My background is in graphics, so as well as running chocolate creative I do work on a freelance basis for some customers. Last year I had the opportunity to work on a very nice project, a book about sewing for entrepreneur Roz Davies. She wanted to self-published her first publication. She had a very clear idea about what she wanted to achieve in terms of content and projects/ideas, but in order to make the book happen she needed to gather a small group of professionals, in this case, Roz herself was incharge of the content/drawings, Emily Ross-Joannou was the editor, Piero Pierini took the photos and myself did all the styling, design/production of the book.

I am thrilled with the final result, a gorgeous book, filled with practical and easy to follow instructions about different sewing projects, suitable for all ages. The projects run across the 12 months of the year, going from Winter/Autumn to Spring/summer themes. You can find Roz, teaching her many classes from her shop at Primrose Hill’s Chalcot Road, or at the Lake District new shop/workshop space. 

Here are some snaps of the cover and inside spreads. Styling the photos was a great fun, and designing the book a great pleasure, specially working with such a good team of professionals, which I am very grateful to for making my job easier…

We are available for work, so if you need an editor, photographer and designer, we are around!!

Photos by Piero Pierini | Images and book copyright Roz Davies | Editorial by Emily Ross-Johannou

Design and styling by Margarita Lorenzo (ME)

woonboek – a book about real interiors

 

I have been browsing this beautiful book, have you seen it? that Kate brought back from her recent trip to Antwerpen. It is written in Belgian, so not much reading going on, but I can focus on the real interiors that fill the pages. My favorite house is from Zoe, I love the easy going and vintage feel of her space, with the neutral colours as background for the so many gorgeous pieces, from cushions, chairs, mirrors, etc...Going trough the pages felt like a welcoming to the different houses/spaces that the owners have created for themselves, very lived in, with pets, plants, etc..!!!Check the nice blog here.

The book has a section dedicated to shops and DIY projects, 

such as the MIAUW soft letters (shown below).

A BOOK ABOUT BLOGGER'S HOMES AND A GORGEOUS GIRL'S ROOM

Just a quick post to let you know about this gorgeous new book by Ellie Tennant, who has written and styled it, with photographs by Rachel Whiting. You will recognised some of the blogger's names and houses being featured it the book. I love how people create such cosy and personal spaces, by being creative, and resourceful. The end result is an eclectic style that is very in tune twith my own view on interiors and home. And needles to say that I adore this room (below), by one of the bloggers behind My Friend's House blog, I love how she has used some of my wooden pink knobs to finish the stunning yellow armoire, in fact I like everything about this room.

Photos by Rachel Whiting 

DECORATE WORKSHOP BOOK UK LAUNCH

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity of going along to Decor8 author, Holly Becker's second book, Decorate Workshop launch party in London, at the amazing Anthropolie store in Regent Street. They couldn't have chosen a better venue for the launch, well, perhaps a place with more room, as we were so many...I was very pleased that they choose London to present the book and that I was around to come along. I enjoyed her first book very much so was looking forward to get my hands on her second publication, plus seeing her, and everybody else. 

The book is full of gorgeous houses, inspiration and most important, plenty of tips and advices of how to decorate your house. I like how she has structured the information by chapters and the clear and easy to follow design. I share the same aesthetics and views on decorating, my house is anything by minimalist, perhaps if I had more space, minimalist would be a choice...but my love for furniture, homewares, vintage, and having the studio here, makes the space a bit crowed and mad, but I like it this way, it is always evolving and changing.

Love how she has decorated her house in Germany, incorporating a studio and work areas.

I was very pleased to meet Holly again, she is such a nice and warm person, not only I admire her great work and determination, but how charming and interesting she is as a person. She is actually the same as in her blog, natural, clear, creative, honest and funny. The room was packed with a very nice crow, in fact some of my fav bloggers were there, so nice to see them now and again, chat about our work and life in general. I thought I wouldn't have the chance to say hello and have a little chat with her, but I did, I think I was the last person to have the book signed by her.

Holly and Will talking about the book and below we all gathered at the event.

MY DEAR FRIENDS AND TALENTED DESIGNERS 

Kate, Sian and myself met at the event to celebrate the book launch and have some us time, as we are always so busy that can't meet up as often as we wish. We were very happy to Sian bear's kits now being stoked at Anthropologie, how cool is that?? This is the best photo of the ones we took as we couldn't stop laughing, and talking...Love you girls. 

I declare Anthropologie the best dressed store in London, with and impressive selection of products and clothes, the displays are simply gorgeous and super creative, I find going in there like being in a surprise box, full of things I want to bring home with me; and I always leave feeling inspired by their vision and creativity. Below some pictures of how the store is currently looking.

