Spectacular Stationery: Sparrow Nest Script

It's National Stationery Day in the UK which means it's the perfect time for me to admit once and for all that I am a stationery addict. To me, nothing beats putting pen to paper and writing to someone dear in an unabashedly old-fashioned way. I equally love the thrill of receiving a hand-written note or card - I think it's a really touching way to show someone you care about them. Heck, when I got married one of the first things I did post-honeymoon was to order myself a set of custom notecards with my new married name!

I am always on the lookout for new stationery and I was recently browsing etsy when I came across the phenomenal Sparrow Nest Script. Emily Poe-Crawford is the designer and calligrapher behind Sparrow Nest Script and is responsible for creating a collection of stationery that is vibrant, whimsical and eco-friendly to boot! Each card, notebook or bookmark features Emily's incredible india ink hand-calligraphy which brings an elegant simplicity to the collection.

Here are a few of my favourite pieces from the Sparrow Nest Script etsy shop.

Which of these gorgeous pieces would you most like to receive in the post?

All images by Sparrow Nest Script

All images by Sparrow Nest Script

Montreal + Eva Juliet prints

Hi friends!

I'm heading away on holiday to spend a few days in Montreal followed by a few days in New York City. I'm incredibly excited and I have a long list of design shops to visit with full reports to follow!

Since I'll be in Montreal by tonight, what better time than now for me to share with the work of an incredibly gifted Montreal-based artist who goes by the name of Eva Juliet. As you'll see, Eva is a master of design, illustration, typography and more. Here are a few of my favourite pieces from Eva's etsy shop. It's my birthday on Thursday, so here's hoping I might become the proud owner of one of Eva's pieces in the near future...! I think my favourite is the You're My Star print (not just because it coincidentally uses the name Laura) - the large star at the top of the print is hand-painted and glows in the dark which totally appeals to my inner child!

All photos are copyright Eva Juliet

All of these gorgeous works are currently available for sale at the Eva Juliet etsy shop. If you had to choose just one of these prints, which would it be?

Top Row: 1. Invictus  --  2. You're My Star  --  3. H is for Happiness
Bottom Row: 1. Thyme  --  2. Jamais trop tard  --  3. Buttons

What's your library style?

It's always been a bit of a dream of mine to live in a home large enough to devote a great big room to books, books and more books! I am known to my friends and family as a rather voracious reader (helped by the fact that I naturally read very quickly) and I can easily get through a book in an hour or two without batting an eye. I can't stop myself from buying more and more books each time I finish one, so we currently have an overflowing set of bookshelves and I constantly feel the need to pare down the collection, sending books on to the charity shop to make room for new ones. I'd love to be able to just hoard them all in one gorgeous home library though! The daydreaming has led me to wonder what my library style might be  - here are a few of my favourite options:

1. Mixed and Modern: I like the idea of juxtaposing the books with decorative objects, photos, etc. This reminds me a little bit of our current bookshelf situation - I've interspersed my collection of vintage cameras on the shelves to give some added visual interest. 

2. Organised Chaos: I love the sense of organised chaos of this room - I think it feels particularly bursting at the seams because the books are all stacked horizontally which only adds to the charm.

3. Traditional: While it's not necessarily right for my home, I do get a thrill out of seeing a traditional looking library with the leather bound books and, most importantly, the hidden doorway built into the shelving!

4. Industrial: This is a refreshingly modern and industrial approach to the home library. Even though it isn't terribly large, the double height complete with rolling staircase adds a sense of drama. The addition of personal mementos and photos on various shelves allows this room to maintain its industrial aesthetic while still feeling lived in.

5. Modern luxury: This library succeeds at being modern, but also really cozy and luxurious so I automatically find it endearing. Curling up with a good book while sitting on this lovely fuzzy carpet in front of the roaring fire would be difficult to beat!

6. Light, Bright & Airy: Now THIS is the one that really takes my breath away. The double (or is it triple?!) height bookshelves combined with the floor to ceiling windows allowing the sunlight to stream in and the array of greenery dotted around the room is sublime. I think this library is would beautiful enough to make me conquer my fear of heights just to climb up to the top shelf on that lovely ladder!

Which of these library styles would you love to have in your home?

Image credits:

1. Neville Johnson

2. Bookcase Porn

3. Pinterest (if you know the original source of this image, please let me know so I can credit)

4. My Ideal Home

5. The Captive Reader

6. HGTV

Striped Flooring: Yay or Nay?

I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to things like flooring, preferring neutral colours or wood finishes. However, recently my opinion has changed a bit and I'm coming around to seeing the light when it comes to a more adventurous approach to flooring. I've even surprised myself by how much I seem to be gravitating towards images of striped flooring - it's not for the faint of heart, but when it's done the right way it can transform a room in the best way.

I love the varying widths of these stripes as well as the graduated colour progression on this kitchen floor.

This light grey has a subtle elegance which I really appreciate.

I think it's difficult to go wrong with classic black and white stripes and I especially like that this flooring is made of tiles rather than painted wood.

The blue stripes give these rooms a clean, cool Cape Cod vibe.

While I find it difficult to imagine there would ever be a time when I would be ready to embrace the most extreme stripe examples, I can certainly appreciate how fun these multi-coloured floors are:

What do you think of striped flooring? Is it something you would try in your home?

