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Above is a photo from our recent vacation in Sedona, Arizona. There is a place called Buddha Beach where you can witness in awe thousands of stacked rock sculptures near a Vortex site at the Red Rock Crossing in Sedona. It was amazing! I love Sedona!
I am in love with these gorgous handbags and throw pillows by Alison Gledhill of Grace Design! The designer is from Canada and makes these creations out of vintage obi and kimono fabric. Alison even custom laser cuts the wooden handles herself! Gorgeous. I will take one of each please! Oh, and did I mention these pieces are actually affordable! Score!
Via ModaMuse I discovered the amazing macrame and knotwork by Smalltown in Melbourne! Simply amazing! The modern monoschroma collection is amazing, and I want every single piece!!!! You also have to check out the magnificent macrame collection and see and how the pieces are superimposed on onto old school 70s photos, so awesome, lol!
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I'm liking the Yoshino Collection of Fabrics by Villa Nova from the UK. For a closer look at their many inspiring textile collections, download the catalog here.
Via Decor8 I learned that Amy Butler has designed a line of 100% organic cotton bedding for Welspun that will be available in June! See more photos here and a slideshow here.
This is super funky! I saw this over at Kim Vallee! Check it out! I love the temari-like ball pillows!
I'm a MAC user, but who wouldn't want a mini laptop that looked like a clutch and sported a Vivienne Tam peony print!!! Sheer bliss! Check it out here and read more about it here and here. It's fierce, baby! If you don't need a clutch laptop you can get a dose of Vivienne Tam's style by clutching her fashion book China Chic.
This is Mandira Bedi, a famous Bollywood actress who is shown rockin' this mod sari in India's Republic-Day colors of orange, white and green! Love it! Check out the back of her sari and more sari style at Saree Dreams.
I
*heart* the beautiful textile jewelry and hair pins by etsy seller TidaBeads in Tokyo! I love this hair pin, this knotted necklace and this crochet collar!
Pretty things await you at the Blissliving Home website with their new Spring 2009 collection... I love the Chrysanthemum Wall Vase, Harajuku Duvet Set, Chrysanthemum Side Table and Bonsai Pillar Candles.
Signoria di Firenze makes divine bedding! These neutral suites make me feel warm and relaxed.
I love the look and history of the kimono and Chinese Cheongsam or Qipao. Check out Alkemie's post on The Traditional Chinese dress - The Cheongsam or The Qipao... I have several qipao style dresses that I had sourced from vintage stores in my college days, but sadly, they don't fit me anymore. (photos from Alkemie)
(collage by Design*Sponge)
I love Ikat textiles and the rich history of culture and craft that it supports! Shout out to Grace at Design*Sponge for rounding up some gorgeous examples of Ikat's use in today's modern design world.
Related Posts:
Ikat } Beauty and the Weave
Ikat Weave Inspired Wardrobe for the Summer
Tropical Modern Floral
This Amenity Home collection of Christmas decor made from a blend of eco-friendly hemp and organic cotton is simply fantastic! Check it out here. Via re-nest.
Do you like cookies? Do you like kimono fabric? Do you like graphic patterned textiles? Do you love these photos as much as I do? I saw these beautiful cookie photos and recipes in the latest Gourmet magazine! Oh how I wish I were ambitious enough to make these and wrap them up in a pretty box with kimono or ikat pattern paper or fabric...or maybe use a furoshiki. The recipes are below...but if you make them you have to send me some! Wink, wink! Yum!
Row 1
Glittering Lemon Sandwich Cookies
Moravian Crisp Cookies with Royal Icing
Row 2
Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
Glittering Lemon Sandwich Cookies (same as row 1)
Figurines of beauties and goddesses always inspire me and this one is no exception. I would love to have this incredibly gorgeous doll! "This doll was inspired by the image of Yang Gui Fei from the Tang Dynasty, one of the renowned four beauties of ancient China. It reveals the elaborate craft of dress making in the Tang Dynasty." I want to do my hair like that one day! You can collect this doll at China Sprout. They also have many other beautiful fashion dolls and figurines. For an Indian inspired doll check out Jewel of Bollywood by Devout Dolls.
Serge Mounage is an African born, Tokyo based designer and well-traveled artist who has created Wafrica, a series of kimonos and obis made with beautiful African fabrics. Instead of calling Wafrica a "collection," Serge refers to his work as a "variation of experiences that evolve as a seasonal, rhythmic dialogue." I truly appreciate this example of international inspiration!
