The Conran Shop

The Conran Shop has just released its 2008 holiday catalog, and thought I would share a few of my favourite pieces;

Bar of Gold Doorstop;


Designed by Arik Levy each doorstop is flash gold plated and inscribed with the date '26/3/1973' The first day that women were allowed to enter the London Stock Exchange. £49

White Half Time Cuckoo Clock

Designed by Christie Antoine Bassil, this beautiful clock can be wall-hung or freestanding. £153

And if you're feeling a bit more flush;

This exquisite rosewood (sustainable) and canvas make-up trunk opens to reveal a dressing table with seven drawers, a three part mirror and two concealed compartments. £1,560

Yvestown Blog

If ever I was to fall in love with something after just one sentence, Yvestown Blog would be it; 'a blog about freshly shaven legs under clean sheets' Of course its not really about that, would make for pretty limited blogging I would imagine.

Yvestown blog follows the house, home and life of Yvonne Eijkenduijn in Belgium.
Its perfectly honest and only the word 'quaint' could sum it up.



She offers an insight into her world, and helps you along the way to a perfect home with tips on designers, products and trends.
And if you take a look at the lifestyle section, she'll even give you some advice on dinner.

http://www.yvestown.com/

Design*Sponge

Oh, sweet Design*Sponge, where to start;
Aforementioned blog is my favourite virtual place on earth, a blog that offers everything home related. Grace Bonney, designer and creater of Design*Sponge has alot to answer for, countless essays have gone unwritten after a visit to her site.

The New York Times deemed Design*Sponge 'a Martha Stewart Living for the millennials' and anything thats been 'deemed' by the NY times is probably worth a look.

Design*Sponge has everything you could ever need, Home features, furnishing ideas, new products, new designers, diy tips, store and product reviews, design shows and generally a feast for the eyes.



The site currently generates around 30,000 hits a day, not bad for a humble blog, maybe one day I'll reach those dizzy heights, although without a team comprising Laura Smith, Derek Fagerstorm and Anne Ditmeyer who now regularly contribute to Design*Sponge I can't really see it happening.

I could literally write all day about this blog, so take a minute to see for yourself, and then look in the mirror and watch the addiction take hold.

http://www.designspongeonline.com/

The Selby

I'd already posted this on my photography blog 'iuventuti nil arduum' but its as much about the interior design as it is the photography so thought I would post it here as well.

Having accidentally chanced upon The Selby project, I was pleasantly surprised.
Photographer Tom Selby's new web based project showcases people (some you'll recognise and some you won't) in their own homes surrounded by their own things.
It may not sound altogether ground breaking but it really is a treat.

Scrolling through the website and glimpsing people's homes is almost voyeuristic, and really genuinely compelling.

The photography is clear and crisp in all cases, and there's not a hint of magnolia or Ikea anywhere in there.

The Selby offers a really refreshing change from the everyday perfect interiors offered from most home magazines.

Regularly updated The Selby is well worth a look today, and tomorrow.


http://www.theselby.com/

David Linley

David Linley is the benchmark for quality in his field. His company, Linley, deals in everything from bespoke furniture to home accesories and upholstery, and boy does he do it well.
His traditional use of hardwoods such as Cherry, Elm, Walnut and Oak, continues the hard, clean lines that feature so prominently in his work.

But hardwoods are not the only medium Linley works in, and certainly not the most controversial (David Linley has fallen under critiscim for unethically sourced wood)
His use of Shagreen (Shark or Ray skin), Eel and Snake skin has also fallen under scrutiny, but I don't think anyone can deny the beauty of the objects created from them, such as this Shagreen Jewellery box. But don't go thinking this kind of quality, or controversy goes cheap! This box retails at £1600, not including delivery.

But ethics aside, if thats possible these days. David Linley always has and will continue to craft the most elegant, and saught after novelties on the market today, and they are novelties, what else would you call a £320 playing card box?

http://www.davidlinley.com/