Hello everybody, so far it continues to be hot and sunny in London, so all good, considering how bad our last Summer was. I am planning to get away at some point soon, I need to be by the seaside and get a break from work and London, as much as I enjoy my job and this city, I need to recharge batteries away from the big buzz...

A few weeks ago, I went to HEAL's launch of their AW2014 designer's pieces collections. It was a sunny and lovely day, so I was not in the mood for Winter colours or fabrics, etc…but for my surprise I was presented with a fresh and natural collection of furniture pieces, which included lots of light colour wood in the form of chairs, sofas and gorgeous tables, such as the JAC side table above by Gavin Coyle, together with very interesting lighting and accessories designs. I really enjoyed the different materials, and shapes, and most important the fact that these pieces didn't fit a Winter trend as we will all expect. 

I am not into trends, or seasons, my work does't reflect trends, but my own ideas and very personal taste, whether or not they fit into an specific trend is all together a different matter, of course we all look at the same things and end up getting inspired by what is around us.

That is why I found HEAL's furniture preview very refreshing and in tune with nature and  craftsman-ship. They support somehow the work of designers, and that, I value very much, whether or not it is profitable for us, independent designers to to work alongside big stores, that I keep for myself...

Photos via HEAL'S

GRAN CANARIA FASHION & FRIENDS

On Monday I will be flying to Gran Canaria, to take part in the most exciting event happening in the island for quite sometime. It is a creative platform where people will be selling, and showing their creations alongside, professional workshops and talks. I have always wanted to contribute somehow to the design/craft/teaching scene back home, and taken part in this fair will give me a great opportunity to meet creative people, and find out more about what is going on over there as well as bringing some of the knowledge I have acquired over all this years studying and working in London. 

I will have a stand to show chocolate creative's products, as well as teach some workshops and give a talk. I must admit that I am very nervous about the perspective of talking in front of a lot of people, I rather stay behind the scene and let the others do the talk, but this time I am going out of my conform zone and embrace this unique opportunity. I hope to do it well, and inspire others to follow their dreams...

I love the campaign behind Fashion & Friends, the photos and their quotes are very inspiring and that is the whole point of this event, to inspire and motivate people to explore their creative paths. 

Above, a photo of Jose and Paco, the talented owners of the most glorious interior shop, 'Trastornados',  in Gran Canaria, and below snaps of the last year event. 

Photos by gcfashionandfriends

BLOESEM NEW WARE RANGE AND HOME

Well, it is Friday again, and I don't have a clue where my week has gone...oh yes, working, and working and painting the house, I started with the bathroom and I am now doing the corridor and rest of the house, making it pretty as my sister is coming from Germany to spend the weekend with my mum and me. I am super happy as we don't get the chance of being together very often, so YES delighted to have them with me. 

I leave you with Irene's new wear line and photos of her current house. I am sure you recognise her work. Irene runs the gorgeous Bloesem blogs and has recently launched her online shop, selling this beautiful pieces, I have highlighted my fav designs, love the simplicity and delicate colours.

I spotted her house over at the sfgirlbybay blog, where she was guest blogging and I couldn't resist to show some snaps of her space in here, beautiful eh? it has inspired me to paint the house back to white.
Nice weekend, it will be very sunny in London, off I am to continue painting and cleaning...

Photos by Marjon Hoogervorst 

SUMMER EATING – THE SPANISH WAY...

Hello sunny Monday, nice weekend? I hope it was as nice as it was for me. Last night we celebrated the beginning of Summer, according to our Spanish tradition "La noche de San Juan (Bonfires of Saint John)", with a gorgeous full moon, dancing on the beach, and making wishes.

And as Summer is upon us, the way we do things, live, dress and eat change according to the warmer weather, and longer days (hoping to get some of this on my return to London). I have been wanted to share with you all, my friends' new business in Barcelona, Mr Frank and the Butis. This new venture is a mobile food catering idea in the form of a van, that sells in a very stylist way the culinary concept of eating the traditional butifarras, a delicious Catalan Sausage, but HELLO in very new and fun way.

I met Pilar, (pictured above) many many years back at Uni, when we were studying graphic design in Barcelona. She is a top designer, and you can tell by the great image they have created for Mr Frank. I love the brand they have designed around the product. The name, the graphics, the typography, the clothing, van, packaging, etc...Not only they have looked after the product's quality, but the presentation, which is equally important. Follow them in facebook, to find out where they will be next, you can find them at music events, etc...If you are in Barcelona and are looking to add some style and fun to your event, get in touch with them, I am sure you will love it, where for me, I am hoping to get my teeth in 1 or 2 of this butifarras as soon as I am in Barcelona, hopefully this year. 

Love the sunny photos, and the style, I hope to be eating one of the butifarras very soon...

Well done Pilar and Natxi, and good luck with Mr Frank!

EAST DULWICH FESTIVAL – CHARLENE MULLEN HOUSE AND WORK

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

LITTLE LIBERTY INTERIORS

Nicole from the Australian interior's firm Little Liberty, sent me this photos of her latest projects, where she has used some of our wooden hooks. I think this products complement very well her colorful style. I really like how she uses color blocks, designers pieces, and unique wall art to create fun, modern and stylist rooms for children. More eye candy at her blog. Thanks Nicole for keep trusting chocolate creative for your interior's projects.

Photos by Little Liberty

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.

 

Cute wallpaper by Mary Kilvert

Illustrator Mary Kilvert, has designed this cute Town Houses wallpaper, inspired by old childhood toys. I love the little cat among the houses and trees, perfect for a nursery or child's bedroom, hey, wait a minute why not for myself? It would look great in my hallway.

Gorgeous wallpaper by Daniel Heath

Looking for a very special an unique wallpaper?? well I have found my pick, totally love this blue birds design, or the circus theme?, possibly for my bedroom, in fact I want it all, the paper, the lamp and the chair please!! from London based designer Daniel Heath. Check his website for ideas of how to use the wallpaper and info about his projects.

Are these textiles?

I have always been a fan of Solenne Morigeaud's work, she would be exhibiting at the Salone del Mobile 2011, so if you happen to be in Milan from the 12-17 April, don't miss her work, it will leave you inspired and wanted to see more and more...

Roses to seat on by Nika Zupanc

I keep finding new designs with an old/vintage twist, such as this chair with motifs of roses, traditionally found on tea sets and ceramics, is this a trend to stay?? What do you think of this chair by Slovenian designer Nika Zupanc? I Love it!!

Sigo encontrando diseños con un twist vintage, como es el caso de esta silla de la diseñadora Eslovaca Nika Zupanc, en la que incorpora un estampado de rosas, tradicionalmente visto en juegos de té y cerámicas tradicionales, que te parece esta tendecia? A mi me gusta mucho...

Via dezeen

Second hand plates Karen Ryan

Karen Ryan's 'Second Hand Plates' series is a good example of how we can bring new life into an old tired product by upcycling, obviously you need to have great skills and talent to come up with something as stunning as this plates!!. Her work is remarkable, now I only need some money to get one of this designs...I damage second hand old plates. I remove the decorative patterns that camouflage our everyday lies and in its place I leave words that prick our conscience and create portraits of hidden domestics left open for others to interpret.

Me acabo de enamorar de estos platos de la diseñadora Karen Ryan, son de la serie 'Second Hand Plates', me parece un buen uso de la palabra 'upcyling', como dar vida nueva a un algo viejo y convertirlo en un objeto de deseo. Ahora solo necesito dinero para comprar uno de estos!!