Amelia’s Magazine | Tent London 2014: Textiles and Surface Design

Zoe Murphy
Yes yes it’s been 6 months since the 2014 edition of Tent London but straight after the show I became ridiculously busy with my 10th anniversary Kickstarter project, That Which We Do Not Understand. I have always wanted to share my finds properly, some of whom I have already profiled at length on this website, and I’m sure this little collection will offer some refreshing and exciting inspiration.

Zoe murphy cushions
From Mexico to Margate was inspired by Zoe Murphy’s summer travels, and is the perfect vehicle for her zingy colour ways. Used to great effect on these cacti fabric designs on cushions. Spot also the Snarfle ghost hand.

Seven Gauge Studios
I love the new geometric woven fabric designs by Seven Gauge Studios.

Room 39
This wonderful new bedding and cushion collection is by Room 39. Designer Petra was also very helpful on the subject of crowdfunding, having funded the fragment bedding range through this method herself.

Sian Elin
Sian Elin excels in the creation of upbeat geometric designs such as these wonderful duotone cushions.

Louise Wilkinson
Louise Wilkinson cushion
As always I adore the designs of Louise Wilkinson, whose new fabrics are a touch folkloric, a touch Scandinavian and a touch of chintz: lots of fruits, vegetables and strange little animals.

Louise Wilkinson hedgehog
I think this gold hedgehog wall decal is out of this world, but she only made them as one offs for Tent. Don’t you reckon they would sell like hot cakes?!

Lorna Syson
It was great to see new designs by Lorna Syson mixing up birds and geometric designs: I’ve since discovered her new Broom and Bee design, which is absolutely magic – check her website to see it.

Otago Design mat
We spent some time admiring coir circle mats made in Africa for Otago Design.

Sonya rugs
Amazing crazy cool bright rugs are by Sonya Winner.

Rose sharp jones
I adore the subtle crochet cushion designs of Rose Sharp Jones: one of a new wave of crafters bringing this traditional technique into the 21st century.

Occipinti
occipinti textiles
Embroidery hoops are a wonderful showcase for fabrics by Occipinti. Find out more about the designer in my recent interview.

Tracey Tubb
These very clever and original origami wall coverings are by Tracey Tubb.

Natalia Yanez
Natalia Yanez utilises a combination of crochet and local Chilean basketweave techniques in her beautiful and unusual structures. Very clever!

candid fabric
These fabulous tropical fruit fabrics are by Hannah Rampley for Candid Fabric – a new project to support emerging graduate textile designers.

Beldi rugs
Beldi rug vintage
I am just a little bit in love with vintage Moroccan Beldi Rugs. These rag rugs cost a fortune but are ever so glorious.

Parris Wakefield additions
Paris Wakefield Additions has released a stunning new fabric design. Since last September I have had the honour of working with Sarah Parris, who produced a beautiful print for my special That Which We Do Not Understand 10th anniversary gold leaf range, available here.

Fanny Shorter
Fanny Shorter skirt
As always I love tropical loveliness by Fanny Shorter, looking wonderful in a pencil skirt made with her fabric.

Kitty McCall
Last but not least, I am enthralled by the colourful abstract designs of Kitty McCall. This fabric looks like a surreal mountainscape.

Read about furniture, lighting and other odds and sods here! All of these images were first shared on my instagram feed.

Categories ,2014, ,Beldi Rugs, ,Broom and Bee, ,Candid Fabric, ,craft, ,crochet, ,Fanny Shorter, ,From Mexico to Margate, ,Hannah Rampley, ,instagram, ,Interior Design, ,Kitty McCall, ,Lorna Syson, ,Louise Wilkinson, ,Natalia Yanez, ,Occipinti, ,Otago Design, ,Paris Wakefield Additions, ,review, ,Room 39, ,Rose Sharp Jones, ,Sarah Parris, ,Seven Gauge Studios, ,Sian Elin, ,Snarfle, ,Sonya Winner, ,surface design, ,Tent London, ,textiles, ,That Which We Do Not Understand, ,Tracey Tubb, ,Truman Brewery, ,Zoe Murphy

