tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53370779020760248172024-03-14T09:17:08.025+00:00Roost LivingCreating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-85670882431721039752014-03-13T12:05:00.001+00:002014-03-13T12:05:22.186+00:00A Chat with Alexandra Mann<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexandra Mann in her London Studio</td></tr>
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<span class="ecxs4"><span class="ecxbumpedFont15" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simply put, some people were born to work in fashion. Their creative flair is noticeable from their earliest years. Brit Alexandra Mann is one of those people. At a very young age, she insisted friends and strangers dress in an avant garde manner - styling them with props from the fancy dress box. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxs4"><span class="ecxbumpedFont15" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alexandra's love of all-that's-fashion has only thrived since and it's taken her around the world in search of inspiration, fabric and print. We caught up with her to delve more into the story behind her beautiful designs. </span></span></span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When and why did you decide to be a designer?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It involved a large dressing up box at my grandparents house and dressing up my friends for pretend tea parties. I was quite a bossy child, telling everyone what to wear. I was also really into film and I found Elizabeth Taylor's costumes in Cleopatra mesmerising. Then at about 12 or 13 I discovered Vogue magazine. I have always loved style and clothing more than fashion. I knew from the age of 10 that I wanted to graduate in fashion. I went on to study at Nottingham Trent and adored my time there.</span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What are you main creative influences?</span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">Like most designers I am sure I am a sponge for culture. I find a walk down Ridley Road Market revs me up as much as a trip to the Tate Modern or Britain. I love living in London; there's so much to absorb, to taste, to smell, to watch. Waddesdon Manor and its grand decadence is a favourite place of mine for inspiration. It's a beautiful backdrop to some exquisitely curated shows - Bruce Munro at Christmas blew my mind. </span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where do you find inspiration for your work?</span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">At the moment its all a bit Origami. </span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who is your favourite designer and which aspect of their work do you most admire?</span></b></div>
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<span class="ecxs4"><span class="ecxbumpedFont15" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vivienne Westwood will always be close to my heart. I worked for her in my early 20s. She doesn't care what anyone else thinks about how she looks and is her own person in every way. I feel very lucky to have worked for such an inspiring institution as her. Her last Gold Label show was immense. I identify with her cut and use of fabrics. A lot of my wardrobe is from her Gold Label. I feel like myself in Vivienne's clothes, in the undoneness of it all. She drapes a lot of her clothes which is how i still cut, drafting patterns in quarter scale first. I still want a vintage YSL tuxedo though...</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxs4"><span class="ecxbumpedFont15" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What aspect of your work gives you the most pleasure?</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span">The creative freedom and getting feedback from people that are happy with their private order or purchase. Satisfied customers in a nutshell. I feel very lucky </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">to have turned a passion into a business. </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="ecxs4">Where </span><span class="ecxs4">are </span><span class="ecxs4">you </span><span class="ecxs4">most creative?</span></span></b></div>
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<span class="ecxApple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At my studio in De Beauvoir, surrounded by colour, pattern, books, records. I feel creatively rooted there.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="ecxs4"><span class="ecxbumpedFont15"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is your workspace like? </span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="ecxs4"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was recently described as organised chaos by a client - I thought that was a pretty accurate summation! People like to hang out here, it's creative, cosy and very personal. There's boxes, trims and fabricseverywhere. Things to play with. There is a lot going on</span></span></span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How do you describe your style?</span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">Pretty juxtaposition, organised chaos, Rabbinic, tomboy.</span></div>
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<span class="ecxs4"><span class="ecxbumpedFont15" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What was the best advice you received when you first started out?</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxApple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Work hard and be kind to people and that cheap tights are a false economy.</span></span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What advice do you have for fledgling designers?</span></b></div>
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<span class="ecxApple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Practice, practice, practice. It really helps to be able to make your own samples when developing designs. Get an internship with someone you admire and never give up. There is always something new to learn. Think about what you want or need. Then design it. </span></span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How do you achieve a work/life balance?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not sure I do! I have a rule not to stay at work past 9pm, but if really get into what I am doing, I go with it.</span></div>
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<span class="ecxs4"><span class="ecxbumpedFont15" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What are you other passions?</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxApple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Music. Food. Film. Ibiza. My god children. </span></span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is your favourite food?</span></b></div>
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<span class="ecxApple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is really hard! I love food. Right now I am craving oysters with hot tabasco and some real ale please!</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxs4"><span class="ecxbumpedFont15" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What are your greatest weaknesses?</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="ecxs4"><span class="ecxbumpedFont15" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sage & Wilde, a wine pop-up in Hackney, </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Comme des Garçon, and b</span>lue eyed boys.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>For a selection of Alexandra Mann's Washbags <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Roost-Living-Handmade-gifts/pouches-and-wash-bags" target="_blank">click here</a>.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And for our Alexandra Mann for Roost Living's Exclusive cushions <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Roost-Living-Home-Accessories/Roost-Living-Cushions-and-Throws" target="_blank">click here</a></i></span><br />
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Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-70336526000458006702014-02-14T14:21:00.000+00:002014-02-14T14:22:45.606+00:00Miserable outside? Head for a culture fix <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wet weather isn't all gloom and doom; it’s also the perfect
excuse to indulge in a little culture. There's a plethora of wonderful exhibitions showing in
London at the moment and plenty more to come, too. Here are a few of our favourites
