Sitting Pretty

It's fair to say that as much as I love cushions, I bloody well adore chairs (fairly obvious over at Chairs, Chairs, Chairs) so when I find a cushion that has chairs on it, I get, well, totally excited.

And if they feature some of my all time favourite classics, then all the better.

So ladies and gentlemen, I present Sitting Comfortably? from Mini Moderns.

Just for the record, Mini Moderns are a pretty damn fab company and if you don't believe me, head over to their website.

As well as the cushion, there's also Sitting Comfortably? wallpaper, which I also heart very much.

Although, I have to admit, I'm slightly worried about ending up a mad old woman surrounded by chairs and cushions and chair on cushions and chairs on wallpaper, but then again maybe it wouldn't be so bad...

Memories Of Summer

Venturing into the garden the other day, I noticed my lovely rose bush (almost bare during the summer) had decided to bloom in all its glory in the middle of September.

Now, I'm the first to admit I'm not in the slightest bit green fingered, in fact being summoned into the garden to help usually has me running to do the hoovering!

It's not that I don't like nature, I love it, I just don't want to, being the hardened city girl I am, get that close to it.

It's no surprise that nature has provided inspiration for designers for years, after all it surrounds us all the time.

One such designer that is constantly inspired by nature is the lovely Ella Doran. Her digital prints are far from twee but still remain a feminine touch.

I love these two, which are perfect for the memories of summer, something I need now my rose bush has wilted and readied itself for next year's blooms.

People Will Always Need Cushions Too...

Of course, there were lots of textile designers exhibiting their wares at LDF. I love being surrounded by designers, their creativity is infectious and of course getting to see stuff ahead of the rest of you, always gives us journalists a little buzz!

Doing the rounds at 100% Design, I came across Margo Selby, a wonderful textile guru known for her geometric, woven products.

New to her collection is a range of cushions that have been designed in collabaration with another of my all-time favourite design companies, People Will Always Need Plates.

Margo has taken PWANP's now iconic Trellick Tower print and used it to create two cushions. Available in Yellow and Grey and Black and White, the cushions are reversible, which means apart from being super stylish, they're super practical too.

I love them but with winter fast approaching the question is, do I go for the boots I've seen or one of these? Boots or cushion? Cushion or boots? This is definitely a dilemma, I'll let you know who wins, my sofa or my feet...

Doing Porridge

Despite my love of interiors, I am the first to admit that on the whole, hand on heart, essentially it is fluff really.

No one's ever going to win awards for writing about cushions and wars aren't going to be solved by having nice wallpaper.

So, it's always refreshing to see that interiors CAN make something of a difference.

While researching a trend page recently, I was told about an initiative called Fine Cell Work, they're a social enterprise who teach prisoners how to create needlepoint cushions and then sell their wares on for them.

Prison has always, as I'm sure it does most people, terrified me. Thankfully, I've never been inside one (unless you discount the time I went to a Jet gig at Pentonville Prison Officer's Club) so can only imagine how grim they are.

There certainly are some interesting facts on Fine Cell Work: 80% of the cushion makers are men (kinda dispels the view you probably most have on prisoners doesn't it? I know it did mine) and that all the teachers are volunteers.

So, of course I was impressed but are the designs any good? Well, yes actually they are.

Naturally, I love the Battersea Power Station one given my strange love affair with this building but what I really loved was the tongue-in-cheek tally countdown, presumably to release date.

This sort of initiative really deserves our support and Fine Cell Work are always looking for volunteers, so if you're handy with a needle (I'm not!) get in touch.

Right, sermon over, promise and back to more fluff and frivolity soon...

A Traveller's Cushion

Being a Londoner (born, bred and extremely proud) it never ceases to amaze me just how lost I can get in the capital.

I've been known to wander up and down the same street several times looking for number 21 only to find it's not on the odd side of the street but of course next to number 20, only across the road, round the corner and in fact on a totally different street.

A work experience girl who I worked with some years ago could testify to this, poor love was dragged up and down a road in Bloomsbury while I desperately tried to find the AW M&S show, getting more and more agitated with every step.

So, it's no wonder you often see tourists looking totally perplexed as they try and find museums, theatres and parks.

The Tube can be equally confusing, so I think this cushion from Rockett St George is a must for visitors and native-Londoners alike.

Ok, so it's not as practical as a carefully folded Tube map or even a pocket-size A-Z but it's infinitely more stylish and should you be unlucky enough to be travelling South to North on the laborious Northern line, could provide the perfect comforter to have a quick nap...

Woof!

If you regularly read my blogs, then you probably know I'm, shall we say, just the teeniest bit obsessed with dogs.

