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Christmas Gift Guide #4
1. OnePiece 2. House of Rym 3. Hus and Hem 4. Isak 5. Fine Little Day 6. Darling Clementine 7. Ikea This Christmas gift guide is for the folk in your life with an eye for great design. Scandinavian inspired gifts provide the perfect mix of contemporary, functional and beautiful design; a fine choice for Winter too. Look at that tray! Also, the kind people from OnePiece, makers of the Norwegian original onesie, are offering my readers 20% OFF all onesies on their site until December…
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Best British Designer-Makers: Laura Slater
The 12th Holmfirth Art Market launched over the weekend with a selection of British designer-makers selling original art, design and contemporary craft. To celebrate weekend one (of two), What I Always Wanted, an online marketplace selling the work of British designer-makers, were chosen to judge a new award this year – the Contemporary Craft award. Deborah Bancroft, Laura Slater and Ann Ellison The worthy winner was Laura Slater, who designs and makes bespoke hand screen-printed interior products. Laura has an…
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Best British Designer-Makers: Leanne Lucas
Leanne Lucas, creator of label Lulu and Luca, is a fashion and textile designer. She makes a unique range of accessories and home furnishings, all made using natural fabrics and silkscreen printed by hand. I caught up with Leanne to discuss her inspirations, favourite makers and goals for her design label. Pop that kettle on! Prior to studying at Northumbria University, did you always want to be a textile designer? I remember having my first careers interview at school aged 15 and being…
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At Home: Retro Style In The Home
This week on the blog I’ve been focusing a lot on the home and how the littlest (and affordable) changes can make all the difference. Today I thought I’d take a peek into the world of retro inspired homewares and how they can give a home character and contemporary appeal, even if they are inspired by an era gone by. There’s nothing better than finding a mid-century modern piece of furniture or retro piece of loveliness at a charity shop or fair…
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Tote of the Week: Treacle Toffee Tote via Betty & Walter
Lisa Levis knows how to design beautiful bags. In fact, she’s pretty darn talented in creating all types of pretty things. Her accessories, bags and kitchen textiles make up the delightful lifestyle brand that is Betty & Walter, a place full of fabulous floral designs and contemporary awesomeness inspired by mid 20th century design. It should be called Swoonville – I’d totally live there. The tote in question, named Treacle Toffee, is destined to live a long and happy life with its chunky…
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Best British Designer-Makers: Nancy Straughan
Nancy Straughan is a textile designer specialising in eco-friendly homewares and accessories crafted from her own range of printed fabrics. Inspired by Scandinavian and 1950s textiles and influenced heavily by her creative northern upbringing, she now lives and works in London, with keen interests including illustration, printmaking, bookbinding, and photography. Look at her beautifully styled product shots… For more inspiration visit Nancy Straughan’s website or shop online at Etsy and Not on the High Street . Enjoy! ♥ P.S Explore the blog for more UK…
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Home Accessories: The Contemporary Home
You know those days when you receive the best post? I know, it is rare. But when it happens, it can change your outlook for the whole day. Firstly I received a bumper pack of magazines as a gift, then my own subscriptions arrived and finally, the lovely people from The Contemporary Home, partners of notonthehighstreet.com, were kind enough to send me some products to review and “ooh” and “ah” over. Which is exactly what I did when they arrived.…
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Best British Designer-Makers: Lovely Pigeon
It seems only natural, being an avid admirer of contemporary craft and working at the beautiful Heart Gallery, that I begin a new series on the blog celebrating the best designer-makers in the UK. From jewellery, ceramics and textiles to beauty, stationery and art – there is so much to discover on this little island of ours. If I can help a little by promoting these artists/makers of awesomeness, then that makes me happy. Plus I get to discover pretty…
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Sponsor Spotlight: Particle Press and the Thousand Paper Cranes
I’d like to introduce the new swallow collection from Particle Press and the Thousand Paper Cranes, one of my lovely blog sponsors. The fresh and bold collection is inspired by swallows marking the arrival of Spring, as they arrive back in Britain from their Winter jollies in Africa. Gorgeous, huh? Do you think purchasing a piece or two might encourage Spring to show its face a little quicker? It’s worth a try, me thinks. Say hello to Particle Press and…
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Valentine’s Day Gift Guide
Whether Valentine’s Day is your cup of tea or not, I’m all for celebrating L-O-V-E with a night cuddled up on the sofa watching movies and sharing a bottle of Prosecco. Any excuse right? Receiving a gift as part of that celebration is only a bonus but that’s where the day gets its poor reputation. A gift needn’t be expensive (where’s the romance in that?), just thoughtful – a compilation CD always works a treat for me or a simple…
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Reader Offer: Particle Press and the Thousand Paper Cranes
Let’s cheer up Tuesday with a special discount from my blog sponsor, Particle Press and the Thousand Paper Cranes, shall we? Inspired by nature and their Scottish roots, Particle Press create screen printed homewares and accessories for you and your home. To celebrate Valentine’s Day they are offering you lovely folk a 25% discount on all products within the the Particle Press online shop, including the Birds Nest Tote I featured in my weekly feature, Tote of the Week, a…
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Tote of the Week: Evelyn Shopping Bag via Habitat
Meet Evelyn, a sunny retro inspired tote bag to cheer up those dull days when a cuppa just won’t do. An ideal gift for a nice matey in your life, without breaking the bank, at only £5 from Habitat. They also have cushions in the same design for £12 each – bargain. *Adds to lounge wish list* Happy Friday! P.S The Mollie Makes competition closes at 5pm today- you gotta be in it to win it!