inky black inspiration

She takes her time ensuring each piece is unique and retains the intrinsic charm of her childhood memories of rural Scotland where she draws inspiration for her intricately hand-drawn motifs. As I delve into Johanna Basford's collection I am further inspired to unchain myself from the computer and find my way back to the most basic of it all - pen and ink. It takes time indeed and certainly goes against the grain of industry design practice where technology takes over creativity - where production and profits take centerstage leaving time invested creativity behind. I realize  that its time to check out the rear-view mirror and see what we used to do with our hands where no hardcore computer savvy can claim to outshine. 

love that flavor!

Wallcoverings are coming back and the reemergence is headier and more flavorful.  And Flavor Paper is on the roll with its hand printed wallcoverings which allow customization.  Ink colors from all of their patterns are interchangeable and designs can be printed on any stock grounds without additional fees. Yummy eh?! 

silkscreen and lithograph

There's something about  Sanna Annukka's very clean, bold graphic art  that makes me feel rather nostalgic.  It must be the forests and everything in it created by only those whose imagination is rich- unspoilt. Sanna Annukka's major style  influence is derived from spending most of her childhood summers in small villages in Finland where she enjoyed the midnight sun, arctic rivers, forests, lakes and sang a collection of folklore songs. 

Shoe Fleur -A Footwear Fantasy

I discovered Shoe Fleur sometime last year in one of Apple's Pro profiles and thought I'd share it with you.  It's a collection of whimsical, inventive fancy of flowers and footwear created by photographer/stylist Michel Tcherevkoff.  

THE Atlas

Okay Im digressing but I love the concept of travel! I guess its part of creativity. Experience and novelty have always been part of my jump-start process to kick me out of my creative rut. And this book is the Atlas - it maps out the coolest and hippest hotel destinations worldwide (yes, hotel destination). Though its been long since I've packed my suitcase, I am dreaming of my next journey and this book is my magic carpet as I dream away! HIP HOTELS ATLAS.

Lost and Found

Five years ago my idea of fabric was no more than cotton.  Though my strong, perhaps inborn penchant for designs and patterns always charmed me to fabric appreciation, I was never aware of its diversity. It could be that my regard for them was more visual than tactile - literally superficial. As I now learn more about thread count, sources and types, uses, and production methods my understanding is nurtured even more to according respect and high regard to the artisans behind those well-crafted, beautifully designed textiles. Here is one that I would love to see someday.  

New York based design house, Lost City - home of the most beautiful hand-embroidered fabrics in the world, specializes in hand embroidered fabrics using an embroidery technique from the 17th century Mughal Empire. Founded by designer, Afshan Durrani,  who took her fabrics from the harsh conditions of India to New York now employs almost over 120 skilled artisans and master dyers carrying out exemplary craftsmanship.  Read on..

"Lost City is driven by the desire to create the most beautiful hand embroidered fabrics in the world by employing artisans who would otherwise lose their livelihood. We believe that the extinction of rare skills possessed by families that still earn living with needle and thread would deprive the world of a highly evolved art form that has existed over five hundred years.  It's no secret that technological progress often has a human cost. Modernization has pulverized many genteel traditions and sometimes entire civilizations have been sacrificed in the name of advancement. cities once rich in art and culture have vanished. We are not reformists, but we are passionately devoted to preserving some of the craftsmanship that enhances our lives and saving a bit of the magic that illuminate our cities.

The most sophisticated and informed clients in the west have found fabrics created by our artisans to be "breathtaking" , "spectacular" , and "shockingly beautiful". We are gratified in being able to make this connection between two very disparate worlds. Our mission is to make hand embroidery a flourishing art again." 

(I think the pictures don't do justice to their work - gotta head to NY! )

hip hotel

After months of being home from a short trip to Cambodia, my memories at Hotel de la Paix, Siem Reap linger on... It is beautiful - chic and hip. How can I not forget "Better Together" in the background while guests were casually enjoying the high back chairs and free wi-fi. Outside was a garden and what charmed me the most were the huge swings with pillows pillows, and pillows. It was just lovely. I could sit there all day. The slender female sculptures along the hallways looked very delicate and beautiful. How I wanted to so much bring one home. Aside from the obvious reasons why one leaves Cambodia in sheer awe; never again the same person, I was lost for word for the most of my stay because of the hotels. Each was one of a kind, all were built with a very high and careful regard for design and hospitality experience.

a touch of glass

  I want these hand-blown glass goblets by Ben Edols!!  They make drinking ordinary h2o so chic.