Thank you all for your comments!

Thank you all sooo much for your encouraging comments in my last post. Muaks! I really appreciate the time you all gave to give such constructive comments! It is really helpful and I hope to feed some of your thoughts and ideas into the next series of patterns I am working on.

Meanwhile, just thought I would have a little bit of fun photoshopping some of the patterns into possible applications. While I initially felt that these patterns will be suitable for stationary and home accessories, I actually think they might make a cute apron or tote.

above: It's a cushion cover! I am imagining that the circles to be in velvet with some extrusion from the white flower motifs to give the surface a little more dimension here. (original image from here *runner up of the domino decorative contest*)

above: It's a wallpaper! (original image from here)

afternote: the flower motifs for the wallpaper could be a little bit smaller and textured.
above: It's an apron! Cotton canvas, maybe? (image from here) above: It's a tote! I am imagining the pattern to be on silk or cotton sateen. (original image from here)

Surface Design Crit

ok, here goes...{ I have to admit that it took a bit of courage to decide to put this up at laissezfaire. =) }

I have recently been dabbling in surface design during whatever free time I have. Since this is something completely new to me, I am hoping to involve more people in this process and get feedback on my designs. The first set of patterns I am working on are inspired by oriental flowers...Which colour combination do you like? Do you see the designs going on a pencil case, pillow case, gift wrap, skirt or wall?

If your have any other thoughts, new ideas, suggestions, inspirations etc, do leave a comment! Whether you are an expert in this field or layman, I would love to hear what you think! I do hope to post more work regularly to invite feedback. Thanks!!

#1: Oriental Bud (blue)
#2 : Oriental bud (lime green)

#3 : Oriental bud (pink)

New Blog Watch - Jackie Blue Home

Do check out the "New Blog Watch" this week!------------------>

Jackie Von Tobel calls herself an accidental author, seasoned interior designer and practical educator. She is dedicated to providing inspiration, information and education to design professionals and home decor enthusiasts through her books, seminars, and personal mentoring. She created her blog to journal her progress in writing a series of books The Design Directory and to share some of her super top secret trade tips and sources.

I really like Jackie's elegant and classic style of decorating. She has a successful business, Plush Home, which she built from the ground up. With over 20 years of experience behind her, she has developed a keen sense of what it takes to succeed in the design trade.

I am hoping to get hold of her new book, "From Design to Delivery" as soon as it becomes available on her website. Thank you for sharing your experience and for being such an inspiration, Jackie!

Botanical bathroom

I love this bathroom with decoupaged prints of botanics seen at acupofjo's blog.

Random Greetings Generator

Random Greetings Generator by House Of Burvo. via Today and Tomorrow and FFFFOUND!

Lovelymailorder

It has been a while since I posted on paper stationary. I am now officially back to my paper addict ways. Here are some gorgeous address files to share from Lovelymailorder.

Lovely card pack gathered from found paper.
Beautifully packaged paper sampler.

Mountain coat racks

These mountain coat racks by Brave Space Design are inspired by excess material from their cut sheets. You can even connect them to extend your mountain range! via Spray Glue.

Fill in the cat

These characters carved out of the large, solid white blocks really make them stand out. Simple and interesting.

ijm

These inspiring pictures are from a Dutch design studio ijm, founded by stylist Frank Visser. Frank draws his inspiration from the world around him. Movies, photographs, furniture and even simple flea market finds all come together to form mood boards from which his stories emerge. These pics do make housekeeping look glamorous, don't they? I have never seen green glass and pastel walls and floors look so yummy! (Via The Style files)

Fifteen fabulous craft ideas

Summer of the "oh-so helpful holiday gift guide" blog called Design is mine has put together Fifteen fabulous craft ideas from around the internet for Christmas. I think it is such a wonderful idea to make, rather than buy, gifts. Do check out her post!

Typographic maps

These typographic maps by Jenny Beorkrem at Ork are simple gorgeous! (Via Pasiri.)

Mansion Planter by Pull+Push

This miniature rooftop garden complete with stairs, windows and even handrails on the balcony will definitely add warmth and some visual interest to your surroundings. Perfect when matched with this.

