string theory

I love a bit a string incorporated into a design! Anything with lines of string remind me of my grandmother's house with this great 70's string artwork! Lately I have been stumbling across lots of interesting designs, here are a few standouts.

although not technically string, the acapulco chair is string weave inspired to me!

images from acapulco

amazing art pieces from urban arts projects and artist nike savvas
images from uap

And now I can't resist showing lots and lots of lights, all using string/wool in some form!

 love the woven string flex combined with the clear glass light bulb, beautiful simplicity!
created by jean pelle in brooklyn
images from jean pelle

the 'matt' light by llot llov comes with a long line of flex to play with, and generally drape over things!
using an energy efficient light bulb, with little heat emitted makes for a cosy light installation!
images from llot llov

and finally some beautiful knitted pieces from the artist kwangho lee
images from artist's website

goodbye winter

image from wunderground via google

For the last day of winter a little house in the snow. Imagine opening the door to that view every morning! Love the simplicity of the little house!

papermills

I recently saw the Papermills wallpaper at Inhouse Agencies in Brisbane.  A roll of Little Havana (pictured) was draped down a wall and it looked fantastic! The textured, blockprint design reinforces the lovely organic shape of the monstera leaf! These handmade wallpapers hail from a studio in Brooklyn and are environmentally friendly to boot, from as needed production, to water-based dyes and recycled paper, to purchasing supplies locally. There are many other great designs available (this is just my favourite!).

all images from the papermills website

tree house spirit

I recently came across the company baumraum from the sohi magazine website (the magazine is a great read btw!). This German company creates the most wonderful tree houses, with the goal of protecting the trees and environment they are placed in. The structures are so playful, capturing that great tree house spirit. The natural materials and functional design creating a pretty stylish interior too, tucked way up there in the trees!

(all images from the baumraum website)

happy birthday scandi style

Today google introduced me to Joseph Frank! The google image changed to this great Scandi illustration to celebrate 125 years since Frank's birth.

So I had to look at all the patterns! But there is such an interesting back story. Joseph Frank was an Austrian architect who arrived in Sweden fleeing the Nazi's. In the time of the Bauhaus and the International Style, Frank provided a rich, colourful and decorative style. And his textile and furniture designs with Svenskt Tenn started when he was in his 50's, inspirational!

And now some pics!

all images from google

horizons

I'm not sure where this image is from (it is from my every growing pile of fav images).
if it is yours please let me know!

I love this photo, new horizons are a wonderful thing!

animals rule

Hailing from Cape Town, Animal Farm have created a great little Lite. Made from plantation timber and designed to fit an energy saving light bulb, these little timber creations not only look wonderfully raw and natural, they have minimal impact on the environment too!

no dyes or stains are used on the timber, and the red flex pictured is a great contrast too!

all images from the dsgnwrld website

tropicalia fever

This range was released back in 2008 at the Milan Furniture Show, but I had to mention them, even if it is a few years late! Designed by the super talented and prolific designer Patricia Urquiola, these creations remind me of the 70's string art that my grandmother had (and I always loved!). These stylish seat versions are available for indoors and out. It's hard to decide, neutrals or colour?!

all images from the bonluxat website

floral inspiration

A little bit of floral inspiration! This is the home and studio of artist Claire Basler. Can you guess which country?! A hint, it's from the latest elle uk! As the creator of large scale floral panels, I love how her art and inspiration takes over the whole space, and with such a great sense of scale! C'est magnifique!

love the large scale pendant!

and even in the bathroom!

all images from elle uk - march 2010

outofstock

Today I was looking for an interesting timber light and stumbled across the boya! This great little light has a solid oak or walnut base with a lovely tinted blown glass shade. It is from the design collective Outofstock, whose members hail from Singapore, Argentina and Spain. The website is well worth a look, there's a great playful vibe to the products! Apparently nautical beacons and marine buoys inspired these lamps - they do remind of seafaring days!

these product shots have such a nice warm glow too!
all images from the outofstock website

digital projects

living with that person by matt mullican

Yesterday I got a peek at the Maharam Digital Projects. It is a new wall product from Maharam (U.S. textile company - Paul Smith anyone!), who has collaborated with contemporary artists and designers to create some amazing patterns. The large scale digitally printed wallpapers are custom designed to the space, and there are so many diverse looks to choose from. Plus it is a great opportunity for contemporary artists to get their work out to the masses too! Below are just a few of my favs!

kicksilver by marilyn mintertaurus by sarah morrisfeathers by marian bantjes kaleidoscope house (small) by laurie simmons kaleidoscope house (small) by laurie simmons - close up pattern plaid by marian bantjes wavelength by joni sternbach

in the beginning times lies as a present in front of our feet by markus linnenbrinknew york times headlines (1900 - 2005) by a.j. bocchino process 18 by casey reas

swan by mats gustafon - close upfleur de lys by vik munizfleur de lys by vik muniz - the close ups are pretty amazing!

dutch clouds by karel martens

dutch clouds by karel martens - close up departure by tony conway - close up departure by tony conway

all images from the maharam website