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This is really interesting...
"Designer Elsbeth Joy Nielsen from the Netherlands has discovered a way of producing silk without killing silkworms.
Normally the worms die when their cocoons are boiled to loosen the silk;
Nielsen's technique allows them to create a patch of pure silk while
crawling back and forth over a platter looking for a place to build their
cocoons. Once the panel is complete, they are left to pupate naturally. The
resulting scarf demonstrates the material's exquisite beauty."
The photograph is so stunning! Via Dezeen and Roger Live.
Look at these beautiful Fair Trade African Wax Prints from Ananse Village. These textiles support many people in West Africa who are involved in producing tie dye and batik. I love the bold patterns and color combinations!
I recently saw the Bollywood exhibit by the Center on Contemporary Art (COCA) and was amazed by this absolutely gorgeous handmade doll by Sara Lanzilotta of Devout Dolls! I saw this doll in person and every detail was divine including the matching silk covered shelf that it was on!
Check out these beautiful hand colored photographs by flickr user Okinawa Soba! Also check out these color palettes over at Color Lovers inspired by one of the sets featuring Geisha in swimwear fashion.
Growing up with Ikat & Batik textiles all around the house (like runners, placemats, bags, sarongs) has instilled in me a sense of awe and amazement of the weavers and community of craftspeople that instinctively create the colors and intricate handwork that affords us these wonderful textiles. For me, no matter what the season, global culture and craft will always be in style. Ikat fashion spread via InStyle Magazine.
Inspired by our favorite flower, this stylized Peony Pop print by Shanghai Tang is colorful, inspiring and sophisticated!
These beautiful hairpins are called Tsumami-kanzashi (tsumami means the act of pinching) and they are handmade from tiny squares of thin silk called 'habutae.' These hairpin designs usually resemble filigree flowers or butterflies and the history of this craftwork dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1867). Today they are only worn in Japan on special occasions however, artist Yonuko is reviving the craft with her modern style tsumami-kanzashi made from old kimono fabrics. Read more about this artist and her beautiful creations here! Watch some demos on YouTube here! Buy some similar hairpins here!
Today I discovered Stylekist, a fabulous design and decor blog from Mumbai, India! I also discovered Portico India, a most sumptuous home textile company with some amazing collections! Shown below are selections from the fashionable Urban Monk line. I love the intense colors, the artwork and the styling. Portico collaborated with the Lakme Fashion Week (would love to attend someday!) in India this spring to create an amazing fashion collection using their Urban Monk textiles. Go to the Portico site and click on the Lakme Fashion Week image to learn more about the collaboration and to watch the incredibly inspiring fashion show! Um, hello, I'll take all of those fashion pieces along with the coordinating bedding!!!
Aid to Artisans (ATA) is a non-profit organization that helps artisan communities enhance their cultural vitality and well being through their crafts. The organization helps craftspeople develop products, learn business skills and sustain themselves in an environmentally sensitive and culturally respectful manner. ATA has also sourced artisan production for Jonathan Adler's pottery. Shown above are some of my favorite finds at the ATA online shop.
Featured Floral Designer: Nancy Liu Chin Designs - San Francisco, CA
I have long been a fan of Nancy Liu Chin's floral & event design work - so fresh and so modern! This wedding theme is called Aqua Poppy and features beautiful red dahlias and aqua accents. I adore the classic and elegant saris and Indian embellishments!
Floral and Event Design: Nancy Liu Chin Designs
Venue: Aqua Hotel in Mill Valley, California.
Photography:Lisa Lefkowitz
Wedding Coordination: Shannon Berry
I have long been inspired by Aviva Stanoff and her amazing body of work since I discovered her Brooklyn design studio many years ago. (Check out my eco-luxe color & trend board). Aviva embodies the union of her Japanese heritage and the modern metropolis lifestyle.
"From her North Hollywood roots in 1970’s bohemian California to tending to the flowers surrounding her grandfather’s Buddhist temple in Okayama, Japan, Aviva Stanoff represents a cultural tapestry...She finds inspiration in the subtle palette of nature, the deliberate minimalism of tradition, and the city sunset seen every night from her design studio window. She translates these inspirations into pattern, color, and beautiful environments."