that we’ll be making a beeline to on rainy days. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Open now <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Extraordinary Stories about Ordinary Things @ <a href="http://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/2013/extraordinary-stories" target="_blank">the Design Museum</a> (until 9th March)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the iconic London phonebox to everyday road signs, this curious exhibition shares the tales behind some of the most successful - and unique - pieces of modern design.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-74BD1P5ZYfE/Uv4mH0nyn5I/AAAAAAAADIY/jRAGf-LyHkQ/s1600/phonebox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-74BD1P5ZYfE/Uv4mH0nyn5I/AAAAAAAADIY/jRAGf-LyHkQ/s1600/phonebox.JPG" height="168" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paul Klee: Making Visibile @<b> </b><a href="http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/exhibition/ey-exhibition-paul-klee-making-visible" target="_blank">the<b> </b>Tate Modern</a> (until 9th March)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paintings, sketches and watercolours from the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">German-Swiss</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">surrealist-loving artist.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coming soon<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Digital Revolution @ <a href="http://www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery/event-detail.asp?ID=15608" target="_blank">Barbican</a> (opens 3rd July)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What would we do without the internet? Explore how art, design, film, music and video games have evolved in this interactive celebration of technology. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OQbqn-xddU/Uv4mN9rqIhI/AAAAAAAADIg/8ovjgj4Iul8/s1600/digital+revolution.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OQbqn-xddU/Uv4mN9rqIhI/AAAAAAAADIg/8ovjgj4Iul8/s1600/digital+revolution.JPG" height="193" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk @
<a href="http://www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery/event-detail.asp?ID=14772" target="_blank">Barbican</a> (opens 9th April)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Get up-close with some of the avante-garde creations that the
fashion designer has passionately crafted over the last 35 years. </span></div>
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Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-90376368209691404662014-02-07T16:41:00.000+00:002014-02-07T16:43:12.399+00:00Alexandra Mann for Roost Living <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vThuuNZ0Zto/UvT_p2u7QuI/AAAAAAAADHM/yrfv1SVZjMM/s1600/GreandePurpleWEB-300x350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vThuuNZ0Zto/UvT_p2u7QuI/AAAAAAAADHM/yrfv1SVZjMM/s1600/GreandePurpleWEB-300x350.jpg" height="200" width="171" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ak6u1nJEdfw/UvUAtOb4taI/AAAAAAAADHc/I4UvtHUFdkk/s1600/anchor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ak6u1nJEdfw/UvUAtOb4taI/AAAAAAAADHc/I4UvtHUFdkk/s1600/anchor.jpg" height="200" width="168" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An inspirational ‘maker’, Alexandra Mann has forged quite
the fabric-focused career; she cut her teeth in cloth assisting the Head of
Couture at Vivienne Westwood, before moving into full time costume design.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the years, her work and inspiration-seeking travels
have led her to uncover wildly beautiful prints and fabrics, so it’s no coincidence
that these feature pride of place in her eponymous new collection of cushions and
travel accessories. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brave emblems of <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Roost-Living-Home-Accessories/Roost-Living-Cushions-and-Throws/grenade-cushion-mauve-alexandra-mann" target="_blank">grenades</a> and <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Roost-Living-Home-Accessories/Roost-Living-Cushions-and-Throws/razor-blade-cushion-alexandra-mann" target="_blank">razor blades</a> are appliquéd
atop Alexandra’s pieces; quite the contrast to the reclaimed Sanderson cottons
beneath them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s this juxtaposition of old and new that initially drew
us to Alexandra's work and to commission her to make a few <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Alexandra-mann" target="_blank">exclusive-to-Roost Living styles</a>. We hope you love them as much as we do! </span></div>
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<br />Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-29161770026404687082014-01-31T12:41:00.002+00:002014-01-31T12:41:31.256+00:00Valentine's Day<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As soon as Christmas is over and your New Year's Resolutions (or rather, <a href="http://roostliving.blogspot.com/2014/01/personal-pledges-our-no-nonsense.html" target="_blank">Personal Pledges</a>) are well under way, Valentine's Day pops up on the horizon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To help you prepare for a truly love-filled day here are a few of our favourite things to give. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For him</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.roostliving.com/roost-living-new-arrivals/Anchor-Wash-bag" target="_blank">Anchor wash bag</a>, designed exclusively for us by Alexandra Mann.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a09Tl4S7j-I/UuuS6gD9nSI/AAAAAAAADGU/3hSg_V_49x8/s1600/AnchorWashbagWEB-300x350+65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a09Tl4S7j-I/UuuS6gD9nSI/AAAAAAAADGU/3hSg_V_49x8/s1600/AnchorWashbagWEB-300x350+65.jpg" height="320" width="274" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For her</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The prettiest </span><a href="http://www.roostliving.com/roost-living-new-arrivals/angle-plate" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Angel plate</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, handmade by Fliff.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Y-cG-t0q74/UuuTB3Y2gmI/AAAAAAAADGc/-FEibA7GsD0/s1600/AngelPlateandStarsCATEGORY-300x350+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Y-cG-t0q74/UuuTB3Y2gmI/AAAAAAAADGc/-FEibA7GsD0/s1600/AngelPlateandStarsCATEGORY-300x350+25.jpg" height="320" width="274" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the animal lover </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.roostliving.com/roost-living-new-arrivals/hector-ceramic-hare" target="_blank">Hector Hare</a>, designed by Rory Dobner and hand-finished in England.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVBrtB4woqA/UuuTLLGOC1I/AAAAAAAADGk/mXOTAqXXHdQ/s1600/HenryHareWEB-300x350+310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVBrtB4woqA/UuuTLLGOC1I/AAAAAAAADGk/mXOTAqXXHdQ/s1600/HenryHareWEB-300x350+310.jpg" height="320" width="274" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--BahdwgwjVw/UuuTSzJhZ8I/AAAAAAAADGs/vNB1o-IWEQs/s1600/RabbitSpotonStoneLinenWEB-300x350+55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the secret romantic </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Roo Abrook's upcycled <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/roost-living-new-arrivals/vintage-print-buttefly-dome" target="_blank">butterfly print </a>will make melt even the coolest of hearts.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zU380iJQD8k/UuuThCQ4yHI/AAAAAAAADG0/leCJl_aC6IY/s1600/JellyOvenGlovesLandWEB-300x350+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zU380iJQD8k/UuuThCQ4yHI/AAAAAAAADG0/leCJl_aC6IY/s1600/JellyOvenGlovesLandWEB-300x350+9.jpg" height="320" width="251" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How will you be celebrating Valentine's Day? We love the idea of a champagne supper for two at home, or baking (perhaps <a href="http://www.redonline.co.uk/food/recipes/hummingbird-bakery-s-red-velvet-cupcakes" target="_blank">Hummingbird's Red Velvet Cup Cakes</a>?) and sharing your sweet treats with colleagues. </span><br />
<br />Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-79130683661978240322014-01-24T20:37:00.002+00:002014-01-25T08:59:57.243+00:00Designers we love around the globe: CanadaThis week, we venture to Canada where many a designer has captured our appreciative eye. Read on to get to know a few of our favourite North American designers.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kyC8AouvDAg/UuKqkYC7DqI/AAAAAAAADFk/1xBcPjZ6YaA/s1600/kp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kyC8AouvDAg/UuKqkYC7DqI/AAAAAAAADFk/1xBcPjZ6YaA/s1600/kp.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><b><a href="http://www.keophila.com/" target="_blank">Keo Phila </a></b><br />
After graduating from Ontario's College of Art and Design in 2008, Keo immersed herself in the textiles she studied. She now divides her time between fabric work, exhibitions, and installations; like this collaborative masterpiece 'Come Up To My Room'.<br />
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<b><a href="http://robsouthcott.com/" target="_blank">Rob Southcott </a></b><br />
Toronto-based Rob crafts playfulness into each of his pieces; take one look at his entwined chairs and it's unmistakeable. It's this, plus his instinct for experimentation with pattern, scale and manufacturing techniques - like the casting of prints upon this otherwise ordinary table - that draws us to him time and again.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsZSqJLTuBA/UuLNFaFTPPI/AAAAAAAADF8/prwPxk4gDeM/s1600/rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsZSqJLTuBA/UuLNFaFTPPI/AAAAAAAADF8/prwPxk4gDeM/s1600/rs.jpg" height="173" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.philippemalouin.com/" target="_blank">Philippe Malouin</a></b><br />
