Faux Flowers are not a Faux Pas

I would normally be of the opinion that faux flowers are a faux pas however one designer has completely changed my mind.

French designer, Herve Gambs http://www.hervegambs.com/ is a master of mixing and styling and has created the most sensational range of unique room fragrances, furniture and decorative objects including an array of faux flowers that would do their "real" brother's and sister's proud.

Using delicate materials and making many of his designs by hand, Gambs delivers a range of floral creations that retain their elegant shape and colour without water!

I adore this little leather clip around the stem of the lily

I love the organic shape vessels he uses to house his floral creations

Free standing flowers - no vase!

Nobody or Somebody?

I love finding ingenious design and Italian furniture company nobody&co. are experts at producing cleaver, functional and completely original pieces.

My favourite is the bibliochaise which I think translates into something like “library chair” – It’s the ultimate ready chair with all of your favourite books within arms reach!

http://www.nobodyandco.it/nobodyandco/homepageingl.html

Bargain Basement

Another week another sale! This weeks bargains are brought to you by http://www.missyconfidential.com.au

My pick of the bunch are:

Herringbone End of Season Warehouse Sale: now until Sunday 19th July
http://www.missyconfidential.com.au/cms/content/Sydney-designer-sales/HerringboneEndofSeasonWarehouseSale_1801.php

Moss and Spy Sample Sale: Fri 17th-Sun 18th July
http://www.missyconfidential.com.au/cms/content/Sydney-designer-sales/MossandSpySampleSale_1869.php

maplebrown and Gary Bigeni sale: Thurs 16th – Sat 25th July
http://www.missyconfidential.com.au/cms/content/Sydney-designer-sales/maplebrownandgarybigenisale_1806.php

camilla and marc warehouse sale: Fri 17th – Sat 18th July 16, 2009
http://www.missyconfidential.com.au/cms/content/Sydney-designer-sales/camillaandmarcwarehousesale_1830.php

Happy shopping!

Form or Function?

Gretha Ooost has blown the age-old argument about form and function out of the water (excuse the pun) with this fantastic invention.

The 321 Water (bottle) has been designed to provide consumers with a green alternative to bottled water.

118,000 plastic drink containers are manufactured each year in Australia and only 35% end up recycled. Water bottles are clogging up landfill sites and their manufacture and transportation is leaving a massive carbon footprint.

The 321 water filter works like a coffee plunger. You simply fill the container up from the tap, put the plunger in and push down until it reaches the bottom of the container. You are then able to drink your filtered water straight away or put the cap on and put it in your bag.

Unlike other filtered water bottles the 321 Water has the filter in the plunger so you can drink your water straight away and do not have to wait for it to filter.

321 Water holds just under 500ml.

All materials are recyclable and parts are replaceable extending the life of the bottle.

It is my understanding that the product is not yet available however I’m waiting for confirmation from the designer.

• 70% of the world is covered by water
• 97% is undrinkable seawater
• 2% is frozen in the ice caps
• Of the 1% that is left we can access less than one third
• Visualise the world’s water. Use it more consciously.

http://www.halfateaspoon.com/Home.html

http://www.designvic.com/Knowledge/CaseStudies/HalfaTeaspoon.aspx

Something to make you go WOW

I’ve always wanted to be an artist. The ability to colour a canvas or quickly sketch an outline that would resemble something more like Degas rather than a stick figure!

Whilst I’ll never be Degas, I can gain immense satisfaction from others artwork and since illustrations are such a hot trend at the moment I thoughts I’d introduce you to UK illustrator Kat Heyes. Kat’s first commissioned piece was for Gucci and many of her illustrations have graced the pages of fashion magazines around the world.
Very inspiring……..

http://katheyes.co.uk/home.html

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

I’m totally obsessed with jewelry at the moment and after hours of drooling at hundreds of beautiful creations I’m feeling a bit like Holly Golightly.

