Getting your print on

I have a real thing for graphic interpretations of pattern as well as anything with a nice bit of lettering on it. So, with that in mind, I thought it would be fun to share a bit of that, errr, passion with you lot today. First up is artist Richard Woods, who block-prints simplistic and iconic patterns like wood grain, brickwork, Tudor architrectural detail and historical wallpaper and fabric patterns onto walls, floors and, well, just about anywhere. His work with Sebastian Wrong for Established & Sons, called WrongWoods, is a total fave of mine. The WrongWoods rug below is the latest piece in their collection, plus I wanted to add in one of their furniture pieces which - sigh - I will own one day (in TO it's available through MOTI). Plus, there's a snap of Richard's latest work, an installation called Woods' Blocks that the Perry Rubenstein Gallery will be showing at the upcoming Design Miami/Basel shinding (June 15-19). Nutty but cool, no?

Next up, continuing the graphic printy business, I thought I'd chuck a bit of fashion your way in the shape of handbag designer Anya Hindmarch's latest collaboration, a project with street artist Ben Eine (if you love the Care Bears, you'll love his site, lol). The duo worked on four bags in all, though Loot and Booty get top marks for me with the choice of lettering and the colours. Luvverly!

Of sport and flashlights

While I might not have a sporty bone in my body, I did recognize the baseball reference in Belgian designer Sylvain Willenz's Homerun chair. It's not just the yellow and grey colour choice, or the friendly, curvy cartoon influenced design, that makes them a standout for me (tho' I am an acknowledged chairaholic), it's also the fact they were a collaboration with a Japanese furniture firm - Karimoku - and use the waste wood byproduct of thinning out trees in managed forests. Check below for snaps of the chairs, and a couple of shots that show production and a prototype.

Willenz is also resonsible for the rather mouth watering Torch lights (that's flashlights to you North Americans) he designed for Brit firm Established & Sons, shown below in a shot from the Milan furniture fair, and then a closeup which I had to include, as much for the light as for that tiled floor. Yum. For more on Willenz you can become a fan here on Facebook (btw, I love all the shots people have sent in that show his designs in their homes).

  

The final countdown

Nope, not this, ahem, classic track - and guilty pleasure - by those rather bedraggled hair rockers, Europe. Instead it's the final countdown to our place getting shot for a 2010 issue of Canadian House & Home. Tomorrow. Gulp. So today is a last minute bomb around town, getting the last bits and pieces to make sure every nook and cranny is looking lovely. One thing we're in need of is a flatscreen for the media room. Yep, we're upgrading from watching tv on a laptop to something a little larger. I'll be off to Future Shop to check things out, but I think, after a fair bit of research, that we'll be plunking for a 52" Sony Bravia W Series (basically so we can watch Glee in HD, lol).

In the meantime there are interesting things afoot that I wanted to share. Like, for example, what the very cool folks at Established & Sons have been up to with parquet flooring. Yes, you heard me right. Take a boo below at Wall to Wall, designed for Established & Sons by Shay Alkalay and Yael Mer. This inspiring setup (the oak herringbone brick flooring was stained and finished in 15 different colours) has such an interestingly crafty look, almost like a large scale knit or a close-up of a trad Persian rug. I think it's spectacular.

If you'd like to check it out in person, and happen to be in London anytime soon, Wall to Wall is on display as part of the Frieze Art Fair until Nov. 24th. [Photography: Ed Reeve]

   

A little sketchy

In a case of oh, that reminds me of... here's a recycled cardboard play house by Magis (btw, since I'm a Brit I'd call it a Wendy house) and a slipcovered sofa by Established & Sons. The Villa Julia play house, designed by Javier Mariscal, is made for your little sprogs to have a go at with markers and crayons; though it does look awfully nice in pristine black and white. That sofa, aptly named Brick & Mortar by designers Richard Woods and Sebastian Wrong, looks fab in a high-contrast b&w brick pattern, though for purists it's also available in red brick too (though I am a fan of white painted brick, lol). What do you think - Will we be seeing more products that have a sketchy black-lined colouring book feel?