Oh Seamstar, you are spoiling us

Ooh, lots of lovely new things for the Summer from spectacular online fabric store, Seamstar...

(from top down)

1. I love this sexy, retro-tinged African Queen print by California-based designer, Alexander Henry (£3.25 per ¼ metre, from a 110cm wide roll). I'm not sure I'd use it for cushions, but think it would be fantastic for a bit of light upholstery, chair seats perhaps, or as a bed runner or a roman blind in the loo.


2.  Or if you can't decide which of the Alexander Henry fabrics to choose, buy a bundle: £26 the lot, and each piece measures ¼ metre square. It looks good as it is – stick it on a prominent shelf and leave the sewing machine under cover.

3.  Circa 60 Beach Mod, £3.90 per ¼ metre for a 116cm wide roll, would make great curtains and quilts for a campervan – or pillow cases for an outdoorsy small person. The designer is another Californian, Jennifer Moore who runs Monaluna.

4. This bundle of vintage-inspired designs is by Heather Moore, from her Cut Out and Keep range. It costs £25.20 (per ¼ metre, from a 110cm wide roll) and would make a gorgeous gift – but hurry, there are just six left in stock.

5. Can't resist one more Alexander Henry. This is Mum in Pink, from the Griffith Park range. Again, it's £3.25 for ¼ metre, on a 110cm roll.

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Five favourite cushions

1. Peacock cushion, £36
This proud little peacock cushion is affectionately known as Pablo at Lisa Jones Studio and we love the monochrome colours. Approx 18 inches.



2. Crochet cushion, £44
We love this gorgeous handmade crochet cushion which is just so homely and comfy looking. Get yours made-to-order at Winter’s Moon but bear in mind that colours may vary from those pictured – but we just think this adds to its charm and uniqueness. It measures at 18 inches and is backed by a complementary fabric.


3. Blue Brighton cushion, £13
Make your home Brighton beautiful with this cushion featuring pretty sketches of the Pier and Royal Pavilion. It’s from Iconic Cushions on Etsy and measures 16 inches. We were particularly taken with the striking blue colour, which is why we got another cushion crush and fell for this blue and yellow one from Bouf.

4. Owl Cushion, £10
These owl-shaped cushions are adorable. The mix-matched felt and floral fabric is so pretty and their big bug eyes are rather endearing. Yet another Etsy find.

5. Vintage 70s farm cushion, £15
This cushion by Jane Foster is made in original 1970s fabric at her home studio in Devon. The bold and bright cartoon farm design is great for kids' bedrooms. Jane’s other cushions made from vintage fabrics are just as charming and also very affordable. This one measures 13 inches square and is backed with a cream cotton linen.


Compiled by Hayley Simpson.

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Romantic cushions and cupcakes

My friend Holly made this beautiful "kiss" cushion for her boyfriend for Valentine's day. 


I must get her to send me a close-up photo, as it is trimmed in the loveliest multi-coloured bobble-y trim. Besides, you can't see the luscious embroidery nearly well enough from here. 


She's also quite the cake mistress – and has her baked creations always look so pretty, thought I'd throw some of those in too. At the top, blueberry, in the middle, Christmas cake (which was deliciously alcoholic yet not too heavy) and below, strawberry cupcakes. Yum.

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Animal-themed interiors

The wonky-legged pup was being particularly charming today – and it doesn't take much to make me come over all animal-y. That did it. So thought I'd do a round up of some favourite four-legged items for the home. A couple of things I've had my eye on for a while...


1. This Bitossi dachshund  (or 'Hound No. 44' as he's affectionately known) is part of the Rimini Blu collection created in the early 1950s by Aldo Londi who was, at the time, art director of Bitossi ceramics. There's a whole menagerie available alongside him at SCP but he is one of the cheapest – he's £30.71 and measures 24cm high – and, I think, the best.


2. Oh 'Urban Fox' how innocent and wholesome you look on this sweet Lisa Jones bone china mug. Nothing like the rangy and mange-y specimens that prowl the city streets round these parts, bin riffling, courting deafeningly and cat scaring. £12.50 from Hunkydory Home.


3. It is only as I type now, that I see I have osmotically been drawn to a double dachshund situation. That is what happens when I spend time with my 99-year-old granny and we talk about bad husbands and the short-legged succession of expensive dogs she always much preferred (spouses and canines, I should add, all hers). This 50x50cm cushion is just a tenner from Habitat.


