picnic perfect

I could write almost exclusively about all the exquisite things stocked by Liberty, although I do try to restrain myself a little and allow other designers a mention. However, I simply couldn't resist telling you about their new enamel homeware items. I want them all!

superlovely

As well as managing to hold down their design day jobs, my brilliant friends Lynn and Dave have launched a new website called Superlovely, stocking Japanese washi tape, stationery and textiles. The title says it all. Everything they send is beautifully packaged and would make an absolutely lovely gift for anyone who likes crafting. They also have some awesome craft tutorials on their blog. My favourite is this delicate water activated tape:

all that is gold does not glitter

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.

- J R R Tolkien

Solid gold band by my all time favourite jewellery designer/maker, the wonderful Shane at One Stone New York. What's not to love about a designer who lists Malcolm Gladwell and David Sedaris as his favourite writers and uses recycled and ethically sourced materials:

orla kiely

I'm a huge Orla Kiely fan and this bowl from the SS11 collection makes me super happy:

liberty print

I absolutely adore Liberty's new fabrics, designed by Lauren Childs: 
 

and Emma Chichester Clark, amongst others:

studio mela

I just got this Studio Mela print back from the framers and am super pleased with it - now busy deciding where it should go:





These are some of their other limited edition prints (I like to think that the bottom one looks like me and the boy):

sally nencini

I am totally taken with the work of talented textile designer Sally Nencini and am lusting after these cushions, which you can buy directly from her website or from her etsy shop:

christmas cards

I thought I'd start December with a round up of my favourite Christmas cards. First up, this from dicky bird (£1.90 each), who I came across at Midcentury.Modern:

I love Ruth Green's work, and you can buy these handprinted cards (£5 for a pack of five) at not on the high street:

These are part of a set from the marvellous gemmabear on etsy:

I did try hard to source all my cards from UK suppliers, but couldn't resist these from Vandalia Street Press in Saint Paul:

and these from Lucky Bee Press in Santa Cruz:

Both will deliver to British shores. 

advent

I confess… I’m a little crazy about Christmas. It’s the perfect combination of all the things I love best: baking, eating much too much, home décor, gift wrap, cards and spending time with family and friends. However, I try hard to restrict my festive celebrations(and blog entries) to the month of December.

I will, however, make a brief exception for this beautiful advent calendar from Nouveau Designs in New York, because if I don’t order it now it will be too late!

catherine tough

Spotted these darling knitted lavender hearts by textile designer Catherine Tough in Abode:

midcentury. modern

‘This show could cause design lovers a cardiac arrest’ Grand Designs

This weekend, I'm planning a visit to the Midcentury.Modern show at Dulwich College, an 'unpretentious one stop shop for busy people who appreciate collecting beautiful pieces for their homes'. Visitors can source antique pieces from some of the UK's best dealers and discover new work by contemporary designers. Directions, opening times and tickets are available from the Midcentury.Modern website. 

brown paper packages, tied up with string...

I adore these illustrated brown paper bags from humunuku's etsy shop:

woven in wales

Welsh company Melin Tregwynt makes these useful, yet beautiful blankets that would make a lovely gift.