With roots in the fashion textiles industry, the Aviva Stanoff collection is known for its high end, heirloom quality pillows and soft goods that are hand-dyed, etched, and painted one at a time in her Brooklyn studio by skilled artisans. Real foliage is used to create the prints you see and with a special technique these elements are embossed into plush velvet leaving the texture and essence of nature for you to enjoy. For more inspiration, check out this video and watch Aviva explain how she creates her work. I guarantee it will awe and inspire!
If you're into textiles, like I am, you'll probably have a shelf full of beautiful fabric waiting for you to make something out of it. Mine usually end up as temporary table runners or pillow covers. Sorry to do this to you, but you're gonna want to add to your collection! Fabric and Art is a great online source for a well edited selection of fabrics from around the world ~ many of which are fair trade, organic and sustainable. You'll find Japanese and Asian inspired cotton prints, Fair Trade Silks and Brocades, Fair Trade Batiks, Organic Cotton, Hemp, Soy and Bamboo Jersey, Eco-dyed Cottons, African Prints, Aboriginal Art Prints, Indian wovens, and Silk Brocade. Shown above from left to right - Japanese Print, Silk Brocade, African Batik, Indian Woven Stripe, Asian Print and Aboriginal Art print. Enjoy!
Beauty and light is what you get with this really cool Blossom Wall Light by Duffy London. It's a beautiful canvas photo print illuminated with a backlight. This artwork could work well at home or as a store display!
I'm in awe of Osborne & Little's spectacular collection of luxury wallpaper, fabric and furnishings. I really like the mid century modern inspired curved sofas and the rich color & texture!
I really like Missoni's collection of pillows, throws and poufs...see them here.
Remember I told you about the Blissliving Home Global Design Competition...They have posted the top 10 finalists and I have selected my favorite three (shown here). The top three will get to fly to Beijing for an extravagant awards ceremony and the winner will have their designs produced for all the world to enjoy! What an amazing competition!
In a world full of fast paced technology, the latest and greatest gadgets and hyperlink surfing, it's comforting to believe that global textiles and culture will never go out of style. I pray that as a global culture we will preserve and support the ancient and traditional techniques of arts and crafts, like Ikat weaving. Having grown up with Ikat textiles from the Philippines and Thailand, I have enjoyed seeing Ikat being used in modern fashion and lifestyle. Above is the latest Trend Alert from Elle Decor's April 2008 issue via the fabulous Chaikhana blog and below is another Ikat trend sheet from Elle Decor in August 2007 via Style Court.
Hey everyone! Please check out fellow blogger Lalla Lydia and her sumptuous Moroccan & Mediterranean style blog! Based out of Portland, Lydia is Moroccan by marriage and recently received a diploma in International Studies with a Mediterranean Region focus! Congratulations Lydia! You rock the Kasbah!
I was delighted and intrigued when I found Thai Cafe at Home which gives the gift of cuisine with dinner or lunch recipes and Thai cooking staples housed in a gorgeous silk box. Perfect for the internationally inclined host or wedding couple!
For eco-stylish gift wrapping make your own Furoshiki with beautiful pieces of fabric like these from Etsy seller Karaku Tokyo. Sold by the 1/2 yard (20"x44") you can cut a square, finish the edges with a rolled hem or serged edge and have some left over to make yourself a small pillow, scarf or sachet!
This is a lovely eco-chic rose gift basket that I made from my Organic Bouquet order on Valentine's Day. The wrapping cloth is a beautiful and vintage Furoshiki that was a thrift store find and the woven basket was purchased at Daiso. Both packaging items are elegant, eco-friendly and completely reusable. For the floral arrangement I lined the basket with plastic and a shallow square piece of floral foam (I can't wait until a more eco-friendly version of this nasty spongy green stuff hits the market), and inserted the organic rose blooms. Finally, I added silver crimped wire for embellishment. If given more time I would have added one colorful ribbon around the basket but in the end, I like how this gift turned out.
Spotted these lovely tea & origami favors today and thought how nice they would be for an engagement party, bridal shower, baby shower or modern wedding. The "Thank You Tea Pillow Box" (left) contains 5 tea bags with inspirational quotes and the Origami Fortune Cookie (right) comes in assorted patterns and can be customized with an imprinted ribbon. For modernity and sustainability, I would suggest an inspirational quote with the name and date in finer print. I'm positive the recipient will keep it around and will absolutely love to tell anyone who asks where they got it from :) See these instructions for making your own pillow box or origami fortune cookie.
