Louise Body: Paper tiles

Designer Louise Body has just released a new collection of ‘Paper Tiles‘ – gorgeous tile-effect wallpapers, featuring digitally-printed Victorian tile patterns combined with her own illustrations and designs…

Louise designed some similar wallpaper for the toilets at Decorex last year, and was inspired to explore the idea of paper tiles further. The new patterns are really stunning – and no need for the dreaded grout whitening pen!

These papers would look lovely in bedrooms, living rooms or hallways – proof that tiles aren’t just for kitchens and bathrooms.

Each 1m x 70cm panel costs £25 and you paste-the-wall, not the paper (always a bonus for those of us who are a bit DIY-challenged). – Ellie

Dandelion o’clock

Are you a fan of Sanderson‘s retro Dandelion Clocks design? Uh huh? WELL, have we got a treat for you today! Check out this fabulous rug from the new collection at John Lewis – it’s shot here with a Content by Conran Matador chair in ‘Caterpillar’ green and it looks so good I could literally LICK it:

Mmmmm. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, ladies and gentlemen, let me spit out the fluff and introduce…(drum roll)…the Dandelion Clocks roller blind, complete with co-ordinating coloured Eames chairs. Hurrah!

(The blind’s also from John Lewis.) This pattern has been incredibly popular since it launched in Spring last year and it’s interesting to see how many different ways it’s been used – it’s one of those designs that works well in so many schemes. Check out this bedroom from Ideal Home:

Dandelion Clocks looks fab on a feature wall behind the headboard, and it sits nicely with the exposed brickwork, too. This next ranch-style bedroom is from interior designer Lori Andrews who went for the tangerine and charcoal version. Lovely!

And here are some pics courtesy of Sanderson and The Home Show:

I’m considering this wallpaper for our dining room (although I’ve done about six moodboards for it already and keep changing my mind!) – and I think it would look fabulous with IKEA’s Makros dandelion light fitting. – Ellie

Cath Kidston’s new book – sneak preview!

After last year’s successful ‘MAKE!‘ book, we can reveal that Cath Kidston is publishing another craft book later this year. ‘SEW!’ is due to hit shops in early October, but we can’t wait until then, so here’s a sneaky peek at what to expect…

The book will come with a length of Cath Kidston fabric, a label and buttons so you’ll have everything you need to sew the pretty bag shown on the front cover. When you consider that Cath Kidston‘s bags start at £16 in her shops for a basic cloth bag, and this book is retailing at £14.99 – plus, you get loads of other sewing patterns and projects too – I think this is an absolute bargain!

Pia Tryde‘s colourful photography is cheerful and bright in truth Cath spirit and the styling is as gorgeous as ever – how cute is the little red vintage sewing machine on the back cover?! Love it! There are some lovely projects in this book, guaranteed to keep us all stitching and sewing for quite some time – expect hot water bottle covers, kitchen aprons and clothes hangers.

Even if you’re not a sewing expert, you’ll be OK – there’s a handy step-by-step section at the beginning of the book where all the basic stitches and techniques are explained nice and clearly.

Craft and sewing has taken the country by storm this year. TV show Kirstie’s Homemade Home has proved so popular that Channel 4 is filming another series, where Kirstie Allsopp will transform real people’s homes (apply online here!), and it has been announced today that a new sewing magazine will launch on 29 May in the UK, called ‘Sew‘ (not to be confused with CK’s book, ‘SEW!’)

With the strapline: ‘Join the sewing revolution’ splashed across the cover, it’s aimed at a new generation of younger sewing fans. If you’re embracing the craft movement, check out the easy-sew cushion projects in the June issue of Ideal Home, out now. – Ellie

Stunning fabrics from St. Jude’s

Today I’ve been blown away by the beautiful retro fabrics from St. Jude’s. Designed by an eclectic range of artists and screen-printed in short runs, these quirky fabrics are all different, but compliment each other and look great together.

St. Jude’s has a gallery/showroom in North Norfolk and, if you’re lucky enough to be based near there, it looks as though it’s well worth a visit. If you’re a stationery addict like me, you’ll want to check out the gorgeous notebooks on the website, too:

They’re almost too pretty to actually use! I love the retro furniture that St. Jude’s does, too. Check out this cute chair:

The people behind this company also run a gorgeous clothing shop called Old Town, where you can find lovely clothes made from 1940s patterns and quirky accessories, too. I like these little TEA badges:

If you know of a small company that deserves to be shouted about, please email us: homeshoppingspy@ipcmedia.com. We always love to see interesting things that can’t be found on the high street! – Ellie

New designs from Emily Burningham

I’ve been a fan of designer Emily Burningham‘s work for a long time, so I was excited to see her new fabric collection on her recently re-launched website.

 

 

It’s hard to choose a favourite, but I love the Berries design, which is inspired by a 1930s pattern and so cute I think it would be perfect for a tea-dress! If you’re based in or near London, there’s an exhibition of Emily Burningham‘s gorgeous fabrics, wrapping papers and greeting cards opening soon at  50 Albermarle Street, W1S 4BD. Entitled ‘Inspirational Designs’, the collection can be viewed by appointment from May 6 until June 30 – call 020 7493 4361 to book a slot. – Ellie

Gorgeous new bird pattern

I’ve just seen the latest wallpaper and fabric design from Lewis & Wood. ‘Bewick Birds’ is inspired by the work of Thomas Bewick, a wood engraver who published the History of British Birds in 1797. I think this paper would make a stunning feature wall. Although it’s a traditional design, birdy patterns are all the rage at the moment and it could look contemporary used in a striking teal and chocolate scheme:

The wallpaper is £46 per roll, and the fabric is £44 per m, so this is a treat to save up for. The good news is you won’t need much to make a big impact. Check out these other beautiful bird buys. – Ellie

Red bird cushion, $39, Etsy

Birdy decorations, £9.75 each, Whippet Grey

Bird stamp set, £25, Cox & Cox

Bird hooks, £12 each, Graham and Green