Saturday 31 January 2009

Chair On Cushion

A while ago I blogged about how it was clear other people love chairs just as much as me because they put them on everything from tea towels to clocks. 

I also said if anyone would like to design a dress with Eames chairs on for me that would be very cool and make my day...

...well, it would seem no one has got there with the dress just yet but they have with a cushion. 

Brilliant designer Snowden Flood has put one of my favourite chairs on a cushion. 

It features the Eames RAR chair and I would love it if Snowden would put all my favourite chairs on cushions, although considering all the chairs on ilovechairs that would be a hell of a lot of cushions...


Friday 23 January 2009

A Day At The Races

I have to be honest, I've never been that keen on horses. While I completely appreciate they're noble and beautiful beasts, I've always been a little bit scared of them. 

Get up close to one and I'm sure you know what I mean. Have you seen the size of their eyes? And those big teeth and stamping hooves. Call me a coward but it makes me a little shaky...

...I do however, like this cushion by Zedhead Designs

For one, they're not real horses (see, no flies on me) and I love their different coloured saddles as well. 

But most of all I love that it's designed by an up and coming textile designer Zoe Thompson. 

With all the big design companies and high street shops around, it's important to support solo designers. 

Zoe has got a great range of cushions as well as some stunning lampshades, so be sure to check out her website




Thursday 22 January 2009

Return To Sender

Isn't a shame no one seems to send letters anymore? 

All forms of communication seem to be social networking sites, texts and emails. Don't get me wrong, I embrace new technology, it's just that I wish something other than a bill would pop through my letter box. 

Letters are just so delicious, I have a box of letters my parents sent me when I was at university and re reading them is always a pleasure. 

So, in the absence of any interesting correspondence this morning, I decided to share this Airmail cushion with you. 

It's from a French design company Bonjour Mon Coussin (which roughly translates as Hello My Cushion) and they have a wide range of post-themed cushions. 

As well as their postal cushions, they also have ones depicting chocolates, Parisian maps and tickets and money. 

I think we'll be seeing a lot more from Bonjour My Coussin as they definitely are my favourite cushion company du jour. 

P.s Just received a card from my Mum and it brought an instant smile to my face!

Wednesday 21 January 2009

Anyone For Scrabble?

Ok, I have to admit that however sad this may sound, my boyfriend and I love to play Scrabble. 

You can keep your Pictionary and Monopoly (far too conniving for me) but give me a board, some lettered tiles and a notepad and I'm away. 

A strange pastime you might think, seeing though we're both journalists but after a hard day playing with words, there's nothing we like more than to, erm, spend an evening playing with words. 

So I was really pleased a friend of mine (check out his website here) spotted these Scrabble tile cushions. 

They're from designer Emma Smart and I love them, think off all the fun you could have if you bought the whole alphabet...

...guests over staying their welcome? Then a simple L E A V E N O W spelt out on the sofa should do the trick. 

And what could make for a more romantic message then a Scrabble L O V E? 


Monday 19 January 2009

Barking Mad

I love dogs, I used to be more of a cat person but dogs are now my number one animal. 

There's nothing like a dog's welcome; whether you haven't seen them for days or just popped out for a paper, they're always delighted to see you. 

I spent the weekend with my favourite one Frank. He is the cutest and softest Staffordshire Bull Terrier in the world (don't believe what people say about this breed by the way - dogs much like people develop personalities in accordance to how they're brought up) 

Saying goodbye to Frank is always a little bit sad, he has perfected sad, puppy dog eyes and always manages to make you feel guilty when he sees you packing your case. 

So this cushion is for him (actually he'd probably quite like it for his box) and I love it too. 

Donna Wilson creates knitted cushions and throws with simple yet really effective prints such as this dog one and a humorous BLAH print. 

Check out her website to see her full range. 



Friday 16 January 2009

Under The Sea

Much like I'm fast falling in love with Jonathan Adler's designs, I'm also totally in love with Thomas Paul and his beautiful products.

I've blogged about Thomas's cushions before when I mentioned his gorgeous Russian doll design and I love this seahorse design too. 