4. Want this lamp. Want this lamp. Want this lamp. Why oh why is it £79 (from Liberty)? The long lasting joy it would bring its owner would surely justify the cost. But, just in case, I've also found that Good Gracious sell almost as nice versions (and in different colours) for just £39.99. They're currently out of the white ones though (just red, pink and green). But Caravan have them at £49.99. * NEWS: GG have white rabbits back in stock – and they are, I'm reliably informed, the very same as the Liberty ones!

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Kenneth Cole launches homewares at House of Fraser

Brights with a muted backdrop. It works, doesn't it? 


I'm looking forward to the launch of this colourful Kenneth Cole homewares range at House of Fraser this Spring. The range, the fashion designer's first foray into interiors, is called New York Home (What is it about a bare brick wall that conjures up Manhattan? We have them here too... though they probably always look very New York.) It's kinda masculine, but I like it. 


Can't tell you about the price range as the launch isn't until tomorrow... Will keep you posted.

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Last-minute Christmas decorating!

Been meaning to post this shoot of my festive-ed up house up since it was published, last Sunday, in the Independent's New Review magazine.

It's a piece about how to decorate your house for Christmas at the last minute. There are some seriously low-effort, time-poor suggestions in it - though not one of my favourites which there wasn't room for, as suggested by Sarah Dare, from John Lewis, who came to share her expertise and some lovely Nordic style festive furnishings:

No tree decorations? Cut up some tinsel in the same colour into little snippets, and simply chuck it at your fir. Genius.

Photos by the lovely Rachael Smith

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Festive John Lewis doormat

This weekend I had my house made over for a Christmas shoot for the Independent on Sunday. This lovely reindeer doormat from John Lewis, £13, didn't make it into the feature, but I loved it so much I had to snap it. Along with my new Icelandic sock slipper things, perfect housewear for this snowy weather.

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Budget-friendly Christmas gift guide

Some generally quite affordable nice interiors-ish things that I think would make great gifts... would love to hear what you think, if you got any of them, who you bought them for. Will no doubt be adding more shortly.






Who for Busy parents who'd appreciate an excuse not to display Auntie Dot's cat calendar this year; architecture students; style conscious entrepreneurs; organised eco bods
Where from The Peanut Vendor 
How much £12
What This no-nonsense wall planner measures 70cm x 100cm and is by Crispin Finn design studio – who apparently only design in red, white and blue. It's 100% recycled and comes beautifully packaged. A great stocking filler or chic Secret Santa.





Who for The chap – or chapess – who appreciates the finer things in life; the friend who throws slightly intimidating dinner parties in her/his uncluttered home; the cognac connoisseur; the friend who has everything
Where from  Boudie and Fou
How much £35
What These deliciously touchable brandy glasses by Normann Copenhagen are specifically designed to "enhance bouquet, temperature and volume" of the cognac, apparently.  If you're buying for someone with lady-sized hands – they also do a smaller version.






*ONE-OFF*
Who for Craft nuts; vintage sewing fans
Where from The OK Corral 
How much £5
What Totally loving this online shop right now. And this book would be a lovely, unique gift for crafty friends or relatives. Not only does it have a marvellously retro cover (it was first printed in 1978) but it is also wildly practical – with tips for knitting, sewing, crocheting and more (it even includes patterns). It's a one-off so no guarantee it'll still be there – but do browse the site's other vintage books,  or try eBay or if you have the patience to rummage, Oxfam Books online has some gems too.






Who for  Children saving for a rainy day; grown-ups who'd like to look at a nice owl sitting on their mantlepiece
Where from  Habitat
How much £10
What It's from the kids' department – he's a moneybox – but this super cute retro styled owl would make just as lovely a present for a full sized people, in the ornament department. Thanks to cunning shopping friend, Holly, for this genius idea.






* ONE-OFF *
Who for Anyone who's just moved house; a chap who doesn't mind getting his hands dirty; the guy with a new home and no clue what to do with it; a single gal (or co-habitee of the former) needing some DIY tips; a young man about to be unleashed into responsible life
Where from The OK Corral 
How much £5
What A thoughtful secondhand book – particularly of the non-fiction variety – can solve the trickiest gift conundrums. This 1913-20 bible of manly skills covers everything from polishing shoes to mixing your own paints. And it's a piece of history! A total bargain to boot. See above for links to some other places to shop around for more of the same.