After intensive international training in Eindhoven (Netherlands), Paris and Montreal, Philippe set up home in London where he initially worked for celebrated British designer Tom Dixon. In 2009 Philippe launched his own studio as an outlet for aesthetically delighting art and covetable homeware; like this chic, understated china.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uOMp-izJkso/UuLNUu1JLWI/AAAAAAAADGE/nNuxuP8EPOY/s1600/pm+plate2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uOMp-izJkso/UuLNUu1JLWI/AAAAAAAADGE/nNuxuP8EPOY/s1600/pm+plate2+copy.jpg" height="132" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.dearhuman.ca/" target="_blank">Dear Human</a></b><br />
Though design duo Jasna Sokolovic and Noel O'Connell themselves may not be Canadian, their Vancover-based studio, Dear Human, is. Their work seamlessly melds originality with form and function. Case in point? Their quirky, colourful Bolt Bench which makes a statement as well as being a practical storage solution for eye-catching fabric.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bQwfPZ67ItA/UuKgCxOBKwI/AAAAAAAADEo/Pom7uK8jE3o/s1600/boltbench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bQwfPZ67ItA/UuKgCxOBKwI/AAAAAAAADEo/Pom7uK8jE3o/s1600/boltbench.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-kyC8AouvDAg%2FUuKqkYC7DqI%2FAAAAAAAADFk%2F1xBcPjZ6YaA%2Fs1600%2Fkp.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kyC8AouvDAg/UuKqkYC7DqI/AAAAAAAADFk/1xBcPjZ6YaA/s1600/kp.jpg" -->Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-73082490036410670602014-01-11T10:47:00.000+00:002014-01-11T10:47:12.809+00:00Personal Pledges: our no-nonsense resolutions <div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Resolutions. They're not about making grand gestures you won't keep beyond a week, they're</span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> about making small changes you can realistically embrace into your every day. That’s our opinion when it comes to New Year resolutions - and we're re-branding ours as 'Personal Pledges'.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Instead of “must lose weight”, “must be more organised”, and many other promises that bring with them hurdle after hurdle, we've set ourselves the following easy-to-keep (we hope!) goals.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">1. Put shoes and coats away as soon as we’re home.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">2. Try new, healthy recipes (we've already made <a href="http://www.stylist.co.uk/life/recipes/chickpea-burgers-with-indian-coleslaw" target="_blank">these tasty Indian veggie burgers</a> and Yotam Ottolenghi's divine <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jan/03/lentil-recipes-yotam-ottolenghi" target="_blank">lentils with preserved lemon</a>).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">3. Walk more. We're swapping those occasional could-walk hops-on-the-bus for stretching our legs.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">4. Connect with one another - without the internet! So no smart phones at supper or bed time. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Small stuff, right? Yet so far, so good. What have you promised yourself this year? </span></div>
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Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-2398268793664042802014-01-03T12:32:00.000+00:002014-01-03T12:32:28.331+00:00SALE: our favourite picks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nothing curbs the January blues quite as well as a sale and ours has just begun! Here are a few of our favourite finds... some of which we don't have many of so don't delay if you have your heart set on something. Happy shopping! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Up to 30% off </b></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q2ZT-jFtAak/UsaqgVJnhPI/AAAAAAAADEI/MMUxybaYoBs/s1600/30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="123" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q2ZT-jFtAak/UsaqgVJnhPI/AAAAAAAADEI/MMUxybaYoBs/s320/30.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Sale/Sale-30-percent-off/line-wool-blanket" target="_blank">Blanket</a>: Was £230 Now £161, Chopping Boards: Were £28-£40 Now <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Sale/Sale-30-percent-off/roost-living-rectangle-board" target="_blank">£19.60</a>-<a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Sale/Sale-30-percent-off/roost-living-round-board" target="_blank">£28</a>, <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Sale/Sale-30-percent-off/mixed-christmas-napkins" target="_blank">Six Napkins</a>: Were £60 Now £42</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Up to 50% off </b></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ga9wPmPKdpM/UsaqhOHfYFI/AAAAAAAADEQ/wzNWi3RbE7M/s1600/50.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ga9wPmPKdpM/UsaqhOHfYFI/AAAAAAAADEQ/wzNWi3RbE7M/s320/50.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Sale/50-percent-off/lily-table-runner" target="_blank">Table Runner</a>: Was £55 Now £27.50, <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Sale/50-percent-off/Figurine" target="_blank">Figurine: </a>Was £180 Now £90, <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Sale/50-percent-off/reflect-dark-blue2-richard-brendon" target="_blank">Tea Cup & Saucer</a>: Was £70 Now £35</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Just a few left </b></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYz1JmOLWCE/UsaqiXKPxaI/AAAAAAAADEY/RVLO_RSzHSU/s1600/few.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="122" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYz1JmOLWCE/UsaqiXKPxaI/AAAAAAAADEY/RVLO_RSzHSU/s320/few.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Sale/JUST-A-FEW/roost-living-beetle-lampshade" target="_blank">Lampshade: </a>Was £40 Now £28, <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Sale/JUST-A-FEW/snowy-hand-painted-christmas-bauble" target="_blank">Bauble: </a>Was £18 Now £12.60, <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Sale/JUST-A-FEW/jelly-oven-gloves" target="_blank">Oven Gloves</a>: Were £28 Now £19.60</span></div>
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<br />Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-72981495319177900372013-12-18T15:04:00.001+00:002013-12-18T15:04:39.547+00:00Festive painted pinecones <div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a Sunday walk through the woods a few weeks ago, we
returned home with bags full of pinecones wondering what to do with them.
Before long, we decided to turn them into a festive garland and save any extras
for tying onto presents. If you also have pinecones at home, or fancy
collecting some, here’s what to do if you’d like to make a homemade decoration
of your own.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JOsP96vlfiQ/Up3OLcw-u9I/AAAAAAAADB4/TeOpNeXRG58/s1600/roost+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JOsP96vlfiQ/Up3OLcw-u9I/AAAAAAAADB4/TeOpNeXRG58/s320/roost+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pop your collected pinecones into a basin of warm water with a cupful of vinegar and leave for half an hour. This cleans, removes sap and de-bugs the cones; let them dry naturally upon sheets of newspaper.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pGIRjDvd5sI/Up3OKpwdC8I/AAAAAAAADB0/FbIqvxWpYJM/s1600/roost+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pGIRjDvd5sI/Up3OKpwdC8I/AAAAAAAADB0/FbIqvxWpYJM/s320/roost+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mix 4 tablespoons of white emulsion with 500ml cold water. Once the cones are thoroughly dry, dip them into your diluted paint, then put them on greaseproof paper to dry naturally again.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UVTQl07AiOQ/UqHMk1EUqWI/AAAAAAAADCc/UmUPLxgbwhQ/s1600/pine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UVTQl07AiOQ/UqHMk1EUqWI/AAAAAAAADCc/UmUPLxgbwhQ/s320/pine.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once dry, loop a small length of twine or string through the top of your pinecones and hang them upon a felt ball garland (you can buy them online or in homeware shops) or tie them onto your wrapped presents for the prettiest of presentation! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last orders for Christmas delivery<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 15.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">U.K. Standard delivery: Friday, 20th December | U.K. Express delivery: Monday, 23rd December</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 15.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.roostliving.com/index.php?route=common/home" target="_blank">shop Roost Living</a></span></span></div>
Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-18108253022099800372013-12-12T12:20:00.001+00:002013-12-18T15:11:47.795+00:00For her, for him, for little ones <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How are you getting on with your
gift shopping? Still have bits and bobs to pick up? We've been on a
bit of a crazy present dash lately, so are grateful for ideas that make it easier.