H&M (Hennes & Mauritz), the Swedish fashion department store chain is finally coming to Seattle!!!! It's like IKEA for fashion...seriously! I just read that H&M will open three stores this Fall. One in the University Village, one downtown Seattle and one at Southcenter mall, in my own backyard! Oh man, this is big news for Seattle fashion. I have been to the many H&M stores in New York and it's madness. You can expect to wait in line for a dressing room and then again to check out. I always love their textile prints - you can imagine the awesomeness of finding a plethora of summer wrap dresses in prints reminiscent of Marimekko, Orla Kierly or Dianne Von Furstenberg for $24.99! It would make any mild mannered fashionista's heart race and blood pulse. Oh and don't feel too bad. H&M is also working on their corporate responsibility & sustainability initiatives by providing its followers with affordable organic cotton options too.
Saw this awesome calendar spread over at Love Made Visible. Amazing! Reminds me of the Spring 07 Christian Dior couture collection.
I made some sustainable Holiday gifts this year that I would love to share with you! These gifts went out to the dear ladies in my life. Here's the scoop: {1} Sustainable Kiri wood boxes wrapped with colorful scrap paper, ribbon and a mini ornament bauble. (The boxes were an awesome score at Daiso, a Japanese "dollar" store) {2} My signature Lotus TeaBowl™ EcoSoya Candle with the scent of Citrus Basil and a beautiful carved wooden stand {3} Mini Silk sachets made with reclaimed fabric (last year's table runner) or kimono scraps and filled with scented buckwheat hulls. {4} Silk Eye Pillow made with reclaimed silk (last year's Thanksgiving fabric decor) and filled with buckwheat hulls, flax seeds and organic Lavender essential oil. The buckwheat hulls were leftover from my Thanksgiving floral decor this year. For the packaging I wrapped coordinating scrap paper and tied it with raffia. These gifts were all very easy to make and I had a meditative and aromatic time creating them! Click here for more info on how to make your own buckwheat sachets and eye pillows. Enjoy!
Blissliving Home, one of my favorite and most inspirational global lifestyle companies, is having their first ever design competition! Aspiring designers are invited to participate and design a complete bedding ensemble for Blissliving Home’s Fall 2008 collection. The challenge is to interpret a trend that they call “Autumn Chic”. The top three designers will score a once-in-a-lifetime journey to a dazzling awards gala in Beijing where they get to meet industry influentials and design experts. The winning design will be produced, featured, and sold within Blissliving Home’s Fall/Winter 2008 collection! What an amazing opportunity! Click here for more details and to enter the competition. The deadline is February 10, 2008 and the awards ceremony will take place in April. Please let me know if you enter and I will post your entry on the LotusHaus site for all to see! Good luck!!!
Via Desire To Inspire I discovered Vixen Australia, a purveyor of timeless, global modern style and luxury! Take me to Australia!
So cool! This is a super hip "fabric garden" installation at the 100% Design show in London featuring reclaimed lamp shades, and fabric styling from Ted Baker. It reminds me of rice terraces, my favorite gardenscape of all time. Via Inhabitat.
Check out my sweet textile finds from the Texuba sale in Seattle! These are hand embroidered pieces of vintage kimonos! I just love the feeling of history, the detailed motifs and the beautiful brilliant colors!
Kelly Hoppen: Kelly Hoppen Style: The Golden Rules of Design
Kelly Hoppen: East Meets West: Global Design for Contemporary Interiors
Colin Cowie: Colin Cowie Wedding Chic: 1,001 Ideas for Every Moment of Your Celebration
Cindy Ng: Girligami: A Fresh, Fun, Fashionable Spin on Origami
Robyn Griggs Lawrence: The Wabi-Sabi House: The Japanese Art of Imperfect Beauty
Thich Nhat Hanh: Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life
Maureen Whitehouse: Soul-Full Eating: A (Delicious!) Path to Higher Consciousness
David Kundtz: Quiet Mind: One-Minute Retreats from a Busy World
Michelle Cornell: Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arranging for Today's Interior
Sakul Intakul: Tropical Colors: Art of Living With Tropical Flowers