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Amelia’s Magazine | Best New Designs for the Home: Home London January 2014 Review

Royal Doulton mug

Ceramics designer Louise Wilkinson was kind enough to invite me along to Home London, one of the premier trade shows for people in the homewares business. An off shoot of the infamous Top Drawer gift trade show, in just a few short years this has grown to become a must visit stop off for anyone interested in great design for the home. In the spacious environs of the soon to be razed Earls Court, I took a deep breath and headed up and down the aisles in a methodical manner. It is impossible to do more than scratch the surface at an event like this, but it was really super to catch up with familiar designers, as well as making some fab new discoveries. Go on, feast your eyes! You will soon find some of these designers on my brand new market place…

Adore the new Fable collection by royal doulton

One of the first things that caught my eyes was the new (ish) Fable collection by Royal Doulton, which was designed by the talented illustrator Karolin Schnoor, featured in my first book on illustration. I love her work so was well chuffed to get a Fable Garland mug (at the top) in my goodie bag: it’s the perfect size and shape and is my new favourite vessel for tea. They retail for only £7 each which is an absolute bargain.

Water Butts and wellies by Hemingway

Wayne Hemingway oversees a vast self made empire that includes festivals, designer goods and much more (check out his Land of Lost Content website). The Hemingway Design stand included this intriguing combination of Water Butts and wellies.

Multicoloured Pots by Broste of Copenhagen

This multicoloured display of pots is by Broste of Copenhagen, a large interiors brand with that special Scandinavian touch.

ekobo home bowls

I have a lot of love for bamboo Biobu dishware – Snarfle uses some of these beautifully made products by the French company Ekobo Home when he visits Grandad and they are beautifully made using a very clever eco friendly technique in Vietnam. One for the homeware wish list in our own abode.

Acrylic colourful cutlery sets by the French brand Sabre Paris

Taking acrylic to another level: these colourful cutlery sets are from the French brand Sabre Paris.

Beast In Show Daphne Padden coaster set

The couple behind Beast in Show have closed their shop in Oxford and relocated back to Yorkshire, the better to concentrate on their own brands. Their latest additions include a new range featuring work by the iconic 50s designer Daphne Padden, who died in 2009 leaving an amazing legacy of graphic design work.

Beast in Show cockapoo teatowel

I’ve always wanted a cockapoo (cocker spaniel poodle cross breed) and this new tea towel design would be great for other hybrid dog fans.

Lego skull storage box

You know those cool Lego storage boxes? Now available as skulls. So fun.

owl cushion by Heart Zeena

Elegant simplicity comes in the form of an owl cushion by Zeena.

Fanny Shorter cushions

It was ace to catch up with talented Cockpit Arts designer Fanny Shorter – her unique textile designs are based on kidneys, brains and tropical leaves, and she had a whole stand to herself as the winner of the COADG bursary.

Hop and Peck hedgehog toys

I am sad that Snarfle is just a tiny bit too old for these lovely hedgehog baby toys by Hop and Peck – who make gloriously tactile handmade wooden things. Founder Elaine has combined expert knowledge of the industry (she used to work with Mamas and Papas) with a love of toys that are worthy of being passed down the generations.

Thornback and peel squirrel cushion

Another inimitable surface pattern print by another Cockpit Arts design company, Thornback and Peel: cushions and deck chair fabric feature bold line drawn squirrels and acorns.

Sian Elin wallpaper

This super surface pattern is by Sian Elin.

cushions by seven gauge studios

These beautiful knit cushions are by self taught designer Joy Bates of Seven Gauge Studios, and they sell in Heals (and hopefully on my new market place too).

louise wilkinson teacups

My photo does not do these lovely teacups by Louise Wilkinson justice! It was lovely to catch up with this talented designer, whose illustrations currently adorn the shop windows at the V&A. Here’s hoping she’ll produce more of these images as prints because the ones on her stand looked wonderful.

cushions by iozzolinodesign by Gabriella Strano.