Here are a few ideas of our own; ones we think make great gifts for those
closest to you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.roostliving.com/christmas/gifts-for-her" target="_blank">for her</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rosa Cushion (£58) Candle (£35) Elegant Lady Serveware (£27-£85) </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aSTvtJAqSjE/UqmkYesleII/AAAAAAAADDg/vAG_YZITHIA/s1600/her.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aSTvtJAqSjE/UqmkYesleII/AAAAAAAADDg/vAG_YZITHIA/s400/her.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.roostliving.com/christmas/gifts-for-him" target="_blank">for him </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monogram Tile (£37.50) Beetle
Hankies (Set of three, £15.95) Geo Notebooks (Set of three, £12) </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xs8CRmDmwh0/UqmkdFcL9MI/AAAAAAAADDw/Ov_4c8SBIN4/s1600/him.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xs8CRmDmwh0/UqmkdFcL9MI/AAAAAAAADDw/Ov_4c8SBIN4/s400/him.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.roostliving.com/christmas/gifts-for-kids" target="_blank">for little ones</a> </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wol Cushion (£50) Folk Stacking
Cups (Set of three, £45) Woodland
Bed Set (£95)</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Qs8bzLrb7A/UqmkfwFAgJI/AAAAAAAADD4/8mPDGLzcCh0/s1600/kids.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Qs8bzLrb7A/UqmkfwFAgJI/AAAAAAAADD4/8mPDGLzcCh0/s400/kids.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last orders for Christmas delivery <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">U.S.A. and Canada:
Friday, 13th December <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Europe (outside of
the U.K.): Friday, 13th December<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">U.K. Standard
delivery: Friday, 20th December | U.K. Express delivery: Monday, 23rd December <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.roostliving.com/" target="_blank">shop Roost Living </a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't miss our festive Facebook give-away: more, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RoostLiving?fref=ts" target="_blank">here</a>! </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JaxQQTEJcbU/UqmhzyoETdI/AAAAAAAADDU/h56mU6CXn84/s1600/elegantladyset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-78879345895135096462013-12-03T08:00:00.000+00:002013-12-18T15:10:11.881+00:00Day 3 - We're giving away a Mixed Box of Christmas Napkins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RoostLiving" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="409" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hjL3CKF5_SA/Up5TSOXmKgI/AAAAAAAADCM/RVsRBWJiPD4/s640/1213FacebookGiveawayDay3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Day 3 of our 12 Days of Christmas and you're chance to win a box of Mixed Christmas Napkins by Thornback and Peel. Visit our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RoostLiving" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for details of how to win....</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last orders for Christmas delivery <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Australia, New
Zealand and Asia: Thursday, 5th<sup> </sup>December<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Europe (outside of
the U.K.): Friday, 13th December<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">U.K. Standard
delivery: Friday, 20th December | U.K. Express delivery: Monday, 23rd December <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.roostliving.com/" target="_blank">shop Roost Living </a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-36207521258153244332013-11-29T11:27:00.001+00:002013-11-29T11:27:20.217+00:00Flash Sale Friday!<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last working day of the week is always a treat, but we’ve just the thing to make your weekend start (not to mention, Christmas shopping) with a warmer, fuzzier feeling: 30% off until Sunday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We’ve also updated our gift collection just in time for this treat; you’ll now find hand-picked edits for <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/christmas/gifts-or-crafters" target="_blank">crafters</a>, <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/christmas/gifts-for-foodies" target="_blank">foodies</a>, and <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/christmas/gifts-for-animal-lovers" target="_blank">animal </a>or <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/christmas/gifts-for-art-lovers" target="_blank">art lovers</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before you hop over to our <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/" target="_blank">website</a> to take a look, we’ve one last thing to share... if you place an order with us over the next few days, we’ll pop a complimentary copy of our Christmas Recipe book in with your items – ’tis it is the season of good cheer after all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a great weekend. </span></div>
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Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-13287932363567120622013-11-21T13:00:00.000+00:002013-11-21T13:03:13.098+00:00From today: 15% off and free delivery! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week we're embracing the festive spirit and offering you 15% off, starting today. What better an excuse than to do a spot of early Christmas shopping? We'll also wrap and post your parcels for free, so long as you order before midnight on Sunday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's to the best Christmas yet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy shopping! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/christmas/gifts-for-her" target="_blank">for her</a> <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/christmas/gifts-for-him" target="_blank">for him</a> </span><a href="http://www.roostliving.com/christmas/gifts-for-kids" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">for kids</a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5TuBulC7B9c/Uo4C466KbXI/AAAAAAAADBU/hMin7QLAbTg/s1600/gifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5TuBulC7B9c/Uo4C466KbXI/AAAAAAAADBU/hMin7QLAbTg/s640/gifts.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-39883492574432577852013-11-15T12:26:00.000+00:002013-11-15T13:29:42.049+00:00Meet the Maker - Sian Zeng<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ttc3TRv39gU/UoI7T7DPp1I/AAAAAAAAC_Q/7zklRUzKItQ/s1600/SianZeng.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ttc3TRv39gU/UoI7T7DPp1I/AAAAAAAAC_Q/7zklRUzKItQ/s640/SianZeng.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Since
an early age, London-based Sian Zeng knew she wanted to create; with fairytales,
books, and her surrounding environment providing endless inspiration.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">It
wasn’t until after following the valuable advice of her parents - to have a
plan B - and graduating from her economics degree as well as a second degree at
London’s Central St Martins University, that she established her eponymous design
label in 2010. In the same year, Sian was awarded not her first, but a second
prestigious accolade; Elle Decoration’s Young Talent of the Year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Impressed
by her innate creativity - not to mention her charming narrative-telling
designs - we leapt at the opportunity to chat with Sian; read on to find out a
little about what makes her tick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">When and why did you decide
to be a designer?</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Design and art was something I was always interested in, but it
wasn’t popular with my Chinese parents, so I had to study an economics degree
first before I went to Central Saint Martins to study a one year foundation
course, which then lead me to a three year BA textile design course. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
<b>What are you main creative influences?</b></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I draw a lot of inspiration from stories, be it ancient or
something that I’ve experienced myself. I love stories that are funny or
a bit odd. I translate those ideas into products so that other people can also
experience the stories through my products. With my <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/roost-living-magnetic-board?filter_name=Magnetic%20woodland" target="_blank">Magnetic Woodlands</a>
wallpaper I wanted to create a product that allowed users to tell their own
tales using the magnetic characters, buildings, and dry-wipe speech bubbles.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
<b>Who is your favourite designer? Which aspect of their work do you most