Seahorses, to me, are magical creatures and make great motifs for home wares but I also learnt something really sweet about them today. 

During courtship (which lasts a couple of days) they hold tails as they swim along with their chosen mate, and as everyone knows, the male seahorse is the one who gives birth. 

Something that's definitely going to get the vote amongst female cushion buyers...








Thursday 15 January 2009

Disco Fever

The great thing about blogging is you get to read other people's blogs and take inspiration from them. 

I definitely have to name check my friend Roh Roh and her blog The Beat That My Heart Skipped because if she hadn't received all her Christmas presents this year, then I wouldn't have known about Jonathan Adler and his great cushions. 

Jonathan produces a number of needlepoint cushions, now I know what you're thinking, needlepoint = grannies = fusty, pastoral scenes or even worse Home Sweet Home signs...

...not true with Jonathan's quirky designs, like this cool as retro Studio 54 ticket cushion. 

Jonathan also designs pottery, lighting, rugs and furniture (check out one of his very special chairs on Chairs Chairs Chairs really soon) 


Wednesday 14 January 2009

The Eternal Optimist

Of course the normal saying is "Life is not a bed of roses" but I love this twist by Lulu Guiness.

Known more for her stunning handbags, Lulu also designs a range of bedlinen and accessories for the home. 

I reckon with all the doom and gloom around at the moment we could all do with a little more optimism and this cushion could be the perfect way to provide it. 

I mean, looking at this cushion is bound to do your Psyche more good than one that reads "life is shit" 


Tuesday 13 January 2009

Botanic Inspiration

I might have the creative edge when it comes to writing (yes, I am blowing my own trumpet) but put a pencil or paintbrush in my hand and nothing creative happens.

Instead, little stick men emerge on the paper and not a lot else. In fact, all I'm capable of drawing is a plan of how I envisage a magazine feature looking. 

Anyway, it's for this sole reason that I really admire people who can draw. I'm not just talking artists here, but designers, architects and especially fabric designers are all high on my admiration list. 

Which is why I've always loved Clarissa Hulse's designs. She takes her inspiration from nature and transforms humble flowers, leaves and tress into botanical delights. 

There are loads of cushions to choose from (not to mention wallpaper, lampshades, bedding and more) but this Dogwood design is definitely my favourite. 



Monday 12 January 2009

Liberty Taker

There's something magical about shopping at Liberty.

From its mock-Tudor facade to having its finger permanently on the style pulse, it's unlike shopping at any other department store. 

My favourite time to shop there is just before Christmas to see the beautiful displays and the bewitching Christmas shop. 

Known best for its Art Nouveau fabrics, Liberty has created a range of cushions that embrace this style period beautifully as part of the Liberty of London collection. 

I love this yellow version although the cushion is also available in fuchsia pink and blush. 

Right, that's sorted then, taxi to Regent St...








Sunday 11 January 2009

Festival Fever

It's great to feature international companies as well as homegrown ones and I found this cushion while browsing the fabulous American site Anthropologie.

Anthropolgie stocks a great range of fashion and jewellery, and thankfully an extensive range of products for the home. 

This Festival cushion (or pillow as they call them Stateside) really caught my eye because of its bohemian (still a hippy at heart) design and beautiful use of subtle golds, greens and greys. 

While Anthropologie doesn't have any stores in the UK just yet, you can buy them on line. Or you could (and this is my cunning plan) take a trip to New York and buy one in person. 


Fabulous felt

I love felt, in fact, its probably my favourite material of all time. 

Not only is it really versatile and warm but its available in an amazing array of colours. Ok, I confess my love of felt really comes from a childhood happily playing with Fuzzy Felt...

Anyway, it seems Selina Rose also shares my love of this fantastic fabric. She's created a whole range of products using it including coasters and table mats, hanging panels and rugs. 

Selina takes the felt and creates printed or cut work products all of which are beautiful. 

I've got my eye on the Botanica rug but while I'm saving the pennies for that one, I'll settle for a couple of cushions instead. 





