Birthday presents

It's been a while since I posted last and in that time I've become a whole year older! I got some great pressies from my other half this year, and thought I'd share them. I suspect most folk would probably get a little bit annoyed about being bought kitchen utensils for a special occassion...but I have to confess to being quite excited!

Elevate Utensils set by Joseph Joseph. 

These are now hanging in my kitchen (very bad photo below) and needless to say no-one is actually allowed to use them!

And I also received a gorgeous Bodum Travel Mug, so at last I can take a cup of tea with me on my way to work in the morning. For coffee lovers, Bodum also do a similarly styled travel cafetiere. The mugs are available in a whole array of colours and in a couple of different sizes.

There were threats to buy me a new tumble drier as well, but thankfully for his sake that didn't happen!!

Posters

It has been far too long since my last post, but in a bid to juggle work, kids and sleep I've had to accept tht I can only post once or twice a week. I feel I may get withdrawl symptoms soon though! Anyway, I've been searching for some prints to brighten up my living room and wanted to share these gorgeous ones with you. I need something bright, colourful and contemporary and this selection are all perfect.

'A Little Colourful Peacock' and 'Lovely Deer' by Dekanimal.

'London print' and 'Iconic Chairs' print designed by Taylors Type

'Rain drops' and 'Lollipop Tree' made from vintage maps by Bombus

'Have a Nice Day' poster designed by Takashi Furuya, available from Illustrated Living.

I love the 'By Order of the Management' range of posters by John W Golden. Think how much time it would save if, rather than telling the kids off, you could just point to the relevant poster!

(Photos from Creative Review)

And if you don't have time to spend searching for posters, Tim Fishlock has designed the limited edition 50x70 art book for Habitat, featuring removable posters by celebrated artists such as Adrian Johnson, Anthony Burrill and Phunk. The posters are designed to fit into a 50 x 70cm frame and the book is on special offer at the moment.

How much turquoise is too much?

I have to admit to being a big lover of teal, turquoise, bluey-green - whatever you want to call it, the colour makes me smile. And Pantone agree, because their Colour of the Year for 2010 is 15-5519, otherwise known as Turquoise. Apparently it's believed in some cultures to be the colour of compassion, healing, faith and truth!

  Yesterday my new turquoise armchairs arrived for my living room, and one day when the room stays tidy long enough I'll take some photos and post them here. But for now I'm still trying to find some accessories to tie the whole room together. Here are my favourite turquoise finds....

Reproduction TRIM phone, £47.50 from Pedlars

Daphne teal lamp table by Johnny Egg, £350 from Heals

You can't go wrong with classic designs and these two are great examples.
The Panton Flowerpot light, above, was originally designed in the late sixties but the look is timeless. From £198 at Nest.
And, whilst not totally turquoise, the accents of colour in the ball clock by Vitra below would be perfect in a turquoise themed room. £182, also at Nest.

I have three kids, two of whom are very energetic 5 year old twin boys so this rubber vase is a great idea to avoid breakages. Made by MENU of Denmark. 29 euros at Finnish Design Shop.

I love anything with an architectural theme and this cushion is definately on my shopping list.
trellick Tower cushion, designed by People Will Always Need Plates, £30 from London Cushion Company.

This cute vintage, bakelite radio wuld look great on my shelves. Find it at Ebay.

I came across these magazine files while browsing Etsy a few weeks ago and I love their simplicity. They are painted on one side and left natural on the other.$38 from Paper Doll Wood Shop

The problem is knowing where to draw the line! Can you have too much turquoise?

New fabrics at Bemz

Bemz have added some zingy spring colours to their fabric range, as well as some new Marimekko fabrics. For those of you who haven't come across Bemz yet, it's a great online store selling fabric covers for Ikea sofas and dining chairs. So, rather than being limited to buying replacement slip covers from Ikea you can choose from over 100 colours and patterns at Bemz, and even better - they make covers for discontinued models. Many of the fabrics are available to buy by the metre so that you can make co-ordinating accessories (unless you are as challenged by sewing machines as I am!)

 

Bemz also have three new fabrics by Lisa Bengtsson, which I adore. The footstool above is upholstered in her Baronessa Pink fabric and the sofa is shown in her Sir Harald Multi fabric. Very eyecatching with a vintage feel.