USB keyholder

This usb keyholder by gerry² will be a perfect Christmas present for computer geeks if you ask me. (via girlinthegreendress)

House by Gianni Botsford

Fresh out of the newest issue of Wallpaper*, this house was designed by architect Gianni Botsford for his father's whopping 16,000 books. I really like the transparent open end of the house with the massive book collection. Framed by the natural landscape, this house on stilts also reminds me of the Farnsworth House. Simple but beautiful. via Kitsunenoir.

Radiator Heating Board

How cool and brilliant is this idea? This radiator heating board fits right on top of your radiator and draws heat to keep your coffee and muffin warm while you surf the web for your morning reads. via GadgetVenue.com

Chris Natrop

I really love these beautiful hand-cut paper pieces and installations created by a very talented LA-based artist Chris Natrop. Inspired by his environment and visions of creating an urban utopia, his work reminds me of a fictional landscape of a mystical fairytale weaved by a magic spider! Read more about him and his work at his interview with art.blogging.la. (via casasugar)

The Apartment Therapy (LA)'s 3rd annual fall colours contest

Wowwee! I really love the vibrant colours of this chinatown (LA) lofthouse! It is the finalist entry by Dan and Amy in The Apartment Therapy (LA)'s 3rd annual fall colours contest. Really think the red wall and windows are really well executed. It's just the perfect warm yet vibrant shade of red.

Also love the lamp shades in the picture below! I am imagining them all switched on at night! For more, click here and do leave a comment if you like it so that the judges will hear you!

Orike Muth

Orike Muth & Sandra Lindloge of Orike Muth have designed these beautiful lamps and pillows. Each material is screenprinted by hand with japanese motif in fantastic colours and prints.

Aren't these mini bolsters the most gorgeous things? I am not sure about elsewhere but pretty much every kid in this part of the world grows up with one of these as a comfort buddy. Mine was in a vintage Snoopy print.

Click here for more gorgeousness at their gallery!

The Shiny Squirrel

Jessica recently emailed me to tell me about The Shiny Squirrel. Featuring a select group of young artist such as Lisa Congdon, Nicole Poko and Ashley Goldberg, The Shiny Squirrel is a wonderful platform for emerging talents to showcase their work in limited edition pieces. New artists and products are updated every 1st and 15th of every month. Lovely site to browse and purchase the exclusive work of really talented people. Do check them out!

Bearskin Rug

Each rubber bear rug is specifically casted and made to order. It comes standard in the colours white, brown and black (other colours on request). via Designmilk

RELISTED! HURRY! Concentric Circles - 2008 Calendar

Wow!! I love these beautiful limited edition calendar by one of my favourite blogger Debi van Zyl. The circles are hand cut and hand assembled. Each calendar is slightly different. I liiike! Really think it is so wonderful that Debi has turned her current (still?) obssesion with concentric circles into something so beautiful and functional!

These calenders were initially sold out but have just been relisted ... it's still limited edition with a total of 50 in all. Debi will be taking pre-orders and will ship no later than December 20th. And for those in the Los Angeles area, Debi will also be selling more of these at the Holiday Gift Bazaar in Santa Monica, CA on November 17.

Obsessive Consumption

Kate Bingman-Burt’s Obsessive Consumption is a documention all of her purchases for a period of 28 months. Each item purchased and credit card statement gets obsessively turned into a drawing every day

Do check out the lovely drawings at her flickr page and blog called: What Did You Buy Today. You can also buy her daily purchase drawings at her etsy shop.

Animal themed products by Ibride

Created by 3 members of the same French family, the inspiration for each Ibride item comes from "both the very close environment and travels around the world. The word 'ibride' itself is a play on words in French meaning 'hybrid', and many of the pieces combine several forms and several functions." Some of my favourites below...and more at their beautiful website.

I just love this gorgeous deer tray below. (Available at Velocity Art and Design.) Their animal themed series of bookshelves and tables are also quite magical.
(Above) Joe. This will be wonderful for a child's room.

(above) Diva. This will make a wonderful coffee table.