Pretty in painterly

It was when I recently visited the Anthropologie Autumn/Winter 2011 press show that I started to notice the emerging trend of painterly designs on cushions and ceramics. The visible brushstrokes display such a brilliant sense of artistic creativity and texture, which can look stunning in any interior be it traditional or modern. The more vibrant and abstract the design, the more fitting it will be to a modern interior. Simple floral designs however can look just perfect in a traditional or period interior.

Florence Rolfe, House & Garden Assistant Stylist, has picked out some truly stunning fabrics to showcase the vibrant painterly trend this month...

Here are some of the Anthropologie bits I love at the moment…

Painted Waterlily Tea Towel, £16

Homegrown Monogram Mug, £8

Fireworks Rug, £68 - £348

For sale in Atelier Abigail Ahern and Liberty are the painterly products of Bluebellgray, founded and designed by wonderful creative Fi Douglas. Recently featured in Elle Decoration (June 2011) I have no doubt her gorgeous accessories are selling like hotcakes. The website is absolutely gorgeous too, why not have a browse at her collection online. With already so much great press coverage in all the best interior publications, I predict big things for this talented young lady.

Cushions start from £60

I hope you enjoyed this trend spotlight - I'd love to hear of other trends you have started to notice popping up in product lookbooks or highstreets near you!

Spring pastels

Aren't these images just adorable! These collections of mint and rose coloured glass accessories look good enough to eat...



These beautifully styled soft and 'Springy' images were brought to my attention by Holly Becker at Decor8... You can find more images to this feature by visiting e-zine StyleCookie.

Christian Lacroix for Designer's Guild

This week I'm in love with Christian Lacroix's new fabric collection featured in this month's House & Garden magazine. The image below illustrates the stunning 'Vuelta' panel, from Lacroix's first collection of fabrics and accessories for Designer's Guild, inspired by flowers being thrown at toreros after bullfights in Southern France.


The printed cotton panel is available from £240 and measures 3000 x 1470mm; Designer's Guild 0207 893 7400 / www.designersguild.com.



To view more of the new collection by Christian Lacroix, you can visit Designer's Guild online.

John Makepeace

On my way to collect some splashback wall tiles from the Strand on Friday I decided to go for the cultural cut through Somerset House. I can't quite decide whether I prefer the house in the summer on the terrace, or as the magical Christmassy backdrop for the annual Tiffany sponsored ice skating. Either way it's possibly my favourite building in London and definitely on my dream wedding venue wish list!

It was by undertaking this sneaky route that I came across John Makepeace's current exhibition, marking the celebration of 50 years at the forefront of British furniture design. Definitely worth the extra time elapsed from my lunch hour, I gazed wondrously at the incredible collection. The nature inspired knotted chair and willowy backed chairs were my favourite, but I also loved the geometric lines of the carved cabinets.



When asked about his identifiable style Makepeace says,

"I am frequently asked where my inspiration comes from. Although each commission is different, nature is a constant factor. I am inspired by the way natural evolution resolves problems with results that are invariably elegant and enduring."

~ "natural evolution resolves problems with results that are invariably elegant and enduring" ~

"My designs are rooted in a long-standing fascination with our physical and psychological needs, the properties of different timbers and the way technology and individual craftsmanship enable new possibilities."

Until 17th July you can view the wonderful works of John Makepeace in the Terrance Rooms at Somerset House - try to if you can plan to visit on a Wednesday you also have the chance to hear John talking about his collection at 1pm every Wednesday for the duration of the exhibition.

A selection of work on show is also for sale - a fully illustrated catalogue accompanying the display can be found with further details.

Ralph Lauren Home - New Collection

My lovely friend, and PR Manager for Ralph Lauren Home, kindly invited me to join the exciting unveiling of the new collection, California Romantic, this week.

Unbeknown to me, each season the basement showroom of their New Bond Street flagship store goes under dramatic transformation to showcase new collections - from wall panels to plaster finishes, everything gets ripped out and refitted out for the new collection. One might say this is quite an extravagant demonstration of retail merchandising, although for the leading American lifestyle brand it is a necessary expense. I had the exclusive pleasure of a sneak preview 3 weeks ago, when Charlotte and I caught up for an early breakfast at very chic Cecconis... wallpaper drops were partially hung, plaster work under construction, abundant piles of new product overflowing onto newly fitted carpets... it was AMAZING!

This collection is all about creating a beautiful and romantic space with African inspired texture, leather hides, and natural materials - both through the linens and the woven details in the home accessories. Apparently starting out as a strong African theme, the collection was softened and feminised quickly with the change to a Californian setting. Immediately the collection was transformed to possess that very commercial and aspirational, All-American Ralph Lauren look.

New decorating concept at ANTHROPOLOGIE

In a very exciting press release today it was revealed that in just over two weeks, Anthropologie is set to launch a new decorator's concept at twelve existing stores across UK and the US. This includes our very own designer district King's Road store. With a wide array of decorating product on offer and expert assistance, I'm sure it will be beyond busy in no time.

To launch the workshop-style concept in London on 27th March Emily Chalmers, author of Modern Vintage Style and owner of hip Shoreditch boutique Caravan, will be offering one-on-one personal design consultations with customers. Jemma Ooi and Nathan Philpott, founders of Custhom, also advocating the concept will be on hand to demonstrate their screen printing techniques on postcards, and allowing customers to take home a handmade sample.

I hope this is the first of many workshop sessions they propose to run for interior enthusiasts far and wide. Well done Anthropologie - I look forward to attending the launch!

Event Details:

Sunday 27th March, 1pm – 4pm

Anthropologie, 131 – 141 Kings Road, London, SW3 4PW

Spring paint collections

Finally I can share my shoot images with you!!!

I can honestly say I have never planned more! Surrounded in press loans for about two weeks before the shoot day and until a week and a half afterwards... oh to have an assistant. Sketching began shortly after my inspirational blog post, and finished shortly before we started shooting. For me, coming from a writing background where drafts after drafts are the only way to get anything right, I see my sketch book as a culmination of ideas... with the last few becoming the real article.

With very special thanks to Malcolm Menzies who photographed the shoot and completely saw and captured my vision, I give you our Spring paint collections.

With the idea of showcasing different paint groups, I developed situations which took paint as a decorating medium out of context, to add interest and intrigue.

Wooden utensils by Robert Dyas; paints by Farrow & Ball

Laundry sack, linen tablecloth and check napkins by Sally Bourne;
ceramic lovebirds by Borrowed Blue Wedding; paints by Little Greene

Birdhouse, wooden scoops, metal trug, and garden tools by Garden Trading;
wicker covered glasses, wooden plant labels & pencils, and fingerless gloves by
Hen & Hammock; paints by Farrow & Ball

Wise Men bottles by Channels & paints by Sanderson

I am hopeful these will also be featured by a magazine as an entire collection or as individual images showcasing each paint group, so watch this space for a tear sheet soon...

Happy Spring decorating x