One new discovery I made at Home London was this brand new cushion range by Iozzolino. Italian Irish designer Gabriella Strano trained at De Montfort where she discovered her signature technique, marrying the designs of antique lace and crochet with 21st century technology. Her subtle use of dusty pastels makes a refreshing change to the slew of brights currently splashed across homeward.

Jenny Duff placemats

I am a massive fan of melamine coasters from Ramsgate based designer Jenny Duff – these ones are created from 1950s illustrations that appeared on the Country Fair magazine.

Snarfle with mini Jansen co mug

This tiny Snarfle sized Jansen co mug is a perfect mini version of the iconic Dutch crockery range and I knew he would love it.

Mini Supoon by Dreamfarm

Finally, amongst the goodies found at the bottom of my VIP bag (thanks to Seen PR) I found the Mini Supoon by Dreamfarm, an Australian company that creates clever products for the kitchen which are distributed in the UK by Forma House. The Mini Supoon is especially designed to act like a spatula and a spoon in one, and is perfectly designed to get those last dregs out of jars. Genius.

Next up: my favourite finds at Craft and Top Drawer shows.

Categories ,2014, ,Baby toys, ,Beast in Show, ,Biobu, ,Broste, ,COADG, ,Cockpit Arts, ,Country Fair, ,Daphne Padden, ,De Montfort, ,Dreamfarm, ,Earls Court, ,Ekobo Home, ,Fable, ,Fable Garland, ,Fanny Shorter, ,Forma House, ,Gabriella Strano, ,Hemingway Design, ,Hop and Peck, ,Jansen co, ,Jenny Duff, ,Joy Bates, ,Karolin Schnoor, ,Land of Lost Content, ,Lego, ,Louise Wilkinson, ,Mini Supoon, ,Ramsgate, ,review, ,Royal Doulton, ,Sabre Paris, ,Seen PR, ,Seven Gauge Studios, ,Sian Elin, ,Snarfle, ,Thornback and Peel, ,Top Drawer, ,Wayne Hemingway, ,Zeena

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Amelia’s Magazine | Christmas Gift Ideas 2012: Best Design Gifts For Men

Bianca Green in love with iphone cover
In Love With iphone cover by Bianca Green.

Most men love a bit of gadget based frippery, and there is an almost endless choice of iphone decor out there. Amidst the huge amount of guff on Society6 (it’s surprising how few things work when just plonked on, say, a hoodie), there are some gems, shown here for your delection…

fimbis iphone cover geometric glow
This neon abstract Geometric Glow is by Fimbis.

Ewan Arnolda vintage camera iphone case
The fake vintage camera is a perennially good look – particularly fun if you are into self portraits as the cover design will register in the mirror! By Ewan Arnold.

kate hasted iphone cover japanese flower
I think the most unusual has to be this iphone cover by textile designer Kate Hasted, inspired by Japanese flowers.

GlyphicBlack_Phone Pop vinyl iphone backs
For iphone 5 users why not take a look at these new vinyl backs with bold optical designs by Phone Pop?

Glove & Hate Oven Gloves, Stuart Gardiner
If the man you are buying for loves cooking why not surprise him with these fab Glove and Hate oven gloves? They come complete with hairy wrists and chunky gold bracelet: by Stuart Gardiner at Howkapow?

WOODEN KUKSA CUP - CLASSIC DESIGN brokedown palace
And those who like camping: what about this Kuksa outdoor wooden cup of traditional Sami design, available on new website The Brokedown Palace. A great place to find the perfect present for those who love the great outdoors.

derek shop notebooks
Does your man love nice stationery? I adore these illustrated notebooks (including one by contributor Lorna Scobie) from Dereks Shop.

soma gallery bike parts notebook
Or if your man is a bike lover, how about this Bike Parts notebook, by Luke James for Noodoll, available on Soma Gallery.

