Bloesem

Messy Fish

Paolo let me know that she just launched her new website… it is all about soft toys (funny looking monkeys and wolfs) and paintings. Check out her website and on-line store to get you in a cuddly mood!

Kate Gibb

Browsing the Internet for work by Klaus Haapaniemi I came across this online gallery: ProductOfGod… offering high quality and affordable Limited Editions by leading contemporary illustrators and graphic artists. Beautiful work by Genevieve Gauckler, Jasper Goodall and many others. These images show the work  by Kate Gibb. Kate is a leading contemporary silk screen artists and is probably best known for her work in the field of music design for artists including the Chemical Brothers, The Magic Numbers, Suede, Simian, My Computer and Bob Marley...

Klaus Haapaniemi

Dear Sia sent me this beautiful book called Monsters by Klaus Haapaniemi from Finland. Thank you so much! Klaus hardly needs any introduction; his resume is rather impressive… garment prints for Diesel, Levis, Marimekko, Dolce & Gabbana, Cacharel and Bela’s Dead, a new brand.

Klaus Haapaniemi also worked as creative director of the Italian fashion house Bantam and publishes books…, but I just wanted to tell you about his latest collaboration with iittala, the new designs are lovely, which you can buy here...

On this blog you can read all about Klaus’ work and shows some marvelous images of his illustrations.

Dominique Kieffer

These nice fabrics called Blockprints are by Dominique Kieffer… from the 2007 collection… available here…

Sägen

I am sure you remember Sägen by Elin Sigrén and Malte Rohlin who were featured on Bloesem some time ago. They just launched a new line of jewelry, which combines porcelain with pearls. Freshwater pearls, rose quartz, semiprecious stones and porcelain. There are many designs to choose from, but if you don’t find that special piece, Elin and Malte invite you to send them your wish list and they’ll be happy to make a customized design for you. 

Even better, if you broke your favorite plate send it to Sägen and they will transform it into truly limited edition jewelry (of course you don’t have to wait until something breaks by accident…) Make sure to monitor their website as new designs are presented every week!

Paige Russell

Grace visited Surtex this year and did a broad coverage of it. One of the designers that caught my attention was Paige Russell. Her glazed stoneware series are very original. These North American Wild Life series can be used as vases (or anything holders as Paiges calls them). Other beautiful pieces are her handcrafted porcelain pendants. For store locations contact Paige.

Out of Stock Design

Via a wonderful new blog called LaissezFaire Design I found Out of Stock Design. Inspired by snowy winter mornings, these Winter Arrives Stools remind of a ladder, sled and garden stool all covered with a thick layer of snow before. They are made out of lacquered steel and upholstered foam. The Forest Stools are inspired by quiet mornings, walking through the woods, dewdrops on tree leaves…

Combining old and new worlds…the eraser is also USB stick! OutofStock is a cross-continental design collective, born out of a meeting in Stockholm, hence the name. OutofStock is a collaboration between Gabriel Tan and Wendy Chua from Singapore, Gustavo Maggio from Buenos Aires and Sebastian Alberdi from Barcelona. A truly marvelous idea!

W2

I just wanted to show you these funny Pantone mugs that I found at W2 Products. As a graphic designer I always work with Pantone colors. It’s the international reference for selecting, specifying, matching and controlling ink colors. But also for interior decorators pantone home colors are a vital tool. Here you can find an interesting overview of paint colors for 2007. My favorite colors are Indian Teal, (pantone 19-4227) and stone grey (pantone 18-0615). On the website you can find a lot of inspiration, trends and tips for coloring your home.

W2 recently launched their first ceramics range for Pantone, featuring ten beautiful mugs in this first collection. You can buy them here. I also love this ceramic Willow collection. 

The Friday Night Knitting Club

My sister Ellen is visiting from London with her two sons, we always try to meet at my parents’ house when we are in the Netherlands, a wonderful rendezvous place… she brought me a book which is an absolute must read for all knitting addicts… a book about knitting and NY… two great ingredients…The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. 

Kate tells the story about Georgia who owns a yarn store in NY and has Friday knitting soirees for her customers… conversations move from patterns and yarn to life, love and much more…women from different backgrounds sharing their love for knitting and their experiences in life… apparently Julia Roberts (a fond knitter herself) loved the book so much that she plans to star in the movie expected to be released in the near future. Kate herself is from Canada but lived on Manhattan for a long time, two places I feel very connected to…I’ll be reading the book on the plane to Kuala Lumpur (where we won’t need any knitted stuff…)… we’re leaving for real this Thursday… I am very excited and nervous at the same time… keep you posted! By the way… Georgia’s knitting store Walker & Daughter actually exists in NY…and you can join their on-line community or visit a soiree in her store on the Upper West Side…have fun and let me know how it was! Ps. Also check out Kate’s blog!

LaMaisonDeMarina

Wow, I just visited Sia’s blog and there I found this amazing furniture by Belgian designer Marina Bautier. In 2002 Marina started her own design studio LaMaisonDeMarina in her home town, Brussels. This office desk is simple but at the same time very clear and warm. I also love the use of materials. More images right here.

Another exceptional piece by Marina Bautier is this sewing desk. The structure in beech plywood, is enlivened by the colorful spools fixed on one side of the machine.  This desk would fit very well in my living room. If you visit Studio LaMaisonDeMarina’s website you will find many more beautiful designs. Would you like more information, please contact Marina Bautier herself!

Sia also wrote about the gorgeous work by Yu-i, click here… ,thanks Sia!