Anyone up for spending a day at the races? It’s all racing carnival fever at the moment in my corner of the world, with bold colour adorning the track and fillies alike.  Here is my mini moodboard of equestrian styled pieces to get you in the mood…

                                                  Clockwise from top left: Dress, rug, horse lamp, bench seat, Warwick fabric, Ralph Lauren bookends.

There is just under two weeks to go until John Lewis unveil their new Stratford store, but as you might expect from an Olympic site shop, this is going to something completely different… Image credits: Clements Riberio, ercol cabinet; Bottles Blue cushion, James Joyce; Ikat print cushion,  Ikat Broadstripe chaise, Seattle Chaise, Adras Indigo all Ptolemy Mann;

There are many elements that make this new Home store exciting including collaborations with designers that are completely new to John Lewis.  One that I am really excited about is the vintage boutique brand, Pedlars.  As well as their signiture pieces, they will be offering reconditioned 1950s telephones, original London bus blinds, vintage 1960s bread baking tins sourced from the Hovis factory, along with 1960s lamps, maps, and globes.

Customers will also see a new focus on design-led, directional products, particularly in furniture and lighting.  One particular designer lighting brand will be Design House Stockholm, a firm favourite of mine, you might know them for their ever popular and gorgeously stylish Nordic Light.

There will be a section dedicated cushions, wallpaper and fabric by Jocelyn Warner, a new dining range from Bethan Gray for John Lewis, and fabrics from Mulberry Home.  The area will see a new installation by the renowned stylist Emma Davidge, her concept is inspired by Tibetan flags, and uses long drops of John Lewis fabric to create a breath-taking entrance to the Home floor showcasing the array of fabrics available.

Other collaborations include Original BTC and Modernica, as well as designers Clements Ribeiro, James Joyce and Ptolomy Mann (images above).

Another service will be from Image library guru, Getty, where customers can customise a range of art and photography to suit their own requirements – altering the print size and frames to suit their taste.

Finally, there will be a Home Design service offering customers a design consultation in-store or at home.  Customers will also be able to pick-up swatches and samples, browse interiors magazines and books, and speak to one of their interior design-qualified home designers.

The official opening will be on September 13th 2011
John Lewis

This competition is now closed

Brilliant Prints are giving 2 lucky readers the opportunity to win a Lumi Tile printed with a personal photographic image. Brilliant Prints sets your photographic image on a stylish, modern acrylic tile with high visual impact.  The depth of the acrylic tile gives the image a luminescent, floating, three dimensional effect, and due to the tiles being freestanding, hanging is not required.  The Lumi Tile offered by Brilliant Prints is a medium size – 20cm x 30cm x 30mm. Each retailing at £72.

The prize will be delivered straight to the winners’ door within 3 days of confirmation of proof of image.  Winners will need to supply an imagine of their choice for printing; which Brilliant Prints can crop and retouch as required.  Your photo will be printed on to archival photo paper using genuine K3 Ultrachrome Epson ink set, then mounted on acrylic blocks using an optically clear, acid free adhesive.

Brilliant Prints is an Australiant company who have recently opened it’s doors to the UK with the launch of Lumi Tiles. The family run company are a dedicated photography printing and mounting company; creating pieces of art from your photos, designs, digital files and artwork.

Question: What is the Brilliant Prints turnaround time?

A: 2 days

B: 4 days

C: 1 week

With the change of seasons upon us and perhaps a need (or rather want!) to update your space with a new look, why not try some of the following ideas using fabric that a) wont break the bank and b) give some satisfying DIY results.

Wall Art

If you have seen some terrific fabric and are not sure where it might fit into your home, why not have it professionally framed as an art piece or stretch it yourself over a canvas? Florence Broadhurst, Marimekko and Missoni are examples of timeless designer fabrics that could act as a stand out feature piece that will certainly add that wow factor to your bare walls. (Image 1 – Meghan’s own photo)

Table Wear

A DIY table cloth or table runner is a great way to liven up your mealtime table with fabric you know you love. Buy enough of your favourite print or colour fabric in a cotton or hefty acrylic blend the length of your table to create your own runner or table cloth, for any season. Left over fabric can used to create matching napkins, napkin rings or even placemats. (Image 2 – Meghan’s own photo)

Décor for the Kids

A fun way to incorporate fabric into a child’s domain is a sail or indoor tent in a corner of the room. Use different cuts of fabric such as checks, plain and floral fabric stitched together for a playful look and tie it to anything that will make a cosy cubby. It can be used for quiet time, reading and general times of play, adventure and imagination!

(Image 3) courtesy of Articles Base http://www.articlesbase.com/remodeling-articles/create-a-kids-nook-4294884.htmlBunting is a cute way to decorate a baby or toddlers room. Sew triangles of any sort of printed and colourful fabric, connect with string, wire or ribbon and hang on a door or wall. Image (4) from http://kiddley.com

We wanted to share with you our findings from London Design Week and show you the emerging trends for 2011…

Romo-  Zinc – Miami inspired; exuberant, art deco, colourful madness, graphic printed velvets, carnival silks and punchy geometrics. Zinc Textiles

Villa Nova – delicate feminine spring patterns, Villa Nova

Kirkby Design – geometic patterns, velvets – textured fabrics, Kirkby Design

Zoffany -  beautiful wallpapers created using drypoint intaglio. Very classic and elegant patterns. http://www.zoffany.com/pages/new_collections/

Élitis at Abbot and Boyd - ethnic and tribal prints, earthy tones, bright contrasting colours – yellow, Elitis.

Harleqiuin – Spring, bright, floral, repetitive patterns, Harlequin

Porta Romana – unusual and quirky lighting – love the Faceted Lamps, Porta Romana

Créations Métaphores -  urban environment and chic landscapes were the source of inspiration – balances of softness and metallic chain elements -  http://www.creations-metaphores.com/en/metaphores/nouveautes.htm

Houlés – beautiful brightly coloured passementerie

Lelievre – strong, contrasting colours, balancing gentle graphics and naive floral motifs – http://www.lelievre.eu/index.php?mod=nouvellescollections

Brunschwig & Fils – classic and contemporary

Gastón y daniela – kahastan fabric – tribal colourful. http://www.gastonydaniela.com/MenuFront/2880742242210/en/Nuevos-Estampados-2011