Image Credits:
1. Apartment Therapy

2. Whipped Style

3. The Detailed Designer

4. iiiinspired

5. ivillage

6. House of Turquoise

7. Interior Design Sense

8. Apartment Therapy

Ombre Obsession

Admittedly, ombre isn't exactly a new trend, but it is an enduring one! I'm happy to see its continuing reign as I frequently find myself drawn to ombre glasswear, ceramics and textiles. Here's a collection of some of my ombre highlights. How do you feel about the ombre trend?

1. Ombre print jumper  |  2. Mezzo highball glasses  |  3. Ombre beaded clutch  |  4. Handpainted linen pillow  |  5. Windsor love seat  |  6. Ombre woven basket  |  7. Ombre water pitcher  |  8. Mezzo vase/lantern  |  9. Ombre border bathmat

Colour Focus: Mint Green

I have to admit I've never really been drawn to traditionally pretty pastel hues. I'm not sure whether I've been subliminally influenced by the abundance of pastels everywhere thanks to Easter, but lately I've found myself really appreciating the appeal of a crisp, clean mint green tone. There's a sort of vintage charm that I can't help associating with the colour. Here are some of my current favourite mint green picks:

1. KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer  |  2. Lomography Dreamer Diana F+ Camera  |  3. Mint Green Earrings  |  4. "Here's the church, here's the steeple" Photographic Print  |  5. Smeg Fridge Freezer  |  6. ASOS Weave Hobo Bag 

Inspired by the River: Nautical revisited

In my day job, I work in an office perched on the South Bank of the Thames River. If I'm ever at risk of feeling a tiny bit tired or in need of a quick break during the day (it happens to the best of us, right?) I have the luxury of taking a 30 second walk to see this:

Photo courtesy of Caught by Design's questionable camera phone

On a glorious sunny day it's difficult not to be enchanted by the sunlight shimmering on the waves while boats sail along the river. Or if I happen to be working late, seeing the lights of the London Eye and Big Ben twinkling across the water reminds me of why I love London.

This might explain why I have a bit of a soft spot for nautical inspired pieces. I've always been a little  bit wary of the over the top tendencies usually associated with the nautical trend (so don't worry, I'm not about to suggest we all run out to buy knotted ropes or dress in sailor suits), but these items prove that one or two nautical touches can provide a fantastic accent for a room or an outfit.

Shopping links:
1. Wave Fade print by Todd St. John
2. Porcelain Mariner Lamps by Fleet via Design*Sponge
3. Ceramic vase by Zara Home
4. Whitby canvas bag by Mini Moderns
5. Whale charm by Tinkersmith for Top Shop
6. Wave Fade tape dispenser by Todd St. John
7. Kozydan Kachido limited edition divers cushion


What do you think of the nautical trend? Do you have any nautical inspired pieces in your home or wardrobe?

Decorate with Dazzling Minerals and Gems!

It's April now, so I think it's finally time for me to shake off the Winter blues and embrace Spring! To me, nothing says springtime better than bright, bold colours. While I'm not quite ready to paint my walls fluorescent yellow, I am on the lookout for smaller pieces to brighten up my space. Imagine my joy when I discovered these beautiful minerals and gemstones which have been re-purposed into stunning decorative items. Best of all, they're surprisingly affordable too!

Who wouldn't want to add a dazzling punch of colour to their home by scattering a few of these pieces around the house?

All pieces are from the fantastic shop Leif (founded by Stacy Anne Longenecker in Brooklyn, NY) - full details and links for shopping are included below!

All images via Leif

1. Amethyst Tea Light Holder $36

2. Agate Tea Light Holder $30

3. Agate Trivet $17

4.Mineral Magnet Set $36

Caught by Design: Welcome!

First post, first confession. I'm not a design expert and I won't pretend to be one. I've never worked in design, never studied it, am not blessed with a meticulously decorated mansion and don't have the level of disposable income which would allow me to buy even a fraction of the items I find myself coveting on a daily basis. But I do love good design. Whether that be fantastic architecture, gorgeous furniture, a beautiful handmade item, a perfect photograph or the work of an inspired artist, every day these things catch my eye and draw me in. I hope that Caught by Design will be a place where I can share my finds with you and spotlight the designers, makers and products which inspire me.

Where better to go for a bit of inspiration for my first post than a trip to the Design Museum London? Built on the bank of the Thames, its waterfront location offers the museum a light, bright, airy space perfect for showcasing a rotating series of exhibitions which cover the full range of design from graphic to industrial to fashion and architectural design.

The star attraction of my visit was The Way We Live Now, a retrospective of the legendary British design giant Sir Terence Conran. In addition to featuring Conran's designs, the exhibition also serves as a reminder of the way in which he brought good design to the masses upon founding the legendary Habitat chain in 1964 and how his design principles continue to permeate our lives nearly fifty years on. The exhibition laid plain the incredible work Conran did bringing to light countless talented designers and I was pleased to see that the exhibition featured a range of work by a number of artists. I managed to snap a few photos of the exhibition to share with you!

1. I love this array of furniture, lighting and kitchenware. My favourite piece is the gorgeous sculptural Wishbone Chair designed by Hans J. Wegner.
2. Don't you just love this textile design by Conran?
3. The beautiful simplicity of the red teapot as designed by David Birch. Currently available to purchase here - a total steal at only £10.50!

1. A recreation of the sitting area in Conran's office. I'd love to own this coffee table please!
2. The iconic Cone Chair designed by Conran in the 1950's
3. Yet another gorgeous printed textile
4. An array of functional yet beautiful ceramics

My fellow Londoners, you have until the 12th of April to check this exhibition out!