LotusHaus

Chinoiserie Style Paintings by Kathe Fraga

I really like these vintage looking, Chinoiserie style paintings by Kathe Fraga. You can check out her artist statment here and purchase art prints here!

Obi Handbags and Kimono Pillows } by Grace Design

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!

Anne Namba } Kimono Couture Wedding Gowns

Based in Hawaii, Anne Namba creates gorgeous couture wedding gowns made from vintage kimono and obi! Tip: Pair your kimono couture dress with custom made kimono shoes by Hetty Rose. Click here for more kimono ideas.

BCOME } German Design a la Tokyo

  There are some amazing things to be discovered at Bcome, a blog and design studio created by Benigna a German Designer in Japan. Check out the DIY "cut sheets" she posts free for you to use on your own personal projects... like this clever, eco-friendly paper ribbon (above) and the modern and stylish kimono bag (below). Simply lovely!

New Blog Love } Asian Inspired Weddings

As you know, I love event design and wedding style that is culturally inspired! Today I discovered Kim Liu and her gorgeous new blog about Asian Inspired Weddings!  Check it out for some modern and chic ideas for weddings with Asian flair. Also, for more cultural flavor, be sure to visit my other favorite Wedding Nouveau.

iTabi } Kimono Cloth iPhone Case

iTabi is a really cute iPhone case that comes in various Kimono patterns and includes two different strap lengths and a pocket on the front for earbuds or a headset. Pretty affordable too! Buy one here for $19.99. Oh and it's actually Made in Japan.

Sushibird Tiles

 
  
These Sushibird Tiles from The Red Thread are simply gorgeous!!! Vibrant graphic birds cut from Japanese papers nest on simple illustrations inspired by nature. The white line work illustrations are hand painted on solid natural timber finished in a semi-gloss varnish.

Sushi Collection by Moroso

This is super funky! I saw this over at Kim Vallee! Check it out! I love the temari-like ball pillows!

Hollywood Style } Japanese Theme Emmy Party

Holy Hollywood! This was TV Guide's idea of a Zen Lounge Emmy party last year... What you are looking at is a 150,000 square foot parking lot with a silk covered tent and huge red gateway structure behind the sensational Kress Night Club on Hollywood Blvd. 1000 cranes were imported from Thailand and floated above a garden-like haven dotted with cherry blossoms, Japanese maple trees, more than 75 bonsai trees, and some 50 bamboo stalks. Furthering the theme were 20 alternating images measuring 55-feet tall and 140-feet wide that featured scenes such as snow-covered volcanoes or lines of Japanese calligraphy. I really love the lighting and the seating! Below are images from the inside of the club that really impressed me:

Read the full story here.

Wear this kimono hair pin on Valentine's Day!

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!

Kimono Cookies for Christmas!

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)

Row 3
Orange Pistachio Cookies
Dulce de Leche Half Moons

Ceci Kimono Stationary Collection

I adore these kimono-inspired card collections by stationary design company Ceci New York! Via Style Me Pretty.

Tang Dynasty Beauty } Yang Gui Fei

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.

Wafrica } Kimono ala Africa

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! 

Related Posts:

Fair Trade African Fabrics } Ananse Village

Vlisco } African Wax Prints

Lalesso } Kenyan Fashion & Fair Trade

Wooden World of Color } Globalesque Toys at Romp in Brooklyn

Via the delightful blog Oh Joy!, I discovered these wonderful works of art (dare I say toys) at Romp in Brooklyn, NY. I love the giraffe and elephants with origami paper designs and motifs!

Kimono Style Bangles

These gold bangles are on my wishlist! I love that these bangles are inspired by Japanese design icons and graphic elements often seen on kimono textiles and paper. Buy them here.

Color Inspiration } Japanese Hand Colored Photos

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.

Japanese Textile Hairpins } Tsumami-kanzashi by Yonuko

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!

