• Designer secrets

    Screen printing workshop

    by  • Friday, March 8, 2013 • Designer secrets • 5 Comments

    This week I visited screen printer’s Thornback & Peel at Cockpit Arts. Their designs make my heart sing like the springtime birds! Cabbages, pink jellies, pigeons and other friendly creatures, great and small. I haven’t screen printed since GCSE art-days so was a little delighted/all aflutter to roll up my sleeves, don a pear apron and have a go. The challenge was to make a cushion cover, I chose their handsome rabbit design on mini grey spots. Come see what I made!

    If you haven’t yet visited their lovely shop yet in Bloomsbury, you must! Also, check out our May issue for an interview with Juliet (Thornback) and Delia (Peel).

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    Spring collection from étoile Home

    by  • Wednesday, January 23, 2013 • Designer secrets • 2 Comments

    Need a cheery something on this grey and gloomy day? Check out fashion and interiors stylist, Shani Beadle, who launched étoile Home back in 2006. Her love for rich colours, textiles and graphic prints has inspired an expanding line of dreamy homewares. I popped by her stand at Home (the superior part of Top Drawer) earlier on this month and knew her Spring ’13 collection would make a lovely little show and tell for the blog…

    Cushions, table linen, laundry bags, aprons and more, Shani takes her inspiration from 1950′s design, Mediterranean tiles, English craftsmanship and anything else that visually floats her boat! I love how she layers up different colours, textures and pattern…

    She styled the photo shoot in her home and did a beautiful job showcasing her colourful and happy designs that are all printed in England. Hurrah!

    If you like what you see, you can buy from her online shop or for other stockists around the country, including Graham & Green, check her website.
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    Donna Wilson AW12

    by  • Thursday, September 27, 2012 • Designer secrets, Look what I found • 0 Comments

    The lovely Donna Wilson launched her new AW12 collection at Maison et Objet this month and I am very excited and delighted to share with you her first ever bone china tableware, ‘Acorn’…

    I love her new glassware too which is hand decorated in Stoke-On-Trent at one of the last remaining factories. Donna is passionate about doing her bit to support local craftsmanship with all her woolies still hand knitted in Scotland. Her colourful cosies always get me in the mood for winter. Bring on the cold weather…

    And I never knew I needed an odd but cuddly vegetable creature until now. Apparently Mr Turnip (a.k.a Neep) is looking for love and also likes blowing bubbles…

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