admire?</b></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I don’t really have a favourite designer, but I have a huge
admiration for fashion photographer Tim Walker. His photos always tell an epic
tale and are staged so beautifully. Even though many of his themes come from
well known fairytales, he has managed to twist them and present them in a
poetic and quirky way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Which aspect of your work gives you the most pleasure?</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I love coming up with new design concepts in my head and sketching
them out on paper. The more unusual it is the more excited I become so I then
quickly start my research for materials and viability of the new product. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Where are you most creative?</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">When I am travelling on a train with nothing to do other than to
think.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OcuMiJaaiE/UoI76Sw0EpI/AAAAAAAAC_c/duzq-fvzaqQ/s1600/SianZengstudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OcuMiJaaiE/UoI76Sw0EpI/AAAAAAAAC_c/duzq-fvzaqQ/s640/SianZengstudio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OcuMiJaaiE/UoI76Sw0EpI/AAAAAAAAC_c/duzq-fvzaqQ/s1600/SianZengstudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OcuMiJaaiE/UoI76Sw0EpI/AAAAAAAAC_c/duzq-fvzaqQ/s1600/SianZengstudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OcuMiJaaiE/UoI76Sw0EpI/AAAAAAAAC_c/duzq-fvzaqQ/s1600/SianZengstudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">How do you describe your
style?</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The products I design often appear as though they’ve come out of a
story book. I would describe them as fun, magical and poetic.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What are you currently working on?</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">A wallpaper design for a jewellery franchise.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">When you first started out, what was the best advice you
received?</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">To take really good pictures of my work.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What advice do you have for other designers starting out?</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I value great design very highly. However, I think that for a
designer to become successful it is also extremely important that they market
themselves well and calculate their pricing model correctly.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">How do you achieve a work/life balance?</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I plan my days out so that when I go to work I try to be as
efficient as I can. If I don’t absolutely have to, I don’t work on
weekends and after 6pm on weekdays.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What are your other passions?</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I enjoy finding out about new apps and other tech gadgets. I also
watch TED talks and dance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What’s your favourite food?</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Pickles.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">And your greatest weakness?</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I have a really bad sense of direction. I often feel embarrassed
when I come out of the bathroom in a restaurant to try to find my table. I
usually pretend to be merely checking out the rest of the restaurant.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Trousers or skirts?</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Skirts with leggings.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">We are very happy to have a few of Sian Zeng's products online. Click here to see her <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/roost-living-childrens-decor/hedgehog-cushion" target="_blank">Hedgehog cushion</a>, <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/roost-living-childrens-decor/bears" target="_blank">Bears</a> and <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Roost-Living-Handmade-gifts/crochet-kits/BEAR-KIT" target="_blank">Bear Kits</a>, <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/roost-living-childrens-decor/woodland-bedding-set" target="_blank">Woodland Bedding Set</a>, <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/roost-living-childrens-decor/roost-living-magnetic-board" target="_blank">Magnetic Notice board</a> and <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/roost-living-childrens-decor/roost-living-giant-scissor-cushion" target="_blank">Giant Scissor Cushion</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.roostliving.com/roost-living-childrens-decor" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ia8VVqJVm4s/UoI9ociZxRI/AAAAAAAAC_k/KB6mXGP-kV8/s640/SianZengwork.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-32313434533688141472013-11-11T20:27:00.002+00:002013-11-11T20:27:49.128+00:00Autumnal Table Toppers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.roostliving.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="542" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s3tQLMMQ3CU/UoE9rKOHHMI/AAAAAAAAC_A/gEvfGq70Ork/s640/AutumnTableDecoration.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nothing
brings a tabletop alive quite like a fragrant bouquet – it’s an indulgence we
love year round. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Autumn’s posies hold something altogether different though; the
addition of vibrantly hued berries and sweet-smelling herbs makes for a richly
varied and impactful bunch. Try adding a few sprigs of Hypericum Berry Flowers (those little red ones) or Lavender to yours, and pop your bouquets into vessels like our <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Kitchen/Vases/elegant-lady-vase" target="_blank">Elegant Lady Vase</a> or <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Kitchen/Roost-Living-Tableware/hand-blown-glass-tumbler" target="_blank">glass tumblers </a>for a modern finish.</span><br />
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Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-11836580444031028862013-10-28T17:07:00.002+00:002013-10-28T17:13:56.165+00:00Easy, fun Halloween décor <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are Roost, we think you're never too old to indulge in the spooky celebrations of Halloween - and you'd be surprised what you can do with bits and pieces you might find at home or in the garden.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We plan on re-creating the D.I.Y idea we found at </span><a href="http://www.shelterness.com/20-cool-table-display-ideas/pictures/12334/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">shelterness</a>; <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">beautiful pumpkin window display that's super-simple to make</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. We'll also be adorning our outdoor nooks with </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">elegant hand-written white pumpkins inspired by <a href="http://lilluna.com/halloween-decor-ideas/" target="_blank">Lil' Luna's</a> trick or treat one (no carving involved, hooray!). If you fancy trying out these super simple decorations, here's what you'll need: </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vb3JiDXzR5I/Um5y8zzgR5I/AAAAAAAAC80/eAkY5UlGWxQ/s1600/pumpkins+and+gourds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vb3JiDXzR5I/Um5y8zzgR5I/AAAAAAAAC80/eAkY5UlGWxQ/s320/pumpkins+and+gourds.jpg" width="256" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>For Shelterness' pumpkin display:</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Pumpkins and gourds of various sizes and colours. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Dry fallen leaves (as many as you wish). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Tea lights.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Hanging basket (if you want to incorporate it). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Place the whole pumpkins on a ledge or windowsill and scatter them with leaves (you might want to use glue to fix them). Weave leaves into your hanging basket and top with tea light-filled mini pumpkins. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6KpzQzktKB8/Um5zfQHQl7I/AAAAAAAAC9M/tO0ZPsn3V_8/s1600/white+pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6KpzQzktKB8/Um5zfQHQl7I/AAAAAAAAC9M/tO0ZPsn3V_8/s320/white+pumpkin.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>For a Lil' Luna's pumpkin: </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Permanent marker.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Acrylic paint.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Paint brush.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. A steady hand! