CHOCOLATE CREATIVE HOOKS AND KNOBS

Friday 31 May 2013

The wooden hooks and knobs are back in stock. We struggle to get enough stock of all the colours and designs, since they sell faster than we can make them. For first time in a while we have managed to make enough units to keep the shop stock up to date. Below are a few samples of how some very nice customers have used the products. I will be soon sending out a newsletter with a competition for the best customer's photos. I recently bought a new computer and managed to loose quite a lot of my email's data on the transfer process from the old mac to the new one, don't ask me why or how...So apologises if I have delayed the competition.
Sarah revamped the white wardrobes in her children's bedroom with 
some colourful knobs, more about Sarah at: http://lafille.co.uk/.

Minttu chose this wall hooks for her gorgeous new bathroom.

Clare Young use of the wall hooks in her newly renovated house in Australia, 
see more of house at: http://youngaudrey.blogspot.co.uk/.

Jilke customisation of the wall hooks for her nursery, see more of her work at: http://www.zoq.nl/.

Leire, in Spain, finished her new fitted wardrobes with some plain white wooden knobs.

Photos by customers

LISA LEVIS (NEE LISA STICKLEY) HOME AND NEW BRAND ADA ROSA

Wednesday 29 May 2013

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit some artists/designers houses, as part of the Dulwhich Festival, and since Lisa Levis recently moved to the area, I thought it would be great to meet her and see her new range of work and home. I have always admired her work and career progression. I remember meeting her at her RCA final year show, and since them have seen her former business grow to become a very recognisable English lifestyle brand. 
I knew her house was going to be a reflection of her work and aesthetics, and it didn't disappointed me. I Love her sense of style, a good mix of different vintage pieces and periods, nothing fancy, but simple, affordable and easy to live with. Her house is a clear example of how to create a cosy, personal and gorgeous home without spending a fortune on super expensive over priced mid century pieces (I wish I could afford them anyway), and how having an eye helps to see the potential in pieces that other people will discard straight away. That wallpaper is incredible!

I love London, for the countless places and shops where you can find cheap and still amazing pieces, a very difficult task back in Gran Canaria, where your options are Ikea, a big store, super expensive shops or super tacky horrible ones, there is not this sense or desire to look back for inspiration, most of the people's  houses I know are filled with new soulless furniture and luck that sense of uniqueness that comes when you stamp your own style.
I loved to see her new fashion range Ada Rose on displayed, and meeting her and her business colleague. Lisa is lovely and super friendly, we got chatting in her kitchen about her former business and experiences, and how the new brands came to life.

Below are a selection of my favourite bag, purse and scarf, all very grown up, pretty and sophisticated. Top quality materials and designs, check her online shop and blog, to find out more about the products, the story behind them and about Lisa, a super top designer that will keep inspiring all for a long time, a pleasure to meet you Lisa.

Photos by me and a selection from her shop, blog and sketches

UPHOLSTERY PROJECT USING THE NEW FABRICS

Tuesday 28 May 2013

Hello hello it is being a while since I last post in here, but work and personal life have kept me very busy. I am going home in a few days for 3 weeks to work and get some ME time, and have to make sure I leave the studio organised and sorted so my new intern, Stef can take care of the deliveries while I am away. I rarely ever take proper time off, and flying to Spain can be at times more stressful than relaxing, specially when I am about to launch new products and there are so much to be done.

I have been wanted to do fabric by the meter for quite sometime and I have finally managed to do so, and to try it out I thought this chair project would be the perfect beginning to test the design and the fabric. I got this two mid century chairs for about £60 on my way to Pilates as I instantly got excited about how well they will suit the new fabrics.

Upholstering the chairs is easier than you may think, it has taken me a couple of hours to make one, with the help of Stef, and all you need is a good piece of  furniture, some nice fabrics, and a few other things, (as seen in the photos).

I am hoping to use the new chairs in the next photo-shoot, happening this week, pls wish me luck as I am not feeling very inspired right now, maybe it is about time I ask for help on the styling side of things, someone else perspective/eyes will be nice...


WILLIAM SMALLEY GEORGIAN FLAT IN BLOOMSBURY

Monday 20 May 2013

Architect William Smalley has done a great restoration job in this rented rather than owned flat in the heart of Bloomsbury. He restored the flat to its original Georgian proportions and even scrubbed the original floorboards by hand. A labor of love and a stunning result, for this so well proportioned flat, filled with the right pieces and furniture. Love the big windows, the light, and the simple interiors and colours. 

ROOM 39 NEW DESIGNS TO BE LAUNCH AT TENT LONDON

Thursday 16 May 2013

Friend and designer Petra Green, from Room 39 will be launching her new range of designs at Tent London this September. I have seen her new prints and patters already, when she was showing me her work in progress and I totally loved it. Don't miss her stand at Tent this year, it promises to be the best!

