Tuesday 24 March 2009

The Dog Sitter

I'm dog sitting at the moment which (not being allowed a dog of my own) is a lovely treat  and I'm grateful for the warm (ish) sunshine and dry days so we can have fun and frolics on the common. 

There seem to be a lot of dog cushions out there and I thought I'd featured most of them, what with this one from Fauna, this one courtesy of Donna Wilson and one of my personal favourites from Habitat. 

So in honour of my guest of honour, Mr Frank (a five-year-old, slightly overweight, very cute and a bit stupid Staffie) I present one of Twinkle Living's brilliant cushions. 

I love Twinkle Living almost as much as I love dogs, so expect to see a lot more from them soon...




Thursday 19 March 2009

Just A Number?

Isn't it strange what feelings bar codes evoke? I've seen a number of people with bar code tattoos and often wondered what they're trying to say? 

Are they making a statement about not just being a number or are they hoping to find out how much their arm costs at Sainsbury's

However, at their most basic, bar codes are just that. Something to tell us how much something costs. 

I love Ferm Living and their bar code cushion. It's bold, graphic and striking - all get my vote and I'll be throwing this is my shopping basket waiting for the bleep, bleep...

Wednesday 18 March 2009

Sailing Days

It's beautiful days like this that make me crave Falmouth.

Ok, so I'm a total London-phile but having spent three amazing years in this beautiful seaside town, when the sun's shining I feel Falmouth calling. 

So, what better a cushion to share than this Boats one from Cath Kidston

It reminds me of looking over the harbour seeing little fishing boats bobbing up and down on the river. 





Wednesday 11 March 2009

Good Ol' Blighty

It's a bit grim here at the moment isn't it?

Recession, interiors shops closing (I won't let you know what my prediction is for the next one - wouldn't want to jinx it for them) and the high street in decline. 

To be honest, Tooting Broadway has never been one of my favourite places in the world but even I felt a little sad driving past the boarded up M&S and Woolies the other day. 

Perhaps, it's because people love to shop online and who can blame them with great sites like Plumo

Amongst their stunning clothes and elegant jewellery nestles a small but beautiful collection of homewares. 

My pick of their new collection is this sweet British Isles cushion. It's super cute and I love the detailed stitching, plus it certainly paints a prettier picture of Blighty. 

Perhaps, Gordon Brown could hold it up at the next PM Questions, might just cheer everyone up a bit...


Tuesday 10 March 2009

Tattoo Art

Tattoos fascinate me and while I've often contemplated one but never seen it through (needles and me don't get along - in fact I once told the school nurse I would rather get TB than have my injection again) but I do have several friends that have gone under the needle. 

And it seems last weekend was a bit of a tattoo-themed one. Firstly, my boyfriend found some pictures from the 1900s of people covered in tattoos in a wonderful antiques shop in Lechlade and then I came across Emily Peacock

Emily creates her beautiful cushions from tapestry and I particularly love her tattoo designs, which include this LOVE one as well as HOPE and FAITH. 

Emily sells her cushions ready-made or in kit form. Now, I've been looking for a hobby and I'm thinking that using a tapestry needle would be far easier to stomach than facing a tattooist's one...


Sunday 1 March 2009

Face Off

It's taken a while for me to feature Piero Fornasetti's work - no apparent reason, but I was reminded of this highly talented man when browsing a new discovery Love The Rain

You can read more about Fornasetti here, and he was an extremely fascinating man.

My favourite of all his works are the images he created using a picture of opera singer Lina Cavalieri's face. 

These have been translated into prints and these thought-provoking cushions. 

I have to say, I think I would have preferred not to have known her identity and instead spend ages wondering who she was, where she lived and what she did. 

Fornasetti himself claimed not to know why he chose Lina. But then why does any artist choose a particular muse?