slideshow JANUARY 2010

January 2010

January has started, in fact we are almost half way through so here are some of my favorite pieces from independent designers this month so far. Check back again, I will be adding more soon.

feature GOING STAG

There are some pieces that are just so perfect they stop you in your track. Granted, this often happens when I'm trying to avoid doing something else. Nonetheless this happened when I saw the Oh Deer sculpture by ArtMind which was modern, seasonal and just too cute.

Since I've been avoiding doing laundry for a week - it seemed obvious that I should take this opportunity to blog about stags. Sure deers have been popular for the past couple of seasons, but stags aren't cute cuddle Bambi-type creatures. Stags are powerful and primal and the sort of thing that accompanies a flask of Lagavulin, a deer stalker hat and a brisk walk in the Scottish highlands.

All of this sounds good, but still let's not forget this started out as a post about an adorable holiday decoration, so on that note....goodbye and have a good weekend!

FEATURING:
+ oh deer sculpture, $75, artmind
+ handcrafted deer cards with pressed flowers, $15 for 5, studio flower power
+ deer switchplate decal, $8, byrdie graphics
+ gocco printed reindeer cards, $4.50 for 5, tuesday afternoon tee
+ deer appliqued kids hoodie, $26, finley & oliver

slideshow OCTOBER PICKS

The October slideshow is dedicated to everything halloween. I hope you enjoy it - and feel free to leave a comment with your favorite design.

design guide BIRDCAGES

It's been a fun and busy month - obviously not a lot of blogging going on - but a lot of work on the new INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // fall 09.

Not only does the design guide feature new designers, it has a new design of it's own. With inspiration from glossy magazines, and my own preference for flipping through pages - I designed something to do just that.

Here are a few of my favorites from "La Cage", a feature of this seasons birdcage theme.

To check out birdcages and more, visit the new INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // fall 09

theme CHIMPS AHOY

You don't get to say it often, but when the opportunity arises you should try these words ~ "Sure, it's behind the chimp!". I first said it to the workman who came in to fix the fridge - and it felt great. Yes, at long last, I have the OneUp chimp on my bathroom door (see #1).

And what better way to celebrate than to show a selection of chimps and monkeys from independent designers. In fact, go ahead....vote for your favorite!

1. Chimp wall graphic, $30, OneUp Designs
2. Chimp kids tee, $14, Funky Fresh
3. Monkey cufflinks, $99, Corky
4. Women's monkey t-shirt, $28, Formoda
5. LaLa Pix key fob, 7.50 €, FunkyPix

giveaway AMENITY

Seriously, if you need to take a nap right now I understand. If you already have this duvet cover by Amenity home, you probably have no choice. It's soft, organic, limited edition - and the kind folks at Amenity have offered it for our giveaway!

Check out more from the Amenity website: http://www.amenityhome.com

To enter the giveaway (US addresses only):
1. Leave a comment here with your email (or other way of contacting you if you are worried about spam).
2. Join the mailing list

designer HEATHER LINS HOME

Part Great Gatsby, part geek chic - these pieces from designer Heather Lin are really something to talk about. The Eye Chart pillows are just so adorable, but if you can't tell the difference between the two, it might be time to visit the optometrist. (Yes - the one on the right comes with 3-D glasses).

Heather Lin started out as a doodler and graphic designer before starting her line of home wares. Sure, I'll buy the newcomer status - but behind that "dreamer and doodler" is a focused designer with a very clear vision for her line. I can't wait to see what's next from this designer.

Check out more from the Heather Lins Home website

designer JEAN PELLE

Candles evoke a coziness that I usually associate with fall and winter. But for me, these candlestick holders feel beachy and modern....summer evenings on the deck of the slightly shabby beach house. Candles lit after watching the sunset over the Pacific. A beer in one hand, trashy page turner in the other...asleep by 8:30! Hey, that was last weekend - and a relaxing weekend it was too. Ahhhh...

