The Colourful World of Sisters Gulassa

I love colour and pattern and no-one does this with more flair than Sister Gulassa. They are crazy about pattern mixing and bright bold colours and their passion really shows in their unique work-style.

 

Sisters Gulassa is an international design studio. It was founded by two sisters, Lise who is based in California and Cyrille who is based in Vienna. This brand specializes in vibrant, vivacious prints and products for interior and fashion, creative direction, design development and branding. They work with many well-known clients such as; as Old Navy, The North Face, Carve Designs, Gap and Pottery Barn. Their work includes a unique line of wall runners, wall murals, floor flowers, paper products, fabric, and totes

“Both sisters design, research and create art. Their backgrounds started with art, fashion and advertising and while working together abroad in Romania, they realized their combined interests could result in a rather vibrant body of work.

They also produce stunning wall pieces in mixed media which can be purchased through Saatchi or Spoon flower.

I have posted a wonderful selection of work to brighten up your day!

 

 

 

 

 

For more information go to www.sistergulassa.com

 

Sara x

Ella Doran

January is a good time to look at updating our homes...

I love the use of art in a practical way and no one does this better than Ella Doran who specializes in the surface design of distinctive home accessories and furnishings.

Ella Doran is an award winning designer who has been running her own East-London based business since graduating from college in the early 90s. Her main focus is on creating photography-based images and patterns and she pioneered their application on functional everyday products when digital printing technologies were first developed. Ella makes seasonal collections of ready-to-buy home accessories, stationery products and gifts and works to commission for commercial, charitable and private clients. Because of her extensive experience in design, manufacturing and selling she is also a sought-after mentor, a role she has always been happy to take on. Ella is a fellow of the RSA.

Stimulated by an on-going collaboration with retailers and manufacturers, the Ella Doran product portfolio of modern home accessories has expanded to include; trays, ceramic tableware, cushions and umbrellas as well as paper products, such as diaries, greeting cards, calendars, gift wrap/bags and wallpapers.

State-of-the-art digital technologies and processes have meant a bespoke range of products has been introduced, such as; bespoke roller blinds that are scaled and cropped to a customer specification.  Ella Doran also works in collaboration with established British blinds manufacturer Eclectics.

Drawing inspiration from the world around her, at home or abroad, Ella Doran creates new designs every season for her portfolio of home accessories and furnishing. All of her designs are suffused by her passion for colour, texture and the effects of sunlight. Ella insists on using high-quality materials that enhance the meaning of her designs, which often play with cultural icons and associations.

I love the nostalgic feel of Ella’s work and her strong personal interests and love of art and photography which show in her collections.

For more information go to www.elladoran.co.uk

All the best

Sara X

Wonderful Home Accessories

Blue Bell Gray

For lovely cushions, rugs, bedding and scarves perfect for gifts for others or yourself!

Bluebellgray has quickly grown into one of Scotland’s most exciting new textile exports, leading the floral trend and being stocked worldwide in the best design boutiques and stores.

Started by Fi Douglas in 2009 a graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, Fi had a very clear vision and style in mind; her love of colour and all things floral combined with a desire to create unique painterly pieces. These vibrant, oversized water-colour blooms have become a brand signature and sit harmoniously alongside abstract pieces born from Fi’s natural painting process. Bluebellgray pieces are aimed at people looking for something unique and individual for their home, an antidote to mass production.

The design philosophy behind the brand adheres to the ‘eclectic mix’ school of thought, encouraging the designs to sit beside vintage finds and modern design alike. Living and breathing Bluebellgray, Fi’s own home is regularly featured in home magazines; her dreams of sun-drenched, floral-filled summers adorn her home in her designs.

With an emphasis on quality and integrity bluebellgray source the best materials and take pride that all our fabrics and cushions are made in the UK. Each design is painted by hand in the Glasgow studio before being printed onto natural cottons and linens using state of the art printing technology. The printing methods used enable every brushstroke and colour to be captured, enhancing the feel of the hand-painted design. The pieces have a sense of provenance and the designer behind the product, adding to the feeling of exclusivity. I just love the stunning colours and fluid prints, perfect for adding a splash of colour!

http://www.bluebellgray.com for details of stockists

All the best

Sara x

Old Favourite by Lucy Wakefield

In the run up to Christmas we are all on the hunt for unusual presents, in particular bespoke and hand-crafted gifts. A wonderful maker I have discovered is Lucy Wakefield, I am posting details about her lovely range.

Lucy Wakefield set up Old Favourite just over two years ago, but first started her obsession with colour, textiles and vintage whilst studying for a degree in fashion in the mid-1990s. Lucy then went on to work as a knitwear and fashion designer. When Lucy recently returned to live in Devon, she started to develop a range of screen printed textiles, using imagery from her collection of vintage postcards, hand drawings and wooden print blocks. Lucy's passion for interesting handmade things has formed the basis of Old Favourite. pieces include vintage paper birds, (featured in Country Living and English Home magazines) printed cushions, tea cosies, tea towels, lavender hearts and peg bags, alongside mixed media paintings and prints.

"Old Favourite is all about vintage inspired art and design, a collection of handmade and hand printed things for your home which are unique, full of character and nostalgic."

 See www.oldfavourite.co.uk for details on stockists and trade enquiries and commissions.

Happy shopping

All the best Sara x

Flowers

My Favourite Florist

I love flowers, if I was able to function before 9am I would be a florist, but alas I know my limitations and I will never be a morning person. I think floristry is so under-rated for both the skill and commitment required. Flowers can cheer up or even make a room, and there can be no greater gift than receiving beautiful flowers. Its great fun to buy flowers too.

Scarlet and Violet

In 2006 after working with flowers for 14 years Vic Brotherson opened her wonderful florists shop in 76 Chamberlayne Rd London NW10 3JJ. This has to be one of the most stunning and individual florists, I have ever seen.

Vic, who studied fine art, runs her business with her sister who is a textile designer, and you can definitely see the artistry in the colours and vibrancy of their work. What I love is the randomness and freedom. Unlike more traditional florists who follow a structured style which is fairly generic to florists in general. This is really unique, and Vic provides flowers for many celebrity clients, for their homes and weddings.  The style is textural, unstructured and painterly. Like a country garden. Seasonal flowers are used and English country flowers like; English dahlia, lily of the valley, gorgeous foliage and blossom. Unusual vases (often vintage) and jars are used which is much preferable to crystal vases.

I have included this in my book choice of the week but to tell you a bit more about her book, Vintage Flowers, I have also included some pages for you. I loved this beautiful book; it is full of eclectic ideas and stunning arrangements. Vic really is an artist using flowers rather than paint. This book is so hard to put down and is just full of inspiration for any aspiring florists or flower lovers. It is well worth reading. 

 http://scarletandviolet.com

Time Out says

This exquisite flower shop takes your breath away the moment you walk in the door. An abundance of flowers are displayed casually in old jugs, buckets, glass jars and even milk bottles. The artless containers serve in fact to draw the eye to the extraordinary artistry displayed in the bunches made up in the very personal style of the owner, Victoria Brotherson (at her happiest when arranging flowers for parties in people’s houses). Old-fashioned and traditional country garden flowers are plentiful, including nodding peonies, and tall sticks of hollyhocks and delphiniums. Highly recommended.

I have attached some lovely images of floral displays and as always I have a board in pinterest on flowers and gardens which also has some unusual flower arrangements.

Sara x