Rose Cottage Boxes at Country Living Fair 2013

I've blogged about Rose Cottage Boxes before (here and here), and they continue to be one of the best finds at the Country Living Fair each season: hand made, well made, useful, beautiful, and a great example of cottage industry.
Boxe are available in five sizes which are suitable for a range of uses including stationnery bits and bobs, crafting and sewing bits and pieces, and treasure (the latter for those aged 9 and under), and some bespoke pieces of furniture such as chairs, spice drawers and bird boxes.

Easter hares, new for this season, and Regal Indigo

fish!

Amanda Ross at Country Living Fair, Spring 2013

Amanda Ross' botanical prints and designs, which are available on a range of ceramics as well as stationnery and prints, have a very British character. The plants and flowers that inspire her designs are picked from the hedgerows and fields: cow parsley, dandelion clocks and wild geranium leaves. The colours are a subtle range of pinks, lilacs, teals and mustardy greens which evoke soft spring and summer days. Silhouettes of leaves and flowers are set on a white background, the designs are subtle and the ceramics pictured below would mix well with vintage florals or more simple contemporary pieces.
Amanda Ross is based in London and her products are made in the UK.

Happy Easter

Mimi Berry at John Lewis, Oxford Street

Back in February I went to see Mimi launch her Spring Summer 2013 range at John Lewis Oxford Street.
Here are some of Mimi's team hard at work making the Eric bag which this season comes in deep pink, marine blue, dove grey and citrine yellow. I love the orange angle poise lamp perched on the work bench.

Country Living Spring Fair 2013 - top pick: Linen Lawn

I can always find fantastic British designer-makers at Country Living Fair, and my top pick for Spring 2013 is Linen Lawn, founded by Margaret Appleby All the dresses and shirts are designed in house, and handmade from Liberty fabrics.
The Country Living Fair is still on today at the Islington Design Centre - nearest tube Angel. It closes today, Sunday 24th March, at 3pm.

Miller & Jeeves purses

What could be more lovely than these purses from Miller & Jeeves?

 I first came across this Oxfordshire-based company about a year ago, and the tan Aubrey purse accompanied me on my adventures in New York (see here).

I am now the happy owner of an Aubrey purse in beautfiul soft red leather, and the smaller Elsa Mini. Both the Aubrey and Elsa Mini purses are made from strong leather that looks good and will wear well.

I just love the Sam Browne stud.

I like to pack a lot into my purses, and if they can't take everything, including at least one lipstick, then they don't last more than a week in my bag. The Aubrey has done well - I've got a few credit cards and many store loyalty cards, plus a purse for small change (mongrammed, from Mimi Berry - and currently on sale) and my oyster card holder (from Selina Cheong). And my Clinique Angel Red lipstick, no longer available in the UK, but the best true red lipstick I've ever found.

 aerial view

Country Living Spring Fair 2013

 

The Country Living Magazine Spring Fair 2013 is on from today, until 24th March, at the Business Design Centre in Islington. 

I've been a few times to the Country Living Fair and found some great British Designer Makers, such as Whinberry & Antler, Rose Cottage Boxes and 88 and a half (blogged about here).

Nearest tube Angel which is a 3 minute walk from the Business Design Centre.