I’ve put together the best of the bunch for your viewing pleasure but be warned, you might be tempted to spend some $$.

http://www.samanthawills.com.au/details.cfm/ProdID/894 - Signature ring gold $140

http://www.frockshop.com.au/main.php?mod=Products&file=Product&cat=21&pid=1820 - Isharya $295

http://www.equipyourself.com.au/ - $12.99

http://www.thewardrobestore.com/pi.php?item=2558&utt=Ring+sterling+silver++-+cat+no.8834%2F6 - $38

http://www.mimco.com.au/Product/Jewellery_17/Wrist-wear_46/TWISTED-PEARL-BRACELET_1953/index.aspx - $129

http://www.samanthawills.com.au/details.cfm/ProdID/825 - $74.50

http://shop.isharya.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=R22-1 - $459

http://au.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=24455157&mcat=148204&cid=316221&search_params=s+5-p+13-c+316221-r+601547143-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+ - $625

http://shop.isharya.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=G3 - $248

http://www.samanthawills.com.au/details.cfm/ProdID/829 - $69.50

Boho Glam

Images from http://lucette.com.au/

It’s not often that you find something truly wonderful that ignites your soul and stimulates your sense.

That’s exactly how I felt after landing on http://lucette.com.au/index.html

Angela Backshell and Tracy Miller are a creative duo from Sydney responsible for the feminine fashion label “Lucette”. Taken from the Spanish word ‘Luce’ meaning ‘to shine’, Lucette works to enhance a wardrobe with colour and detail while maintaining a modern relaxed style.

Using original, exclusive prints, silk fabrics and embellished detailing, Lucette is a dress-up box of feathers, beads, and embellished silk – an eclectic boho style that is glamorous, strong and modern. Feminine pieces juxtaposed with hard-edged pieces create a rock romance vibe.

They currently have an online sale but nothings left! To be sure not to miss out next time register for their e-newsletter https://lucette.mdz.com.au/index.php?pcsid=788c1d1e3cf06fa8cae1710c941e16ac&p=signup

My fav’s are the Bright Fire Cutwork Top and the Floral Folk Embellished Dress – simply devine!

Boutique
23 William St, Paddington NSW 2021
Phone + 61 2 8356 9991

$5 Table

Oh how a Monday comes too soon after a lovely weekend...

I'm still reeling from my beautiful finds at Bondi Market – my gorgeous sister-in-law (S-I-L) had a stall so we decided to trek over the bridge. Thanks mostly to my S-I-L by the end of the day I had in my possession a classic long black Seduce jacket (perfect for chilli days at work), a golden bolero jacket and I placed an order for an arabesque ring from self confessed hippie jewellery designer, Tanya.

Tanya’s brand “Zefyr” is described as “eco glam jewellery”. Using rejuvenated brass and vintage stones Tanya is creating a broad range of unique pieces. The ring I ordered was born out of a rummage through trinkets at a Parisian market. Originally a piece of plastic Tanya has brought it to life by using her rejuvenated brass to cast the unique design into a ring, pendant and earrings. www.zefyrjewels.com.au. Tanya’s jewellery stall is a must visit at Bondi Markets.

Bondi Markets is on every Sunday 10am – 4pm. Located at Bondi Beach Public School, cnr Campbell parade and Warners Ave, Bondi.

NB: Every Friday I will feature the key Sydney markets for the weekend.

e.piph.a.ny

e.piph.a.ny [I-pif-uh-nee] - a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.

It’s amazing what a dose of sunshine and a bout of flea market foraging will do to your creative mind. I’ve been umming and arrring for months trying to decide which of my design obsessions I could turn into a blog – should I focus on interior design or my passion for making clothes or my love of market shopping? Then today an epiphany! Why not do it all! I’ve decided to collect my thoughts and create an online diary of all things design. So here it is – a daily account of my design thoughts, finds and experiences. I hope you enjoy!