Lovely clusters

If you are a fan of beautiful handmade and vintage items like I am, you would have to check out Lovely Clusters. This website is THE PLACE to browse from very creative artists and designers from around the world.

Each item is organised and group by clusters or according to their shop, colour and category. Click on the image you like and it brings you directly to the sellers shop site where you can purchase and find more information. Here are some beautiful objects I picked out to share:

Cream bloom found from the colour beige.
Photography in gorgeous hues by Simply Hue.

Peachy Pearl Earrings by Glitterysah.

(Top-most image above clustered by Blossom)

Eurobad74

Retro interior fans should check this website out. It is called Eurobad74 and showcases some of Europe's "worst designs" from 1974. Some of it is not that bad, really. Would make a lovely backdrop for a fashion shoot today.

Communist Chic

Check out Ostel, a new budget hotel in Berlin that celebrates Communist retro chic. It must be my penchant for nolstalgic items, coupled with my several visits to my husband's Russian motherland, that started me appreciating this style of decor. The hotel is located in a former East German housing block in the Berlin Mitte district. The rooms are furnished with Communist-era pieces salvaged from private houses and second hand shops. . ohh...I just love the fabrics and wallpaper and the music on their website!

City Furniture

I got to know about City Furniture via Bloesem. Located in Belgium, this store stocks on the most beautiful mid-century designer furniture and objects. Though a little on the pricey side, I think they are really well made and are worth the money if you can afford it. Good news is that they ship workwide! Some of my favourites below. Do check out their website for more!

(above) 1970s Harvey Guzzini, Italy floor lamp.€ 900
(above) 7 Serie 142 Tecno chairs Alexander Girard fabric. € 1000
(above) 1960s Hans Wegner teak Getama daybed. € 1200
(above) 5 Boris Tobacoff 'SPHERE' dining chairs 1971. € 4000. Not available.

Retro inspired deco

I love to mix things up and have fun when I design. Usually, I like to start with a modern and neutral base and then layer it with things that I find in different places to add texture, colour and personality to a space. Recently, I have been drawn to the quirky colours and patterns of retro inspired interiors and fabrics. Check out these retro cool rooms I found!

(above) "Orla Keily classic package" by Luxe Interiors. I love the way the fresh olive green on the walls is repeated in the pattern on the rug in the living room. The warmth of the oak wood really stands out well in the sea of lively colours and retro inspired fabrics by Orla Kiely.

(above) Jon's 60's Retro Bedroom ( via Apartment Therapy). I am so drawn and inspired by the colours in this room.

If you're looking for some vintage reproduction and retro themed fabrics, you can find them at Repro Depot in the US or Pluck in Singapore. Some of the fabrics you find in these places will make wonderful wall hangings, cushions, shower curtains and upholstery. You can even snip them up and frame them in a lovely photo frame to jazz up a wall.

(above) fabrics from Repro Depot.

(above) fabrics and wallpaper from Pluck (images from Fashionisspinach)

Book Bags

Check out these book bags made from actual hardcover vintage books from tizrah's etsy shop. So clever and creative! (via Poppytalk)

Maggie Zanger

I am intriqued by the work of Canadian designer, Maggie Zanger. A woodworker, seamstress, and furniture designer all at once, Maggie creates her beautiful masterpieces through a blending of layers and grouping of unusual materials. Her key projects are inspired from found objects that are integrated into contemporary pieces and spaces. Below are some pictures of a room Maggie designed and constructed, in collaboration with contemporary landscape artist and theatrical scene painter Kelly Palmer, for the Come Up To My Room design event.

The gorgeous table in the room below is built from exotic Koa veneer. To give it a quirky twist, one drawer face is spray lacquered in aqua blue and the interior drawers are custom painted with a graphic design.