kathryn m ireland.....

Todays inspiration comes from Kathryn M Ireland the queen of fabric and design.

Born and raised in UK Kathryn set off for LA in the mid 80's aspiring to be an actress and film maker... But, by the early 90's it was interior design that had caught her eye and since then she has never looked back ...she certainly isn't scared to try different things and I am certain that it is this flair and desire to push boundaries that bought her so much success.

Kathryn's look has been described as comfortable, bohemian, and family friendly with large doses of color and a lack of orthodoxy.

Since the early 90's Kathryn has been leading the way with her ideas - House & Garden included Ireland among "10 to Watch" architects and designers expected to influence 21st-century style and for the last decade, House Beautiful has named her one of the top 100 designers in the United States.

Kathryns has taken the US by storm and now has showrooms in UK, Spain, South Africa and Australia.

The website, www.kathrynireland.com is a good starting place for inspiration on fabrics and room design ideas...

Enjoy!

take me away.........2

It has been a while since the first 'take me away' - Remember Filicudi, the island of the North East of Sciliy ? Have another look if you can not remember...AMAZING!

Anyway, with this in mind, I thought I would whisk you away to Mexico and to Cuixmala.

This estate takes sumptuous to a new level and I imagine that every moment is truly magical here...

This legendary estate of 25,000 acres on its own 3km private beach belongs to Sir James Goldsmith and his family. The simple philosophy of Sir James was his wish to share with others the unique experience his family have with Cuixmala, in particular focusing on their dedication to the preservation and protection of the natural environment.

As you know, I adore the use of colour in Mexican interiors, and Cuixmala's use of colour is sensational. Like so often white is used as the backbone to the rooms and then colour is used to create a striking and incredible finishing touch.

Look at the window frames, look at the use of coloured woods to create tables or interior features...

The lushness of the surrounding landscape, the sensational blue of the sea and the sheer luxury of Cuixmala is something to be dreamed about and for the lucky few, perhaps even a reality!

I am off to dream...

For further information visit www.cuixmala.com - I'm loving the soundtrack also, have a listen!!

new liberty fabric prints....

Submarine Print

Peacock Fan Print

Burleigh Prints

Liberty London have a produced a new range the 'Sixty Print Collection' using fabrics within their archive.

i) Submarine Print - a 1960's style floral print originally bought from an outside designer and first printed on Liberty silk in 1966.

ii) Peacock Fan Print - a print that is an integral part of the Liberty Heritage.

iii) Burleigh Print - a paisley style pattern which was first printed in 1962 on Varuna wool.

The fabrics cost 24 uk sterling a meter and (width 137cm) and are available from Liberty.

loving...an indian summer

If there is one blog that I return to time & time again, then it would be An Indian Summer - whenever i visit I am inspired and today is no exception...

keeping it in the family.....

The sun continues to shine here in London and it makes work seem all the more pleasant!

Whilst, in the process of transition I am busy helping my aunt at the Chelsea Flower Show.. CFS claims to be the number 1 flower show in the world, and it is quite impressive even for someone like myself who knows absolutely nothing about flowers!!

My aunt, ok if truth be told my step-aunt - always the coolest, arty one of the family has been exhihiting here for the last 5 years and whilst I might sound a little biased - her work is phenomenal and she deserves all the praise and accolade that is now coming her way..

Here is a taster of what she does...

www.jennypickford.com

A pretty & new take on the old classics....

Sunshine and the UK don't tend to go very well together, but I seem to have been blessed!!.. and since arriving back from India the sun has been shining... wonderful!

Today, as I strolled through London it did cross my mind that there are few places in the world better than this city when the sun makes an appearance!!

For those lucky enough to be able to spend their days in the park or, in fact even those less lucky, but equally determined to grab a quick half hour to indulge in a great book - then can I suggest you pick up one of these stunning White's Books artistic versions of the old classics...

