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Ah, just look at the sun blazing in the blue sky, and the leaves crunching underfoot. I truly love autumn. As such I have found a few little treats to prolong the fuzzy feelings of warmth and contentedness – and how better than with a cup of tea and piece of cake…
One of my favourite textile designers is Maija Louekari who creates patterns for Marimeko – I have an ongoing love affair with graphic monochrome prints so I just had to put this new black and white Hetkia latte mug into the mix. It can be purchased here.
I also think that Etsy has some fine offerings too such as this Chickadee cup by Kristen K Swanson and this quirky ‘love bird’ dish by Paloma’s Nest.
And if you like your crockery simple but stylish, you can’t go far wrong with Polly George’s new set of designs. I love her Bow range but she also does butterflies and flowers too…
Now I have to mention cake – well food – and if you are seeking some inspiration, you should definitely check out The Barefoot Kitchen Witch blog (the recipes are divine!) I have also come across the “Baked” cookbook which is on Amazon for around £8.50 – I have already ordered mine and can’t wait – the choclolate brownies are to die for, so I hear.
And what about the humble toffee apple? Another great autumn treat that makes me want to wrap up warm and go strolling through the park! Easy to make, hard to forget and totally worth indulging in!
And being as it is nearly Halloween, I rather like this horror plate from ceramic designer Superpanda.
That concludes my tea and cake treats – now get baking!
Oh how I love a good dose of Scandi-chic – it can inject a real calm, streamlined feel to interiors, whether it’s through the simple fabric in pretty red and white check, chic alpine flower prints or bold statement textiles that scream sophisticated style.
Having lived in Holland for a couple of years, I have long loved Dutch designs but more recently I have cast my net further afield and have caught a whole new generataion of Scandi designers that I just have to tell you about. As such, I have taken it upon myself to create a mini guide of designers to watch, places to find these gems and a couple of local haunts to try if you are on the hunt for a dose of Scandi –love (and we’re not talking strapping Swedish hunks in the sauna).
The good, the old and the ones to watch…
We can’t really talk about Scandinavian design without mentioning Verner Panton and Arne Jacobsen. Panton, made famous by his chair of the same name, used rich colours and soft lines to create his signature look, while Arne Jacobsen’s striking design and architecture is embodied by his famous Swan chair.
As for the young Scandi upstarts worth keeping an eye on, Sofie Refer and Jacob Staer – are two budding designers that are currently gaining a great deal of press thanks to their jaw-droppingly exquisite lighting accoutrements – in particular their glamorous chandeliers while René Hougaard who goes under the name of Dnmark – is definitley worth noting.
I have also fallen hook line and sinker for the Lily light by Janne Kytanen and Jiri Evenhuis. This is part of a new collection by Freedom of Creation called Materialise while this quirky Yes/No pillow by Nicolette Brunklaus is simple yet striking. See her unusual lampshade designs, reminicent of a Dutch Deborah Bowness
However, we must now move swiftly on to more of the good stuff:
As your first port of call in the Scandi design trail, it is worth checking out The Scandinavian Design Centre this website which has a good overview of Scandi design, however, if you are after fabrics with a difference, Finnish company, Skandium, runs its own sumptuous fabrics and daring design shop called Marimekko – a regular haunt for me – the only problem is deciding which fabric to choose from the extensive collection – I defy you not to love them all. Here a re a few of my pickings:
This Hetkiä fabric with black and grey pattern makes perfect wall candy art. Designed by Maija Louekari, it is very on trend – see my previous post on doodling and illustrations.
Try Unique Interieur for great lamps –
this delicious one, clearly inspired by Panton, looks good enough to eat!Likewise, this happy horse oilcloth, by Susanne Schjerning
is one of my latest finds, she is a serious contender for my top list of all-time great inspirational designers.
While this spring-influenced oilcloth, entitled family tree, by Trine Andersen can be snapped up through Ferm Living (which Trine founded) at around €25 a pop, I reckon it’s a bargain – I expect to have one gracing my kitchen table before too long.
And there’s more…
Nordic Style has all sorts from chairs and tables to fabrics and is great if you are looking for a starting point
Filippa and Co – despite a shop closure, they are still up and running and have a host of original pieces of furniture to tempt the pounds out of your purse
Dutch by Design is one of my faves
Absolut Form offers Danish inspired design
95% Danish, is another one worth favouriting – a fantastic cutting-edge Scandi designers’ site
Elias and Grace have the cutest toys for kids in the signature Scandi style
Scandi Living – another good resource with a host of links and info to designer sites
Ferm Living, as mentioned earlier is a veritable smorgasbord of delicious design treats to get your inspiration flowing…
So there you have it (for now). There are of course plenty of other fab places and if you happen to live in the south west then I recommend a visit to ‘Hanzel und Gretel’ on Brock Street in Bath.
Walking into the shop stuffed to bursting with cookoo clocks is the first treat, as well as the hand-crafted Austrian lace and other fripperies but if you go down stairs there is a little grotto type coffee and strudel bar where the Sound of Music plays and the lights twinkle…a secret space worth visiting.
I advise you to favourite these little beauties so if you are ever in need of a serious dose of design, you can get your fix!
Vintage Verity 