{for the love of muji}

Waste Paper Basket {made solely from recycled telephone books. Genius}.

Sorry to get all product-y on you, but I just wish to express my love of Muji. So simple, so useful and so great to look at. Undeniably neat, Muji makes you feel organized by just looking through the shop window. What really sparked off this little speech, however, is the new Railway Station Alarm Clock {below}. YUM! Pure, good design inspired by the old Japanese railway clocks. I mean, goodness. I could have walked right past it, but when isolated on its own the elegance of this simple alarm clock is revealed in all its glory! {I never dreamed I would write such a sentence, but then, I never thought that I would or could be so moved by a plastic alarm clock}. So what else is great about Muji? It's affordable. Shell out nineteen quid and that exquisitely manipulated piece of monochromatic plastic could be yours, greeting you each morning with it's smooth, unimpeachable face.

An example of delicious Muji organization. It wouldn't last a minute on my desk, but I am glad it exists all the same.

THE Railway Station Alarm Clock.

Available in light pink, grey, black and darker pink {above}, this Muji fan will swat away potential mosquitoes and cool overheated skin with a wave of elegant design and excellent colourmanship. Yes, that word is probably not in the dictionary, but this fan deserves it.

Thank you for indulging me.

{betsy walton}

Three Houses in a Field

February 2010, acrylic gouache on clayboard

Occasionally, I stumble across an artist whose work not only evokes my admiration, but who inspires me to create myself. Betsy Walton is prolific to say the least, so it's worth taking a peek at her online portfolio as this post only touches upon her vast works. I could ramble on about how much I love Betsy Walton's work, but really, her paintings speak for themselves.

This is what Auras Look Like

January 2007, gouache on paper

Embers

June 2009, acrylic gouache on panel

Lighting the Fire

October 2008, gouache on panel

Tiptoe

January 2009, acrylic gouache and collage on panel

1

February 2009, gouache on panel

Rescuers

November 2007, Gouache on paper

Snowmelt

February 2010, acrylic gouache on panel

Inhale Exhale

September 2009, acrylic gouache on panel

{loving ochre}

I've rather fallen in love with Ochre. Not the colour mind you, but the homewares company that produces beautifully crafted British-made furniture, upholstery and unique lighting design. Originally based in London, the company has seen great success in the States and have opened a beautifully styled shop in New York. Harriet Maxwell Macdonald, a co-owner of the enterprise, has had her various homes with husband Andrew Corrie photographed repeatedly, and they don't disappoint...

I love the soft palette against the matt black walls. So calming somehow.

Below you can see an inspiration moodboard for their design work, and I can't help but spot the Farrow & Ball paint chart and an image from the home of Jenna Lyons (black walls with striped ceiling) that was painted for her son...!

The husband and wife team have also conjured up a secondary, more affordable line named Canvas. Following in a similar vein to Ochre, the furnishings are made by American craftspeople or sourced from ethnic minorities in order to support dying arts. However, somewhat realistically and in the spirit of honesty, they do not claim to be 100% eco, and suggest that any companies who claim as such are worth close inspection. Either way, their efforts are to be applauded and the creations appreciated!

{back home}

After four and a half months of traveling around the USA, I am once again in London. It's been wonderful, and the States have become a second home to me, but I am English at heart and it'll be good to but some roots down. Tomorrow will be for unpacking, drinking earl grey and cooking up a big warm soup and toast.

Yum.

{things i heart}

Happy New Year!

It's 2011 and I have a thousand new years resolutions that I will undoubtedly have forgotten by the time 2012 looms. One of them is to get organized... the folks at Lonny Magazine {where many of these images have been gleaned} believe whole-heartedly in trays {above}. They're probably right, but what i've come away with is a unhealthy adoration of {fake} tortoiseshell sunglasses! Anyhow, here are some fun, bright mid-century inspired images to muse upon...

Ahhhhhh...