Novelists' rooms

A few weeks ago the Guardian ran a feature where they styled rooms inspired by novelists. The top room is for Virginia Woolf, the bottom room is for Ernest Hemingway. I especially like the moody tones of the navy walls - a colour I wouldn't have thought of painting a room. There are more rooms on their site, including a room for Zadie Smith and Haruki Murakami.

Photos by Stephen Lenthall.

Eleanor Pritchard

Last week I shared with you the beautiful work of Catherine Aitken. The other stall at Origin which almost had me parting with my cash was Eleanor Pritchard. My heart sank a little when I saw these, because I had just bought a throw a few weeks before, and I liked these so much more, although I've since realised that my new (patterned) rug would not co-operate with these designs (you will see when I post pictures next week.)

Still, these are fantastic, right? I would go as far as to say they are the nicest blankets I have ever seen. They weren't inexpensive - the blankets ranged from £124 to £286 and the cushions were £70 to £130. But honestly, I think this is a fair price to pay as the quality was incredible. They are 100% wool and are woven in a small traditional mill in Wales. I have never in my life even wanted a floor cushion - until now.

Again, you need to email Eleanor if you want to make a purchase, or if you are near London, you can see her work at the Midcentury Modern Fair on 15th November 2009 (well worth the visit) and also at the Cockpit Arts Open Studios in Deptford on 4th - 6th December 2009.

So, I know all you blog readers are well versed in Etsy, Folksy and Big Cartel, but have you ever contacted a designer directly to make a purchase if they didn't have an online shop? I said this last week too, but it is so quick and easy to set one up (or at least an interim solution) that I'm not sure why every designer does not have one, unless they have enough wholesale orders to make a living - especially as it's pretty much impossible to get any press if your work isn't available for sale easily. I'm not a designer, so maybe I'm missing something obvious, but I think that if you are a designer who exhibits at craft fairs, then it can't hurt to offer your work online too?

Tea of the week: Anthropologie's tea bag curtain

Well, I can't possibly imagine you haven't seen this already - but just in case, this is a photograph of the tea bag window display at Anthropologie's London store - the top two photos are by The Fabric of my Life, and the bottom image is by Susannah Conway, both of whom have lots more photographs. Of all the round-ups I've read, I thought that this one at Domestic Sluttery closely echoes how I already feel about the US store, so it was not surprising to me that there might be some similar issues here (quality v price, for example). Did anyone visit over the weekend? I will reserve judgement until I visit myself, of course, but until then I can still appreciate the fantastic window dressing and merchandising - from what I've seen online it looks much more innovative than any of their US stores I've been to - I'm sure the merchandisers who work there are totally thrilled with their new jobs!

Five Friday Faves

*A haunted typewriter

*The best Halloween costume idea I've heard in ages - Little Dead Riding Hood - brilliant!

*Win these vintage chocolate mould Christmas decorations.

*How much would I love a custom view master (remember those?)

*Love these invitations - especially the address labels.

Don't forget the clocks go back this weekend (in the UK.)

Photo via Lepiaf Geo's Flickr.

Anthropologie London

So, I had totally planned to go to Anthropologie's London opening tomorrow on a 'blog mission' but now my Christmas preparations (business, not personal) are getting in the way so I may not make it. Nevertheless, I still have the scoop on the new store - or rather, I can point you to those who do. Both Wee Birdy and Home Shopping Spy have been to press previews - read about their first impressions here and here. I love their innovative store styling - I wasn't sure if the Brit equivalent would be quite so creative as its American counterpart, but the vertical garden wall and hanging tea bags sound amazing!

Folksy Four

1. Mini leather journal by Susan Green Books (Etsy shop here), 2. Robot hot water bottle cover by Sara Carr, 3. Cyclamen notelets by Hannah Madden, 4. Raku tea bowl by Jude Allman.

Catherine Aitken

The last few weeks have been a serious exercise in self-restraint, as I have been popping in regularly to the Origin craft fair (which was very close to where I work.) There were hundreds of pounds of items I really wanted, which would have worked perfectly in my interiors scheme. Unfortunately I'm not in a financial position to be spending much, and I can't deal with buying Christmas presents in October, so I did not make any purchases. So, it was very disappointing that almost all of the designers I liked did not have their work available for sale online, even though most had their own website. I can't imagine that all of them have enough wholesale business to support them, so is it just that they don't know you can set up an Etsy, Folksy or Big Cartel shop in about ten minutes?

I've identified some designers whose work I want to feature even though you have to contact them directly to make a purchase.

One of my very favourites was Catherine Aitken. Her delicate soft furnishings and stationery came in a beautiful soft palette of greys and taupe, and her geometric designs were softened by their delicate hand-drawn quality.

I especially loved these napkins (I think this design also came on a linen cushion), and her feather designs. I hope to track her work down elsewhere as I really did stop by her stall on several occasions, trying to convince myself that I could justify buying at least a lavender sachet (and leaving empty-handed each time - she must have thought I was quite strange.)