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All you need to do is use the marker to roughly write out your message, then go over it with acrylic paint. Let it dry, then pop your pumpkin wherever you like.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>To make <a href="http://www.mommygaga.com/2013/10/diy-halloween-crafts-mummy-candles-mason-jar-decor.html" target="_blank">Mommy Gaga's Mason Jar Mummies</a>: </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Mason jars (as many as you want). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Googly eyes (from any good haberdashery).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Bandages (from your local pharmacy).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. More tea lights. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yBZ3Aih-69Y/Um6W9UYinoI/AAAAAAAAC90/B3Fp-Pe-1r8/s1600/ghoest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yBZ3Aih-69Y/Um6W9UYinoI/AAAAAAAAC90/B3Fp-Pe-1r8/s320/ghoest.jpg" width="253" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Glue.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ir_Hl-U_9lk/Um5zMIU57fI/AAAAAAAAC88/mRt2zv1QI_g/s1600/trick+treat+black+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ir_Hl-U_9lk/Um5zMIU57fI/AAAAAAAAC88/mRt2zv1QI_g/s320/trick+treat+black+bag.jpg" width="212" /></a><br />
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For goody bags (designed by blogger <a href="http://www.almostmakesperfect.com/2013/10/21/diy-trick-or-treat-bags-with-free-printable/" target="_blank">Almost Make's Perfect</a>):</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Cellophane bags (available at good craft shops or eBay).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Stapler.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Printer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Stiff card (print/colour of your choice).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Sweets!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cut and fold the card to fit each cellophane bag, then fold over these <a href="http://www.almostmakesperfect.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/trick-or-treat-bags-printable.png" target="_blank">downloadable 'trick or treat' headers </a>and s</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">taple to secure. </span><br />
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Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-88950286194522721752013-10-14T13:00:00.000+01:002013-10-17T10:14:02.001+01:00Designers we love around the globe: Australia<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 17.6pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #444444; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This
week it’s designers from down under that are captivating us here at Roost Living,
with a bit of an unintentional print theme – we're sure you'll love them, too.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><a href="http://everinghamandwatson.com/" target="_blank">Everingham & Watson</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">Brisbane based design duo Susie Everingham and Liz Watson create Australiana inspired homeware, injected with fun and colour. We love their bold shapes and colour and this very prawntastic prawn</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;">And of course we are not biased, even if we do know them from our high school days..</span><br />
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<a href="http://everinghamandwatson.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RZCXy3x-T4s/UlaCu6cfMxI/AAAAAAAAC4o/48EC8ZFpFtc/s640/EW-Sliders_Jul13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://everinghamandwatson.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k06uf6oO0KI/UlaCvE-f1lI/AAAAAAAAC4s/7Qzk-3lOIrE/s640/WIP-Kangaroo-needle-point.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ink and Spindle</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Melbourne-based Lara Cameron and Tegan Rose</span> are the
creative forces behind interiors label Ink & Spindle. Together, Lara and
Tegan screenprint all of their textiles by hand, using ethical and sustainable
processes wherever possible. It’s their prints that really set them apart and
we’re coveting each and every one. If we simply had to choose, it’d be ‘blockprint’
which adorns their cushions, and ‘wrens’; a lovely inky blue pattern upon
neutral cotton that you can use for all manner of furnishing projects.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 17.6pt; text-align: left;">Bonnie & Neil</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Also
in Melbourne, Bonnie Ashley and Neil Downie describe themselves as “compulsive
hoarders”, clinging onto scraps of vintage fabric and pieces of timber that
often serve as inspiration. The design duo, similarly to Lara and Tegan of Ink
& Spindle, hand-print their expressive shapes upon bedding and tea towels
to beautiful effect. We love the organic feel to their use of paint, and their
choice of equally natural materials such as linen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-65055196831395304962013-10-10T11:09:00.002+01:002013-10-10T12:28:38.321+01:00Designers we love around the globe: France<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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While we love nothing more than to support art that's made right here in the U.K. - British <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Designers" target="_blank">designers we stock</a> include Richard Brendon, Thornback & Peel and Rory Dobner - we're also romanced by several other craftsmen around the world.<br />
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We begin in France, where our hearts are captured by three very different designers. The first, is <a href="http://www.lacerisesurlegateau.fr/" target="_blank">La Cerise Sur Le Gâteau</a>. Their humourous prints ooze grown-up girlish charm and opt for a signature colour palette of chic pastels.<br />
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We're also swooning over <a href="http://www.challieres.com/" target="_blank">Mathieu Challiéres</a> whose sculptural lighting takes shape in surrealist forms, including our favourite; wire birdcages, complete with vividly-hued feathered friends.<br />
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Lastly, it's <a href="http://shop.zoedelascases.com/" target="_blank">Zoé De Las Cases's</a> vintage-like portrait prints and pop art-inspired stationery that we're coveting - she also crafts charming <a href="http://shop.zoedelascases.com/category.php?id_category=4" target="_blank">toy sets</a> - choose from a mini garage, kitchen, sweet or grocer's shop, fold and tuck them together and pop up on the wall - adorable.<br />
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Whom are your favourite French designers?<br />
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<a href="http://www.lacerisesurlegateau.fr/" target="_blank"><i><u>La Cerise Sur Le Gâ</u><u>teau </u></i></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.challieres.com/index.html" target="_blank"> </a><a href="http://www.challieres.com/index.html" target="_blank"><i><u>Mathieu Challiéres</u></i></a></div>
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<a href="http://shop.zoedelascases.com/" target="_blank"><u><i>Zo</i><i>é De Las Cases </i></u></a></div>
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<br />Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-27525157529347294332013-09-27T12:04:00.003+01:002013-10-01T10:40:27.352+01:00New Season, New Collection As we wave summer a fond farewell, it's time to embrace all that autumn brings with it - long countryside walks, crisp leaves underfoot, and evenings curled up by the fire.<br />
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What that also means is that now is the time our thoughts turn to our interiors - weather-proofing, if you like - with extra throws on the sofa, cosy cushions for that extra bit of comfort, and lots of handy storage that keeps everything nice and neat when not in use.<br />
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We've popped a few of our newest warmers below - we hope you love them just as much as us.<br />
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<b>layer up </b></div>
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...with a few of our favourite <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/roost-living-new-arrivals" target="_blank">new arrivals </a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jCpMpz5rep0/Ujx8skJWqCI/AAAAAAAAC2M/YtGwi4opJ-8/s1600/BlanketsandHotDogLOW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jCpMpz5rep0/Ujx8skJWqCI/AAAAAAAAC2M/YtGwi4opJ-8/s640/BlanketsandHotDogLOW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>cosy factor</b></div>
