botanical beauty

There's something wonderfully calming about botanical anythings. My brother studied botany so I suppose I'm biased in favour of flora, but I think that botanicals manage to be both sweet and strong at the same time.

The one below is from Pier 1 via Pintrest. How glorious is that deep buttoning?

I found these local lovelies at Mavromac (Leaf of Faith at the top and Charlottes Garden bottom left) and the bottom one is from Brickhouse fabrics.

 I will never shy away from using the interior fabrics on apparel and vise versa. I found these two at House of Fraser.

It's no secret that Pip Studio (below) are masters of all patterns and their botanical prints are no different. Yes, this setup will do me very nicely thanks very much (I'm thinking a weekend away in the country with books and thread and wool and crochet hooks :)

The clever folk at Robert Allen put together these gorgeous botanicals (called Wild Oasis). I love how they're somehow a blend of a Jacobeany-type-floral and a botanical. Just lovely.

 Zara never disappoints! You can get these gorgeous scatters online at Zara Home. Love, love, love.

 Of course, Pip Studio is also famous for their wall coverings and I'm mad for the look below. White on white on white with some bold pattern to brighten things up.

Pottery Barn always come up with cool stuff and I like this fresh, dark take on the traditionally light botanical vibe.

Till next time nerds, 

Luffs :) x

birds of a feather

I managed to tear myself away from watching the Olympics so that I could indulge in some fabric gazing.  The aloes in our garden have just finished flowering and I miss the beautiful sunbirds that came to quench their sugary thirst on the flowers. My hankering led me  to these gorgeous bird inspired fabrics...

(Image via Foter.com)

I love love love the top two prints that I found at Norfolk Textiles (top row). The one on the right just makes me grin. Too much of lovely. I found the bottom two at (left to right) www.thefabricfinder.com and www.fashionfabricsclub.com. Birds are so sweet and uplifting. How could you be grumpy with birds on your fabric?

Oh Zara, Zara, Zara, this stunning scatter has my favourite bird on it. I'd love one of these!

I found these lovely local fabrics at Hertex. They are (clockwise) Whistler, Swallow ad Tawny.

How sweet does this armchair look? It looks like it's been upholstered in Whistler. (Image via Foter.com)

I have a real soft spot for all things owlish, especially since the lovely daughter of a friend of mine loves owls. The fabric below is from Sanderson via St Leger.

Last but not least, the fabrics below are more traditional but no less lovely. I love the colouring in Giardino by Hertex (top) and I think the bottom two wallpapers from Sanderson can fresh and versatile. 

Till next time nerds and birds

x :)

awakening and kavango, with love...

So, Hertex has just launched three new ranges but I have to showcase the two I love the most, Awakening (my favourite favourite) and Kavango (my only slightly less favourite). 

Here is their spin on Awakening...

"Forget your granny’s floral prints, the new crop of flower print fabrics burst with bold colour and organic, painterly prints."

This range is primarily all about prints on stunning linen and viscose blend base-cloths. But that's not the sum of the things I love. I am mad mad mad about the palette and I love love love the oversized scale of the prints.  The next three shots are all from Awakenings. Utterly sublime if you don't mind.

If I'm pressed to choose a favourite, it would have to be the oversized paisley. Too stunning for words.

The images below are from Kavango and here is a snippet of Hertex's spin...

"A 100% locally produced collection that is perfect for upholstery, the Kavango collection of fabrics features six designs, which eschew the traditional and feature a more organic feel, perfect for clean-lined,contemporary interiors."

I think the colours in the Kavango range are great. Very gender-neutral (yes, I'm always on the hunt for these types of fabrics because of all the squabbling that goes on between spouses about what is "blue" and what is "floral" and, erm, what is allowed on my couch/bed/chair :). They're primarily manufactured from polyester which generally means that you don't have to be too precious about them. Great for holiday houses, lodges and such. GREAT that it's 100% locally produced - Whoop! Go local <3

I'd like to see a sofa made up in the second last fabric from the right (below). I know it seems boring at first glance but I think it's a winner that could work for almost any interior scheme.