I have a theory that it comes from not having one when I was a child (my poor Mum is allergic to anything and everything with fur) but the real love affair with pooches began when I started walking my neighbour's dog Nell (RIP).

I love most dogs (apart from Yorkshire Terriers - they scare the life out of me) but one of my favourite breeds is Pugs. Now, some people think these little fellas are ugly (scandalous!) but not me, I think they're adorable and it seems Ben De Lisi agrees with me.

This cushion is without a doubt the hero product from his AW09 collection for Debenhams.

It seems I'm still no closer in getting my beloved pooch but in the meantime, this cushion will do.

Leaving On A Jet Plane...

I'll let you into a secret, I'm a little bit obsessed with aviation.

I love planes, adore flying (even the take off bit that everyone seems to hate sees me sitting with a huge grin on my face) and become like a small child in a sweet shop when visiting an airport.

It has to be said though, travelling used to be a lot more glamorous. Trips were planned (rather than just decided on a whim with a quick log on to EasyJet) and women had their hair beautifully coiffed with glamorous outfits and lipsticked smiles.

Today it seems that even celebs can't be bothered to dress up - choosing comfort over style.

Which is why I was delighted to be told about this cushion from Mini Moderns. It's from their Lost & Found collection, which turns vintage fabrics into stunning cushions.

I love vintage fabrics because they always feel like they have a story behind them. With some late night detective work, I found out that this yellow fabric started off life having something to do with the British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Perhaps it was used for stewardesses uniforms or even those little covers they used on the seat head rests.

Either way, I love it and think it would look perfect in my living room.

Seaside Dreaming

I've spent most of this weekend with my leg on a cushion.

A severe bout of blood poisoning has meant cushions have had to be practical not just stylish for me.

That doesn't mean I haven't wanted to look for gorgeous cushions of course and a friend alerted me to Fiona Howard's beautiful designs recently so I thought it was only fair to share.

It's not entirely by accident that I've chosen her lovely, whimsical Harbour design. Whenever I'm poorly or bored, my mind often wanders back to beautiful Falmouth where I spent three years studying.

And this cushion reminds me more of that beautiful, special and unique place than any other maritime-inspired one I've seen.

I haven't got sea-faring legs at the moment (I haven't even got walking-from-one-room-to-another-faring legs!) but as soon as I do, I'll be off to Falmouth to breathe in the sea air, dine on scallops and watch the boats bobbing on the river. Bliss.

How True!

The way I feel about 2009 has changed dramatically in the last few months. It's fair to say for one reason or another the start of the year was shit with a capital S.

Erring on the side of pessimism has often been a trait of mine but no longer. Don't get me wrong, I haven't suddenly become an eternal optimist (it's not by chance that journalists are some of the most cynical people around) but I'm seeing the brighter side of life - and I like what I see.

Someone told me back in January that being made redundant, would, eventually be the best thing that ever happened to me. At the time, I didn't believe it but finally 7 months on, I can say, that while it wasn't the best, it certainly hasn't been the worst.

I'm working again but this time I feel like I'm my own boss, making decisions that I never had the chance to before.

So, when I saw this cushion by Emily Peacock I thought I would adapt it as my new mantra.

Because let's be honest, it's true! It also reminded me of a quote I saw recently in a magazine " fear is temporary, regret lasts forever" I'm kinda standing by that one too.

The Tree Of Life

A while ago (mostly because we couldn't get Sky to work) we had to chop down bits of the only tree in our garden.

I knew it had to be done (after all how else was I going to watch Gossip Girl?) but as the other half balanced precariously on the ladders, wielding a saw with me muttering about him being careful and cursing Rupert Murdoch at the same time, I felt a little tear in my eye.

I love trees, new saplings, beautiful old oaks, cherry trees are my particular favourite (I never climbed them mind, much too girly for that sort of shenanigans) so it made me sad to see us butchering our only one.

Trees and nature have long been the inspiration for interiors designers, and this gorgeous Dotty cushion from 95% Danish (available at Furnish) is no different.

I love the almost naive design and gorgeous mustard shade of the leaves (it's also available in two other colours) and its going on my wish list as a must-have of the new season.

Well, buying a cushion might relieve my guilt until the real tree grows back...

Old Friends

I've made no secret that I love retro cushions and furniture. In fact, I often think that I was born in the wrong era (I made it as a 70s child by 9 months - good planning parents!) 

In fact, talking of parents, I remember a bedspread not dissimilar to this fab cushion from Hunky Dory Home knocking around when I was a toddler. 

I love the big, printed sunflowers - perfect for cheering up this dreary day (what happened to summer by the way?) and the colours just scream 1970s. 