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new <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Roost-Living-Home-Accessories/Roost-Living-Cushions-and-Throws" target="_blank">cushions </a>for extra warmth </div>
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<b>throw and go </b></div>
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Eleanor Pritchard's 525 Line <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/roost-living-new-arrivals/line-wool-blanket" target="_blank">Blanket</a> is as heart-warming as a hug</div>
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<br />Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-52306328090114276262013-09-13T09:00:00.001+01:002013-10-01T10:42:16.346+01:00From tomorrow: The London Design Festival<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As of tomorrow, London will become a super-sized hub for British creatives as the first day of <a href="http://www.londondesignfestival.com/" target="_blank">The London Design Festival 2013</a> gets underway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's going to be quite a spectacle too; "drawing in the country’s greatest thinkers, practitioners, retailers and educators to deliver an unmissable celebration of design", as LDF describes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blurb aside, it’s definitely not just about the designers; the festival brings all walks of life together, from art fans to buyers, tourists to children. Essentially it’s one big wonderful community of folks whom love to explore.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Naturally, we ourselves are huge fans of design; championing home-grown talent including artists such as <a href="http://roostliving.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/caslon-co-traditional-tools.html" target="_blank">Caslon & Co</a>, <a href="http://roostliving.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/meet-fanny-shorter.html" target="_blank">Fanny Shorter</a>, and <a href="http://roostliving.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/reflecting-upon-richard.html" target="_blank">Richard Brendon</a>. Over the coming months we've plenty of exciting new pieces arriving from a variety of British designers, some of which you can see a sneak peek of below.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the meantime, we’re jotting down the must-sees of The London Design Festival. On our agenda so far? The "Endless Stair" at the Tate Modern, re-visiting the Victoria & Albert Museum (a key venue for the festival), and taking in the <a href="http://www.londondesignfestival.com/news/if-shoes-could-talk" target="_blank">"If Shoes Could Talk" </a>exhibition - just for fun. What are your plans?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>"Endless Stair" at the Tate Modern</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Coming soon to <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/" target="_blank">Roost Living </a></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gTk0Ow9BEBk/UjDbu-JxCuI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/Tun5z4g0fUg/s1600/WoodlandBeddingandHedgehogCushionLOW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gTk0Ow9BEBk/UjDbu-JxCuI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/Tun5z4g0fUg/s640/WoodlandBeddingandHedgehogCushionLOW.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<br />Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-28368155571231240912013-09-11T13:18:00.000+01:002013-10-01T10:40:56.731+01:00Desk-friendly plants <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you’re anything like us, African Violets, Orchids or
Peace Lilies keel-over in your work space in no-time. We’re officially terrible
at keeping plants.</div>
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Still, we love having a little bit of the outside, in, so we’re
thrilled to have found three indoor beauties that thrive upon desks nearly almost all by
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<b>Aloe</b></div>
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While we’re all pretty familiar with the ‘Vera’ species, there are many other varieties in this plant’s family. This one, the Aloe Polyphylla (or Spiral Aloe), is drought tolerant so no need to worry should you forget to give it a drink every now-and-then.</div>
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<b>Snake Plant</b></div>
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Named after its vertical-shooting leaves, this yellow-edged shrub will continue to flourish again and again - no matter how often it's neglected.</div>
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<b>Chinese Evergreen</b></div>
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Jewellery designer Winifred Gundeck, whose home is featured on the <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2012/07/sneak-peek-winifred-gundeck.html" target="_blank">Design Sponge </a>blog, shows a shining example of why we should opt for this perennial plant. Not only does it blossom year-round, it makes quite the focal point, too.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K11DUnF8HG4/UeAJCtWqsYI/AAAAAAAAC0g/RiQxjGRYgLo/s1600/winifred+Gundeck+design+sponge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K11DUnF8HG4/UeAJCtWqsYI/AAAAAAAAC0g/RiQxjGRYgLo/s640/winifred+Gundeck+design+sponge.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<br />Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-16460269285518259772013-07-08T10:57:00.001+01:002013-10-01T10:41:08.586+01:00Shoes, just not quite as we know them<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Every woman loves shoes, but for art and antiques dealer Susan Gaston, they're quite literally an obsession.</div>
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It's little surprise really as three generations of Susan's family have worked in the shoe trade - it was only a matter of time before she caught the bug, too. Susan and her husband Jimmy are the creative force behind <a href="http://whitedoveandwonder.co.uk/index.html" target="_blank">White Dove & Wonder</a>. Together, they reclaim the wooden shoe lasts that are used to make shoes; and transform them into all manner of objets d'art. </div>
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From clocks to candle holders, <a href="http://whitedoveandwonder.co.uk/products.html" target="_blank">loo roll holders</a> (yes, really!) to coffee tables, the "What shall we do with these?" conundrum that Susan and Jimmy once faced has long been forgotten - only to be replaced with a whole host of striking, one-of-a-kind home accents. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hA1-dTcrarQ/Uc8DfnjGwOI/AAAAAAAACy4/XgGkm4uD7C4/s500/VintageBookEndsWEB-500x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hA1-dTcrarQ/Uc8DfnjGwOI/AAAAAAAACy4/XgGkm4uD7C4/s640/VintageBookEndsWEB-500x500.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Roost-Living-Home-Accessories/vintage-bookends/vintage-shoe-last-bookends" target="_blank">Vintage Shoe Last Bookends</a> - now available at Roost.</div>
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<br />Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-44017232803490092922013-06-21T14:06:00.000+01:002013-06-21T14:06:13.484+01:00Our summer sale picks If you've not spotted already, our summer sale has just started (hop on over to <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/index.php?route=common/home" target="_blank">Roost Living</a> to shop it now).<br />
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You'll find all sorts of goodies at up to 50% off such as WOOP Studios' <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Roost-living-woop-studios" target="_blank">bold wall prints </a>and plenty of ideas <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/children-all-products" target="_blank">for the kids</a>.<br />
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For now, here are a few of our favourite sale pieces... some of which we don't have that many of - so don't delay! <br />
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<i><b>Sparrow & Co's 'Campfire Candle'</b></i></div>
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Add a pretty <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Summer-Sale/JUST-A-FEW/beetle-gift-tag" target="_blank">beetle tag</a> for the perfect gift. </div>
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<a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Summer-Sale/JUST-A-FEW/CampfireCandle" target="_blank">Candle</a> was £15, now £7.50. <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Summer-Sale/JUST-A-FEW/beetle-gift-tag" target="_blank">Gift tags</a> (set of six) were £6, now £3</div>
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<i><b> Thornback & Peel's '<a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Summer-Sale/50-percent-off/ArtichokeApron" target="_blank">Artichoke Apron</a>'</b></i></div>
