Elemental Antiques

My little flat in London is just round the corner from Brick Lane and Spitalfields, I love nothing more than wandering around browsing through all the little shops. Above all I love all the vintage furniture shops, this place takes vintage to a whole new level. They sell everything from lights to mirrors, to old medicine cabinets, if your looking for something a bit different with plenty of character, then Elemental antiques should definitely be your first call. 

Like I say, Elemental sell such a variety of products that it's pretty hard to choose a favourite piece. but for me, their range of lighting just tops it all, lamps, shades and floor lamps they go for it all. They also do some pretty stunning tables and chairs, this bad boy is an old school table, it's so simple and yet I love that is has some serious history behind it,in fact I love nothing more! So if you want something a bit different with a story Elemental is your place.

Sophie xo

London transport museum

As someone who has lived and grown up near London, the tubes have always been a little part of my childhood. I can remember as a kid oggling at the cute little mice running between the tracks and running about over excitedly. So for me the revelation that transport museum have their own range of home ware...well need I say more? 

They have just released these train rack shelves, originals from the 1960's fresh off the old Metropolitan line trains, for me it's all about having a little slice of history in your house, and at a (pretty reasonable) £250 for a large I would say it's most definitely worth it. But the fun doesn't stop there, if your feeling like you want something a bit more obviously tube related (and have an unnatural obsession with soft furnishings, like me) they also do a large range of cushions and throws. I am particularly in love with this district line moquette throw made of 100% Merino Lambswool, mmmmm. So if you want to recapture a little bit of childhood, this is the way to go!

Sophie xo

Voila!

I have to say the least, a lot of issues with taxidermy.
1. It's grose.
2. It's really creepy.
3. I once saw an episode of criminal minds with a taxidermist...i'm still haunted.
4. I really don't want a dead squirrel anywhere near me.
However, for the sake of people who do like it, O am putting this aside, I am being open minded...trying to be anyway. Meet weird bat skeleton.

Ok I may have mildly over reacted this isn't REAL taxidermy, these little guys are from Voila! an art showroom full of weird and wonderful products for the buying. They literally have such a large range of products it's hard to figure out what you want, but these stuck out for me, as I say I wouldn't want them in my home but they are pretty cool, especially the bat. But don't you worry the wonderful doesn't stop there they also sell chairs, frames, lighting, pretty much anything. So if your looking for something to decorate your house that people stop and stare at and pull a 'What the hell?!' face Voila! is your place! 

Wire Chandelier

This morning as I was rolling around my bed trying to wake up I decided to check the weather ( a standard morning ritual) I was delighted to see a big sun and finally something looking like a normal temperature for February. However, note to self, iPhones lie, as I lifted the blind I was confronted by another dreary dull sky. I definitely needed some cheering up, so I began my other morning ritual, some tea and hunting for something pretty to start off the day!

This bizarre baroque chandelier is made completely out of white painted wire. Just...wow, I want every single item in that bathroom, but this has got to be top of the list. If you want something eye catching, i'm thinking this is the way to go. I love the way it seems almost transparent, like you really have to search for it, it works beautifully in the top image with the black walls. It's comes in a medium and a large but this is definitely a case when super size is much better, but at a pricy £2,555 for the large, maybe I can just add it onto my christmas list.  

Sophie xo

NUD Cord lights

In any room, no matter the size, colour or furniture it's all about the light. How much light you get into your rooms can make or break a good living space, if you have plenty of windows, great! You are one of the lucky ones, for people like me who have one window at the end of each room, light becomes more of an issue. Obviously putting a lamp shade onto your ceiling light, dims the light being given off, but nobody wants a naked bulb and to draw attention to that boring white cord. 

Introducing your design solution, the NUD classic light fitting. These simple to install lights are just what the doctor ordered, simple sleek and oh so stylish! They come in a range of textile cord colours and the lamp holder comes in white or black porcelain. Pop in a fancy light bulb (I recommend the NUD bulb, they look that extra bit special and you know it will 100% fit) and away you go with your new lighter than life room! I love the textile cord especially in the black and white striped effect, it adds something a bit extra and we all know the devil is always in the detail.
Sophie xo 

Sarah Milton

I have just Started my FMP at Uni, and i'm basing the whole thing around fabric and wallpaper design...so apologies but most of my posts will probably be about that. I have completely got myself into it, i'm trying to literally breathe fabric design for the next 12 weeks, and by the end of it hopefully I have some half decent designs to live up to some of my favourites!! 

So to start off the stream of designers I bring you Sarah Milton, without a doubt one of my favourite designers at the moment. She uses typography and numbers in her work to create geometric patterns. I don't usually like wallpapers that are really busy, colourful and use black all at once (I find black kind of depressing on walls) But Sarah does ALL of this at once, and she has completely converted me to love it. These busy (and sometimes gold) walls look absolutely amazing, a piece of art right there in your own home. And to top it all off she hand screen prints the lot...seriously what more could a girl want! Check out her prints as well, if you don't have the walls to cover then a print is always the next best thing!!
Sophie xo 

Brainstorm Print

Ohhh Brainstorm Print, you genius' of print you!! This amazing science set shows versatility, a light hearted humour and they look pretty hot if I do say so myself! Sadly they are no longer available...excuse me while I cry in the corner, however just knowing that these beauties are out there lighting up peoples homes make me feel much better!! I love the colour contrast in each one and can just see them anywhere in the house, standing as a proud set. Although these ones aren't available anymore, check out their online store for some other printed beauties! 
Sophie xo

Claire-Anne O'Brien

I just found these AMAZING knit stools by Claire-Anne O'Brien, who has just graduated from the masters in Textiles (well done!) I love how they play with scale, each stool is hand knitted and just looks stunning and so striking. I can imagine one of these bad boys sitting in the corner of my living room, or as a dressing table stool. They look cool, have eye popping colours and...it's knitting! What more could you want!

Sophie xo

Louise Body

Every now and then comes a product that I just fall so totally in love with that I want to buy it right away. The only thing stopping me from buying these amazing and beautiful paper tiles from Louise Body is that I actually have nowhere to put them!! I have a rented flat so I can't really start wallpapering the kitchen! But I think they would look amazing as a backdrop for some cupboards or storage containers. If like me you arn't allowed to paint or use wallpaper (so rubbish!!) you can dress the insides and backs of drawers, wardrobes, boxes or shelves with these beautiful tiles just to add something a bit different. Alternatively you can actually blue tack wallpaper up to get the effect, however this isn't a long term solution, as wallpaper is heavy you will probably spend most of your time sticking it back up!

Sophie xo

Jonathan Adler Lamps

Jonathan Adler designs, are 9/10 pretty hot. He designs everything from vases to butter dishes, but these lamps from the Carnaby lamp series have seriously caught my eye. In particular the teal scales (anything teal and I want it!) the colour scheme, pattern and simple white shade make the perfect statement lamp, fit for anywhere in the home! However, be warned these bad boys will set you back £275 a pop...I don't think I love it that much. 

Sophie xo