Trend: Autumnal Tabletop

Saturday 25 October 2014

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Go minimalistic with rustic monochrome, a tabletop that takes after one of my favourite Scandi trends - concrete. Most suited for those cool, grey and knitted interiors, these ceramics let texture do the talking and decorate a neutral home with a coarse contrast, similar to the outdoor grainy textures that are most prominent in the colder months. Metallic details are also an emerging trend, Naomi Gration interprets the characteristics of concrete with dramatic brush strokes highlighted with a slight shine.

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A constantly evolving trend is the influx of dipped homewares: ceramics, textiles, kitchenware and table legs, you name it, it's been dipped. So I love that this once colour focused trend has advanced into a textural direction with a glaze dip. Matte and gloss are an abrupt combination offering a real Autumnal essential. I was recently tempted by the Agnus glaze dip mug from Habitat (top right, zoom), the silky interior is luxurious against the sandy textured base and feels completely handcrafted. Brookyln ceramicist Helen Levi takes a different approach and instead of dipping ceramics, she combines two opposing materials on the pottery wheel to create a gradual merge and ultimately a completely natural reactive pattern. I also like the spontaneous appeal of her glazed pieces, featuring ink washed dips for an artisanal, crafted feel.


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Traditional Japanese pottery has inspired the return of speckled earthenware and splattered ceramics. Updated with a contemporary application, this handmade approach combines earthy browns and neutral pastels for minimalistic pieces that punctuate a basic interior.

Ceramicists featured

- Julian Stair 
- Elephant Ceramics
- Takashi Endo
- Naomi Gration
- Yumiko Iihoshi
- Avesha Michael 
- Vitrified Studio 
- BTW Ceramics 
- Otis & Otto 
- Helen Levi 
- Herriot Grace 

Eye Candy Laundry Bags by Brabantia

Monday 20 October 2014





All imagery provided by Brabantia

The new Eye Candy range from Brabantia breaks the tradition from your average wicker laundry basket. Unlike the usual inanimate object tucked behind your bedroom door, these fun and foldable bags integrate into any stylish interior. Whether rectangular or oval, I love the simplistic shapes combined with block colour, turning something everyday into design. Another bonus is the fact that these bags are mobile, with the top easily transforming into a handle - laundry bags never looked so good.

Available in six colours; Pastel Mint, Warm Red, Pastel Pink, Cool Grey, Royal Blue or the always-chic Black.

Laundry Bag, Rectangular - Various Colours £26.00

Laundry Bag, Oval - Various Colours £28.00


Wilder California: Photography for the home

Saturday 11 October 2014


All imagery provided by Jane Wilder 
I recently came across the Instagram account of Jane Wilder, a California based photographer with an eye for combining pastel palettes and all sorts of plants and cacti. I of course fell head over heels and was delighted to discover that this imagery was actually available as large scale prints for the home from her Etsy shop, Wilder California.

It was then I felt I had to get in touch with Wilder so that I could shout and rave about her absolutely stunning work. Her photography makes her the modern day impressionist with such an abstract approach to capturing small but perfectly formed details. The images allow you to appreciate natural formations in a new light and for me the colour is just the cherry on the cake and what initially drew me in. I'm a pastel-holic and seeing such peachy pinks and chalky blues with an overall hazy fade just hypnotised me. What I particularly like about Wilder's work is that plants are transformed into print and pattern, with contrasting colours creating unexpected lines; palm leaves reveal chevron shapes and cactus spindles create polkodot pattern. I feel I must also add that the pair of colour fade images are actually Californian skies - what bliss.

With photography in the genes, Jane studied the art in Northern California, growing up surrounded by creativity as her father and aunt are also photographers. Finding inspiration from art & interiors blogs, Wilder has a fondness for shooting diverse Californian plantlife and her natural surroundings, combining these objects of nature with such a soft-hued colour palette.

Since getting in touch with Jane, I'm delighted to announce that we are currently working together on her next collection, due to make it's first appearance on Dursk. Without giving too much away, colour will be a big focus, and I'm so glad that despite being on the other side of the world, we can collaborate to create something that is truly marvellous and expressive of our similar tastes.

Brand Watch: Jansen + Co

Sunday 5 October 2014


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New Collection: Loop


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Image provided by Jansen + Co 



I first came across Dutch tableware brand Jansen + Co around a year ago due to it being stocked in my favourite Northern Quarter coffee shop/concept store, The Fig and Sparrow (which by the way I highly recommend - best coffee in Manchester).

With a distinctive palette of block primary colour, my favourite of the colour combinations is grey and dark teal spanning across the mug, jug and teapot lines. The retro and robust shapes are an oddity, paired with such bold colours and a glossed, high shine finish. After finally tracking down the brand I was delighted to get in contact with Amsterdam based Jansen + Co, and to hear that it's newest collection, Loop, was upon release. The much loved simplistic style is carried into a squashed down and stackable design, with an even more looped handle, and in a range of typical Jansen colours.

Loop is set to release in the coming months and I can't wait to see what's in store for this unique brand.
 
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