Who for A man with a home office; a stylish bachelor; aspiring gentlemen; fans of spy novels; probably not someone working in a call centre or the armed forces, the police or at sea
Where from  The V & A shop
How much £15 unframed (try Eframe for affordable non-standard sized frames to order)
What This cool, manly poster features the nautical flag and Nato alphabets. It'd be perfect hung near a popular telephoning spot – for translating call centre interpretations of the spelling of one's name without hesitation. It measures 297cm x 420cm.






Who for Clean, serene design freaks; loveable hypochondriacs; a couple with a newborn and an sleekly designed nursery; chic eco warriors; the stylish in-laws; nature nuts; subscribers to Inhabitat 
Where from  Super-Collider store 
How much £129
What This is Andrea. She looks nice, doesn't she? As well as that, she also purifies your air – in the most natural way known to nature, by filtering toxins through her planty fronds and roots. Only she's a super pimped plant, with NASA research behind her creation – and French designer, Mattieu Lehanneur behind her sleek style. Super-Collider is a sexy science-y organisation that has lots more than gifts going on. Check it out.






Who for The sort of friend who might own a cake stand and drink tea out of proper cups; a no-nonsense kitchen whizz; parents who sit down to breakfast with their toast in a rack; owners of a country-style kitchen
Where from Labour & Wait (click on "all products")
How much £14
What This glass butter dish, made from an original 1950s mould, is a classic bit of design. It's lovely and almost transcends taste; a bit of a no-risk gift for any of the above and many more.






Who for A person in whose kitchen yellow won't clash; a mid-century modern loving friend/sister-in-law/mother; someone who happens to live in a town full of Northern European style townhouses like the ones on the tea towel, or is moving from the country to the town – that would be sweet
Where from Lisa Jones Studio
How much £10
What Love this "Town" tea towel and the way it looks like a chocolate box Swiss village, just waiting for snow to fall. It's 100% fairtrade organic cotton, too.






Who for Storage nerds; those with allotments; that person you know who has a whole cupboard full of bags for life they keep forgetting to take out
Where from Habitat 
How much £15
What Technically it's a bag. But I love the idea of it as the place you dump all that unsightly guff you walk through the door with (keys, bicycle lights, dog lead etc.) – and make it look beautiful. It'd work well by the front door or on a suitable kitchen or hall shelf, or on the stairs if they're wide enough. It'd also work as a magazine rack. And, of course a shopping bag...




Who for That person you know who's just done a first aid course; a parent with small children and a suitable bathroom; the gentleman cyclist who often needs his wheel wounds dressing
Where from Amazon
How much £21.98
What This tin first aid box (21cm x 15.5cm x 16cm) makes a sweet and unusual gift... however, if the colour-scheme of your intended recipient is all about beiges and creams, this might not be ideal – it'd work well in a house which embraces splashes of bold colour.




Who for Someone with a nice desk; anyone who likes Orla Kiely-ish/Scando/mid-century modern stylings; retro kitchen owners
Where from North Rock Gallery
How much £13.20
What Designed by Lotta Odelius for Sagaform, this Swedish tinged ceramic container is probably intended for the kitchen but would look great on a design-y desk – perfect for paperclips, odd coins, Post-it notes of import etc. A row of three would look great.






Who for The Proud-to-be-British; ex-pats missing home; a chap who needs some wall filling but needs to keep it masculine; font nerds
Where from Bold & Noble
How much £38 unframed (it's a standard size, so no need for framers' shops: try Eframes or Ikea's Ribba range for affordability and niceness)
What They do maps in the same range of Australia, New Zealand, the USA and London too, so good gifts for anyone moving or travelling to any of those places soon or, indeed, living there. They measure 50cm x 70cm and also come in a duck-egg blue.




Who for Doggie types
Where from Quietly Eccentric 
How much £30
What These cute cushions come in lots of different breeds – including non-breeds. The designs are printed onto new wool, fully machine washable covers and feature illustrations by the artist Lindsey Gardiner. They're kinda cute.






Who for Wildlife-loving children with bare bedroom floors; stylish vegetarians; pampered pussy cats (or their owners); the nephew you've also sponsored a tiger for

Where from The V& A Shop
How much £20
What This cute-faced fairtrade Tibetan rug is made from felt wool and measures 38cm x 94cm. He's very handsome.



