Amazingly Vanessa had never designed ceramics before she was commissioned to make a 100 piece dinner service a couple of years ago.  It took a year to design but the clients were delighted if rather surprised by the outcome.

Thank goodness for open-minded clients!

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Floral Confections from Sarah Horne Flowers

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Back in 2011 I wrote about the Interflora Flower Course and the inspirational lady who was our tutor for the afternoon, Sarah Horne.

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Well, Sarah not only does consultancy work, she also has a lovely florist shop in Royal Leamington Spa called Sarah Horne Flowers and an equally lovely website where she features her own unique designs.

Sarah Horne Flowers Pussywillow

She wrote to me last week to let me know about a really cute new range which she calls ‘Floral Confections’ incorporating floral cupcakes, fairy cakes, vintage trios full of flowers and floral celebration cakes, they each come beautifully gift boxed and are simply perfect for every occasion.

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They are also perfect for parties, weddings and conferences to sit on the tables and then be boxed and given to the guests.

Sarah Horne Flowers Snowdrop

Aren’t they lovely?

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The New Sophie Allport Rose Collection

Posted by deardesigner in I Spy | Interior Design - (0 Comments)

New for 2013 is this absolutely delightful collection from Sophie Allport.

Sophie Allport Rose Solo Mini Jug

A delicate pink English Rose that adorns a fine bone china collection including mugs, jugs, plates, bowls, a teapot, a tea tidy, egg cups, tea-cup & saucers, espresso cups and a jam jar.  All the china is hand decorated and finished in Stoke on Trent in the UK.

Sophie Allport Rose Solo Small Teacup & Saucer

There is also a pretty cotton fabric featuring Sophie’s illustration that sits on a simple grey ticking background.

Sophie Allport Rose Napkins

“I’m a passionate gardener and the English Rose has always been a favourite.  I’ve loved designing this collection and only ever launch something that I would be happy to have in my own home.  The English Rose encapsulates all that is beautiful about a British Summer garden,” explained Sophie.  “This range helps to bring some of that magic inside!”

Sophie Allport Rose Solo Small Jug

I don’t actually own any cups and saucers…maybe now’s the time!

Available from 1st February.

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Cross Stitch in Time

Posted by deardesigner in I Spy - (0 Comments)

I’ll let you into a little secret.  Once upon a time I used to have a bit of an addiction.

It was nothing harmful you understand.  Or life threatening or even marriage breaking.  Hypnotic, all-consuming and habit-forming, yes.  But ultimately it was very therapeutic and satisfying, and the results of this addiction are still hanging on my walls.

Yes, I was a cross-stitch addict.

So I was very interested to see these kits by What Delilah Did at Roost Living.

Roost Living Cross Stitch Kits.

I’d urge anyone to try this because it really is the most satisfying way to spend a winter evening in front of the fire and the results look so fantastic.  I love the  way they are hung inside their hoops.  So simple.  You could realistically finish one of these in an evening.  Honestly.

Roost Living Bee Cushion square

The cushions might take a bit longer but they look stunning and any of these kits would make really thoughtful gifts.

Roost Living Cross Stitch Kits Key Close Up

One of these days I might show you my own masterpieces!

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Zoe Darlington New Sirens Collection

Posted by deardesigner in I Spy | Interior Design - (1 Comments)

Anyone who reads this blog will know that I do have a bit of a penchant for anything unashamedly feminine.  I like curvaceous lines, bold florals, and colour.  If you can add in a bit of adornment.  A few frills or tassels, or even better, lace, then I am very happy indeed.

So when Zoe Darlington sent me images of her new Sirens collection I was over the moon.

So let me introduce to you, Greta, Ava and Ingrid in particular.

I am so in love with Ingrid!

Photographs by Natalie Dinham

Trésor – Luxury Hand-Embroidered Towels

Posted by deardesigner in I Spy | Interior Design - (1 Comments)

I have fallen in love with these hand-embroidered towels from Trésor.

Each towel has a band of delicate cross-stitched pattern.  Delicate and meticulous, the attention to detail is mind-boggling.  You just know that this could only be achieved by skilled and experienced hands.

The inspiration for the patterns comes from folk motives, eastern influences and a love of typography.  The colours available – dove grey and midnight blue – are beautiful and elegant.

Trésor’s new product is intended to be much more than a mass-manufactured everyday object. It is a hand-made heirloom piece and the most personal gift especially as each towel is packaged in a re-usable cotton bag.

If you could ever bear to part with them!

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The Vintage Collection from DesRes Design

Posted by deardesigner in I Spy | Interior Design - (2 Comments)

I can’t think of a better way to start the day than with this vintage collection from DesRes Designs.

Beautiful and very retro, these oversized tea cups and saucers are made of porcelain with pretty vintage style patterns on the cup and saucer. What a lovely way to start the morning with ‘Hello Beautiful’ printed just inside the cup!

Mix and match in true vintage style with chocolate, olive and jade colourways and finish it off with the matching teapot and cake stand.

Yummy!

 

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Ikea Buffet of Glass

Posted by deardesigner in I Spy | Interior Design - (1 Comments)

Are you entertaining at the weekend?

To my mind there’s nothing better than cooking for a few friends and catching up with all their news.  I like to make a fuss of the table decorations too, when I have time.  So I’m loving this new table by Ikea designer Carl Öjerstam.

Glass is always a good idea if you’re short of space.  It appears to take up less room because you can see through it.  The table is also extendable and doesn’t it do that beautiful kelim rug justice?

 It looks beautiful decorated with yet more glass and a few simple autumn leaves.  You could even go a step further and use even more organic materials in complete contrast to the smooth glass and metal surfaces.  Like these bark wrapped candles spied on Bright Bazaar last weekend.

Photographer Patric Johansson

Images courtesy of Ikea

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Chinese Whispers from Shanghai Tang

Posted by deardesigner in I Spy | Shopping - (2 Comments)

From Sweden yesterday to China today.

Have you seen these striking dinner plates and trays from Shanghai Tang?

The Puyi and the Empress motives are two of Shanghai Tang’s signature patterns. Interpreted in a very modern way, portraits of the West Dowager Empress (above), and the last emperor of the Qing dynasty, Puyi (below) are used on these coloured plates. A beautiful combination of modern and traditional oriental fashion and perfect to mix and match with black and white china and colourful chopsticks.

Chinese takeaways will never be the same.

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I Spy – Toast AW12

Posted by deardesigner in I Spy | Interior Design - (1 Comments)

Have you seen the Toast Autumn/Winter catalogue yet?

As usual, it’s just filled with the most covetable items imaginable.  Good design, simple ideas and a warm and inviting colour scheme.

Don’t all these skins and furry things make you want to curl up and relax a little?

A store of extra logs and blankets in the long winter months are always a good idea.

And it may be raining outside but I can almost smell the scent of pine and feel the softness of the organic cotton bed linen.  Loving that paisley quilt!

You can never have too many cushions in my mind and this tonal mohair one is going on my Christmas wish list.

And wouldn’t it be nice to live in this stylists world?  Good quality, useful items that are beautifully made and without the need for any superfluous decoration.

I may have to have a clear out.

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