Folksy Four

Be still, my heart - you can't imagine how much I love these kaleidoscopes from Sam Samson, made from reclaimed bobbins - Ruth, I thought of you...

Hand-printed knitting notebooks from Plain Jane Textiles.

Crooked Man Vase from Penny Spooner Ceramics.

Lavender sachets from Ragged Roses - I admit that buying this kind of thing has never crossed my mind, but these are so delightful that I'm preparing a place in my bottom drawer straight away.

Rachel Smith photography

Love this photograph by talented British photographer Rachel Smith.

Lulu & Nat

I absolutely love embroidered fabrics - and these cushions and throws from Lulu & Nat really hit the spot. Their vibrant colours especially appealed to me during our scorching summer, when I entered a new, colourful era - which may be over. Nevertheless, I am very tempted by their cheery range of pillowcases; perfect to brighten up a neutral environment, or as a clashing co-ordinate for the more colour-brave.

Lulu & Nat have a brilliant range of bedding for a baby's room too, which are a little different to the ubiquitous blue and pink options. Everything is handmade in India, using traditional embroidery and printing techniques.

Giveaway: Afternoon tea at Orange Pekoe

A real treat today; the lovely Marianna of Orange Pekoe is offering a giveaway of afternoon tea for two. Orange Pekoe is my favourite London tea shop - light and airy inside, serving around 50 types of teas, and decorated with enough lace and old crockery to satisfy all my vintage cravings. Orange Pekoe was crowned London's best tea room in Time Out's 2008 Food and Drink awards - click here for its 5 star review.

To enter, please leave a comment stating who your perfect afternoon tea partner would be - real or imaginary. Please don't enter unless you are able to go - the voucher will be valid for 12 months from today. For anyone planning a visit to London, Orange Pekoe is located in Barnes, close to the river and about 25 minutes by train from Waterloo station.

The winner will be selected at random at the end of next Wednesday, 15th July. Good luck! Statistically, there will be fewer readers eligible for this giveaway, due to location, so any entrants have a higher chance of winning!

Jo Heckett ceramics

I am fascinated by anyone who has the patience (and the eyesight) to make small things. Jo Heckett sells a large range of small things made in porcelain,which are often made with vintage stamps. Her wares include pastel-coloured magnets, jewellery and lots of options for personalised wedding favours etc, as well as letters such as the 'love' picture above, which I think would look beautiful in a baby's room. She has an Etsy shop, too, for those of you who would rather shop in USD. I am working on a blackboard/magnetic board project (if anyone knows somewhere in South West London which will cut wood/metal to size, please let me know) so the pretty butterfly shapes above (also available as a magnet) particularly caught my eye.

Eskil

The perfect summer tray? I can just imagine myself taking my lunch outside on one of these bright and cheery designs. They are the handiwork of London-based Swede Emilia Ljungberg of Eskil Designs, and are available at Bouf.

Tea of the week: Let them eat Cake

For a perfect afternoon tea; cake stands from Let them eat Cake.

Style Resolutions: Barb from Knack Studios

I'm very excited to feature another Style Resolutions interview. Today's interviewee is Barb from Knack Studios. Barb is such a friendly soul, and her blog has lots of pretty finds as well as showcasing her own projects. I am a bit distracted by the first light pictured below - which she made from recycled garden fencing. It's totally my style. I wish I lived somewhere which had a porch like this, too.

Thanks Barb!

Style resolutions: Barb from Knack Studios

Q: What is your favourite recent design find/achievement?

A: My favourite design find right now would have to be all of the industrial wire lighting that I'm seeing. I love the modern yet laid back feel and the instant character they add to a room.

Q: Do you have any design/style ambitions you want to achieve by the end of the year?

A: As far as design ambitions this year, I would love to design one piece of custom furniture! It is my dream to design completely one of a kind pieces to add to my collection over the next bit of time.. still working on the details and the composition......we'll see! On a smaller scale, I'm thinking about designing a line of soft goods; pillows and dishtowels - a collaboration with my husband.

Q: Which are your favourite style blogs?

A: I could get in trouble here! I have lots of favourites! Sticking to just style/design blogs, just a few are: Design Sponge, Poppytalk, Apartment Therapy, Decor8, and Desire to Inspire.

A Papermash problem

A story.

Once upon a time I decided to start up my own business. I made all the preparations, worked on a business plan, had the photos taken professionally, ordered the stock and packaging, fired one web designer and hired another one.

Except that I couldn't decide on a logo.

Which of the above fonts is your favourite? I've thrown a few wild cards in here - there are two which are front-runners with my focus groups so far. I have a personal favourite, which I think looks great on its own, but I'm not sure it looks as good in the context of a whole website as one of the others. And if you'd like to be part of an email focus group (with honestly only a few questions), send me an email (although I'm not sure I can offer you much apart from my love and gratitude.)

If I can decide quickly, I should be all ready to launch within two weeks! It's very exciting.

Game, set and match

I'm getting ready to go to the Wimbledon men's final this Sunday. I don't have court tickets but I have ground tickets, so I can at least set up camp on Henman Hill without having had to queue overnight.

A few essentials for a long day watching tennis; my Topshop tennis print dress and a straw hat to stay protected from the sun. Some seat cushions (especially if you have a hard courtside seat) and the Blyton Picnic Set (I'm a marketeer's dream as the name has instantly made it more appealing to me) to avoid having to pay for overpriced strawberries and cream.

Feel confident of a British win this year? Pack a small bottle of champagne and these plastic but glamorous glasses. I have to admit I'm not that bothered who wins - I would so sell you my Centre Court tickets for £20,000 if I had them. But I can't wait to experience some Murray Mania all the same (if he makes it to the final) - the atmosphere will be fantastic.