Check out more from Jean Pelle at: www.JeanPelle.com

launch INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE

Spring is here...and not just because it's sunny outside and birds are chirping! Spring is officially here because I've just launched the INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // spring 09.

The poster child of the guide is the gum popping girl in the Bubble Lights "organic" silk scarf by Yosifa Silk. There is something so incredibly spring-like about the style of the scarf and photography. Carefree in a sophisticated sort of way.

This guide started off a little differently - very slow. Even the designers who are usually the first to sign up, put all spending on hold while sales slowed down. I considered not doing a guide - however instead I decided to support to very designers who had supported the guide over the past year and offer several free spots. The response was overwhelming - and so I am especially proud to launch this guide.

As a result, I have decided that I will continue to offer 3 free juried spots to designers in every guide. I will also continue to suprise the odd designer by including their work at the very last minute, these designers are usually new designers who I haven't featured before.

Juried spots will be awarded to the 3 top designers from the previous guide. This will be determined by a combination of the following:
+ saves on StyleHive
+ saves on ThisNext
+ or leave a comment on this post

Thank you and enjoy!

designer BAILEY DOESN'T BARK

I absolutely love the work of Bailey Doesn't Bark's designer, Re Jin Lee. It's a combination of tea time etiquette with a healthy dose of wry humor. Whether it's ants crawling over a cup or kitch icon, the flamingo, elegantly adorning a salt and pepper shaker, there always something more than meets the eye.

Still, what do you expect from a company named after what a dog, Bailey, doesn't do!

Check out the more at the designers website: www.baileydoesntbark.com

sale MAKESHIFT MODERN

I just got word from Julie at Makeshift Modern that she's having a sale on her 8x10 prints. These prints are printed on metallic paper which gives the artwork a subtle glow - really lovely.

Prints are $7 and include FREE shipping!

For more information visit the makeshift modern website

designer FILZ FELT

Filz is German for felt. Und felt ist Englisch fur filz. So there you have it, my full understanding of German per some Internet translator.

I have featured felt before on the blog, so it was hardly a suprise to find out that Filz Felt is co-owned by Etcetera Media's Kelly Smith. The other half of the partnership is Traci Roloff of the blog Girl In The Green Dress

Modern and simple basics in brightly colored industrial german felt. The line includes felt yardage, so if your ready to develop you own felt line, filz felt will make a good first stop.

Check out the filz felt line at: www.filzfelt.com

home for the holidays

If you are looking for the perfect hostess gift or a gift for a friend, you can't go wrong with these homely delights from the INDEPENDENT DESIGN / HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE.

The calendar from INK+WIT is a favorite - I have one - and would equally fit in a country kitchen as in a modern loft. It is letterpress printed on beautiful thick card stock and just so delightful.

Check out all the designers in the guide, here

FEATURING (clockwise from top left):
+ THE POSTER LIST, keep calm & rock on poster, $10.99
+ MODERN PRINTED MATTER, 2009 Screen Printed Calendar, $22
+ 12 FIFTEEN, grey trees coasters (set/8), $12
+ PALOMAS NEST, 2008 dove ornament, $22
+ INK+WIT / PISTACHIO PRESS, 2009 letterpress calendar, $40

go shopping : FALL DESIGN GUIDE

I've just launched Fall edition of the INDEPENDENT DESIGN SHOPPING GUIDE. The guide features work from Britain, France, Australia, Canada and, of course, the US. It's international flavor is matched by the individuality of the designers creations. I mean, how delicious is a hand embroidered revolver on wool herringbone fabric?

Some of the designers have generously offered free shipping and other discounts...but you'll have to check out the guide to see who's offering what and why!