Advertiser Post: She Draws

Welcome to new advertiser, She Draws. Laura's kitsch range has recently expanded to include notebooks, bookmarks and tea-towels as well has her trademark resin-coated jewellery and buttons. I have to admit the Mr Britain notebook is my particular favourite. Laura has an Etsy shop, Folksy shop and a gorgeous new haircut (which you can see on her blog.)

Wednesday workspace

The bright office of Sharilyn Wright of Lovely Design. I'm particularly fond of anyone Vancouver-based, as I spent a year and a bit there - and I just adore her 'Beautiful Leaves of Canada' print series and her address files. See more pictures here.

Pale and interesting

I have been reading various blog posts about Pale and Interesting without realising it is a UK-based business. The collection has a simple elegance, as you would expect from the owner, interiors stylist Atlanta Bartlett. I can't identify one favourite item, (although if this cabinet had deeper shelves it would meet my requirements for a linen closet), but it's the styling which especially appeals. I don't often look at lifestyle shots on online shops for inspiration, but I suspect this might become the first.

Autumn styling at Aesop

Over the weekend, I went to Notting Hill, to the brilliant Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising. On the way, my friend and I walked through Westbourne Grove, where I spotted this Aesop shop from the other side of the road. Whoever thought of bringing these piles of leaves inside is a genius, I think - and they perfectly complement a brand which uses natural plant-based ingredients. Thanks to the shop assistant who happily hid from view so I could get my shot.

Shan Valla

Love these gold-topped ceramic milk bottles by artist Shan Valla. Soon available at Liberty.

Tea of the week

Photo and illustration by Madrid artist JuliaBe, via Flickr. Etsy shop here.

5+ Friday faves

I haven't done one of these for a while - so this is a slightly extended version.

Beautiful yellow and grey bouquets.

A useful round-up of typewriter fonts.

This neighbourhood tour makes me yearn for New York.

Tips for buying a vintage Polaroid camera and hurray! They are back in production.

Pretty stairs.

Oh my. You have to see these newborn baby photos.

Blogger fame: Julia's home is in this month's BBC Homes and Antiques (one of my new favourite magazines.)

Not strictly relevant, but this video is one of the best things I've seen for a long time (spotted via Little Brown Pen.)

I took part in the Everyday Beautiful Life series at Daily Bits of beauty - see the things that make me happy here.

Have a great weekend. If you're near London and haven't been to the Origin craft fair, I highly recommend it - I will be featuring some of the talent I spotted next week.

A white Muji bicycle wedding

Last year I went to live in New York for a few months, and my flatmate had just been to a wedding where the bride and groom had ridden away on white Muji bicycles, which the bride had shipped in from Japan. It was one of my earliest blog posts, and I've been looking out for photos ever since, as I knew that it was going to be in Martha Stewart weddings (and Martha was a guest too.) So, I was thrilled to come across this. I also love the bride's tulip dress, paper butterfly bouquet and Carrie basket. More photos here.

photo via Martha Stewart.

Burgundy Brocante

I recently bought some of these vintage seed labels from Burgundy Brocante. I thought they were very good value (24 for £6) - and they are so adorable. I have not identified what to do with them yet - I may frame some, or put one in with each of my Christmas cards, or just keep them, untouched, as they really are very delicate and pretty. Do you have any ideas?

Folksy Four

1. Lino-cut hat print (£25) by Alex Higlett, 2. Tunnock Tea Cake shopper (£6) by Gillian Kyle (a more glitzy version and other brilliant Scottish designs are available at her own website) 3. Enamel brooch (£15) by Armoured Hare, 4. Wish you were here tags (£2.50) by Darling Dilly Dally.

Abigail Borg

A few months ago I saw Abigail Borg's wallpapers at the New Designers show and I was struck by the vibrancy of her designs. My favourite is the Lady Green design - I love any combination of grey, yellow and sludge green. Her work isn't a secret - she's won or been shortlisted for several prestigious awards, and her high-quality wallpaper is stocked at Liberty - but she's just opened her own online shop. Her designs are expensive (at £150 per roll) but I'd love her to design a diffusion range of notebooks for my shop...

A railway station

I have been getting ready for winter, having just purchased a cosy rug and throw, so I should be moving on from sunny images - but when I saw this home I could not possibly wait until spring to share. It is a disused railway station - isn't it brilliant? The huge doors out onto the platform are amazing and fill the room with so much light, and I love the original 'gentleman' sign. And, I so wish I could befriend the owners - the train sitting alongside the platform is actually guest accommodation! The platform even has an antique tea advertisement... This charming home is the home of Country Living's editor Susy Smith, and there are more photographs of the house at their website, here.

Photos via Country Living.

Tea of the week: Hannah Turner Ceramics

A seriously cheery teapot (£32) from Hannah Turner - but I couldn't resist sharing these quirky little ceramic birds too.

Green Pea Collective

Prints (all £45) from the talented designers at Green Pea Collective - a brand consultancy who have designed for Paperchase, Urban Outfitters and Topshop. They have a new blog too, here.

Namolio blankets

I'm making my flat a little cosier for winter, and think one of these blankets from Namolio would be a perfect addition. The crochet edging looks impeccable.