2013 wall planner calendar
This fab 2013 Wall Planner is from Present and Correct, the most fantastic website for all graphic design and stationery buffs.

office in a christmas cracker present correct
They also do an ‘Office in a Christmas Cracker‘ which is beautifully put together.

retro pop calendar present correct
And to sit on the table, a vintage rolling plastic calendar.

craig yamey hans_downe plush
Does he like collectibles? If so how about this fantastic plush toy by Craig Yamey for Constructive Studio? Hans Downe is part of the limited edition Yam Kids range: strange creatures all.

printstagram calendar
On a more personalised tangent – if you’ve got the time and you’re a social media nut nut like myself, why not make an instagram calendar with printstagram? If you don’t have time to edit you can just stream the photos off your phone and bung them all in!

seven gauge studios lambswool scarf
Moving on to clothing: I adore this lambswool scarf by Seven Gauge Studios on Two Red Trees.

Stonemen mens briefs rob yelling horses
Or if you prefer something with a bit more humour – how about these brilliant boxer shorts with wild horses stampeding all over them? By Rob Yelling for Stonemen.

Derek Shop M.hulot SKINNY-RHODESIA-BELT-AVOCADO-2
This beautiful handmade Skinny Rhodesia leather belt is by M.Hulot and it is available on Dereks Shop.

Niza Huang PETROLEUM cufflinks
For jewellery I am particularly taken by Niza Huang‘s petroleum cufflinks – inspired by the preciousness of ‘black gold‘.

Lars Beller Fjetland wood penguin
As far as beautiful objects go, I love these re-turned wooden birds created from scrap wood by Finnish designer Lars-Beller Fjetland on The Lollipop Shoppe.

lovi-birch-ply-moominmamma
Maybe he remembers the Moomins? Then this birch ply family by Lovi on Hus and Hem is just the ticket.

Garudio Studiage flat pet pug
Does your man hanker after a pet? If he’s as dotty for pugs as mine then he’ll love this festive specimen bearing Christmas antlers by Garudio Studiage.

reindeer head by armstrong ward
Or he might prefer this ace felted reindeer head by Armstrong Ward on Not on the High Street.

mozaa game
Finally – if he’s into games how about Mozaa, a colourful combination of puzzle and mosaic, bound to be loved by all design fiends.

dice for change
And in 2013 maybe he’ll fancy playing with his Dice for Change: featuring beautifully designed pictograms to inspire daily random acts of kindness.

More to come :)

Categories ,2012, ,2013 Wall Planner, ,Armstrong Ward, ,Belt, ,Bianca Green, ,Bike Parts, ,calendar, ,Christmas, ,Constructive Studio, ,Craig Yamey, ,Dice for Change, ,Ewan Arnold, ,Fimbis, ,Flat pets, ,Garudio Studiage, ,Geometric Glow, ,Glove and Hate oven gloves, ,Hans Downe, ,Howkapow. Love Hate, ,Hus and Hem, ,instagram, ,iphone 5, ,iphone covers, ,Journal, ,Kate Hasted, ,Kuksa, ,Lars-Beller Fjetland, ,Lorna Scobie, ,Lovi, ,Luke James, ,M.Hulot, ,Mens’ gifts, ,Moomins, ,Mozaa, ,Niza Huang, ,Noodoll, ,Not On The High Street, ,Notebooks, ,Office in a Christmas Cracker, ,Oven Gloves, ,Petroleum Cufflinks, ,Phone Pop!, ,Plush, ,Present and Correct, ,printstagram, ,Pug, ,Pumpkin Sputnik, ,Rob Yelling, ,Seven Gauge Studios, ,Society6, ,Soma Gallery, ,stationery, ,Stonemen, ,Stuart Gardiner, ,The Brokedown Palace, ,The Lollipop Shoppe, ,toy, ,Two Red Trees, ,Yam Kids

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