In Love with Lavender

Lavender, my latest colour crush.

From top: Milk jug - Human Empire, Poppy hot water bottle - Toast, Angora sweater - Cos, Owl plate - Donna Wilson via Human Empire, Leather Satchel - The Cambridge Satchel Company, CH24 Carl Hansen and Son Wishbone Chair - Nest, Parma Violet nail polish - Topshop.

Mini Moderns

If you like mid-century design then you are going to love today's post. Mini Moderns are a British homeware brand that sell everything from wallpaper, ceramics, rugs and cushions all with a distinct mid-century feel. The most popular design in the collection is the Whitby range, shown below.

The Whitby design comes on wallpaper, cushions, fabric, tea-towels and porcelain (mugs, plates, cups and cake stands) and comes in a few different colours. Another favourite is the Festival range, inspired by the Festival of Britain in 1951 when the government organised a national festival celebrating everything from design, art and technology to help revive Britain in the aftermath of war.

The whole of the Festival crockery range is fantastic so if you like the pretty tea cups and saucers above then click here for the full collection. Finally, if like me you can't resist a floral, then have a look at the pretty Alice collection. Below is the wallpaper in mustard, though if yellow isn't your thing they do it in pale blue, grey and dark grey as well.

I quite like the idea of having this sunshine yellow wallpaper in a little nook in my future house. Maybe in the office so it can brighten up my working day? What do you think?

{Images: Mini Moderns}

Flea Markets in Munich

If you follow me on Twitter, you'll know that I've moved to Munich for the summer. Even though it's only for a few months, while the OH works on an important project, I'm still excited to embrace German life and get to know the city.

Of course, the first thing I did when I found out I was temporarily moving out here was to google local car boots and flea markets. The first one I found was Auer Dult, a flea market held three times a year, selling everything from local food produce to antique educational wall charts. It was with great delight that I discovered the market was on during my stay so I wasted no time in getting there and headed down straight away.

The market had a good mix of everything vintage and new, though, disappointingly, there was a large amount of JML-style stalls too. We promptly avoided these and focused on the antique and vintage sellers nestled in the heart of the market. 

There were lots of lovely designer-makers at the fair selling their wares. This bright stall was one of my favourites with the cute fishy bowls, plates and cups. However, due to lack of space, I had to leave empty-handed.

There was lots of vintage furniture up for grabs, including this super cute wicker chair. I was quite smitten with that wicker basket too. I've wanted one since watching Moonrise Kingdom (if you've seen it you'll know what I mean!).

There were lots of crafty stalls around too which was great for me, though less great for the OH as he waited while I rummaged through box after box of ribbon and material.

To top all this flea market-y goodness off, there was a mini fairground complete with ferris wheel and carousal. And I even made a new friend.

I'd definitely recommend a browse around this market if you are planning a trip here. There was a great vibe to the place with the fairground rides, traditional Bavarian food stalls and lots of vintage goods. It's only on three times a year though so make sure you check the dates!

{Images: Laura Blanksby}

Christmas Wish List No.14

Vintage china seems to be having a bit of a renaissance at the minute. Weddings, summer fêtes and kitsch cafés are all re-introducing the noble tea-cup and saucer, all to a great effect. I, personally, can think of nothing better than drinking tea from a tiny bone china tea-cup and eating cake off a matching side plate. The only down-side to it is that they seem to be a lot harder to come across than they used to. I remember charity shops, car boots and junk shops being full of them, though now they are more scarce as the desirability has rocketed. But for those that still want their fix, Tesco Direct have now started selling bone china trios and plates. I know, I couldn't believe it either! The range is not huge but they have some pretty pieces...

 

I must say I was surprised to see Tesco were selling these, but they have a nice little collection going on so I'm pleased! You can buy these, and their other designs, here.

{Images: Tesco Direct}