Check it out: INDEPENDENT DESIGN SHOPPING GUIDE // FALL 2008

Featuring the work of:
Home:
Napoleon, One Up Designs, J-me, Etcetera Media, harmonie intérieure

Art + Paper Products:
12 Fifteen, Sweetbeets

Fashion:
Ahpeele, enju

Jewelry:
Simone Walsh, Alice Roche, Caught Red Handed, Coquito, Jewelry by Natsuko

Bags + Accessories:
Moop, Backerton, Paco+Lupe, Sarah Padgham

Baby + Kids:
Ciuccio, Sweetbeets

Born in the UK - as seen on StyleHive

Well, this is it...my final blog about how I saw some great design in the UK this Summer - blah, blah, blah....at least I had the decency to bore the folks at StyleHive with it this time.

SEE the slideshow // READ the post:StyleHive.com

lighting from INNERMOST

There is something about lighting that when it's not the most functional it is often the most enlightening.

These pieces from Innermost are all about the emotive qualities of light rather than being purely task-oriented. Although, I wouldn't want to try and read a book with their "asteroid" light, I most definitely would love one glowing to the side of me while I sipped a cocktail.

Innermost was started in 1999 as a collaborative design brand - delving into the deep pool of talented designers within London. Their product line extends beyond lighting, with forays into home accessories like cocktail muddlers and a petit four cake stand - obviously.

Their work has been shown the world over at places like Design Walk in Sardinia, Fei Space in Beijing and Shizuoka Castle in Japan. In September, they return to their home town with the 100% Design show in London - I would love to check it out, but I'm back in sunny California!

Check out the INNERMOST website for more information: innermost.co.uk

the ceramics boutique

I'm sure you'll eventually get bored of all the British design on this blog - but I still have a lot of designers that I want to tell you about.

I came across the Ceramics Boutique a couple of days ago and just loved the diversity of work coming from this boutique collective in London. Pieces are available online, or if you're in the East Dulwich neighbourhood, you can see the work in person.

All the artists are designer-makers from those just starting out to those more established. I found myself especially drawn to the London themed work of Annabel Faraday, whose vintage style maps are printed onto raw clay.

There seems to be a lot of London pride these days, maybe something to do with the 2012 Olympics - not bored of the 5 rings yet are you?

FEATURING (clockwise):
+ Annabel Faraday
+ Carys Davies
+ Katie Adams

word up (Stylehive guest post)

Here's my latest guest post for Stylehive and I was thrilled to have the post featured on the front page of their e-magazine. That's very AWESOME!

FEATURING [clockwise from top left]:
+ Filthy Necklace, $50, Trashy Deluxe
+ Words Bracelet, $18, Paloma’s Nest
+ Yes No Maybe t-shirt, £36, YesNoMaybe
+ Nosce Teipsum Ring, $65, Melanie Favreau
+ C’est La Vie poster, $45, studio mela
+ Now Later Never magnets, $10, Cicada Studio

...AND HERE'S SOME MORE
+ snob bracelet, £50, Tallulah Tu
+ Love t-shirt, $21, Neneee
+ Rockstar bracelet, $14, insane jellyfish
+ OK light, $30, Perch!
+ Make Out t-shirt, $32, Every Little Counts
+ big words bracelet, $6, boqinana
+ Optimism buttons, $9, Reed Seifer
+ Typewriter key necklace, $20, Keys + Memories

READ: the post on StyleHive

what's in store : coasters

Oooh, I love these new coasters from 12fifteen. These darling little letterpress coasters are modern and fun....and really, how fabulous are those pink vw bugs!? Packaged in chocolate craft boxes, they make the perfect hostess gift.

I couldn't resist them so I added a whole bunch (it's a design term) to the WHAT store {ahem-shameless plug}...and did I tell you that this month, I have a wonderful little "free gift with every purchase" promo going on. I'm very excited about it because, I just got the "free gifts" a day or so ago and I can't wait to start sharing them around.

spring guide // home

Whether it is clean Japanese graphics or retro inspired speakers - the feeling was modern.

I just have to say that I love the idea of the speakers - one customer got theirs customized to hook up to their ipod and run off AA batteries so they could party anywhere. Now that it retro-tech!

