Category: accessories
Alice Cicolini x
Alice Cicolini’s jewellery fluidly mixes a rich tapestry of eastern traditions with cool modern sensibilities.
It’s a keen eye, passion and superbly talented craftsmen that bring her jewellery together.
Together with a total love of colour.
Each piece proudly nods to its heritage roots whilst still being totally unique.
Not an easy gulf to cross.
(All pictures Alice Cicolini)
But Cicolini’s work is a third retro 80s, a third Indian, a third British…and totally fabulous.
Laters, Kate x
I swear, My Swear..
The price of these babies will no doubt induce an apocalypse of weepiness and hair tearing…and also make them ‘highly desirable’ such is the strange world we live in because the basic price starts at £300 – plus postage. And then this goes skyward depending on how much customisation you fancy. Yep – these walking mortgages from My Swear are labelled the first ever customisable trainers…and are sure to be a wallet slapping cosmos flying hit.
Where the joy comes in is even if you can’t buy, you can play: The power of the internet/websites are so good now, you can literally watch and plan every step – colour – not just all over, but for each section, type of leather, soles, toes, eyelets, laces – it’s a long list of decisions meaning you can end up with a totally unique object.
Ta-daaah!
(All pics from My Swear)
Expect to see them strutting their stuff at the AW17 fashion shows.
You’ve been warned.
Laters, Kate x
Home Comforts
Sometimes the best designs are those frozen in time that create that link from nostalgia to modern day with the seamless flow of a painters brush.
Away from the noise and frenzied activity, Devol – more normally known for their exquisite kitchens – have been quietly honing their own beautiful ceramics range with the help of potter, Claire Fowler.
The range includes this nest of three lipped mixing bowls to rival – nay, supersede, Nigella’s original iconic offerings that are so hard to find now.
(All pics from Devol)
There are somethings in life that you know will just live long and prosper.
Laters, Kate x
Magic Carpet x
If there’s a theme over the last few post it’s re-invention. And the carpet industry is ripe for it: 400,000 tonnes of unwanted carpet is buried in UK landfill every year.
Isabel Webb has decided thats where the rubys in the dust lie – she’s taking both domestic and industrial carpet waste and giving it her own unique twist through dying, tufting, embroidery and shearing to reveal new patterns and textures and expose the potential within.
(All pictures Isabel Webb)
Isabel only graduated in 2016 so this is the embryo of a work in progress. But we like it. And we need more.
Laters, Kate x
Leg Lift x
Prettypegs is a simple concept – to bring the option of individuality to mass produced furniture just by changing the legs. It’s the idea that changing one small thing can have a huge impact – effectively it’s the metaphorical butterfly effect for furniture. But without the chaos.
Like Superfront and Bemz before them, Prettypegs main products are designed around anything Ikea makes that has legs – sofas, tables, chests..even beds. But because they have a universal bolt available, other brands can work as well.
(All pics Prettypegs)
On the notion of individuality, it would be nice if they offered a pic ‘ n’ mix option…within similar height options of course….
Laters, Kate x
An Education x
Who needs words?
Laters, Kate x
Brainstop..
So the husband asked me what sort of doorstop I’d like for the new crittall doors – I said a round one of course!
He looked at me like I’d suddenly grown donkey ears but it’s not such a stupid idea…the inspiration came from cannon ball doorstop at my parent’s house in Greece: heavy enough for purpose but round enough for cheeky aesthetic pleasure. So he searched the internet and found this, a cannonball doorstop handmade in Dorset by Sam at Millin Metalcraft and I couldn’t be more delighted!
Sam makes them in three sizes – from heavy (£25), to even heavier (£35)…to very heavy (£45) (which is strong enough to hold back a barn door..)
And they are all that you could want: resonance, authenticity and practicality.
But Sam’s talents don’t stop there – he does a beautiful line in metal sculptures like these alliums…
And is up to be challenged for anything metal related. Minion stove anyone?
Ours in situ. Made by hand by a proper, loving, skilled craftsman – it’s simple, effective joy.
Laters, Kate x
Christmas x
The chandelier is decorated. Tick.
New mirror inserted. Tick.
Large star in kitchen? Tick.
Christmas tree? Done. Finally got the damn lights to work.
Elves? Here. Every day. When we remember..normally in bed at midnight..
Christmas to do list? Still long – buy presents, wrap presents, hunt holly, find mistletoe, find stockings, clean chimneys, make gingerbread houses, ice cake, plant carrots. It’s still reading like something the sorcerer would leave for his apprentice except without the hope of any magic. So what am I going to do today? I’m going to add a bright pink trim to the side of our kilim stair carpet.
Just because I can.
Laters, Kate x
‘Ear ear…
Need that effortlessly cool present that also has to sit happily in the wallet? The answer could be an ear cuff…brilliant in so many ways: They work equally well on unpierced ears, the range of prices is immense (these are £12.46 plus shipping)..and you only actually need to buy one. Winner, winner chicken dinner.
Some of them do resemble those metal puzzles that used to appear in crackers. But don’t let that put you off.
Particularly when you can find them for only £4.90 plus shipping.
These are the most expensive of the bunch at just over forty squids plus shipping from here.
(£16 plus shipping from here)
(£8 plus shipping from here)
(£7.50 plus shipping from here)
For a flash in the pan trend without the pain, it’s an easy no brainer.
Laters, Kate x
High light..
Do you get the time to breathe these days? The air after rain – a crackling fire – or a newly delivered Christmas tree? If you’re a smell person, these things matter because they’re memories, the past and future colliding like smoke in the air. I love the power of fragrance – how it can become the essence of a person left to linger long after they’ve gone….and these are three of my favourites.
Bal D’afrique by Byredo is described as a warm and romantic vetiver inspired by Paris in the late 20’s and its infatuation with African culture, art, music and dance. It’s an evocative mix of neroli, African marigold and Moroccan cedarwood.
Oi All In One Milk by Davines is a leave in, frizz controlling conditioning hair spray containing Roucou oil. But why just use it on hair? It’s a beautifully fragranced, soft, light moisturiser for all over the body.
Emulsified with extra soothing rose extract to help ease irritation and condition the skin, Rose Salve by C.O.Bigelow is the sort of product you need to always have in your bag. Use on lips, face, cuticles, elbows, knees and any chapped skin because it’s a little winter wonder.
Fragrances: Dreams that live in reality. Enjoy.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 