Saturday 10 January 2009

Power Trip

I have a enormous affection for Batttersea Power Station, not just because I see this beast and well-known London landmark every time I travel from South London into Victoria.  Seeing it always made me feel like I was home when back from college in Falmouth and most importantly because my Grandad worked there. 

That was when it was a busy site supplying power to London but since 1983, it has lay dormant while property developers decide what to do with it. 

Its also become a popular image to put onto interiors products such as this cushion by Snowden Flood which I really, really like. 

Snowden has also put other iconic landmarks on cushions including the Statue of Liberty, Tower Bridge, the London Eye and the Taj Mahal

I think my Grandad would have really liked this cushion too and been proud to see his former workplace featured alongside such recognised landmarks. I know I am. 




Friday 9 January 2009

Designer delights

Wow, two posts in one day, see I said there were loads of cushions out there to blog about. 

It's either that or I'm just looking for an excuse to use my beautiful new laptop.

And while we're on the subject of beauty, I happen to think this cushion certainly is that. 

Its by designer extraordinaire, Michelle Mason (you may know her for her exquisite cut work, felt rugs - which are also incidentally on my wish list) but she also designs, as this example shows, a number of stunning cushions. 

I think this one appeals because of  the retro pattern and also the muted tones of mustard, brown and charcoal - I've never been one for bright colours and with fabrics like this around don't see the need to start now! 




Watch the birdy

John Lewis is a national institution (and please let it be safe from the dreaded recession) 

From the hustle bustle of the Oxford St store to the calming, sophistication of Sloane Square's Peter Jones (hey, I am totally London-centric ) it has all the charm of an old fashioned department store while keeping it's finger firmly on the pulse. 

Which is why I was really please to find this cushion among the stock. It looks more like a art graduate's design, something you may find at Hidden Art and I think it's utterly charming. 

Thursday 8 January 2009

She's a model...

I love this cushion from Danish design company Ferm Living because it really ticks all my cushion criteria boxes: it's stylish, check; it's rather amusing, check and it's black and white, check (I do love a bit of monochrome)

In fact, I think I'm rather in love with all the cushions at Ferm. As well as the fashion design below, they also have a row of birds and a map of the world in this collection.

And then there are their beautiful silk cushions in beautiful teals, mustards and greys.

And best of all their available in the UK which means you don't have to take a trip to Copenhagen.

Wednesday 7 January 2009

Best of British

A PR contact I've known pretty much since I started my career emailed me yesterday to wish me "best of British".

To be honest I didn't even know people used that expression past my Grandparents age but I kinda knew what she meant. It also reminded me of some rather attractive Union Jack cushions from The London Cushion Company

This one's my favourite, it's less about patriotism and definitely more about nostalgia, it reminds me of old post-war bunting used for street parties.

There's a whole host of designs available including a some what subtler flag cushion in whites and creams.

And now I've had a mad idea (could be a bit out there but bear with me it's quite early for a post) but how about for the next Proms everyone waves these instead of a flag...

Tuesday 6 January 2009

Doing the Lambeth Walk, oi!

I've talked before about being a Londoner and a fiercely proud one at that and it's much to the amusement of my friends that I used to sing The Lambeth Walk at school instead of hymns.

I was reminded of it when I saw these cushions from brilliant interiors site Re

Inspired by Pearly Kings and Queens, these cushions are made from black velvet and just like the Cockney royalty's costumes are embellished with shell buttons.

Available in two designs: Good Luck or an anchor, I think they're a brilliant, tongue in cheek style statement.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to buy a couple for my kangaroo pouch...


Saturday 3 January 2009

All you need is love...

...well and peace, and that's exactly what you'll get (well not literally) if you use these cushions in your home.

These wordy offerings are from Rockett St George which (and I know I say this a lot) is one of my favourite places to shop for interiors.

I urge you to take a visit to the site as it's full of an array of delights that you're not going to find on the high street.

I'm resisting the urge to get all political about these cushions, after all this isn't a blog with an agenda for world peace, so all I'll say is this: I think they're lovely, I think they speak volumes and I think they'll be making an appearance on my sofa real soon.

Happy New Year!!