FEATURING (clockwise):
+ ONE UP DESIGNS, asian bloom wall graphic, $28
+ PAPER CLOUD, Onionpods Pillow, $75
+ MEDIUMS TO MASSES, large + small square plates, $36
+ EXELUXE, retro hi-fi speakers (pair), $240
+ CICADA STUDIO, green weave pillow, $42

butterfly collector

There's nothing quite like the flutter of a butterfly to make your think of warmer days. It just makes me want to grab an ice tea and sit on the veranda - only it's 6am, chilly outside, and I would really rather have a steaming cup of joe. But warmer weather is getting closer and butterflies are just so beautiful - so here's a tip of the wide-brimmed hat to those days ahead.

These designers have infused a modern twist to the sometimes saccharine butterfly motif. I was surprised to find some new favorites - the cards by design hut and the real butterfly wing pendant by popko - are just must have!

FEATURING:
+ butterfly notecards, $9/4, design hut
+ butterfly pillow, $62, Janessa Bautista (available through Shevon Ceramics)
+ butterfly wall graphics, $34.95, luka
+ real butterfly wing necklace, $38, popko
+ butterfly jubilee wallpaper, modgreenpod
+ butterfly pillow boxes, $5/ 4, field and sea
+ butterfly pendant, $88, simone walsh

+ SEE MORE + "HIVE" YOUR FAVORITES

wall to wall

I recently heard from Fabien Barral, a graphic designer and new comer to the world of graphic wall decoration. His new venture which he started with his wife is a combination of modern iconography and vintage European charm.

For those who love typography, like I do, the "Type I" alphabet graphic will be a favorite. I can't wait to decorate the boys room and add it to the wall. After all it's fabulous and educational!

Harmonie intérieure is located in France and prices start at about 20 euros, depending on size and style. Shipping to the US is 15 euros.

Check them out at: www.Harmonieintérieure.com

in the spotlight : snowdon flood

I occasionally flirt with delicate and pretty, but my heart belongs to bold and graphic. This is why I love, love, love the work of Snowdon Flood. Her work has that "oh so British" wit and whimsy - topiary race horses, Liberty-type prints form the Union jack and a graphic rendering of the Battersea power plant.

Being British myself, and spending some time on and around the Thames growing up, I have a soft spot for the river series. Ah, Blighty!

Available online through the Snowdon Flood website

good design : mio

When eco-friendly products first came onto the market, the products were limited to unbleached and wholesome. Nowadays independent designers experiment with sustainable materials, textures and colors producing innovative high style design.

A good example of this is the design company MIO, whose work has a fun, futuristic vibe. Molded wool is formed into brightly colored containers and softly glowing lights. Recycled kraft paper is used for their Nomad system and can be configured in a variety of ways from room dividers to office-like cubicle. All of their products give the impression of some happy, avant-garde cartoon world.

And, although, sustainable products can still be quite pricey, the MIO line is very reasonable. The lights are $75, the containers start at $35 and the Nomad system is $56 for a pack of 24.

Available online through the MIO website – www.mioculture.com

5 modern mobiles

Whether Calderesque, eco-chic or modern minimal - these fabulous mobiles add fun and drama to the modern home.

FEATURING:
+ mobius mobile, $150, mobiles by julie frith
+ bird in flight mobile, $180, alena hennessey
+ 2-tone orbit mobile, miranda watkins
+ blossom mobile, $65, puka puka
+ recycled magazine mobile, $150, frazier & wing

I'll have a chandelier

Okay the title sounds good to me, but I've had a cold and feel strangely serene after popping a couple of those "behind-the-counter" sudafeds.

I've noticed that chandeliers used for lighting have a fabulous modern feel while chandelier imagery as embellishment is very much vintage.

CLOCKWISE:
+ chandelier, grey design
+ coral chandelier, moth design
+ chandelier necklace, $21, junk posse
+ chandelier wall graphic, $29, one up
+ chandelier and damask cards, $12.99 for 6, papernosh