Guest blog / Julia Black: An underfoot explosion

Julia Black: If I had to choose just one element of style that I love most it would have to be textiles. All that colour, pattern and texture is magnificent, though recently I’ve been especially attracted to what lies underfoot, so when I discovered Morris Etc. a new found obsession for rugs exploded.

Amy and Brett, the insanely talented Brooklyn-based couple behind the firm, have spent many a day working in design and media, but came to realize their true passion was handcrafted, one-of-a kind rugs. The collection is filled with predestined heirloom pieces in eye-popping fruit-punch combinations of bold stripes and neo-traditional patterns that'll definitely help lift us out of hibernation and catapult us into springtime. A big plus - Morris Etc. invites you to customize your own wool flatweaves, as well as shop their creations online, not to mention that you can stay connected with them here on Twitter, and via email updates (which will let you know when new shipments arrive). No matter what you’re obsessing about this season, don’t forget to treat your feet! [Images: Joyce Lee]

To read more posts from Julia click here, and to check out her cool blog click here.

Ice cream sandwiches

I don't know what it's like where you are, but around here we've been in the grip of a bit of heatwave. And, while I love the heat of high summer, all I can seem to think about is ice cream sandwiches - they haunt my every waking moment. The Chipwich is high on my list of faves, closely followed by the Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich. Low rent and delicious, and it's all I can do to not run to the corner store right this second to buy one.

Luckily I've found something that might (hopefully) break the ice cream sandwich spell - Crate & Barrel's series of appetizer plates are not only super gorgeously bright, piece-by-piece they're almost as cheap as a Chipwich. I'll be buying all ten of them to mix in with all my white dishes, how about you?

Like candy, but for your house

Don't these pendant lights by Danish designer Rie Elise Larsen remind you of Jujubes? Love the colour (they're painted metal) and of course, the brilliantly coloured fabric-covered electrical cords (don't get me started on how hard that cord is to find in North America). Anyways, Rie Elise Larsen is a fave of mine since she's completely unafraid of saturated and sugary bright colours. Click here to see her whole line, including a brill selection of textile and paper goods, and click here to see her gorgeously styled and completely inspirational look book...

  

Colour correction

Okay, I'm all for good taste, but every now and then I think I might just barf if I have to look at another classic white linen drum shade. Jeez Louise people, let's break out of the beige box and have some fun! Anyhoo, along the lines of that mini rant I want to share the work of Rie Elise Larsen. This Danish stylist stepped out in the Spring of '08 to create her own line of completely gorgeous housewares, paper goods and fashion accessories, all with a light, bright and intensely colourful sensibility. Me likey, especially the be-ribboned paper lampshades and colourful lamp cords shown below. Click here to check out the rest of her beautifully photographed and v. charming collection.

An odd dose of green

It seems that Malachite green is on its way to being quite influencial, though not just the colour (which is wickedly intense and very '40's to my mind) by the actual pattern of the stone itself. I've spotted it popping up over the last while and think it's sensational, though I've yet to commit to it 100%. Osborne & Little has two new wallpaper collections that feature both the stone and the hue. First up is Palais Chinois from a new collection called Pompadour (influenced by the Marquise de Pompadour, the fave mistress of Louis XV). That second shot is Kishangarh (try saying that three times fast) from the Indian styled Sariskar collection, featuring silhouettes of perfume bottles in Malachite. Both look very dishy in that green, though if that's all a bit too much there are safer options too. Osborne & Little is available through the design trade at Primavera.

 

Sound and colour

I hafta say, one of the best things we ever bought for the house was a Pro-Ject Debut III turntable. We picked ours up from Bay Bloor Radio, and funnily enough, my only caveat was that it be in hi-gloss white (lol). As you can see, other than white, it's also available in the on-trend and very Eighties colours of red, yellow and blue. Love them, though if that isn't enough it also comes in matte black, gloss black and silver (for more of a trad hi-tech feel). To keep things nice and simple ours is currently hooked up to a Tivoli Audio Model One radio, shown below in a white/silver combo, and the sound is just stellar. Add in second hand records at a couple of bucks a pop - last night we were spinning Bryan Ferry, Human League, Mireille and the Xanadu soundtrack - and there really isn't a better way to spend an evening...

 

Kid colour

Wednesday is brought to you by the colour yellow, and the letters 'C' and 'F'. The CF stands for Canadian Family, I'm on set with them today, working on a shoot with lots of lovely sunny yellows for Spring. And, I wanted to share a snap from a super juicy colour feature I did with them that just popped up in the current issue. Jeff, the mag's Art Director, did a stellar job on the layout, and I had a laugh tracking down all the cool colour saturated gear. To get more info on all the products, and to see the rest of the colourful finds, click here.