  















Who for The Hipster tween/teen in your life; fashion-forward photography fan
Where from The V & A Shop
How much £12.99
What The Street Style Memory Game features 25 pictures taken by the Flemish photographer, Barbara Iweins of hip young things on the streets of Amsterdam. The game requires players to match their faces with their outfits – or it can be played as a traditional memory game.





Who for Design-conscious in-laws; arty Grandpa or Grandma; husband; wife; colour-loving lover; glasses-wearing pals

Where from Supernice
How much £30
What A rather special glasses case designed by Jonathan Adler, who also makes rather glorious ceramics in the shape of birds and lions and angular faces  (and rugs and exciting books and all sorts) that are currently flying out of the gifts section of Heal's...




Who for Him indoors; the family; anyone with a silly sense of humour who likes a nice big mug of tea; fancy dress fans; the guy who loved Movember more than anyone expected
Where from Pedlars
How much £16.95 each
What Handsome half-pint sized mugs , designed by Peter Ibruegger, with your choice of moustache on the front. They're kind of silly but beautifully made (and so a pleasure to drink from) and would cheer up any kitchen. One or two would make nice stocking fillers, or splash out on a whole set for someone really silly who you really love.

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Seamstar's fabulous fabrics

Seamstar is my new favourite website for window shopping. The fantastic fabric shop has such great taste - and they sell their wares in lots of handy types of package, such as this tonal bundle of small pieces of fabric, perfect for fronting cushion covers. 


I can't believe I'd never heard of it, but it was my friend Holly's birthday the other day and her friend and sewing buddy, Deborah, gave her a bundle of of Seamstar's finest as a present. Being exceptionally stylish, she went for the Echino bundle, by the Japanese designer Etsuko Furuya - all edgy prints of things like bicycles and glasses 
(see a few Furuya prints below or click on the link for Seamstar's selection). I was almost as excited as Holly was. Now all I need is to learn to sew. Or, rather, learn to have the patience to perfect my very basic sewing skills. Hmm. Meanwhile I'm enjoying the final suggestion on the website's tips about what to do with your chosen fabric bundle. Nice idea...


Seamstar says
- Perfect for making a quilt as each bundle comes colour coordinated and includes plain fabrics
- Due to their complimentary tones, they look great made into separate items on craft stalls
- They are great for just stocking up your fabric stash in some of your favourite colours
- No time to make stuff? Our bundles look lovely piled high on bookshelves and in sewing rooms

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Florence Broadhurst cushions from John Lewis

Hot to trot: stunning new Florence Broadhurst-designed cushions from John Lewis (the fabric's reversable - the other side is black with cream outlines). Fans of the designer include Stella McCartney.



John Lewis has just started selling these lovely Florence Broadhurst cushions. But who is Florence Broadhurst?





I first heard about the inspiring and glamorous Australian singer/dress designer/artist/ fabric designer (1899-1977) a couple of years ago, when my very stylish sister-in-law, Michelle, who lives in Sydney, sent a link to an Australian website, Signature Prints, which had exclusively begun reprinting Broadhurst's fabrics. 




She suggested I pick one out and she'd send it over as a birthday present, perhaps I could get some cushion covers made... Which I did (thanks to my very talented friend, Camilla). And the fabric I picked - from the fantastic array on SP's site - was this stunning double-sided horse print: Stampede. And clearly great minds think alike - as that's the one John Lewis picked for their Florence Broadhurst debut, too. But Broadhurst was prolific...














Signature Prints sells a vast array of Florence Broadhurst's fabric designs, some of which you can see above. The couple behind the website found all the prints in a storage space and now reproduce them all by hand, usingthe original screens. They do them as wallpapers too, and fans of the designer include Stella McCartney.

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Reasons to love the recession no #2

If, like me, you love Terence Conran's classic design ethos - and hanker after the iconic pieces he designed for Habitat in the 1960s... but never stray beyond the gift section in the Conran Shop on account of the whopping great price tags - then rejoice. For there is now the equivalent of a diffusion line in store - meaning that this gorgeous applique Basmah cushion cover (including the cushion) is just £19.95. There are lots of other affordable goodies too - brightly coloured French bistro bowls (£9.95 for four), delicious black lacquered bamboo bathroom bits (from £9.95) and a strangely beautiful orange lamp shaped like a cheese grater, for just £29.

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