 

Selina Lake Homespun Style book

Eternal Winter in London...still raining, still grey, still cold... totally feels like Winter, but hey, wait a minute it is April! and then I wonder why I need my breaks back home, in my sunny and warm little island. I keep motivating myself by buying yellow and red tulips, wearing colourful scarfs and jumpers, eating plenty of biscuits, chocolate and looking at pretty interiors filled with gorgeous textiles and homewares. 

Last week I went to the launch of Selina lake's latest book and all the sudden I found myself in a hall full of pink, red, blue, green, you name it, I felt instantly at home and very cosy. I saw some of my friends, Lynne from tea for joy, Bianca from kissher, Zeena from heartzeena and Clare from clare nicolson, they were selling their gorgeous products alongside other very talented makers/designers. 

I had the chance to browse the Homespun Style book with photography by Debi Treloar, and it looks just as you would expect by its cover, colourful, vintage, personal and with a touch of homemade that is characteristic of Selina's style. I own several books of her and always go back to them for inspiration. Here are some images of the book spreads and launch event, I did not take my camera, so photos are from different visitors and designers.

  THE EVENT  

papermash's products, I bought some tapes, note books and doilies

 Clare Nicolson's products

Heart Zeena's textiles

Photos: Zeena, Clare, Selina and  Skin & Blister

NEW book State Of Craft

I am very pleased to introduce this new book, State Of Craft published by Cicada Books. A book dedicated to craft projects written, and illustrated with cute simple graphics and friendly layout. Different designers/makers have collaborated in this book, showing some of their projects, from how to knit to how to make a bag, a brooch etc...I will keep you updated of when it will be available to purchase, possibly this October. I am happy to have been included in the book with The project below showing a transfer T-shirt. Thanks Kate and little Ella for helping me to put it together! I will post about the full project and instruction next!!

Environments the book

Beautiful book called Environments by photographer, Olga Bennett, documenting studio spaces of eleven creative people, most of them working in Melbourne and around. Love this kind of publications.

green..a random selection of her photos.

Decorate Book Launch party in London

Back in February I blogged about the Decorate Book press breakfast I had the opportunity to attend. Not only I met the authors in person and other very nice bloggers but got a signed copy by Holly Becker from Decor 8, in my hands to take home. I can not tell you enough, how much I like this book, every time I open it, I find new ideas and gorgeous photos, the quotes are very good too!! So imaging how disappointed I am, as I won't be in London for the Launch Party at Liberty on April 13th, as I am going to be back in Gran Canaria till end of April, so will miss the party, and the chance to chat to Holly, and many other great people who would be at the party.

If you wish to attend this event here are some details, or visit Holly's blog, for more info:

4-4:30 p.m. Meeting with the press. Please RSVP to: liz.somers@jacquismallpub.com with Decorate Press Event in the subject line and in the body of the email please indicate the magazine, newspaper, blog, etc.

6 p.m. I’ll be speaking in the Heritage room. Please RSVP to libertyevents@liberty.co.uk with Decorate Talk in the subject line. Only a limited number can attend so please confirm your attendance as soon as possible.

7 p.m. Reception and book signing along with a styling demonstration in the new Liberty Dining Room, please RSVP to libertyevents@liberty.co.uk with Decorate Demo/Signing in the subject line.

If you make it, let me know how was it, enjoy the book, the authors and Liberty, (one of my favorites spot in London).

Decorate the book

Decorate already my favorite interiors book!

Arianna recently asked me what 5 things I can't live without, and my answers were: my family/ boyfriend/friends/cat, the SUN, beach, chocolate and interiors magazines and books. So imaging how happy I am to have in my hands the book Decorate, from authors Holly Becker from Decor8, who I had the privilege of meeting on Tuesday at a press breakfast in the delicious Kopapa cafe in London, and Joanna Copestick. The book is a 'must', full of amazing photos, showing real homes, ideas and great quotes, I can't say much as it will be published on the 24th of March, I can only say that it has became my favorite interiors book so far, so from here I thanks to the whole decorate team, for making and extraordinary book that will help people to get more in touch with their own homes. It comes to show you don't have to be an interior designer to enjoy decorating and be able to create a personal, tasteful and enjoyable home!

My diary is filling very quick!! I love it, I can't be still, specially when it comes to my business, a lot of things are happening, although sells have been very slow, in terms of projects, new products development, wholesale accounts, and events can't complain. I am very lucky to be able to do what I love the most, and make other's people houses look and feel more beautiful! Who is going to the Birmingham Spring Fair? I am excited, never been, apparently it is the biggest in the country, and my mugs would be on dispayed, nice!