Friday, 31 January 2014

Valentine's Day

As soon as Christmas is over and your New Year's Resolutions (or rather, Personal Pledges) are well under way, Valentine's Day pops up on the horizon. 

To help you prepare for a truly love-filled day here are a few of our favourite things to give. 

For him
Anchor wash bag, designed exclusively for us by Alexandra Mann.


For her
The prettiest Angel plate, handmade by Fliff.


For the animal lover 
Hector Hare, designed by Rory Dobner and hand-finished in England.




For the secret romantic 
Roo Abrook's upcycled butterfly print will make melt even the coolest of hearts.




How will you be celebrating Valentine's Day? We love the idea of a champagne supper for two at home, or baking (perhaps Hummingbird's Red Velvet Cup Cakes?) and sharing your sweet treats with colleagues. 

Friday, 24 January 2014

Designers we love around the globe: Canada

This 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.

Keo Phila 
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'.
















Rob Southcott 
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.




Philippe Malouin
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.



Dear Human
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.


Saturday, 11 January 2014

Personal Pledges: our no-nonsense resolutions

Resolutions. They're not about making grand gestures you won't keep beyond a week, they're 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'.
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.
1. Put shoes and coats away as soon as we’re home.
2. Try new, healthy recipes (we've already made these tasty Indian veggie burgers and Yotam Ottolenghi's divine lentils with preserved lemon).

3. Walk more. We're swapping those occasional could-walk hops-on-the-bus for stretching our legs.

4. Connect with one another - without the internet! So no smart phones at supper or bed time. 

Small stuff, right? Yet so far, so good. What have you promised yourself this year? 


Friday, 3 January 2014

SALE: our favourite picks

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! 

Up to 30% off 
Blanket: Was £230 Now £161, Chopping Boards: Were £28-£40 Now £19.60-£28, Six Napkins: Were £60 Now £42

Up to 50% off  
Table Runner: Was £55 Now £27.50, Figurine: Was £180 Now £90, Tea Cup & Saucer: Was £70 Now £35

Just a few left 
Lampshade: Was £40 Now £28, Bauble: Was £18 Now £12.60, Oven Gloves: Were £28 Now £19.60