Juicy mid-century

[All images: Zoe Murphy website and blog]

I'm really loving these colourful designs by Zoe Murphy. She takes inspiration from her home town Margate, and reinvents midcentury furniture and recycles textiles. The designs are ethical and beautiful at the same time. She is a real inspiration as she only left university in 2008 and has already launched her own line!

Anyone for a cup of tea?

A few weeks ago I was swooning over pretty teacups, and a couple of days ago I found my very own set in a charity shop! I often see things I like but resist buying them, but I knew this was a treasure. I dashed back home to get a couple of strong bags, and literally ran back to the shop (and almost slipped on some snow). I don't think the two old ladies in the shop could understand why I was so pleased with a second hand tea service. But it's beautiful. I adore the bold teal/petrol blue colour against the crisp white, and the flower pattern is just perfect. It's by Johnson Bros is marked as Ironstone Snowhite and the pattern is Engadine, and it was produced in England during the mid to late '70s.

The whole set only cost £8! I bought: 6 cups, 5 saucers, 6 tea plates, 1 cake plate, tea pot, milk jug & sugar bowl! I'm might buy an extra cup and saucer on ebay to make up for the missing saucer, but I don't think I'll ever have 6 people for tea anyway. There's no sign of tea staining in any of the pieces, but the jug has some crazing on the glaze. My favourite piece is the teapot and it's now on display in my kitchen. Even my husband was impressed with my purchase, and that's saying something ;)

There was once a little brass mouse...

...who was looking for a little friend. I discovered him in a charity shop a few years ago. I'd hoped he was unique, but his brothers are scattered across Etsy. Nevermind, I still love him. I'd like to get him a vintage brass kitten to keep him company: the baby one in the third picture is my favourite.


[Cats from Etsy: Old Baltimore Vintage, The Pink Room, Olive Vintage, Old Baltimore Vintage]

Space of the week: Mid-century modern

I squealed with excitement when I saw this home on Apartment Therapy last week. I LOVE it.. especially the white walls with the pops of colour, the shapes of the furniture, the way the artwork is arranged on the walls, and all those windows. I definitely need some more colour in my home!

Isn't it fun how he's incorporated a gallery into his home?

[Images: Apartment Therapy, Home of Dan Devening, Chicago]

Etsy favourite: Yellow Goat

[Images: Yellow Goat]

This jewellery by Yellow Goat is so pretty and whimsical. The paper aeroplane earrings are my favourite, but I'd happily wear it all.

The Fun Theory

I love the idea of making ordinary things fun -- what better way to encourage people to recycle?! Perhaps this particular example would be too costly to roll out on a large scale, but I'm sure more designs could incorporate an element of fun :)

If you liked this, check out The Fun Theory for more videos and competition entries.

Japanese furniture by Ideé

[Images: Ideé online]

I was so happy when I came across the Japanese company Ideé, as these images seem to encapsulate the aesthetic I like. The simple furniture is set off beautifully against the bursts of colour. It's all so light and delicate, and I particularly like the slim sofa legs: I'm a fan of being able to see under furniture as it makes a room feel airy. I wish I had the courage to paint a wall in that bright shade of orangey yellow. Mmm it tastes just like mango sorbet...

Door obsession

1. Reconstruction of Doors, 1997, Jane and Louise Wilson

2. Double Doors, 1997, Jane and Louise Wilson

3. Marcel Duchamp's door, 1927

4, 5, 6. Powerless Structures, 2001, Elmgreen & Dragset

Some of these doors make me feel claustraphobic and others are quite intriguing -- especially Marcel Duchamp's door. I like the fact that these images provoke a reaction in me. Although these pieces are installation art, I feel they could be inspiration for a design project too. I actually think they fit in with my project about enticement as doors naturally welcome/invite you into a space. But of course, in the case of Powerless Structures by Elmgreen & Dragset they are the total opposite of what a door should be -- totally useless! I think instinctively we want to open a door as we're intrigued to see what's on the other side, and these doors fight against that curiosity. I also feel that the white doors look very clinical, which conjures up mental images of hospitals making them even less inviting.

How do these doors make you feel?

Where do snowflakes come from?

My little girl was very intrigued by the snow yesterday...



But her paws stayed warm and dry inside with me!

[I've never seen so much snow in my life! Throughout my entire childhood it snowed three or four times, but this winter it's been snowing on and off for a month - crazy!]

Honesty & Imperfection

As I get older, I find myself increasingly attracted to imperfect spaces that have truly been lived in, rather than beautifully "decorated" ones. I like things simple, and I don't like "decoration" as such. This might sound strange since I'm studying interior design. People always ask me how I've decorated my own home and when I tell them it's white they look puzzled. They ask, "But isn't interior design all about decorating?" Well decorating may be part of it, but I think it's more about creating a canvas to live in, which has the potential to evolve over time.

I find my own home slightly frustrating as it's relatively new (8 years old) and everything is a bit too perfect with it's skirting boards and carpets. I want something that's a bit rougher around the edges so I can bring out the best in it. I yearn for an old kitchen with a sturdy counter and original cupboards, rather than my flimsy immitation wood cupboards installed by the developers.

I went through a similar stage with clothes a few years ago and realised that I didn't like "fake" clothes from Topshop or H&M. Although I sometimes buy from H&M, I just don't feel like they're "real". I don't really understand exactly what I mean, but I think I crave things that have a history, or a meaning, rather than something mass produced just to make a big company some profit. I hate the fact that so many things are made not to last. Maybe this is why some people only wear vintage or handmade. I tend to buy most things from the Japanese shop Uniqlo because these clothes are the closest to feeling "real" or "honest" that I've found on the highstreet at an affordable price. In the future I must get a sewing machine and learn to make my own clothes.

At the moment I don't feel that my home reflects me, but I'm sure this is something that takes time. Maybe it's only when someone renovates or builds their own home from scratch that they feel totally satisfied. Although I love my creature comforts, all of this has got me thinking about living a simpler life. These photos of a home in Copenhagen really sum up the way I feel at the moment.

[All images: Home of Oliver Gustav, Elle Decoration January 2010]

Tripod Chairs

[Sources: Walter Papst, Arne Jacobsen, Azambourg, Wegner, Egon Eiermann, Emiliano Godoy, Egon Eiermann, Max Bill, Poul Kjærholm]

I bought a tripod side table a couple of years ago, and have always admired tripod lamps. Can you see where this is going? Well... now I'd really like a set of three-legged dining chairs. Or maybe just one side chair. I'd be quite happy with any of the chairs above :) In reality this is more of a fantasy as I can't afford to buy new chairs at the moment, but I am considering painting my Ikea chairs to introduce some colour into my home.

Where they create

[Images: Where they create]

These photos come from a series called Where they create by Paul Barbera. He travels to meet artists and designers and this is the visual documentation of their creative environments. I love the natural and subdued lighting and how each one has just a hint of colour. I particularly like the green light shining on the floor in the first space. I really feel as though I'm sneaking a peek into private spaces. I can sense real atmosphere.

Etsy Favourite: Foret Blouses

[Images: Foret]

I don't know what I love the most: the beautiful blouses or the way they're photographed against the colourful backdrops! Stunning.