Finding Everywhere

I must have pre-empted this one somewhat with my Indigo post, over a year ago now, and my personal experiment with tie-dye last winter. I thought it would have run it's course by now but it seems we, you, they can't get enough of Shibori!

For the uninitiated Shibori is a Japanese term for several methods of dyeing cloth with a pattern by binding, stitching, folding, twisting, compressing it, or capping.

Some of these methods are also known as tie-dye but don't be thinking psychedelic swirls of 70's esq colour explosions. Tie dye has come of age, or rather returned to an age of sophistication.

Here is this amazing technique I have been finding everywhere and in everything.

1. New York based label Uzi sell this beautiful top through Totokaelo
2. Rebecca Atwood has done some amazing things with shibori check out her full cushion line
3. The ladies that make up Shibori give workshops and have also written a book - all fuelling this passion - here is their lampshade
4. A stunning Bomaki Tote Bag by Job and Boss
5. Just when I thought the guys had missed out I came across this T-shirt from US based All Saints
6. From the newly opened West Elm Australia, in Bondi Junction and online this little rug. They also sell cushions, quilts and curtains in shibori!
7. Akira Isogawa teamed up with Designer Rugs making this Shibori Rug from his Hirameki Range - more a reference to shibori than shibori as such.
8. This beautiful scarf combines shibori and felting from Beljays Felt n Art via Etsy
9. Also from Etsy Sea and Stone studio - lovely cushions, pillow covers and scarves
10. Sally Campbell quilts symbolise luxury for me. Her shibori quilts are beautifully understated


There is so much more shibori and shibori inspired goodness out there I think it will be a while before it is out of flavour - maybe another couple of thousand years.

Found Friday

There is definitely a theme this week.
Continuing on from the pastels of this weeks Finding Everywhere look at these pretties I found.
I do love a nanna coat-hanger!

I also wanted to share with you some other, more virtual, finds discovered this week on my pastel journey.

The beautiful blog and work of textile designer Hermine Vandijck. Her exploration of colour and texture are truly inspiring.

Lastly the amazing work of French design duo Isabelle Gilles and Yann Poncelet that are Colonel.
One look at their online folio of work and shop and I wanted it ALL!

I hope you discover lots of colour this weekend! Happy finding.

Finding Everywhere

The power of pastel is all pervasive at the moment.

Here is a pretty pop of pastel colour for your delight.

1. Lark Store Large Ceramic Milk Bottle in 6 pastel shades
2. An old but amazing easter tea cake post by Bakers Royale. Easter was when I first caught the pastel bug - there is something so right about Easter and the delicate pastel tones.
3. One White Sundays timber block necklace via madeit.com.au
4. DDSLL GirlsStore three colour leather clutch via Etsy
5. POAST's violet pastel mini German Half timbered house also via Etsy.
6. Scout Table lamp from Urban Outfitters
7. Thank you cotton favour bags in pastel pink by Misiu from Down That Little Lane store. They come in a pack of 12.
8. The multicoloured pastel triangles of Ferm Living are back again this week - but this time it's their Spear trays
9. Wall fixture Klimoppe with origami paper lamp Moth in pink with a pastel yellow cord by Studio Snowpuppe via their Etsy store - there are 4 cord colours and 9 shade colours to chose from!
10. Nordic Night Rug from lightly.com.au



Pastel is a little tricky for me, it's not my usual thing as I generally prefer the bold and the beautiful, but the way pastels have been shown in styling and design circles lately, in a breathtakingly beautifully layered way, I have caught the pastel bug too.

There are no better examples in my opinion than these magificently styled and photographed images from photographer Jonas von der Hude in collaboration with Bettina Eulenburg for Better Living.

Sigh!

A painterly apartment

I have long been a fan of design blog Yellowtrace - part of my morning ritual involves a check of my inbox to see what new inspiring goodness they have to offer. Rarely disappointed, today I was utterly compelled to share it with you.

Upon seeing this apartment I was in interior's heaven - but it also instantly made me think of something.

I have decided that if the 17th century dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, he of the Girl with a Pearl Earring fame, had been a modern interior designer this is the apartment he would give us.

A selection of Vermeer

Then

The most amazing Old Chalet Refurbishment by Bergdorf & Nick Ruef // Bernese Oberland, Switzerland, as seen on Yellowtrace today, stunningly photographed by Martin Guggisberg.

What do you think?
Do you think living here would feel as enveloping as the faded and delicately colourful charm of a Vermeer painting?

There are many more beautiful photos of the apartment - make sure you check them out.
http://www.yellowtrace.com.au/2013/04/30/old-chalet-refurbishment-by-bergdorf-bernese-oberland-switzerland/

Found Friday

Time together and patterns in rock pools - great day to find yourself at the beach.

Finding Everywhere

Tri Colour
It seems there are three sides to every story, and many colours - triangles of bold colour keep catching my eye and I am not alone

1. Geometric Electric Cushion via Etsy
2. Multicolor Long Sleeve Triangle Print Jumper from SheInside. I would love to cosy in this for winter
3. Tiny little Triangle pendants chains from Minoux
4. Artist Eamon Donnelly's fine art print  #1 from the Tri Colour Series. This is only one of several in the series.
5. Mountain Tank shirt by Gorman in collaboration with artist Ellie Malin
6. Themis DIY Geometric paper mobile by Clara von Zweigbergk available via Top3 By Design. This is great for adults or kids.
7. Ferm living's spear vase
8. Triangle shelves/blocks/wall candy by Subtle Takeover
9. Mosaic wallpaper by Minakani Lab - I have featured this before and am mad about it but sadly have found no Australian supplier so far
10. Australian artist Beci Orpin always inspires me with colour and whimsy this cushion is from her collaboration with Urban Outfitters


If you get my tri-colour point you might like to check out these great DIY's I found

DIY painted plates from ConfettiPop

Amazing modern triangle quilt by Happy Together

A festive felt triangle garland by The Alison Show

Found Friday

I haven't done one of these for a while so here is a little catch up of just some scoops and scores from my latest trips to the op shops and related bargain bestowing places I like to frequent.