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Was £22.50, now £11</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwoQ5_DyLpU/UcRHp7eqsqI/AAAAAAAACyc/MUFpM22gvyM/s1600/artichokeapronCUTWEB2-500x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwoQ5_DyLpU/UcRHp7eqsqI/AAAAAAAACyc/MUFpM22gvyM/s320/artichokeapronCUTWEB2-500x500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b>Nadia Sparham's '<a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Summer-Sale/50-percent-off/roost-living-banimal-cushion" target="_blank">Banimal' Cushion</a></b></i></div>
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Was £62, now £31</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j7gtoZJiTjs/UcRHxQCEeZI/AAAAAAAACyk/HeRMCiUZOts/s1600/BanimalCushionWEB-500x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j7gtoZJiTjs/UcRHxQCEeZI/AAAAAAAACyk/HeRMCiUZOts/s320/BanimalCushionWEB-500x500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-79493944556832166652013-06-04T09:32:00.003+01:002013-06-04T09:32:50.518+01:00The perfect wedding gift As sure as summer arrives so too does wedding season and whether you're part of the family or a cherished friend, a gift, though rarely expected, is the perfect way to show your congrats to the newlyweds.<br />
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But what to pick? Should there be no pre-chosen gift list to help you decide, here are a few favourite ideas of ours.</div>
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<a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Roost-Living-Art-and-Sculptures/roost-living-art-sculpture/MsChattanooga" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9jsnCaL4moc/UYj-m_ly_uI/AAAAAAAACqo/WI9ZlW6TzM8/s400/MissChattoungaHIGH.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Roost-Living-Art-and-Sculptures/roost-living-art-sculpture/MsChattanooga" target="_blank"><b>The grand gesture</b></a></div>
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Ms Chattanooga is a true statement piece; both as a gift and and once primely placed in the just-married couple's home.<br />
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<a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Kitchen/Tea-towels-aprons" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i9bUHkrSEvg/UYj--2-TjrI/AAAAAAAACqw/bHlqMOPi-Kk/s400/ArtichokeApronHIGH.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Kitchen/Tea-towels-aprons" target="_blank"><b>Of culinary sorts</b></a></div>
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Tea Towels and aprons with delicious veg illustrated upon them are sure to inspire creativity in the kitchen.</div>
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<a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Kitchen/Roost-Living-Tableware" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_WSgBeDqBfc/Ua2kfmktdAI/AAAAAAAACvo/AaEPNhPpPh8/s400/GoldenwareHIGH.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Kitchen/Roost-Living-Tableware" target="_blank"><b>For fine dining</b></a></div>
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Pretty porcelain to serve up a hearty feast for two.<br />
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<a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Roost-Living-Art-and-Sculptures/roost-living-art-prints" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yq51g_5L_BE/Ua2kPTAZbyI/AAAAAAAACvg/b9abWVy-vjE/s400/_MG_0491.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Roost-Living-Art-and-Sculptures/roost-living-art-prints" target="_blank"><b>Purely decorative</b> </a></div>
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Vintage-like prints that bring a touch of the outside in.<br />
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<a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Roost-Living-Handmade-gifts/gift-tags-and-notecards" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJt099oouLw/Ua2kGbu6rdI/AAAAAAAACvY/Qx0q2_7k6wU/s400/BeetleTagsHIGH.jpg" width="377" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.roostliving.com/Roost-Living-Handmade-gifts/gift-tags-and-notecards" target="_blank"><b>Final touches</b> </a></div>
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Write a personal message upon charming note cards and gift tags.</div>
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Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-34251836494874803782013-05-24T14:36:00.000+01:002013-05-24T14:36:37.753+01:00This weekend: 30% off at Roost Living <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh, the British Bank Holiday weekend - so often three days of dreary wet weather. Not this one though! London is forecast to have a sunny Saturday and temperatures are predicted to stay in the upper teens until Monday. Could summer have finally arrived? </div>
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To add to this jolly news, we're offering you <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/index.php?route=common/home" target="_blank">30% off the Roost Living collection</a> this long weekend. Whether you're looking for something to update your dinner table or perhaps something for the kids' room, once you've finished shopping, simply enter the code <b>FLASHMAY</b> at checkout and we'll apply the discount for you. </div>
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Here's to a lovely break; we hope you have a fantastic one. </div>
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<br />Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5337077902076024817.post-74171426223665690992013-05-20T12:24:00.001+01:002013-05-20T12:24:15.800+01:00Caslon & Co: traditional tools, contemporary prints <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Passionate about pattern</b> is by far the most<i> </i>apt way to describe the homeware label Caslon & Co.</div>
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Founder Andy Rouse lovingly hand-crafts original prints in his Birmingham studio using antique letterpress blocks known as ‘ornaments’ and ‘fleurons’- once used
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After Andy has perfected his motifs, a highly-skilled team of UK-based craftsmen and women transform them into statement soft furnishings and homeware, such as the <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/caslon-and-co/vintage-corner-piece-cushion" target="_blank">Vintage Corner Piece Cushion</a> - our much-loved latest arrival here at <a href="http://www.roostliving.com/index.php?route=common/home" target="_blank">Roost Living</a>.<br />
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Designer Andy Rouse formed Caslon&Co after acquiring a retired printers press at the beginning of 2012, and their vintage inspired patterns are created using antique wooden printing blocks known as ornaments and fleurons. Printers traditionally used the beautiful little blocks to add decorative flare to books and posters, you will have seen them in use on vintage circus posters, before they fell out of fashion and became a thing of the past, which is a bit of a shame if you ask us! Caslon & Co have put their collection to good use (and they’ve got quite a collection) creating patterns for use in the home, and in turn giving a forgotten art a new lease of life.<br />
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<br />Andy explains his approach: ‘I work in our studio using traditional relief printing techniques, working in black and white at first, so that I can focus on creating repeating or tessellating patterns from the printing blocks, I only adding colour when I am happy with the pattern. Depending on how many of the blocks we have, I either work on the press, creating a small repeating pattern or printing a single block a number of times before developing a pattern. Some of the blocks can surprise you when you work with them, they can create patterns that you didn’t expect. I think that’s why I love working in the studio, plus I always feel like it’s a day well spent when I return home with printing ink on your hands!<br /><br />‘Once I’m happy with the patterns I will transfer them to a silk screen so that I can expand them and start to experiment with colours. We’ve developed a colourful but soft monochrome approach for Caslon & Co, the colours a very fresh and although our patterns have a vintage quality the colours bring a very contemporary feel.’<br /><br />‘I like to select a fabric that adds to the vintage quality, the natural cotton we use for our cushions has a character of its own, it's a lovely textured fabric with visible flecks of fibre.’<br /><br />The resulting patterns bring character and charm to the home through a collection of cushions featuring their vintage inspired patterns and fresh, contemporary colour palette.</div>
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Creating Roost Livinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00074185709838774596noreply@blogger.com0