Kokeshi Inspiration } Mirabel's Etsy Shop

Meet the beautiful, sweet and serene kokeshi characters from Maeve Donohue, a Vietnamese Irish American visual artist and designer living in Rhode Island. In her etsy shop, you will find original paintings, illustrations, prints, and lovely little items made out of her illustrations! I just love love love the NAMASTE card and all of her illustrations and cards!!!

Karaku Tokyo } Japanese Textiles on Etsy

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!

Valentine's Day } Organic Rose Basket

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.

Amazing Art Direction via Love Made Visible

Saw this awesome calendar spread over at Love Made Visible. Amazing! Reminds me of the Spring 07 Christian Dior couture collection.

Girl of All Work } Ona Collection - for your home office

Because of their Kimono inspired graphics, I picked up these cool page flags and button magnets by Girl of All Work at Capers in Fremont. This lifestyle office accessories company carries a line called the Ona Collection which is a tribute to both modern and traditional Japanese textiles. Look for them at your nearest stationary and gift store!

Color Inspiration Boards } inspired by kimonos, tea and flowers

While reflecting on this past year, I wanted to share with you some color inspiration boards that I did a while ago...they make me want to slow down and be still in preparation for the new year. Go here for some floral inspiration and to center yourself.

Vixen Australia } Purveyor of Global Modern Style

Via Desire To Inspire I discovered Vixen Australia, a purveyor of timeless, global modern style and luxury! Take me to Australia!

Texuba } Vintage Kimono Finds

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!

Texuba } Vintage Kimono & Textiles Sale in Seattle!

Texuba, a vintage kimono & Japanese textile stockist is retiring and having "humongous" sales in Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Make sure you don't miss it! Sale prices advertised are from $15 to $200, and their opulent collection of wedding kimono will go for $300 and up. The Seattle sale is next weekend, October 6-7 from 10-3pm, in Columbia City at the Wedding Hall on Rainier and Genesee.

Kobo Soy Candles

I picked up one of these beautiful origami inspired Kobo Soy Candles today and the smell is so dreamy! The packaging is glorious and it comes with coordinating matches! Buy them here.

Free People } Kimono Inspired Storefront in Texas

I love the look of Free People's new store in Austin, Texas. Look at the kimono inspired painted storefront. Check out the Free People blog for the inside scoop on this great free spirited, urban boho brand. Anthropologie has a vibe similar to Free People...see photos from their cool headquarters in Philadelphia here (via Decor8).

Zillion } Kimono street remix

I love Japanese textiles. The patterns, the colors, the craftsmanship. I also love the inspiration and connection with nature that is interpreted into stylized textile patterns...like the tortoise shell, hemp flower, ocean wave, ginkgo leaf, chrysanthemum, etc. I also love hip hop culture. The many innovations in music, style & attitude and the ability to connect with youth of all cultures. So when I found out about Zillion via Ping Mag I immediately recognized a good remix. Zillion is a street wear company based in Japan, that was started by a French guy, named David Guarino. Zillion makes belts, laces, hats and hoodies using vintage kimono fabric or reproduced kimono patterns. The way David sources his materials from old school textile makers is like how my husband, DJ Tecumseh digs for records in the most obscure places. Go here to read the interview with Zillion's founder David Guarino.

House of Flying Angles } Christian Dior Haute Couture S/S '07

Let me know how you would describe these amazing architectural designs by
the Dior couture house, cuz I'm speechless!
Check out my JuxtaPoste that was inspired by this collection.

Hetty Rose } Sustainable Shoes to Order

I wish I lived in the UK! Hetty Rose is a sustainable, made-to-order shoe collection from London. I am absolutely in love with the collection and the philosophy behind it! This couture line of shoes embodies all of the principles that I stand for...handmade, global, modern, sustainable, and stylin'! Vintage kimono fabric and craftsmanship are used to make these gloriously beautiful and sustainable shoes...shoes wth stories. Embedded within each kimono fabric are meaningful symbols and stories. Each shoe is handmade & custom made for its wearer, further embellishing the unique story of each shoe. You can find her collection at the e-tailer Pecha Kucha, however, they are only available in the UK. (I know, I cried too.)