A cuter than cute vintage cosmetic case

Snooker balls - because we all need snooker balls right? 

Actually my vision for these is to have them in a nice wooden bowl as a centrepiece of vibrant colour. 

That will only work when the little people around here are big enough not to throw them. 

I can wait - just!

Some very now - but really old school - macrame 

And my favourite a classic rocking horse! It now has pride of place in the little mans room. 

It also has a home made cloth saddle that I intend to use as a pattern to make my own fresh one. 

On top an 80's plastic apple money box who has a little worm that pops up to say hello every time you add a coin.

Hope your weekends are full of happy findings folks.

Finding Everywhere

Welcome to the first of what will be a weekly post of things I am "Finding Everywhere".
This is a little like trend spotting - no not train spotting - but a selection of things I have noticed reoccurring in my world, virtual or otherwise.

It could just be that it is something I am interested in and you know how when you buy a new car all of a sudden you see the same one everywhere you go - surely the world did not just produce so many more cars just like yours but suddenly you are very aware they exist. It is a bit like me and little red headed people - when I had one of my very own there were suddenly so many more crimson haired little folk everywhere I went.

Here is what I have been Finding Everywhere - Honeycombs and Hexagons

1. Zazzle Modern Hexagon Pattern Pillow

2. Geo Pastel 6 Hexagon, part of Beneath the Sun's Woodys range

3. MintMyDay Gold plated honeycomb necklace via Etsy

4. Mutina Phenomenon Honeycomb and Rock mosaic tiles

5. Xenia Taler Insects Art Tile, as seen via Design Sponge this week

6. HenriettaAndMorty Geometric cushion cover via Etsy

7. Marc Isaac Hexagon No. 1 Art print through Society6

8. Theory of Willow Shelves, as seen via Interiors Addict this week

9. The Land of Nod large Strapped for Storage Bin

10. Surya Fallon Rug in royal blue, available in Australia via fishpond

That's the honeycomb and hexagon buzz

Bathroom Brights

Today I came across and pinned this yellow bathroom to my 'For The Home board' on Pinterest

I like the idea of being woken up by this smack of colour every day when you take your morning shower.

I also realised it's not the first time I have been drawn to the idea of a brighter than bright bathroom delight.
Here are some others I have seen and loved

I am torn however as I do also love the idea of a muted tone sanctuary of relaxation as well.
What to do?

I will have to wait and see which way I go later this year when it comes to our own reno and whether I have the colour courage. Though as we plan to move on from this place I might save that sunny dose of colour for our dream home.

Would you be so bold?

A special day

Recently I helped my sister in-law organise and celebrate her baby shower. It was a great team effort by myself, Kelly, Cara and Lauren, the guest of honour.

The venue was a little church hall in Sydney's inner west; perfect for an afternoon of friends, family and food. We celebrated, chatted and crafted.

The craft kicked in with a crafternoon at mine a few weeks prior. One of the joys of DIY decorations and favours is the coming together to 'make'.  The crafternoon was a mini gathering in itself, we had lunch and cakes and catch ups - a crafting coven of sorts - making is made better when you can share it!

We started with a lose dandelion theme based on the way they softly grant the wishes we make. The colour palette was yellow, green, creams and whites. Going DIY meant we were able to personalise the day in some lovely ways. The ideas are not ours as such - they are gathered from various blogs and the web - then reinvented. We pulled them together in this pin board which is something I share so you can link through to our inspiration sources but also find inspiration yourself for your next party.

Here is what we did:

From the rafters

Pom poms, bunting and lanterns, a combination of bargain store and party supplier lanterns and paper bunting and home made tissue paper pom poms Martha Stewart style

On the tables

We made our own table runners with craft paper and paper doilies - over yellow spotted fabric it was just so pretty. Other tables were covered with a selection of my vintage tablecloths, sheets and fabrics in the yellow and greens of the day. We hung hand made pin wheels from windows and pews and topped the tables with paper wrapped jars of carnations and daisies.

In our tummies

There is no point in an afternoon tea looking this pretty if it didn't taste so good - it did. I had fun making the layer cake topped with meringue icing (Martha Stewart again) and coconut. I made the mini cake bunting using scrapbook papers, skewers and twine, I am delighted to say it now hangs over the lamp in the nursery.

And gifts for everyone

As a party activity and a keep sake we bought a beautiful bound blank book which we covered to say "Wishes come true" then we provided guests with a crafting table full of an array of cut outs, paper, pens and washi tape and let them go wild decorating a page each with a message for the parents to be or the baby that's nearly here. This lovely excerpt above is, I believe, from one of the grandma's to be.

Lastly, with our dandelion theme in mind, we hand made pom pom flowers for each guest as a take home reminder of our lovely afternoon.

A special day for a very special person in my life and a very special person soon to be.