Sergio Rodriques.

Brazilian Modernist, Sergio Rodriques: Architect, Interior Designer and Furniture maker. Founder of ‘Oca Industries’ furniture brand in Rio de Janeiro in 1956. He is a funny, talented man and I would like one of his Jacaranda chairs some day!

N x

'Kilin' chair-1973 & 'Sonia'-1997

'Tonico' chair

'Roattino' chair-1931 & 'Mole'-1961

'Diz' armchair-remake 2002

On the subject of ‘things I like’ here are a few other beautifully designed products I have been looking at AND on my wish list………..

Tonfisk Design-coffee pot and mugs

Marni rug design for The Rug Company

Aurinko tealight-Sanna Annukka

Chloé snow boots......why not?!

‘Love’-YSL.

A friend of mine was on holiday recently in Marrakech, Morocco and I am very jealous! I went to Tangier a few years ago which gave me a taster of this wonderful and interesting place. Now that I am not too far away I really, really want to go!!!! I have a hidden ‘love’ to visit Marrakech. The colours and culture I find to be a never-ending inspiration. For those of you who do not know, Yves Saint Laurent, one of the greatest, well-known designer names in 20th Century Fashion regularly visited Marrakech, to find influence for his own work.

In 2008 Yves Saint Laurent  died. He was cremated and his ashes scattered in the Majorelle Garden, a botanical garden in Marrakech. Created by french artist Jacques Majorelle, and bought and restored by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Berge in 1980. The bright blue walls of this museum of Islamic Art was where he would find refuge at times, a home away from Paris. On each visit to this striking and amazingly colourful backdrop he would create a design and leave it in the villa. Since his death there is a permanent memorial dedicated to the designer in the gardens. A wall showcases each of these unique designs including the year of his visit and the word ‘ LOVE ‘, which is widely known as the YSL signature. I can’t wait to visit for myself! This was a man who introduced the tuxedo suit for women and the first designer to use ethnic models in his runway shows, referencing other cultures in his work! Legend.

N x

Pierre Berge and Yves Saint Lauren at the entrance of the Majorelle Gardens. Marrakech, Morocco, 1982. Photography source: http://snobish.com

A few more of what Morocco has to offer…..and Thank you to SC for the photos!

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Pills.

Hi all, we came across this quirky shop at the weekend called Happy Pills only based here in Barcelona. This shop is designed to look like a self-service pharmacy. Decide what mood your in and select your pills! Its a little bit of fun and if your ever in town pop in, choose your pot size, fill it with as many sweets as possible, choose from a selection of stickers to slap on it and ta-da…sugar rush heaven! The shelves of stored sweets is so nicely colour coordinated which makes it tough to choose between the blue shark chewy or the watermelon bubble gum! Oh and it stood by its word of making me ‘happy’, because they had Runts and Gobstoppers too- taking me back to my childhood.

N x

Happy Pills pharmacy

my sticker choice!-"Pink clouds for grey days"

 

First-aid kit!

Skinny laminx.

I read an article in last months Elle Decoration and in one of their home shots there was a sofa with lots of printed cushions on it. I pinned it to my board along with all the other bits and bobs and then realised that I had seen it elsewhere and that it is one of Heather Moore’s designs. Her label is called ‘Skinny Laminx’ which is quirky and not easily forgotten. She is based in Cape Town, South Africa and I really like her screen printed fabrics. I have been working on some freelance Spring/Summer 12 designs and the simplicity and use of colour in Laminx’s own designs got me in the mood for the S/S start. Which I would like to point out  is not that easy when you’re heading into the winter season! She has some lovely prints applied to other products which you can find on her website.

Here are a few of them…..

N x

Winter Warmers.

Cosy printed pullover-Zara

 

Window shopping likes; fabrics, saddle brown and bottle green tones, printed cardi’s and new favourite local store- Oysho’s winter collection! Swoon.

N x

Oysho boots

Nice winter colour spec from Mango

Mango coat

 

Printed tights-Oysho

Oysho winter collection

My ‘Bramble’ Print.

I popped into the Accessorise and Monsoon shop last week in Barcelona and came across one of my prints, on a blouse for Children’s Wear…….. second year around but in a different colour-way, which is a nice compliment!

N x