Each book is clothbound with a unique wrap around cover design and comes with an elegant font..titles to choose from include -

Emma - Jane Austin

Wurthering Heights - Emma Bronte

Pride & Prejudice - Jane Austin

Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson

Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

Books cost 20 uk sterling each and make great presents as-well as personal reads!

www.whitebooks.com

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would anyone like...?

I found these on my travels - thoughts??

picture frame/ mirror - each and every piece is unique

Anyone for papier mache?

I am thinking to stock these great bowls and picture frames - I'm thinking to simplify the detail slightly, add different shapes and produce in vibrant blues, greens and this great pink! What do you think?

Of course, there are the more typical papier mache bangles and flowery bowls...anyone interested in these bangles???

comments and feedback please greatly appreciated..

Star Mela.....

Stunning Star Mela...

Remember these bags ??!... Elliot Man & JADEtribe

www.starmela.co.uk

Remember the sensational bags by Elliot Man and JADEtribe featured here a while back?...Well, it would seem that Lala Moon are ahead of the fashion pack!!....Since returning from India, I have picked up 2 x publication both of which feature veryyyy similar bags, bought to you this time by the superb Star Mela ...and, the best news of all is that they are readily available via www.starmela.co.uk.

There is no doubting that Elliot Man's bags are the real thing. In the bazaars of Delhi I saw plenty of attempts at creating colourful totes using exquisite old Indian textiles....perhaps, Lala Moon will create it's own range!! WATCH THIS SPACE!

JADEtribe annoyingly had sumptuous bags but were impossible to get hold off aaaahhh... therefore Star Mela is the way to go.

Bags range from 35 uk sterling to 150 sterling

Star Mela is definitely worth a look at for all their other beach inspired clothing..

incredible india....

I am back!

My trip to India was incredible and in the coming days I hope to share with you a little of what I have been up to...it was a fleeting visit but a lot was achieved! I have found the workshop where I will produce my prints, I have instigated the process of making the block prints and fingers crossed in a couple of weeks I will have the first samples !!

Rajasthan oozes vibrance with senstational colours, smells and an energy like no other... all the people I met were so friendly and eager to assist and passionate about their country..India is certainly buzzing and there is something highly addictive about this wonderful country...

wish list...graham & green furniture

UK company Graham and Green, established in the early 1970s really does have some exquisite products.. There are 6 shops in London and a very good online store so be inspired...

Today I am focusing on some of their mother and pearl and camel bone inlay items of furniture.. Just stunning.

Raspberry and bone inlay chest of drawers - beautifully hand crafted in India. Each set of drawers takes a team of skilled craftsmen many weeks to complete. Individual pieces of mother of pearl have been skillfully carved and fixed into pink resin on a wooden frame to create an intricate floral design. 1500 uk sterling

Side table with tray - the camel bone inlay tray and side table measures 70cm (h) by 50cm (w) and 40 cm (d). The trays are 40cm by 39 cm and come in raspberry, blue or black. Table and tray costs 200 uk sterling

mirror - royal blue bone inlay 90 cm (h) by 60 cm (w) costs 188 uk sterling

Green and bone inlay chest of drawers. 2 x drawer French renaissance style with elegant curves. Measures 76 cm(h), 105 cm (w) and 50 cm (d) and costs 1495 uk sterling

Graham and Green can be contacted via the following link - www.graham&green.co.uk or by contacting their head office on + 44 208 987 3700

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wish list....scarves

I am adding this great scarf to my wish list....These scarves/shawls are made of vintage hemp or cotton skirt fabric & are hand embroidered with typical Hmong/Miao cross stitches. The shawls are sewn out of vintage fabric collected from Thailand's Hmong Hill Tribes in northern Thailand.

In Sweden these shawls are on the 'most wanted' list with established designers like Rikke Mai showcasing them but, the prices are steep!! If you don't wish to pay for the brand, just the artestry then Pili Love have the answer! They have gone straight to the source selling the scarves in their online boutique. Pil Love is a swedish company specialising in pillows and other soft furnishings.

Scarves are $164 usd