Hunky Dory Home has some great other cushions and accessories for all over the home and if you don't believe me, well look for yourself. 

Broom, Broom

I'm a bit out of practise of travelling around London during rush hour, although this week has seen a lot of visits to town and boy had I forgot how angry people get when travelling around the city. 

I'm more than aware I used to huff and puff with the best of them, a train delayed by two minutes (horror) and over-packed train (disaster) and lo and behold someone actually attempting to get off a train before you can get on (that's almost grounds for manslaughter) but what working at home has taught me is it really doesn't need to be that way. 

So, your train's two minutes late or you might have to wait for the next, less busy one, so what? Is two minutes really going to make that much of a difference, is the country's economy really going to collapse if you're not at your desk by 9.30? No, it's not. 

So, next time you're tearing your hair out or have just been really nasty to the person behind you on the bus, maybe you should think of this cushion. 

I love its naivety (it is in fact intended for children), the colour and style. The Rush Hour cushion from 95 % Danish is the perfect antidote to rushing around like loons, making out we're the only ones who have to get to work and generally making rush hour a totally vile experience. 

Of course, once I go back to work in an office, I'm sure I'll be huffing and puffing along with the rest of you, but if you see me get red and wound up remind me of this cushion and I reckon I'll calm down...

Summer Holiday

I am craving a summer holiday at the moment - call it an urge to get away from South London or just the knowledge that my big, super trip across the Atlantic isn't until October, but it's getting stronger everyday.

Annoyingly, I'm not exactly flush at the moment so it looks like even a trip to Bognor is off the cards - not that there's anything wrong with Bognor (have never been - just trying to placate the Bognornese) 

So, in a strange, torturous effort to cheer myself up, I decided to look for holiday cushions. Well, if I'm not going to the beach - the beach can come to me in the form of soft furnishings. 

It was on one of my virtual travels (whilst desperately trying to steer clear of any holiday websites) that I came across these silk cushions from the ever-brilliant Re. 

They're inspired by vintage silk scarves and feature destinations such as Blackpool and the Isle of Wight. 

I love their kitschness and can imagine 50s ladies wearing similar scarves to ward off the cold British sea air. 

It looks like a lot of us will be staying home this summer thanks to the weak pound (yep, well done whoever that's down too) so maybe we should embrace our great seaside, after all there is enough of it...

HRH

To be perfectly honest, I am feeling less than regal today. More like Cinderella in fact complete with scrubbing brushes and mop and bucket. 

Which makes this cushion a rather odd choice. 

I'm not a Royalist either (although I wouldn't say no to being a princess - Harry though not Wills - too boring) but I really love this cushion. 

It's from good old John Lewis (or as my first boss will always refer to it "Johnny Lewis") and I love the way the design almost looks like a watercolour pulled from a canvas. 

So, in the absence of any Royals pledging undying love and offers of marriage looks like I'll have to make do with this cushion...

The Easter Bunny

Predictably, there's an debate raging on the BBC Have Your Say about what does Easter mean to you. 

Even more predictably there are those who are most interested in who got the most eggs and those who want the former to be struck down by some higher force for being so blase about one of the most important Christian festivals. 

Personally, I'm not really bothered about either side of the argument but it does give an excuse to show off some Easter-themed accessories. 

Those who know me know I'm not a particular  fan of rabbits (or bananas, or lying and cheating politicians - ooh this is a topical post) I know they're cute, I can see that but I've always found them a little unpredictable (must be all that hopping) and it freaks me out that they don't make a noise. 

I do however, really like this cushion - simply called Kissing Rabbits from Anorak.

And even I have to admit, the rabbits on this cushion are rather sweet. I have to say though, I'm glad the designers called it Kissing Rabbits instead of what we all know those bunnies really get up to...

Beautiful Brooklyn

I don't think I've ever made a secret of how much I love New York City. 

It is one of the few places I feel I could actually live and work other than my beloved London Town (and yes I did make that decision on the basis of a five day visit...) 

And while Manhattan is fabulous and everything you would expect it to be, Brooklyn is pretty damn fine too. 

I can easily see myself living in a beautiful Brooklyn Heights Brownstone surrounded by dogs, cats and children - hell, seeing though this is a fantasy, I'll have a cool loft in SoHo too...

...Ahem back to the real world then and this gorgeous cushion by Judy Holme which features the iconic Brooklyn Bridge (walking over it to Manhattan is one of THE most romantic things I have ever done) 

Soon, I feel my home with be full of NYC products in some strange homage to this fabulous city. 

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...

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...

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. 

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...