If I Had An Ipad...

source: Darkroom

Linen in Clay

These ceramics are so beautiful - incorporating linen textures into clay ceramics and some painterly washes - from Elephant Ceramics.

Aesop Around the World

The interior designs of Aesop stores all around the world are amazing and inspiring. Here's the latest one in Aoyama, Tokyo which makes use of materials of an actual abandoned home - detail detail detail! - by Scemata Architecture Office












source

Pop Up

Gap and Cool Hunting have collaborated with a pop up store

pop up stores: they are such wonderful ideas, if executed properly.

shop image: ny times

Menu

Lately I've been coverting almost all the sleek and smart designs from Scandinavian brand Menu. Norm Architects have designed some pretty homewares for them under the New Norm range.



A lovely bottle grinder from Norm where the spices fall unexpectedly from the edges of the bottle mouth.


The Lighthouse Oil Lamp by Christian Bjorn - the oil is filled into the lamp from the top with a form reminiscent of traditional lighthouses. The lamp comes in 4 sizes.

Smallables Christmas

Yes I know I found these at a children's store - Smallables - but I think they make great fashion statements for adults too! You should really check out the online Christmas catalog - so beautiful shot and thoughtfully themed, magical without being commercially overbearing, photographs tinged with a romantic light.





There's also an interview with Sophie Demenge, creator of brand Oeuf NYC whose beautiful and simple children's furniture has been seen around quite a bit online.

Tom Dixon + + Junya Ishigami

Another book to get would be Tom Dixon's Industry, plus he is one of my favourite designers of the moment...using materials like like brass and glass in the most romantic way, wood with playful detailing - quite unpredictable but still so simple and spirited + + off cut bench and glass knobs for wall hangers...these would look cute in a child's room. + + +



For those in Singapore, Xtra is having a 30% discount till year end.

+ + +



On the local design front, Junya Ishigami's family chairs with their cheeky knitted dressing are available at p5. I don't know how comfortable they are but I'd like to go to the showroom to try.

1st image source

Haus Interior

Lovely homewares from Haus Interior in NYC + cool ceramic cups, a wire book holder and military-inspired cushions.

Boys and Girls

I must admit I noticed Kate Spade a little more only after being delighted at the things at Jack Spade. It's funny how my inner girlishness takes second place but I think really it's my architectural training that draws me instinctively to the appeal of unadorned natural materials compared to the more decorative aspects of womens's products...but with such cute products from the former, I'm starting to like both types equally well!

first 4 items from Jack Spade/ last 2 items from Kate Spade

Kagure

I have been wanting to write about the shops I went to for my Tokyo trip in December but had to hold it back a little for an article for a local magazine. So now the magazine article is out I can elaborate more about the lovely shops I went. These are probably but a handful of lovely places to explore in Tokyo for things for your home. So we shall start off with one of my favourites. One of the shops we went to was Kagure, in Shibuya, behind the back streets of Omothesando.




Kagure has a green agenda, selling organic products including clothes made from organic cotton, soaps, tea, children's toys and handcrafted, hand beaten homewares in metal, stone, porcelain..imperfect in their handmade nature. The shop itself is so tactile...rough timber planked tables, pebbled stone floor, unpolished metallic racks...on the second floor is a little atelier space. Occassionally they hold exhibitions for artists and craftsmen.


There was a lady doing some handiwork there. We had a conversation with her - or rather she tried to understand us with her unlimited English. We told her we had come the year before when they opened and we loved the shop. She was so delighted. As we left the shop and were walking down the street, she ran after us and handed us two sand-coloured tote bags with the words 'organic' on it and told us it was a gift from the shop. We were especially touched becuse we didn't buy anything then. If I go back to Tokyo I will definately go back to the shop, and I will definately buy something. Maybe a little handbeaten copper ladle, or a trinklet.


They opened a smaller shop in Maurinouchi just about that time, so we went to visit that too. It sold the same things, but outside the pavement was lined with blooms. That and the cool wintry air made the experience so heartwarming.