Tell next time nerds x :)

porcelain prints

I was mooching around my local haberdashery (a.k.a my second home) when I found this totally stunning printed linen. It was looking lonely so I had to buy it. I've since seen loads of blue-white porcelain print inspired fabrics and found a few to share with you. 

The clever folk at Zara have put together a stunning look (below) using blue and white. 

I found the fabrics below (left) at Michel Miller Fabrics (Pagoda Garden and Birds on the Vine) and the STUNNING wallpaper (right) is Coleridge by Cole & Son.

I always find something very wantable at Mr Price Home and they did not disappoint with this 100% cotton throw (P.S. if they have sold out of this particular one, they often have blue and white one's that are very similar).

Here are some more you might like... they are (left to right) Intrigue Zanzibar (St Leger), Altes (Home Fabrics), Goma (Home Fabrics), Tessa Proudfoot (St Leger).

And if you like a frock or two, feast your eyes on these. I think they're all fabulous!

I never tire of toile and these top ones from St Leger are awesome. Chiang Mai Dragon (bottom) by Shumacher Fabrics is also an all time favourite of mine (check out their other colour way too - it's stunning).

Last but not least, I give you Thibaut by St Leger. I'm absolutely crazy about the oversize print on the sofa. (Very forgiving of dog hair and dirty feet too :)

Cheers for now nerds x :)

Topical tropical

Is tropical still topical? Well, I think it is. In 2015 Hertex launched their Tropical range and I have to say, it still makes my heart beat. I've just come back (again) from a holiday in KZN and these gorgeous prints remind me so much of the lush North KZN coast.

My absolute FAVOURITE fabric in the tropical range is Girolata (left). It's printed on the most sublime linen and I was lucky enough to bag a barrel bag that's made out of it. I also love Pina Colada (Middle) because I actually love Pina Colada's. Zen Garden (right) isn't from the same range but is a long time favourite of mine because of the incredible colouring.

You're not leafing now are you (sorry, bad pun :) I do like the palm prints and of course, they would work wonderfully in conservatories and verandas.

They've included some awesome complementing fabrics that are easy on the eye, easy to use and fairly neutral in look-and-feel. I do love the painted broad stripe. Luuuurvly.

Cheerio for now, see you next time nerds x

Samba like it hot

Deep down I know that you associate Jane Churchill with "safe", soft, feminine, Englishy fabrics. It's OK, I did too before I got to know their range a little better. Their range - Samba - is from 2015 but I still love it and find it fun and bright and easy to use.

The geometric on the headboard below is really versatile and would work well for a children's room if you don't want it to date too quickly.

The combination of soft pink with strong pink and orange is fresh and unconventional.

The cross stitch styled floral is just stunning and I think the denim-look blue plain on the sofa is an absolute winner.

You know how some people say that they just don't like florals (it's madness, I know!) well, the floral on a black background just makes it less pretty-pretty. You know, if you were to be persuaded by a floral and all :)

I never met an embroidery I didn't like and the design below (Maracatu) is just too, too stunning for words.

And with that, I bid you goodnight :),

Till next time nerds x

Christian Lacroix by Designers Guild

I was mooching around dreaming of Spring when an email landed on my desk with just the thing...

To be honest, I didn't really know that Christian Lacroix did fabrics (shame on me!) but I really, really love these. They're bold and colourful and and not too serious.You can find the full range on the Designers Guild website here.

And because they're so smart, they made a stunning rug too!

These beauties (above) are called Jardin and Canopy. So much of lovely!

I'm mad for the floral on the black background. It's quirky (even if this little sofa looks, well, a little little :)

The bottom design called Wild Palms is exotic and rich and reminds me of floor tiles in Morocco or Turkey or somewhere (I've never been to either but one day .... )

Butterfly prints have the potential to be a little bit twee but these are strong and gorgeous. 

Au revoir nerds x :)