Cate James

The lovely Cate James is a printmaker and illustrator based in Edinburgh. Last year she set herself a little project of (read: became slightly obsessed with) drawing the 'beautiful' faces of the guests on the popular daytime TV show, Jeremy Kyle.
Having just become a mother, and having been freelance for the last couple of years, I have to shamefully, admit to having become quite familiar with the show. For those of you who are not, it may help to know that I have to actively avoid it, regularly, as I feel myself losing all faith in human existense and becoming convinced that everyone in the world needs a DNA and lie detector test.
I love Cate's illustrations of the 'colourful' characters who grace Jeremy's stage. I can see how drawing them would get addictive. She has more than 6 sketch books full of them! Wouldn't they make an excellent exhibition?

You can see more of these gorgeous faces on Cate's blog. Cate is currently working on the illustrations for a new series of children's books along with many other projects on the run up to Christmas...keep a look out for her work at Paper Tiger stores.
Illustrations by Cate James

Wanted...

I recently asked the husband if he'd like to suggest a few things for a men's gift guide. The suggestions are still coming in thick and fast... and yet I still don't know what to get him?!
This guide is heavily influenced by him with a couple of little ideas from me...

1. The World According To Vice 2. Comic covered notebook 3. Gibson White Flying V 4. Tickets to I'll Be Your Mirror in Tokyo curated by ATP 5. The Flavour Thesaurus 6. Original Dr. Martens 7. Flaming Heart Scotch Malt Whisky 8. Trumpers West Indian Limes Shaving Soap 9. Edwin Slim Fit Jeans

'The Selby in your place' book

Todd Selby takes photos of the creative elite in their creative spaces. He started his website in 2008 and his first book was published in May of this year. The entire book is available to see online, only, until Friday 12th of November at 9am (NYC time) or you could order it from here.
It features photographs of some very interesting people and spaces, and I love the felt tip interviews with pictures at the end of each feature.
Here's a sneak peek from the book featuring the home of one of my favourite ladies; Helena Christensen.

...maybe a little idea for a Christmas present... (hint, hint)

American Designers at Home

Ever wondered where Tommy Hillfiger's 'magic happens'...where Ralph Lauren dumps his boots after a long day 'mucking out' the stables on his Colorado ranch; where Donna Karan rinses the sea water off her bikini when, at her holiday home in Parrot Cay? All is revealed in 'American Designers at Home' from Assouline; a coffee table staple.
A sneak peek into a (few) handful(s) of American fashion designers' super styled homes:

Book cover & Ralph Lauren's dining room,

Diane Von Fustenburg's living room,
Mark Badgley and James Mischka's dining room library
Betsy Johnson's dining room
Oscar de la Renta's gaff

Paper Gifts

For our first wedding anniversary we got each other paper gifts.
As we were visiting Paris, my grand plan was to take my husband to the comic book artist, Moebius' shop where he could choose a limited edition print and hopefully have it signed. However, after an expensive taxi ride to the opposite side of the French capital, in a month when Parisiennes generally vacate the city...the shop was closed.
Fortunately, on our last day we took the Metro out to La Defense, home to La Grande Arche and many more futuristic, architectural phenomenons on the outskirts of the city where we happened upon an awesome art store called, Arteum. Needless to say we were there for quite some time exploring the shelves.
I eventually found my 36 year old husband in the 'Petits Artiste' section where he proclaimed, with much excitement, that he had found what he wanted, from me, for our anniversary....a large model cardboard robot by Calafant...
My husband got me 'Sundays Are For Lovers'; a lovely book curated by Maria Alexandra Vettese, by independant American publishers, Lines & Shapes, in which artists express what they like to get up to on a Sunday...I love it.
How do you spend your Sunday?

Book images courtesy of Lines & Shapes via Daily Candy
Robot available from here

Merci

One of the shops on my list for our trip was Merci, a favourite amongst bloggers and designers, so I couldn't have passed it up...
Merci is a charity shop with a difference; Designers donate peices to be sold and all proceeds go to help children, mainly in Madagascar. A concept put into practice by the founders, of childrens store, Bonpoint, Marie-France and Bernard Cohen.
It still puzzles me though. There were designers there assembling displays, staff, serving coffee and assisting shop and the property itself must have been extortionate!
Either way, what a place!
Jewellery, accessories (including a separate Mulberry bag 'zone') and a beautiful Annick Goutal, D-I-Y perfume bar greet you upon entering the bright, airy shop through the courtyard set back from the busy, Boulevard Beaumarchais. Then you make your way up a couple of steps to the stationery and baby merchandise, and through the huge furniture, clothing (designer & vintage) and homeware section. Then downstairs to lighting (see the Foscarini for Diesel pendants below) and kitchenware, complete with a restaurant and courtyard.
You end up with the irresistible option to exit through the 'used book café' where you can sit on an array of upcycled furniture, (all with price tags) and sip a café creme, whilst perusing the floor-to-ceiling book shelves...

all photography by me

...for the coffee table...

I've always had a fascination with all things behind closed doors. Maybe I'm just nosey, but it is so much more interesting to see how people act or live without a smile painted on...or their household looking pristine for visitors. Maybe that says more about me...?

In this book, Julien Claessens chronicles the work of fashion designer, Olivier Theyskens from behind the scenes with his beautiful photography....

The Other Side of The Picture, is available from Assouline.

Tote-al...

This bag wants me to own it...it just doesn't know it's too expensive...poor thing...

www.assouline.com

Etc.

Sydney based, stylist and designer, Sibella Court has given some of her secrets away in her book, Etcetera, available here. She lives in an apartment above her shop in the Sydney suburb of Paddington. Evidentally, another one of those people with an eye for a bargain and a forté for styling!
I love the rich colours in this image!

One of her tips includes; "Think of all the stuff you own that has emotional or historical significance," says Court. "It's just a matter of finding ways to incorporate them into your surroundings. This means you'll end up with a home that's distinctly yours, and not just a replica of a homewares catalogue."
Nice advice...
The following two images are, of her own home, taken by her brother. Her apartment and shop were featiured on Design*Sponge in February.

I think to be on the right side of the fine line between 'muse' and 'mess' is an art only few are capable of...(a talented photographer brother would also help...) What do you think?

The first two images and the last, are from Guardian.co.uk and the 3rd and 4th are from Design*Sponge

Tossed & Found

I have junk envy. A while ago my sister spotted a hunk of wood in a skip near my parents house and it turned out to be the most awesome rocking chair. It now has upholstered cushions as well as a brand new home. Inspired? Here's a creative couple who have made a killing out of other people's rubbish.

Wary Meyers are a husband and wife creative team. Their book 'Tossed & Found' follows their ethos of “reduce, reuse, recycle” with step by step 'how to' guides. There's even penned sketches of each concept, which I always like to see.

I love this upcycled dresser. Everyone needs a home for their pantalons! So if you have an old set of drawers, some extra wood lying around, the time, the space, the motivation and a scroll saw...get cracking!

Get the book here

Barcelona House

Very rarely am I lost for words...
This spectacular Barcelona home belongs to spanish architect Ricardo Bofill
I was intending to cut down on the amount of pictures but I can't. They're too good. Drink it all in.







Found in Interiors NOW! Vol. 1 Edited by Dr. Angelika, published by Taschen. Buy it. 418 pages of awesomeness.
Photographs by Verne Photography