EAST DULWICH FESTIVAL – CHARLENE MULLEN HOUSE AND WORK

Wednesday 15 May 2013

Continuing with my exploring of the open houses/studios as part of the festival, my next stop was at Charlene Mullen's gorgeous house. I met Charlene Mullen back in 2008 when she first exhibited at 100% Design in London. I thought her work was super stunning and I really liked her, she is very friendly,  approachable and down to earth person. 
We live quite close to each other - for London standards - and we always said lets meet for coffee, etc...but we never seem to have the spare time to do it, so I was super pleased to finally come over to her house/studio and have a chat with her, I even got to hold her gorgeous cat, Ralph, (pictured below).  
Above, a view of her studio and selection of her cushions, that you can see spread out in her house. I am sure you recognise her work and have seen it all over the press. She is one of my favourite English designers. You can visit her house/studio next weekend too, as the Festival will be still on, more info at its website. As well as her work you can see and buy the gorgeous extra large ceramics from Daniel Reynolds and the amazing blankets from Eleanor Pritchard.  
OMG, her house is to die for, and the bespoke kitchen, hello give it to me, love the colours, 
cement and wooden floors, the 60's style house and the big windows. 
Photos by me

EAST DULWICH FESTIVAL – COLOUR MAKES PEOPLE HAPPY

Tuesday 14 May 2013

Hola, nice weekend? I am back from spending the last three days, not working much and instead socialising like crazy. It was the Dulwich Festival over the weekend, and I visited Pulse yesterday, as some of my friends are exhibiting, (I will post a little review of the show in the next few days). I talk a lot, specially if I am passionate and interested in a subject, so that is what I did, talk and more talk, eat and have fun.
I met with Kate and Lynne on Sunday to do a little exploring of the festival. We started at Simon March's (pictured above) shop, Colours makes people happy. I have known him for a long time, so it is very nice to pop around his shop now and again, to see what he is up to. Simon is such a creative person, full of ideas and skills to put them in place.
His is passionated about colour and has got a great deal of knowledge about paints. Need some advice on what colour to use or some interior advice? He will be happy to help.

Simon's kitchen is as colourful as the rest of the shop. He collects dutch ceramics, home-wares, food packaging, etc...all so cute, I always leave his shop feeling inspired, specially by colour. Next time you are South East of the river, I strongly recommend you to pay him a visit, you will find wall paint, quirky lighting, cushions, paint brushes, wall art, and a long etc...of beautiful objects.
Photos by me 

BEING INSPIRED BY...

Thursday 9 May 2013

1|2|3|4|5|6
Feeling inspired by wood, a simple colour palette, cement, plants...I am working on a new line of bags and purses, (number 5),  still in the prototype stage, using Argentinian leather for the handles, and the latest houses geometric pattern. Quite a lot going on right now, just applied for a Trade show in London, cutting 42 meters of fabrics to make up the cushions, preparing for printing the new tea towels,   and a long etc...quite enjoying the whole process, and making sure I do look after myself, by watching what I eat and following my exercise routine, I walk, do Pilates and an a exersices plan to keep me fit. I need to be healthy so I can perform well at work, be a good friend, daughter, partner etc...

MAKE & DO – FEELING CREATIVE?

Wednesday 8 May 2013

I got to know about make&do, while in Spain, at our last creative meet up, where Ana Beltra, told me about her recent product's launch and her work. We kept talking about our creative work, life etc...that is how it goes when you seem to connect with someone isn't?

You can find these ready to make kits at her shop online. They have a selection of different boxes with all the materials, you will need, to create your unique handmade project. I think it is a brilliant idea, specially if you don't have lots of time to source the different bits and bobs. The kits are perfect for a present or if fancy some hands on project yourself.

Wrapping presents, making a simple T-shirt into an unique one, decorating, etc...you can find tutorials and ideas at her website and facebook page. 

DAY OUT AT THE PETERSHAM NURSERY

Tuesday 7 May 2013

I am back from a busy week and a Bank Holiday weekend in the UK. I am at the production stage right now, taken fabrics to print, deciding on colours, designs, sizes, etc...making the prototypes of the new cushions, bags and purses, hooks etc...Thanks Silvina, for helping with the making of the leather handles and the sewing of of the bags, four eyes and hands are always better than just two...

The last three days have been quite relaxing and fun. Saw lots of friends, and got to visit new gorgeous places, like the Petersham nurseries in Richmond. What a nice place, full of plants, flowers and anything to do with gardening. It has a huge cafe that spread across the whole nurseries, nice food, (quite expensive for my pocket), delicious cakes and teas. It was a sunny lovely day in London, and I was with my designers friends, we meet now and again to talk business, support and learn from each other. I consider myself very lucky for having them, a supportive network of friends, all trying to achieve the same goals and heading to the same or similar direction.
Have you been in this place? Great  for a relaxing day out with your friends.
Photos by me