Orchids

a visit to Margo Selby in Bloomsbury

More digging through the archive and I've found some pictures from my visit to Margo Selby's shop in Bloomsbury last year before she moved to Whitsable. It was a riot of colour, geometric patterns, gorgeous combinations of colours. I wanted to move in.

And if home furnishing aren't enough, there's also clothing and shoes

Downstairs in the studio - 

Damson & Slate at Best of Britannia

I'm digging through my photo archives today - here are some pictures I took of Damson & Slate stand at  Best of Britannia (last blogged about here). Damson & Slate are based in Wales, stocking a range of Welsh-made products: knitwear, accessories, and things for home.

I liked their throws - my photo doesn't show the herringbone detail of the throw below which is a deep vibrant blue with white.

More finds from The Shop Floor project: Alice Pattullo prints, Fliff Carr ceramics and painted boxes by Denise Allan

A few more things I liked at The Shop Floor Project from a visit last year

Alice Pattullo book

and Alice Pattullo prints - my latest obsession

Painted boxes by Denise Allan

Fliff Carr ceramics

A visit to The Shop Floor Project in April

A gorgeous range of textile are available at the The Shop Floor Project.

Much coveted LOVE morse code blankets by Holly Berry (more love for Holly's blankets here)

Holly Berry blanket with cat leather bag by Dutch designer La Lisette

Emily Mackey cushions

De Mont & Wright Studio - geranium waffle blanket ooo yum

delicious green scarf by De Mont & Wright Studio

Emma Hardicker at Country Living Fair 2013

Since I last saw Emma Hardicker at the Country Living Spring Fair 2012, she's been busy with new projects. Her fabrics are now available to buy by the metre from her website in the 'daffodil' or 'spring' prints in three colourways: grey, olive and teal. These fabrics can be used to upholster furniture, or other home projects. Lampshades and cushions are also available.

Spring is on its way: crocuses

daffodils

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.

Sophie Woodrow at Primrose Hill Designer Sale

Each time I see Sophie Woodrow's porcelain ceramics I am struck anew by their amazing combination of vivid character with quietness. Is it the contrast of black, empty eyes with the smooth white porcelain? Is it the stillness of her friendly owls ready to take flight for a night out in the woods, or the bull which might normally be rampaging through china shops is endearingly wrapped up in a bow?
I'm not sure. But these ceramics demand a second look - and they would be fantastic sitting atop your dresser.

I spotted Sophie's ceramics at the Primrose Hill Designer Fair before Christmas - they are also sold at The Shop Floor Project, which is based in Ulverston in the Lake District.

Textiles at The Shop Floor Project: Samantha Allen, Bonbi Forest, Holly Berry, Angela Thurston and Emily Mackey

A visit to The Shop Floor Project: no winter holiday (this is the moment when you imgine that it is snowing, rather than the constant rain and / or high wind) is complete without a visit to my favourite store, to see new designer-makers peices. They have some fabulous textiles in stock:

These are gorgeousLSamantha Allan silk printed cushions, seaweed intertwinned with beach finds, cassette tape (how very C20th) and fishing line

scarves by Bonbi Forest - these are new since I last visited. They are 100% viscose, printed with environmentally friendly inks. Beautiful designs - pictured here are the horses and birds designs

woven cashmere and merino Holly Berry shawl and printed wool scarves from Angela Thurston

 

And cushions by Emily Mackey

Handmade in Britain: Melody Rose ceramics, Trisha Needham textiles, Danila Tarcinale jewellery

A few more finds from the Handmade in Britain show:

Melody Rose ceramics - vintage chinaware upcycled with transfers. More tea vicar?  

Melody Rose has also just launched some new tea cups and saucers, echoing vintage style shapes - handmade in Stoke on Trent and finished at the Melody Rose studios.

cushions by Trisha Needham

Danila Tarcinale: man jewellery - cufflinks and collar stiffeners

I like the display cabinets used by Danila Tarcinale, jewellery lined up like exotic bugs